Top 11 Things To Do In Bangkok

I’ll admit, Bangkok is not for everyone. It’s a huge, packed city full of people, rich culture and history, luxury and poverty, dirty streets, and unique ways of living. And I loved it. All of it. It’s authenticity, joy, honesty, and even it’s grime. There’s a never ending list of amazing things to do there and it’s all very budget friendly! If you are considering going to Bangkok (and I recommend you do!) then check out my list of top 11 things to do in Bangkok. 

1. River Canal Boats 

Bangkok uses the Chao Phraya River for transportation throughout the city. There is an extensive water taxi system that will take you practically anywhere you need to go. It is fun, scenic, and cheap. It’s less than 1 US dollar for some routes! Most boats allow you to take your bike onboard making it even easier (and cheaper) to get around the city. 

You get to experience what day to day life in Bangkok is like when you use the water taxi. Not only is it an authentic experience, but the views of the city as you cruise down the river are incredible, especially at night. Bangkok is beautiful in its own way and seeing it from the water leaves a lasting impression! 

2. Night Bike Ride

Bangkok really livens up at night when things cool down a bit. Book a guided tour night bike ride to see the city up close and personal. I booked mine through Airbnb Experiences and thoroughly enjoyed my ride through the city.

The tour was led by locals and we saw many amazing things in the city that I would have never known existed. We rode to popular sites, night markets, and also through quaint alleys and neighborhoods. Being able to witness the everyday activities of life in Bangkok really made me feel connected. These are the moments I live for when traveling. 

This one may top my list of top 11 things to do in Bangkok. The night bike ride experience in Bangkok is one of my favorite things I have ever done while traveling, still to this day!

3. Wat Arun

Thai people are very pious. You can see this in how they live their daily lives and how they build and decorate Buddhist temples all around them. Wat Arun is one of Thailand’s most iconic Buddhist temples, and you can see why. It really lights up at night and its intricate and ornate campus can captivate you for hours.

Wat Arun dates back to the 16th century and sits on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. It is known as the Eiffel Tower of Thailand and is one of Thailand’s most visited sites. Plan to spend some time here taking in the incredibly detailed art of these structures and learn about Thai history. 

Side note- The temples in Thailand have a dress code. Long pants or skirts must be worn and shoulders must be covered. You will be denied entry to any temple if you are not properly covered, this is non-negotiable! 

4. Grand Palace

The Grand Palace is another iconic Thai site that you must see. The grounds are incredible. And once again, I recommend seeing this at night, not only is it cooler outside but the Grand Palace is lit up to give it a magical feel. 

The Grand Palace was the official residence of the king up until 1925. It is a strategic compound that consists of several buildings and is surrounded by a wall. It houses the Emerald Buddha, one of Thailand’s most treasured images. This draws many visitors from around the world. But don’t forget to appreciate the stunning architecture throughout the compound, with styles that date back to the 8th century! 

5. Day Trip To Ayutthaya

Book a guided tour to visit the Ancient City of Ayutthaya . It’s about an hour drive north of Bangkok and is not something you want to miss! This is not only one of the top 11 things to do in Bangkok but in all of Thailand.

Ayutthaya is a historically significant site and is a Unesco World Heritage property. The city dates back to the 14th century and was one of the largest commerce hubs in the world until it met its demise in the 18th century. The city was destroyed by the Burmese army and the people fled to Bangkok to rebuild. 

Nothing was restored and Ayutthaya remains an archeological site today. You will even notice that all of the statues of Buddha are headless now thanks to the Burmese army who beheaded Buddha’s all over the city after the war. It reminds you of the violence that this once great city experienced. 

Stay on the paths as you stroll through the city’s ruins to help conserve this special place. Make sure to bring your camera to capture the incredible ruins of Ayutthaya!

6. Chao Phraya River Cruise

I took a river cruise boat from Ayuthhaya back to Bangkok, but you can get a cruise out of Bangkok too. The cruise included a leisurely float down the river along with a fantastic thai buffet.

The Chao Phraya really is something else! It is a large slow moving river full of activity. There are some interesting boats, rafts, and even floating habitats. The people here have their own unique way of living that you can only see if you are on the river. 

Along the shores you can see different types of housing, a lot of which hangs over the river. There are beautiful statues along the river banks too. This part of Thailand, and Thai life, was built around the Chao Phraya. 

And don’t forget the delicious Thai food! If you are a foodie like me, then you’ll thoroughly enjoy this Thai buffet.  

7. Cooking Classes

Take a cooking class! You won’t regret it. Cooking classes are really popular in Thailand because well… Thai food is amazing! I booked a really fun cooking class through Airbnb Experiences. For this class, a local Thai chef meets you at the city’s largest farmers market. There you will stroll through neverending aisles of exotic fruits, veggies, and even some different types of meats. You get to choose what ingredients you want to cook with and return to a kitchen where you learn to prepare everything from scratch.

The meal turned out amazing and I had a blast! There are many different options for cooking classes but I wanted one that included a trip to the farmers market. You can easily find one that appeals to you, but do not skip this! It is one of the top 11 things to do in Bangkok, and all of Thailand. 

8. Bangkok Flower Market

If you’ve read my blog then you know that I love seeing plants and gardens when I travel. So I couldn’t pass up this city block full of flowers!

The Bangkok Flower Market is one of the top things to do in Bangkok and has become a tourist attraction. It is one of the world’s largest flower markets and is open 24/7. Like a lot of things in Bangkok, it is most active at night when the temperature is cooler. 

Flowers are really important in Thai culture and you see flower vendors all over the place. Flowers are commonly used as offerings and are thought to bring good luck. The Bangkok Flower Market has fresh cut flowers, bulk flowers, and flower accesories all for a really low price. You will find orchids, lilies, jasmine, snapdragons, and so many more exotic species of flowers! 

9. Chinatown

I love to visit Chinatown wherever I go. But Bangkok’s Chinatown is unlike any of the others. It is one of the oldest and largest in the world. It spans 2 square miles and houses over 100,000 Chinese Thais. This is a ChinaTown that has stayed true to its roots and is one of the top 11 things to do in Bangkok. 

Visit temples, see unique Chinese shops, and bring your appetite! This past of Bangkok is known for its street food vendors and is especially hoppin at night. Here you can find all sorts of traditional Thai and Chinese fare, along with some unique foods such as scorpion skewers! 

10. Sample The Street Food

Chinatown isn’t the only place in Bangkok to find street food. Thailand is known for its street food and you can find it everywhere. Some streets will have long stretches of food vendors and others may just have a few. But almost every street I saw had food vendors. 

The street food is delicious and cheap. You can find decent meals for under 1 US dollar! This makes Thailand extremely affordable to visit. If you are on a really tight budget you can easily eat for under 5 US dollars a day. 

Side note- You want to be selective and use some common sense about food safety when eating street food anywhere, not just Thailand. Avoid foods that have been sitting out for long periods and be sure you know what you are getting. Other cultures’ foods can be intriguing, or off putting depending on how adventurous you are.

11. Markets

Thailand is known for having a wide variety of markets. Not only are there flower markets to visit, but there are night markets, farmers markets, and even floating markets. Visiting the markets is one of the top 11 things to do in Bangkok so you don’t want to miss out!

Thai markets are known for being extremely affordable so this is a great way to pick up any souvenirs or gifts you want to bring home. And if you like to shop while traveling, many people do, then you will thoroughly enjoy the markets. 

You can find art, clothing, jewelry, food, and pretty much anything you can imagine. A lot of places will ship large items as well so don’t worry about suitcase space. And shopping a the small local markets gives you to support small local businesses and practice responsible tourism . 

So much more to explore!

There is so much more to explore than these top 11 things to do in Bangkok. If you like night life then you’ll want to check out some rooftop bars or hit up some parties along Khao San Road. If you like luxury then you’ll want to visit one of Bangkok’s many world famous spas. The list goes on and on… make sure to give yourself as much time as you can in this great city. There really is something for everyone in Bangkok!