Known for its vibrant nightlife, grand ancient temples, lively neighbourhoods, immense shopping opportunities, and amazing street food, Bangkok is one of the most popular destinations for global travellers. From some of the most scenic tourist attractions marked by its backwaters and rivers to some of the most modern amenities like high-end shopping malls and sky-high observation decks, Bangkok has much to offer tourists. Among the many fun things to do in Bangkok, discover the best places to shop, eat, and explore in this bustling Southeast Asian city.
Best time to visit Bangkok
The best time to visit Bangkok is in the dry season from November to April. The weather remains pleasant, ensuring carefree sightseeing and shopping sprees.
Fun things to do in Bangkok
Explore Chinatown
Chinatown is one of the most vibrant neighbourhoods in Bangkok with traditional shops lining the streets and food stalls offering an array of delectable delights. From fresh seafood to pork roasts to sugary sesame dumplings, the main Yaowarat Road weaving through Bangkok’s Chinatown offers some of the best eats in the city. But food is not everything that will amaze visitors to Chinatown. Beautiful intricate temples, including Wat Traimit, which has the world’s largest gold statue, museums and exhibitions, and loads of amazing bars and nightclubs, make this place one of Bangkok’s most popular tourist attractions.
Take a sunset cruise on the Chao Phraya River
The swirling waters of the Chao Phraya River are the perfect spot to enjoy a sunset cruise on traditional teak wood boats or modern catamarans. From private candlelit dinners to elaborate buffets, a DJ on-board or a classy string quartet, the choices are endless. The experience, however, remains the same with stunning sunset vistas, a cool breeze, cultural performances, and engaging activities. One of the most popular and fun things to do in Bangkok, these cruises cover a lot of attractions, from Phra Sumen Fort, Grand Palace, Wat Arun, and more.
Go temple hopping
Famed for their intricate architecture and cultural heritage, the temples in Bangkok are some of the best ones in the country. From the towering Wat Saket to Wat Pho, home to the famed Reclining Buddha, to the iconic Wat Phra Kaew or ‘The Temple of the Emerald Buddha’, these revered temples are the best place to immerse yourself in Thai culture. Some of the other must-visit temples here include Wat Intharawihan, Wat Arun, Wat Suthat, and Wat Pho. Keep a day aside for temple hopping in Bangkok, and you’ll find multiple places near these temples to sample local food and shop.
Shop the best travel experiences here
Check out Bangkok’s legendary night markets
Bangkok is home to some of the best night markets you’ll find in Southeast Asia. From the sprawling Chatuchak Weekend Market to the iconic Patpong Market, the Rot Fai Market, Khao San Road, and the fairly young Indy Market, the city’s night markets showcase a diverse range of products, from expensive couture items, handmade home decor, and chunky jewellery to street fashion, local spices, condiments, and vintage goods. Beyond the shopping, these night markets in Bangkok are a culinary haven and must-visit for foodies. Think open-air pubs, live music, innovative cocktails, laid-back ambience, and some of the best Thai delicacies.
Walk the SkyWalk at King Power Mahanakhon
SkyWalk at King Power Mahanakhon, Thailand’s highest observation deck at 314 metres, is the perfect place to take in 360-degree views of the beautiful city. With separate outdoor and indoor viewing areas on the 78th floor and a glass platform that makes you feel like you are standing on nothing, this place is a must-visit for adventurous souls. One of the best places to enjoy a breathtaking sunset, this thrilling observation deck is where you can snap the most amazing photographs for your Instagram. Truly, one of the most fun things to do in Bangkok.
Here’s something that might be of interest if you love stunning sunsets. Where To Find The World’s Most Stunning Sunsets? T+L Editors Tell You
Check out a Muay Thai Match
While not everyone’s cup of tea, watching a Muay Thai match in Bangkok is a must if you want to experience the frenzied betting, the ceremonies accompanying the opening bouts, the fun announcements, refreshments, and the background music. The best places to check out a duel include Rajadamnern Stadium, Channel 7 Stadium, MBK Fight Nights, and Lumpinee Boxing Stadium. Engage in this popular activity to dive headlong into Thai culture. It is advisable to plan well and book your tickets in advance.
Get a relaxing massage
From foot massage stalls in almost every market to Thai traditional massage schools and high-end spas, there are endless options to get a good massage in Bangkok. When you tire of shopping, sightseeing, or bar-hopping, whisk yourself off to the nearest spa or massage centre for complete rejuvenation. Just choose your treatment and let the experienced masseurs work their magic on you. And once you are done, you’ll feel ready to tackle the wonders of Bangkok again.
Book your stay at ibis Bangkok Sathorn via Booking.com
Book your stay at bis Bangkok Sathorn via Agoda.com
Tuck into street food
If you are an adventurous foodie, Bangkok’s got your back. From stir-fried carbs to roasted pig snouts and fried banana pancakes, this city is a great place to indulge your gastronomical desires. Fresh, hygienic, and practically inexpensive, Bangkok’s bustling street food scene is characterised by roadside food carts, multigenerational shops, speciality stores selling just one dish for several years, and so much more. Visiting these and having your fill is one of the most fun things to do in Bangkok. The fragrance of Kaffir lime in curries, the textural oddities of crispy omelettes full of soft oysters, and Thai Congee with the seasonings and toppings of your choice are some of the must-have food experiences here, and there are plenty more. If your stomach allows, gorge, gorge, and then some more.
Explore the museums
Home to a wide range of specialities and historical museums, Bangkok is where you can spend an entire day trudging from one museum to the other and still not cover it all. Some noteworthy historical museums in Bangkok include The National Museum Bangkok, Museum Siam, Jim Thompson House Museum, The Erawan Museum, and the Bangkok Metropolitan Museum. However, if you are a fan of the unusual, Bangkok’s got you covered. Visit the Museum of Floral Culture, the House of Museums for items dating back to the late 1950s, Tooney Toy Museum, Bangkok Dolls House and Museum, and the Siriraj Medical Museum.
Go sightseeing to cover the remaining attractions of Bangkok
After all is said and done, no trip is complete without hopping off to the most popular touristy spots of a destination. Now, you might already have covered a lot of these if you have been to the above, but here are a few others that warrant a visit:
- The Ancient City: The Muang Boran Ancient City is a museum for all intents and purposes, but its sheer size, open-air exhibits, and other attractions make it a must-visit. Constructed in the shape of Thailand, this open-air museum spanning 200 acres contains replicas of many historic buildings and landmarks of the country.
- Lumpini Park: The greenest area in Bangkok, Lumpini Park is where all of the city comes to relax, enjoy nature walks, exercise, and practice yoga. Boating opportunities and playgrounds for kids make it one of the best free and fun things to do in Bangkok.
- Safari World Bangkok: One of the most popular tourist attractions in Bangkok, Safari World is home to two distinct parts, Safari Park and Marine Park. One of the most fun things to do in Bangkok, especially if you are travelling with kids. Expect exciting animal feeding shows, a drive-through wildlife area, and a diverse range of marine life.
- Aksra Theatre King Power: Visit this theatre to catch a popular Thai puppet show featuring elaborate dolls and costumes, engaging storylines inspired by ancient lores, and traditional Thai dances.
Historical attractions in Bangkok
The city is home to some of the country’s most revered and popular temples, shrines, museums, and monuments. Places such as the Jim Thompson House, Victory Monument, Phra Sumen Fort, and The Erawan Shrine are some of the most popular historical attractions in Bangkok.
Book your stay at Shangri-La Bangkok via Booking.com
Book your stay at Shangri-La Bangkok via Agoda.com
Shopping in Bangkok
From breathtaking high-rise shopping malls to the more humble but equally exciting local night markets, there is no end to the shopping delights of Bangkok. Many might even advise you to arrive in Bangkok with an empty suitcase to indulge in retail therapy to your heart’s content. Some of the best places for shopping in Bangkok include malls such as Central World Shopping Mall, ICONSIAM, MBK CENTER, Siam Paragon, Asiatique The Riverfront, and Terminal 21 Asok.
For street shopping and local markets, head over to Chatuchak Market, Pratunam Shopping Area, Khlong Toei Market, Pahurat Textile Market, Or Tor Kor Market, Wang Lang Market, and of course, Chinatown.
Food in Bangkok
Food in Bangkok deserves a lengthy chapter to itself! The sheer variety, recipe variations, twists on global favourites, and unique ingredients make it worth your while to go out and explore the food scene in Bangkok every day that you are in the city. Some of the best places to enjoy a rich medley of Thai street food include Yaowarat Road in Chinatown, Sukhumvit Soi 38, Khao San Road, Victory Monument, Petchaburi Soi 5, and Talat Phlu Market. Some of the must-have dishes include congee topped with a poached egg and fried meat, whole-fried fish, braised vegetables, seafood roast, homemade noodles, deep-fried pork, and cold spring rolls.
Some of the best fine-dining restaurants and bars in Bangkok for a classy night out include Blue Sky Rooftop Bar for international favourites, Michelin-starred Sra Bua By Kiin Kiin for Thai cuisine, Akira Back for Japanese, Michelin-starred Phra Nakhon for Thai specialities, and Red Sky for French cuisine.
Things to do in Bangkok at night
From shopping at the night markets to spending time in pubs that remain open till the wee hours of the morning, Bangkok offers plenty of fun things to do at night. Dinner cruises on the Chao Phraya River, Cabaret Shows, and dance performances at places such as DJ Station are delightful activities to partake in at night. The Tuk Tuk Night Lights Tour, where you hire a tuk-tuk to take you across the city at night to check out all the happening and serene spots, stands out as one of the most popular night activities in Bangkok.
Things to do at Bangkok airport
Be it Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport or Don Mueang Airport, there is plenty to see and do. The best things to do at the Suvarnabhumi Airport include getting a massage, enjoying duty-free shopping, visiting the gorgeous outdoor park, and hiring a sleep pod for a quick rest, among others. On the other hand, the comparatively smaller and much older Don Mueang Airport is home to comfortable lounges, plenty of spaces to relax, several eateries, showers for hire, duty-free shopping opportunities, and a children’s play area.
Things NOT to do in Bangkok
While Thai nationals are some of the sweetest and most welcoming people you will find anywhere in the world, there are some limits to their hospitality as well. Read on to find out what to avoid when in Bangkok.
- Touching someone’s head is considered rude, including statues.
- Touching monks and sitting in seats assigned to them is not allowed.
- Entering a temple without covering your legs and shoulders is to be avoided.
- Similarly, entering a shrine or a temple with your footwear on is a big no-no.
- Flying a drone without registering it first with Thai officials is not allowed.
- Purchasing Buddha statues as home decor is frowned upon.
- Taxis that won’t turn on their metres for a trip should be avoided.
- Using your feet to move or touch anything is considered rude.
(Feature image credit: Uwe Schwarzbach/Flickr)
This story first appeared here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
There are no sea beaches in Bangkok. The nearest beach to Bangkok is Bang Saen Beach, nearly 80 km away.
To truly explore Bangkok, an itinerary of 5 to 6 days should be enough.
Bangkok is one of the most well-connected cities in the world, with subways, buses, taxis, tuk-tuks, and shared coaches among the options required for commuting locally.
Visit museums, temples, and shrines for the best cultural things to do in Bangkok.
Thai Silk, wooden carvings, spices, fish sauce, organic condiments, and Thai handicrafts are the perfect souvenirs to buy from Bangkok.
Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi, Khao Yai National Park, and Damnoen Saduak Floating Market are some of the best trips to undertake from Bangkok.
Tags
Written by
Esha is a traveller at heart, with a penchant for exploring the unchartered. She has previously worked with TravelTriangle and Internet Moguls. When not in work mode, she can be found downing endless cups of coffee while reading Enid Blyton/Sidney Sheldon.
Most Popular
