20 interesting places to visit in Bangkok

Grand Palace

Visiting Bangkok and not seeing the Grand Palace is like going to Paris and not visiting the Eiffel Tower. Any Bangkok guide inevitably includes this beauty in its must-see list of interesting places. The magnificent structure of traditional Thai architecture amazes with its exquisite decorations and impressive size: 218,000 square meters, surrounded by walls two kilometers long, with several palace buildings and 95 pagodas to impress anyone.

Visitors to the palace can admire the luxurious interiors of the halls and the frescoes depicting episodes from the life of King Rama I, and, of course, stroll around the palace complex.

Entrance costs 500 baht.

Temple of Dawn

The "Temple of Dawn" (as the name of this sanctuary translates) is an emblem of almost all Thailand, a must-see in Bangkok. Its name is not coincidental: it is at dawn that the temple looks most majestic and beautiful. Another remarkable feature is that it is still active, with services and ceremonies held here.

The main treasure of the temple is the 79-meter Phra Bang stupa, which holds Buddhist relics. All the temple buildings, as well as the surface of the stupa, are intricately decorated with beautiful porcelain, which, according to legend, was obtained from the bottom of the Chao Phraya River, on which Wat Arun stands. In the evenings, light shows narrating the temple's history are held on its grounds, and if you climb to the top, you will get a breathtaking view of the city and the river.

Entry to the temple grounds is free, but visiting the pagoda is paid.

Jim Thompson House Museum

Perhaps one of the most unexpected interesting places in Bangkok. This house belonged to a member of the American intelligence services who became famous for reviving the Thai silk industry. Today, however, the house is a museum where, besides the stunningly beautiful interiors, you can see the former owner's private collection (the antique collection is particularly impressive) and, of course, buy excellent silk in the museum shop.

Opening hours: daily from 10:00 to 18:00.
Admission costs 200 baht.

Vimanmek Mansion

Be sure to visit this place in Bangkok before you leave the city, as Vimanmek Mansion is famous for being the world's largest — mind you — wooden building constructed without a single nail!

The fact that the palace is made of golden teak makes it look like a huge carved jewelry box. In the 80 rooms of the palace, you will find items that belonged to the royal family: exquisite porcelain, furniture, hunting trophies, and much more. The park and pond near the palace create a unique and tranquil atmosphere.

The palace is located in Dusit Park. English-language tours (4 groups per day) are conducted from 11:00 to 14:00.

When visiting the palace, you must follow the dress code: long-sleeved shirts and pants or skirts covering the knees.

Lumphini Park

To take a break from the hustle and bustle of the multi-million-strong Bangkok, go and stroll in Lumphini Park. Here, you will find everything you need to relax both body and soul. Shady alleys and a cool pond with boats invite you to blissful idleness, while those who cannot imagine themselves without sports even on vacation can "let off steam" on the sports grounds and running tracks.

By the way, in the park, besides cats and turtles, there are almost tame monitor lizards that have become so accustomed to visitors that they allow themselves to be photographed. Don't miss the opportunity to visit these interesting places in Bangkok!

Entrance to the park is free.

Wat Pho Temple

Another notable attraction in Bangkok and one of its oldest temples, Wat Pho is a must-visit during your stay in Thailand. Wat Pho is famous for its giant (46-meter) reclining Buddha statue, which draws local pilgrims and tourists from around the world who come to make a "round of honor" and toss a coin for good luck at the feet of the Great Enlightened One.

The temple grounds are equally fascinating: there are numerous stupas (several hundred!), reminiscent of large ornate bells, statues and images of Buddha, and stunning stone carvings. The temple itself is also worth seeing.

Opening hours: 08:00 - 18:30.
Admission is 200 baht.

Siam Paragon

Museums are great, but Bangkok is not just about ancient temples and relics. To immerse yourself in another—modern—side of this colorful metropolis, treat yourself to a shopping day at Siam Paragon.

The shopping center is located in Bangkok's shopping mecca—Pathumwan district. You can easily spend the whole day here: boutiques of popular global brands, jewelry stores, cinemas, cafes and restaurants, and most importantly—Siam Ocean World, the largest aquarium in Southeast Asia, where visitors can swim with marine predators. It's one of the best places in Bangkok for an evening stroll.

Opening hours: daily from 10:00 to 22:00.

Bangkok National Museum

Where else but here to delve into the unique history of fairy-tale Thailand? The museum houses the richest collection of artifacts in all of Southeast Asia: household items, jewelry, ceramics, weapons, handicrafts, Thai theatrical costumes and masks, musical instruments, vehicles, and much more. So, take your time and explore.

Opening hours: the museum is open from 09:00 to 16:00, except Mondays, Tuesdays, and national holidays.
Admission is 150 baht.

Wat Sa Ket

One of the most famous and revered temples in Bangkok, Wat Saket, crowning the Golden Mount, is an incredibly beautiful place with a unique atmosphere. It's worth the effort to climb all 320 steps to the temple to enjoy the beauty of the sprawling city below and the view of Rattanakosin Island.

Opening hours: the temple is open daily from 08:00 to 21:00.
Admission is 50 baht.

Erawan Shrine

This white marble pavilion is dedicated to the god Brahma and bears the name of the elephant that, according to legend, belonged to the deity. The shrine is always bustling with music and the scent of incense in the air. Locals come here to make thankful offerings: elephant figurines, candles, or flowers to the four-faced god, while tourists, by tradition, make wishes (it is said that all wishes made at the shrine come true).

Safari World

Safari World is a fascinating and interesting place. Visiting here in Bangkok will be fun for both adults and children. The park is divided into a safari zone and a marine park, where you can observe its inhabitants, stroll along the park's alleys, feed giraffes by hand, and, to top it all off, watch an exciting elephant show—an excellent day full of positivity awaits you!

The park is open daily from 09:00 to 17:00.

Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall

The Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall stands out among other Thai architectural beauties primarily for its European style. And no wonder—the former reception hall of the Dusit Palace is built in the Italian Renaissance style: rich sculptural decorations, medallions and garlands, cupid figures made of white marble—all this gives the building a strict yet light appearance. Inside, Ananda Samakhom is equally beautiful: gorgeous murals, paintings depicting the history of the reigning dynasty. This place is a living textbook of Thailand's history.

Today, the throne hall serves as a museum, showcasing Thai art items, as well as the splendid Royal Jewelry Exhibition.

Royal Barges National Museum

Visit and get acquainted with Thailand's maritime history right here. In addition to various ships of the Thai navy, the museum exhibits eight royal barges, each a unique work of art. The rich carvings, magnificent figures of gods and mythical creatures adorning the bows of the ships, gold leaf, and bright colors will leave no one indifferent.

In the past, these barges were used in various ceremonies and as a means of transport for royal persons. Today, the only chance to see them on the water is the Royal Kathin Procession (in November-December).

Opening hours: the museum is open daily from 09:00 to 17:00 (the barges may be absent from the museum in November and early December as they prepare for the ceremony).
Admission is 100 baht; an additional 100 baht is required if you want to take photos inside.

Suan Pakkad Palace Museum

This museum offers a perfect blend of pleasure and learning. It houses an impressive collection of unique agricultural tools, weapons, pottery, jewelry, traditional Thai "Khon" masks, and musical instruments, some of which are up to 4000 years old!

Even just visiting Suan Pakkad can significantly enhance your knowledge of Thailand's crafts and arts history. The pleasure part? The large Japanese-style gardens adorning the museum grounds. The main garden features a pavilion over 450 years old, entirely covered in gold and black lacquer—truly an interesting place in Bangkok.

Opening hours: 09:00 - 16:00.

Khaosan Road

There is no better place to fully immerse yourself in the colorful, vibrant life of evening (and not only) Thailand than Khao San Road.

At nightfall, the street turns into a real Babel of activity! Tourists from all over the world, music, diverse languages—it's as if the entire globe has gathered here. Even if you are not a fan of noisy parties, you should visit. Khao San is simply fun to walk around, buy delicious street food, listen to music, or just wander and marvel at the sights.

Amulet Market

Thais are known for their deep reverence for various amulets and talismans. To better understand this aspect of their culture, head to the Amulet Market near the Royal Palace, on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. This place is living proof that Bangkok's interesting places are not limited to temples and palaces.

Here, vendors sell all sorts of items: happiness, luck, beauty, or even wealth—take your pick. Talismans, amulets, various trinkets, statues of deities, and medicinal potions—it's easy to amass a whole magical arsenal. A pleasant feature of the market is that the vendors do not push their wares on you. It is believed that a person should feel "their" amulet, so no one rushes you.

The Amulet Market in Thailand operates every day.

Ko Kret Island

Bangkok, like all of Thailand, is full of life and energy. But if you want to escape the city's hustle and bustle for a while, there is no better place than Ko Kret.

The island sits in the middle of the Chao Phraya River, north of Bangkok. It has been known since the late 18th century, and the architecture has been well preserved from that time. Spend a whole day here to explore the local temples, visit pottery workshops, and enjoy Thailand's beautiful nature.

Dragon Temple (Wat Sam Phran)

This fairy-tale-like temple is located 70 km from Bangkok, in the town of Nakhon Pathom. A giant mythical creature coils around the 17-story pink tower, resting its toothy head on the roof. It is believed that touching the dragon's tail and throwing a coin into the "pot of happiness" brings good luck for the entire year. The temple grounds also feature a picturesque garden filled with sculptures of fantastic creatures.

You can book a hotel with a discount of up to 65% on the website.

Chao Phraya River

Bangkok could be compared to Venice: with so many canals and rivers, water transport is as well-developed as land transport. Follow the locals' lead and explore Bangkok on your own, but not on tourist boats. This way, you can see the city from a unique perspective for a fraction of the cost of "canal tours."

River taxis can take you to the old city to see its best attractions, and from there, you can head to the business part of the capital.