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Thailand
Bangkok
Gilded temples on the river, street food on every corner, rooftop bars and the giant Chatuchak market, with Ayutthaya and the floating markets a day trip away.
The best of Bangkok, according to 4 travel creators
We read 4 Bangkok itineraries and counted which places come up again and again. Higher on the list means more creators recommend it.
Save to PinterestBest things to do in Bangkok
1.Chatuchak Weekend Market
Chatuchak3 of 4 creators recommendFree
One of the world's biggest weekend markets: thousands of stalls of clothes, crafts, plants, antiques and food.
Tip: Weekends only. Go early before the heat, and haggle.
2.Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew
Rattanakosin3 of 4 creators recommendfrom $15
Home of the Chakri kings since 1782. The compound holds Wat Phra Kaew and the Emerald Buddha, Thailand's most sacred image.
Tip: Ignore anyone outside saying it's closed today: it's a scam.
3.Khao San Road
Banglamphu3 of 4 creators recommendFree
Bangkok's famous backpacker street of guesthouses, bars, street food and stalls. Liveliest at night.
4.Wat Arun
Thonburi3 of 4 creators recommendfrom $5.95
The Temple of Dawn on the Thonburi bank, its central prang covered in porcelain mosaic. Best at sunset from across the river.
5.Wat Pho
Rattanakosin3 of 4 creators recommendfrom $8.92
Home of the 46 m gold-leaf Reclining Buddha and the traditional centre of Thai massage teaching.
6.Golden Mount (Wat Saket)
Old Town2 of 4 creators recommendfrom $2.97
A man-made hill topped by a golden chedi, about 300 steps up, with 360-degree views over old Bangkok. Great at sunset.
7.Jim Thompson House
Siam2 of 4 creators recommendfrom $7.44
Teak houses and Asian art collection of the American silk trader who vanished in Malaysia in 1967.
Tip: No photos inside the house.
8.Amphawa Floating Market
Samut Songkhram1 of 4 creators recommendFree
Weekend canal-side market popular with Thai visitors, known for grilled seafood sold from boats and evening firefly boat trips.
9.Ayutthaya
Ayutthaya1 of 4 creators recommend
The old Siamese capital (1351-1767), 80 km north of Bangkok. Its temple ruins are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
10.Bangkok Art and Culture Centre
Siam1 of 4 creators recommendFree
Contemporary art centre opposite MBK with galleries on a spiral ramp. Free; closed Mondays.
11.Bangkok National Museum
Rattanakosin1 of 4 creators recommendfrom $5.95
Thailand's largest museum, partly in the old Front Palace, covering Thai art and history from prehistory on.
12.Bike and canal tour
Chinatown1 of 4 creators recommendfrom $40
Guided bike rides through Chinatown alleys and Thonburi's canal-side villages, finishing with a longtail boat ride. Co van Kessel is the long-running operator.
13.Damnoen Saduak & Maeklong Railway Market
Ratchaburi1 of 4 creators recommendfrom $21
A half-day trip pairing the busy Damnoen Saduak floating market with the Maeklong market, where stalls fold back as the train passes.
14.Erawan Shrine
Siam1 of 4 creators recommendFree
Hindu shrine to Brahma at the Ratchaprasong junction, where worshippers pay classical dancers to perform.
15.Loha Prasat
Old Town1 of 4 creators recommendfrom $0.59
The Metal Castle at Wat Ratchanatdaram: a tiered building with 37 metal spires, the only one of its kind left.
Where to eat in Bangkok
1.Jodd Fairs night market
Rama 91 of 4 creators recommend
Night market behind Central Rama 9 near MRT Phra Ram 9, with food stalls and shops. It took over from the old Talad Neon market.
2.Karim Roti Mataba
Banglamphu1 of 4 creators recommend
Long-running Thai-Muslim shop on Phra Athit Road, known for roti, mataba and curry.
3.Or Tor Kor Market
Chatuchak1 of 4 creators recommendfrom $1.78
Upscale fresh market next to Chatuchak, known for top-quality fruit, curries and northern Thai food stalls.
4.Red Sky
Siam1 of 4 creators recommend
Rooftop bar on the 55th floor of Centara Grand at CentralWorld, under a red-lit arch.
Tip: Dress code: no flip-flops.
5.Ruam Tai
Thonburi1 of 4 creators recommendfrom $8.92
Southern Thai restaurant near Wang Lang Market serving fiery curries from 6 am.
6.Sky Bar at Lebua
Silom1 of 4 creators recommendfrom $19
Open-air bar on the 63rd floor of lebua at State Tower, made famous by The Hangover Part II.
Tip: Smart dress code.
7.Som Tam Jay So
Silom1 of 4 creators recommendfrom $14
Famously fiery Isan som tam spot on Soi Phiphat 2, packed with office workers at lunch.
8.Sukhumvit Soi 11 bars
Sukhumvit1 of 4 creators recommendfrom $2.68
Nightlife lane with the Above Eleven rooftop and Havana Social, a Cuban speakeasy you enter through a phone booth.
9.The Deck
Rattanakosin1 of 4 creators recommend
Riverside restaurant at Arun Residence looking straight across to Wat Arun. Popular at sunset.
10.Tom Yum Goong Banglamphu
Banglamphu1 of 4 creators recommendfrom $18
Street-side shop on Kraisi Road near Khao San famous for creamy tom yum with big river prawns.
Where to stay in Bangkok
1.Lub d Bangkok Siam
Siam1 of 4 creators recommendfrom $38/night
Hostel opposite MBK at BTS National Stadium, with dorms and private rooms.
2.Riva Surya Bangkok
Banglamphu1 of 4 creators recommendfrom $76/night
Four-star boutique hotel on the river with a riverside pool, near Khao San and the Grand Palace.
3.Siri Heritage Bangkok Hotel
Old Town1 of 4 creators recommendfrom $40/night
Three-star old-city hotel with Siamese touches and a small pool, near the Grand Palace and Khao San.
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