Bangkok started some 200 years ago as a port community and a trading center along the banks of Chao Phraya River. Today, the city is well updated in terms of modernity, and it hasn’t lost the grandeur and the glory of its past illustrious self. Be it the awe-inspiring temples, spectacular palaces, the colorful Chinatown or the world-famous floating markets, each of these attractions has a unique story to tell to any visitor who would be willing to listen. All you have to do is make it to the city and start your exploration. With that said, here is a look at some of the top attractions you should never miss when visiting Bangkok, Thailand.
1. Bangkok dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River (from USD 39.0)
The Chao Phraya River is the backbone upon which Bangkok thrived to be a magnificent city that it is today. A cruise along this river is a luxurious way to sample a few of the great attractions the city has to offer, including a visit to Wat Arun and the Grand Palace. The dinner cruise will also present you with an excellent opportunity to indulge in some of the culinary delights of the city as you feast on a buffet of very authentic Thai cuisine. The 3-hour tour will be nothing but complete relaxation as you enjoy the views, meals, attractions and the soothing sounds of the live band playing.
Bangkok Dinner Cruise on the Chao Phraya River
Duration: 120 to 150 minutes
2. Half-day tour to Royal Grand Palace and Bangkok Temples (from USD 99.0)
Bangkok is well known for its palaces and temples, and a great way to explore a good number of them is through this half-day tour of the Royal Grand Palace and the temples. This 4-hour tour will take you through an in-depth exploration of the Grand Palace, Wat Traimit and Wat Pho. As you visit the temples, you will get enlightened about the country’s heritage, visit the coronation and funeral halls, and have a chance to see the sacred Buddha who was carved from solid jade. At Wat Pho, you will walk through halls decorated with hundreds of Buddha image. At Wat Traimit, you will marvel at the sites of centuries-old golden Buddha before leaving an offering at the sanctuary. Religious or not, this is one of the tours you should never miss in Bangkok.
Royal Grand Palace and Bangkok Temples: Half Day Tour
Duration: 4 to 5 hours
3. Private tour of the Bangkok temples (from USD 60.0)
Thailand is predominantly a Buddhist nation, and it will surprise you to learn that it has more than 26,000 wats dotting its landscapes. A sweet and exciting way to understand and marvel at the religion which permeates the traditions and cultures of Thailand is to go on a private tour of the temples. With this private tour, you will have a chance to visit three of the most famous temples in Bangkok, including the temple of the Reclining Buddha, which also happens to be the longest Buddha in Bangkok. Other temples part of the tour include the temple of the Golden Buddha – a Buddha made from pure solid gold, and the Wat Benchamabophit – a beautiful temple made of Italian marble.
Bangkok 3-Temple Private Tour with Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho
Duration: 3 hours
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4. Visit the floating markets of Damnoen Saduak
Experience the world-famous floating markets of Damnoen Saduak with this private tour from Bangkok. Find your way between vendors with wooden boats that float over a stretch of 100 km (60 mi) outside the city. It is a good escape if you want to avoid the noise and the heat of the city. While you head to the markets, make a stop at the Maeklong Railway Market and witness how the fresh fruits are intricately piled up to the edges of the train tracks. You will have the pleasure of looking up to the imposing Phra Pathom Chedi – one of the oldest pagodas in Southeast Asia.
Floating Markets of Damnoen Saduak
Duration: 5 hours
5. Visit the bridge on River Kwai (from USD 179.0)
The bridge on River Kwai is a famous bridge in Thailand owing to the history that is behind it. Together with the two moving cemeteries, the bridge bears a lot of Thailand’s wartime history and heritage.This private full-day tour from Bangkok will tell you about the tragic stories of how the Dutch and the Commonwealth soldiers were captured in Singapore and forced to construct the infamous ‘Death Railway’.
Full Day River Kwai from Bangkok
Duration: 10 hours
6. Get entertained at Calypso Cabaret Show (from USD 53.0)
A great way to spend your evening in Bangkok after a day full of sightseeing is to sit down, relax and enjoy a dance or burlesque show at the Calypso Cabaret shows. If you love Korean pop, Japanese geisha dance or Chinese love ballads, then you have every reason not to miss this show. You will be treated to spectacular performances by energetic performers dressed in glittering costumes, high heels, and magnificent sky-high headdresses.
Calypso Cabaret Show Ticket
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
7. Visit Bangkok Chinatown at night (from USD 64.0)
A visit to this Bangkok will never be complete without sampling the culinary delights of Thailand, and there is no more fabulous way to do so than through visiting Bangkok Chinatown at night. Be warned that this is a visit you may want to make on an empty stomach. This 4-hour tour will be in the company of a private guide who will take you through between eight and 10 gourmet food stops. You will not just entertain your appetite to the savory treats, but also you will learn the history and the culture of the foods, including their origins, modes of preparations, and variations amongst others. You will be free to ask as many questions as you want and also indulge in as many street foods as you want. However, don’t be blind to the consequences of carelessly eating street foods.
Bangkok Chinatown Small-Group Night Food Tour
Duration: 4 hours
8. Bangkok Dream World (from USD 41.0)
A visit to the Dream World is ideal for the entire family to spend fun times splashing and tossing around in the amusement park. Go for daredevil rides on the Raptor, Grand Canyon, and the Sky Coaster, or take the kids to enjoy themselves at the Giant’s House or the Animal Farm.
Bangkok Dream World Admission Ticket with Transfer and Lunch
Duration: 8 hours
9. Full day safari tour of the Marine Park (from USD 57.0)
If you thought you couldn’t find wild animals in a buzzing world city like Bangkok, then you were very wrong. The Safari Park and the Marine Park in Bangkok will give you the experience of a full-day safari in the city. You can expect to see various wild animals within the parks, though don’t mistake it for the full-day safari tours like those in Kenya or South Africa. However, it is a good option if you are tired with the buzz of the city and you need some fresh air away from the popular and crowded tourist attractions.
Full day Safari World and Marine Park with buffet lunch and return transfer
10. Visit the Baiyoke Sky Tower (from USD 12.0)
How about marveling at the beautiful Bangkok’s skyline when the sun is just setting, and the atmosphere is coming alive to the illumination of the soft city lights? Well, the best place to experience this is at the Baiyoke Sky Tower. This is where you find the highest observation deck in Bangkok, situated on the 77th floor and the 84th floor of the building. You will have ample time to enjoy the spectacular views of the city for as long as you want.
Baiyoke Sky Tower Admission Ticket (Observation Deck)
Duration: 3 hours
A trip to Bangkok should never be boring
There is so much to see and do in Bangkok. It is entirely upon you to choose your picks wisely so that you get the most out of each attraction. Don’t strive to see everything at once. You can take guided trips that will help you explore the sights and sounds of Bangkok - in peace. Also, be careful to get tickets in good time so that you don’t waste any time in long queues on the day of the visit.
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