BANGKOK BUCKET LIST

Get a public ferry to the beautiful Wat Arun

Ok, first, don’t leave Bangkok without taking the public ferry. It’s a great means of transport, you get places through the water, and fast. There is a stop right besides Wat Arun, a unique white temple encrusted with coloured pottery. Definitely one of the best things to do in Bangkok at night. Also, if you want to up your game while in Bangkok definitely check out this Instagram spots and temples tour.

Visit Maeklong Train Market

There is a market in Bangkok which has a train passing right through it! Yes it’s just what you read. The market is 80km away from the city so best visit it via a tour from Bangkok that includes a floating market. I mean the tour has almost nineteen thousand reviews at the time of writing this!

Make your way to a floating market

This one is a tricky one! Why? Well there are a couple of floating markets to choose from. Taling Chan floating market is the closest one from Bangkok’s center, and not too touristy which is something you may or may not like. Then you have Amphawa Floating Market and Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. These are 50 and 100 km away from Bangkok respectively. Both are good, Damnoen Saduak is probably the image of a Thai floating market as you imagine it in your head, but again it’s a little bit far away so it’ll take you time to get there. The choice is up to you. Going to Damnoen Saduak by yourself can be complicated and time consuming, so I’d suggest you take this tour or better this one which includes Maeklong Train Market which you’ll want to visit as well. There’s a tour to Amphawa Floating Market that also takes you to the Train Market and has a Firefly Boat Tour. To make your life easier, here’s all the floating market tours available.

Shop till you drop

There are loads of places to shop in Bangkok, I chose the Siam area as a shopping stop. There are multiple malls near Siam station which offer international designer stores as well as local brands. However, my recommendation is to go directly to the MBK Center. This shopping mall houses more than 2000 small shops, and you’ll be able to buy more authentic items. Good if you are trying to avoid the popular brands that you can find at home.

Take a day trip to Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya is a city in Thailand, about 80 kilometers north of Bangkok. It was capital of the Kingdom of Siam, and a prosperous international trading port, from 1350 until razed by the Burmese in 1767. The ruins of the old city now form the Ayutthaya Historical Park, an archaeological UNESCO site that contains palaces, Buddhist temples, monasteries and statues. The park is on an island between 3 rivers. The best way to visit is taking a day tour from Bangkok.

Go for a stroll in Lumpini Park

Bangkok’s green lung, it’s a nice park to walk through. We saw a huge wild lizard there, and met a lovely old man who spoke like a million languages. After asking us to sign his diary and document our nationalities, he gave us a small piece of paper with basic Thai words and phrases. Let me know if you see him as well.

Buy trinkets at Chinatown

Had lots of fun getting lost in the small alleys in Bangkok’s Chinatown and buying those totally unnecessary but fun items on offer. Found some nice accessories as well and an amazing shop full of fun patches. There is a lot of variety! Definitely on the list of fun things to do in Bangkok.

Visit Khaosan Road

Also known as Bangkok’s “backpacker ghetto” of Thailand, Khaosan Road is a great place to meet fellow travelers, buy souvenirs, party or just have dinner and drinks. There are cheap but nice restaurants, as well as street food. Want to see it with a guide AND visit a Michelin starred kitchen? Then book this night tour.

Visit one of Bangkok’s spectacular rooftops

Bangkok has many Sky Bars to visit! The highest sky bar in Bangkok is situated on the 83rd floor of the Baiyoke Sky Hotel. Book your visit including food here.

Catch a Ladyboy Show

One thing I didn’t expect before coming to Bangkok? Just how incredibly glamorous and talented the ladyboys are. Bangkok’s ladyboys are next-level gorgeous, and the shows they put on are just as impressive.

From singing and dancing to full-on theatrical performances, these queens bring it all. It’s glitzy, cheeky, and honestly one of the most entertaining things you can do in the city after dark. Whether you’re there for the sparkle, the talent, or just the sheer fun of it, a ladyboy cabaret is a must-see in Bangkok. Calypso is one of the top ones to visit, and you can book your tickets here.

Visit Wat Saket (The Golden Mount)

Wat Saket, also known as the Golden Mount, is one of my favourite temples in Bangkok — especially if you’re craving a bit of calm away from the city’s buzz. Tucked among leafy trees and peaceful gardens, it feels like a hidden sanctuary in the middle of the chaos.

The temple sits on top of an 80-metre-high manmade hill in the old part of town, with 300+ steps spiralling gently around the base to the top. Don’t worry though — it’s not too steep, and the views only get better the higher you go.

At the summit, you’ll find a shimmering golden chedi, a sacred Buddha relic, and sweeping panoramic views over Bangkok. It’s beautiful at any time of day, but especially magical around sunset. Sit for a while, listen to the soft sound of water trickling from the fountains, and take in the breeze and birdsong. It’s such a peaceful little escape, and a reminder that Bangkok’s beauty isn’t just in its noise and colour — it’s in its quiet corners too. You can reach it via water taxi, or add it as a stop in this customisable Bangkok tour.

Treat Yourself to a Traditional Thai Massage

Getting a proper Thai massage in Bangkok is basically a rite of passage — and you won’t have to go far to find one. Massage parlours are absolutely everywhere, especially around spots like Khao San Road, and most of them offer way more than just a standard massage. Think foot reflexology, oil massages, facials, scrubs, mani-pedis, waxing — the list goes on.

After a long day of exploring temples or wandering through markets, this is easily one of the most relaxing things to do in the city. You’ll often see staff outside the doors inviting you in with “special prices” and promises that theirs is the best massage in Bangkok. I tried a fair few, and honestly — they were all great in their own way.

One of the best things? The price. Massages and treatments are super affordable compared to Western standards, so don’t be surprised if you end up going back more than once during your trip. Looking to do something unique? Take a Thai massage class!

Watch a Muay Thai Match

Muay Thai is Thailand’s national sport, and seeing a live match in Bangkok is such a fun, energetic experience — even if you’re not usually into boxing. The fighters are lightning-fast, the live music adds to the intensity, and the local crowd is totally electric. Rajadamnern and Lumpinee are the two main stadiums in the city, and matches are usually held on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. Book ahead if you want a good seat close to the action.

Take a Muay Thai Lesson
If you’d rather get involved than just watch, a Muay Thai class is an awesome way to experience Thailand’s national sport firsthand. Classes are open to all levels — even if you’ve never tried it before — and led by English-speaking instructors who guide you through the basics in a super welcoming environment.

It’s physical, fun, and surprisingly empowering. You can join a small group or book a private session for something more tailored. Wear something comfortable, bring water and a change of clothes, and get ready to sweat (in a good way). Book it here.

Ride in a Tuk-Tuk

Zipping through the chaotic streets of Bangkok in the back of a tuk-tuk is a rite of passage. These colourful, three-wheeled rickshaws are loud, a little wild, and undeniably fun. There’s something exhilarating about weaving through traffic with the wind in your hair and the city buzzing around you — it’s part thrill ride, part cultural experience.

You won’t have to wait long to flag one down from the roadside, but just be mindful of inflated tourist prices. Always negotiate and agree on the fare before you hop in. Alternatively, you can hire a tuk-tuk and driver for a half-day and roll your sightseeing into one fun, fast-paced adventure — perfect for ticking off multiple classic Bangkok attractions in one go.

WHERE TO STAY IN BANGKOK

I stayed in two hotels in Bangkok, both which I loved but both very different. During my first visit I stayed at Baan2459, a boutique hotel with only four rooms in Chinatown. I loved Baan2459 because as the hotel is boutique and small, every detail is really thought of and also the experience was customized. It felt like being in a little oasis in the middle of Bangkok. The location was perfect to explore Bangkok’s top sites, such as Chinatown and the temples. You can read my full review of the hotel here and book it here.

The second hotel I stayed in was Solitaire Bangkok Sukhumvit. This hotel was a totally different style from Baan2459, but also great. I loved its pool, steam rooms and the breakfast was just amazing. Sukhumvit is a great area if you like gourmet restaurants and nightlife. You can read my full review here and book it here.

HOW TO GET TO AND AROUND BANGKOK

I booked my flight to Bangkok through Momondo, where I always find the best prices. Try both Momondo and Skyscanner when searching for flights. I actually got a ridiculously cheap flight from London in what seemed a dodgy website but it all worked just OK.

I’d recommend you get around Bangkok on foot or by taxi if distances are longer, using the “local” Uber alternative, called Grab. It was cheap enough so I didn’t need to use public transport other than the public ferries which you just pay for on the spot with cash.

Traveling to Thailand? Check other Thailand posts here.

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