Things to Do in Bangkok
50 curated spots from Bangkok itineraries
Activities & Attractions
30 curated experiences
Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew
Explore ornate royal palace and Emerald Buddha temple; entry covers both.
2h · $15 or Free (check for free days/events)
Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha)
Explore the giant reclining Buddha, intricate stupas, and quiet courtyards; excellent for photography of architecture and monk life.[9]
1h 30m · $5-10
Chatuchak Weekend Market
Browse thousands of stalls at Bangkok’s biggest weekend market for clothes, crafts, art, and endless food sections; focus on a few zones to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
2h 30m · Free (plus shopping and food)
Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)
Take the short ferry across the Chao Phraya from Tha Tien pier and explore the riverside temple’s steep prang, porcelain details, and sunset views.[1][2][8]
1h 15m · $3-5
Pak Khlong Talat Flower Market
Wander vibrant wholesale blooms at dawn light; capture colorful chaos in narrow alleys.
1h · Free
Wat Pho
See the 46m Reclining Buddha, temple grounds, and optional budget Thai massage.
1h 30m · $6 or Free
Asiatique Riverfront
Evening ferris wheel and warehouse market; skyline shots (shuttle/BTS 20-min).
1h 30m · $10 Ferris
Bangkok Art & Culture Centre (BACC)
Contemporary art museum with rotating exhibitions, design shops, and cafés in a circular, airy building.
1h 30m · Often free, occasional paid exhibitions $3-5
Bangkokian Museum (Bangkok Folk Museum)
Small heritage house museum showing middle-class life in mid-20th-century Bangkok, set in a quiet garden.
1h · Free or small donation
Chao Phraya River Boat
15-min express boat to Wat Arun; shoot riverside architecture en route (10-min transit).
30m · $1
Jim Thompson House
Tour silk museum gardens and minimalist teak houses; 45-min guided walk.
1h 30m · $6
Lumpini Park
Walk lake paths, spot lizards; rent bikes for gentle nature loop.
1h 30m · Free
Wat Arun Ratchawararam (Temple of Dawn)
Take the short cross-river ferry, climb the central prang’s terraces if comfortable, and capture panoramic river and city views.
1h 30m · $5-10
Ari Soi 1-3 Cafes
Hipster street stroll; photo modern shops.
1h 30m · Free
Asiatique The Riverfront
Open-air night market with ferris wheel, shops, live music; riverside walks.
2h · Free ($30 spend)
Bang Krachao (Green Lung) Cycling & Nature
Take a short boat from Khlong Toei or Bang Na to Bang Krachao, rent simple bikes, and ride elevated paths through lush greenery, mangroves, and small temples.
2h 30m · $5-10 for boat and bike rental
Bang Krachao Cycling and Sri Nakhon Khuean Khan Park
Take a short boat from Khlong Toei or Bang Na to Bangkok’s ‘green lung’, rent a simple bicycle, and cycle raised walkways through jungle-like greenery, lakes, and bird-filled parkland.
2h 30m · $1 boat + $3-5 bike rental
Bang Nam Phueng Floating Market (weekends only)
If your Day 5 falls on a weekend, stroll this local floating market for snacks, plants, and handicrafts after your tour; otherwise, free explore the elevated walkways and small temples.
1h 30m · Free (pay for snacks and small souvenirs)
Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC)
Free contemporary Thai exhibits in brutalist building; indoor photography highlight.
2h · Free
Bangkok Art Museum or Jim Thompson House
Explore contemporary Thai art or tour the teak mansion of American silk entrepreneur Jim Thompson with personal guide; intimate architectural and cultural experience.
2h · $15-25 per person
Bangkok Floating Market & Train Market
Longtail boat through canals, shop/train-track stalls for fruits/snacks (wear light clothes, sun hat).
4h · $80
Bangkok National Museum
Ancient artifacts and royal regalia; indoor art/history.
2h · $6
Bangkok Noi Back-Sois Temple Loop
Connect Wat Suwannaram with a couple of smaller neighborhood wats via back alleys; focus on doorways, bells, and monks’ quarters (respectful distance).
1h · Free
Bangkok Noi Canal Green Lanes Walk
Walk the shadier, more vegetated canal paths to capture nature elements—banana trees, vines, and gardens—framing canal life.
1h 30m · Free
Bangkok Noi Canal Sunrise Walk
Self-guided walk along the small lanes paralleling the khlong, watching boats, locals commuting, and monks collecting alms; loop back via narrow sois and footbridges.
1h 30m · Free
Bangkok Noi Favorite-Spots Revisit Loop
Map your favorite alleys, canals, and corners from the week and walk a custom loop to reshoot with new light.
2h · Free
Bangkok Noi Heritage Shophouses Photo Stroll
Wander the small grid of old shophouses, spirit houses, and alley shrines; focus on doors, signage, and street life rather than big monuments.
1h 30m · Free
Bangkok Noi Riverside Blue-Hour Shoot
Set up along the riverfront near a small pier for long exposures of passing boats, house lights, and the opposite bank after sunset.
1h · Free
Banthat Thong Road Private Food Tour
4-hour guided walk through one of Bangkok’s hottest local food streets, tasting iconic dishes in a concentrated, walkable neighborhood.[2]
3h 30m · $40-70 per person
Beam Live Music
Catch indie bands in intimate venue (live music must-have).
2h · $10 coverRestaurants & Food
20 local favorites
Err
Modern Thai spot offering gluten-free som tam (papaya salad), grilled meats, and rice dishes; clearly marked gluten-free menu.
1h 15m · $20-35 per person
Err Urban Rustic Thai
Riverside Thai in warehouse-style spot; try pla pao and nam prik ong.
1h · $20-30 per person
Nai Ek Roll Noodle
Boat noodle soup with pork balls; spicy broth.
45m · $6-10 per person
The Deck by Arun Residence
Riverside restaurant with direct views of Wat Arun, serving Thai and international dishes; try the green curry or soft-shell crab.
1h 15m · $15-25 per person
Jay Fai
Michelin street-side crab omelette and drunken noodles.
1h · $50-70 per person
Soul Food Mahanakorn
Intimate restaurant serving creative regional Thai dishes; try the grilled chicken, larb, and seasonal specials.
1h 30m · $25-35 per person
Sri Trat Restaurant & Bar
Stylish Eastern Thai restaurant in a townhouse setting; don’t miss the crab curry, spicy salads, and inventive desserts.
1h 30m · $30-50 per person
Supanniga Eating Room
Heritage Southern Thai; try stir-fried holy basil crab.
1h 15m · $50-70 per person
1890 Rooftop Bar
Pad see ew and craft cocktails.
1h 30m · $25-35 per person
After You Dessert Cafe
Try shibuya honey toast or mango sticky rice in sleek cafe.
1h · $10-15 per person
Baan Khanitha & Gallery
Elegant Thai restaurant in a traditional-style house; order the massaman curry, river prawns, and fresh spring rolls.
1h 30m · $30-45 per person
Baan Khanitha Riverside
Glass noodle stir-fry and river prawns.
1h 30m · $30-45 per person
Baan Padthai
Cozy restaurant in a restored house specializing in pad thai and classic Thai dishes with a refined touch.
1h · $12-20 per person
Baan Phadthai
Atmospheric spot in a small lane; try the signature pad thai, grilled river prawns, and pomelo salad.
1h 15m · $15-25 per person
Baan Rim Naam
Riverside Thai set menu with live music.
1h 30m · $30-45 per person
Baan Ying Original Siam Center
Casual Thai restaurant inside Siam Center mall with a wide menu of central Thai dishes; easy to order shared plates.
1h · $12-22 per person
Bang Krachao Weekend Market Food Stalls (Bang Nam Phueng Floating Market area)
If visiting on a weekend, graze on grilled seafood, coconut pancakes, Thai sausages, and iced drinks at the local floating/park-side market; on weekdays, nearby local shophouse eateries offer similarly cheap dishes.
1h · $2-6 per person
Bang Nam Phueng Floating Market Food Stalls
If visiting on a weekend, sample noodles, grilled seafood, sweets, and fruit at the local floating market inside Bang Krachao.
1h · $5-10 per person
Bangkok Noi Khao Man Gai & Roast Duck Shop
Plate of chicken rice or roast duck over rice with broth; watch chopping and plating at the front counter.
40m · $3-5 per person
Bangkok Tree House Cafe
Leafy café reached by bike or short walk; expect simple Thai dishes, smoothies, and cold drinks with canal and tree views.
1h · $10-20 per person