9 Epic Things to Do in Bangkok

I think you’ll agree that for a huge number of people, Bangkok is the gateway into the world of travelling. Thailand’s definitely where the majority of people first dip their toe in the wider world outside the States and Europe. That was the case for us, and we got majorly bitten by the travel bug here.

Things To Do In Bangkok

Bangkok is the capital of Thailand, and as you probably guessed there is so much to see and do here. From towering temples and sprawling markets to rooftop cocktails and river cruises there’s something for everyone!

9 Epic Things To Do In Bangkok

1. Temple of the Emerald Buddha – Wat Phra Kaew

As the English name suggests, this is home to a statue known as the Emerald Buddha – the most important relic in all of Thailand.

It’s probably the best known of all the temples and widely regarded as the most sacred. The entrance fee is 500 baht for the Grand Palace which includes the temple.

It’s important to follow the temple dress code to ensure you aren’t denied entry.

2. Ride the River Ferry

Like most great cities, Bangkok is built on a large waterway – the Chao Phraya River. Unlike a lot of cities, it’s incredibly cheap to travel around by boat!

It’s well worth hopping on the transport boats that the locals use to get around the city. You get an incredible view of some of the most iconic temples and large skyscrapers that the city has to offer. It’s especially nice to do at night when the city’s skyline is lit up.

In addition to the sightseeing, it’s also an efficient way to cross the river. Which brings us nicely to the next thing on our list.

3. Temple of Dawn – Wat Arun

Wat Arun, known in English as the “Temple of Dawn” is about as eye-catching as they come. It seems aptly named for its dazzling, iridescent beauty in the early morning. The sun glistens off the coloured ceramic and white surface.

The easiest way to get here, assuming your coming from the east of the river, is to cross by river ferry. Don’t forget to check out the view from a distance, as you’re heading towards it.

Also, it looks equally beautiful at night when it’s lit from below. So be sure to ride the ferry past in the evening. You can grab a great snap of the temple and reflection on the water!

4. Rooftop Cocktails

Have you really been to Bangkok if you haven’t seen it from a rooftop bar?! Okay maybe you have, I mean we all know this city’s tourism is built on backpacking. But if you’ve got a few spare baht, it’s definitely worth it!

When you compare it to some big cities around the world, it’s cheaper to buy a couple of cocktails at a rooftop bar in Bangkok than to even visit the top of a skyscraper.

We’d recommend the Banyan Tree, but there are tons of places to choose from

5. Chatuchak Market

Chatuchak is Thailand’s biggest market, and that’s saying something! The market is open Friday evening and all day Saturday and Sunday.

There are thousands of stalls, selling almost everything you can imagine. Clothes shops are probably the most popular so be sure to browse and not just buy at the first stall you visit!

We think the best time to go is towards the end of the day, when it’s a little bit cooler to walk around. Plus, there’s a cool bar there called Viva8 that do beers, spirits and cocktails. And they usually have a live band in the evenings!

6. Temple of the Reclining Buddha – Wat Pho

Wat Pho is another must visit temple. It’s one of the largest temples in Bangkok and is famous for housing the enormous, gold-coloured reclining Buddha.

Wat Pho is actually a complex with numerous temples, stupas and halls. It takes around an hour or two to walk around and see most of it.

7. Lumphini Park

One of our favourite things to do when staying in a huge city is to visit some of the parks. Especially when you’re looking for a change of pace from the hustle and bustle of downtown.

Lumphini is a beautiful park with a few lakes and a variety of flora and fauna. One of the highlights being the monitor lizards!

You can rent pedalo boats to go out on the lake. There’s usually someone selling bags of colourful fish food to feed the lake’s large koi carp. We were really lucky once and saw a huge catfish come for the food, but it’s rare to see.

8. Visit Chinatown

We’d definitely recommend taking a trip to Chinatown one evening. It’s crazy busy and you’re bound to see something surprising there.

The smell of the Chinese restaurants and street food fills the air. Combine that with the noise and the fast pace of it all, and you’ve got yourself an unforgettable experience.

9. Khao San Road – Take a Walk on the Wild Side

If you’re picturing backpackers and parties then look no further than Khao San Road. There’s bars with music pumping, restaurants, street food – including fried scorpions and spiders on sticks, beer and spirit stalls, performers… you name it!

Maybe the younger backpackers out there will disagree, but it’s probably not somewhere you’d spend a lot of time. However, it’s an absolute must do thing in Bangkok if you want to see the wild side.

9 Epic Things To Do In Bangkok

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