Top things to do in Bangkok
Attractions, tours and activities in Bangkok
Bangkok: the city's best neighbourhoods
Find a great area to stay in Bangkok
-
Sukhumvit
5.3 miles from city centre
Business or pleasure? A cornucopia of neighbourhoods spiral off the largest road in Bangkok. Pass on Asoke – the main business district – and dive into the ‘sois’ (sub-streets) for true variety. Eat yourself silly in Phrom Phong, full of Japanese restaurants, or hang out with the fun, flush and fabulous in Thong Lo and Ekkamai's upscale eateries.
Places to stay from £1 per night
-
Siam
2.2 miles from city centre
Commerce is at the heart of modern Siam. Siam Paragon and the Siam Centre are filled with cell-phone clutching fashionistas and tech-savvy tinkerers shopping for clothes, electronics and more. Bounce on over to the petite designer stores in Siam Square for a more boutique shopping experience – or head to MBK for souvenirs, electronics and more.
Places to stay from £9 per night
-
Sathorn
3.3 miles from city centre
Sathorn is Bangkok's Financial District, its sights mainly confined to office blocks, hotels and embassies. However, it's not all abacus-flicking and bean counting. Arts aficionados should try out M.R Kukrit’s Heritage Home: the abode of a former Prime Minister, it’s a gem of Thai architectural style.
Places to stay from £5 per night
-
Silom
2.5 miles from city centre
All roads lead to Silom, where a stroll between modern skyscrapers and historic temples reveals the district's many contrasts. Grasp (or gasp) at a snake in safe surroundings at the Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute. At night, swing from the chandeliers in Soi Patpong, known for its naughty nightlife.
Places to stay from £3 per night
-
Khaosan
0.6 miles from city centre
Khao San is a backpacker’s paradise. By day, this bustling street brims with stalls that flog t-shirts, pirate DVDs and crafts. By night, it’s an altogether different animal. Under the garish glow of neon lights, revellers cavort between happening hostels and booming bars. If you seek more serene pursuits, take a breather at Wat Phra Kaew temple.
Places to stay from £3 per night
-
Riverside
1.7 miles from city centre
Pop a champagne cork and slither into thousand thread-count sheets in Bangkok’s capital of luxury living. Try Asiatique for dining and décor, or head to River City Shopping Complex for unique bric-à-brac. Then hop on a riverboat and pootle past the magnificent Wat Arun temple. At sunset, it’s a scene that never fails to take the breath away.
Places to stay from £6 per night
About Bangkok
Including tips for the best time to visit Bangkok
Bangkok is undeniably one of Southeast Asia’s most exuberant capital cities. The city centre is an enticing mix of old buildings, giant shopping malls and holy shrines, which take days to fully explore. Go in search of souvenirs in the Chatuchak Market, and visit the gleaming temples of Wat Arun and the Grand Palace’s Wat Phra Kaew, the latter regarded as the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand.
After dark, Bangkok’s legendary nightlife kicks in. Take a walk down Khaosan Road, famous for its endless selection of busy bars, restaurants and street food vendors, all packed together beneath a jumble of blinking neon lights. Pad thai is the signature dish, but eats like mango sticky rice and ‘Gieow’ – a minced pork wonton wrapped in yellow dough – are also well worth trying.
Getting around in Bangkok is an attraction within itself, whether it’s balancing on the back seat of a tuk-tuk in Chinatown, or gliding among the floating markets on a long-tail boat. You can also travel by metro or on foot, and the airport is just over half an hour away by train or taxi.
Tonight
From £9 per night
This weekend
From £18 per night
Next weekend
From £15 per night
| Most popular time to visit | October–December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January–March |
| Local currency | THB 100 = £2.15 |
| Language | Thai |
| Average weekend price | £55 per night |
| Average weekday price | £54 per night |
| Typical stay | 2 nights |
Points of interest in Bangkok
Stay near the top sightseeing spots in Bangkok
-
Mo Chit Northern Bus Terminal
4.9 miles from city centre
-
Khao San Road
0.6 miles from city centre
-
Victory Monument
2.2 miles from city centre
-
Chatuchak Weekend Market
4.3 miles from city centre
-
Nana Plaza
3.4 miles from city centre
-
Arab Street
3.4 miles from city centre
-
Siam Paragon Mall
2.1 miles from city centre
-
Baiyoke Tower II
2.4 miles from city centre
-
Platinum Fashion Mall
2.3 miles from city centre
-
Central World
2.4 miles from city centre
Bangkok reviews
What other travellers say about Bangkok
I absolutely love this city.
30 April 2024
I absolutely love this city. Busy, bustling, loud, hot, exciting. Bangkok has everything you need at anytime of the day. There is so much to see and do, no amount of time is enough here. Bangkok will always hold a special place in my heart and I cannot wait to return!
You can find pretty much anything in BKK, from temples,...
30 April 2024
You can find pretty much anything in BKK, from temples, historical sightseeing and traditional theatre to shopping, clubs per any taste and drag shows. I love the vibe and the vertical diversity of this city, hope to visit many times in future. The easiest way to move around BKK is BTS and Grab (bike), as the city has heavy traphic jams, you won’t get far by car. Chose places to stay near BTS and you can easily get there directly from the airport. All BTS stations have elevators (sometimes you have to look for it but it's there), so even with luggage train is the fastest and most convenient transport. Plus, you get to see the city from above, while rididng it. Always carry long pants or sarong with you, otherwise you might not be able to get to a random temple on your way (you never know).
Would definitely have liked to spend a few more days in the...
29 April 2024
Would definitely have liked to spend a few more days in the City. Travelling to the sights via the river was an asset. Enjoyed the food courts at Asiatique which is easily reached just a short walk from the hotel. The experience of the varied forms of transport in Bangkok was an event in itself.
Bangkok is a great city, people are very kind and helpful.
25 April 2024
Bangkok is a great city, people are very kind and helpful. Lots of nice shopping malls, great restaurants and lots to see, is a perfect place for holiday and highly recommend to visit for at least 2 weeks.
I booked a little way out of the hectic, grubby, concrete...
25 April 2024
I booked a little way out of the hectic, grubby, concrete and glass high rise and choked up road network that is the city centre. There are sights of interest everywhere but I think it is the politeness and calm of the people that has a real impact on your senses. Most people speak no English which surprised me but, if you know Thai for please and thank you, gesturing will get an eventual result. Workers in information centres and higher end or “western” shops etc can speak more English so there are options. I didn’t have the courage to try the “street food” others rave about. I wasn’t so confident in the hygiene standards. I did pay for a Malaria course but I will just go with sprays next time. I might have been bitten once. You can go to a different temple every day and see them in many places - you do get to a point where if you’ve seen one, you’ve kind of seen them all! The one to see is Wat Arun in my view. Use of the riverboat (like buses) and incredibly cheap! Tuk tuk dare fun and good value too but an air conditioned taxi is probably the best option if you have luggage, but be prepared to sit in traffic!
I like to visit temples and there are many around Bangkok.
22 April 2024
I like to visit temples and there are many around Bangkok. Some are spectacular. You need time to visit them. The food is great especially if you like spicy. It is easy to get around using their public transport. Or plenty of taxis, tuk-tuks or motorcycle taxis. The people are very friendly and when shopping for souvenirs you can barter. There are some taxis/tuk-tuks who see a tourist and think they can make money by charging an inflated fare. Always take a metered can, they have a light on the windscreen so you know. And if you think a tuk-tuks fare is too high walk away and find one you think is a good price. Before visiting a temple google the dress code there.
Popular places to stay in Bangkok
Stay in some of the best accommodation Bangkok has to offer
-
Bedtime storeys near ICON SIAM Bangkok, Thailand
From £242 per night
-
Eastin Grand Hotel Phayathai Ratchathewi, Bangkok
From £156 per night
-
Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok - SHA Extra Plus Certified Siam, Bangkok
From £213 per night
-
Thanabhumi Khaosan, Bangkok
From £22 per night
-
TEAK VILLA Bangkok, Thailand
From £17 per night
-
Other accommodation in Bangkok
Choose from a wide variety of places to stay in Bangkok
-
Apartments
From £6 per night
-
Resorts
From £21 per night
-
Villas
From £14 per night
-
Cottages
From £12 per night
-
Serviced Apartments
From £9 per night
-
Holiday Homes
From £27 per night
-
Guest Houses
From £4 per night
-
Hostels
From £1 per night
-
Motels
From £11 per night
-
B&Bs
From £8 per night
-
Homestays
From £8 per night
-
Self Catering Accommodation
From £6 per night
