or learn which food to try and souvenirs to buy on your next trip to Thailand
Bangkok travel guide
Guide me through Bangkok
Discover the overwhelming mega metropolis full of contrasts. Where skyscrapers sit side by side with Chinese storehouses. Where food of the superlative is found in both, high-class restaurants and street markets. And where tranquil temples share space with the hustle and bustle of a city that never sleeps. Stroll the urban jungle and get lost in the tiny alleyways of Chinatown or the corridors of colossal shopping malls and take the water taxi to your next adventure. Send your senses on a journey of flavors, scents, and sounds. Feel the vibrant cosmopolitan lifestyle that is waiting for you in the ‘City of Angels’.
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Travel information about Bangkok
Historic Bangkok
Exploring the historic paths of old Bangkok should be on the agenda of every first-time visitor. Get lost in the tiny lanes of Talat Mai Chinatown, follow Samsen Road to explore the oldest part of the capital, learn about Thailand’s history at Siam Museum, and admire Thai architecture in the Ancient City Mueang Boran, just a short trip out of town.
Off the beaten track but undoubtedly worth a visit is the Artist House, also known as Baan Silapin and Klong Bang Luang. In addition to impressive art, you will find friendly Thai people who are always up for a chat. Enjoy coffee and delicious snacks with your new friends or try the fresh food in one of the restaurants at the riverfront.
If you want to get an authentic impression of Thailand’s capital and how its sympathetic inhabitants know it, visit the Khlong Toei Nuea market and district.
the modern side of Bangkok
Its modern face
Khao San Road is hard to miss when visiting Bangkok for the first time. As a traveler hotspot, this bustling road offers everything you’d expect from the touristy side of Bangkok and more.
From tourist knick-knacks to crispy insects, „same same, but different“ shirts to delicious street food, you can find it all on Khao San Road. During the day, travel agencies and bus companies offer their services to customers, and at night, the area turns into a lively party strip.
But Khao San Road isn’t the only indicator of the city’s increasing modernization and popularity. Marketplaces, co-working spaces, and air-conditioned shopping centers are driving the progress of modernization in this mega-metropolis.
If you’re missing the Western world, you should check out the MBK Shopping Center, Siam Paragon mall, Octave Rooftop, and the King Power Mahanakhon Skywalk.
Best temples to visit in Bangkok
The Sanctuaries
The dazzling golden stupas, intricately adorned rooftops, and gleaming Buddhas are shining brightly in the midday sun within Bangkok’s urban landscape. Thailand’s pagodas and temples are definitely worth a visit. In this bustling metropolis, you have a wide selection of temples to choose from to immerse yourself in Thai culture. Remember to dress appropriately (with shoulders and knees covered) when visiting a sanctuary.
Grand Palace: This former royal residence offers a glimpse into the life of a Thai king. While it is now only used for traditional ceremonies, this gem is open for visits almost every day of the year. To avoid the midday heat and tourist crowds, it’s best to visit the palace as early as possible.
The Golden Mount stands magnificently over Bangkok’s metropolis. To reach the top, you can climb the stairs that wind around the temple like a loosely coiled snake. In November, the Golden Mount becomes a week-long pilgrimage site adorned with colorful lanterns, games, and traditional food and treats.
Other highly recommended sanctuaries to visit include Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Wat Ratchanatdaram, Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Suthat, Wat Traimit, and Wat Benchamabophit.
Best markets to explore in Bangkok
best Markets
Something wonderful about Asia is the thousands of colorful and fresh markets you can find in every corner of the continent. And Bangkok is no exception.
If you are happening to be in the Thai capital on a weekend, make sure to explore Chatuchak Weekend Market or the Amphawa floating market close to Bangkok.
Another colorful and different option is a visit to Pak Khlong Talat, the vibrant flower market.
Parks in Bangkok
Bangkok's green lung
Every now and then one needs to escape the urban jungle to breathe fresh air, leave behind the traffic and crowds, and charge new energy in nature. Dusit Palace Park, Lumphini Park, and Chatuchak Park represent the green lung of Bangkok where you can find a little getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city.
More fun activities to do in Bangkok
More Activities
Did you know that you can rent a bicycle in Bangkok? What first sounds like a crazy idea regarding the traffic in Bangkok, can be a great way to explore the city for the more adventurous of you.
If you prefer to treat yourself, Pai Spa offers relaxing Thai massages, or take a cooking class at Silom Thai Cooking School to take authentic Asian flavor back home to your kitchen.
Kids will love KidZania, an interactive city made for children in one of the biggest shopping malls in Bangkok. And to bring the day to an end, the metropolis is hosting MBK Fight Night every Wednesday evening to enjoy a thrilling spectacle of mixed martial arts that find their origin on this side of the world.