12 Of The Best Things To Do Bangkok In 2026

Bangkok doesn’t do subtle—and honestly, that’s half the appeal. One minute you’re weaving through motorbikes and street-food smoke, the next you’re sipping cocktails above the skyline or finding a pocket of calm inside a centuries-old temple. It’s a city that hums at full volume, where tradition and modern life collide in the most fascinating ways, and every day feels like it could take a completely different turn.

Whether you’re here for the food (fair), the culture (also fair), the shopping, the nightlife or the sheer thrill of being somewhere that never seems to slow down, Bangkok rewards curiosity. From iconic must-dos to experiences that show off the city’s softer side, these are the best things to do in Bangkok. 

Head To A Rooftop Bar For Epic Night Views

Image credit: Banyan Tree | Website

If there’s one Bangkok cliché worth leaning into, it’s heading sky-high for a rooftop drink. Vertigo & Moon Bar, perched on top of Banyan Tree Bangkok, delivers a genuinely jaw-dropping 360-degree view over the skyline and the Chao Phraya River. Yes, the cocktails come with a premium price tag, but sipping one as warm air swirls around you and the city glows below is an undeniably iconic Bangkok moment.

For something a little louder and less polished, Tichuca cranks up the fun with an urban-jungle vibe, complete with a giant glowing LED “tree” at the centre of the deck. Expect neon, greenery, non-stop photo ops and a crowd that skews more sneakers than stilettos—proof that Bangkok’s rooftop scene can be just as playful as it is polished.

Get Lost (And Fed) In Chinatown

Image credit: Thailand Tourism | Website

If there’s one neighbourhood that defines Bangkok’s eating scene, it’s Chinatown. By day it’s busy; by night it’s full-throttle chaos in the best possible way—neon signs stacked on neon signs, woks flaring, aunties calling orders and a wall of smells that somehow all work together. Roll down Yaowarat Road, grazing as you go on grilled seafood, slick bowls of noodles, Chinese donuts and anything that looks even remotely tempting.

Duck off the main strip and the magic really kicks in. One minute it’s a glowing shrine or a quiet tea shop, the next it’s a hole-in-the-wall doing exactly one dish—and doing it perfectly. Chinatown feels like a city within a city, and if there’s only room for one proper night of eating in Bangkok, this is where it should happen. Just follow your nose.

Longtail Boat Through The “Backstreets” Of Bangkok

Image credit: Best Price Travel | Website

One of the best ways to see a different side of Bangkok is to ditch the roads altogether and hop on a longtail boat through the canals—or khlongs—of Thonburi. Within minutes, skyscrapers give way to stilt houses, tiny riverside temples, clotheslines strung over the water and grandmas perched on porches watching life drift past. The contrast is so stark it’s easy to forget the city’s chaos is just across the river.

Opt for a small-group khlong tour to avoid the convoy feel, with stops at spots like Baan Silapin (The Artist’s House) and quiet temples tucked along the waterways. Expect kids jumping straight into the canal, floating snack vendors cruising past and boats moving at an unhurried pace. For a glimpse of everyday Bangkok that feels refreshingly real, this is as close as it gets to stepping backstage.

Pause For A Sundowner Facing Wat Arun

Image credit: Wat Arun | Website

Some Bangkok views look so good they feel almost unreal, and watching Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn) light up at sunset is one of them. Settle in at The Deck by Arun Residence, order something cold, and let the sky do its thing—soft pinks melting into deep blue as the temple slowly begins to glow.

What really makes it special isn’t just the view (which is genuinely jaw-dropping), but the constant motion of the Chao Phraya River below. Ferries, barges and longtail boats slide past while Wat Arun sits perfectly still, anchoring the scene. It’s calm, cinematic and quietly mesmerising—the kind of spot where staring out beats scrolling, and the moment does all the work.

Stroll Through Ari—The Cutest Neighbourhood In Bangkok

Image credit: Laze | Instagram

When Bangkok starts to feel like a sensory overload, Ari is the reset button. Leafy, low-key and refreshingly calm, this neighbourhood trades tourist crowds for design-forward cafes, neighbourhood bars and restaurants made for long lunches and slow afternoons—not frantic sightseeing.

Ari is a dream for coffee people. Standouts like Laze take their brews seriously, drawing locals who plan their days around a great cup rather than a checklist of attractions. Add in hidden courtyards, breezy rooftop bars wrapped in greenery and a distinctly local pace, and Ari quickly becomes the kind of place you linger—proof that Bangkok does quiet and cool just as well as it does chaos.

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Go All In For A Culture Day

Image credit: Tourism Thailand | Website

For a culture hit that feels anything but predictable, pair two very different sides of Bangkok in one day. The Jim Thompson House is a beautifully preserved teak home tucked surprisingly close to the city’s buzz, filled with Southeast Asian art, antiques and the intrigue of the American silk magnate who famously disappeared. Wandering through the gardens and timber rooms feels like stepping into a cooler, quieter bubble where everything slows down and the city fades away.

On the other end of the spectrum is Museum of Contemporary Art. Spread across five light-filled floors, MOCA delivers bold Thai contemporary art—from surreal, statement-making canvases to sculptures that reveal more the longer you look. It’s modern, thought-provoking and a brilliant lens into how Thailand sees itself today, far beyond temples and tuk-tuks.

Cycle Through Bang Kachao—Bangkok’s Green Lung

Image credit: Tourism Thailand | Website

Just across the river from central Bangkok, Bang Kachao feels like stepping into a completely different world—without actually leaving the city. A quick boat ride is all it takes to swap traffic and towers for palm trees, raised concrete cycling paths, sleepy houses and birdsong that easily outnumbers motorbikes.

Hire a bike from one of the small stalls near the pier and cruise at your own pace, stopping for iced coffees, leafy park lookouts and quiet temples whenever the mood strikes. There’s no rush and no schedule—this is about slowing down, breathing properly and seeing Bangkok’s softer, greener side. Prefer something more structured? Guided tours take the guesswork out, blending cycling, local markets, culture and everyday Thai life into a relaxed half-day escape that feels worlds away from the chaos.

Take A Thai Cooking Class (And Actually Learn Something)

Image credit: Pink Chilli Thai Cooking School | Airbnb website

After days of eating bodyweight in curry, it only feels right to learn how to make at least one dish properly. Book yourself into a cooking class which kicks off with a market visit—wandering past stalls piled high with herbs, pastes and produce—before heading into the kitchen to cook a full Thai meal with expert guidance (and plenty of help along the way).

There’s something deeply satisfying about finally understanding what goes into a proper green curry or pad thai, instead of just eating it on repeat. Better still, you’ll wrap up by sitting down to eat everything you’ve made, armed with recipes to recreate the magic back home. A full stomach, new skills and a deeper appreciation for Thai food? That’s a very Bangkok way to end the day.

Conquer Chatuchak Weekend Market

Image credit: Chatuchak Weekend Market | Website

It’s not often the word overwhelming is genuinely earned, but Chatuchak Weekend Market is its own universe. We’re talking thousands of stalls selling absolutely everything—ceramics you’ll wish you bought more of, clothes, plants, vintage finds, art and enough street food to fuel a full-day wander.

The strategy is simple: accept that you will get lost and make that the whole point. Duck down random lanes, cool off with coconut ice cream when the heat hits, and emerge hours later with bags full of “how am I getting this home?” treasures. The only real rule is to go early—before the midday heat (and crowds) turn the chaos up another notch.

Recover Properly With A Thai Massage (That Won't Destroy You)

Image credit: Health Land | Website

After a few full-on days of markets, temples and traffic, Bangkok’s massage scene becomes less of a luxury and more of a necessity. Health Land Spa is a go-to for a reason—reliable, professional and seriously good value. Their traditional Thai massage delivers all the stretching and pressure the treatment is known for, but in a calm, polished setting that feels a world away from the hit-and-miss street options outside.

For something more boutique, Divana leans fully into indulgence. Think dim lighting, soothing scents, plush treatment rooms and a slower, more immersive pace from start to finish. Treatments here feel less transactional and more ritual-like, designed to reset both body and brain. Whichever route you choose, expect to float back onto the streets feeling loose, hydrated and ready to dive back into Bangkok’s beautiful chaos.

Go Speakeasy-Hopping After Dark

Image credit: Teens of Thailand | Instagram

One of the best things about Bangkok nights is that some of the most memorable bars don’t look like bars at all. Hidden down a Chinatown lane, Teens of Thailand sits behind an unassuming wooden door, opening up to a moody little gin bar that takes its drinks seriously—but not itself. Expect excellent cocktails, a buzzy crowd and a vibe that feels effortlessly cool without trying too hard.

Then there’s #FindTheLockerRoom, which commits fully to the speakeasy brief. Guests literally slip through what looks like a row of lockers before emerging into a sleek, low-lit cocktail bar hidden behind them. It feels like being in on a secret—even if most of Bangkok has probably figured it out by now. Either way, it’s proof that the city’s nightlife rewards curiosity just as much as it does a well-made drink.

Start The Day At A Floating Market (But Do It Right)

Image credit: Tourism Thailand | Website

Floating markets are one of Bangkok’s most iconic sights, but where and when you go makes all the difference. Skip the overproduced versions and head to Amphawa Floating Market, where locals still come to eat, wander and spend a slow morning by the canal. Wooden boats drift past piled with noodles, freshly cooked seafood and sweets, while riverside stalls dish up snacks perfect for grazing.

Go early, take your time and let the morning unfold naturally. It’s relaxed, atmospheric and offers a glimpse of a gentler side of Bangkok—one that moves at its own pace, just beyond the city’s main thoroughfares.

Still hungry for more? Check out our chat with cooking queen Marion Grasby sharing her insider Thailand tips.