by Benh Lieu Song / CC BY-SA 3.0

A. About Bangkok

Nickname: Venice of The East

The Thai metropole Bangkok with a population of over eight million is one of Asia's most cosmopolitan cities with exquisitely decorated Buddhist temples and magnificent palaces, bustling canals, busy markets, and a vibrant (and naughty) nightlife.

Bangkok is full of side-by-side contrasts, the ultra-modern in the form of huge, impressive shopping centers clashes with the traditional and countless rundown slums.

Best Things to do in Bangkok

The Good:

Although Bangkok doesn't rank extremely high in most of the categories of the study it scores consistently well in several of them — nightlife, sights, and affordability being the main ones. 

As for shopping, the Thai capital is acknowledged as one of the best destinations in the world.

The Not-So-Good: 

The extremely hot and humid weather, the heavily congested road traffic, and areas littered with foul smells throughout the city tend to spoil the experience. 

Furthermore, the severe lack of pedestrian zones and a transport system covering only certain areas add to the challenge of discovering the city.

 

B. Best Things to Do in Bangkok in 2024 (Detailed List with Photos and Information)

In total, we count more than ninety sights in Bangkok. The following sights contribute to a score of 7.55/10 in this most important category: 

# Wat Phra Kaeo and Grand Palace 8 4.1 out of 5 stars

The Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the adjoining Grand Palace consist of over one hundred brightly colored buildings, golden spires, and glittering mosaics, and date back to 1782.

Buddhist Temple Complex Completed: 1782

Things to do in Bangkok | Best Cities | No. 28: Bangkok | Wat Phra Kaeo (temple) and Grand Palace

# Wat Pho (Temple of The Reclining Buddha) 7 3.6 out of 5 stars

This vast Buddhist temple complex, situated directly south of the Grand Palace, dates to 1688 and is world-famous for housing the magnificent "Reclining Buddha", a 46 m-long (150 ft) and 15 m-high (72 ft) sculpture, completely covered with gold.

The soles of the feet of the Buddha are inlaid with mother-of-pearl. Made from brick and gilded plaster it depicts the posture of the Buddha while entering nirvana. 

Buddhist Temple Completed: 1688

Best Things to do in Bangkok | Best Cities | Bangkok | Wat Pho (Temple of The Reclining Buddha)

# Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) 7 3.6 out of 5 stars

The main feature of this striking 19th-century temple named after the Indian God Aruna is its climbable 79 m-high (260 ft) central prang (Khmer-style tower), which is encrusted with colorful porcelain.

At each corner of the building stands a smaller satellite prang. Visitors can climb the very steep white steps of the central prang to get breathtaking views of the city.

Buddhist Temple | Viewpoint Completed: 1824–1851 | Total Height: 79 m / 260-ft.

Best Thing to do in Bangkok, Wat Arun

by Preecha.MJ / CC BY-SA 4.0

# Siam Paragon 5.5 2.6 out of 5 stars

With a total retail floor area of 400,000 m2 and 250 stores over eleven floors Siam Paragon, which opened in 2005, is one of the largest shopping malls in the world.

We highly recommend visiting the excellent food court on the ground floor. Siam Paragon, one of Bangkok’s most upmarket shopping malls, is located prominently just in front of Siam BTS Skytrain station, with several other huge shopping centers (Siam Center, Siam Discovery, Central World, Siam Square, and MBK Center) nearby.

Shopping Center Opened: 2005 | Shops: 250 | Retail Floor Area: 400,000 m2 / 4,305,564 sq ft]

Things to do in Bangkok | Best Cities | No. 28: Bangkok | Siam Paragon

# National Museum 5.5 2.6 out of 5 stars

This Museum displays Thailand’s largest collection of local art and artifacts from the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya eras through to the modern Thai Kingdom.

Archaeological Museum Highlight of the Collection: King Ramkhamhaeng Inscription (end of the 13th century)

Things to do in Bangkok | Best Cities | No. 28: Bangkok | National Museum

# Chao Phraya River 5.5 2.6 out of 5 stars

Also known as the River of Kings, the Chao Phraya River is the lifeblood of Bangkok with many iconic landmarks scattered along the banks and five public and several tourist boat lines.

River

Best Things to do in Bangkok | Best Cities | Bangkok | Chao Phraya River

# Chatuchak Weekend Market 5.5 2.6 out of 5 stars

Chatuchak is one of the largest markets in Asia with more than 15,000 market stalls and twenty-six sections which range from Food, Art, Antiques, Fashion, and much more.

Market Stalls: ca. 15,000 | Area: ca. 35 acres / 14 hectares

by BrokenSphere / CC BY-SA 3.0

# Wat Suthat and the Giant Swing 5.5 2.6 out of 5 stars

Wat Suthat is one of the most important and most impressive Buddhist temples in Bangkok. In front of the temple, is twenty-seven meters (88 feet) tall, decorated swing.

Buddhist Temple Completed: 1848

Things to do in Bangkok | Best Cities | No. 28: Bangkok | Wat Suthat (temple) and the Giant Swing

# Jim Thompson House 5.5 2.6 out of 5 stars

These traditional wooden teakwood houses covered in greenery exhibit the art collection of American businessman and architect Jim Thompson, credited with reviving traditional silk weaving in Thailand.

Museum in Historic Buildings

Things to do in Bangkok | Best Cities | No. 28: Bangkok | Jim Thompson House

by Deror_avi / CC BY-SA 3.0

# Vimanmek Palace 5.5 2.6 out of 5 stars (⚠️closed since 2019)

This former royal villa is the largest teak house in the world. Sadly since 2019, the Palace is closed to the public.

Former Palace

by Boshit / CC BY-SA 4.0

Scoring and Icons Legend (Click here for detailed information)

10 = top-10 sight in the world

9 = world-class  

8 = outstanding

7 = excellent 

6 = impressive

5 = interesting

4 = decent

3 = mediocre

2 = bad

1 = abysmal

= World Heritage Site

= Excursion

C. Other Notable Sights and Attractions in Bangkok

    • Lumphini Park 5.5
    • Thonburi (city district, independent town until 1970) 5.5
    • Bangkok Canals 5.5
    • Wat Benchamabophit (Marble Temple) 5.5
    • Central World Plaza (shopping center) 5.5
    • Wat Suwanaram (Royal Temple) 5.5
    • Royal Barge Museum 5.5
    • Wat Kalyanamit 5.5
    • Suan Pakkad Palace 5.5
    • Yaowarat Road 5
    • Khaosan Road 5
    • Wat Bowonniwet 5


D. Best Day Trips and Excursions from Bangkok

ANCIENT CITY OF AYUTTHAYA (World Heritage Site since 1991, 82 km from Bangkok) 6

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market (106 km from Bangkok) 5.5


E. Top 10 List of the Best Things to Do in Bangkok (including close-by excursions)

To sum things up, these are the ten best sights we recommend to you when visiting Bangkok for at least three entire days:

Wat Phra Kaeo (temple) and Grand Palace 8

Wat Pho (Temple of The Reclining Buddha) 7

Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) 7

Siam Paragon (shopping centre) 5.5

National Museum 5.5

Chao Phraya River 5.5

Jatujak Weekend Market 5.5

Wat Suthat (temple) and the Giant Swing 5.5

Jim Thompson House 5.5

Vimanmek Palace 5.5