How to Enjoy Your Time in Bangkok

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There is something about this capital city of Thailand that keeps pulling us in its direction every so often. We visited Thailand for our honeymoon, back in 2012. But, I was really craving to get soaked into Bangkok’s chaotic city life again. So, after 10 years, with a toddler in tow, we took a quick 4 days trip to this hustling bustling charming capital city of Thailand. Bangkok’s vibrant markets, Tuk-tuk-filled busy streets, peaceful Buddhist temples, glitzy bars, and exquisite mall culture didn’t disappoint. Read on to know how you can enjoy your time in Bangkok!!

There is so much you can see and do in Bangkok, catering to every budget and type of interest. We had a huge list, but of course, couldn’t get through them in 4 days. But we got a feel of every attraction that Bangkok has to offer, and it was such a fulfilling experience.

We have listed some of the key attractions that you could consider while exploring Bangkok. Of course, the list is long, but you can alter it based on your itinerary and interest. Well, here is how you enjoy your time in Bangkok.

01. The Temples

Temples are part of Thailand’s heart and soul and are absolutely a must while exploring Bangkok. These Buddhist temples are an important part of everyday life, filled with prayers and hope. The architecture of Thai temples is so unique, unlike anything you would have seen before. Some of the best temples you need to visit during your trip are listed below.

Wat Pho

Wat Pho is our favorite temple in Thailand and rightly so. The magnificent gold statue of the reclining Budha is world-famous for its unique style of decoration. The hall with Budha’s statue is decorated and painted in gold and depicts ancient Thai culture. The courtyard of Wat Pho is so peaceful and charming. It’s filled with huge pagodas with intricate tilework. If you can only visit one temple during your Bangkok trip, let it be this one.

We have way many photos from Wat Pho. How can one resist clicking around such stunning architecture?!

Wat Arun

Just across the Chao Praya River from Wat Pho, is this magnificent spire rising 82 meters in the air. The decoration of the spire and the temple is in a traditional mosaic style similar to the pagodas you will see in Wat Pho. This temple is named after the Indian God of Dawn, Arun. Hence, it’s also known as the temple of the Dawn. Climbing the steep steps up the Spire, you will see the stunning view of the Chao Praya River and Bangkok.

As evident from our photos and faces, we visited Wat Arun during our honeymoon, so decided to skip it this time around. But nonetheless, it is one of the most stunning temples in Bangkok and will make for beautiful photos. The best time to visit would be late afternoon when the sunshine lights up the spire and the river behind.

To reach Wat Arun, take a boat from Tha Tien Pier, also called Pier 8, just 200 meters off Wat Pho.

Quick tip: The view of Wat Arun and many other temples along Chao Praya River is absolutely stunning at night. You can consider taking a night river cruise!

Wat Phra Kaew

The temple of the Emerald Buddha is part of the Grand Palace. It is regarded as the most sacred temple in Thailand. Emerald Buddha, is carved from a 66 cm tall block of jade. While visiting this temple, don’t miss out on the 2km long gallery covered with mural paintings depicting 178 scenes of the epic story of Ramayana.

Wat Benchamabophit

This Instagram-famous Marble temple, is very unique, featuring the modern style of Thai architecture, and hosts a beautiful Buddha statue. The courtyard of the temple itself makes for magnificent photos for your feed.

While visiting the temples, please be respectful of the dress code. You are required to cover your legs and shoulders. Sarongs are available for rent and you will need to enter the temple complex barefoot.

02. The Malls

The Mall culture in Bangkok will take you by surprise. With over 200 shopping malls in the city, you are definitely spoilt for choice. Bangkok malls cater to a variety of people and needs. Some of them are bigger and more luxurious than any other mall you would have seen. Malls not only allow an escape from the heat and humidity but in this labyrinth structure you will find everything from high-end brands, cinemas, food courts & fancy restaurants, money exchange stalls, and much more.

Some of the best malls can be found in the Ratchaprasong neighborhood like Siam Paragon, Siam Square One, CentralwOrld, and MBK Center. These malls are connected via an elevated walkway and BTS stations. So, it’s very convenient to explore all these in one central location.

MBK Center stood out amongst all the luxurious malls, as it’s really an indoor street market. There are many local shops selling more than just clothes, of course without the heat. We didn’t really bargain much, but many store owners entertain it.

Siam Paragon and CentralwOrld were our other favorite hang-out places. The food courts are huge and we loved shopping at some of the high-end Thai stores.

Quick tip: Don’t miss out on grabbing some refreshing iced tea while exploring these malls. The best part is you can customize the amount of sugar and boba pearls in your tea. And, the takeaway glasses are really cute!

03. The Markets

How can you enjoy your time in Bangkok without getting to know the local life of the people? Well, that’s where the markets come in.

How can we even start describing Thai markets? They are so vibrant, unique, and filled with wonderful items. We highly recommend traveling with an empty suitcase just to fill your shopping. However, Thai markets are more than just tourist attractions. They are part of everyday life for locals, right from the night market to the food market. You will find a small market in every section of Bangkok. Some of the markets we highly recommend visiting are listed below.

Chatuchak Weekend Market

With over 200,000 people visiting every weekend and 15,000 stalls, this market offers everything from Food, Art, Antiques, Fashion, and much more. It is spread over 35 acres and divided into 26 sections, offering the most unique Thai experience. The market is open on Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 6 pm. Since the market is huge, we suggest wearing comfortable shoes and breezy clothes to save you from the mid-afternoon heat. We weren’t able to banter much and in most cases paid the price the stall owner was quoting. However, we would suggest trying your luck with bantering. Feel free to walk away if you are unsure of the price, as they are many vendors selling similar items.

Jodd Fairs Night Market

Opened in December 2021, Jodd Fairs is one of the newest markets in Bangkok. Even though the name suggests it’s a night market, it is open from 11 am to midnight, all days of the week. If you are looking for authentic Thai street food, you should definitely visit this market. There are more than 600 food stalls serving street food, drinks & sweets, and also has well-spaced seating areas. The market gets lively after 5 or 6 pm when the temperature has cooled down and the locals are off from work and school. On weekends, live bands perform in the market, adding to the vibe. In addition to food, there are stalls selling clothes, shoes, and other items at a reasonable price.

04. The Sky Bars

After the release of Hangover 2, Sky Bars became extremely popular in Bangkok. When we traveled to Thailand for our honeymoon, we had no clue that such a thing existed. With so many sky bars in the city now, you are spoilt for choice. There is one for every kind of budget.

Rightly so, Sky Bar is an amazing concept. The open-air bar gives a unique perspective of Bangkok’s glittering skyline. These bars are usually on the top floor of skyscrapers and are a great way to cool down with a drink in the hand. In our definition, that’s one of the best ways to enjoy your time in Bangkok!

Lebua State Tower – The Hangover Skybar is of course the most famous one. This sky bar is on the 63rd floor and is one of the highest in the city. Prices are definitely on the higher side.

Banyan Tree Bangkok – Vertigo and Moon Bar is another famous sky bar on the 61st floor. The bar boasts one of the best views of the Bangkok skyline and is known for its creative cocktails.

We would recommend making a reservation well in advance, especially if you want to enjoy one of the popular sky bars in Bangkok. Also, keep in mind the dress code generally won’t be casual, so flip-flops and shorts most likely won’t be allowed.

05. The Day Trips

Another wholesome way to enjoy your time in Bangkok is to take a few day trips. How can you miss day trips to Ayutthaya and the famous floating market? Here are some of the day trips you can consider based on your itinerary.

Maeklong Railway Market

Have you ever seen those Instagram reels showing vendors closing their shops to allow a train to pass? Well, that’s the Maeklong railway market! It’s not your traditional Thai market and such a unique experience. Part of the market is on top of a railway track, requiring vendors to move their goods and retract awnings to allow the train to pass. We were so close to the train that we could literally touch it. But, since the train crawls at snail’s speed, it didn’t feel dangerous. The market itself sells many souvenirs and has a few cafes selling food and juices.

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

Your Maeklong Railway market trip can easily be combined with Damnoen Saduak floating market. Both these locations are in very close proximity. Let me start by saying that Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is essentially a tourist trap. You will be made to shell out money inevitably. However, floating markets are traditionally very famous in Thailand and definitely worth that once-in-a-lifetime experience. As we went right after Covid, the general ambiance was still dull. Many of the vendors had closed their shops & boats. Unfortunately, we didn’t get that picture postcard view of the floating market.

A few things to keep an eye out for are:

If you are not doing the floating market as a part of an organized tour and instead hiring a taxi, ensure that the driver takes you to the main entrance. There are many side entrances that are private. These entrances will make you shell out more money than it’s worth.
Also, we don’t recommend buying anything here, as the prices are hiked up. You will find similar stuff in any other Thai market. Instead, just enjoy the experience. You can definitely indulge in some coconut water and sticky mango rice to enjoy while on the boat.

Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya is a UNESCO World Heritage site and once was the historic capital city of Siam. This historic city is home to more than 400 temples. The city is big and it’s not possible to walk from one temple to another. So, it’s recommended to either hire a taxi for your day trip or you can rent a bike. The entrance fee to the majority of temples is 50 Bhat per person. You can also buy a pass to visit 6 temples for 220 Bhat.

Wat Mahathat is the oldest and the most photographed temple in Ayutthaya. It’s the one with Buddha’s head intertwined with the tree trunk. Wat Ratchaburana, Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Wat Phra Ram, Wat Maheyong, and Wat Chai Watthanaram are other famous ones in the city.

While traveling keep yourself protected from the heat by wearing a cap and carrying a water bottle. Also, keep in mind to dress conservatively while entering the temples.

06. The Shows

Of course, this is not one of the popular tourist activities. However, the city hosts several interesting entertainment activities and night performances. We went to Siam Niramit Show while traveling to Bangkok during our honeymoon, and absolutely enjoyed it. The performance was very colorful showing the culture and arts of the country. The use of lighting, technology, and the performance itself was fabulous. There are many other great shows like Bangkok Calypso Cabaret Show, Golden Dome, etc, if this is something that would interest you.

Where to Stay in Bangkok

If you want to enjoy your time in Bangkok to the fullest without worrying much about commuting, staying at a central location will be very handy. We stayed in Patumwan House which was at a walkable distance from three big malls and a metro station. The rooms themselves were very spacious with a small kitchenette. It was very handy as we got a lot of takeaway dinners in the evening, to allow our exhausted toddler some rest and relaxation.

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Hope you found our article helpful to plan an epic trip to Bangkok. Leaving you with some photos from our honeymoon trip and baby faces.

How to Enjoy Your Time in Bangkok