My saved list for Bangkok is mostly markets, food and bars, so I added the temples, the park and the museums on the advice of travel guides, mainly 34travel. Here are the classics (the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun) plus a hilltop temple with a view over the whole city, a marble temple, a park in the middle of the business district and two contemporary art museums. From my own list there's the Sri Nakhon Khuean Khan park on the green island of Bang Kachao. For now every description is put together from Google Maps reviews; I'll add my own notes after the trip.
Prices are Google's average spend per person; prices of single dishes and tickets come from reviews. Valid as of 7 October 2026. Rate: 1 ฿ ≈ $0.030.
In short
- Day one: the Grand Palace at the 8:30 opening, then walk to Wat Pho and take the ferry across to Wat Arun for sunset.
- The whole city from above, with few tourists: Wat Saket on the Golden Mount, best in the morning.
- A marble temple: Wat Benchamabophit in Dusit, built under King Rama V.
- Hiding from the heat: Bangkok Art & Culture Centre (free entry) and MOCA in Chatuchak for 300 ฿ (≈$9).
- A green break: Lumphini Park, easy to reach by BTS or MRT.
- Out into nature: the park on Bang Kachao, with forest, lakes and monitor lizards on an island in the river.
What to see
The Grand Palace
Rattanakosin · royal palace · daily 8:30–15:30
Google Maps · website · Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon
According to Google Maps reviews (4.6 from 80,200+): a palace complex from 1782 where every building and courtyard is covered in gold, coloured mosaics and carving; the highlight is Wat Phra Kaew and its Emerald Buddha. Tourists go in through Gate 4. Downsides: huge queues and crowds, so reviewers suggest arriving at the 8:30 opening, and the strict dress code turns away even longish shorts, so wear trousers. Bring water and an umbrella for the sun.
Wat Pho
Rattanakosin · temple of the reclining Buddha · 300 ฿ (≈$9) · daily 8:00–19:30
Google Maps · website · Thanon Sanam Chai, 2
According to Google Maps reviews (4.7 from 38,200+): one of Bangkok's oldest and most important temples, a ten-minute walk south of the Grand Palace. The star is the 46-metre gilded reclining Buddha with mother-of-pearl inlaid soles, surrounded by a huge, calm complex of stupas, murals and hundreds of Buddha images. It's also the birthplace of Thai massage, and the temple's massage school gets good reviews. Entry is 300 ฿, cash only at the ticket office, and the dress code is strict.
Wat Arun
Thonburi · riverside temple · 200 ฿ (≈$6) · daily 8:00–18:00
Google Maps · Facebook · Thanon Wang Doem, 158
According to Google Maps reviews (4.7 from 45,300+): the temple on the west bank of the Chao Phraya, its central prang covered entirely in porcelain patterns; you can climb the steep steps for a view of the river. Many people rent Thai costumes for photos. Come late in the day or at sunset, when it's cooler. Downsides: crowds, and long queues for the river ferry, especially the blue-flag tourist boat.
Wat Saket (Golden Mount)
Pom Prap Sattru Phai · hilltop temple & viewpoint · 100 ฿ (≈$3) · daily 7:00–19:00
Google Maps · Thanon Chakkraphatdi Phong, 344
According to Google Maps reviews (4.7 from 8,100+): a golden stupa on a man-made hill, with 344 steps to the top and a panorama of all of Bangkok. Along the way there are shrines, bells and Buddha statues, and the mood is calm and incense-scented. Reviewers suggest coming in the morning before the heat, dressed modestly. An easy way there is the canal boat from Pratunam pier for 15 ฿.
Wat Benchamabophit
Dusit · marble temple · daily 6:00–18:00
Google Maps · website · Thanon Rama V, 69
According to Google Maps reviews (4.7 from 8,800+): a temple built under King Rama V around 1900 from Italian marble: refined, symmetrical and immaculately kept. The inner galleries hold rows of Buddha statues, and the main hall a tall golden Buddha. It's less crowded than the riverside temples, especially on weekdays. Shoes come off for the inner courtyard.
Lumphini Park
Lumphini · city park · daily 4:30–22:00
Google Maps · Lumphini, Pathum Wan
According to Google Maps reviews (4.5 from 41,000+): a big green park in the middle of the business district, easy to reach by BTS or MRT, with paths around the lake, shade, benches, monitor lizards, turtles and cats. Best at sunset, when locals come out to run after work and a public aerobics session starts around 18:00. There are hardly any tourists and nobody trying to sell you anything.
Sri Nakhon Khuean Khan Park (Bang Kachao)
Bang Kachao · park and botanical garden · daily 5:00–19:00
Google Maps · website · Soi Wat Rat Rangsan, Phra Pradaeng
According to Google Maps reviews (4.6 from 4,900+): a park on Bang Kachao, the green island in a bend of the Chao Phraya often called Bangkok's lungs. Lakes, wooden boardwalks, dirt paths through the forest and a bird-watching tower; plenty of monitor lizards in and around the water. You can rent a bike at the entrance, but it's easy to walk; birds are most active before 10:00 and after 14:00. Get there by Grab or cross the river by ferry; weekdays are much quieter.
Bangkok Art & Culture Centre
Siam · contemporary art centre · Tue–Sun 10:00–20:00, closed Mon
Google Maps · website · Rama I Rd, 939
According to Google Maps reviews (4.6 from 20,500+): a big contemporary art centre built around a spiralling gallery, with shows by young Thai artists, photography and installations, plus shops, cafés and city views from the upper floors. Entry is free except for special events, and a skybridge leads straight in from BTS National Stadium. If contemporary art isn't your thing you may not love it, but it's a good place to sit out the heat for a couple of hours.
Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA BANGKOK)
Chatuchak · museum of contemporary Thai art · 300 ฿ (≈$9) · Tue–Sun 10:00–18:00, closed Mon
Google Maps · website · Kamphaeng Phet 6 Rd, 499
According to Google Maps reviews (4.7 from 6,600+): a private museum over five floors with a large collection of Thai painting and sculpture, a good introduction to Thai art from the students of Silpa Bhirasri to today's artists. The building is spacious, with high ceilings, and it takes several hours to see it all. There's a café. The downside is the location, far from the centre in the north of the city.
One last thing
For the temples and the Grand Palace, cover shoulders and knees and bring cash for tickets. The Grand Palace only lets visitors in until 15:30, so start there in the morning and save Wat Arun for the evening. The museums are closed on Mondays, which makes Monday a good day for temples. Go to Bang Kachao in the morning, before the heat and while the birds are active.
More on Bangkok: markets and shopping, where to eat and drink, coffee shops.