Top 6 places you MUST visit when in Bangkok

by Iván Ramírez · September 4, 2015

Making a schedule for a trip is never easy: there are so many choices to make! A good approach for this is to make a list of the places and activities you just HAVE to do.

For Paris, it would be to visit the Eiffel Tower, for New York the Empire State Building… In this article, you will get the 6 places you must visit when you are in Bangkok. Don’t miss them!

1. The Grand Palace (Wat Phra Kaew)

One of the many stunning views of the Grand Palace

The Grand Palace is the one place in Bangkok everyone must check at least once in their life. It has a very rich religious and political history, but if you don’t care much about it, you can still appreciate its gorgeous architecture.

Built in 1780, this walled complex hosts the famous Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew), Royal Reception Halls, gardens, several museums, and uncountable works of arts of various nature.

The dress code is strictly enforced. Legs must be covered with long pants and the same applies to your shoulders or belly. In any case, the clothes cannot be tight or see-through.

The Grand Palace can be very crowded, so try to avoid the peak hours. Also, watch out for scammers and fake guides trying to get your attention near the entrance.

2. The Reclining Buddha Temple (Wat Po)

The Reclining Buddha

Not far from the Grand Palace lays Wat Po, also known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. The highlight here is the 15 meters high, 43 meters long reclining Buddha image, but there is a lot more to see.

Wat Po is normally more quiet than the Grand Palace, so you can enjoy more looking around and taking photos of the four beautifully decorated stupas dedicated to the Chakri kings.

If you are feeling sore of your feet, you must know that Wat Po is also the home of the Thai massage school, and you can get a massage there right away.

3. The Temple of the Dawn (Wat Arun)

Wat Arun

Wat Arun is the best-known silhouette of the city. Its iconic shape consists in a big central tower surrounded by four smaller ones. This temple is normally more peaceful than the previous ones and you can even grab a cup of coffee in the cafe.

There are some stairs to climb to two different balconies with breath-taking views, but be advised that the stairs are really steep. If you have vertigo, better admire it from the ground.

Wat Arun lays on the opposite side of the river than Wat Po and Wat Phra Kaew, but you can cross easily with a boat that costs a few baht.

4. Patpong night market

Clothes, DVD, shoes... You can find everything. Photo credit:

Clothes, DVD, shoes… You can find everything. Credit: Disfruta Bangkok

With temperatures that rarely go lower than 20 C, shopping at night is always a winning choice. It is still hot, don’t be fooled, but at least you don’t get the scorching sunlight on your skin.

Patpong night market is one of the most popular night markets of Bangkok. You can find anything here: clothes, bags, shoes, electronics. The ambient is not family friendly at all, but younger travelers might appreciate the nightlife in the area to go along with their shopping.

5. Khao San Road

Khaosan Road

Khao San Road is a worldwide-known heaven for backpackers. This small area is packed with guesthouses, hostels, hotels, bars, markets, tattoo shops, travel agencies…

Even if you are not a backpacker, a visit to Khao San Road is mandatory due to its fame and colorful vibe. If you have been in Bangkok but not in Khaosan road… Well, it’s just not the same.