The golden chedi and roofs of Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace beyond the lawns of Sanam Luang

Neighbourhood guide · Bangkok

Rattanakosin: Our Favourites

The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho, the National Museum, the Golden Mount, and Jay Fai and Nusara for lunch.

The back story

  1. Neighbourhood guide

    Rattanakosin: the back story

    Rattanakosin·In depth

    The Grand Palace, Wat Pho and the old city on its island in the river.

    Explore View on map

  2. The back story

    Temples and golden spires: the historic heart of Rattanakosin, the back story

    Rattanakosin·In depth

    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.

    Explore View on map

What to see and do

  1. The Temple of the Emerald Buddha

    The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew

    Rattanakosin·Palace & temple

    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

  2. The Reclining Buddha

    Wat Pho

    Rattanakosin·Temple

    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

  3. The Temple of Dawn

    Wat Arun

    Thonburi riverside·Temple

    The porcelain-studded spire of the Temple of Dawn, across the river from Wat Pho.

    Explore View on map

  4. Views from the Golden Mount

    Wat Saket and the Golden Mount

    Phra Nakhon·Temple

    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

  5. The iron castle

    Wat Ratchanatdaram and Loha Prasat

    Phra Nakhon·Temple

    A temple with a tiered "metal castle" of spires, near the Golden Mount.

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  6. Sao Chingcha

    The Giant Swing and Wat Suthat

    Phra Nakhon·Landmark

    The tall red frame of the Giant Swing, in front of Wat Suthat.

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  7. Thailand’s treasures

    National Museum Bangkok

    Rattanakosin·National museum

    The national collection of Thai art and archaeology, beside Sanam Luang.

    4 Na Phra That Road, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200Explore View on map

  8. What it means to be Thai

    Museum Siam

    Rattanakosin·Museum

    A lively museum about Thai identity, near Wat Pho.

    Sanam Chai Road, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200Explore View on map

  9. In the Grand Palace grounds

    Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles

    Rattanakosin·Museum

    A museum of Thai textiles and dress within the Grand Palace grounds.

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  10. Khon, the masked dance drama

    Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre

    Phra Nakhon·Theatre

    A 1930s theatre in the old city, home to performances of Khon, Thailand’s masked dance drama.

    66 Charoen Krung Road, Wang Burapha Phirom, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200Explore View on map

  11. A garden over the river

    Chao Phraya Sky Park

    Phra Nakhon·Garden bridge

    An unfinished rail bridge turned into a garden walk across the river.

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  12. A garden by the palace

    Saranrom Park

    Rattanakosin·Park

    A shady old garden near the Grand Palace.

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  13. About 3 km, half a day

    Rattanakosin: the palace, Wat Pho and the river

    Rattanakosin·Walk

    The essential old-city walk: the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Tha Tien and the ferry to Wat Arun.

    Explore View on map

  14. About 2.5 km, afternoon

    The Golden Mount and the old city lanes

    Phra Nakhon·Walk

    The Giant Swing, Wat Suthat, Loha Prasat and the climb up the Golden Mount.

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  15. Massage at Wat Pho

    Wat Pho Thai Traditional Medical and Massage School

    Rattanakosin·Thai massage

    Traditional Thai massage in the grounds of Wat Pho.

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Where to eat

  1. One MICHELIN Star (2026)

    Jay Fai

    Phra Nakhon·Street food

    One MICHELIN star for a street-food shophouse in the old city: come for the crab omelette.

    327 Maha Chai Road, Samran Rat, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200Explore View on map

  2. One MICHELIN Star (2026)

    Nusara

    Rattanakosin·Thai

    One MICHELIN star for Thai tasting menus facing Wat Pho.

    336 Maha Rat Road, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200Explore View on map

  3. Bib Gourmand (2026)

    Pad Thai Fai Ta Lu

    Phra Nakhon·Noodles

    Bib Gourmand pad thai, wok-fried on Dinso Road.

    115/5 Dinso Road, Bowon Niwet, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200Explore View on map

  4. Bib Gourmand (2026)

    K. Panich

    Phra Nakhon·Street food

    Bib Gourmand mango sticky rice on Tanao Road.

    431-433 Tanao Road, Sao Chingcha, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200Explore View on map

Where to stay

  1. Facing Wat Arun

    Chakrabongse Villas

    Rattanakosin·Riverside house

    A handful of rooms in a riverside house in the old city, facing Wat Arun.

    396 Maharaj Road, Tatien, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200Explore View on map

  2. A rooftop facing Wat Arun

    sala rattanakosin

    Rattanakosin·Boutique hotel

    A small riverside hotel on Maharat Road, with rooms and a rooftop facing Wat Arun.

    39 Maharat Road, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200Explore View on map

  3. By Tha Tien

    Riva Arun Bangkok

    Rattanakosin·Boutique hotel

    A riverside hotel on Maharaj Road in the old city.

    392/25-26 Maharaj Road, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200Explore View on map

Share your Rattanakosin tips

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