The Old Town is the historic heart of Bangkok and is home to many cultural and historical attractions. Unlike the modern parts of Bangkok (Sukhumvit, Silom, Siam), the old town does not have high-rise buildings and bustling traffic, it is a great place to experience the authentic side of the city.
Also known as Rattanakosin Island, the Old Town is surrounded by water, which includes the Chao Phraya River and canals that run around it. These canals worked as moats to protect the old town from invaders.
The old town was founded on the eastern side of Chao Phraya River, in 1782, by King Rama I. The King built this artificial island to serve as the capital of Siam Kingdom (now Thailand) to replace Thonburi, the former capital, which lies on the opposite side of the river.
Some of the top attractions in Bangkok Old Town today are the Grand Place, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Khao San Road. In this article, I will share with you the list of the best things to do and see in Rattanakosin, the old town of Bangkok.
If you need more information about Bangkok, you can check these articles:
- Where to Stay in Old Town Bangkok
- How to Spend 5-7 Days In Bangkok Itinerary
- 40 Wonderful Things to Do in Bangkok
- How to Get from Bangkok Airport to City center
15 Best Things to do in Bangkok Old Town
1. The Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew
The Grand Palace is one of the first structures built around Bangkok Old Town when King Rama I moved the former capital to this location. It is the heart of the old town and served as the official residence of the Thai royal family for nearly 2 centuries.
These days, the Thai King doesn’t live in the Grand Palace anymore, but it’s still used for important ceremonies and state events. The Grand Palace is open to the public to visit everyday from 8.30am to 3.30pm. The entrance ticket for foreigners is 500 baht.
The Grand Palace is a huge complex surrounded by thick white walls. There are many beautiful buildings, halls, and chedis (temple towers) on its ground. You can wander around the palaces for a couple of hours, exploring its architecture and taking photos.
The highlight of the Grand Palace is the Wat Phra Kaew, also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. It is home to the Emerald Buddha statue, the most revered Budda statue in Thailand. Be sure to check out this temple while visiting the Grand Palace.
When visiting the Grand Palace, make sure to dress approximately, covering your shoulder and knee. You need to take off your shoes when entering the Wat Phra Kaew.
How to get to The Grand Palace:
If you stay in the old town, you can easily walk, use Tuk tuk, or motorbike taxi (Grab Bike) to the Grand Palace. Old Town Bangkok is a small island, about 2 km wide and 2.5 km long, making it easy to get around on foot.
If you are somewhere along the Chao Phraya River, you can take ferries to several piers near the Grand Palaces, including Tha Chang and Tah Tian Piers. From these piers, you can walk for a few minutes to reach the Grand Palace.
If you are staying in other areas of Bangkok such as Chinatown, Sukhumvit, Silom, Siam, Pratunam, you can use the combination of BTS sky train and MRT underground train to reach the palace. You can get off at either Sanam Chai or Sam Yot MRT Station then walk for 20 minutes to get to the Palace.
2. Wat Pho and Thai Massage
Wat Pho is a major temple in Bangkok Old Town, located right next to the Grand Palace. It is one of the oldest structures in the old town and is a must see attraction in Bangkok.
Wat Pho is a large temple complex, with lots of beautiful temples, halls, and chedis for perfect Instagramable photos. The highlight of the temple is the 46 meters long reclining Buddha statue. That is why Wat Pho is also called the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. Be sure to check it out.
Wat Pho is also known as the birthplace of traditional Thai massage, making it a great place to experience Thai massage in the historic location. I tried a one hour Thai body massage and love it. It cost 450 baht.
Wat Pho is open daily from 8am to 7.30pm. The entrance ticket is 300 baht for foreigners. You can combine a visit to Wat Pho with the nearby Grand Palace in a single trip. Consider going to the temple early if you want to have a traditional Thai massage inside the temple.
How to get to Wat Pho:
Wat Pho is only a 10 minute walk from the Grand Palace, so if you are at the Grand Palace or other attractions in Bangkok Old Town, you can walk, use tuk tuk, or Grab to get to the temple.
I recommend installing the Grab app which is an Uber-like App in Asia, where you can use taxi and motorbike taxi easily through the app.
If you are at Wat Arun, or somewhere along the river (like Icon Siam, Asiatique, or Chinatown), you can take ferries to Tah Tia Pier (or Wat Pho Pier), then walk for a few minutes to reach the temple.
The closest MRT underground train station to Wat Pho is the Sanam Chai MRT Station. You can take trains from other modern downtown neighborhoods of Bangkok such as Silom, Siam, Sukhumvit to get to this train station then walk for 6 minutes to reach the temple.
3. Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)
Wat Arun is not located in the Rattanakosin island, but it is only 5-10 minute ferries crossing from the piers near Wat Pho and Grand Palace. This makes Wat Arun a popular place to visit while in Bangkok Old Town.
Also known as The Temple of Dawn, Wat Arun is located on the western banks of Chao Phraya River. It is known for its towering prangs (Khomer-style temple tower), covered by colorful Chinese porcelain and mosaics. You can climb up the stairs to enjoy stunning views of the city and the river.
There are several shops around the temple where you can hire traditional Thai customs, and professional photographers to take photos for you. The ticket to the temple is 200 baht and it is open daily from 8 am to 6pm.
How to get to Wat Arun:
If you are at the Grand Palace or Wat Pho, you can walk to either Tah Tian or Tha Chang piers to take cross river boats to get to Wat Arun Pier. The ticket is around 30 baht. Wat Arun is located right next to Wat Arun Pier. You buy an entrance ticket when getting off the pier at the ticket counter.
Wat Arun is also reachable by ferries from other popular shopping malls along Chao Phraya River such as Icon Siam, and Asiatique The Riverfront.
If you are staying in more modern parts of Bangkok like Sukhumvit, Siam, Silom, and Pratunam, you can use the combination of BTS and MRT trains to get to Wat Arun. I recommend getting off at Itsaraphap MRT Station then walking for 15 minutes (or using a tuk tuk/ motorbike taxi) to reach the temple.
4. Khao San Road
Khao San Road is a 400m long road in the heart of Bangkok Old Town and is known for its vibrant nightlife scene. This road is the backpacker hub of South East Asia and is a must-visit place especially in the evening.
The short street is lined with many tour agencies, guest houses, hostels, bars, night clubs, restaurants, massage shops, and weed stores. In the evening, there are many stalls set up on two sides of the street, selling street food and souvenirs.
You can find typical Thai souvenirs and clothing at the street such as elephant pants, or T-shirts with Thailand on it. You can try a wide range of Thai food such as Pad Thai, fried rice, mango sticky rice, bugs, mixed cut fruits, and smoothers at a reasonable price.
It is always packed with people and loud music from late afternoon to mid night. Make sure to take care of your belongings to avoid pickpocking while exploring the street.
How to reach Khao San road:
If you stay in the old town, you can walk to Khao San Road. If you stay somewhere near the piers along Chao Phraya River, you can take ferries to Phra Arthit Pier then walk for 10 minutes to reach this street.
If you are from Chinatown, you can use Grab taxi or scooter to reach Khao San Road. It cost around 30-50 baht depending on your location in Chinatown.
From downtown areas of Bangkok such as Sukhumvit, Silom, and Siam, you can use the MRT train to the Sam Yot MRT station and walk for 2km to get to Khao San Road. There are also lots of tuk tuk and taxis to get from the train station to Khao San.
5. Soi Rambuttri
Soi Rambuttri is a more relaxing version of Khao San Road, located just a few minutes walk from Khao San Road. This street has everything, from restaurants, cafes, bars, clubs, massage shops, weed stores. But it has a quieter atmosphere than the busier Khao San Road.
Soi Rambuttri is located between Khao San Road and Phra Arthit Pier. You can reach Soi Rambuttri from Khao San Road by walking across the busy Chakrabongse Rd. It is also easily accessible by ferries as it is just 300 m from Phra Arthit Pier.
6. Wat Saket (Golden Mount)
There are dozens of temples in Bangkok Old Town. You’ll likely come across many hidden temples while wandering around the old city.
Besides the famous temples such as Wat Pho, Wat Phra Kaew, and Wat Arun, I recommend paying a visit to Wat Saket. This temple is located on the top of an artificial mountain where you can climb on the winding stairs to the top for stunning views of the city.
The temple is open daily from 7am to 7pm. The best time to visit is at sunset. The entrance fee for foreigners is 100 baht. You can spend a couple of hours exploring the temple and climbing to the top.
If you are visiting the temple in November during the time of Loy Krathong Festival, you can explore the temple fair on the streets to the temple.
How to reach Wat Saket:
It is located on the eastern side of Rattanakosin Island, next to two canals. If you stay in Siam or Pratunam near the canal, you can take the ferries to Panda Leelard Pier. This pier is located within a few minutes walking distance to the temple.
From other places in Bangkok Old Town, Chinatown, or along the eastern bank of Chao Phraya River, you can take Grab Taxi or Grab Bike to reach Wat Saket. I paid 100 baht Grab Bike (motorbike taxi) from Asiatique The Riverfront mall to the temple.
7. The Old Siam Plaza
This is a small shopping mall in the heart of Bangkok Old Town. It is a 3-floor building where you can find a nice food court, KFC, and Super Rich Exchange on the first floor.
It is worth taking a look, exchanging the money at a good rate, and eating local food if you are staying in the old town. There is more food and restaurants on the 3rd floor and lots of shops selling clothes, jewelries.
The Old Siam Plaza Sam Yot is conveniently located just a few steps from Sam Yot MRT Station, making it easily reachable by underground trains from many areas of Bangkok.
8. Pak Khlong Talat (Flower Market)
This is a wholesale flower market located on the eastern bank of Chao Phraya River, close to Memorial Bridge. It is a worthwhile place to experience local life.
There are hundreds of shops in the markets selling colorful flowers, fruits, and vegetables. There is also a food area at the market. The market offers a sensory-rich experience with its colorful blooms, aromatic scents, and bustling atmosphere.
After exploring the market, you can take a walk along the banks of the river, toward Memorial Bridge. It is a nice place to enjoy stunning views of the river and skyscrapers.
9. Democracy Monument
Democracy Monument is located on Ratchadamnoen Avenue, at the busy roundabout in the heart of Bangkok’s Old Town. You will likely encounter it when wandering around the neighborhood.
It is worth it to stop, admire its beautiful architecture and take some photos. The monument is illuminated at night, making it feel more beautiful.
The monument was built in 1939, commemorates the Siamese Revolution of 1932, symbolizing the transition of Thailand from absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy.
Democracy Monument is set in an open space, free to visit all day and night. It is just a few minutes walk from Khao San Road.
10. Sao Chingcha (the Giant Swing)
The Giant Swing is a 21 meters tall swing in Bangkok Old Town, not far from Democracy Monument. It is a good place to stop by and take photos when walking around the old town. The swing is lit up at night, making it even more beautiful.
11. Try local foods
There are lots of family-run restaurants and cafes in Bangkok Old Town. It is a good place to try authentic Thai food with local prices. Many restaurants outside of Khao San Road area have menus that are often in Thai only, which is a good way for you to interact with locals.
In addition to a range of local restaurants, you can find some higher end restaurants with stunning views along the banks of the Chao Phraya River.
12. Chao Phraya River
Chao Phraya River flows on the edge of Bangkok Old Town. There are plenty of attractions and activities to do and see along its bank.
One of the most popular things to do on Chao Phraya River is taking a boat ride along the river and exploring famous riverside temples and shopping malls. You can take a fancy cruise or just a local ferry to get around and explore the river.
Some major attractions along the river are Wat Arun, Wat Pho, Gran Palace, Icon Siam, and Asiatique The Riverfront. The hop-on-hop-off boat service is a great way to explore all the famous sites along its banks.
13. Bangkok National Museum
As the oldest parts of the city, The old town is home to several museums where you can learn more about the history of Bangkok from its foundation. If you are interested in history, you can visit Bangkok National Museum, which is located very close to the Grand Palace.
At the museum, you can browse a large collection of Thai art, artifacts, and relics from all over Thailand. The museum is open from Wednesday to Sunday. The entrance ticket is 200 baht for foreigners.
14. Saranrom Park
There are several parks in Bangkok Old Town. These include Saranrom Park, Sanam Luang, and Rommani Nat Park. These parks are great places to relax and escape from the heart while doing the sightseeing in the old town.
They are also popular places for locals to hang out, jog, and exercise. It is good for people to watch and observe local life in these parks.
15. Visit Chinatown
Chinatown is a vibrant neighborhood located right next to Rattanakosin island. You can easily spend a day exploring Chinatown from Old Town. I explored some lesser-known attractions in the old town then walked all the way to Chinatown to explore its temples, and markets.
Some major attractions in Chinatown are Sampeng Market, Yaowarat Night market, Wat TraiMit, Talat Noi. During these days, you can explore its temples, art district, and wholesale market. At night you can head to the area’s main road, Yaowarat Road, for street food and soak in the chaotic atmosphere.
How to get to Chinatown from Bangkok Old Town:
If you are an active traveler, you can walk. The walk from Pak Khlong Talat Flower Market to Sampeng Market is only around 20 minutes.
It is also easy to use tuk tuk, and Grab Taxi, or Grab Bike to travel between the old town and Chinatown. The ride between Khao San Road and Chinatown Night Market is around 10 minutes without the traffic and costs around 50 baht.
How to get to and around Bangkok Old Town?
You can get to Bangkok Old Town by MRT underground train, ferries, buses, and taxis. There are no BTS sky trains running through Bangkok Old Town.
There are two MRT train stations in the old town including Sam Yot and Sanam Chai station. From these train stations, you can walk, or take a Grab taxi to major attractions in the old town.
It is a 30 minutes walk from Sam Yot to Khao San Road, 6 minute walk from Sanam Chai station to Wat Pho and 15 minutes to the Grand Palace.
Once in the old town, you can easily explore on foot, tuk tuk, and Grab Bike. The old town is a small island with only 2 km wide and 2.5 km long.
Old Town is a place to go to explore the authentic experience in Bangkok. It is home to many historical and cultural attractions, which is also a great place for sightseeing. Additionally, Khao San Road, the backpacker hub of South East Asia located in the Old Town, offers a vibrant nightlife atmosphere.
See more: 8 Best Areas to Stay in Bangkok
When visiting Bangkok, you should spend at least a full day in the old town to explore famous temples, places, and enjoy the nightlife at Khao San Road. It is a must see in the Thai capital.