Bangkok
Things to Do in Bangkok: Sort by Interest, Duration, and Weather
What matters in Bangkok isn't the itinerary—it's the time of day. The same sights, visited at the wrong time of day, can make for a completely different trip.
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Lists of things to do in Bangkok all look alike, and they all have the same flaw: they list must-see attractions without specifying how long each one takes, how much it costs, or the best time of day to visit. This page categorizes rather than simply lists.
Whether it's because of a desire to visit, the length of the trip, the budget, or the weather—Bangkok is one of the few destinations in the country where a rainy day isn't a waste. Each major topic has its own page, and they're linked throughout the text.
Sorting, at a glance
| What | When | How long | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Three Great Temples | in the morning, as soon as it opens | one morning | paid |
| Chatuchak Market | Saturday and Sunday | half a day | Free admission |
| Lumpini Park | early in the morning or late in the day | 1 to 2 hours | free |
| Chinatown | in the evening | an evening | prices of dishes |
| Shuttle on the Chao Phraya River | late afternoon | 1 h | a few baht |
| High Bar | sunset | 2 h | dear, one drink |
| Traditional Massage | anytime | 1 to 2 hours | very inexpensive |
| Cooking Classes | morning or afternoon | half a day | average |
| Day Trip to Ayutthaya | all day | one day | inexpensive train |
What the Lists Leave Out
Parks, and Lumpini Park in particular
Bangkok is a harsh, noisy, and concrete-filled city, and people underestimate how much a forty-minute visit to a park there can do for you. Lumpini Park is the most central one, just a stone’s throw from Silom, and admission is free.
Go early in the morning or late in the day: those are the same times when locals come out to run, do tai chi, or participate in group aerobics. It’s the easiest way to see the city as it truly is.
The river, as a means of transportation and as a place for walks
The Chao Phraya River shuttles cost just a few baht, run up and down the city all day long, and stop at most of the major temples. It’s the cheapest cruise in Bangkok, and it’s also a convenient way to get around.
There are also dinner cruises, which are more formal, and you should book them in advance if you're interested. Details about transportation are on the "Getting Around inBangkok" page ( coming soon).
Massage: Treat It as an Activity
A traditional Thai massage in Bangkok costs a fraction of what it does in Europe, and it has little in common with a relaxation massage: it’s vigorous, focuses on the joints, and can sometimes be painful. Wat Pho is home to the historic school of this discipline, making it a natural extension of a temple tour.
A Rainy Day
That’s Bangkok’s real advantage over the rest of the country: a rain shower won’t ruin your day. The air-conditioned shopping malls in the Siam area will keep you busy for hours, a cooking class will fill half a day, you can explorethe covered markets without getting wet, and there’s a massage parlor on every corner.
Compare this to a small island, where a rainy day without a backup plan is a wasted day: see the rainy season.
What to Do in the Evening
When the food stalls set up shop, Chinatown is the best place in the city for street food. See the upcoming Chinatown feature.
A rooftop bar, just once, to take in the full extent of the city. To see therooftops ahead.
A night market, smaller than Chatuchak and not particularly well-organized. See upcoming markets.
Khao San Road, just one night.See Khao San Road.
A Day Out of Town
Ayutthaya, the ancient capital with its ruined temples, is about an hour and a half away by train. It’s the most obvious day trip, and the train costs just a few euros. See Ayutthaya below.
It's worth it if you're staying for at least four days. In three days, the city itself is more than enough.
In summary
Temples in the morning as soon as they open, a half-day at the market, Chinatown in the evening, one visit to a viewpoint, and a stop at Lumpini Park to see the city come alive and spot some monitor lizards. The river serves as both a means of transportation and a cruise for just a few baht. And if it rains, Bangkok is the only destination in the country where it won’t ruin your day: shopping malls, cooking classes, massages, and indoor markets. The day-by-day itinerary is on the “Visit Bangkok” page.
What to Do in Bangkok in Three Days?
The three major temples in one morning along the river, a market, an evening on Khao San Road or in Chinatown, some time in a park, and a view from above. The day-by-day itinerary is on the page dedicated to visiting Bangkok.
What can you do in Bangkok when it rains?
The air-conditioned shopping malls around Siam, a traditional massage, a Thai cooking class, the covered markets, or a museum. Bangkok is one of the few destinations in Thailand where a rainy day isn't a waste.
What are some free things to do in Bangkok?
Lumpini Park, the neighborhood temples, a stroll through Chinatown after dark, the Chao Phraya shuttle boats that cost just a few baht and double as sightseeing cruises, and the night markets where you don't have to buy anything.
What to do in Bangkok at night?
Chinatown for street food when the stalls set up shop, a rooftop bar to take in the cityscape, a night market, or a dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River. Khao San Road is worth one evening—and only one.
Are there any parks in Bangkok?
Yes, and Lumpini Park is the most central one. You’ll come across monitor lizards roaming freely along the edges of the ponds, which is surprising the first time you see it. It’s also the easiest place to get a feel for the city’s rhythm, whether early in the morning or late in the day.
Do you need to book activities in advance in Bangkok?
Rarely, except for a dinner cruise or a well-known cooking class. You can visit temples, markets, and parks without a reservation, and improvising is still the best way to explore the city.