Bangkok: the sights that are really worth it

There are lots of things to do in Bangkok – but not all of them are worth it. So here is our honest list: what we saw ourselves, how much time you should allow and what you can safely skip.

Bangkok is hot, loud and huge. If you try to tick off five sights every day, you’ll be exhausted by the evening. Thailand was our first big trip to Asia in 2024, and we came back in 2025. Here is what is really worth it in Bangkok, what is hardly worth the time and money, and how to plan your days sensibly.

The top sights at a glance

Prices are rounded and change regularly, especially at temples. Check them on site or on the official website of each sight. Conversion: roughly €1 ≈ 37–40 baht.

Distances: how it all fits together

• The Grand Palace and Wat Pho are about 500 m apart – easy to walk.
• Wat Arun is directly opposite on the other bank of the river. The small ferry from the Wat Pho side costs just a few baht and takes a couple of minutes.
• Chatuchak is in the north and can be reached by BTS or MRT, about 30–45 minutes depending on where you start.
• Chinatown is most relaxing to reach by boat or MRT – not by taxi in traffic.

What is really worth it

Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun: the must-see block

These three places are the reason many people fly to Bangkok at all, and they live up to the photos. Plan them as one block: the palace first thing in the morning, then Wat Pho, and in the late afternoon take the ferry to Wat Arun. That way you avoid the worst of the heat and the biggest groups.

There is a strict dress code in the palace grounds: shoulders and knees covered, no see-through or ripped clothing. This applies to children too. Don’t rent overpriced clothes on site – pack a light long-sleeved shirt or a scarf instead.

The Chao Phraya boat: a city tour for small change

The river is Bangkok’s main street. The regular express boats cost a fraction of the tourist boats and stop at the most important piers. You see temples, skyscrapers and wooden houses on stilts, and you skip part of the traffic. Kids love it.

Chinatown in the evening

During the day Yaowarat is cramped and hot. From late afternoon the street kitchens open, and the area is above all worth it for dinner. Bring cash – small stalls don’t take cards.

Chatuchak, Jim Thompson House, Lumphini Park

Chatuchak is huge and chaotic – perfect for souvenirs and food, but only at weekends. Go early, before the heat builds. The Jim Thompson House is a quiet, shady counterpoint to the temples. Lumphini Park is a good breather with kids when the midday heat becomes unbearable.

What is overrated

• Khao San Road: famous from travel stories, but on site it is mostly loud bars, souvenir stalls and massages. If you drop by in the evening, an hour is enough. With kids there are better options.
• Floating markets outside the city: they are far away, heavily geared towards tourists, and getting there eats up half a day. If you like markets, Chatuchak and Chinatown are the better choice.
• Tuk-tuk tours: the driver offers you “3 temples for 50 baht” but stops at tailors and jewellery shops that pay him commission. For getting around, use Grab or a taxi with the meter switched on. You can of course still take a tuk-tuk – once, for fun, with the price agreed beforehand.
• Tiger and elephant attractions: animal welfare is often questionable. Do your research thoroughly beforehand and avoid anything involving petting, riding or selfies.
• Skyscraper observation decks: they cost many times the price of a temple (often from about 1,000 baht). Appealing with a rooftop bar and good weather, but not a must.

Typical mistakes in Bangkok

• Too much per day: two things in the morning, a lunch break somewhere air-conditioned, something light in the late afternoon. That works – especially with kids.
• “The temple is closed today”: if someone on the street tells you this and offers an alternative, it is usually the start of an overpriced tour. Check for yourself or ask at your accommodation.
• The wrong clothes: if you turn up at the palace in shorts and a tank top, you lose time and money.
• Relying only on cards: markets, street kitchens, small temples and some drivers only take cash.
• No insurance: more on that below – it was our most expensive mistake.

Sample itinerary: 2 and 3 days

Day 1: temples and the river

Early to the Grand Palace, then walk to Wat Pho. Lunch and a rest at midday. In the late afternoon take the ferry to Wat Arun, and in the evening the boat towards Chinatown for dinner.

Day 2: market and downtime

At the weekend, head to Chatuchak early. A midday break in Lumphini Park or an air-conditioned mall, and the Jim Thompson House in the afternoon.

Day 3 (optional)

Golden Mount, a day at the park or the pool, or a trip out of the city if you want to see Ayutthaya – by train or on an organised tour.

Best time to visit

November to March is the best time: drier and a little less hot. Prices and visitor numbers are higher, though. In August it rained for about two hours a day during our time in Thailand, but everything was emptier and prices were sometimes half as much. Plan indoor alternatives such as museums or shopping malls. We had exactly this low-season experience on the Andaman Sea – more in our story: Thailand: Phi Phi, Krabi and Maya Bay by longtail boat.

Practical tips: internet, money, insurance

SIM and eSIM

You have two options: an eSIM, for example from Airalo, which you set up at home, or a local SIM at the airport (AIS, 15 GB approx. €10, as of 2026). If you don’t want to queue at the airport, take the eSIM.

Cash

Cash matters. Longtail drivers, markets and scooter rentals don’t take cards, and in Bangkok the same goes for street stalls. We withdraw cash with our Wise card at any ATM. The Thai ATM fee (220 baht) still applies, so it is better to withdraw larger amounts at once.

Travel medical insurance: non-negotiable

In November 2025 we had an emergency on Phuket at night. We couldn’t find an ambulance, so we took a taxi to Bangkok Hospital Phuket. The private hospital is excellent and English-speaking, but we had no insurance. The result was around €4,000 for the emergency room, tests and treatment – without a room or an overnight stay, just the bare essentials. We paid with our Wise card before anyone was even treated.

Since then we never travel without travel medical insurance. Half a year later in Orlando we saw what a difference it makes: a family member travelling with us had a problem with her leg, we went to hospital, and our insurer (HanseMerkur, a German provider) paid all costs directly with the hospital. We never saw a bill.

• SafetyWing: cancel monthly, ideal for long trips and working on the road.
• Your local travel insurer: look for worldwide cover with direct billing to the hospital, ideally as an annual policy for families.

Cover usually costs less than one dinner a week. Read the terms carefully, for example on pre-existing conditions and activities, and decide for yourself what suits your trip.

Entry and safety

Entry requirements, visa-free stays and current safety advice change. Check them before you book with your government’s travel advice and the Thai embassy. The same goes for vaccination recommendations – a travel medicine specialist can advise you.

Next stop: Bangkok and the islands

Many people fly on from Bangkok to the sea. Ao Nang and Railay in Krabi are easy to explore by longtail boat; a chartered longtail with a driver cost us about 3,000–4,000 baht (€80–100) for up to six people. We added Koh Samui and Koh Phangan in 2024. They are quieter and better for longer stays than Phi Phi, where a day trip is enough.

Frequently asked questions

Last updated: 20 Oct 2026. Prices and rules change – please check with the official sources before you travel.

Our photos

Things to do in Bangkok: our verdict

Our verdict on things to do in Bangkok: plan less and take your time for the places you really like. It also pays to visit the most famous sights early in the morning or in the evening, because it is quieter then. You’ll find more places we have been to ourselves in our travel stories; general background on the city’s history is on Wikipedia.