14 Must See Attractions in Bangkok

Bangkok is Thailand’s sprawling capital city and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. With glittering temples, rich history, vibrant nightlife, and incredible street food, there’s plenty on offer to tempt travelers from far and wide.

With so much to see and do, it can feel overwhelming to try and squeeze everything into a travel itinerary. If you’re planning an adventure to this Southeast Asian gem of a city, we are here to help. These are the 14 must-see attractions in Bangkok.

1. The Grand Palace

• Website: royalgrandpalace.th
• Address: Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok
• Opening hours: 8.30 am – 3.30 pm daily

The Grand Palace is the premier tourist attraction in Bangkok and is a must-visit site. The palace has stood since 1782 and was the royal residence for centuries. The Thai king now lives in Dusit Palace but many important ceremonies still happen here.

Visitors can choose from touring the palace independently or joining a guided tour to learn all about the history of this fascinating place. Be sure to wear proper attire — arms and legs must be covered to enter.

2. Bangkok’s Temples

Once you’ve explored the Grand Palace, it’s time to visit Bangkok’s many temples. If you don’t have time to hop around them all, take your pick from the following options:

Wat Pho

• Address: 2 Sanam Chai Rd, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok
• Opening hours: 8.00 am – 7.30 pm daily

Wat Pho is located very close to the Grand Palace, making these two sites a fantastic pairing. This ornate temple was built by King Rama I and is the oldest in all of Bangkok. Wat Pho is best known for the Temple of the Reclining Buddha but you can also get an excellent Thai massage here at the on-site medical school.

Wat Arun

• Address: 158 Thanon Wang Doem, Wat Arun, Bangkok Yai, Bangkok 10600
• Opening hours: 8.00 am – 6.00 pm daily

Wat Aru dates back to the ancient times of Siam (the former name of Bangkok) when Ayutthaya (the old capital of Bangkok) was reduced to rubble during battles with Burma (now Myanmar). Survivors vowed to march until the sun rose again and to build a temple wherever that was. Wat Arun is that temple — don’t miss a chance to walk in the survivors’ footsteps.

Wat Mahathat

• Address: 3, 5 Tha Suphan Alley, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200
• Opening hours: 6.00 am – 6.00 pm daily

Wat Mahathat is one of the most important temples in Thailand because it is the final resting place of King Rama IX. Built in 1782, it’s now the headquarters of the Mahanikai school — Thailand’s largest monastic order.

Wat Traimit

• Address: 661 Charoen Krung Road, Talat Noi, Samphanthawong, Bangkok
• Opening hours: 8.00 am – 5.00 pm daily

Known as the Temple of the Golden Buddha, this site owes its fame to sheer luck. The statue was covered in plaster and it wasn’t until workers tried to move it that they discovered the 5.5-ton Buddha was actually made of solid gold.

Wat Phra Kaew

• Address: Na Phra Lan Rd, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok
• Opening hours: 8.30 am – 3.30 pm daily

Known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, most visitors come here to glimpse the Buddha statue carved out of vibrant green jade.

Wat Suthat

• Address: 146 Bamrung Mueang Rd, Wat Ratchabophit, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok
• Opening hours: 8.00 am – 8.00 pm daily

Wat Suthat is one of the most spectacular Buddhist temples in Bangkok. Despite its beauty, Wat Suthat is one of the less popular temple complexes so you can enjoy a peaceful experience while you explore.

3. Chatuchak Weekend Market

• Website: chatuchakmarket.org
• Address: 587, 10 Kamphaeng Phet 2 Rd, Khwaeng Chatuchak, Chatuchak, Bangkok
• Opening hours: 7.00 am – 6.00 pm Wednesday & Thursday (plant section only) / 9.00 am – 6.00 pm Saturday & Sunday (whole market)

Chatuchak Weekend Market is the largest market in the world and is one of the most popular attractions in Bangkok. Whether you’re on the hunt for tasty street food, jewelry, or handicrafts, you’ll find something to spend your baht on here.

4. Mahanakhon SkyWalk

• Website: kingpowermahanakhon.co.th/skywalk
• Address: 1595 Sukhumvit Rd, Phra Khanong Nuea, Bangkok, Thailand
• Opening hours: Mahanakhon SkyWalk 10.00 am – 7.00 pm daily / King Power Mahanakhon 10.00 am – 12.00 am daily

For the best views of Bangkok, head to the top of the Mahanakhon skyscraper to experience the observation deck. Located on the 74th and 75th floors, visitors can see all of Bangkok on a clear day.

If you’re feeling brave, head up to the 78th floor to walk across the glass-bottomed platform. There’s also a bar on this floor for visitors who need to steady their nerves first!

5. Chinatown

• Address: Yaowarat Rd, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, Bangkok
• Opening hours: 24 hours, shops and restaurant opening times vary

One of the best things about Bangkok is how diverse its many neighborhoods are. Chinatown is an area not to miss — its colorful streets, Chinese eateries, and strong cultural identity are a joy to discover.

Most of the action happens around Yaowarat Road, but it’s equally enjoyable to get off the beaten track and discover cafes and street food stalls down the many hidden alleyways.

6. Asiatique The Riverfront Destination

• Address: 2194 Charoen Krung Road, Wat Phraya Krai, Bang Kho Laem, Bangkok
• Opening hours: 11.00 am – 12.00 am daily

If you prefer to do your shopping once the midday heat has passed, don’t miss Asiatique The Riverfront Destination. As the name suggests, this market is located on the waterfront and offers a huge array of shops, restaurants, street food stalls, and bars.

7. BTS Skytrain

Bangkok’s traffic is infamous — even by Southeast Asia’s standards — so public transportation plays an important part in every tourist’s time in the city. The BTS Skytrain is an attraction in itself — it opened in 1999 and makes it easier than ever to explore Bangkok in air-conditioned comfort.

Although the Skytrain doesn’t go everywhere, it does cover Sukhumvit and Silom which are two of the most popular areas for tourists to explore.

8. Bangkok’s Shopping Malls

Bangkok is a shopper’s paradise and several gigantic malls are waiting for you to splash your cash. Here are a few of our favorites:

Terminal 21

• Address: 88 Soi Sukhumvit 19, Khlong Toei Nuea, Thawi Watthana, Bangkok
• Opening hours: 10.00 am – 10.00 pm daily

Terminal 21 is a top pick if you’re looking for a mix of international and Thai brands. What makes this mall unique, though, is that every floor represents a different international city. Whether you want to explore the boutiques of Tokyo, Paris, or London, you can do it all right here.

Siam Paragon

• Address: 991/1 Rama I Rd, Pathum Wan, Bangkok
• Opening hours: 10.00 am – 10.00 pm daily

This luxury shopping spot is a popular destination for visitors with baht to burn. The Siam Paragon mall itself is spectacularly beautiful so don’t forget your camera to snap pictures for Instagram. If you’re on more of a budget, the adjacent Siam Discovery is home to more affordable brands and a great selection of eateries.

ICONSIAM

• Address: 299 Charoen Nakhon Rd, Khlong Ton Sai, Khlong San, Bangkok
• Opening hours: 10.00 am – 10.00 pm daily

This 750,000-square-meter mall sits on the banks of the Chao Phraya River and is divided into three sections: ICONSIAM, ICONLUXE, and Siam Takashimaya. Inside each section, you’ll find countless stores selling luxury and affordable brands, plus lots of design elements that showcase Thailand’s rich culture and heritage.

9. Giant Swing

• Address: 239 Dinso Rd, Bang Khun Phrom, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok
• Opening hours: 24 hours

Known as the Giant Swing, this 27-meter-tall structure sits in the square in front of Wat Suthat and is one of the city’s most striking attractions. It was originally built in the 1700s to be used in Brahmin ceremonies where teams of three took turns balancing on a narrow board to be swung 25 meters into the air and “up to heaven”. Nowadays, the swing is purely decorative.

10. National Museum

• Website: museumthailand.com
• Address: 4 Soi Na Phra That, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok
• Opening hours: 9.00 am – 4.00 pm Wednesday to Sunday

This was Thailand’s only museum until the mid-1970s, which may explain why it holds such an incredible collection of artifacts. Guided tours are available in English, and displays are well-labeled, so you’re guaranteed to learn something new during your visit.

11. Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

• Address: Damnoen Saduak, Damnoen Saduak District, Ratchaburi, Bangkok
• Opening hours: 8.00 am – 4.00 pm daily

In the past, Thailand’s daily commerce was conducted along rivers and khlongs (canals). This is less common nowadays, but floating markets like Damnoen Saduak still exist and are fascinating to see. Bring your appetite and fill up on the street food and fresh fruit being sold by Thai locals.

The market is 1.5 hours from Bangkok, and one of the easiest ways to get there is by boat.

12. Khao San Road

• Website: www.tourismthailand.org/Attraction/khao-san-road
• Address: Khao San Road Phra Nakhon
• Opening hours: 24 hours (shops, restaurants and bars opening times vary)

Khao San Road is one of the liveliest streets in Bangkok, and backpackers from all over the world come here to sample the nightlife. You’ll also find dozens of clothing vendors on Khao San Road, plus global street food options.

13. Jim Thompson House Museum

• Website: jimthompsonhouse.org
• Address: 6 Kasem San 2 Alley, Wang Mai, Pathum Wan, Bangkok
• Opening hours: 10.00 am – 5.00 pm daily

Jim Thompson was an American entrepreneur who became known as the Thai Silk King. He disappeared while traveling overseas, and his Bangkok home is now a museum showcasing his fascinating life and impressive Asian art collection.

14. Lumpini Park

• Address: Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330
• Opening hours: 4.30 am – 10.00 pm daily

For a moment of peace in the heart of Bangkok, head to Lumpini Park. This tranquil green oasis features several lawn areas where you can relax and enjoy a picnic and a lake that you can explore by boat. Be sure to watch for the huge Asian water monitors who call Lumpini Park home!

Discover Bangkok’s Endless Attractions

Bangkok is one of the greatest cities in the world and you’ll love discovering the many amazing things to do here. Which must-visit attraction will you seek out first?