15 Awesome Things to do in Bangkok (Local’s Tips) 2025 Update

Bangkok is my favourite city in the world, I wouldn’t have spent 6 years living there otherwise.

I know, I know… You’re probably thinking, why the hell would you spend that long in Bangkok?

Well, let me tell you this. There are so many amazing things to do in Bangkok that it’s pretty much impossible to get bored. You can easily spend two weeks here and hardly scratch the surface.

To get you on the fast track, this article contains a decent list of my favourite attractions in Bangkok, along with awesome insider tips. It’s a great start if you plan to spend a few days here.

But if you really want to see Bangkok through a local’s eyes (and save loads of money), then I highly recommend downloading my Bangkok travel guide to the price of a (cheap) meal. Thanks in advance for your support.

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Temples in Bangkok

There are over 400 temples in Bangkok, that’s more than one for every day of the year. I suggest you can comfortably visit up 4 temples in a full day of exploring.

I’ve also written a detailed post on 12 temples in Bangkok including lesser known temples like Wat Benjamophit and Wat Bowon Niwet. That post includes a walking map to help you easily plan out your day.

1. Wat Arun

Wat Arun is commonly referred to as the temple of dawn. You will most likely recognize the 86 meter tall spire overlooking the Chao Praya River in many photos of Bangkok.

With ferries stopping right at the temple, and across the river from the temple, it’s super easy to get here. I have covered plenty more information in this detailed article such as Wat Arun’s opening hours, entry fees, and transport.

2. Wat Pho

Wat Pho is located literally right across the river from Wat Arun. You can get there by hopping on a very short ferry ride which takes just a couple of minutes.

Wat Pho is most well-known for its huge Golden Buddha which lies down on its side, hence earning the name the temple of the reclining Buddha. I’ll warn you that the crowds here are hectic in the middle of the day. Arrive really early, or really late and stay in the grounds after official opening hours to avoid the madness.

Floating Markets in Bangkok

Exploring a floating market must be on your Bangkok bucket list. A floating market’s canals are teeming with little wooden boats offering fresh fruit, grilled seafood, or operating as tour boats. You’ll also find amazing food served out of small stores all crammed alongside the canals.

Local tip! Most people head about 1.5 hours out of Bangkok to visit the Damnoen Saduak and Amphawa Floating Market but you don’t need to travel that far because the Khlong Lat Mayom floating market is way closer.

3. Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market

Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market is located in Bangkok’s outer district of Taling Chan. This is right along the border of the neighbouring province called Nonthaburi. Not only is it super authentic, with loads of great food, but it is also quicker to get to!

For a full review of this market with directions by public transport, I highly recommend reading my article on the Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market. I’ve also detailed a really great canal boat ride too.

4. Bang Nam Pheung Floating Market

Bang Nam Pheung floating market is another gem hidden right in the heart of Bangkok. Yet surprisingly, most tourists wouldn’t even know it exists.

Unlike Khlong Lat Mayom, Apmhawa, and Damnoen Saduak floating markets, you won’t find loads of small boat zipping about the canals here. Instead, it’s more of a local village market set up on the footpaths along the canals.

Bang Nam Pheung is located on Bang Krachao (the Green Lung) which is an island in Bangkok’s Chao Praya River. It’s only open on weekends, and best to visit in the early morning.

Street Food in Bangkok

Hands down, the best food in Bangkok is street food. There’s so much of it around that you’d be crazy not to try it. You may worry about food poisoning, but hygiene in Bangkok is a lot better than most other places around Southeast Asia. Here are some of the best areas to eat.

5. Chinatown (Yarowat)

One of the most popular street food areas is Chinatown (locally known as Yarowat). There are hundreds of street food vendors lining the streets all night. You will find lots of traditional Thai dishes, but also lots of Chinese-Thai cuisine which is quite a different experience. The street food scene in Chinatown starts to live up in the late afternoon and carries on until around midnight.

6. Smaller Local Alleys

There isn’t much street food available in the city centre following the 2014 government crackdown. However, you will still find small pockets of street food throughout the inner suburbs like Phrakonong, Onnut, and Victory Monument.

Here are a few great spots to visit:

(1) the small alleyway in Phrakanong connecting aross to Onnut, it’s called Pridi Banomyong Soi 3

(2) W-District also in Phrakanong, and

(3) the side streets in Victory Monument near the BTS Station.

Note: my Bangkok travel guide has a much broader selection of street food and local restaurants.

Some of my favourite street food dishes are somtam (papaya salad), pork larb (spicy minced pork), and pad thai. There are hundreds if not thousands more street food dishes to taste in Bangkok.

Rooftop Bars in Bangkok

Sunset from a level 50 rooftop bar with a half-price cocktail in hand. What more could you want? If this is your idea of a holiday in Bangkok, then I have your next destination covered.

Visiting up a rooftop bar in the early afternoon is one of my favourite things to do in Bangkok, as long as it’s not raining.

There are a few very popular rooftop bars around Bangkok such as Banyan Tree in Sala Daeng, Cielo in Phrakanong, Tribe in Phrom Pong, and Long Table in Asoke. However, there are also some more local secrets with better drinks specials which I’ll get into next.

7. Octave Rooftop Bar

Octave is located on the top three levels (45, 46, 47th floors) of the Mariott Hotel on Sukhumvit Road 57. With its mainly expat crowd, it’s a little bit classy, but not richly pretentious.

Octave rubs a 2-for-1 happy hour cocktail deal, which is great value for drinks which are already reasonably priced. Oh, and did I mention the view from the rooftop at sunset is epic?

8. Above Eleven

For more of a party vibe than Octave, you might like to visit Above Eleven located on the top floors of Fraser Suites in Nana on Sukhumvit 11. Again, there is a lively crowd of both expats and local Thais.

The first level of the rooftop bar has a lounge vibe with tables and chairs overlooking the city. There is a secret-ish upper level with a dancefloor that kicks on late into the night. And for the guys only, Above Eleven has the best toilet with a view in Bangkok too!

Other Things to do in Bangkok

If temples, floating markets, street food, and rooftop bars haven’t kept you busy enough yet, then keep reading as I’ve got a few more great tips. Fresh markets, night markets, islands (yes, islands!) and loads of cool street art are also waiting to be explored.

9. Explore a Fresh Market

Fresh markets are also commonly known as wet markets. They are a hive of authentic, non-touristy, activity. Fresh markets are a place where locals come to buy fresh meat, fish, fruit, spices, etc. It is essentially a decentralized supermarket, owned by locals, used by locals.

The best time to visit a fresh market is early in the morning. There will be lots of people buying their goods, and the food court will be busy, smashing out fresh plates of tasty Thai foods. It’s one of the cheapest places to eat in Bangkok, with a typical rice dish costing 40 to 50 THB (USD 1.50).

Here’s a short video I made in my local fresh market in Onnut. It’ll give you an idea of what to expect.

10. Visit an Island

I bet you had no idea there were islands in Bangkok. These islands obviously aren’t like the ones you will find in the south of Thailand with nice beaches and clear water. Bangkok’s islands are located in the Chao Praya River with little villages on them.

Bang Krachao (also known as the Lung of Bangkok) is located right in the middle of the city. There is a small floating market, lots of small farms, and a huge wetland park on the island. My detailed guide on Bang Krachao gives more details on how to get there.

Koh Kret is actually located just north of Bangkok, it takes about 45 minutes to get here. The island has a historic pottery village, where the locals still handcraft goods today. There is also great little microbrewery on the island. Check out my detailed guide on Koh Kret here.

11. Discover the Street Art Trail

There is a district in Bangkok with lots of amazing street art, most people just don’t know about it. The large wall murals are down a series of small alleyways tucked in between the Chao Praya River and Charoen Krung Road.

The best way of exploring is on foot. Walk from Saphan Taksin BTS Station up along Charoen Krung Road. Some specific alleys with street art include; Charoen Krung Soi 28, 30, and 32.

12. Relax in a Park

Bangkok is a huge and hectic city, so it is nice to slow down sometimes and just kick back in a park under a tree. Once you lay back on the grass between the trees you can completely forget about the madness of the city outside. There are some huge parks in Bangkok, so you can really escape the chaotic traffic and crowds of people.

Chatujak Park is probably the easiest to visit, it is walking distance from the Chatujak weekend market. Hire a bicycle here for just 50 THB and cycle a few laps around the park. There is an interesting butterfly arboretum worth visiting too.

Sri Nakhon Khuean Khan Park is by far the best in Bangkok. This huge wetland park is located on Bang Krachao island. When you enter, it feels like you are stepping into another world. You’ll just have to visit to experience it.

13. Ride a Tuk-Tuk Around Town

The “Tuk Tuk Mafia” as they are locally known. Sure, the fares are hugely variable, and quite often overpriced for tourists, but have you really experienced Bangkok without riding in the back of a tuk-tuk?

There is something so fascinating about hopping in a tuk-tuk in Bangkok’s Old Quarter. You get to see so much more of the surrounding area than if in a taxi. I suggest taking a tuk-tuk out of the peak hours, as traffic jams make for a hot and sticky ride. Expect to pay about 100 THB for a 2-kilometer tuk-tuk ride.

14. Get a Foot Massage

There are so many massage shops all around Bangkok to get you completely mellowed out. After one hour, your feet will feel like they are walking on clouds. You could be a complete tourist and get a massage on Khao Sarn Road, but there is much better value around.

For the best foot massage in Bangkok, go to Sukhumvit Soi 77/1 (Onnut) where you will find Takrai Hom (translation: lemongrass). I love this spot as it’s off a main road, so you won’t hear the traffic outside. A one-hour foot massage is just 300 THB. Put your phone away and mellow out.

Note: Onnut is a great local area in Bangkok where I live. I’ve included loads of other things to do around here in my Bangkok Travel Guide too.

15. Party at a Night Market

No where else does a night market quite like Bangkok, and I’ve search far and wide.

Night markets typically feature lots of independent food stalls, some clothing, and a large section of bars with live music. It’s really the best way to party like a local in Bangkok (when it ain’t raining).

There are a few night markets in Bangkok worth visiting, here are two of my favourites:

(1) Rot Fai Srinakarin is the largest with the most local vibe. It’s further out of town down Srinakarin Road. By public transport you can take the Gold Line monorail to Suang Luang Rama 9 station. I find it easier by taxi.

(2) Jodd Fairs is also great and growing quick in popularity after Rot Fai Ratchada shut down a few years ago. It’s easier to reach from Bangkok’s central area by taking the underground MRT line to Phra Ram 9.

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Got any questions on what to do in Bangkok? Ask me in the comments section below and I will give you my personal tips.