Attractions in Bangkok

a visit in bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is an experience for all the senses. Next to temples that glorify an ancient culture, you will find in the city modern innovative towers, reaching almost to the sky, next to street food stalls that offer from the local cuisine The delicious and cheap, you will discover excellent restaurants in it, which serve great Thai food. to the side Vibrant markets, which offer almost everything at ridiculous prices, you will find huge shopping centers that sell the best known luxury brands. A visit to Bangkok exposes those who come to it to the tastes, colors and smells that characterize it exclusively and is without a doubt a must. Many start their trip to Thailand in Bangkok itself and choose to stay there for a few days to experience it in depth.

There is a very wide variety of attractions in the city, which you can combine your visit with during your vacation and it is recommended to devote the proper time to them in order to learn about the local culture itself and its customs and also to enjoy the wonderful atmosphere of the great city.

Travel insurance for Bangkok - just before the flight

A trip to Thailand starts in Bangkok, and it usually doesn't end there. You don't go to Thailand for a weekend, but usually for a long period, and the trip also includes various fun attractions that fall into categories such as adventure sports, diving, extreme, and more. Therefore, the first thing that is important to close (right after we have vacation dates) is proper travel insurance. This way you can choose freely from among the attractions listed here (and many others you will find on the site), with peace of mind and without any fear. In addition to the basic travel insurance that covers any case of illness or injury, God forbid, it is highly recommended to expand the policy so that it gives you coverage for any activity you want to do in Thailand, even if you have not planned one in advance. After leaving Israel it is not possible to purchase an insurance policy or extend the existing one, so it is important to close this corner in advance, and thus travel covered in all directions.

To read more about travel insurance to Bangkok and purchasing insurance online, click here

The most affordable areas in Bangkok

Before we talk about specific areas and attractions in Bangkok, you need to understand that the concept of time and size in the city are different from those you will find in an average European city - it is a very big and very busy city, and a trip there takes time. It is difficult to recommend things to do "on a small scale" in Bangkok, because the traffic in the city is heavy and it takes time to get from place to place, the malls are huge and you can walk around a whole day (!) in the mall without feeling it, the floating markets are a trip of at least half a day (including travel) and so are the beautiful temples and palaces . Also, there are quite a few attractions that are only active in the evenings or on weekends.

Therefore, the number of days you will be in the city and the things you want to see and do also affect the question of where you should stay.

Are you just "passing through town" on your way to other places in Thailand? If this is the situation and you need a good hotel for two or three nights, you should not go far from the city center and invest in a nice hotel that will also be close to the points of interest and entertainment centers, and will also provide a good hospitality experience. Such hotels for example are Park Hyatt Bangkok או Okura Prestige Bangkok. Two great hotels that are within walking distance of everything you will need during your stay in the city.

If you are planning a longer trip in the city, and intend to travel in its immediate surroundings as well, you can take a hotel a little further from the center itself, and enjoy both calmer traffic around (which will make your movement easier) and cheaper prices. Recommended hotels in this style are Peninsula Bangkok located in the Riverside area, Nico Hotel In the area of ​​Thong Lor and Akamai O Eastin Grand Hotel Storn located in the city's business district.

Temples and important sites

Phra Borom Maha Ratcha Wang (The Grand Palace)

This is, perhaps, the most prominent attraction in the city, which many people stop at at the beginning of their visit. The Grand Palace in Bangkok, located right in the center, is a complex of several important points of interest, which was since 1782 the official residence of the kings of Siam, and later - of the kings of Thailand. Until 1925, the palace area accommodated the king, his family members, his entourage and the government and today it is mainly used to hold important official events in the city and various royal ceremonies and now there are several government offices left in it. The construction of the palace began in May, 1782, by the order of King Rama I, the founder of the Chakri dynasty, who made Bangkok the capital of Thailand instead of the city of Thonburi, which had been such until that year. The Great Palace consists of many buildings, halls, pavilions, large lawns, gardens and also open courtyards. Various parts were added to it throughout its 200 years of existence and when visiting it you can see various public buildings, temples, special monuments and more. The palace is open to visitors and is a tourist attraction for all intents and purposes, although it still has a number of active offices. 

Wat Phra Kaew

The construction of this beautiful temple was completed in 1785 and it is recognized as one of the most important temples of Bangkok. The meaning of his name, translated into Hebrew, is "Temple of the Emerald Buddha" and is known as one of the holiest temples in all of Thailand. The statue of the loner, in its meditation position, serves as a central figure, protecting the cells and is also recognized as a religious and political symbol of great importance. The temple is within the compound of the great palace in the city and is considered a Buddhist temple. Along with the crowds of locals Those who come to it, flock to the temple as well as quite a few tourists, who want to see the impressive Buddha statue up close, which is 66 cm high and is made entirely of emerald stone, hence its special color and even its name. 

Arun Temple (Wat Arun Ratchawararam)

This ancient temple It was built back in the Ayuhaya days and is considered one of the most important temples in the city and also a very popular attraction among travelers. It is officially recognized as the royal temple of King Rama II and its magnificent architecture is the highlight of the place. Expensive and highly valuable raw materials take part in it, such as shells, china and porcelain that came straight from China and it is decorated with sculptures of various figures and elements that add to it a special glamor and beauty. Although it is a temple that has existed since at least the 17th century, the minarets in it were built at the beginning of the 19th century and have more modern features. It is highly recommended to reach it early in the morning to see the first rays of the sun of the day reflected in it.
The temple is open to visitors every day, from 9:00 a.m. to 17:30 p.m. Entrance fee: 50 baht. 

Temple of the Golden Buddha (Wat Traimit Withayaram Worawihan)

The Golden Buddha Temple is one of the places in the city that you should not miss. The statue, which many come all the way to the temple to see it up close, is certainly impressive and with a weight of 5.5 tons there is no doubt that it stands out in the field. At one point, this magnificent statue was covered with a layer of plaster and a layer of colored glass to hide its great value and it remained in this state for almost 200 consecutive years. Following changes and transitions that were made, the gold was exposed in the statue and remains as it is to this day. The origin of the statue is not fully known. It was created in the area of ​​the 13th and 14th centuries (exact date unknown) and is designed in the style that characterized the Sukhothai dynasty. Considering the fact that Sukhothai art had Indian influences, this is also evident in this Buddha statue which brings with it elements reminiscent of those from India.

Wat Saket Temple

This is a special Buddhist temple in Bangkok dating back to the Ayutthaya period. So, in those years the temple was known as Wat-Saka, but when Bangkok became the capital, the temple was renovated by King Rama I, who gave it its current name. The highlight of the temple is the long staircase, which includes 344 consecutive steps. At the top of the temple are the remains of the Buddha together with Buddha statues and the temple, as well as its surroundings, are decorated with various wall paintings relating to topics such as heaven, earth, hell and the like.
The temple is open to visitors every day from 8:00 a.m. to 17:00 p.m.

Interesting museums

Bangkok National Museum

Belongs to the National Museum Group of Thailand and is known as one of the largest museums in Southeast Asia. Bangkok National Museum It is a fascinating attraction that justifies a stop. It presents exhibitions focusing on the art and history of the country and is located inside a building that was once the viceroy's former palace. This museum was first opened to the public in 1874 by King Rama V and displayed the remains of King Rama IV's reign. Today it includes permanent and changing exhibitions that present Thai history since the time of King Ram Kamahang. The museum also has impressive collections of Buddhist and Asian art, coming from India, China, Vietnam, Indonesia and Cambodia. In recent years, the halls of the museum have undergone a massive renovation and today they present innovative multimedia displays, alongside ancient finds.
The museum is open to visitors from Wednesday to Sunday, as well as on national holidays, from 9:00 a.m. to 16:00 p.m.

Museum Siam

Another fascinating museum in Bangkok is Siam Museum, which attracts many travelers. The museum was first opened to the public in April 2007 and has been a center of attraction for the masses ever since. The purpose of the museum is to teach its visitors about the national identity and history of the people of Thailand, as well as the country's relations with neighboring cultures. It does this through a series of interactive exhibitions, which show, among other things, the development of Thailand over the years, from the past to the present. Each of the museum's rooms deals with a different topic, such as "Thailand and the world", "Buddhism", "Thailand of today", "Thailand of tomorrow" and more. The museum also has a room with a large panoramic screen for watching movies, which present the history of Thailand, and also exhibits that combine an experience of all the senses with learning.
The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday (closed on Mondays) from 10:00 a.m. to 18:00 p.m. 

The Gallery of Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother of Thailand (Queen Sirikit Gallery) 

This special gallery, located inside a 5-story building, was opened to the public in 2003 at the request of the Queen Mother of Thailand, Sirikit, to promote the works of Thai artists, young ones at the beginning of their careers as well as veteran and successful ones. At the same time, as part of this promotion, it was decided to open a fund for artists that year, when the Queen was present at its official opening on August 9, 2003. 

Coin Museum

This museum, one of Bangkok's leading museums, is located inside a building that was originally a government building, which was later renovated and became the Coin Museum to teach its visitors about the history, value and importance of coins, from the Stone Age to the present day. Using these coins, you can also learn quite a bit about the history, lifestyle, society and economy of Thailand and examine each and every coin in depth.
The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday (the museum is closed on Mondays) from 10:00 a.m. to 18:00 p.m. 

Colorful markets

Chatuchak Market

Zaho is Bangkok's ultimate market and a must-see destination for market lovers. Chatuchak market It is considered one of the largest open markets in the world and it covers an area of ​​almost a kilometer. It has 15,000 stalls, offering for sale almost everything you can imagine. The market is one of the most prominent attractions in Bangkok and attracts over 200,000 visitors every weekend.

This is one of the popular places among the locals and of course quite a few tourists also come to it. Even if you don't intend to buy there, it is highly recommended to go there, walk around the stalls and soak up the special atmosphere, but if you want to take your visit one step higher, Book a place In a private tour where you will get to know the market and experience it in a particularly colorful and interesting way, alongside assistance in negotiations with the vendors.

Opening hours: The market is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 18:00 p.m., and on Fridays from 18:00 p.m. to midnight.

 

"Train" market (Talat Rot Fai)

There are two night markets in Bangkok called by this name, markets that are a focal point of attraction for locals and tourists alike. The first market opened in 2010 and is not far from the Chatuchak market. The market stalls were set up between the railroad tracks that were not in use and hence it got its name: "The train night marketIn 2013, the market had to close due to construction on the site and it was moved to a new location, behind the Seacon Square Shopping Mall, where it is still today. The sky. There are street food stalls, used clothing stalls, shoes, antiques, vintage and quite a few interesting surprises.
The first market is open Thursday through Sunday from 17:00 to 1:00 in the morning, while the second market is open every evening from 17:00 to 23:00. 

Neon Night Market

The neon market It is a very special market. It opened to the public in 2016 and thanks to its convenient location and wonderful atmosphere, it attracts crowds. The market offers for sale a wide variety of fashion items, clothes, shoes, various accessories, handicrafts, jewelry, souvenirs as well as street food stalls and even several outdoor bars, where live music is played. The seafood is the highlight of the market and at the Taikong Seafood restaurant you can try and even enjoy it. It is very suitable to visit the market if you come to Bangkok for a very limited number of days and want to take pictures properly and enjoy what the city has to offer.
The market is open every day, from 17:00 until midnight. 

Sampeng Market

This market, known by the locals as "Yaowarat" is one of the busiest and busiest markets in Bangkok. It has countless stalls and small shops that sell everything. In the very same place, the Chinese community in the city settled for the first time at the end of the 18th century, whose remains can still be seen today. The market is actually a long alley 1 km long, an alley where you can find a selection of electronics, various kitchen products, cheap clothes, shoes, jewelry, toys, silk, herbs, Chinese porcelain and more. This market is also the perfect place Find street food and local snacks and especially Thai dishes influenced by China. This is a market known and loved by the locals and shop owners and sellers come to it from all over Bangkok to sell their wares. Although it is crowded and may also be very humid and hot while wandering around, visiting this market is a must.
The market is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 18:00 p.m. 

Bangkok Flower Market (Pak Khlong Talat Flower Market)

The flower market This is one of the most beautiful and colorful markets in the city. It is lively and very kind and you can find various flowers, vegetables and fruits in it. Although it is open 24 hours a day continuously, the biggest rush is actually at night, before sunrise, when boats and trucks arrive with flowers from all over Thailand. The consumers of the market are also locals, also occasional tourists and quite a few wholesalers who come to it to buy flowers and vegetables. Many local florists come to the market in the early morning hours to stock up on flowers to sell in their shops the next day and the city's poor, who make a living, among other things, by selling flower bouquets on the streets, buy sacks of jasmine flowers in the market. It is a market with a long history, dating back to the era of Arma I, when it was a floating market and later it became a fish market before becoming today's market, which has been operating for more than 60 years. 

Klongsan Market

This lively market is also the meeting place for the locals, who come to it after work hours to do their shopping. Unlike other markets in the city, there are hardly any tourists walking around it, nor are there stalls selling typical souvenirs, but this is precisely the secret of its charm and the opportunity to meet the real Thailand. The area where this market is located used to be a train station and being near one of the most prominent malls in the city, the Siam Mall, make it accessible and convenient to reach and locate. The market has clothes, shoes, jewelry, fashion accessories of all kinds, fruits, vegetables, spices and more.
The market is open every day from 7:00 a.m. to 22:00 p.m. 

Large shopping centers

Siam Discovery (Siam Discovery)

This mall, which was first opened in 1973 and after undergoing a massive facelift reopened in May 2016, is an attraction in itself that attracts all shopping enthusiasts who are looking for a place to spend money (a little or a lot). It has a very wide selection of shops, some of which are one-of-a-kind and an entire floor dedicated entirely to design.

Terminal 21 (Terminal 21)

There are quite a few reasons to come to Bangkok and quite a few reasons why it is recommended not to miss it. One of them are those malls, large shopping centers that introduce, and by and large, Western culture to the magical country. The Terminal 21 shopping center will take you on a short or long journey around the world, as each of its floors is dedicated to a different place in the world. One minute you'll be visiting San Francisco and the next you'll be back in Asia. This is a wonderful shopping experience and a perfect place for your shopping. It is in a very convenient and accessible location and is considered one of the best malls in the city. 

Siam Center

It is a paradise for fashion lovers and all those looking for high quality. In this shopping center you will find a very wide selection of shops and boutiques and also an area dedicated entirely to food, where you can stop. In this area, in between shopping and to rest a little and gain new energy, you can taste great local foods and those that bring with them excellent Asian aromas. The beauty of this shopping center is the perfect combination between the West we know and the East and as you go deeper and deeper you discover a whole world of shops and designs. 

MBK Center mall

This shopping center is very reminiscent of an indoor street market and it attracts crowds. It seems, when visiting it, that all the stall owners from all the markets in the city wandered over to it and set up their stalls on the spot itself. The stalls there, as well as the multitude of shops it offers, are very reminiscent of those at the Chatuchak weekend market, but without the rush, the crowd and of course the heat, which is sometimes very oppressive while wandering around. The advantage is the affordable prices, compared to the other shopping centers and the fact that it offers a huge selection of goods. Although there are no well-known luxury brands, so those looking for them should turn to other shopping centers, but the very cheap prices of the products contribute a lot and make MBK one of Bangkok's favorite shopping centers.