Bangkok packs an exceptional number of major sights — few capitals in the world rival it. Exploration begins naturally with the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), the most visited complex in Thailand: 218,000 m² of royal architecture, multi-tiered roofs sheathed in green and gold tiles, galleries decorated with frescoes telling the Ramakien (the Thai epic). The adjacent Wat Pho (no surcharge) houses the country's largest reclining Buddha — 46 metres long, entirely gold-plated, the feet inlaid with mother-of-pearl depicting the 108 auspicious signs of the Buddha. It is also the birthplace of traditional Thai massage: a 30- to 60-minute session in the temple's massage rooms for 260-420 THB is one of the best deals in Bangkok.
Across the Chao Phraya (longtail from Tha Tien pier, 3-4 THB), Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) rises in a prang (Khmer-style tower) of 82 metres, entirely sheathed in shards of multi-coloured porcelain that catch the sun. Viewed from the opposite bank in late afternoon, it is the most iconic image of Bangkok. Wat Benchamabophit (the Marble Temple) and Wat Traimit (a solid gold Buddha of 5.5 tonnes, 40% pure gold, discovered by accident in 1955) round out the unmissable temples list.
Beyond temples, the Chatuchak market (weekends only, 8 am-6 pm, over 15,000 stalls) is the largest open-air market in Asia: clothing, crafts, plants, antiques, vintage — a fascinating labyrinth to which you should give a minimum of 3 hours. Chinatown (Yaowarat Road) is best explored in the evening, when street-food stalls invade the pavements: giant grilled prawns, lacquered duck, fried prawn rolls, freshly pressed sugar cane juice. The Damnoen Saduak floating market (2 hours southwest) is highly touristed but remains a singular visual experience from a long-tail boat. For a cultural day trip, Ayutthaya (UNESCO-listed former royal capital, 80 km north) offers a panorama of Khmer ruins and partially collapsed temples of melancholic beauty.
In the evening, Bangkok turns its rooftops into panoramic terraces: the bar at Lebua State Tower (Sky Bar, 64th floor) offers the finest view over the city lights and the winding Chao Phraya — pricey but memorable. The bars of Sukhumvit Soi 11 and the clubs of RCA Road are the main scenes of international nightlife.
Read also
- Bangkok and the North — the complete region — From the capital to Chiang Mai: itineraries, transport and highlights of Northern Thailand.
- Chiang Mai, the Rose of the North — 300 temples, night markets and trekking in the hills, 1h15 flight from Bangkok.
- Thailand — complete country guide — Formalities, budget, regions and best time to visit Thailand.
- Phuket, the southern beaches — 1h30 flight from Bangkok, the beaches of the Andaman Sea and the Phi Phi Islands.