What to do in Bangkok
116 places curated from 10 travel vlogs — the more a spot gets mentioned, the higher it ranks
Recommended as one of the best areas in Bangkok for diverse, affordable street food.









A riverside temple; the hosts recommend watching the sunset over it from a rooftop bar across the Chao Phraya.








A big green oasis surrounded by skyscrapers, with lawns, walking paths, an artificial lake with rental boats, and many large monitor lizards.







Bangkok's most popular attraction, established in 1782 as the royal residence and still used for ceremonies. It closes early, so the hosts suggest arriving a couple of hours before closing to avoid crowds.







One of Bangkok's oldest temples, a few blocks from the Grand Palace, home to a 46-meter reclining Buddha. It is easy to combine with a palace visit.







The city's lifeblood, used by commuter ferries and boats. You can take a boat trip or watch the sunset from riverside rooftop bars.







Thailand's second-biggest mall, with international and local brands, many restaurants, a riverside terrace with Chao Phraya views and a spectacular fountain show.







Thailand's largest market, open Saturday and Sunday 9am-6pm with thousands of stalls selling food, clothing, souvenirs and home goods at local prices. It is next to an MRT station.






Bangkok's famous backpacker street, packed with food vendors, clothing stalls, bars and travellers. It's a good place to try fried insects like grubs and scorpions.





Bangkok's highest observation deck, with a glass floor and a bar. Best at sunset, though that is also the busiest time.





Recommended, along with the old town, as one of the best areas to stay on a first visit to Bangkok.





An indoor street-food market inside ICONSIAM with food from all corners of Thailand, billed as Thailand's first indoor floating market.





One of two beautiful green parks in the Sukhumvit area.





A colorful temple inside the Grand Palace compound, described as the undoubted highlight of a visit.




Thailand's former capital, 1.5 hours north of Bangkok, with remarkable temple ruins from the 14th to 18th centuries.




One of Bangkok's oldest neighbourhoods, where locals still live in old houses, and it is becoming a trendy area for hip cafes, street art and riverside restaurants.




The most popular floating market, about 1.5 hours' drive from Bangkok, selling fresh food and handcrafted souvenirs on canals.



A market where trains pass right through the stalls a few times a day. It is usually combined with a Damnoen Saduak visit.



A historic town made famous by The Bridge on the River Kwai. The hosts say it has much more to offer and recommend staying a few days.



A historic neighbourhood next to Chinatown where once-abandoned heritage buildings are being revived by a new generation. It is drawing growing crowds to its eateries.



A temple perched on top of the only hill in Bangkok.



An awe-inspiring, still-unfinished temple built entirely of wood without a single nail. Its four wings depict Thai, Khmer, Chinese and Indian religious imagery.



Bangkok's flower market in the old town. The itinerary recommends visiting early in the morning and uses it as a boat hub.



A street with rooftop bars and clubs.



Part of the cluster of big malls around Siam, near the Skytrain.



A huge mall in the Siam shopping cluster, easily reached by Skytrain.



An upscale riverfront night-time destination with shopping, riverside dining and a big Ferris wheel. It is best visited if you're staying near the river rather than in Sukhumvit.



The newest mall of the EM District, which even includes a city IKEA.



A always-crowded noodle shop in the middle of Sukhumvit, praised as serving the best tom yum noodles. Diners customise their bowls by choosing the noodle type, soup or dry, toppings and seasonings. Come early to avoid queueing.


Houses a five-and-a-half-tonne solid gold Buddha statue, reportedly the largest solid gold Buddha in the world.


The red-light district near Lumpini Park, one of Bangkok's three adult entertainment areas.


Bangkok's old central station. The video suggests being there at 6 p.m., when the national anthem plays and everyone freezes.


A museum house listed among the sights of Pathum Wan.


A standout adult entertainment street near the Asok intersection. The itinerary suggests taking a look on the last night.


A trendy area with some of Bangkok's best nightlife options.


A tamer alternative to Sukhumvit for nightlife, without the chaos.


The host's favourite mall, with a good food court, a cinema and luxury shopping right next to the Skytrain.


Bangkok's nearest major beach resort, about 2 hours away, with islands offshore and Muay Thai. It is popular but somewhat seedy.


A laid-back beach town about 2.5 hours from Bangkok, with nearby caves, jungle activities and luxury resorts.


Museum topped by a giant three-headed elephant statue that the video describes as 44 m tall and about 250 tons. Inside are stained glass and intricate carvings in a peaceful setting.


Huge open-air park, open to the public since 1972, with replicas of Thailand's famous temples, statues and historic buildings. Visitors drive around it, which feels like a quick tour of the country's history.


A historic downtown district known for diverse street food and lesser-known temples. The hosts explored its temples with a local guide to learn about Thai history and culture.

A national park near Kanchanaburi, home to one of Thailand's most beautiful waterfalls.

A family-run fish noodle soup shop squeezed between two buildings in the Song Wat neighbourhood. It is known for its very clear seafood broth, bouncy fish balls and dumplings whose wrappers are made from fish belly. The dumplings often sell out.

A Thai restaurant serving rustic eastern cuisine from Trat province, using seafood from Trat and spices from Isan. Standout dishes include a Trat-style pork and barracuda salad with peanut-brittle dressing and a coconut-free pork curry soured with chamuang leaves.

A lush green oasis on the city's outskirts where you can rent bicycles and ride easy paths through jungle-like landscapes, stopping at hidden cafes along the way.

A little hidden spot on an elevated bridge, perfect for watching the sunset over the river and skyscrapers, and handy for walking over to Ong Ang Canal.

A restored canal with street art, lantern-decorated laneways and street food ranging from Indian to Bhutanese to Thai. It is open Friday to Sunday from 4:30 pm.

A quiet island reached by speedboat from Si Racha. Visitors can tour it by skylab, see a viewpoint with a Buddha footprint, a Chinese cave temple, King Rama V's old summer palace, beaches, fresh seafood and clifftop sunsets.

A landmark monument in the old town near Khao San Road. The itinerary suggests a quick look on the first evening.

A castle-like temple in the old town, suggested as a sunset spot in the itinerary.

A historic religious landmark in the old town that the itinerary passes on an evening walk.

Thailand's national museum in the old town, part of the day-two morning sightseeing loop.

A museum in the old town, listed among Phra Nakhon's key sights.

An amulet market in the old town, included in the day-two morning sightseeing route.

A museum of royal ceremonial barges reachable by boat. The day-two itinerary includes it after lunch.

Described as the oldest Muay Thai stadium in the world and reachable by canal ferry. The itinerary suggests watching a fight here.

A temple in the royal district of Dusit that the video calls a must-see.

The Dragon Temple, listed among Chinatown's sights worth seeing.

A historic Chinese mansion listed among Chinatown's sights worth seeing.

A temple built in the shape of a ship, reachable near Saphan Taksin on the day-three itinerary.

A colourful Hindu temple in the Silom area.

A temple listed among the sights of the Bang Rak and Sathorn districts.

A historic Catholic cathedral near the river in Bang Rak.

An abandoned skyscraper near the river, which the video calls the mysterious Ghost Tower.

A major monument listed among the sights of Pathum Wan and Ratchathewi.

A large skyscraper landmark in Ratchathewi.

An art and culture centre listed among the sights of Pathum Wan.

A well-known Hindu shrine listed among the sights of Pathum Wan.

The Red Cross Snake Farm, listed among the attractions of the Pathum Wan area.

One of two beautiful green parks in the Sukhumvit area.

A very rough, authentic local fresh market in Khlong Toei.

A multi-storey, U-shaped adult entertainment complex with security checkpoints, one of the standout nightlife spots on Sukhumvit.

A beef noodle soup spot near Phra Athit Pier, recommended for lunch in the itinerary.

A Chinatown spot whose oyster omelette the video calls a must-try.

A Chinatown dessert shop known for sugary Thai desserts.

A legendary seafood restaurant with the best view of Yaowarat Road.

A food paradise street, officially named the coolest street in Thailand.

A street-food court on Sukhumvit Soi 38 that the video calls wonderful.

A Sukhumvit-area spot known for its crab omelette.

Considered the number-one nightlife spot in Silom.

A local entertainment district with clubs such as Onyx, Route 66 and Space.

A club in the RCA entertainment district.

A club in the RCA entertainment district.

A trendy area with some of Bangkok's best nightlife options.

A visually impressive nightlife venue near Thonglor and Ekkamai.

A walking street suggested for a first-evening stroll from Phra Athit Pier down to Khao San Road.

A favourite rooftop bar at the end of Sukhumvit Soi 11, recommended for sunset drinks. You don't need to be a hotel guest, just buy a drink or some appetizers.

An aquarium inside Siam Paragon. Entry costs 600 baht per person.

A spectacular cave you hike down into, about an hour to 1.5 hours from Hua Hin.

Upscale mall whose Open House area mixes books, art and food in a laid-back setting. It offers a stylish, creative escape from the city rush.

Night market with a vintage vibe, featuring retro cars, neon signs and shops full of antiques and old-school memorabilia. It is buzzing with energy, lights and street food.

Cafe right next to the flower market whose interior feels like a hidden garden.

Trendy, modern shopping area with a slightly Korean vibe. It has stylish cafes, boutique shops and crowds of people hanging out.

Newer night market mixing modern shopping with local culture, with trendy stalls, artisan products and good food. It is quickly becoming a favourite with locals and visitors.

One of Bangkok's most famous rooftop bars, made iconic by the movie The Hangover. It has incredible sunset and skyline views, though cocktail and dinner prices are steep.

A small road just behind Chinatown lined with Chinese-inspired cocktail bars and cozy speakeasies. It is especially atmospheric after dark.

A Thai cooking class that starts with a visit to a local market for fresh ingredients and a free tuk-tuk ride to the school. Friendly teachers guide you through pounding curry paste and stir-frying dishes from scratch.

A textile museum within the Grand Palace grounds, included in the palace entrance ticket.

Three neighbouring luxury malls (Emporium, EmQuartier and EmSphere) with direct access from BTS Phrom Phong.

The bridge made famous by the film of the same name. The train stops right in front of it, and you can walk across it.

Recommended for insight into the history of the town and the Death Railway bridge.

A war museum in Kanchanaburi recommended for learning about the history of the bridge and railway.

An Ayutthaya temple that looks like a mini Angkor Wat.

An Ayutthaya temple famous for an old Buddha head intertwined in the roots of a banyan tree.

A cycling tour company with distinctive yellow bikes that fit tall riders. Tours ride through city streets, cross the Chao Phraya to the countryside and markets, and some include a canal boat ride.

A well-located mall on Sukhumvit whose Pier 21 food court serves delicious food at great prices.

A new rooftop bar and day lounge with a pool on EmSphere's fourth floor, above the IKEA.

The Sukhumvit side street known as Nana, part of the area's nightlife scene.

A major mall in the newly fashionable Phrom Phong area near EmSphere.

A long-standing mall in the Phrom Phong area near EmSphere.

A Japanese-style onsen at the State Bridge Suites on Soi 24 with salt and silk baths, a cold plunge, a hot stone room, a herbal Yamui steam, a unique sauna and cryotherapy. Entry is about 700 baht.

The 'Dragon Temple' is a 17-storey pink cylindrical tower with a giant dragon spiralling around it, popular with drone flyers. Inside the dragon's hollow body, a spiral stairway leads visitors toward the top.

Home of a 69 m tall golden Buddha statue completed in 2021. It offers great photos from the canal-side waterfront.

One of Bangkok's most iconic rooftop bars, good for golden-hour drinks and photos. It takes no reservations, so expect a line around sunset.

An award-winning restaurant that has appeared on Asia's 50 Best Restaurants list, serving elevated Thai cuisine with a modern twist. It is set in a restored old Thai villa surrounded by a lush garden.

Thailand's national museum in the old town, part of the day-two morning sightseeing loop.