Bangkok Attractions – Full Overview

Arriving in Thailand, the first question a traveler might have is, “What should I see in Thailand?” If we are talking about cultural and historical treasures, then of course the capital immediately comes to mind. In this article, we will touch on Bangkok’s attractions that you can visit in 1, 2, or 3 days.

Contents

General Information
In One Day
Bangkok’s Grand Palace
Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew)
Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho)
Temple of the Dawn (Wat Arun)
The Golden Mount (Wat Saket)
In Two Days
Temple of the Golden Buddha (Wat Traimit)
Chinatown
Lumphini Park
Baiyoke 2 Tower
In Three Days
Siam Ocean World Aquarium
Siam Paragon
Jim Thompson House-Museum
Siam Niramit
Other Attractions
Wat Ratchanadda
Wat Suthat
The Marble Temple (Wat Benchamabophit)
Vimanmek Mansion
Ananta Samakhom
National Museum of Bangkok
Royal Barges Museum
Erawan Museum
Bangkok Art and Culture Centre
Khao San Road
Chatuchak Market
State Tower
Central World Plaza
Dusit Zoo
Muang Boran Park
Safari World Theme Park
Dream World Amusement Park
How to Get There at Minimal Cost

General Information

So, you are passing through Bangkok, taking a vacation on Phuket or Pattaya and decided to allocate 1, 2, or 3 days for exploring Bangkok’s attractions, but don’t know where to start. To be honest, in order to see all the popular and not-so-popular spots in the capital of Thailand thoroughly, you would need at least a week, but since we don’t have that much time, we’ll make do. Feel free to use our improvised travel guide on your trip.

In One Day

What can you see in Bangkok in 1 day? Yes, one day is enough to visit 2–3 famous places, and they should all be within walking distance of each other so you don’t spend a lot of time on the road.

We have compiled a list of places relatively close to each other, and most importantly, with a map reference, so you can immediately navigate.

So, for a one-day excursion, the following attractions will do:

The Grand Palace;
Temple of the Emerald Buddha;
Temple of the Reclining Buddha;
Temple of the Dawn;
Temple of the Golden Mount.

If you don’t have your own transport, visiting all five places is unlikely. The ideal option is to plan 2–3 places and examine them more thoroughly. If you have a motorcycle for rent, the task becomes easier, and in that case, you can add one more place to the list, no more than that.

Bangkok’s Grand Palace

Bangkok’s Grand Palace is a place that must be visited if this is your first time in the country. It is the former residence of the monarchs of Thailand, built during the reign of Rama I in the 18th century.

During the construction of the palace, the basis was the former royal residence, which is located in the old capital, Ayutthaya.
On the territory of the palace, Thai history is hidden in the embrace of pagodas, temple complexes, and other buildings. The palace is a projection of the country.

Opening hours — 8:30–16:30 (note that tickets can’t be purchased after 15:30, as the ticket offices close at this time).

Entrance fee — 500 baht per person.

If you wish, you can rent an audioguide at the ticket office for 200 baht.

A few rules:

Having bare shoulders or wearing short shorts inside the palace grounds is prohibited (you can rent a special cover-up for 200 baht);
Before entering a temple, you must take off your shoes (the temple, not the palace grounds);
Video equipment is not allowed inside the temples.

Approximate visiting time — 3.5–4 hours

Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew)

The Wat Phra Kaew (Wat Phra Keo) Temple is interesting in terms of the amazing story behind the appearance of the Emerald Buddha sculpture. According to locals, this statue was created in the heavens, and later, the heavenly king (a member of the royal family) helped bring the statue to Wat Phra Kaew. A beautiful legend, which makes this place even more attractive, as it’s definitely worth seeing for yourself.

Moreover, being close to the Grand Palace automatically puts the Temple of the Emerald Buddha on every one-day traveler’s short list.

Its opening hours coincide with those of the Grand Palace.

Entrance fee — 400 baht.

Approximate visiting time — 1–1.5 hours

Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho)

Wat Pho is located not far from the first two attractions, and its uniqueness is not only the enormous territory of the temple complex (about 80,000 sq. m, which is hard to cover even by evening, especially if you still want to see other sights) but also the largest reclining Buddha statue in the world. Its parameters:

Length — 95 m
Height — 15 m

The temple itself is considered one of the oldest in the country, as its history dates back to the 12th century, starting with a small monastery. Later, the monastery was expanded along with its surrounding territory.

Rules of conduct inside the complex are the same as in any Buddhist monastery, but there is one positive detail: the shoes you remove are taken with you in a special bag, provided by the staff.

Opening hours: 8:30–18:30. Entrance fee — 100 baht per person.

Approximate visiting time — 2–2.5 hours

Temple of the Dawn (Wat Arun)

Wat Arun (Wat Arun) translates from Thai as “Temple of the Dawn,” and the best time to visit is morning or evening (when the sun is going down). This is not so much related to the temple’s appearance as it is to the architectural concept. There is almost no shade on the territory of the temple complex, and it will be quite hot during the day.

The shrine itself is constructed so that on a sunny day, everything sparkles (helped by the enormous number of ceramic fragments adorning the temple). Sometimes, you can catch a light show, usually in the evening, when a one-day trip is already coming to an end.

Opening hours — 8:00–18:00
Entrance fee — 50 baht.
Approximate visiting time — 2.5–3 hours

The Golden Mount (Wat Saket)

Wat Saket (Wat Saket), also known as the Temple of the Golden Mount, is located on a height and before the construction of skyscrapers, it was considered the highest point of the city. There are exactly 320 steps to the very top, but they are not arranged in one continuous staircase; there are special resting places since older people also visit the temple.

Seen from afar, Wat Saket resembles a white, impregnable fortress (a hill surrounded by greenery). There really is a lot of green here.

From the very top, you can get an excellent view of the city and take several photos or record a video for your home collection.

Opening hours — 7:30–17:30
Ticket price — 20 baht.
Approximate visiting time — 1 hour

In Two Days

If you have two full days to explore Bangkok, spend the first day following the plan described above, and leave what you didn’t manage to visit on the first day for the second day, plus additionally:

Temple of the Reclining Buddha;
Chinatown;
Lumphini Park;
Baiyoke 2 Tower.

Naturally, we attach a map of attractions. It also shows the metro system, so you can see the shortest route to each place.

Temple of the Golden Buddha (Wat Traimit)

Be sure to see Wat Traimit, where the Golden Buddha is kept, if only because it is the largest, heaviest, widest, and tallest statue of the deity cast in gold. Yes, you heard right, it is gold, not golden plating or paint. The temple itself is relatively small, and its main interest is precisely this figure.

In addition to the statue, there are two museums here.

For information on how to get to the temple and more details, read our article — Temple of the Golden Buddha.

Opening hours: 8:00–17:00.
Entrance fee — 40 baht.
Approximate visiting time — 1–1.5 hours.

Chinatown

Not far from Wat Traimit is Chinatown, also known as Chaina Town. If you have never been to a Chinatown in other countries, it might be hard to understand what this place is like. No movie can convey the real atmosphere unfolding in Chinatown. And if you’re lucky enough to get here during one of the Chinese holidays, consider yourself lucky. You won’t see such a feast for the senses anywhere else (except maybe in China itself).

There are many interesting shops with Chinese flavor and places that beg to be captured on camera.

Here you can buy gold and jewelry cheaply, but be very careful when choosing because, after all, it is Chinatown!

Lumphini Park

Lumphini Park (Lumpini) is exclusively for relaxation; it’s also called a green oasis in the middle of a concrete desert.

It’s really worth coming here, if only to see the monitor lizards and turtles that live in the local lake.

In the evenings, they organize group dances here, which any passerby can join.

If you have a break between excursions, you can drop by this island of tranquility for an hour or so. If you want complete solitude, rent a boat; you can sail to the center of the pond and stay there until your time is up, enjoying the beauty of the park.

By the way, smoking, littering, or walking a dog here is strictly prohibited. The fine is huge — 2,000 baht.

Baiyoke 2 Tower

Baiyoke 2 Tower (Baiyoke), sometimes called Baiyok, is a gigantic skyscraper 302 meters high, with 84 floors.

The most practical way to visit this tower, which offers a stunning view of the city (and even the Gulf of Siam in good weather), is to stay at the hotel located from the 22nd to the 74th floors. In that case, you can add one or two more attractions to your short list.

But admittedly, the cost of accommodation here is not the cheapest, so if you don’t have the finances to stay overnight, you can just go up to the observation deck for an hour or so.

Entrance to the observation deck — 300 baht.
Opening hours: 10:00–22:30 (entry to the deck is not permitted after 21:30).
By the way, if you’re hungry, you can visit the local restaurant on the 76th or 78th floor, and in that case, visiting the observation deck will be free.

In Three Days

If you have three days at your disposal, in addition to the attractions listed above, on the third day we recommend visiting the following:

the Oceanarium;
the Siam Paragon shopping center;
Jim Thompson’s House-Museum;
Siam Niramit Show.

Siam Ocean World Aquarium

Siam Ocean World is divided into seven themed zones featuring various underwater creatures, from giant sharks to tiny mollusks. The aquarium is six meters high and has two levels. On the lower floor is a tunnel aquarium stretching several dozen meters.

It is considered the largest aquarium in all of Asia, so it’s worth the money.

Opening hours — 10:00–21:00.
Ticket price — 990/790 baht (adult/child).
Approximate time for a visit — 2–2.5 hours.

Siam Paragon

Because the aquarium is located in the Paragon (Paragon or Siamparagon) shopping center, you should take advantage of this opportunity to visit this huge entertainment center.

In addition to the aquarium, it has a massive movie theater, its own art gallery, bowling, karaoke, and tons of shops.

Sure, ideally you should spend the whole day here, but if you don’t have the time, try to fit everything into an hour or two, if you dare!

Jim Thompson House-Museum

A beautiful house that you cannot visit without joining a guided group. An expatriate businessman who dealt in silk and studied the culture and lifestyle of Southeast Asia once lived here. His collection of Cambodian, Burmese, Laotian, Chinese, and Thai art, which he gathered in the 1960s during his travels, is on display.

A note of mystery surrounds the museum because its owner disappeared under unexplained circumstances during one of his trips—he just didn’t return one day, and that was it…

Opening hours — 9:00–18:00.
Ticket price — 150/100 baht.
Visiting time — 50 minutes in a guided group.

Siam Niramit

The famous Siam Niramit show is presented not only in Bangkok but also in Phuket. During the performance, viewers see the story of Siam (the former name of Thailand), travel back in time, and enjoy the performances of the creative ensemble.

Opening hours — 17:00–21:00
The show starts at 20:00, and before that, you can visit the restaurant and take photos with the actors.
Ticket price — 1,500 baht.

Other Attractions

We have compiled a classic popular itinerary that does not include many other interesting places. Below, we will leave a description of the most worthwhile attractions, according to tourists, and a map of their locations. If you wish, you can independently replace one of the listed spots with any of these.

Wat Ratchanadda (Wat Ratchanadda or Ratcha)

Wat Ratchanadda

(naddaram or Ratchanatdaram) is also called the “Iron Temple,” as it was built of iron in honor of Princess Wattanawadi. The temple is interesting because of its unusual spires crowning the main building. There are 37 of them in total, each symbolizing one virtue that a person must achieve on the path to enlightenment.

Opening hours — 8:00–17:00.
Free admission.
Approximate visiting time — 40–50 minutes.

Wat Suthat

Wat Suthat (Wat Suthat) is a temple complex inside of which there are 156 statues of the main Buddhist deity. The entire interior displays how Buddhists see the structure of the surrounding world.

The main feature of this complex is the huge red swing. There used to be a tradition where locals would swing on it, and others would come watch. Whoever swung highest would receive a bag of money. However, because of the frequent injuries, the custom was abolished, and the swing remained as a reminder of the old days.

Opening hours — 8:30–21:00 (access to the wihan is only possible on weekends from 8:30 to 16:00).
Entrance fee — quite cheap, only 20 baht.
Approximate visiting time — 40–50 minutes.

The Marble Temple (Wat Benchamabophit)

Wat Benchamabophit, or the Marble Temple, is unique because it is unusual for Thailand to construct buildings out of expensive materials, let alone marble. This entire material was imported from Italy during the reign of King Rama V. By the way, the ashes of the monarch are also kept here.

Several pavilions and a pond are located on the temple grounds. The drums you’ll see there are used by the attendants to summon people for mealtime or other purposes.

The main park is opposite the temple, and there is a pond with various wildlife. You can visit it anytime during working hours.

Opening hours — 7:00–17:00.
Ticket price — 20 baht.
Approximate visiting time — 1.5–2 hours.

Vimanmek Mansion

“Heavenly Mansion”—that is the literal translation of Vimanmek from Thai. This building was specially constructed for King Rama I after his visit to Europe. The king decided he needed a European-style residence, and he built the palace with his personal funds.

Originally, construction took place on Si Chang Island, not far from Bangkok, but in 1901 the palace was dismantled and relocated to Bangkok.

It was here that electricity was installed for the first time, along with Thailand’s very first water heater.

The mansion houses many interesting exhibits, including portraits of Emperor Nicholas II.

Opening hours — 9:30–16:00 (tickets stop being sold at 15:15). If you come between 10:00 and 14:00, you can see traditional Thai dances.

Ticket price — 100/20 baht.
Approximate visiting time — 1.5–2 hours.

Ananta Samakhom

The huge Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall vaguely resembles European buildings, as it was also built under European influence. The building is white, which immediately stands out from the other palace structures. The interior is lavishly decorated, as the building was used for receiving foreign guests.

Photography and video are prohibited inside the palace.

Opening hours: 9:30–16:00.
Ticket price — 150 baht.
Approximate visiting time — 2–3 hours.

National Museum of Bangkok

A national museum is a country’s hallmark, and Bangkok is no exception. This complex doesn’t just tell the story of the city but of the entire country. Roughly speaking, it can be compared to a regional museum in European terms. The museum complex consists of several buildings and halls that display household items and art from Siam.

Opening hours — 9:00–16:00 (closed Monday, Tuesday, and holidays)
Entrance fee — 200 baht.
Approximate visiting time — 2.5–3 hours.

Royal Barges Museum

Another interesting place, from a historical value point of view, is the National Museum of Royal Barges. There are only eight boats displayed, but the longest is 46 meters.

All the boats are richly decorated because they are meant for transporting the royal family on celebratory occasions. Nevertheless, in the last 60 years, the barges have only been used 16 times, so it’s nearly impossible to see them in action, but at least you can examine them up close.

Opening hours — 9:00–17:00.
Entrance fee — 100 baht (photography and video are extra 100 and 200 baht, respectively).
Approximate visiting time — 30–40 minutes.

Erawan Museum

Visiting Thailand without learning about its culture is not quite right, according to the founder of the Erawan Museum. This museum complex was created specifically to introduce the Western world to Thailand’s history and culture in an accessible manner. Local youth also gets acquainted with their heritage this way.

The exterior of the museum is impressive, as it’s shaped like a gigantic monument of a three-headed elephant.

Inside, there are three levels, each dedicated to a certain era.

The museum’s address can be found on the map.

Opening hours — 9:00–20:00.
Ticket price — 400/200 baht (after 17:00 — 200/100 baht).
Approximate visiting time — 2–3 hours.

Bangkok Art and Culture Centre

A museum of contemporary art, whose main goal is to unite modern and traditional Thai art. It is a huge building with many galleries for both paintings and other forms of art. Works by not only local but also European artists are displayed here, making it especially popular among young people.

Opening hours: 9:00–21:00, except Mondays.

Khao San Road

This is Bangkok’s central street, full of budget accommodations, massage salons, souvenir shops, and so on. It can be compared to Walking Street, except there’s not the same degree of debauchery as in Pattaya.

Chatuchak Market

Bangkok’s main Chatuchak Market is the largest and cheapest marketplace in Thailand. Here, you can buy anything at 1/2 or even 1/3 of the price elsewhere. This is a pedestrian market and very large, so be prepared to spend at least 4–5 hours in search of something special.

They have everything here, from clothing to potting soil. Don’t be shy to bargain (politely, with a smile).

Opening hours: 7:00–18:00.

State Tower

Not exactly a budget-friendly rooftop restaurant above the city, located in the State Tower, which is several hundred meters tall and has 68 floors in total. Yes, it’s the highest restaurant, though not the tallest skyscraper, because the observation deck in Baiyoke is even higher.

In addition to the restaurant, the tower houses offices, a hotel, apartments, and comparatively inexpensive (depending on your perspective) condominiums.

Central World Plaza

A large eight-story shopping center, Central World Plaza houses more than 350 outlets and shops. You should plan to come here for at least half a day to cover even a fraction of what’s available.

No matter what month you arrive in Bangkok (June, August, or November), the mall is always open.

Dusit Zoo

Dusit Zoo (Dusit Zoo) is the oldest and largest zoological park in Thailand. It spans 18 hectares, which is much smaller than Lumphini Park’s 56 hectares, but it still delights families with children and animal lovers alike.

Many animals in Dusit are kept in open enclosures, and you can even touch some of them (even hippos). Others live in cages, which are quite cramped, so it doesn’t add to the zoo’s karma.

There are cheap cafes and even a 7-Eleven on site. You can wander around and take a break from the hustle and bustle of the capital.

Opening hours: 8:00–18:00.
Ticket price — 150 baht, children enter free, driving your car inside is 50 baht. If you have a Thai driver’s license, the ticket price is 100 baht.
Approximate visiting time — 3–4 hours.

Muang Boran Park

This park features replicas of many of the country’s landmarks. It is often called Ancient Siam, as it is a fully fledged historical park (Mini Siam in Pattaya is just a much smaller copy).

You should visit this park if you have a few spare hours. You can take great pictures with large-scale historical monuments, almost life-sized. It’s a great activity for both adults and children.

It’s open daily from 9 AM to 7 PM.
Ticket price — 700 baht, and if you arrive after 4 PM — 350 baht.
You can rent a small golf cart in the park for just 150 baht.
Approximate visiting time — 5–6 hours.

Safari World Theme Park

Real safari inside the capital of Thailand has become a reality. This huge park is home to several kinds of wild animals living in conditions as close to their natural habitat as possible. Visitors can move around the park by their own car or in an organized tour group.

There are several zones, including one with predators where it’s strictly forbidden to open windows or get out of your vehicle.

You can only explore the park on foot if you have a car to drive between zones.

To get the most out of it, plan a full day for your visit.

Opening hours — 9:00–17:00.
Ticket prices:
Safari Park zone — 800/700 baht
Marine Park zone — 1000/800 baht

We recommend buying a combo ticket right away because it’s cheaper and includes both zones, plus a buffet lunch.
Price of a combo ticket — 1200/900 baht.

Dream World Amusement Park

Dream World Park is the Thai version of Disneyland. Forget everything you’ve ever heard about amusement parks, because after visiting this place, any other park will seem like a mall playground.

One day spent at Dream World is worth three days on the beach. And if you have kids, they’ll be absolutely thrilled. Tons of rides, themed areas, ponds, and so much more—come, you won’t regret it.

Opening hours — from 10:00 to 17:00, and on weekends you can stay until 19:00.
Entrance fee — 650 baht for a standard ticket + 180 baht for the Snow Town.
Approximate visiting time — the entire day.

So, if you are tired of the sea (admittedly a controversial statement), grab your bags and head off to conquer Bangkok with its incredibly interesting attractions. There is really a lot to see here.

Don’t forget to share your impressions of your trip in the comments; they are necessary for those who have yet to decide where to spend their vacation.

How to Get There at Minimal Cost

You can get to Bangkok using the 12go.asia bus booking service

Which Bangkok attractions can you see in 1, 2, or 3 days?

General Information

In One Day

Bangkok’s Grand Palace

Attraction Information

Reviews

Photos

Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew)

Attraction Information

Reviews

Photos

Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho)

Attraction Information

Reviews

Photos

Temple of the Dawn (Wat Arun)

Attraction Information

Reviews

Photos

The Golden Mount (Wat Saket)

Attraction Information

Reviews

Photos

In Two Days

Temple of the Golden Buddha (Wat Traimit)

Attraction Information

Reviews

Photos

Chinatown

Lumphini Park

Attraction Information

Reviews

Photos

Baiyoke 2 Tower

Attraction Information

Reviews

Photos

In Three Days

Siam Ocean World Aquarium

Attraction Information

Reviews

Photos

Siam Paragon

Attraction Information

Reviews

Photos

Jim Thompson House-Museum

Attraction Information

Reviews

Photos

Siam Niramit

Other Attractions

Wat Ratchanadda

Attraction Information

Reviews

Photos

Wat Suthat

Attraction Information

Reviews

Photos

The Marble Temple (Wat Benchamabophit)

Attraction Information

Reviews

Photos

Vimanmek Mansion

Attraction Information

Reviews

Photos

Ananta Samakhom

Attraction Information

Reviews

Photos

National Museum of Bangkok

Attraction Information

Reviews

Photos

Royal Barges Museum

Attraction Information

Reviews

Photos