10 of the Best Things to Do on a Bangkok City Break

10 things to do on a Bangkok city break Thailand. Learn about things to do on a city break in Bangkok. Plan your 3 day Bangkok city break itinerary.

Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore are a perfect trifecta if you are short on time in Southeast Asia. We spent about 10 days (including travel back and forth from the U.S.) in the 'neighborhood'. 

While we wish we'd had more time to visit some of the hidden gems in the more remote areas of Thailand, we love urban travel and appreciated the opportunity visit this vibrant city.  

Below I share 10 things to do that I recommend from our Bangkok city break.

1. Shop Til You Drop in Bangkok

We visited Bangkok in late November and the Christmas shopping season was in full swing.  There are malls everywhere.  

In fact, our hotel (Pathumwan Princess Hotel) was attached to a shopping mall.  Just like in India, there is security at every entrance with metal detectors but people just walk right through beeping away without a bother. Note:  we took this trip a few years back. Security may now be heightened given recent tensions in the area.  

I would be interested to hear what the situation is like for those that have visited in the last year.  Please leave a comment!).  

2. Make the Trek to Chatachuk Market

You can find anything and everything at Chatachuk weekend market from crafts and food to music and even puppies!  It's well worth the trip to this sprawling outdoor market on the train.

3. Visit Bangkok's Grand Palace

The Thai people revere their king (Bhumibol Adulyadej).  We saw pictures of him all over the city.  

The Grand Palace was home to Thai royalty for 150 years.  Built in 1782, it's a site to behold.  Make sure to bring your sunglasses as there is gold everywhere you look!

4. Have a Thai Massage at Wat Po Massage School

Wat Po is another temple complex that is definitely worth a visit.  The giant reclining Buddha is a sight to behold.  Wat Po is also famous for their massage school.  

We had a traditional Thai massage while we were there.  We entered a large open room filled with mattresses.  You pay your fee (about 7.50 USD for 30 minutes when we visited) and then lay down fully clothed on a mattress and one of the resident massage therapists goes to work.  

It was relaxing and much appreciated after a day navigating the hustle and bustle of Bangkok.

5. Ferry Between the Temples in Bangkok

The Grand Palace and various temples are all clustered along the Chao Phraya River.  The easiest way to get between then and see the gorgeous views while you're at it is to travel by cross-river ferry.

6. Take a Steep Climb at the Temple of Dawn

Wat Arun, Temple of Dawn, is across the river from Wat Po and the Grand Palace.  Climb the very steep steps of the tower for breathtaking views of the river below.  

The towers themselves (prang) are decorated with broken porcelain which was used as ballast on Chinese merchant ships.

7. Eat a Thai Feast in Bangkok

I found myself getting a bit stuffed up from the smog around the city.  There is no better way to remedy this than with a spicy Thai feast! The street food of Bangkok was definitely a highlight of our trip.

8. Take a Bangkok Canal Cruise 

Wind your way through the quiet backwaters of Bangkok's canal system.  The banks are lined with huts, shrines, and lush green.  You may even be greeted by a 'sales-boat' offering beer, snacks, and crafts along the way.

9. Buy Some Silk at Jim Thompson's House

Jim Thompson was an American expat who set himself up in Bangkok after World War II.  There is an air of mystery surrounding the man.  

He became famous for promoting travel and tourism in the area and went on to revive the market for Thai silk.  Jim Thompson disappeared into thin air while on holidays in Northern Malaysia in 1967, never to return.  His home is now a museum with a shop selling fine silks.

SIDEWALK SAFARI SPOTLIGHT: Bangkok is a fantastic entry point for travel in Southeast Asia. You may be wondering, "where else should I go?" I recommend: Spending some time in Vietnam where you can discover great things to eat in Hanoi along with other Hanoi highlights, take an overnight Halong Bay cruise, go on a bicycle tour in Hoi An, check out the dragon bridge and other things to do in Danang and discover Vietnam War sites plus non-touristy things to do in Ho Chi Minh City. Did you know that you can get around Vietnamese cities easily using Grab Vietnam? Cambodia is another fantastic destination in Southeast Asia. Discover things to do in Phnom Penh and dive into Cambodia's tragic history with a visit to the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. There are plenty of things to do in Siem Reap City. Discover the mysterious Angkor Wat temples with a private car and driver and then take a Siem Reap food tour. Find out the pros and cons of visiting Cambodia during the Khmer New Year.

10. See a Movie in Bangkok while Snacking on Cuttlefish Crackers

Bangkok has a thriving cinema scene. When I go on a city break, I like to pretend that I'm living there. We decided to 'go local' on our last night in Bangkok and see a movie.   

There are tons of theatre options.  In each one there are also seats with varying levels of comfort.  We chose the 'love seat' option which basically meant that the armrest could be retracted.  

As elsewhere, movie snacks are quite over-priced so we sneaked in a treat - cuttlefish crackers!  Only in Southeast Asia...

Is a Bangkok City Break Worth the Trip?

You may be wondering, is a city break in Bangkok worth making time for? After all, Thailand is filled with beautiful beaches, maybe you should skip the city...

I definitely think that Bangkok is worth visiting. Spend a few days getting to know Thai history, culture, and food before moving on to quieter places. 

With just a few days in Bangkok, you can pack a lot in. Bangkok is also easy to combine with other city breaks in the region like Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and even Phnom Penh in Cambodia.

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