Best Places to Visit in Bangkok for a Perfect Holiday

From splendid Buddhist shrines that echo the great marvels of Thai architecture to one-of-a-kind markets that are a true epitome of impeccable craftsmanship, from authentic Thai street food that can make you fall in love with the Thai cuisine to sparkling and bustling nightlife that has potential to take you to cloud nine - Bangkok has everything to give you and your loved ones the experience of a lifetime.

This magical land of Bangkok is replete with such countless, breathtaking tourist destinations that it is almost next to impossible for any holiday goer to view and cherish all of them in a single visit to the Thai capital.

Best Places to visit in Bangkok

While there are numerous tourist spots in Bangkok, few of them are absolutely irresistible and would certainly find a place in every sightseer’s itinerary. So, if you are planning to tour this spectacular place anytime soon, make sure you visit its most sought-after tourist attractions. These include: -

1. Grand Palace—Embodiment of Thai Royalty 

Situated in the heart of Bangkok, this marvel of supreme architecture has been the former official residence of Thailand’s monarchy. Built with impeccable precision, and singing the praises of Thai monarchy’s valour and enthusiasm, the Grand Palace is sure to leave you spellbound.

The unfathomable grandeur of the Grand Palace gets amplified with the presence of one of the holiest Buddhist temples in its premises. Built in 1782, Wat Phra Kaew, also known as the “Temple of the Emerald Buddha” is Thailand’s most significant and sacred Buddhist temple.

Further, while having a tour of this splendid palace, you can also have a sneak peek into the rich culture, traditions and history of Thailand through a public museum built entirely to serve the purpose.

The Grand Palace is actually grand, which is evident from the very fact that it is an amalgamation of numerous magnificent buildings, halls, pavilions, lawns and courtyards. It’s the palace’s glorious past and brilliance that makes it one of the famous places in Bangkok.

2. Wat Arun—Temple of Dawn

Situated on the west bank of the glorious Chao Phraya River, Wat Arun, the city’s most ancient Buddhist temple is associated with its rich past.

Built in the first half of the 19^th century, the temple’s main highlight is its stunning 82m-high rahng (Khmer-style tower). Another striking feature of the temple is its elaborate showcase of significant instances of Prince Siddharth’s life that led him to renounce the worldly pleasures and tread the path of truth. The unparalleled beauty of the entire display is undoubtedly captivating.

Designed by the monarch Rama II, just a glimpse of the main idol of Lord Buddha at Wat Arun will leave you mesmerised.

Further, the enthralling view of Wat Arun standing over the beautiful Chao Phraya River at the time of sunset is sure to give you a memory that’s truly unforgettable. We certainly recommend it as it is one of the best places for sightseeing in Bangkok.

3. Chao Phraya River—the Beautiful Waterway

Chao Phraya River, with its beautiful and serene waters; is one of the major tourist attractions in Bangkok. Used by nearly 50,000 people every day to commute for work, this splendid river with calm and clear waters is the most popular waterway in Bangkok.

You can have the ultimate experience of ferry rides here as you repose in the tranquility of the rejuvenating river. Along with the scenic beauty of the waterway, you can even treat your taste buds by indulging in some mouth-watering Thai delicacies and have a fine dining experience.

Flowing south to the Gulf of Thailand, the river offers a picturesque view especially at night when all the sky-high buildings on its banks are visibly lit. It’s a view that you shall remember forever; simply epic!

4. Wat Pho—Temple of the Reclining Buddha 

Wat Pho, the temple of the reclining Buddha, housing his grand, gold-plated 45m long and 15m wide idol in reclining form is the major attraction of the Thai capital. In fact, it is unarguably one of the most sought-after tourist places in Bangkok.

This reclining form of Lord Buddha is so immensely massive that it’s impossible to see it as a whole in one glance. One can view it entirely only in parts! The feet of the statue is adorned with precious stones, with earlobes signifying the noble birth. Witnessing such a huge form of Lord Buddha in person will leave you in utter amazement.

Apart from its significance in terms of the magnitude of the giant reclining statue, the temple holds additional value as well. This pious place is recognized as the centre of valuable teachings and preservation of traditional Thai medicine and was also considered as the centre of healing in the past.

A visit to this splendid temple is sure to bring you peace and contentment!

5. Damnoen Saduak Floating Market—the Colourful Paradise for Shopaholics  

Your Bangkok tour will remain incomplete without visiting its humble colourful paradise—Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. The market that was established in the late 20^th century attracts thousands of tourists from around the world and is symbolic of the rich Thai culture.

With boats full of colourful tropical fruits, vegetables and freshly-prepared Thai dishes, the very sight of Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is an absolute delight.

The wooden boats, popularly known as sampans, replete with fresh farm produce and Thai cuisine, are ferried by locals who sell their commodities to the visitors. Thus, you can have an amazing experience of bargaining and buying food while floating in your beautifully-carved boats. We are pretty sure you are already searching for a Bangkok tour package!

6. Terminal 21—the World within Your Reach 

Many of us dream of going on a world tour but how many of us actually do it? Very few! How about if you get to tour the world in Bangkok alone?! Yes, you read it right! Terminal 21, an airport-themed mall, is an innovative initiative wherein you get to experience travelling and shopping in some of the world’s most significant cities starting from Tokyo to San Francisco, to London and New York, all under one roof.

The nine-storey mall with nearly 600 outlets of international luxury brands and local labels allows you to shop from your favourite brands of choice. With an 8-screen Cineplex and approximately 50 food courts available here, you can have a great day out with friends and family.

Further, the mall is designed in such a way that it gives you an airport-like feel. This is made possible owing to its curvilinear glass-and-steel façade exteriors, white interiors armed with floor signs indicating “Arrivals” in the cities, and electronic display boards displaying all the relevant information.

7. Jim Thompson House—An Insight into the Spy’s House

Jim Thompson House, the residence of American spy, James HW Thompson who lived here after the end of World War II and mysteriously vanished in the Malaysian forests in the mid-19^th century, is said to have revived the Thai silk industry. He gathered various artefacts from Burma, China, Cambodia and Thailand; these are the same ones that are on display for the art lovers and enthusiasts in the great Jim Thompson House currently.

Further, if you plan to visit this offbeat art museum, not only shall you get an opportunity to admire some rare pieces of art but also get to see the marvels of conventional Thai architecture since the house comprises of six traditional Thai teakwood houses belonging to Ayutthaya and Bangkok's Ban Krua community.

Situated at the banks of the enchanting Saen Saeb Canal, the House will surely quench your artistic and aesthetic thirst.

9. Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World—Have a Treat with the Rare Aquatic Animals from around the World

Formerly called as Siam Ocean World, Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World, South-East Asia’s largest aquarium is spread over a sprawling area of 1,10,000 sq.ft. and located two storeys down the ultra-modern Siam Paragon shopping mall.

With nearly 30,000 species of octopus, sharks, whales, fish, crabs and other sea animals from some of the world’s remotest corners, this splendid underground aquarium offers a wide range of themed sections, like-rocky hideout, shark walk, coral reef and a lot more, with each section dedicated to a particular marine species.

In addition to this, you can even have a first-hand live ocean experience through its aquatic quarantine and nursery centre. Wouldn’t it be exciting to come face-to-face with the aquatic animals?!

9. Khao San Road—Backpacker’s Haven

One of the most important things to do in Bangkok is to bask in the glory of its nightlife. And what better than Khao San Road for this! Khao San Road is the finest place to get the right flavours of the city’s nightlife.

Popularly known as the backpacker’s haven, this 410-metre-long street buzzes day-in and day-out with countless food stalls, shops, restaurants, pubs, nightclubs, cafes and massage parlours - the sprawling road welcomes its guests 24*7. It’s in the after-hours when you get to experience the vivacious and dynamic nightlife of Khao San Road.

Apart from its much-talked-about nightclubs and pubs, you will also come across varied shops selling traditional Thai attire, jewellery and accessories. The choice of restaurants and street food stalls serving authentic Thai cuisine is also extensive.

Most importantly, you will find everything pretty affordable here. Now that calls for a big cheer!

Also, apart from these, there are many astounding places to visit near Bangkok too like Pattaya, the adventure capital of Thailand (2 hours drive from Bangkok), Hua Hin, the place of pristine white sand beaches (3-4 hours drive from Bangkok), Koh Samet, a place to enjoy water sports and bustling nightlife (3 hours drive from Bangkok), and Khao Yai National Park, Thailand’s third-largest national park and UNESCO world heritage site (4-5 hours drive from Bangkok), to name a few.

One can truly call the metropolis of Bangkok the epicentre of adventure and entertainment where great vacations come easy!