If you’re considering an Asian city break, you can rest assured if you choose Thailand’s vibrant capital city you will not run out of unique things to do. In Bangkok, you can take a step back in time by exploring ancient temples or the Grand Palace, or you can explore the more modern side of the city in and around its mega malls. You can admire historic architecture at the Grand Palace or enjoy more contemporary superstructures like the Elephant Building. You can also cruise the city’s canals and the Chao Phraya River by boat or bike along the network of paths of an artificial island known as Bangkok’s ‘Green Lung’.
And as you enjoy a busy day of exploration, you can refuel as you go by stopping at one of the ubiquitous street food stalls – including Michelin-starred street food! No matter how long you stay – be that a one-day Bangkok city tour or a week-long layover – you will have no problem filling your Bangkok itinerary with plenty of interesting and unique things to do.
Unique things to see in Bangkok
1. Explore Bangkok’s ‘Green Lung’ by bike
Bang Krachao is a unique Thai island. It doesn’t quite provide the stunning beaches of the southern Thai islands that you may be picturing right now, but it is one of the more unique things to do in Bangkok. The island is formed by a loop in the Chao Phraya River and a canal at the island’s southwestern corner. The resulting island is lung-shaped, and its greenery offers a peaceful respite from the bustling metropolis which surrounds it. You can rent bicycles and enjoy the shade of the trees as you criss-cross the network of paths in this relaxing urban jungle that is truly one of Bangkok’s hidden gems.
Best of Bangkok
The Best of Bangkok: a 6-day tour of one of the world’s most picturesque cities
2. Get lost in the backstreets of Talad Noi
If you fancy losing yourself – both figuratively and literally – you could opt to spend a morning wandering the backstreets and sois (alleys) of the Talad Noi neighbourhood. Talad Noi (also anglicised as Talat Noi) is a short distance from Bangkok’s Chinatown, which sits along Yaowarat Road in the city’s Samphanthawong District. You can simply wander aimlessly around the alleys and small streets, enjoying the more chilled vibe compared to the bustling Sukhumvit area of Bangkok. Or you can pull up a map on your phone and seek out some of the cooler sights in Talad Noi, including the Instagrammable ‘Antique Turtle Car’, various examples of street art, the bright red Rong Kueak Shrine, and the nineteenth-century So Heng Tai Mansion.
3. Cruise through the city’s waterways
Bangkok, also known as Krung Thep by the locals, is a busy and restless city, but its myriad waterways offer respite from the heavy capital-city traffic. Chao Phraya river cruises and longtail-boat tours of the klongs (canals) come with a free cooling breeze and offer a different perspective of Bangkok’s skyline. You can enjoy a temple tour by boat, with Wat Arun (also known as the Temple of the Dawn), Wat Pho (also known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha), and Wat Kalayanamit (home to a large seated Buddha statue) all close to the river, in the vicinity of the Grand Palace.
A Bangkok klong tour in a traditional longtail boat offers another chance to see a different side of the Thai capital. Many of the canals are lined with wooden houses on stilts, and the tours offer a glimpse of local life away from the more trodden tourist paths. As well as giving you a different perspective of the city, exploring the shaded klongs is one of the more cool things to do in Bangkok if you fancy escaping the midday heat.
Cultural tour in Bangkok
Cultural tour in Bangkok: a 3-day trip, visiting the main and unique historical sights
4. The hidden temple of Wat Pariwat
If this isn’t your first trip to Bangkok, you may want to add a visit to a less well-known temple to your list of interesting things to do. In Bangkok, Wat Arun and Wat Pho have high numbers of visitors each day, but Wat Pariwat is a more off-the-beaten-track option. The temple is tucked away from the better-known temples, close to Bang Krachao, and its construction is believed to date back to the late Ayutthaya period of Bangkok’s history, yet it has a unique modern twist. Among the Buddha statues and images, you can spot many modern icons, including those of Albert Einstein, Wolverine, and David Beckham!
5. The Elephant Building
After exploring the ancient architecture of Bangkok’s temples or the traditional Thai architecture at the Grand Palace, why not juxtapose those images with some of the city’s more modern buildings? The Elephant Building is one example. It is a short tuk-tuk ride from Chatuchak Weekend Market, and it is the biggest elephant you will see during your stay in Thailand. Other interesting examples of more modern architecture in Bangkok include Central Embassy, a mega mall and hotel complex constructed on the site of the former British Embassy gardens on Phloen Chit Road; Mahanakhon Tower, a 314-metre-tall apartment tower with a hotel and an observatory deck; and Rosewood Bangkok, one of Bangkok’s most recent skyscrapers, which houses the ultra-luxurious Rosewood Bangkok Hotel.
Unusual cultural experiences you won’t forget
6. Take part in a traditional blessing ceremony
A Thai Monk Blessing Ceremony rates quite highly on the list of unique things to do in Bangkok and is also a nice way to build a cultural bond with Thailand. Many smaller temples offer such blessings, with Wat Pha Si being a good example. This temple sits within the city’s Watthana district, which is an affluent shopping hub with many of Bangkok’s mega malls. To take part in a Thai blessing ceremony, you can simply purchase an alms package outside for around 200 baht, which you give to the monk at the end. The ceremony usually involves chanting by the monk, which you repeat (they are displayed behind the monk in phonetic English for non-Thai speakers), and you will also be splashed with holy water to cleanse the soul.
7. Visit a Thai amulet market
Another of the unique and interesting things to do in Bangkok that offers insights into Thai culture is a visit to a Thai amulet market. The Tha Prachan Amulet Market is a short walk from the Grand Palace or a few minutes’ tuk-tuk ride away from Khao San Road. It’s one of the best places in the city to buy amulets, and being close to both Wat Arun and Wat Pho, it’s an interesting add-on to a temple tour. Amulets play an important role in Thai culture, with many collecting them in order to attain good luck, good health, or to improve their chances of getting pregnant.
Bangkok city tour
One-day tour to the most iconic sites of the cosmopolitan capital Bangkok.
8. Monk chat session
For a more enlightening or philosophical Thai cultural experience in Bangkok, you could also participate in a ‘monk chat‘. These sessions can help you gain a deeper understanding of Buddhism and Thai culture, as well as possibly helping you gain some spiritual guidance. Not all temples offer this, and not all that do will be suitable for non-Thai speakers. Many of the city’s better-known temples do offer monk chats, though, including Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Arun, and Wat Pho. Before you go, think about what you would like to ask the monk, with questions about Buddhism or the monks’ daily life being popular to ask. It’s also respectful and customary to offer the monk an alms package or a small donation at the end of your chat.
Unique food experiences in Bangkok
9. Learn to cook in a local’s home
Thai cuisine is among the tastiest and most revered around the globe. While it has a reputation (a well-deserved one at that!) for being eye-wateringly spicy, you can also enjoy it with fewer added chillies than the locals like. There are myriad Thai cooking schools all over Thailand, especially in the tourist destinations, but you can find some especially authentic classes in Bangkok. One such class is the amusingly named (to English speakers) Cooking with Poo. Poo here is the name of your teacher, not an ingredient. It’s short for Chompoo, which translates as ‘rose apple’. Poo teaches her classes from the heart of Bangkok’s Klong Toey slum area, and classes begin with a trip to the local wet market to source the ingredients. She teaches different menus on different days of the week, but you will need to book in advance to ensure your space on the day she is teaching your favourite Thai dish.
10. Eat at a Michelin-starred street food stall
Bangkok is a true foodie’s heaven. From delicious high-end restaurants to the ubiquitous street-food carts, you’re never far away from your next mouth-watering bite of a spicy delight. The street food in Bangkok is almost reason enough to visit this Asian capital. The street food here is so good that you can even find several Michelin-starred street food vendors! Jay Fai, a short taxi ride from the Grand Palace, is perhaps the best known, especially among fans of crispy, golden-brown crab omelettes – Jay Fai’s signature dish. There are other options on the menu though, but be prepared to queue!
11. Midnight food tour in local night markets
Bangkok is a city that never sleeps, and those fond of a midnight snack or those who feel they may struggle to sleep on their first night due to jet lag will love a midnight food tour. The roads are a little less congested at this time of the day, and you can zip around by tuk-tuk, taking in some of the city’s favourite street food eateries. Pad Thai (a Thai noodle stir-fry), som tam (a spicy papaya salad), and moo krob (crispy pork belly) are all ready to sate your hunger. Many tours also include a stop at a rooftop bar to aid digestion and to help you beat that jet lag!
12. Insect tasting experience
While deep-fried insects may not be everyone’s cup of tea, they are a unique eating experience that you will see in Bangkok. Street-food carts specialising in insects can be found all over the city, with many around the Khao San Road area in particular. Insects are a staple part of the diet in certain areas of the country, as they are a good source of protein, and they are abundant and practically free (not from the street food carts though!). Deep-fried crickets and silkworms are very popular, and there is also the option of a cheeky scorpion for the more daring. This is definitely one of the more unusual things to do in Bangkok.
Fun & unique things to do in Bangkok
13. Train Muay Thai in a local gym
Muay Thai is often referred to as ‘Thai boxing’ by westerners. But it is so much more than boxing. In Muay Thai fighters are not just limited to using their fists – elbows, knees, and feet are also used to attack the opponent. While it can be seen as a brutal sport, it is also a great way to keep fit, and a Muay Thai lesson will offer a thorough full-body workout. And there’s no need to worry – you will probably not end up in a ring. Lessons usually start with a good warm-up and stretching session, followed by learning the techniques for throwing punches correctly and aiming kicks. You will be shown how to deliver these blows and then will repeat the actions with your pad-wielding trainer. Be prepared to sweat and to ache all over the next day!
14. Discover rooftop views where locals actually go
The 63rd-floor Dome at Lebua is perhaps the most famous of Bangkok’s rooftop bars, but it’s not the one the locals would choose to visit. Its notoriety ensures big queues as well as big prices. Thankfully, Bangkok has many other rooftop places to hang out. Tichuca sits on the 46th floor, above the Thong Lor area along Sukhumvit Road. You may not be so high, but neither are the prices. And you’re more likely to meet local Bangkokians here. Swing Bar is a different option too. It’s close to Khao San Road and the Grand Palace and is a more down-to-earth option. The bar is above a hostel, and instead of skyscrapers, you get views of the Giant Swing, temples and a more traditional Bangkok skyline.
15. Explore alternative neighborhoods using Bangkok’s Skytrain
From taxis to tuk-tuks and from river boats to motorbike taxis, there is no shortage of transport options in Bangkok. It’s an easy city to get around, but the BTS – known as the Sky Train – is often the best bet for getting around. While it doesn’t serve the entire city, such as the Khao San/Grand Palace area, it is a cheap, reliable, and cool way to see the city. The air-conditioned carriages ply the spaces above the roads, and they can help you get to some of the city’s less-visited neighbourhoods. Via the BTS, you can reach Bang Krachao’s greenery, the trendy and arty Ari area, and Saphan Khwai – home to Chatuchak Market and a glut of second-hand shops.
How to make the most of Bangkok’s hidden side
Bangkok is a city bursting with interesting, unique, and fun things to do. In Bangkok, you can spend your morning in a 200-year-old temple and your midnight hours eating Michelin-starred noodles in a neon-lit alley. By seeking out the more unusual things to do in Bangkok, you aren’t just visiting a destination; you’re engaging with the local culture and enriching your Thailand experience. Whether you’re looking for a one-day city tour, a three-day cultural tour, or a more bespoke itinerary, get in touch and we can help you make the most of your time in the Thai capital…
