One Day In Bangkok: What to See

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Did you know that some of the most memorable travel experiences can sometimes be completely unplanned? That’s exactly what happened to us when we missed a flight connection on our way to Jordan. Suddenly, we were spending a day in Bangkok we hadn’t expected.

Instead of moping around the hotel, we decided to turn our unexpected layover into a chance to explore the city. With just one day to spare, we booked a guided tour to squeeze in as many Bangkok attractions as we could.

Our guide didn’t just show us the “don’t miss” spots—he also shared fascinating details about Thai customs and beliefs, and helped us navigate the language barrier by translating key signs along the way.

Here’s a look at the many places that made our whirlwind tour of Bangkok unforgettable:

Best places to visit in Bangkok: 1-day itinerary ideas

Whether you’re a budget backpacker staying in a hostel or taking advantage of one of the incredible Thailand holiday packages that are available, every Bangkok itinerary should include a few iconic sights. Trust me, your trip to this stunning city won’t be complete if you miss them.

Fortunately, many of these sights are near each other. Talk about a time saver!

ⓘ PRO TIP: While it’s important to keep cool, you’ll need to dress modestly when visiting the temples. We carry a lightweight shirt or scarf to cover our shoulders and knees whenever needed.

1. Grand Palace

the grand palace in bangkok

Of all the must-sees in Bangkok, the Grand Palace is the ONE thing you must not miss. As its name implies, the Grand Palace is a spectacular building. It is in the old part of the city and is Bangkok’s most popular landmark.

Built in 1782, this awe-inspiring complex has been the residence of the Thai King and the Royal Court for the past 150 years. It acts as the administrative seat of government, housing the Thai state departments, the war ministry, and the mint. It’s also occasionally used to host important ceremonies, like the late King’s recent funeral, as well as to accommodate visiting heads of state.

This colorful and intricately built structure is a testament to the craftsmanship and creativity of the Thai people. It has continued to draw the attention and respect of visitors from around the world.

  • Open: 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
  • Cost: 500 baht for foreigners; free for Thai people. Includes access to Wat Phra Kaew and Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles, which are located within The Grand Palace compound. You can buy tickets at the entrance gate. Or you can buy tickets online here.

ⓘ PRO TIP: This awe-inspiring historic complex is massive. Get a map or a tour guide so you don’t miss out on important details.

2. Wat Phra Kaew

carvings in a temple at the grand palace

Wat Phra Kaew is also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Located on the grounds of the Grand Palace, it is considered the most sacred Buddhist temple (wat) in Thailand. Inside is a 26-inch-tall statue (66 cm) known as the Emerald Buddha. The sculpture is made of jade and clothed in gold.

According to legend, an Indian sage prophesied that the Emerald Buddha would bring “prosperity and preeminence to each country in which it resides.” Thus, it is highly revered and considered as the protector of the country.

Out of respect for its importance, no photos of the Emerald Buddha are permitted.

3. Wat Pho

Wat Pho, the temple of the reclining budha.

Wat Pho (the Temple of the Reclining Buddha) is the oldest and largest temple complex in Bangkok The temple complex is huge, taking up an area of almost 20 acres. Most of the complex is a training center for traditional medicine and massage therapy.

However, most people visit Wat Pho for the giant reclining Buddha. The statue is impressive—46 meters long and 50 meters high and covered in gold leaf.

The Reclining Buddha is located right behind the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. And yes, you can get a Thai massage while you’re there.

  • Open: 8:00 am – 6:30 pm
  • Cost: 100 baht

FUN FACT: In Buddhist tradition, the Buddha’s reclining position represents his entry into complete spiritual enlightenment. Enlightenment ends all worldly reincarnations.

4. Wat Traimit

Monk inside wat traimit near chinatown, bangkok

Wat Traimit, also known as the c, is home to the largest seated gold Buddha in the world. The exquisite golden statue measures 3.5 meters and weighs 5.5 tons. It was discovered sometime in the 1950s, when East Asiatic Company bought some land near the temple.

One of the terms of sale was removal of a plaster Buddha statue on the site. Due to its weight, the crane dropped the statue. After an overnight rain, some monks passing by the fallen statue noticed dazzling gold shining through the plaster. It was later peeled off to reveal the regal figure in all its glory.

The origin of the statue is still unknown, but it is believed to have been carved during the Sukhothai era, when artisans disguised golden Buddhas from invading armies by wrapping them in plaster and stucco.

  • Open: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (closed Mondays)
  • Cost: 40 baht (plus 100 baht if you want to visit the museum)

ⓘ PRO TIP: Wat Traimit is located at the end of Chinatown, near Hualampong Railway Station. It makes a great starting or ending point for a Chinatown tour.

5. Wat Arun

Wat Arun also known as the temple of dawn with colorful porcelain tiles

Take the Chao Phraya Express Boat across the river to Wat Arun, better known as the Temple of Dawn. Its design is very different from the other temples in Thailand, and it’s easily one of the most stunning temples in Bangkok.

The temple is named for the Hindu god Aruna, often personified as the radiations of the rising sun. Fitting, because the temple is made of colorful glazed porcelain tiles that glimmer in the sunlight.

  • Open: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
  • Cost: 100 baht

6. Ride a tuk-tuk

Row of tuk-tuk vehicles in Bangkok Thailand

It’s not really a sight, but riding a tuk-tuk is a Bangkok must-do. These three-wheeled vehicles are a super-affordable way to travel short distances around the city. Think rickshaw with a two-stroke engine… that puttering noise is why it’s called a tuk-tuk!

Bangkok has congested streets and tuk-tuk drivers know all the little back roads to beat the traffic. On the tuk-tuk, you get the full experience of all the sights, sounds, and smells of the city. So even if you are only in Bangkok for a day, you must experience a tuk-tuk. We take it whenever we can.

7. Chinatown

People eating street food on tables on a street in Bangkok's Chinatown

Bangkok’s Chinatown is a mix of Chinese and Thai cultures, making it a wonderful part of town to lose yourself in. Your camera will be busy capturing the colorful temples and everyday street scenes, and your mouth will be happy sampling the assortment of flavorful street food on offer for a pittance.

Chinatown is super lively at night; the streets are packed with people and vendors selling trinkets and delicious street food. This is an ideal location for enjoying a few dishes from a restaurant or simply stopping by to sample whatever catches your attention from a street stall.

8. Bangkok food tour

We think trying traditional foods enhances the travel experience. It’s fun to eat in local restaurants and experience new flavors, and even more so when someone shows you around.

However, nothing can ruin a trip faster than a case of Bangkok Belly. It’s best to go with a guide, so you can rest assured the food will be safe to eat.

Our guide took us to the best food Bangkok has to offer and customized our experience. So, if you’re a fussy eater or have sensitivities, no worries.

ⓘ PRO TIP: Chinatown is a popular foodie haven, and there are food tours all over the city. They’ll take you by bike, on foot, or via bicycle. Here’s the food tour we enjoyed; we went by tuk-tuk.

More things to see in Bangkok if you have more time

Our list of 7 unique things to do in Bangkok goes beyond the usual sights. And here are a few more:

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

Cooking on a boat in a floating market

Would you like to go shopping on water? If yes, the Damnoen Saduak floating market is where you should be. Located in Ratchaburi, on the outskirts of Bangkok, the market has also been dubbed the “Venice of the East.”

It can be a lot of fun to buy fresh fruits and delicious Thai foods while cruising on a boat and chatting with the locals.

Bangkok Flower Market

Woman creating a flower garland in Bangkok flower market

Bangkok Flower Market is the largest wholesale flower market in all of Thailand. It sells flowers, fruits, and vegetables 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

This is where the faithful come to buy their offerings. The market has tons of energy in the evening, while it’s and a more relaxing stroll in the daytime.

Lumpini Park

Lumpini Park is a green haven for visitors, away from the busyness and traffic in the city of Bangkok. It’s an ideal place to spend a quiet afternoon under the shade of a Chinese pagoda or hang out on one of its many lawns. You could also enjoy a boat ride on the nearby lake.

Occupying 58 hectares of land, Lumpini Park was formerly called Sala Daeg field, named after Buddha’s birthplace in Nepal. It was donated by Rama IV in 1925. The park has been used for some anti-government protests that eventually became violent, so do a quick check on the current status before visiting.

National Museum

In 1874, King Rama V converted the palace of Rama I to a museum so Thailand’s contemporary and ancient artifacts could have a home. The collection includes ceremonial and religious artifacts, regalia, games, weaponry, ceramics, musical instruments, and so much more.

Until the 1970s, the National Museum was Thailand’s only museum, which explains its huge collection of exhibits. It is now one of the largest museums in Southeast Asia, with three permanent exhibitions that are spread across several buildings.

Guided tours are offered in English, and most exhibits and multimedia displays are in both Thai and English.

  • Open: 9 am to 4 pm Wed–Sun
  • Cost: 200 baht

Plan your trip

Honestly, a single day is insufficient to fully appreciate Bangkok’s unparalleled beauty. However, if you only have one day, visiting all the interesting places we’ve mentioned will definitely be a blast.

Here are some resources to help you plan your own Bangkok trip:

Travel planning tools we use

  • FlightsExpedia grabs the best prices on airfare from dozens of sites.
  • Travel logisticsOmio shows travel routes by plane, train, bus, ferry and car, and lets you book flight, bus, and train tickets in one place.
  • Car rentalRentalcars.com is the world’s biggest car rental booking service, arranging rentals in 160 countries.
  • Travel insuranceTravel Insurance is an affordable way to ensure you’re covered for a large range of activities and things-gone-wrong (like missing luggage).
  • Day trips and guided toursGet Your Guide and Viator offer dozens of choices at a variety of price points.
  • Multi-day toursG Adventures offer a wide selection of small-group tours, safaris and expeditions, all focused on responsible travel.

When is the best time to visit Bangkok?

The best time to visit Bangkok is either in late December or early January, which is their winter season and considered the peak period for tourists. This is because the city can be too hot at other times of the year. The temperature is also relatively low in November and February.

Where to stay in Bangkok

Bangkok is relatively cheap for a capital city, so if you’ve always wanted to stay in a classy boutique hotel, now’s your chance. You might even splurge on fine dining and private tours around the city.

If you happen to be on a budget, you can lodge in an affordable mid-range hotel or guesthouse.

Either way, if you want to immerse yourself in local culture, do what the locals do. They dine on street food, eat at hole-in-the-wall restaurants, and get around the city with tuk tuks, public transport or taxis.

ⓘ TIP: The Chao Phraya River is one of the best areas to stay in Bangkok. Backpackers prefer Khao San Road.

Read more about Bangkok and Thailand

Here are some articles and books to help you plan your Thailand holiday.

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On Amazon

Here are some related books for further planning.

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Written by Linda

Linda is multilingual and has been to over 50 countries. Her insatiable love of travel, cuisine, and foreign languages inspired her to create As We Saw It, where she documents her trips, shares practical itineraries, and offers insider tips. She’s passionate about helping fellow travelers save time, money, and hassle, and loves to explore new places.

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