History · Bangkok · Thailand
8 historic sites to see in Bangkok
The places that tell the story of how the city came to be.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Preecha.MJ, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Start with Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho and Wat Traimit (Golden Buddha). Together the 8 picks below take roughly 11–12 hours across 5 areas; all charge for entry.
Key facts
- Places in this guide
- 8
- Free entry
- 0
- Time to see them all
- 11–12 hours
- Areas
- Rattanakosin, Chinatown and Pathum Wan
Historic sites in Bangkok
Palace · Rattanakosin
1.Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew
Its cloisters are painted with the whole Ramakien epic, and the compound glitters with golden chedis, mosaic-covered towers and guardian giants. A strict dress code covers shoulders and knees.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Art
Religious site · Rattanakosin
2.Wat Pho
Wat Pho is regarded as the home of traditional Thai massage, and its school still gives treatments on site.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Art
- Architecture
Religious site · Chinatown
3.Wat Traimit (Golden Buddha)
Exhibitions on the lower floors cover the history of Bangkok's Chinese community.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Iconic
- Art
Museum · Pathum Wan
4.Jim Thompson House
Guided tours lead through the rooms, and the tropical garden and silk shop are open to all.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Art
- Rainy day
Religious site · Banglamphu
5.Wat Saket (Golden Mount)
The top terrace gives a 360-degree view over the old town's rooftops and temple spires.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- History
- Photo spot
Religious site · Dusit
6.Wat Benchamabophit (Marble Temple)
Built under King Chulalongkorn at the turn of the 20th century, this temple is clad in Italian Carrara marble and blends Thai and European design, with stained-glass windows and a cloister of 52 Buddha images in styles from across Asia.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- History
- Off the beaten path
Museum · Rattanakosin
7.Bangkok National Museum
In the former Front Palace beside Sanam Luang, the national museum covers Thai art and history from prehistoric times, with gilded royal funeral chariots, Buddha images in every regional style and the Buddhaisawan Chapel with its painted murals.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
Museum · Rattanakosin
8.Museum Siam
It is a good introduction to the culture and works well with children.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Rainy day
- History
Grouped by area
| Area | Places | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Rattanakosin | Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho, Bangkok National Museum and Museum Siam | 2–3 hours + 1.5 hours + 2 hours + 1.5 hours |
| Chinatown | Wat Traimit (Golden Buddha) | 45 minutes |
| Pathum Wan | Jim Thompson House | 1–1.5 hours |
| Banglamphu | Wat Saket (Golden Mount) | 1 hour |
| Dusit | Wat Benchamabophit (Marble Temple) | 45 minutes |
Booking and timing
Of these 8, 7 low cost, 1 mid-priced. None needs booking far in advance. The longest visit is Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew; group the rest by area to save travel time.
How to fit them into 3 half-days
Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.
- Half-day 1 (Rattanakosin): Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew → Wat Pho, at least 4 hours.
- Half-day 2 (Rattanakosin and Chinatown): Bangkok National Museum → Museum Siam → Wat Traimit (Golden Buddha), at least 4 hours.
- Half-day 3 (Pathum Wan, Banglamphu and Dusit): Jim Thompson House → Wat Saket (Golden Mount) → Wat Benchamabophit (Marble Temple), at least 3 hours.
The quietest months for queues
- May: highs of 34°C (93°F), about 15 rainy days, quiet crowds. Still very hot, with the first heavy storms; mango season makes it a good month for mango sticky rice.
- June: highs of 33°C (91°F), about 16 rainy days, quiet crowds. Rainy season begins: hot mornings and short, heavy afternoon downpours, with lower hotel prices.
- September: highs of 32°C (90°F), about 21 rainy days, quiet crowds. Usually the wettest month, with long storms and occasional street flooding; some of the lowest hotel prices of the year.
The neighbourhoods they are in
- Rattanakosin (Old Town) — The royal island of palaces, temples and museums on the Chao Phraya
- Siam and Pathum Wan — Malls, the skytrain interchange and the city's shopping centre
More of Bangkok
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I start in Bangkok?
Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew. The walled royal palace, begun in 1782 when Bangkok became the capital, combines gilded throne halls with Wat Phra Kaew, the temple of the Emerald Buddha, Thailand's most sacred image.