The Best Ways to Explore Bangkok

With incredible architecture, world-renowned street food and stunning gilded temples, Bangkok surprised us by being one of our favourite cities to date.

We visited the city multiple times during our stint in Thailand, capitalising on the crowd-less streets and cleanliness that came from being in the country in early 2022 when tourism was still scarce. We’ll never be sure if this is why we enjoyed our time so much in the modern metropolis, but it certainly made us want to keep coming back.

If you’re not sure about Bangkok based on a perception built on Hollywood portrayals, the loud and overcrowded scenes depicted in various films centre on specific districts (in particular, the red light district Soi Cowboy), and although this area caters to visitors in an eccentric way, it absolutely does not capture the essence of the city. We recommend going in with an open mind, and for those of you wanting to focus on food and culture rather than the party scene, these are what we believe to be the best ways to explore the city.

All throughout the city centre, you’ll see the contrast between the city’s historic and religious roots and it’s modern and eclectic new trends being showcased by the new generation, from stumbling upon quirky shopping centres neighbouring 14th century temples, to finding yourself seated across from monks while riding the MRT.

Where to stay for first timers….

We recommend basing yourself within walking distance of either the BTS Skytrain and/or MRT (underground) lines. Both are apart of Bangkok’s extensive public transport system, which we found impeccably clean, affordable and efficient.

In particular, we found west of Hua Lamphong to be a great place to be based- in and around Siam, Silom, Lumphini or Sukhumvit. This put us within walking distance of the few places within the city where the BTS and MRT stations connected (Sukhumvit/ Asok, Silom/ Sala Daeng).

1. Visit the city’s iconic temples

A few of the temples within Bangkok city centre are mentioned within every tourist book out there, and in our opinion, they firmly earn their place on the tourist trail. Wat Pho and Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram / Wat Phra Kaew (across the street from the Grand Palace) are particularly awe-inspiring, and although you may see more tourists around here than around the other areas of the city, they are absolutely worth a visit.

Conveniently located close to each other in the Old Quarter (Ko Ratanakosin) west of Chinatown, the easiest way to get here is to hop on the MRT from your closest station ad get off at Sanam Chai stop. From here, you’re a 5 minute walk south of Wat Pho. Keep in mind that most temples close to public visitors around 3- 3.30pm, so if you are devoting a day to exploring the temples, start early to make the most of it.

Pro tip …

Dress respectfully if you’re headed out for a day of exploring the temples. You may be denied entry to temples if you’re not wearing long trousers that cover your knees, shirts that cover shoulders, chest and midriff, and/or close toed shoes. If you’re finding the heat hard to bear, head out to one of the night markets or shopping centres to stock up on some light long-sleeved linens.

2. Discover Chatuchak

Although Bangkok hosts a number of incredible markets, Chatuchak is an absolute must-see if you’re visiting the city over a weekend. Check out our specialised guide below for how to get there from the city centre, what to expect and our tips for visiting the market.

Pro tip …

Be prepared to spend at least half a day here. Wear good walking shoes, bring lots of baht and don’t be afraid to haggle.

3. Eat your way through the iconic street food

Bangkok’s Chinatown is famous for it’s vibrant culture and it’s incredible street food. Hop on the MRT at dusk and get off at either Hua Lamphong or the Wat Mangkon stop with plenty of baht for spending- you won’t be disappointed.

Bangkok’s street food scene is world-renowned for a reason. From the sights and sounds of Talat Mai market, to the stalls lined down Yaowarat road in the heart of Chinatown, you’ll get to the heart of authentic Thai food and it’s an experience you can’t miss.

Although these two areas in the city are a must-visit for foodies, explore the city districts on foot and a number of pop-up street food markets will present themselves. Take a seat in one of the outdoor stalls, choose something new on the menu, and remember that cash is king with street food - always carry baht on you.

Need a reprieve from the city streets? Head to Lumphini Park west of Silom. It’s a great place to have a quiet stroll or stretch out on the grass. Heads up that the park is also home to a number of larger monitor lizards - although they’re no threat to humans they can still give those not used to them a wee scare.

4. explore the city’s unique shopping centres

Completely different than the western experience, we highly recommend checking out some of Bangkok’s shopping centres for the distinctive and intriguing shops, products, food, events and themes. We loved how much it highlighted Bangkok’s changing cultural scene; showing the contrast between the city’s historic and religious roots and it’s modern and eclectic new trends being showcased by the new generation.

Although there are so many throughout the city centre, we recommend:

• Siam Square to explore the trendy side of Bangkok: bright colours, bold statement shops and all of the quirky, odd, and wonderful at one location.

• Siam Paragon for the incredible food court on it’s lower level and for Kinokuniya, the largest English speaking bookstore in Thailand on it’s third level.

• Siam Discovery for an interesting take on sustainability, eco products centred on outdoor enthusiats, and for it’s pop-up live events.

• Terminal 21 for it’s flight terminal theme, including each floor designed to a different city, and for the Pier 21 food court on Level 5 which is cost-effective and plentiful.

• Samyan for it’s amazing rooftop views, House cinema, food centre and shops with the most interesting products

• MKB for the one stop shop of cheap street-style eats and humble keepsakes to luxury goods and upscale dining.

5. Discover greater Bangkok

The Maeklong Railway Market in Samut Songkhram may attract tourists and for good reason. The market still caters to it’s local residents and is a great way to support their businesses while experiencing something unlike any other in the world.

Just outside of the city centre, Greater Bangkok has some amazing places tied into the region’s unique history and enduring cultural customs.

If you’re hoping to explore more of the food and market scene, book a day trip to the incredible Railway Market and Floating Market, both of which were a highlight for us. Although some of these market tours are catered to tourists, we enjoyed being educated about the customs and supporting locals while we got the chance to connect with other travellers. Read more about our floating market experience below:

If you’re looking to head further afield and get a small break from the city, there are plenty of day trips that can be taken to/from Bangkok’s city centre.

Our favourite was heading north to Ayutthaya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site founded in 1350 to discover the ruins of the second capital of the Siamese Kingdom, the remains of the city now an archaeological site after the attack on the ancient city by the Burmese army in 1767. A trip to Ayutthaya from Hua Lamphong station on the SRT can cost as little as 50p per person (return). Head to the station and book your tickets at the counter the day that you’d like to go (more on visiting Ayutthaya to come in a later post).

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If you’re coming to Thailand, we absolutely recommend spending a few days in Bangkok for the markets, food scene and unique cultural tapestry. It’s a city that is enduringly underrated but warrants the spotlight once more.

Continuing your travels by heading north? Check out our post on how to get to Chiang Mai via the overnight train:

Happy Travels,
Sam + Steve

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