Bangkok is a huge, bustling metropolis and is also the capital of Thailand. As of 2022 more than 10 million people call Bangkok home. This number doesn’t even factor in how many tourists are visiting the city – post COVID.
In a city that never sleeps like Bangkok, the options of things to do are endless and can be overwhelming. Here’s the list of my top five things to do in Bangkok.
Visit Temples
Bangkok is home to more than 400 temples. The three that standout in my book are Wat Po, Wat Arun and the Royal Palace.
Wat Po holds a special place in my heart as a Licensed Massage Therapist because it’s the birthplace of the first Thai Massage school in Thailand. Wat Po is also home to the reclining Buddha. Trust me – this is a sight you must see. The entrance fee for Wat Po is 200 Baht or $5.66.
Wat Arun or the Temple is Dawn, is stunning and best viewed at night. It literally glows after being lit up. Such a beautiful vision. The entrance fee for Wat Arun is 100 Baht or $2.83
Finally the Royal Palace has been the official ceremonial residence to the Kings of Thailand since 1782. The palace itself is huge at roughly 2,351,000 sq ft. You could spend all day at the Royal Palace and barely scratch the surface of all the sights to see. The entrance fee for the Royal Palace is 50 Baht or $1.41.
Make the Climb Up Mahanakhon Tower
This next suggestion is not for the faint of heart, or those afraid of heights. Mohanakhan Tower is just as the name sounds – a gravity defying tower. It soars more than 100 feet into the sky. On top of this, the very top floor is made of glass that you can walk on and see straight down to the ground below you. This experience will definitely get your heart pumping and have your mind questioning your center of gravity. Tickets start at 836 Baht or $23.66
Shop Until You Drop at Chatuchak Weekend Market
There are a plethora of markets throughout Bangkok. The one that trumps them all is Chatuchak Weekend Market. Technically this market is only open fully Saturday and Sunday. Selected areas of the market are open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. For example: Wednesday and Thursday only the plant section is open from 7am-6pm. Additionally the market is open for wholesale or buying in bulk Friday from 6pm-midnight.
More than 200,000 people visit this market every single weekend. It boasts more than 15,000 stalls which are spread throughout 35 acres and 26 stalls. Pro-Tip: most of the market is outdoors and with temperatures in Bangkok averaging at least 90 degrees year-round, you’ll want to make sure to stay hydrated. There are small sections of the market that are indoors, should you need a break from the heat for awhile.
An added bonus – the Chatuchak Market is so convenient to reach via public transit. If you get on the one central line for the MRT (Metropolitan Rapid Transit) and ride it to Chatuchak Park, you are there! The train will drop you inside the park which is a short two-minute walk from the Entrance 2 at JJ Market.
If you’re using BTS (Bangkok Mass Transit System) instead, traveling from Silom to Chatuchak Park will cost 40 Baht for an adult and 20 Baht for children and elders. The service is open from 6 am to midnight so you can hop on and off while you explore Bangkok’s largest market!
Take In the Bangkok Skyline from a Rooftop Bar
Bangkok doesn’t miss when it comes to rooftop bars. If you’ve seen the Hangover 3 – then you know exactly what I mean. LeBua was the bar featured in the movie and it’s absolutely beautiful. There’s an entire restaurant inside and two sides of the outdoor rooftop bar to enjoy Bangkok’s breathtaking skyline.
Rooftops don’t begin and end with LeBua though – Tichuca and Octave are also solid choices. Pro-Tip: it’s a good idea to come dressed to impress when visiting any of these bars. Many of these rooftops have a strict dress code including no flip flops or sweatpants/workout clothes. Additionally, be sure to bring your wallet when visiting these bars. Drinks and meals here are not cheap by any means at all. I ordered one glass of rose wine and it cost about 1200 BAHT. To put that in perspective, typically one glass of wine costs between 120-200 Baht. I’ll also note most rooftop bars, including LeBua add a gratuity and service charge into their pricing.
Explore Options that are Free
I’m going to lump all these experiences into one. Shelling out money for things to do in Bangkok can put a dent in your wallet. Spending days, if not weeks or months in Bangkok can add up quickly. Not to worry there are so many things to do in Bangkok that are completely free.
In no particular order there’s Khaosan Road. If you’ve heard of this place already – I’m sure the name precedes itself. Khaosan Road is the place to party. Vendors and bars start setting up shop around 8pm or 9pm and stay open until the wee hours of the morning. We’re talking until 2am or 3am. Khaosan road is technically free – however please also know all the trapping of Khaosan Road are not. Drinks, food and souvenirs are all up for sale.
I highly recommend Lumpini Park. Bangkok can be a concrete jungle – Lumpini Park serves as a breath of fresh air. It’s the first public park in Bangkok and is popular for people looking to do outdoor activities, exercising or even visiting the library – which is located inside the park.
The Flower Market in Old Town is next on the list of free things to do in Bangkok. Pak Khlong Talat, (which means ‘Market at the Mouth of the Canal) is Thailand’s largest wholesale flower market and it never closes. It’s open literally open 24 hours a day – seven days a week. You’ll discover everything under the sun when it comes to flowers here; local Thai flowers, imported flowers and even flower arrangement accessories.
I could go on and on about all the free things to do in Bangkok. Hotels.com put together an awesome article about the 10 best free things to do in Bangkok feel free to check that out here.
In all, Bangkok is an incredible city. There’s so much to explore. Cheers to your journey in the City of Angels.
