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10 Best Things to do in Bangkok, Thailand

10 Best Things to do in Bangkok, Thailand

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Looking for the top activities in Bangkok? Look no further – we have them here!

Bangkok is one of those cities that tends to divide opinions, but we’ve found the secret to falling in love with this chaotic capital is finding the right things to do! From zooming around the city in a tuk tuk to watching Muay Thai fights and cruising along the canals, there are so many exciting activities to enjoy in Bangkok. And with that in mind, we’ve rounded up our top 10 for you! 

Whether you’re in Bangkok on a layover or have several days to explore, we promise that with this list, you won’t get bored!

Quick Pick: Our Favorite Activity

The Wat Arun Ratchawaramahawihan in Bangkok Thailand

Don’t have time to read the full article?

Our personal FAVORITE activity is this nighttime tuk tuk tour of Bangkok! The city comes alive at night and traveling by tuk tuk is quintessentially Thailand. Check out the 2,500+ 5-star reviews and book this tour here.

Tip: This tour is popular – reserve your spot now and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before your tour departs!

Things to do in Bangkok

1. Go on a night tour by Tuk Tuk

Inside of a tuk tuk at night in Bangkok Thailand
Away we go!
A street food market in Bangkok Thailand
We ate some delicious food on this tour
  • Duration: 4 hours 
  • Time: 6 – 6:45 pm 
  • Highlights: Pak Khlong Talat flower market, Wat Arun, the Old City, street food in Wongwian Yai, the Giant Swing, dinner at a local restaurant, dessert in Chinatown
  • Inclusions: dinner, lots of snacks and soft drinks, dessert, 
  • Rating: 5 stars (check 2,500+ reviews here)
  • Free cancellation: yes 
  • Price: Check price here!

For us, the best way to go sightseeing in Bangkok is on this nighttime tuk tuk tour. Riding in a tuk tuk is a quintessential Thailand experience, and it’s such a fun way to see the city, especially since our tuk tuk had funky lights and music playing! Doing a city tour at night is way more comfortable than during the day, thanks to the cooler temperatures, and we loved seeing Bangkok all lit up. 

Plus, tuk tuks can cover a lot of ground, so we got to see a lot in just one evening. Our guide, Sasa, was awesome and told us lots of stories about life in Bangkok as she drove us around the city. We loved visiting the Pak Khlong Talat flower market and visiting the famous Wat Arun temple was fantastic. We’re glad we went at night because the temple looks even better when it glows golden after dark! 

Another thing that we loved about this tour was that we basically got a 3-course dinner included! We visited the Wongwian Yai area, where we tried lots of different street food snacks and some Thai tea, and then we also got to eat dinner in a local restaurant. The restaurant varies from day to day, but we were very happy with the delicious prawn pad thai that we got. Then, we stopped for dessert while we explored Bangkok’s Chinatown, which is actually one of the largest in the world! 

If you only do one thing in Bangkok, we definitely think that it should be this tuk tuk tour. It was an absolute blast and it gave us a really comprehensive overview of Bangkok, without requiring us to traipse around for the heat. It runs every day except Monday and we would recommend it to absolutely anyone visiting the city! 

2. Visit the Maeklong Railway Market and Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market a person in a boat near Bangkok Tahiland
The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
Maeklong Railway Market in Bangkok Thailand
The Maeklong Railway Market
  • Duration: 6 hours 
  • Time: 8 – 8:30 am 
  • Highlights: train ride to the railway market, guided tour of the market, long-tail boat ride to the floating market 
  • Inclusions: English-speaking guide, train tickets, hotel pickup if option selected, boat ride
  • Rating: 4.5 stars (check 2,900+ reviews here)
  • Free cancellation: yes 
  • Price: Check price here!

Some of the most bucket list worthy markets in the world are within easy reach of Bangkok but, as a foreigner, it can be quite tricky to go and check them out on your own. Fortunately, however, we came across this guided tour which allowed us to visit both the incredible Maeklong Railway Market and the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market! 

We were amazed to learn that the Maeklong Railway Market operates like a normal market most of the time, with goods and canopies across the train tracks. But when a train is coming, the vendors get a 3-minute warning and have to put their goods away very quickly. It was so much fun riding the train from Bangkok to this market and then exploring it with our guide, Kwan. The market itself can be a bit of a sensory overload at first, so it’s definitely easier to go with a guide who can show you around, and Kwan also made us laugh with stories about this often dangerous way of doing business. 

After exploring the Maeklong Market, we then hopped on a long-tail boat and headed down the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. It was so nice to sit back, relax, and just take in all the sights and smells of this floating market. Any drinks and snacks we bought were on our own account, but Thai street food costs next to nothing and our guide was there to ensure we got a fair price for everything. 

This was such a fun and unique way to spend the day in Bangkok! Visiting these markets with a guide and pre-arranged transport was so much easier, and we had a blast exploring. It’s a fantastic way to witness local culture and eat some yummy goodies along the way. 

3. Go on a guided tour of the city

Wat Arun Bangkok Thailand
The stunning Wat Arun
Reclining Buddha in Bangkok Thailand
The famous Reclining Buddha sculpture of Bangkok!
  • Duration: 8 hours 
  • Time: 6:30 am – 3 pm 
  • Highlights: customizable tour, but options include Wat Arun, the Jim Thomson House, 
  • Inclusions: hotel pickup and drop-off, private guide
  • Rating: 5 stars (check 3,000+ reviews here)
  • Free cancellation: no 
  • Price: Check price here!

As much as we loved touring Bangkok in a tuk tuk, we know that that may not be everybody’s idea of a good time! However, this top-rated, full-day private tour is a fantastic alternative for those who would prefer to get around on foot and using public transport. What we love about this experience is that you get to craft your ideal itinerary (with the help of your guide, of course) so Bangkok really is your oyster! 

For example, you can hit highlights like Wat Arun, the Grand Palace, and even Khao San Road – aka party central! If you like, you can even head out of the city to visit the Ancient City, an ornate and extravagant museum that’s situated on its own little island. Or, you could even go and check out a snake farm!

One place that we really recommend visiting is the Jim Thomson House in central Bangkok. Thomson is credited with saving the Thai silk trade from extinction, and it was so interesting learning about the life and mysterious disappearance of this enigmatic businessman, and seeing all of the gorgeous silks! 

But whatever you choose to do, this tour is a super reliable option and it’s budget-friendly for a private tour. Bangkok is known for being an overwhelming city so we really do think that it’s worth having a guide to help you navigate and make sure that you get to see the places that interest you the most. 

4. Visit the Erawan Waterfalls, Kanchanaburi Elephant Sanctuary, and the Bridge on the River Kwai

A Kanchanaburi rescue elephant near Bangkok Thailand
One of the rescue elephants at Kanchanaburi
Erawan Waterfalls near Bangkok Thailand
Erawan Waterfalls is a great place to swim
  • Duration: 12 hours
  • Time: 6:30 am 
  • Highlights: Erawan waterfall, the Burma Death Railway, Kanchanaburi elephant sanctuary, the Bridge on the River Kwai, Krasae Cave
  • Inclusions: hotel pickup and drop-off, private transport, private guide, lunch, bottled water, all admission fees
  • Rating: 5 stars (read 250+ reviews here)
  • Free cancellation: yes 
  • Price: Check price here!

Visiting an elephant sanctuary is a must while you’re in Thailand, and you can even do it on a day trip from Bangkok. Better still, with this private tour, we also got to visit a stunning waterfall and brush up on our history with a visit to the Bridge on the River Kwai. 

So, first things first, we headed out bright and early to start our day with a swim at the stunning Erawan waterfalls. With turquoise water and cascading terraces, it’s no wonder that these are considered some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Thailand, and since we got there early, we were able to enjoy splashing around before they got too busy. It was the perfect escape from the chaos of Bangkok, let me tell you! 

Then, the day just got better as we headed to the Kanchanaburi elephant sanctuary. The elephants here are very well looked-after and this is one of the most ethical ways to see elephants in Thailand. These creatures are so beautiful and we loved being able to feed and bathe them. I don’t know who enjoyed it more, us or the elephants!

After all of that, we also got to visit the Burma Death Railway, which is so named because around 90,000 civilians and Allied prisoners of war died during its construction in the 1940s. It was so interesting to learn about this dark history and visit the Krasae Cave, which was once used as a prison camp but is now a small temple. And of course, we saw the Bridge on the River Kwai, which was made famous by the 1957 Hollywood film.

Talk about variety! This tour was a pretty long day but we loved every second of it. It was so much fun to get out of the city and spend time in nature, as well as learning about Thailand’s WWII history. And of course, I think we can all agree that nothing beats bathing with elephants! 

Why We Book Tours with Viator

Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:

  • Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
  • Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
  • Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
  • Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
  • Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.

Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.

5. Explore the backstreets on this food tour

A person making street food in Bangkok Thailand
So many delicious foods to try!
Fruit on the street in Bangkok Thailand
This food stall made the best mango sticky rice
  • Duration: 4 hours 
  • Time: 4 pm 
  • Highlights: exploring Chinatown, eating lots of different foods, small group 
  • Inclusions: over 15 different foods, soft drinks,
  • Rating: 5 stars (check 1,000+ reviews here)
  • Free cancellation: yes 
  • Price: Check price here!

If there’s one thing we love to do in a new city, it’s take a food tour! Bangkok is famous for both its street food and its huge Chinatown area, so booking this street food tour just made sense to us! 

Chinatown is one of the most exciting areas of Bangkok to explore, but as it’s a big area with tons of street food options, we wouldn’t have known where to start without the help of our guide, Nood. She taught us that Bangkok’s Chinatown is one of the oldest in the world, and she talked us through the peaks and troughs of its history as we explored. 

But the thing we loved the most about this tour was how much food we got to eat! It felt like the food tastings just never ended, as we tried everything from satay chicken and mango sticky rice to Michelin-starred donuts – yes, really! Nood even took us to food stalls that the Thai royal family has been known to patronize, so we really did eat like kings. 

Since this is a small group tour, it also proved a great way to make some new friends in Bangkok. It was easy to keep up with our guide and get to know our fellow travelers as we all stuffed ourselves with delicious Thai and Chinese food. Honestly, if you’re looking for a fun way to spend an evening in Bangkok, my advice to you would be to book this tour ASAP! 

6. See Bangkok from the canals

A longboat on the chao phraya river in Bangkok Thailand
Traveling down the Bangkok Canal is a must-have experience
WanderSiam golden Buddha on the Bangkok Thailand canal
The golden Buddha at Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen is the biggest in Bangkok! Photo credit: WanderSiam
  • Duration: 2 hours
  • Time: 8 am – 4:30 pm 
  • Highlights: sailing in a traditional longtail boat, interesting commentary about local culture, passing by the Artist’s House and Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen, small group tour
  • Inclusions: boat ride, English-speaking guide
  • Rating: 4.5 stars (check 3,218 reviews here)
  • Free cancellation: yes 
  • Price: Check price here!

The streets of Bangkok can get pretty crazy, so why not sit back and enjoy the city from the canals instead with this boat tour?

Seeing Bangkok from the water really gave us a new perspective on the city. The tour took us through several different neighborhoods so that we got to see their different characters and learn about their histories from our guide. We also sailed past the Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen, a majestic bronze Buddha statue that’s 92 meters (301 ft) tall! 

I must say, cruising along on a longtail boat was much nicer than traipsing around in the heat. Our boat had a roof canopy, so we were protected from the sun, too, and we could just really focus on enjoying the city. Plus, the canals, or “klongs”, are a really important part of the fabric of Bangkok, so exploring them on a traditional vessel is a really great way to immerse yourself in the local culture and history. 

We also got to stop and visit the Artist’s House, which is a super old canalside home that has been turned into an art gallery! There was so much fantastic Thai art here, from more traditional pieces to fun, modern sculptures and paintings, and we were also able to grab some drinks and snacks! 

7. Go on a dinner cruise

manohracruises dinner in Bangkok Thailand cruise
This is Thai fine dining at its best! Photo credit: manohracruises
manohracruises sunset on the river and Wat Arun Bangkok Thailand
The sunset on the canal is incredible. Photo credit: manohracruises
  • Duration: 2 hours 
  • Time: 4:30 – 8 pm 
  • Highlights: sailing along the Chao Phraya River, 3-course gourmet Thai meal, sailing past major landmarks such as the Grand Palace and Wat Arun
  • Inclusions: dinner, 2-hour evening cruise
  • Rating: 5 stars (check 195 reviews here)
  • Free cancellation: yes 
  • Price: Check price here!

If you’re planning a romantic trip to Bangkok or want to celebrate a special occasion, then this luxury dining cruise is a must! We were absolutely wowed by this experience and felt like true VIPs as we sailed down the Chao Phraya River, seeing Bangkok’s epic skyline lit up at night. 

One of the things that we loved the most about this dinner cruise is that it took place on board a beautifully restored antique rice barge! Rice barges were traditionally used to transport goods such as rice and sugar between Bangkok and smaller towns, so getting to do a dinner cruise on board one was such a cool experience. 

Depending on the time of year you do this cruise, booking the 4:30 pm or 6:30 pm slot will also allow you to enjoy a glorious sunset as you glide down the river! One good thing about all of the pollution in Bangkok is that it creates some truly crazy sunsets, so this is sure to be a sunset to remember. 

We can’t say enough good things about the food, either. We love street food, but you really haven’t lived until you’ve tried fine Thai cuisine. My mouth is watering just remembering those Wagyu beef noodles! And honestly, I’ve never had such great mango sticky rice, either.

8. See a Muay Thai fight

Rajadamnern Stadium Muay Thai in Bangkok Thailand
We saw some amazing fights! Photo credit: Rajadamnern Stadium
Rajadamnern Stadium Before a Muay Thai fight Bangkok Thailand
There is a lot of respect both inside and outside of the ring. Photo credit: Rajadamnern Stadium
  • Duration: 5 hours
  • Time: 6 pm 
  • Highlights: watching Muay Thai with locals, great food and drinks, VIP packages and ringside seats available, great service
  • Inclusions: admission, free-flow beer, and premium food with a VIP option
  • Rating: 5 stars (check reviews here)
  • Free cancellation: no 
  • Price: Check price here!

I kid you not when I say that going to a Muay Thai fight is one of the best things I have ever done in Thailand! I’ll be honest, I initially wasn’t too fussed about it, but our friends wanted to go, and it turned out to be an amazing evening. Plus, we got options when we booked our tickets in advance, so it was perfect for us!

Muay Thai has to be one of the most exciting spectator sports there is. I loved hearing the traditional music and watching the pre-match traditions, and then the fights themselves were so exciting! It was amazing to witness the skill and precision of the fighters, and the energy really was electric.

We even ended up making bets with some local spectators! They won every time, so clearly they knew what they were doing, but we only bet very small amounts of money, so it was all just good fun. 

The drinks also flow during a Muay Thai match! So if you enjoy a good ol’ glass of Chang or Leo, then I would recommend opting for the VIP seats, because you get both panoramic views and free-flow beer. What could be better? 

But honestly, whatever your budget, you’re guaranteed to have an enthralling evening watching Muay Thai! There are multiple seating options available so you should be able to find an option that suits you. 

9. Learn to cook Thai food

Thai curry made during a cooking class in Bangkok Thailand
We made Thai curry!
Fresh vegtables at a market in Bangkok Thailand
But not before going to the market to get fresh ingredients
  • Duration: 3.5 hours 
  • Time: 8:30 am – 5:30 pm 
  • Highlights: visiting Khlong Toei Market (morning), mango carving (afternoon), making Thai curry paste from scratch, cooking four traditional dishes
  • Inclusions: ingredients, equipment, meal, locker use, recipes, English-speaking instructor
  • Rating: 5 stars (check 500+ reviews here)
  • Free cancellation: no
  • Price: Check price here!

I don’t know about you, but Thai food is one of my all-time favorite cuisines! So naturally, I couldn’t wait to take this hands-on cooking class in Bangkok, and let me tell you, I was not disappointed. 

We did this tour in the morning, which meant that we got to go with our teacher, April, to the Khlong Toei Market to choose fresh ingredients to use in our dishes. We really enjoyed the market visit because it was a real local market, and wasn’t full of tourists like many other markets in Bangkok. Having said that, I also think the mango carving in the afternoon or evening class sounds like great fun! 

We started by making Thai curry paste from scratch. This paste is used in so many different dishes so it’s a real cornerstone of Thai cooking! Then, we made four different dishes, including papaya salad, pad thai, red curry, and mango sticky rice. The menu does vary according to the day of the week and the availability of ingredients, but you can check the daily sample menus here.

Then, after the class, our class sat down together to enjoy the meal we had prepared, and it was absolutely delicious. I was so glad we got a recipe pamphlet to take home because I definitely want to try to make these dishes again! I would definitely book the class itself again, too, as it was a fun experience and April was an excellent teacher. 

10. Learn the dark history of the Bridge on the River Kwai

On the river kwai bridge near Bangkok Thailand
The River Kwai Bridge has a dark history
Under the River Kwai bridge near Bangkok Thailand
Anyone who enjoys history won’t want to miss out on this
  • Duration: 9 hours
  • Time: 7 am 
  • Highlights: boat ride on the River Kwai, seeing the famous bridge, Thailand-Burma Railway Centre museum, Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, JEATH war museum, train ride on the Death Railway
  • Inclusions: hotel pickup and drop-off, long-tailed speedboat ride, Death Railway tickets, buffet lunch, English-speaking guide, museum entries
  • Rating: 4.5 stars (check 200+ reviews here)
  • Free cancellation: no
  • Price: Check price here!

Most of us have heard of the Bridge on the River Kwai, but even if you’ve read the book and seen the famous movie, you may not know the full story. This full-day tour to Kanchanaburi was definitely dark, but it was also absolutely fascinating. 

We got to take a boat ride along the river Kwai, as we learned about how the Japanese government used forced labor from civilians and Allied prisoners of war during their occupation of Thailand during the Second World War. We also got to ride on the railway that they built, which has been dubbed “the Death Railway” because 90,000 people died during its construction. 

Our guide, Oom, had us enthralled as he taught us the history of the railway, which was very dark but fascinating nonetheless. We learned even more by visiting two different museums, and I particularly enjoyed the JEATH war museum, which had some incredible artifacts, including an unexploded Allied bomb that was intended to blow up the bridge! We also paid our respects at the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, which felt fitting. 

Whether you know a lot, a little, or nothing at all about the Death Railway and the Bridge on the River Kwai, I highly recommend this tour. It’s so interesting and even if you’re already familiar with the history, nothing beats actually seeing the bridge with your own eyes, and riding the infamous railway that cost so many their lives. It was a busy day, but Oom paced the activities perfectly, so we never felt rushed, but still managed to see so much more than we would have on our own. 

Where to Stay in Bangkok, Thailand

Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok Bangkok Thailand
Photo credit: Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok

Bangkok is a diverse city, so you can truly find a great place to stay no matter what your vibe or budget is! I know how overwhelming it can be to figure out where to stay in a new city, so I’ve done the hard work for you and picked out my top three options. 

Luxury – $$$

Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok is truly a luxury stay! Each room has a balcony and is suite style. You can enjoy the outdoor pool in the beautiful Bangkok sun or the terrace, onsite restaurant, and bar. It’s located in the heart of the city so you’re never far from the action.

Rooms start around $350 USD and go up from there. Check availability and book this stay on Booking.com

Mid-range – $$

DoubleTree by Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok offers a comfortable stay that won’t break the bank! You know you can trust the Hilton brand hotels, so each room is quality comfort. It’s located near the nightlife and shopping areas, and you can enjoy the onsite pool, restaurant, and fitness center.

You can book a room for $150 – $350 USD, depending on your pick. Check availability and book this stay on Booking.com

Budget – $

CHERN Bangkok is a popular hotel/hostel, located in Old Bangkok and walkable to the Royal Palace and Kohsan Road, but without the party atmosphere. They offer private rooms or small dorms, for up to 4 people, so this is great if you’re traveling with a group. The design is modern and well-kept, and you can enjoy the pool or local restaurants around the hostel.

Rooms range from about $45 to $95 USD, depending on how many people you’re traveling with. Check rates and book this stay on Booking.com or Hostelworld.

For more options, check out all the hotels in Bangkok here!

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!

If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.

SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.

SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.

Book your travel insurance with SafetyWing here!

Thanks for reading!

Daniel-and-Bailey-pose-on-the-beach-in-Thailand
Thanks for reading!

Bangkok is a bustling city, and it can certainly be overwhelming! We hope this list of the top 10 things to do can help you navigate Bangkok and experience all the things we love about this city. There’s no place quite like Bangkok, and we think these tours highlight the best parts of it.

If you found this blog helpful, be sure to explore our other travel blogs! We’ve been all around the world and love creating travel guides and resources to help fellow wanderers. Here are a few blogs below that might help your travel planning and inspiration.

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Saturday 7th of December 2024

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