18 of the best · Bangkok, Thailand
The Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha, Wat Pho and Wat Arun, the Golden Mount, Chinatown, the river and the view from the top of Mahanakhon.
Our 18 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026
Three of our favourites from this list, vetted by people who know and love Bangkok.
The Temple of the Emerald Buddha
The palace compound behind white walls on Na Phra Lan Road, with the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
Na Phra Lan Road, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200Explore View on map
The Reclining Buddha
The temple of the great Reclining Buddha, and the home of traditional Thai massage.
2 Sanam Chai Road, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200Explore View on map
The Temple of Dawn
The porcelain-studded spire of the Temple of Dawn, across the river from Wat Pho.
In-depth stories behind the list.
The back story
The Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha, the Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho and the porcelain spire of Wat Arun across the river: how to see the old city well.
The great sights of the old city.
Sao Chingcha
The tall red frame of the Giant Swing, in front of Wat Suthat.
The Temple of the Emerald Buddha
The palace compound behind white walls on Na Phra Lan Road, with the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
Na Phra Lan Road, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200Explore View on map
The Temple of Dawn
The porcelain-studded spire of the Temple of Dawn, across the river from Wat Pho.
The Marble Temple
The Marble Temple in Dusit, built of white Carrara marble.
69 Rama 5 Road, Dusit, Bangkok 10300Explore View on map
The Reclining Buddha
The temple of the great Reclining Buddha, and the home of traditional Thai massage.
2 Sanam Chai Road, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200Explore View on map
The iron castle
A temple with a tiered "metal castle" of spires, near the Golden Mount.
Views from the Golden Mount
A golden chedi on an artificial hill, with views across the old city.
344 Chakkraphatdiphong Road, Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Bangkok 10100Explore View on map
River, markets and views.
Riverside warehouses
A riverside night market in old warehouses, with a big wheel and a cabaret.
2194 Charoen Krung Road, Bang Kho Laem, Bangkok 10120Explore View on map
Neon, gold shops and street food
Yaowarat Road’s neon, gold shops, shrines and street food.
At the Ratchaprasong junction
A Hindu shrine at the busy Ratchaprasong junction, alive with offerings and dancers.
Teak houses by the canal
Teak houses by a canal, filled with the art collection of the American silk entrepreneur.
Rama 1 Road, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330Explore View on map
314 metres up
The observation deck and glass SkyWalk at the top of the Mahanakhon tower, 314 m up.
114 Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Road, Si Lom, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500Explore View on map
The ceremonial barges
The gilded ceremonial barges in their boathouse on Khlong Bangkok Noi.
80/1 Arun Ammarin Road, Bangkok Noi, Bangkok 10700Explore View on map
The first Muay Thai stadium
Muay Thai at the stadium that calls itself the world’s first.
8 Rajadamnern Nok Road, Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Bangkok 10100Explore View on map
Old riverside lanes
Old riverside lanes of workshops, shrines and street art beside Chinatown.
The city’s old high street
The river that made Bangkok, best seen from the express boats and cross-river ferries.
45 of the best Restaurants
6 of the best Cafés
7 of the best Bars
36 of the best Hotels10 of the best Museums & Shows
8 of the best Parks6 of the best Walks
12 of the best Shopping
13 of the best Spas & Health6 of the best Property6 of the best Developments5 of the best Motoring13 of the best Getting Around
Islands from Bangkok Thai Islands