By Blaise Jaeger · Updated October 13, 2026

Bangkok is the capital and the gateway of Thailand: golden temples along the Chao Phraya River, the street food of Chinatown, rooftop bars above a forest of skyscrapers and, on the other side of the river, the canals and floating markets of Thonburi. It is a city you can visit in three or four days, before or after the islands and the north.

I have stayed in Bangkok twice. In October 2022, five days split around a trip to Angkor, in Cambodia: the temples, Chinatown, an aquarium and the glass floor of the Mahanakhon, with a hotel facing Lumphini Park. In October 2024, before and after a few days in Chiang Rai: rooftop bars, floating markets and a hotel in Thonglor. This guide puts the two stays together.

My 3-Day Bangkok Itinerary

• Day 1, the great temples: Wat Traimit and its Golden Buddha in the morning, the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, then the ferry to Wat Arun and the Reclining Buddha of Wat Pho. Chinatown and its street food in the evening.
• Day 2, the modern city: Lumphini Park, SEA LIFE Ocean World and the malls of Siam, the glass floor of the Mahanakhon SkyWalk in the afternoon, and a rooftop bar at sunset.
• Day 3, the canals: Khlong Bang Luang and the floating market of Taling Chan on the Thonburi side, then a pool and a Thai dinner in Thonglor.

This is the order I would follow again: the temples in the morning, when it is cooler, and the rooftops in the evening.

The Must-See Temples and Monuments of Bangkok

The great temples are all in or near the old town of Rattanakosin, along the river. We visited them in one day, on October 14, 2022, starting with Chinatown and ending at Wat Pho.

Wat Traimit and the Golden Buddha

At the edge of Chinatown, Wat Traimit shelters a Buddha of solid gold more than three metres high and weighing about five and a half tonnes. For centuries it was hidden under a layer of plaster, and was only rediscovered by accident in 1955 when it was being moved. The white temple with its golden roof is beautiful in the morning light, and it is the quietest of the big temples.

The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew

The Grand Palace was the residence of the kings of Siam, and Wat Phra Kaew, inside its walls, is the most sacred temple of Thailand, home of the Emerald Buddha. It is a dazzling ensemble of golden chedis, giant guardian statues and galleries painted with the Ramakien, the Thai version of the Ramayana. It is also the most crowded place in the city: arrive at opening time, and dress with covered shoulders and legs, or you will be refused at the entrance.

Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn

On the other bank of the Chao Phraya, Wat Arun is the most elegant silhouette of Bangkok: a tall central prang covered with pieces of Chinese porcelain and coloured glass. A small ferry crosses the river in a few minutes from Tha Tien pier, next to Wat Pho. You can climb the first terraces for the view over the river and the Grand Palace.

Wat Pho and the Reclining Buddha

Wat Pho is famous for its Reclining Buddha, 46 metres long and covered in gold leaf, which fills an entire hall. Walk to the end to see his feet, inlaid with mother-of-pearl. Wat Pho is also the home of traditional Thai massage, with a school still active inside the temple, and its garden of colourful chedis is calmer than the Grand Palace.

Chinatown and its Street Food

In the evening, Yaowarat Road, the main street of Chinatown, lights up with neon signs in Chinese and Thai, and the pavements fill with food stalls: grilled seafood, noodles, dumplings, fruit and desserts. On our first evening, on October 13, 2022, we walked there just after arriving, and it is the best introduction to Bangkok. Go after 7 pm and come hungry; most stalls are closed on Mondays.

Modern Bangkok: Lumphini, SEA LIFE and the Malls

Lumphini Park is the green lung of the city, with a lake, joggers in the early morning and monitor lizards on the lawns. Our hotel faced it, and the view of the park in front of the skyscrapers of Silom and Sathorn was one of the best things of the stay.

If it rains, or with children, the malls around Siam station are a world of their own. In the basement of Siam Paragon, SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World has a long glass tunnel where sharks and rays swim above your head. Madame Tussauds is next door, at Siam Discovery.

The Bangkok Skyline: Mahanakhon SkyWalk and Rooftop Bars

The King Power Mahanakhon, the pixelated tower of Silom, has an observation deck at 314 metres, on its 78th floor. The highlight is the glass tray: a glass floor suspended above the void, where you walk, sit or lie down with the streets far below your feet. The best time is late afternoon, to see the city by day and then at sunset. We went on October 18, 2022, and it is the most impressive view of Bangkok.

Bangkok is also the city of rooftop bars. In October 2024, after watching the sunset over the towers of Silom, we went up to Tichuca, on the 46th floor of a tower on Sukhumvit Soi 40: a jungle-like terrace around a huge light installation shaped like a jellyfish, which changes colour all evening. Book ahead and dress smartly: shorts and flip-flops are refused in most rooftop bars.

Canals and Floating Markets of Thonburi

On the west bank of the river, Thonburi has kept part of its khlongs, the canals that once made Bangkok the “Venice of the East”. On October 20, 2024, back from Chiang Rai, we spent the day there. We had lunch at Khlong Bang Luang, a canal lined with old wooden houses, small cafes and the Artist House, where you eat at a counter right above the water.

Then we went to Taling Chan, the easiest floating market to reach from the centre, about 30 minutes by taxi. It is open on weekends only: vendors cook grilled fish, noodles and desserts on their boats, and you eat on wooden platforms floating on the canal. Next to it, a large covered market sells plants and flowers. It is far less touristy than Damnoen Saduak, which is two hours away.

Where to Stay in Bangkok

The best area depends on what you want to do. I have tried two:

• Silom, Sathorn and Lumphini: central, close to the BTS and MRT, with views over the park. In 2022, we stayed at the SO/ Bangkok, a design hotel facing Lumphini Park, with an infinity pool above the trees and a breakfast room with a view.
• Sukhumvit and Thonglor: the most lively area, full of restaurants, cafes and rooftop bars. In 2024, we stayed at the Ascott Thonglor, whose rooftop pool faces the glass towers of the neighbourhood.
• Riverside and the old town: for the temples within walking distance and the boats on the Chao Phraya. Two landmark hotels on the river: the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok and the Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok.

In Thonglor, you are never far from a good Thai restaurant: we ended our last evening there with a dinner of Thai classics.

I compare hotels on Booking.com.

How to Get to and Around Bangkok

• Airports: Suvarnabhumi (BKK) for most international flights, connected to the city by the Airport Rail Link. Don Mueang (DMK) for low-cost and domestic flights: it is the airport we used in 2024 for Chiang Rai.
• BTS and MRT: the Skytrain and the metro are the fastest way to get around and avoid the traffic.
• Boats: the Chao Phraya Express boats link the riverside, the old town and the temples, and small ferries cross the river.
• Taxis and Grab: cheap, but traffic jams can be long. Tuk-tuks are fun for a short ride; agree on the price first.
• Onward travel: flights, trains and buses to Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Phuket or Siem Reap can be compared on 12Go. For the rest of the country, see getting around Thailand.

Best Time to Visit Bangkok

The most pleasant period is from November to February, when it is less hot and dry. March to May is very hot, and the rainy season runs from June to October, usually with a heavy shower in the afternoon. Both of my stays were in October, at the end of the rainy season: plan indoor visits, such as the malls and the aquarium, for the afternoons.

Bangkok FAQ

How many days do you need in Bangkok?

Three days are enough for the temples, Chinatown, a rooftop and a floating market. Add a day if you want to shop or see more of the canals.

What are the must-see monuments in Bangkok?

The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho and its Reclining Buddha, Wat Arun, and Wat Traimit with its Golden Buddha. For a modern view of the city, add the Mahanakhon SkyWalk.

Is Bangkok safe for tourists?

Yes, in general. Watch out for the classic scams: a tuk-tuk driver who tells you that the Grand Palace is closed today, or a “special” gem shop. The palace is open every day.

Which floating market should I visit from Bangkok?

Taling Chan if you want an easy and authentic visit, on a weekend, close to the centre. Damnoen Saduak and Amphawa are more spectacular but much further away and more touristy.

Bangkok is the starting point of most trips in Thailand. From there, I continued to Chiang Rai and Angkor; on other trips, to Phuket and Koh Samui. For the rest of the country, start with my Thailand travel guide.