BANGKOK

Bangkok

Bangkok is a fast, fierce and frenetic city that offers an amazing mix of historical and modern things to do and see. An essential part of your Thailand trip.

Bangkok in a nutshell

Bangkok is an intoxicating blend of ancient and modern, with exquisite temples, bustling markets, dilapidated old buildings and ultra-modern skyscrapers all vying for attention. This chaotic metropolis is steeped in tradition but also contemporary and vibrant, offering a dizzying array of age-old sights to see as well as every possible modern convenience. 

Immerse yourself in the magic of Bangkok’s ancient floating market that carries on trading as it has for centuries, then head for the city’s ultra-modern shopping malls for a slice of 21^st century living. Flit back and forth between the old and the new, because this is what makes Bangkok so charming and unique. Discover its magnificent temples, like Wat Traimit with its glittering Golden Buddha. Explore the decorative Grand Palace and get lost in noisy traditional markets. Then, when the sun sets, enjoy the numerous excellent restaurants, bars and entertainment offerings – a carefree vibrant nightlife that the city is so famous for. Bangkok has it all, making it the ideal base before you hop off to have fun in the sun on Thailand’s magnificent beaches.

Bangkok at night is an amazing place to whizz through on a tuk tuk!

Best time to visit: November till February, when the weather is dry and cool and there is little humidity. March to May is very hot and humid, while May to October is the rainy season.

Best Area for Sightseeing: Bangkok Old Town & Banglamphu Bangkok’s historic Old Town, known as Rattanakosin, is home to most of the city’s historic sights, numerous Buddhist temples, museums, palaces and monuments, including Wat Phra Kaew, the National Gallery, Grand Palace and Wat Mahathat.

Shopping in Bangkok: Sukhumvit & Siam Square This area offers excellent shopping opportunities and numerous markets. Most of the city’s top shopping malls are located in Siam Square, part of Sukhumvit. Also, the entire area is easily accessible by Sky Train.

Food & Restaurants in Bangkok: Chinatown, Victory Monument, Sukhumvit, Markets The city is a street food paradise, and you’ll find more places to sample local dishes on the street here than anywhere else in Thailand. Bangkok’s Chinatown is a treasure trove of places to eat from the street – and it’s not all Chinese. There are stunning Thai street food makers here. The main transport hubs are all surrounded by street food vendors. One of the best is the area around Victory Monument, home to bus and BTS stations. Markets are another good bet, so try out some of these, including Ratchawat Market and Wang Lang Market. Sukhumvit is also a great spot to find fabulous street food.

Nightlife: Sukhumvit This area isn’t only great for shopping – the nightlife here is legendary, with plenty of world class clubs and restaurants. The area is also home to 2 Red Light Districts, where much of the city’s nightlife pulsates in numerous restaurants and cocktail bars. Just don’t bring the kids…

Things to do: Things to do in Bangkok 

• Explore the incredible Grand Palace, a complex of temples and palaces that includes Thailand’s holiest temple, Wat Phra Kaew.
• Learn how Thais lived in the countryside centuries ago at the rebuilt Kamthieng House.
• Visit the bustling markets to see Bangkok daily life as it has been for centuries.
• Discover the oldest temple in the city, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha or What Pho.
• Take a food tour to really enjoy Bangkok’s street food firsthand.
• Discover Bangkok’s floating markets.
• Shop till you drop in the excellent night markets where you can pick up great clothes and souvenirs.
• Best way to get around: The Sky Train (BTS) is a great way to get around Bangkok’s inner city. Alternatively, take a tuk tuk, a taxi or a boat along the city’s canals.

Best Area for Families: Siam, Phra Khanong & Chatuchak If you wish to stay in the city, then stay in Siam in the heart of Bangkok, with its bustling malls where kids can be entertained for hours and eat a variety of cuisines at the food courts. The Sky Train will take you wherever you want to go in the city, and there’s lots for the kids to enjoy here including KidZania and Madame Tussauds. Outside the city there’s Phra Khanong, mostly a residential neighborhood with lots of street art, markets and local eateries, so the kids can be immersed in Thai culture. And it’s just a ride on the Sky Train to the city. A little further out of town is Chatuchak, with convenient access to restaurants, shops, local markets and supermarkets and parks where the kids can run wild.