Attractions · Bangkok
Things to do in Bangkok.
The capital's big sights cluster along the river: the Grand Palace and the great temples in the old town, with day trips out to Ayutthaya and the railway market filling the second days.
The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew
Bangkok's essential morning: the Emerald Buddha's temple inside the ceremonial palace grounds, all gilt, mosaic and mural. Go at opening time, before the heat and the tour groups peak.
How to book: Tickets at the palace gate or on the official palace website. The dress code is enforced at the gate: covered shoulders, legs covered to below the knee, no exceptions sold at the door except cover-ups.
Search tickets and toursvia KlookWat Arun, the Temple of Dawn
The porcelain-clad prang across the river from Wat Pho, climbable to its first terraces for the river view. Best in the late afternoon, and floodlit after dark from the opposite bank.
How to book: Cross-river ferry from Tha Tien pier every few minutes; entry paid at the temple gate.
Wat Pho and the Reclining Buddha
The 46 metre reclining Buddha, the birthplace of Thai massage, and a working temple complex that rewards an hour. The massage school on site is the real thing.
How to book: Tickets at the gate. Massages at the school are booked on arrival; weekends queue.
Chatuchak Weekend Market
One of the world's great markets: thousands of stalls of clothes, crafts, plants, antiques and food, Saturday and Sunday. A morning is a survey; a day is a commitment.
How to book: Free entry. Saturday and Sunday, roughly 9 to 18; the plant market also runs midweek. BTS Mo Chit or MRT Kamphaeng Phet puts you at the gate.
Jim Thompson House
The silk king's teak house museum on a klong in the centre of the city: art, gardens and the mystery of his 1967 disappearance. Guided tours only, in small groups.
How to book: Tickets at the house; tours run through the day and are included.
King Power Mahanakhon SkyWalk
Thailand's highest observation deck, with a glass floor section over the city at 310 metres. The pixelated tower is a landmark before you even go up.
How to book: Timed tickets online or at the tower. Sunset slots sell first; the glass floor closes in high wind.
Search tickets and toursvia KlookAyutthaya as a day trip
The old capital's brick prangs and Buddha heads in banyan roots, an hour north. By van, by train with a local guide, or up by bus and back down the river by boat: the classic Bangkok day out.
How to book: Day trips run daily from Bangkok on the platforms and through hotels; the train-plus-tuk-tuk version is easy to do independently.
Search tickets and toursvia KlookMaeklong Railway Market and Damnoen Saduak
The market that folds itself around a passing train, paired with the famous floating market's canal boats. A half day from Bangkok, usually combined in one tour.
How to book: Combined tours run daily; independent trips need an early start and a minivan from the southern bus terminal.
Search tickets and toursvia KlookThe Ancient City (Muang Boran)
A vast open-air park south of Bangkok holding scale replicas of Thailand's great monuments in a map-shaped garden: the whole country's architecture in one long day, by bike or golf cart.
How to book: Tickets at the gate or online. Rent the bike or golf cart inside; it is too big to walk.
Search tickets and toursvia KlookPlanning the stay itself: the city guides cover what is on, and the hotels page covers where to sleep near it.