Bangkok is one of those legendary cities that is just so full of life. For first-timers, Bangkok may be a bit overwhelming. Don’t worry, as soon as you ease into it, you will actually find the hustle and bustle like no other place. Between its bright lights, and exotic food, along with a myriad of different places to see and things to do, there’s a little bit of something for everyone in this city.
You wouldn’t believe how many awesome places in Bangkok Thailand there actually are!
And so many of these Bangkok photo spots are so much more than that! They can lead you to have some pretty cool adventures. It is clear that whatever you are looking for, any attraction can be found in Bangkok. From mega-malls to quiet, floating markets, your retail therapy options are surely quite impressive. And, if you are looking for more of a cultural experience, try touring one of the city’s famous temples, where a bit of history and architecture provide a stunning view of Thailand.
Wat Benchamabophit The Marble Temple
Now, this is one of the iconic ones. The Marble Temple looks magnificent in photos, but that’s not all that makes it so special. It’s built out of white Italian Marble. And the inside of the temple with the open square and surrounding alleyways is very photogenic.
Wat Arun
Wat Arun in Bangkok, also known as the Temple of the Dawn, is located on the western side of the Chao Phraya River. Due to its amazingly beautiful architecture and the most iconic location right on the river, a visit is a must-do for every Bangkok trip
Known as the Temple of Dawn, Wat Arun, is a magnificent, white temple that is located on the western end of the Chao Phraya River. The temple is beautifully lit at night, displaying the old capital of Thonburi’s skyline. It is easily considered one of Bangkok’s most beautiful attractions, as it features unique designs. It features 5 towers that are visible from the river and are covered with porcelain and ceramic tiles. Additionally, it is best to go in the morning time to avoid crowds.
Wat Arun at sunset you can hardly experience anything more magical than this temple. Opposite, on the other side of the river, you will find several rooftop bars from where you can admire the best view of the temple. The absolute best view of Wat Arun for watching the sunset you will definitely have from the roof terrace Eagle Nest in the hotel Sala Arun, one of the best rooftop bars in Bangkok. From up here one can take beautiful pictures of Wat Arun and enjoy the sunset from 6:00 pm. Wat Arun is really amazing to see at night when the temple is brightly illuminated.
Tip: Also not hotel guests can visit the bar Eagle Nest of the Hotel Sala Arun.
Take the boat to the other side of the river for 5 Bath and watch the sunset
Wat Suthat
Wat Suthat is a temple that is famous for its 21-meter tall red swing. The swing, made of teak wood, was brought to Bangkok from Phrae province. It was used during an old Brahman festival in which men would fling themselves with the swing, hoping to reach a bag of gold that was hung from its top. The temple, like others, features intricate designs and is thought to be one of the oldest temples in Bangkok. It is also only 1 of 10 temples that are considered royal temples in the first grade. Wat Suthat features 28 Chinese pagodas which symbolize the 28 Buddhas that were born on Earth.
Wat Pho
One of Bangkok’s largest attractions, the Wat Pho temple houses the famous Reclining Buddha, which measures a stunning 47 meters in length. Therefore, seeing it in person is surely the only way to appreciate its sheer size. Additionally, the 15-meter-high statue is covered in gold leaves, leaving viewers in awe. Besides the statue being the temple’s main attraction, visitors will also find the temple to be adorned with colorful murals. Moreover, the temple has almost 400 Buddha images to see. If you spend a bit of time walking around Wat Pho, you will see that it features, what many call, is Thailand’s best massage school. Here, you can get a traditional Thai massage to unwind from a visually exciting day.
The Grand Palace
What can be more exciting than seeing The Grand Palace in Thailand’s capital? Here, just seeing it from the streets won’t cut it, even though the white walls hiding its priceless contents are quite beautiful. Once paying for a ticket, visitors will be granted entry into a magical attraction, full of stunning temples spread across the property. Thus, it can be said that a visit to Bangkok is never complete without seeing the Palace. One of the most famous temples inside the walls is that of Wat Phra Kaew or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Inside, you can see an emerald and gold adorned Buddha wearing a cloak that is changed by the King, with each new season.
Wat Traimit
Wat Traimit is, perhaps, one of Bangkok’s most significant temples. Known as the Temple of the Golden Buddha, because of its features of a 5.5-tonne, Sukhothai-style golden Buddha statue. As it dates back to the 13th century, Wat Traimit is something that tourists should not skip out on seeing. Located in Chinatown’s southeastern area, the temple is about 450 meters west of the Hualampong Railway Station. In addition, the property has souvenir pop-up stalls, along with 2 schools. And, if you are hungry, Chinese food is just around the corner. The entrance fee is cheap to see the Golden Buddha, and it's ornate home.
Wat Ratchabophit Sathitmahasimaram Bangkok is home to an awe-inspiring range of amazingly decorated temples and Wat Ratchabophit is yet another fine example of the wide range of color and architectural styles reflected in these beautiful structures. The colorful tiled rooftops, golden spires, and vaulting structures of Wat Ratchabophit are reminiscent of both traditional Thai architecture and gilded Italian architectural influences. Centrally located in Phra Nakon in the heart of the city, Wat Ratchabophit is easily included in a central Bangkok tour.
Yaowarat road China Town
As the first one of the most photogenic places in Bangkok, I have to mention the craziest and busiest street in the heart of Bangkok’s Chinatown. Yaowarat road is so fun to visit during the day when the Chinese market is buzzing all across the narrow sidestreets of Yaowarat road.
You can get some awesome photos with huge neon signs, and tuk-tuks and just catch that bustling Chinese vibe. And if you come after it gets dark, it’s all about street food. Get ready to eat and take pics of some of the best foods in Bangkok.
Eat Thai Street Food
No one in their right mind would come to Bangkok and skip out on its amazing street food. Just the thought of a steaming plate of pad thai along with some cold mango sticky rice.
Oh, did I mention that most meals from the street are only $1? Although it's hard not to get delicious street food, our recommendation is to head to Sukhumvit Soi 11, a street in downtown Bangkok whose streets get lined up with street food vendors. Alternatively, you can also check out Yaowarat, Bangkok’s own version of China Town, Ratchawat Market, and Petchaburi Soi 5 for some great street eats.
Visit a Rooftop Bar in Bangkok
One of my favorite things to do in a city…even if I’m not a city person is to see the skyline of the city at night. What better way to admire a city than by going to a rooftop bar in order to take in the sights and sounds.
Bangkok has some of the world’s most famous and spectacular rooftop bars, and they’ve become top attractions for visitors. Despite the growing competition, prices have not gone down, and they’ll probably be your most expensive Bangkok experience. Most don’t allow shorts or sandals, so make sure you dress up.
The number of rooftop bars in Bangkok keeps on growing, but none seem to be able to replace the Sky Bar at the top of the list. It’s one of the highest bars in the world, and ever since it was featured in the movie “The Hangover II,” its bird’s-eye view of the city has become a must-see. As a result, it’s more like a tourist attraction, drinks aren’t exactly cheap, it’s not a place to chill out, and the staff is there more to usher the crowds than to welcome them. But for many travelers it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so they’re willing to splurge on pre- or after-dinner drinks. You will too, but make sure you’re dressed for the occasion -- no athletic wear, torn clothing, beach sandals or flip-flops, and no shorts for the gentlemen. Be prepared to wait a while by the elevators, as dozens of people line up at a time. One way to avoid them is to stay at a hotel:
In Bangkok, the Vertigo and Moon Bar at the Banyan Tree Hotel serves amazing cocktails, with the most amazing view to match. While most of these bars are located in hotels, you can easily reserve a table given that you will pay for food or cocktails. Although the prices are usually much higher, the views are 100% worth it.
Other Rooftop Bars in Bangkok
Visit Bangkok’s Famous Shopping Malls.
If you can’t stand the heat but you still want to shop, check out many of Bangkok’s famous shopping centers like Pratunam, Siam Square, Siam Paragon, Central World, and MBK. Known for their bargain shopping, these destinations are great as they are usually a one-stop shop that has everything from clothes, electronics, footwear, and more.
Visit one of the Floating Markets
Not too far away from the city are Tailing Chan or Khlong Lat Mayom, home of the floating markets in Thailand. Tailing Chan is located only 12 km from downtown Bangkok, making it an ideal place to visit, unlike the larger markets like Damnoen Saduak which is a lot farther.
Because these places are easily accessible by public transport, we recommend avoiding a tour group. Experience it for yourself and you might even make a local friend or two. Other floating markets are Amphawa and Bang Nam Pheung. You can book a tour with Viator, we use them all the time as you can cancel the tour up to 24h
Pamper Yourself with a Thai Massage
After a busy day of sightseeing and walking around, there is no better way to end your day than a massage. I mean, seriously! Now given that you are in the place where Thai massages originated, there is no shortage of spas and massage places.
Accommodation in Bangkok – our hotel tip
We have been to Bangkok many times and have tried many hotels. The Chatrium Riverside is one of our favorites. Directly on the Chao Phraya River with boat access to the Sathorn Pier, where the express boats leave, and the BTS station Saphan Taksin.
Furthermore, the hotel offers an extensive breakfast buffet, a swimming pool, and large modern rooms with views over Bangkok. Just the perfect place for a bit of luxury on vacation.
Another great hotel is Riva Arun on one side it has a view of Wat Arun and on the other side is Wat Pho. Walking distance to most of the temples in the center, or you can take the boat to the other side of the river. One thing you have to keep in mind is that this is the historical center of Bangkok and all tourist attractions close at 6 pm and shops and most restaurants will also close at 6 pm
Find more hotels in Bangkok here.
Tours
Travel Tips
Use Klook to find the best deals for trips, somehow they are most of the time 30% cheaper than when you buy them at a local agency. We visit a temple in Pattaya The Sanctuary of truth and on Klook you pay 360 Bath and at the temple itself 500 Bath. Klook is a world-leading travel activity and services booking platform with more than 60,000 activities across 250 major destinations.
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