Top 18 Places to Visit in Bangkok City

Being one of the top tourist places in the world, there are many places to visit in Bangkok. The cosmopolitan city of Bangkok has always been a source of new experiences for travellers and residents alike and contains an overload of places to visit in Bangkok. Thailand’s capital is often called ‘Krung Thep' by its people. Translated, that means 'City of Angels.' 

As a tourist, it is always a good idea to learn how to reach the more distant places within the city, for which it is recommended that you carry the latest Bangkok travel guide on your person. Late November and early December are when the city dries following the monsoon spells, making this the best time to visit Bangkok. 

Let’s explore some of the best places to visit in Bangkok.

Bangkok Tourist Places

1. Grand Palace
2. Terminal 21
3. Dusit Zoo
4. Asiatique the Riverfront
5. Chatuchak Market
6. Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)
7. Chao Phraya River
8. Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
9. Sea Life Bangkok
10. Siam Paragon Mall
11. Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC)
12. Wat Benchamabophit (Marble Temple)
13. Safari World
14. Sanam Luang Park
15. Erawan Museum
16. Cookin' Nanta Show
17. Lumpini Park
18. Temple of the Reclining Buddha

1. Grand Palace

History should undoubtedly feature in your list of places to see in Bangkok. It does not get more historic than visiting the royal residence, aka Grand Palace, where generations of Bangkok royalty have come and gone

• Spread over 35 acres of land and hosting over 8000 stalls, this is truly the 'king of markets
• Inside, you will find one of the most sacred Buddhist temples built way back in 1782, namely 'Wat Phra Kaew,' or Temple of the Emerald Buddha
• Many edifices comprise the palace, not just one as its look might have you believe
• Courtyards, pavilion sets, lawns, grounds, halls, buildings. Several of them were built individually at different times, but complement one another beautifully
• Aside from hosting state functions and official ceremonies, the Palace to date remains the ceremonial residence of Thailand monarchy
• The architecture of the Palace is in itself a gorgeous sight to be hold

2. Terminal 21

Have you ever heard of a mall whose design theme was based on world airports? We, now you have.

• Terminal 21 feels like an amusement park but with near-realistic city themes, borrowing from the airports of diverse cities
• You can shop in, say, San Francisco before checking out Tokyo
• Over 50 different restaurants are open to you, as well as cinema halls, and about 600 shops!
• You have six floors of themed greatness to explore and enjoy
• The airport theme is diligently integrated everywhere you turn until you can’t help but feel that you are actually in different places at different times. Definitely one of the places to go in Bangkok.

3. Dusit Zoo

Not only is it Thailand’s oldest zoo, but it is also placed well within the city’s governmental headquarters zone.

• You will find all sorts of species in here, from rare to exotic
• Boating services and tram rides are also available to add to the thrill of animal watching or just plain leisure
• Fauna includes white Bengal tigers, camels, albino barking deer, penguins, monkeys, and more.

4. Asiatique the Riverfront

Formerly an international airport, the place is now a hotbed of exciting activities.

• The location is host to one of the most dynamic night markets in the city
• You have four distinct districts to explore here
• From entertainment and fashion to malls and dining, your options are wide open with an even broader spectrum of choices
• The Chao Phraya River in the background adds to the enchantment, letting you scratch off another big box on your list of places to visit in Bangkok

5. Chatuchak Market

Touted to be the biggest and the best of all Bangkok’s markets, Chatuchak lives up to its reputation. It is one of the best places to visit in Bangkok for shopping enthusiasts.

• Spread over 35 acres of land and hosting over 8000 stalls, this is truly the 'king of markets
• You can buy almost anything and everything here, within reason, of course
• It is always a good idea to put your bargaining cap on when you visit
• The locals call the place Jatujak or 'JJ'
• Once you see it, you will believe the fact that this is indeed one of the largest outdoor markets in the world, with about 200,000 visitors per day
• Open only on weekends; the market goes back to 1942 when it was called Phahonyothin Market. The name changed later in 1987, inspired by a nearby park.

6. Wat Arun

Going back to the time when Siam and Burma were at war with each other, the ‘Temple of Dawn’ was later rebuilt with the help of General Taksin and other survivors

• Renamed after the Indian God of the Dawn, Aruna, the temple has a rich and storied past
• One of the most sought-after places to visit under Bangkok tourism, the temple is as beautiful as it is ancient
• Its 82m range (Khmer-style tower) is truly worth seeing
• The intricate floral mosaics made using broken Chinese porcelain of different colours adds credit to its originality
• King Rama II designed the main Buddha statue that sits inside the temple
• Don’t forget to admire the murals, especially those depicting Prince Siddhartha and his encounter with birth, death, and many an experience in between
• The long and steep flight of stairs may seem intimidating, but the view from up top, especially that of the Chao Phraya River in the sunset, will be worth the climb

7. Chao Phraya River

A mere mention of this river is not enough; in fact, visiting here should be one of your top things to do in Bangkok

• The ‘rive of kings’ is Thailand’s main waterway, seeing more than 50,000 commuters every day
• You must take a ride on the ferry; it is an 'experience.' You can see several tourist destinations along the way
• If you can afford it, try the grand cruises; romance, dinner, and party. It’s like checking out Bangkok's nightlife but doing so on its most magnificent river.

8. Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

One of the top places to visit in Bangkok is this floating market

• You can soak up plenty of Thai cultures just by mingling with the traders and locals
• Explore the klongs (canals) by sampan (boat), and don’t forget to stop and admire the traditional outfits worn by female traders (from broad-brim hats made of straw to mo hom apparel)
• Visit to shop. You get all kinds of foods, fruits, and produce
• Tracing its founding back to 1981, the Damnoen Saduak still reflects the rustic beauty of Bangkok, when it was primarily a set of interweaving rivers and canals on which traders came to sell goods
• The colourful displays on the boats make for some of the most unforgettable photo opportunities in Bangkok

9. Sea Life Bangkok

This underwater aquarium is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the city.

• You’ll find it inside the Siam Paragon mall, which itself is worth visiting
• It boasts a spread of 110,000 sq. Ft., making it South-East Asia’s largest aquarium
• From crabs and octopi to penguins, sharks, and fish of all shapes and sizes, Sea Life Bangkok truly packs enough diversity in one gigantic tank
• It is so immense that the tank is divided into themed zones: Seahorse Kingdom, Rocky Hideout, Coral Reef, Shark Walk
• Giving bang for your buck, the place also affords you a chance to get up close and personal with aquatic life via the Nursery Centre and Aquatic Quarantine

10. Siam Paragon Mall

We covered the mega-aquarium, now let’s cover the mall that hosts it.

• With over seventy world-famous brands and more shopping than you can do in one day, this mall is a genuine revelation for tourists
• Be sure to catch a movie in one of the sixteen Cineplex screens inside
• If you have been ardently seeking specialized and outstanding restaurants in Bangkok, the mall has all the multi-cuisine lip-smackers you need, and then some

11. Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC)

Touted to be the very heart of the city’s art life, the BACC is among the top must-see Bangkok tourist places.

• With over seventy world-famous brands and more shopping than you can do in one day, this mall is a genuine revelation for tourists
• Be sure to catch a movie in one of the sixteen Cineplex screens inside
• If you have been ardently seeking specialized and outstanding restaurants in Bangkok, the mall has all the multi-cuisine lip-smackers you need, and then some

12. Wat Benchamabophit

Also called the 'marble temple,' this is certifiably one of the gorgeous places to visit in Bangkok

• Striking a perfect balance between tradition and modernity, the temple’s architecture was designed to reflect royalty
• The Buddha statue inside is an absolute joy to see
• From stained-glass walls and polished marble to red carpets, there is beauty everywhere you turn
• The place holds significant religious value, especially in the mornings when people arrive to give offerings to the monks who come from Nakhon Pathom carrying supplication bowls
• Not only has the temple left a strong enough historical mark to appear on the Five Thai Baht coin, but it was also where King Rama V once spent time as a monk before he was crowned king.

13. Safari World

You simply cannot say no to a close-look safari that can open you to some of the most thrilling sights you will see in Bangkok. It is the best place to visit in Bangkok if you are travelling with kids.

• There is also a feeding and petting area
• Bird as well as marine parks have been introduced, and are both worth checking out
• Since it opened in 1988, the park has seen regular visitors who come to admire the natural splendors and animal life living inside
• Aside from a wide spectrum of animal sightings, you also have entertainment shows on offer
  
  

14. Sanam Luang Park

Also termed ‘Thung Pra Meru,' which loosely translated means 'cremation ground for Royals,' the park feels like something out of a dreamscape.

• It is situated on its island, namely Rattanakosin
• Spread over thirty acres, the place is not far from a couple of other major tourist attractions: Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace
• From political rallies to royal ceremonies, and festivals galore throughout the year, the park these days is a cemetery only in name

There are several excellent Bangkok resorts (Club Mahindra’s Mac Boutique Suites are an evergreen choice) nearby for when you want to find accommodations.

15. Erawan Museum

• Blending modernity, history, and Asian architectural beauty in a seamless blend of colour and intricacy, the Erawan Museum has to be seen to be believed
• From the vast three-headed elephant construction crowning the edifice to its three stories filled with history and culture, the museum is a wealth of experiences
• Hindu mythology’s take on the Underworld unfurls on the first floor. Notions of Earth and current life occupy floor-two. Ferrying you to ideas of Tavatimsa Heaven, the third floor is set inside the belly of an elephant
• Be it Hindu, Thai, Chinese, or Buddhist mythology; you’ll find some choice selections in here
• There is so much to admire in the architecture itself: the domed ceiling, spiral staircases of hand-beaten copper, the iconography on Mount Meru, and more.
  

16. Cookin’ Nanta Show

• There are enough funny facial expressions in this show to rival that of several TV series
• The chefs might seem doomed from the start. Meanwhile, you are certain to appreciate and enjoy the Samul Nori music (Korean) as it merges with several upbeat tunes
• The theatrical comedy also makes use of knives and Korean water drums to send their funny-point across
• From percussion instrumentals using kitchen objects to sleight of hand, the show has long thrilled audiences
• It is essentially an hour-long show where actor-chefs do wacky comedic things to entertain the audience
• Originating from South Korea, the production has left quite a famous mark in several locations all over the world

17. Lumpini Park 

Escape the hustle and bustle of Bangkok by visiting Lumpini Park, a serene oasis in the heart of the city. This sprawling park offers a tranquil retreat with its lush greenery, serene lakes, and meandering pathways. Here's what you can expect:

• With over 142 acres of land, Lumpini Park is a haven for nature lovers, featuring a rich variety of flora and fauna.
• Whether you're into jogging, cycling, paddle boating, or practicing Tai Chi, the park is one of the places to visit in Bangkok for a peaceful time.
• Keep an eye out for free concerts, festivals, and other cultural events that frequently take place in the park.
• Don't miss the impressive statue of King Rama VI at the main entrance, a tribute to the park's founder.
• Enjoy spotting monitor lizards, turtles, and various bird species that call the park home.

18. Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho) 

Step into a world of spiritual and architectural wonder at Wat Pho, home to the majestic Reclining Buddha. This temple is not only a place of worship but also a symbol of Thailand's rich cultural heritage. Here's what makes it special:

• The highlight is the 46-meter-long, gold-plated Reclining Buddha statue, depicting Buddha's entry into Nirvana.
• Wat Pho is one of the oldest and largest temples in Bangkok, with a history dating back to the 16th century.
• Explore the temple's intricate designs, murals, and over 1,000 Buddha images that adorn the complex.
• Wat Pho is also recognized as the leading school of massage in Thailand, offering traditional Thai massage and reflexology.
• Wander through the temple's peaceful courtyards, adorned with Chinese statues and beautifully landscaped gardens.

Conclusion

There are so many places to see in Bangkok and you need to visit to thoroughly soak up its splendours. Club Mahindra Holidays has a variety of Bangkok tourism packages to choose from. From its rustic roots and still-prevalent historical marvels to the fact that the city holds fast to its age-old traditions and culture, the uniqueness of Bangkok is shared only by a handful of other cities in the world. With all the recommended places to visit in Bangkok detailed above, your trip will undoubtedly prove more than fruitful.