© Kiszon Pascal/Getty Images
Bangkok
Same same, but different. This Thailish T-shirt philosophy sums up Bangkok, a city where the familiar and the exotic collide like the flavors on a plate of pàt tai.
Leave the planning to a local expert
Experience the real Bangkok. Let a local expert handle the planning for you.
Get startedAttractions
Must-see attractions for your itinerary
Ko Ratanakosin & Thonburi
Wat Pho is our absolute favorite among Bangkok's biggest sights. In fact, the compound incorporates a host of superlatives: the city's largest reclining…
Ko Ratanakosin & Thonburi
The Grand Palace (Phra Borom Maharatchawang) is a former royal residence in Bangkok that was consecrated in 1782. Today, it’s only used on ceremonial…
Ko Ratanakosin & Thonburi
Wat Arun is the missile-shaped temple that rises from the Chao Phraya River's banks. Known as Temple of Dawn, it was named after the Indian god of dawn,…
Ko Ratanakosin & Thonburi
Architecturally fantastic, the Wat Phra Kaew temple complex is also the spiritual core of Thai Buddhism and the monarchy, symbolically united in what is…
Bangkok
Named after the Buddha’s birthplace in Nepal (Lumbini), Lumphini Park is central Bangkok’s largest and most popular park. Its 58 hectares are home to an…
Banglamphu
Even if you're wát-ed out, you should tackle the brisk ascent to the Golden Mount. Serpentine steps wind through an artificial hill shaded by gnarled…
Siam Square, Pratunam, Phloen Chit & Ratchathewi
This jungly compound is the former home of the eponymous American silk entrepreneur and art collector. Born in Delaware in 1906, Thompson briefly served…
Northern Bangkok
Among the largest open-air markets in the world, Chatuchak (also referred to as 'Jatujak' or simply 'JJ Market') seems to unite everything buyable, from…
Attractions
Top picks from our travel experts
The 17 best things to do in Bangkok, from street food feasts to monastery magic
Bangkok
You might be faced with the competing distractions of strip-clubbing and flea market shopping in this infamous area. And true to the area’s illicit…
Bangkok
An alarmingly short barrier at this rooftop bar is all that separates patrons from the street, 61 floors down. Moon Bar claims to be among the highest…
Northern Bangkok
Among the largest open-air markets in the world, Chatuchak (also referred to as 'Jatujak' or simply 'JJ Market') seems to unite everything buyable, from…
Thanon Sukhumvit
Rooftop bars are synonymous with a big bill, which is why Brewski is a breath of fresh air. With drinks starting at 90B, this beer-centric rooftop is a…
Bangkok
The emphasis at this night market is on the retro, from vintage clothes to kitschy antiques. With stalls and food trucks, van-based bars, land-bound pubs…
Ko Ratanakosin & Thonburi
Wat Pho is our absolute favorite among Bangkok's biggest sights. In fact, the compound incorporates a host of superlatives: the city's largest reclining…
Thanon Sukhumvit
This hipster market featuring stalls housed in refurbished shipping containers attracts hordes of young Bangkokians in the evening. Comprising a…
Siam Square, Pratunam, Phloen Chit & Ratchathewi
Spanning eight storeys of more than 500 shops and 100 restaurants, CentralWorld is one of Southeast Asia’s largest shopping centres.
Siam Square, Pratunam, Phloen Chit & Ratchathewi
This jungly compound is the former home of the eponymous American silk entrepreneur and art collector. Born in Delaware in 1906, Thompson briefly served…
Northern Bangkok
What began as a private hobby for Papaya's reticent owner has snowballed over the years into a mindboggling collection of 19th- and 20th-century artefacts…
Ko Ratanakosin & Thonburi
The Grand Palace (Phra Borom Maharatchawang) is a former royal residence in Bangkok that was consecrated in 1782. Today, it’s only used on ceremonial…
Bangkok
Rajadamnern Stadium is Bangkok’s oldest and most venerable venue for moo·ay tai (Thai boxing; also spelt muay Thai). Be sure to buy tickets from the…
Thanon Sukhumvit
Arguably one of Bangkok's flashiest malls. Come for brands you're not likely to find elsewhere, or get lost in the Helix, a seemingly never-ending spiral…
Ko Ratanakosin & Thonburi
Architecturally fantastic, the Wat Phra Kaew temple complex is also the spiritual core of Thai Buddhism and the monarchy, symbolically united in what is…
Siam Square, Pratunam, Phloen Chit & Ratchathewi
Perched on the 55th floor of a skyscraper smack-dab in the modern centre of Bangkok, Red Sky provides one of Bangkok's most stunning rooftop views. The…
Northern Bangkok
The other of Bangkok's two premier Thai boxing rings is located in a modern venue far north of town.
Siam Square, Pratunam, Phloen Chit & Ratchathewi
As much an air-conditioned urban park as it is a shopping centre, Siam Paragon is home to Sea Life Ocean World, Major Cineplex and Gourmet Paradise, a…
Siam Square, Pratunam, Phloen Chit & Ratchathewi
This eight-storey market in a mall has emerged as one of Bangkok’s top attractions. On any given weekend half of Bangkok's residents (and most of its…
SkyWalk at King Power Mahanakhon
Bangkok
Offering an unparalleled 360-degree view of Bangkok's cityscape, this two-tiered viewpoint is perched atop King Power Mahanakhon, currently Thailand’s…
Bangkok
Named after the Buddha’s birthplace in Nepal (Lumbini), Lumphini Park is central Bangkok’s largest and most popular park. Its 58 hectares are home to an…
Thanon Sukhumvit
This 130-rai (20.8-hectare) park is built on what was once a part of the Tobacco Monopoly, a vast, crown-owned expanse of low-rise factories and…
Bangkok
You might be faced with the competing distractions of strip-clubbing and flea market shopping in this infamous area. And true to the area’s illicit…
Northern Bangkok
Among the largest open-air markets in the world, Chatuchak (also referred to as 'Jatujak' or simply 'JJ Market') seems to unite everything buyable, from…
Banglamphu
Even if you're wát-ed out, you should tackle the brisk ascent to the Golden Mount. Serpentine steps wind through an artificial hill shaded by gnarled…
Bangkok
Comprising three early-20th-century wooden bungalows, the charming Bangkokian Museum illustrates an often-overlooked period of Bangkok's history. The main…
Bangkok
This vast experimental art space has hosted a variety of work by both established and emerging local artists, sometimes with a subversive lean. In 2017,…
Ko Ratanakosin & Thonburi
Wat Pho is our absolute favorite among Bangkok's biggest sights. In fact, the compound incorporates a host of superlatives: the city's largest reclining…
Bangkok
Arrestingly flamboyant, this Hindu temple is a wild collision of colours, shapes and deities. It was built in the 1860s by Tamil immigrants and features a…
Ko Ratanakosin & Thonburi
This arcane and fascinating market claims both the footpaths along Th Maha Rat and Th Phra Chan, as well as a dense network of covered market stalls that…
Banglamphu
Wat Saket contains murals that are among the most beautiful in the country. Proceed directly to the pillar behind the Buddha statue, however, for some…
Northern Bangkok
Learning is well-disguised as fun at this museum, open again after a lengthy renovation completed in 2019. The interactive exhibits range in topic from…
Northern Bangkok
What began as a private hobby for Papaya's reticent owner has snowballed over the years into a mindboggling collection of 19th- and 20th-century artefacts…
Ko Ratanakosin & Thonburi
The Grand Palace (Phra Borom Maharatchawang) is a former royal residence in Bangkok that was consecrated in 1782. Today, it’s only used on ceremonial…
Banglamphu
This museum assembles old photos and memorabilia to illustrate the rather dramatic life of Rama VII (King Prajadhipok; r 1925–35), Thailand's last…
Bangkok
Fakes are so prominent in Bangkok that there’s even a museum dedicated to them, where a mind-boggling array of counterfeit merchandise collected over the…
Chinatown
In 2016, as part of a cleaning drive, Bangkok's famous and formerly streetside flower market – also called Pak Khlong Talat – was moved indoors. Within…
Bangkok
Sort of a gallery, kind of a coffeeshop, more a cultural centre… It's tough to categorise this old wooden house on Khlong Bang Luang in Thonburi. There's…
Siam Square, Pratunam, Phloen Chit & Ratchathewi
This workshop was founded by Khunying Tongkorn Chandavimol in 1956 after she completed a doll-making course while living in Japan. Her dolls draw on Thai…
Siam Square, Pratunam, Phloen Chit & Ratchathewi
Erawan Shrine was originally built in 1956 as something of a last-ditch effort to end a string of misfortunes that occurred during the construction of a…
Banglamphu
The residents of Ban Baat inhabit the only remaining village of three established in Bangkok by Rama I (King Phraphutthayotfa Chulalok; r 1782–1809) to…
Bangkok
Warehouse 30 takes the form of a string of restored WWII–era warehouses housing a cafe, a high-end florist, a shop selling curated vintage items and…
Bangkok
This well-reputed overseas branch of a legendary Indian eating house makes a fabulous range of southern Indian vegetarian dishes. We love the dosai …
Thanon Sukhumvit
This wholesale market, one of the city’s largest, is the origin of many of the meals you’ll eat during your stay in Bangkok. Get there early, and bring a…
Planning Tools
Expert guidance to help you plan your trip
Best Neighborhoods
From the sights of Ko Ratanakosin to the neon lights of Thanon Sukhumvit, each Bangkok neighborhood is unique. These are the best.
Read articleDay Trips
Bangkok is big, bold, brilliant and sometimes overwhelming. If you need a break from the traffic and tuk-tuks, here are the best day trips from Bangkok.
Read articleTransportation
Think the tiger of Thailand’s biggest city can only be tamed by taxi? Mere mortal, here’s how to get around Bangkok.
Read articleFree Things to Do
As one of the world's favorite budget travel playgrounds, Bangkok has freebies galore. Here are the best free things to do in the fun-filled Thai capital.
Read articleTraveling with Kids
From magnificent museums to thrilling theme parks via some fun-filled túk-túk rides, there are plenty of ways to enjoy Bangkok with children in tow.
Read articlePlan with a local
Articles
Latest stories from Bangkok
- SportsThe 17 best things to do in Bangkok, from street food feasts to monastery magic
Nov 26, 2023 • 14 min read
- Bars & PubsGive it a try: Why this Bangkok backpacker strip is worth a visit
Oct 28, 2022 • 4 min read
Food and DrinkBangkok's 12 best dishes: a bite-sized guide to Thai cuisine in the capitalDec 29, 2021 • 5 min read
in partnership with getyourguide
Book popular activities in Bangkok
Guidebooks
Purchase our award-winning guidebooks
Get to the heart of Bangkok with one of our in-depth, award-winning guidebooks, covering maps, itineraries, and expert guidance.