13 Best Things To Do in Bangkok

Your first day in Bangkok is different from what all the guidebooks tell you. We will explore the unseen and lesser-known corners of this city. Follow this 3-day guide step by step and have a great time in Bangkok.

1. Co van Kessel, Biking around Bangkok

One of the best things to do in Bangkok is to explore the city by bicycle. Discover the small back alleys, outskirts, markets, Chinatown, temples, and canals on a 5-hour tour. You won’t be on the bike all the time; halfway, you will take your bike on a boat tour through the famous canals of Bangkok and have a mouth-watering lunch at a local restaurant.

2. Explore the Canals by Long-Tail Boat

The “Venice of the East” is a big network of canals. Along with those rivers, you see many Thai people live in their wooden houses. The canals connected Bangkok throughout the whole city.

Thonburi is super picturesque, less touristy, and highly recommended to get a long-tail boat tour through its canals.

3. Visit the Hipster Markets

Bangkok is the king of markets. While walking or driving around the city, keep an eye on all the small streets where you suddenly find a full market. The markets in Bangkok are there in all flavors and sizes.

Small local vegetable markets to huge, 2000+ stalls, trendy clothing, souvenir, and food stalls markets. Locals absolutely love to hang around here so when you visit a good market, the majority are Bangkok locals. If you ask us, this is the best market in Bangkok.

4. Get Yourself a Smoothie!

Everywhere you go in Thailand, fresh fruit smoothies are a big deal. They are delicious, come in all kinds of fruit flavors, and oh so affordable. Every market offers fresh fruit smoothies, but be warned, most of the stalls add sugar water to make them taste even better. Healthy tip: Ask for ‘no sugar’. 🙂

5. Eat like a Local

Find the best Thai food in the markets and at small food shops on the side of the road. Delicious curries, Pad Thais, spicy green mango salad, chicken cashew, and so many more choices. Be prepared for a fantastic food experience.

Good to know: Buying fruits that are already cut is not recommended.

Depending on the popularity of the area, the prices of meals change very quick. Expect to pay anywhere between 40 – 120 THB ($2) for a meal and 250 THB for a whole barbeque grilled fish.

Get that meal and smoothie at this best market of Bangkok.

The usual things to do in Bangkok are visiting the Grand Palace, Floating Market, and Chatuchak Market. These are great, but we are focused on avoiding mass tourism and experience the city its beauty.

6. Wat Benchamabophit

Wake up early for an absolute magical sunrise at Wat Benchamabophit. Italian Marble gives a unique look to the temple and is our favorite temple of Bangkok. It is just outside of Bangkok old town, and because it isn’t well known (yet), it is likely that you will be one of the few there.

The temple opens at 6 AM and there is a 50 THB (1.5 USD) donation. After 8:30 AM, you can expect the first small groups of tourists.

7. Tuk-Tuk through the City

Another thing to do in Bangkok is experiencing at least one Tuk Tuk ride. They take you from A to B within minutes, zigzagging through traffic. 

Tuk Tuk drivers are hard and stubborn when it comes to bargaining. If you can’t agree on a reasonable price, take a Grab Taxi instead.

8. Wat Arun

With a height of over 75 meters, Wat Arun is easy to spot from the opposite side of the river. One of the most impressive temples in Bangkok opened after renovation in late 2017. The climb to the top gives a panoramic view of the river and city.

From the ferry point, take the ferry, which costs 4 THB, to the other side of the river. It is a 3-minute walk from the 50 THB entrance.

9. Khao San Road and Soi Rambuttri

Khao San Road, is the street that is a haven for every budget backpacker. One street with many small bars, food stalls, souvenirs, cheap buckets with alcohol, and fried scorpions sellers. Walk through this street and be amazed by what is going on here. It’s an absolute must-see and a top thing to do in Bangkok.

Soi Rambuttri is Khao San’s neighboring street. The street has more food stalls and relaxing restaurants. Order a Grab from these popular streets, a Taxi or Tuk-Tuk will likely charge you triple the price.

Bangkok is all about ‘the bigger, the better’. Development in this city is going fast. Every new month a skyscraper opens, including a pool, gym, supermarket, parking garage, and sometimes a rooftop too. Your last day is a taste of the high-end life of Bangkok.

10. Wat Pho

Start the day at 08:00 AM at Bangkok’s most popular temple: Wat Pho. It thanks its popularity to its beauty and 46-meter-long reclining Buddha. When visiting early, it is relaxing to wander around the complex. There is a 100 THB (3 USD) fee to enter Wat Pho.

11. Best Shopping Malls in Bangkok

Escape the heat of the city and go shopping in some of the supermalls in Bangkok. There are at least ten malls, all located next to the BTS, which makes it super easy to get there.

Our two favorite malls are Terminal 21 for shopping clothing and CentralWorld also for clothing and electronics.

Loads of well-known stores are located here, such as H&M, Zara, Brandy Melville, creative Japanese, and big electronic shops. The top floors of the malls have a large cinema and food area.

12. Coffee and Food!

Besides local Thai dishes, Bangkok offers a lot of Western-style restaurants. Obviously, prices are higher, but some places are worth the experience. Prefer local food? Read number 5 of our Things to do in Bangkok list.

Patom

In the creative district of Thong Lo is a wood and glass zen hideaway in the middle of the big city. They sell organic products, cakes, and fantastic coffee and want to raise ecological awareness.

iO Italian Osteria

Inside the CentralWorld mall is an Italian restaurant, which is, without a doubt, the best one in the entire city. Most products are imported from Italy, and even some of the staff are Italian.

(Not Just) Another Cup or Brekkie

For a good Western breakfast or lunch, head over two either Brekkie Organic Cafe or (Not Just) Another Cup. Two eye-pleasing cafes with delicious food and coffee.

13. Sunset at Skybar Rooftop Bar – Must do in Bangkok!

A great way to close off your time in Bangkok is by watching the sunset from a rooftop. Have a 360 degrees view over the whole city at 48 stories up in the sky. Some have a dress code, be sure to check this in advance.

Octave is a bar outside of the tourist area with a great view and near the Thong Lo BTS stop. Happy Hour runs from 5-7 PM; expect to pay around 300 THB on average. The dress code is smart casual, which usually means: wear actual shoes, trainers are ok!

Bangkok offers loads of options to get around the city. Grab, Gojek motorbikes, Metro, BTS (Skytrain), Taxis, Tuk-Tuks, and local buses.

Arriving in Bangkok

The city has two airports, the main airport Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang. Both are international airports.

Suvarnabhumi Airport

Suvarnabhumi is connected to a BTS, getting to Bangkok city from here is an easy 30-minute ride and only costs between 15 – 45 THB (1 USD). Once you get off the BTS, you can order a Grab that takes you to your hotel.

Getting a Taxi is also very convenient from this airport since it is a regulated number system which means fair prices. Expect to pay ~400 THB.

Alternatively, you can rent a car and drive through Thailand.

Good to know: In Bangkok, you always want to ride the highway. These are toll roads but save you a lot of time. Taxi drivers will ask you to pay this fee.

Don Mueang

Don Mueang does not have the BTS connection yet. It is planned to open in 2020. For now, it is the best option to get a Grab or Taxi from the arrival terminal. Expect to pay 300 – 400 THB to the city.

Getting Around in the City

The best and most affordable ways to see Bangkok are by BTS / Metro, Gojek motorbike, and Grab Taxi. Use Google Maps to decide which is best for your situation.

Taxis and Tuk-Tuks are honestly better to avoid if you don’t want to get stuck in a bargaining game.

Bangkok is filled with hotels and guesthouses for every kind of budget. If you are in for a good party, it is recommended to find a stay around the Khao San area.

Otherwise, it is best to find a hotel in the area of Sukhumvit. The BTS is connected throughout the whole area, which makes it super easy to get around.