Bangkok Things to Do: Top Sights, Food & Itineraries

We’re shoulder-to-shoulder on the river pier at Saphan Taksin, orange flag flapping, diesel tang in the air, sweat already beading before 10 AM. Welcome to Bangkok, where there are a thousand bangkok things to do and only so many daylight hours before the city flips the neon switch. We’ll thread temples and khlongs by day, slurp boat noodles in a wobbly shophouse, then chase rooftops and reggae on Khao San until the bass fades into the hum of the khlongs. Stick with us—we’ll skip the tourist traps, find the sanuk, and give you the practical stuff (prices, hours, where to pee) that keeps the day smooth.

How to use this guide—and why Bangkok hooks you

Bangkok isn’t a checklist; it’s a rhythm. Mornings are for golden spires and quiet wats, afternoons for markets and AC-blasted malls, sunsets for ferrying the Chao Phraya, nights for eating your way down Yaowarat or bouncing between rooftop bars. Use this guide like a tuk-tuk driver uses the backroads: jump to neighborhoods, pick a market, slot in a temple or two, then reward yourself with street food and a cold Chang.

We’ve organized the best bits by area, layered in can’t-miss temples, markets, boats, nightlife, and day trips, plus sample itineraries and where to stay. Keep an eye out for tips in baht and how to get there—because nothing kills the vibe like haggling the wrong pier.

Bangkok Things to Do: 15 must-do experiences (fast links)

Sunrise at Wat Arun, then cross-ferry to Wat Pho (see: Temples & culture)
Cruise the Chao Phraya on the orange-flag boat at sunset (see: Riverside, khlongs & boat tours)
Eat your weight in street food on Yaowarat Road, Chinatown (see: Markets, shopping & street food)
Wander the Grand Palace early, then recover with Thai iced tea on Sanam Luang (see: Temples & culture)
Get lost at Chatuchak Weekend Market and come out with a plant you didn’t plan to buy (see: Chatuchak & Ari)
Hop a longtail through Thonburi’s khlongs to see stilt homes and sleepy temples (see: Riverside, khlongs & boat tours)
Rooftops without the rip-off: views on a budget in Sukhumvit (see: Nightlife & entertainment)
Chill on Soi Rambuttri, then let Khao San’s thump pull you in (see: Khao San & Soi Rambuttri)
Jim Thompson House and a Saen Saep canal boat back to Siam (see: Sukhumvit)
Golden Mount climb at dusk for bells and skyline (see: Old City (Rattanakosin & Banglamphu))
Vintage treasure hunt at Talad Rod Fai or Jodd Fairs (see: Markets, shopping & street food)
Live music in tiny bars: Adhere the 13th on Samsen, or Smalls in Suan Phlu (see: Nightlife & entertainment)
Day trip to Ayutthaya by train, temple-hop by bike (see: Day trips & excursions)
Catch the train through Maeklong market + Amphawa floating market at dusk (see: Day trips & excursions)
Cool off in Erawan’s jade pools near Kanchanaburi (see: Day trips & excursions)

Top attractions by neighborhood

Old City (Rattanakosin & Banglamphu)

This is Bangkok’s gilded heart: palaces, giant reclining Buddhas, monk-orange robes fluttering in the heat. We start early—doors at the Grand Palace open 8:30 AM, and the sun doesn’t care about your hangover.

Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew: 500 THB, 8:30–15:30. Dress code enforced—cover shoulders, no ripped jeans. Grab tickets on-site; ignore “closed today” tuk-tuk whispers. More tips.
Wat Pho: 200 THB, 8:00–18:30. Reclining Buddha is the headliner, but we linger in the massage school for a legit Thai massage (420–600 THB/30–60 mins). Our Wat Pho guide.
Golden Mount (Wat Saket): 100 THB, 8:00–19:00. 344 steps, bells to ring, breeze up top.
Bangkok National Museum: 200 THB, Wed–Sun 9:00–16:00. Quiet halls, big history.
Phra Athit Road & Santichaiprakan Park: Trees and teens with guitars by the river; sunset is mellow magic.

Eat: Boat noodles on Victory Monument get the hype, but in Banglamphu we hit a shophouse near Samsen Soi 2—rich broth, 20–30 THB a bowl. For caffeine, a fan whirs at a café on Phra Athit; we nurse an iced latte and watch the river traffic.

Stay: When we want river breezes without five-star snoot, we usually crash at Riva Surya Bangkok on Phra Athit. Pool facing the Chao Phraya, walkable to Khao San and the Express Boat—hard to beat for the price.

Riverside & Thonburi

Where incense smoke meets diesel fumes. This is ferry-and-walk territory.

Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn): 100 THB, 8:00–18:00. Climb the steep prangs; save your calves for the view. Best light at sunrise or golden hour. Photo tips.
Longtail khlong tour: 800–1,500 THB per boat (1–2 hours). Hire at Tha Tien, Tha Chang, or Phra Arthit piers. Expect teak houses, orchid pots, and monitor lizards sunning on steps.
Santa Cruz Church & Kudi Chin: Portuguese cakes at Thanusingha Bakery; sweet, eggy, gone in two bites.
ICONSIAM & River Park: It’s a mall, yes, but the indoor floating market and river show are a break from the heat.

Sukhumvit

Skytrain, street eats, sleek bars. Where farang dreams of street food and craft cocktails coexist.

Jim Thompson House (near National Stadium): 200 THB, 10:00–18:00. Silk lore and teak elegance; free guided tours. Saen Saep boat from Pratunam keeps things gritty.
Benjakitti Park Skywalk & Lake: Sunset stroll with skyline views; free.
Soi 38 (Thong Lo) and Soi 11 (Nana): Noodles, oysters, and nightlife ping-pong between sois.

We like sleeping near BTS for sanity. In Thong Lo/Phrom Phong, Adelphi Forty-Nine gives us apartment-sized rooms and a quiet pool—clutch for late nights and early temples.

Silom & Sathorn

Business by day, bars by night.

Lumphini Park: Monitor lizards the size of mopeds. Morning tai chi, evening jogs.
Sri Mariamman Temple: Colorful Hindu temple on Silom.
Soi Convent & Soi Saladaeng: Cheap rice plates, coconut ice cream, sticky tables, all heart.
Smalls (Suan Phlu): Three floors, absinthe dreams, always a crowd.

Chatuchak & Ari

Up north on the BTS, slower pulse beyond the weekend madness.

Chatuchak Weekend Market: Sat–Sun 9:00–18:00. 15,000 stalls. Maps lie; follow your nose. Chatuchak survival guide.
Or Tor Kor Market: Pristine fruit, curry pastes, grilled seafood. Not cheap, but worth it.
Ari: Cafés with leafy courtyards, craft beer, perfect after Chatuchak chaos.

Chinatown (Yaowarat & Talat Noi)

Gold shops, dragon arches, neon, wok fire.

Yaowarat Road: Street food parade after 6 PM. Guay jub (peppery rolled noodles), grilled squid, mango with sticky rice. Eat with us.
Talat Noi: Graffiti, old Sino-Thai shophouses, photogenic junkyards. Coffee at Soi Nana (the Chinatown one), gin at Teens of Thailand.

Khao San & Soi Rambuttri

Backpacker central, equal parts chaos and charm.

Soi Rambuttri: Quieter cousin to Khao San. Beer on plastic stools under banyan trees; a busker abuses Wonderwall; we don’t mind.
Khao San Road: Buckets, braids, bass. Get your party fix, then sleep slightly away. Our Khao San guide and Soi Rambuttri tips.

For wallet-friendly digs with heart, Once Again Hostel in the Old City is our go-to: rooftop hangouts, community vibe, easy temple-hopping base.

Temples & culture: The essentials

Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew

Hours/price: 8:30–15:30, 500 THB (includes entry to the Queen Sirikit Textile Museum). Go early, bring water.
Getting there: Chao Phraya Express Boat to Tha Chang (N9), 5-minute walk.
Tips: Shoulders and knees covered. No vapes, no hats inside ubosots. Guard your time—don’t get detoured by “temple closed” tuk-tuk patter.

Wat Pho

Hours/price: 8:00–18:30, 200 THB. The reclining Buddha is colossal; give yourself 30 minutes to just stare.
Why we linger: Massage school for real-deal Thai massage. Buy a combo with foot massage if you’re temple-tired.
Getting there: Walk from Tha Tien (N8) pier.

Wat Arun

Hours/price: 8:00–18:00, 100 THB. Ferries cross from Tha Tien for 5 THB.
Best time: Dawn for soft light and empty steps; dusk for pink sky and lit-up prangs from the opposite bank.

Museums worth your sweat

Bangkok National Museum: Thai art and artifacts; quiet respite from the heat.
Jim Thompson House: Silk, teak, mystery. Pair with MBK food court if you need AC and cheap eats.
MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art): Out by Chatuchak; air-con and edgy Thai art.

Temple etiquette 101

Sawadee with a wai if you’re greeting a monk; women shouldn’t touch monks. Shoes off at ubosots, feet never point at Buddha images. Keep voices low; this is worship, not a photoshoot.

Markets, shopping & street food

Chatuchak Weekend Market

The sizzle of pork skewers, the crush of people, the sweet rot of durian at a fruit stall—Chatuchak is sensory overload. Bring small bills, a bargaining smile, and Google Maps to drop pins where you actually liked the lamps.

Hours: Sat–Sun 9:00–18:00 (some sections open Fri evening).
Costs: T-shirts 120–200 THB, ceramics 80–300 THB, coconut ice cream 50–80 THB.
Getting there: BTS Mo Chit or MRT Chatuchak Park.

Yaowarat street food (Chinatown)

We graze: peppery guay jub (50–70 THB), oyster omelette (120–180 THB), roasted chestnuts (100 THB/bag). Lines are part of the culture—if aunties are waiting, it’s worth it. Our route.

Night markets: Talad Rod Fai & Jodd Fairs

Talad Rod Fai Srinakarin: Vintage everything—neon signs, Vespa parts, denim. Thurs–Sun evenings. Taxi/Grab works best.
Jodd Fairs (Rama 9 & DanNeramit): Modern take on the night market—Instagrammable food, live music, easy BTS/MRT access (Rama 9 via MRT Phra Ram 9).

Dishes to hunt down

Boat noodles: Dark, peppery broth; 20–30 THB a bowl. Slurp four; we won’t judge. Where to find them
Som tam (papaya salad): 60–100 THB. Ask for “phet nit noi” if you fear chili.
Khao man gai (chicken rice): 50–70 THB, silky with gingery broth.
Pad kra pao moo krob: Holy basil, crispy pork, fried egg—street food perfection, 60–90 THB.
Mango sticky rice: 80–120 THB—peak in hot season.

Riverside, khlongs & boat tours

Chao Phraya Express vs. Tourist Boat

Orange-flag Express Boat: 16–33 THB per ride, frequent, local sanuk. Great for Wat Arun, Wat Pho, and Tha Chang.
Blue-flag Tourist Boat: Day pass around 150–200 THB; slower but with commentary. Handy if you’re temple-hopping all day. Boat guide
Golden hour tip: Board around 5 PM at Saphan Taksin (Sathorn pier) and ride to Phra Arthit as the city lights flicker on.

Longtail canal trips (Thonburi khlongs)

What you see: Wooden houses, spirit houses by the water, orchid nurseries, waterside wats, and the odd monitor lizard looking like a mini-dinosaur.
How to book: Walk up to kiosks at Tha Tien, Tha Chang, or Phra Athit. Agree on duration (1–2 hours) and price per boat (800–1,500 THB). Pay after; tip if the pilot is a legend.
DIY options: Public khlong boats on Khlong Saen Saep are 10–20 THB per hop—gritty, splashy, wonderfully local.

Nightlife & entertainment

Rooftops without the markup

Yes, Sky Bar at Lebua is cinematic, and yes, it’s pricey (cocktails 500–900 THB, dress code). We tend to aim for mid-priced views:

Octave (Marriott Sukhumvit 57): Wide-sky views, cocktails ~400–500 THB.
Above Eleven (Sukhumvit 11): Park views, Peruvian-Japanese snacks, ~350–450 THB drinks.
Cielo (Sukhumvit 69/Prakanong): Solid views, gentler bill.
Mahanakhon SkyWalk: Go for the city glass floor at sunset; pricey but jaw-dropping.

Live music we actually love

Adhere the 13th (Samsen): Tiny blues bar; no frills, all soul. Covers some nights.
Smalls (Suan Phlu): DJs, jazz, absinthe. Late-night neighborhood charm.
Studio Lam (Sukhumvit 51): Molam beats, craft everything.
Jazz Happens (Phra Athit): Student bands, cheap drinks, good vibes.

Khao San essentials

Buckets and braids, but also killer pad thai at 2 AM and street bars mixing mojitos like they’re free. Keep your wits: sip from sealed bottles, watch your bag, set a meet point if you drift. When the thump gets too much, we retreat to Rambuttri for a mango shake and a plastic stool. Khao San survival

Safety & costs at night

Taxis after midnight: Insist on the meter or use Grab/Bolt. Rides inside central areas 80–200 THB.
Dress codes: Rooftops and clubs may require closed shoes and long pants for men.
Alcohol sales: 11:00–14:00 and 17:00–24:00 at 7-Eleven. Bars vary; many close by 2 AM.

Day trips & excursions

Ayutthaya

Why go: Crumbling prangs, headless Buddhas, and tree roots swallowing a sacred head. Rent a bike and temple-hop.
Getting there:
- Train: From Krung Thep Aphiwat (Bang Sue) or Hua Lamphong; 45–100 THB, ~1.5–2 hrs.
- Minivan: From Mo Chit; 70–120 THB, ~1–1.5 hrs.
Costs: Bike 50–100 THB/day; temple entries 20–50 THB each (some 50–100 THB).
Pro tip: Hire a longtail loop around Ayutthaya island at sunset (400–800 THB/hour per boat). Ayutthaya day trip guide

Damnoen Saduak & Amphawa (+ Maeklong Railway Market)

Damnoen Saduak: Tourist-heavy but photogenic if you hit it by 7–8 AM. Combine with the train passing through Maeklong (watch the awnings fold like origami).
Amphawa: Fri–Sun evening floating market with firefly boat rides after dark—more local, more charm.
Getting there: Tours 900–1,500 THB pp, ~1.5–2 hrs each way. DIY by van from Sai Tai Mai (Southern Bus Terminal) or Victory Monument minivan stations. Damnoen and Amphawa tips

Erawan Falls & Kanchanaburi

Erawan National Park: Seven tiers of jade pools, fish nibbling your toes. Entry ~300 THB (foreigners).
Getting there: Van to Kanchanaburi (150–200 THB, ~2.5 hrs), then songthaew to the falls (~1–1.5 hrs). Private driver for the day 2,500–3,500 THB for a group is easiest. Erawan day trip

Sample itineraries

We like to build days around mornings at temples, midday AC, late-afternoon boats, and food-forward nights. Slot in as needed.

1-day layover hit list

Morning: Grand Palace and Wat Pho. Coffee on Maha Rat Road.
Afternoon: Cross to Wat Arun; ferry to ICONSIAM for lunch and AC.
Sunset: Orange-flag boat to Phra Arthit; park chill.
Night: Yaowarat street food then drinks on Soi Nana (Chinatown).

3-day first-timer

Day 1: Old City temples, river ferry loop, Golden Mount at dusk, dinner on Soi Rambuttri, Khao San wander.
Day 2: Chatuchak in the morning (weekend), Ari café break, Jim Thompson House, Saen Saep boat to Siam, rooftop at Octave or Above Eleven.
Day 3: Longtail khlong tour, Chinatown lunch, Talat Noi photos, live music at Adhere the 13th or Smalls.

5-day deeper cut

Add Ayutthaya day trip, Talad Rod Fai vintage spree, and a daytime escape to Benjakitti/Bang Krachao (the “Green Lung”) for rented bikes and a leafy breather.

If you needed a reminder, there are more bangkok things to do than hours you’ll have—so mix, match, and don’t be afraid to toss the plan when a noodle cart smells right.

Know before you go

Getting around

BTS/MRT: 17–47 THB per ride. Buy Rabbit (BTS) and MRT stored value cards for tap-and-go.
Chao Phraya boats: 16–33 THB (orange). Tourist day pass ~150–200 THB.
Airport links:
- Suvarnabhumi ARL to Phaya Thai (45 THB, ~30 min).
- Don Mueang: SRT Red Line to Krung Thep Aphiwat, or A1/A2 bus to Mo Chit BTS.
- Taxis from airports: 250–400 THB + tolls (50–100 THB) + 50 THB airport fee; insist on meter.
Tuk-tuks: Fun, loud, breezy. Agree price before; short hops 60–150 THB depending on distance and drama. Tuk-tuk tips

When to visit

Cool(ish) season: Nov–Feb. Best weather, biggest crowds.
Hot season: Mar–May. Brutal midday heat—start early, nap, go again.
Rainy season: Jun–Oct. Storms roll in fast—pack a 7-Eleven poncho and wait it out with noodles.

Scams & street smarts

“Temple closed today”/gem shop loop: Smile, walk away.
Tailors and tuk-tuk specials: If it sounds like a steal, it’s a detour.
Meter matters: Taxis should use it; otherwise, Grab/Bolt.
Keep it tidy: Don’t flash cash or phones, especially on packed boats and Khao San.

Rough daily costs (per person)

Street food feast: 150–300 THB
Mid-range restaurant meal: 300–600 THB
Beer (big bottle) at a bar: 120–180 THB; cocktail: 300–500 THB
BTS/MRT/boats for a day: 100–200 THB
Massages: 250–600 THB depending on style and neighborhood

Where to stay (by vibe)

Old City/Riverside: Walk to temples, river breezes, early nights if you avoid Khao San’s core. We love Riva Surya Bangkok for views without attitude, and Once Again Hostel for social vibes that don’t wreck your budget.
Sukhumvit: BTS everywhere, heaps of food and nightlife. Adelphi Forty-Nine is our homey base when we want space and a pool between adventures.

Need more options? See our picks by budget and neighborhood: Where to Stay in Bangkok.

We’ll probably bump into you somewhere between a sizzling moo ping cart on Yaowarat and the blast of AC at 7-Eleven. When in doubt, ride the river, trust the noodles, and let Bangkok set the pace. See you on Soi Rambuttri when the lanterns flick on.