Bangkok Holidays

Whether your city break lasts for a few days or a week, you’ll have a seemingly endless list of things to do in Bangkok. For starters, there are over 400 Buddhist temples. There’s ancient Wat Pho – the biggest and oldest shrine in the capital – which has a huge, reclining Buddha, and the multi-towered Wat Arun, known as the Temple of the Dawn. But one of the best places to visit in Bangkok is undoubtedly the Grand Palace. This sprawling complex of throne rooms, courtyards and shrines is one of Bangkok’s top attractions, immediately recognisable by its golden spires and elaborate sculptures. It’s also home to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, one of the most sacred sites in all of Thailand – so, if you want to enter, make sure your shoulders and knees are covered.

Bangkok’s markets are another must-see. A labyrinth of 800 stalls, Chatuchak Market is the world’s largest weekend market. Or, for a shopping trip with a difference, why not visit one of Bangkok’s famous floating markets? When you see the long-tail boats drifting along the canals – piled high with fruit, souvenirs and everything in between – it’s easy to understand why Bangkok was once called the “Venice of the East”. Taling Chan is the most central floating market, but Damnoen Saduak is our favourite.

There’s no shortage of fantastic places to eat in Bangkok. Whether you grab something from a market or a Michelin-starred restaurant, you can be confident that your meal will be full of delicious flavours. But Bangkok street food is the most authentic option.

Noodles or rice is the base for most dishes, but that doesn’t mean they’re all the same – far from it. With over half a million street food stalls scattered across Bangkok, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from. The lanes of Chinatown or Sampeng are a good place to start, where you can crunch on papaya salad, snack on grilled chicken skewers, and enjoy the sweet, zesty flavours of tom yum noodles. And no holiday to Bangkok would be complete with a helping or two of pad Thai – a mild stir fry dish made with noodles, bean sprouts, peanuts, scrambled egg, and either chicken, shrimp or tofu.

Once you’ve experienced Bangkok street food at lunchtime, change things up in the evening and head to an air-conditioned restaurant for dinner. You can try creamy Thai green curry, nibble on crispy pork belly, or enjoy a bowl of hearty massaman curry made with freshly-caught prawns.

Even if you’ve never heard of Khao San Road, you’d probably recognise it. This lively stretch is the backpacker heart of Bangkok, filled with neon signs, street vendors and overflowing bars. It’s quintessential night-on-the-town Bangkok, where cocktails are sold by the bucket and a scorpion on a stick is a perfectly acceptable snack. And yet, amidst the throng of backpackers, you’ll spy Buddhist monks browsing the market stalls, and children tucking into steaming plates of pad Thai. This kaleidoscopic street is bursting with all kinds of life, and is a must-visit on any holiday to Bangkok.

But Bangkok’s nightlife isn’t all about Khao San Road. Away from the backpacker trail, this city of contrasts has some truly stunning rooftop bars. Pull up a chair at Spectrum or SkyBar – made famous by The Hangover: Part Two – and sip fruity cocktails, as you look out across one of Asia’s most energetic capitals.

Bangkok has a tropical climate, so daytime temperatures rarely drop below 28°C. That said, the city has three distinct seasons – wet, hot and cool. The cool season, which runs from November to February, is the best time to visit Bangkok. At this time of year, temperatures hover in the high twenties, humidity levels drop, and rainfall is minimal. This perfect weather combination does mean, however, that this is Bangkok’s busiest time, so queues for attractions will be longer – but at least you’ll be able to see the capital at its best.

Bangkok is at its hottest between March and June, when temperatures regularly hit 35°C and the humidity levels can make sightseeing very uncomfortable. September and October are the wettest months, so it’s best to avoid going on holiday to Bangkok during this time.