What to do in Bangkok? 5 must-do experiences in 2025
Bangkok is a huge playground: golden temples, floating markets, rooftops, red-light districts… Do you want to enjoy the capital without wasting your time? Here are 5 things you should definitely do if you happen to be here.
1. Visit the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew
The Grand Palace is the most visited monument in Bangkok, and for good reason: its architectural beauty and historical importance make it a must-see.
Built in 1782, it is home to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew), the holiest of the Buddhist statues in Thailand. The palace itself is a collection of lavish buildings with gilded roofs, dazzling mosaics, and mythological sculptures.
🕒 Opening hours: every day from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm
💰 Price: 500 THB (~13 €)
👕 Attire: no shorts or tank tops (otherwise you will have to rent clothes at the entrance)
📍 Access: Sanam Chai MRT metro + 10 min walk
💡 Local tip : arrive at the opening to avoid crowds and heat. Take a bottle of water and plan at least 1h30 of visit.
2. Discover the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is one of the most well-known in Thailand. Located about 1h30 from Bangkok, it offers a dive into the traditional life of the Thai countryside.
Boat vendors offer tropical fruits, cooked dishes, souvenirs and local crafts, in a setting of narrow and colorful canals. Even if the place is touristy, it remains spectacular to discover at least once.
🕕 Opening hours: every day from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.
💰 Free admission, but budget for the boat trip (~200–300 THB)
🚗 Access: taxi or minivan from Bangkok, or via organized tour
💡 Local tip : Leave very early (departure 6am from Bangkok) to avoid crowds. Prefers a weekday visit and always negotiates the price of the boat.
3. Drink a cocktail on a rooftop with a view
Nothing beats an evening on a Bangkok rooftop. The city has dozens of bars perched on top of skyscrapers, with panoramic views of the illuminated skyline.
Among the most emblematic:
- Sky Bar (Lebua): famous since the movie Very Bad Trip 2
- Octave (Marriott Sukhumvit): chill atmosphere, 360° view
- Vertigo (Banyan Tree): Classy and Romantic
🕕 Best time: 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. for sunset
💰 Cocktails from 300–500 THB
👕 Proper attire required (no flip-flops or tank top)
4. Get lost in the alleys of Chinatown
Yaowarat, Bangkok’s Chinatown, is a sensory labyrinth: red lanterns, the smell of street food, hidden temples and display cases overflowing with jewelry or medicinal herbs. At night, the neighborhood is transformed into a gastronomic paradise : dim sum stands, stir-fried noodles, grilled exotic fruits… everything is good.
🕒 Best time: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
💰 Street food budget: 100 to 300 THB to eat well
📍 Access: Wat Mangkon MRT, then walk
💡 Local tip : Leave Google Maps aside, and explore without a route. Some of the best food can be found in discreet alleys!
5. Going out in Sukhumvit (Wards 11, Nana, Asoke)
🎉The Sukhumvit district is the nerve center of Bangkok’s nightlife.
Between trendy bars, electro clubs, rooftops, and more sulphurous alleys, there is something for everyone.
Zone by zone:
- Soi 11 : lively bars, backpackers, clubs
- Nana Plaza (Soi 4): red-light districts, go-go bars
- Soi Cowboy : pink neon lights, “Thai Las Vegas” atmosphere
- Thonglor/Ekkamai : a chic version for locals and expats
🕒 Entertainment from 7pm until late at night
💰 Free admission or 300–500 THB depending on the club
🚇 Easy access in BTS Nana, Asok or Thonglor
💡 Local advice : set your budget in advance and remain vigilant (on prices, consumption, etc.). Bangkok by night is fascinating, but it’s best to discover it with a cool head.
Bangkok, a city to live to the fullest
These 5 experiences are just the beginning. Bangkok is a city that can be experienced as much as it is visited. It’s up to you to create your own path.
Bangkok is not just a list of places to visit.
It is a city to feel, to explore, to live intensely, between spirituality, urban chaos, street flavors and memorable evenings.
With these 5 experiences, you lay the foundation for a successful stay. But this is just the beginning. Bangkok is also:
– Hidden temples in quiet alleys
– Rooftop cafes still little known
– unexpected encounters around the corner of a market
✈️ Do you want to organize your trip to Thailand?
🔗 Also discover our guides:
– Thailand Visa
– Where to go out in Bangkok at night
– The best destinations to see after Bangkok