Bangkok is a big city with lots of things to do. It’s the capital city of Thailand and huge, but we had done our research and knew what we wanted to do with our limited time. This was the first stop on our Thailand adventure and we had a blast. More on our stops in Chiang Mai and Phuket here!  Here are a few of my favorite places in Bangkok.

Bangkok Top 5

1 – Chatuchak Weekend Market

Natalie read about the Chatuchak Weekend Market while researching for this trip and it did not disappoint. It literally is only open on weekends, so if you are able to plan your trip to be in Bangkok on a weekend, I’d highly suggest it. It was an easy subway ride there and once there, we were in bargain shopping heaven! You can find anything and everything here: clothing, cosmetic bags made with beautiful textiles, dishes and glassware, jewelry, a variety of souvenirs and my personal favorite, soaps. Handmade Thai soaps were 3 for 100 Baht (less than $1 each!) and they smelled amazing. There were also restaurants scattered throughout so you can get food to fuel the all day shopping adventures.

This was where I got most of the gifts I was buying for people because everything was so cheap. It’s literally some of the best shopping I’ve ever done and we didn’t even get through the entire market. Also you can bargain with the people selling to get even better prices, which is hard to believe considering how inexpensive everything is to start. It was such a fun place and we loved all the great purchases we made.  Definitely something not to be missed!

2 – The Grand Palace and Wat Pho

Our second day in Bangkok was spent exploring the Grand Palace and Wat Pho (the Reclining Buddha). We took a commuter boat there, per our hotels recommendation, which was terrifying but also kind of exciting. You literally hop in and out as the boat pulls up to the stop and slows for 5-10 seconds. It was an experience and an easy and direct way to get to the Grand Palace. When you get off the boat at the pier, you take a quick tuk tuk ride to the entrance of the palace.

One piece of advice, they are serious when they say you need a  shirt to cover your shoulders. I thought I could get away with a pashmina but they stopped me and would not let me in. Thankfully, there are lots of places across the street that sell shirts, but it was one more thing I had to buy. They also allow you to rent shirts at the Grand Palace, but I was not into the idea of wearing a sweaty shirt someone else wore, so the $2 I paid for a new shirt was worth it.

I can describe the Grand Palace in one word…magnificent. It’s 500 Baht to enter, and worth it to see the beautiful and colorful architecture and buildings. We spent a few hours wandering the grounds at the Grand Palace before heading over to Wat Pho. Many tours are offered to visit both of these places, but it’s super easy to get around on your own.  Save your money on this one, no formal tour is needed.

Wat Pho is a quicker stop but a worthwhile one. It costs 100 Baht to enter (and comes with a bottle of water!). The Buddha is gigantic and really cool. Once you have made your way past the Buddha and taken some photos, you can then can explore the grounds there, which are also comprised of beautiful buildings and architecture. Having never been to Asia, I was so excited to see all the unique and exquisite designs at both stops. Must visit attractions in Bangkok.

3 – Foot Massages

Thailand is known for great, cheap massages. This was a priority for me and both days in Bangkok we got amazing foot massages. 30 min for 150 Baht…that’s less than $4. We had our first massage at the Chatuchak Weekend Market the first day and along Koh San Road the next day; both were equally great and relaxing. I highly suggest making time for at least a 30 min foot massage daily because you can never get that kind pampering in the US for $4!

Natalie also braved the fish foot massage. Fish are one of her biggest fears so she decided to face it head on and have a bunch of them nibbling on her feet. It grossed me out way too much to try it, but it was very enjoyable for me to watch her (haha).

4 – Khao San Road

A friend from work had recommend Khao San Road for the night life, so we decided to check it out. It’s a well known street with tons of entertainment, food, drinks, shops, music, massages, etc. We stopped for dinner and then spent the rest of the night just people watching and exploring. This is where you can find the cooked insects (from tiny crickets to HUGE and frightening tarantulas). I couldn’t get the courage to try anything but if you are an adventurous eater, it’s the thing to do! There is so much going on at night and it’s a great place to experience the hustle and bustle of the city.

5 – Asiatique Night Market

Our hotel recommended Asiatique Night Market when we realized that the Patpong Night Market we had wanted to visit was not open on Monday nights. We took a boat from near our hotel, down the river, to the dock at the market. It was a nice boat ride and offered pretty night views of the city. We had high expectations for this night market after the weekend market blew our minds. Asiatique was nice, but a bit pricier and had significantly fewer shops.  However, it was still fun to walk around, eat and bargain shop. They have a food court of sorts set up, with tons of options for great food and drinks. There is also a huge Ferris wheel (similar to the London eye, but smaller scale) which we rode for 200 Baht for views of the market and the city.

Bangkok is a really fun city with lots to see and do. Try to visit for a few days when planning a trip to Thailand if you are able. Take advantage of the culture, history and entertainment the city has to offer, you’ll be glad you did!