Things to Do in Bangkok
50 curated spots from Bangkok itineraries
Activities & Attractions
30 curated experiences
Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew
Tour gilded halls, Emerald Buddha, and mythical murals; arrive 8:30AM for golden hour light from eastern gates.
2h · $15
Chatuchak Weekend Market
Explore 15,000 stalls for street food, crafts; photography of colorful vendors.
2h 30m · Free ($20 spend)
Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha)
Explore the Reclining Buddha hall, wander the chedi courtyards, and photograph the intricate murals and statues in the early day when it’s cooler.
1h 30m · $5-10
Pak Khlong Talat Flower Market
Wander vibrant wholesale blooms at dawn light; capture colorful chaos in narrow alleys.
1h · Free
Wat Pho
Admire 46m Reclining Buddha, ornate chedis; best low-angle shots of feet inlays; Thai massage optional.
1h 30m · $6
Asiatique Riverfront
Evening ferris wheel and shops (30-min BTS from Bang Krachao).
2h · $10 wheel
Bangkokian Museum (Bangkok Folk Museum)
Small heritage house museum showing middle-class life in mid-20th-century Bangkok, set in a quiet garden.
1h · Free or small donation
Chao Phraya River Boat
15-min express boat to Wat Arun; shoot riverside architecture en route (10-min transit).
30m · $1
Jim Thompson House
Teak pavilions with Thai-modern architecture; serene gardens for composed shots.
1h 30m · $6
Lumpini Park
Stroll lakeside paths, spot monitor lizards, rent paddle boats (nature must-have).
1h 30m · $2 boat
Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)
Take the short river ferry across to climb the central prang’s terraces for skyline and river views, especially lovely near golden hour.
1h 15m · $3
Wat Arun Ratchawararam (Temple of Dawn)
Take the short cross-river ferry, climb the central prang’s terraces if comfortable, and capture panoramic river and city views.
1h 30m · $5-10
Ari Soi 1-3 Cafes
Hipster street stroll; photo modern shops.
1h 30m · Free
Asiatique The Riverfront
Open-air night market with ferris wheel, shops, live music; riverside walks.
2h · Free ($30 spend)
Bang Krachao (Green Lung) Cycling & Nature
Take a short boat from Khlong Toei or Bang Na to Bang Krachao, rent simple bikes, and ride elevated paths through lush greenery, mangroves, and small temples.
2h 30m · $5-10 for boat and bike rental
Bang Krachao Cycling and Sri Nakhon Khuean Khan Park
Take a short boat from Khlong Toei or Bang Na to Bangkok’s ‘green lung’, rent a simple bicycle, and cycle raised walkways through jungle-like greenery, lakes, and bird-filled parkland.
2h 30m · $1 boat + $3-5 bike rental
Bang Nam Phueng Floating Market (weekends only)
If your Day 5 falls on a weekend, stroll this local floating market for snacks, plants, and handicrafts after your tour; otherwise, free explore the elevated walkways and small temples.
1h 30m · Free (pay for snacks and small souvenirs)
Bangkok Art & Culture Centre (BACC)
Contemporary art museum with rotating exhibitions, design shops, and cafés in a circular, airy building.
1h 30m · Often free, occasional paid exhibitions $3-5
Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC)
Free contemporary Thai exhibits in brutalist building; indoor photography highlight.
2h · Free
Bangkok Art Museum or Jim Thompson House
Explore contemporary Thai art or tour the teak mansion of American silk entrepreneur Jim Thompson with personal guide; intimate architectural and cultural experience.
2h · $15-25 per person
Bangkok Floating Market & Train Market
Longtail boat through canals, shop/train-track stalls for fruits/snacks (wear light clothes, sun hat).
4h · $80
Bangkok National Museum
Ancient artifacts and royal regalia; indoor art/history.
2h · $6
Beam Live Music
Catch indie bands in intimate venue (live music must-have).
2h · $10 cover
Benjakitti Park
Bike rental around lake; skyline views (nature touch).
2h · $5 bike
CentralWorld & Siam Square Shopping
Explore massive CentralWorld mall, nearby Siam Paragon and Siam Center for fashion, tech, souvenirs, and great A/C; wander the street-level Siam Square area too.
2h 30m · Free to enter (shopping extra)
Chao Phraya River Ferry Ride
Hop on a public river ferry or shuttle boat between piers (ICONSIAM, Sathorn, Tha Tien) for an easy DIY river cruise with city and temple views.
1h · $1-3
Chao Phraya River Night Cruise (from Iconsiam or Asiatique)
Board an evening dinner or sightseeing cruise for lit-up views of Wat Arun, the Grand Palace walls, and city skyscrapers.
2h · $30-60 per person depending on cruise
Chinatown (Yaowarat Road) Night Market Stroll
Walk Yaowarat Road and its side lanes after dark for sizzling woks, seafood stalls, dessert carts, and neon-lit shopfronts; graze on dumplings, noodles, and mango desserts.
2h · $5-15 (street snacks)
Democracy Monument Area
Art deco monument and street murals; evening people-watch (BTS 15-min).
1h · Free
Golden Mount (Wat Saket)
Spiral stupa climb for city panoramas; chedi photography at sunrise.
1h 30m · $2Restaurants & Food
20 local favorites
Err
Modern Thai tasting menu; order the seasonal set with river views.
1h 30m · $60-80 per person
Nai Ek Roll Noodle
Legendary boat noodle rolls; rich broth, pork balls.
45m · $6-10 per person
The Deck by Arun Residence
Riverside cafe with gluten-free Thai rice porridge (khao tom) and fresh tropical fruits; request no wheat additives.
1h · $15-25 per person
Err Urban Rustic Thai
Casual Thai comfort food with creative twists; focus on sharing plates like grilled pork jowl, Isaan sausages, and som tam.
1h 15m · $15-25 per person
Jay Fai
Michelin-starred street food; try crab omelet and drunken noodles.
1h 15m · $50-70 per person
Soul Food Mahanakorn
Intimate restaurant serving creative regional Thai dishes; try the grilled chicken, larb, and seasonal specials.
1h 30m · $25-35 per person
Supanniga Eating Room
Heritage Southern Thai; try stir-fried holy basil crab.
1h 15m · $50-70 per person
1890 Rooftop Bar
Pad see ew and craft cocktails.
1h 30m · $25-35 per person
After You Dessert Cafe
Try shibuya honey toast or mango sticky rice in sleek cafe.
1h · $10-15 per person
Baan Khanitha & Gallery
Elegant Thai restaurant in a traditional-style house; order the massaman curry, river prawns, and fresh spring rolls.
1h 30m · $30-45 per person
Baan Khanitha Riverside
Glass noodle stir-fry and river prawns.
1h 30m · $30-45 per person
Baan Padthai
Cozy restaurant in a restored house specializing in pad thai and classic Thai dishes with a refined touch.
1h · $12-20 per person
Baan Phadthai
Atmospheric spot in a small lane; try the signature pad thai, grilled river prawns, and pomelo salad.
1h 15m · $15-25 per person
Baan Rim Naam
Riverside Thai set menu with live music.
1h 30m · $30-45 per person
Baan Ying Original Siam Center
Casual Thai restaurant inside Siam Center mall with a wide menu of central Thai dishes; easy to order shared plates.
1h · $12-22 per person
Bang Krachao Weekend Market Food Stalls (Bang Nam Phueng Floating Market area)
If visiting on a weekend, graze on grilled seafood, coconut pancakes, Thai sausages, and iced drinks at the local floating/park-side market; on weekdays, nearby local shophouse eateries offer similarly cheap dishes.
1h · $2-6 per person
Bang Nam Phueng Floating Market Food Stalls
If visiting on a weekend, sample noodles, grilled seafood, sweets, and fruit at the local floating market inside Bang Krachao.
1h · $5-10 per person
Bangkok Tree House Cafe
Leafy café reached by bike or short walk; expect simple Thai dishes, smoothies, and cold drinks with canal and tree views.
1h · $10-20 per person
Blue Elephant Bangkok
Royal Thai cuisine in a historic mansion; try massaman curry and pomelo salad.
1h 30m · $60-80 per person
Blue Whale Cafe
Thick toast with kaya jam and iced lime soda.
45m · $7-10 per person