Bangkok was our very first ever family travel destination as nervous parents with a 6-month-old! Ten years later, we’re back with our two boys, and we love this city even more. We spent 8 action-packed days exploring Bangkok, and we’re excited to share everything we did in this incredible city! Bangkok really has it all.
Here’s a detailed look at the must-see spots we explored during our time here.
Grand Palace – A Must-See Icon
No visit to Bangkok is complete without checking out the Grand Palace. This historical complex is home to the sacred Wat Phra Kaew, housing the Emerald Buddha. Be prepared for large crowds, especially during midday, as tour groups flock to this iconic spot.
Tip: Arrive early or visit late in the afternoon to avoid the crowds. Don’t forget the strict dress code: cover your shoulders and knees!
Dining options around the Grand Palace are generally catered for tourists. We went on the weekend and found an outdoor food court near Museum Pier (Na Phra Land Road). There are also a few more places to eat near Tha Tien Pier before you cross to Wat Arun.
Wat Arun – The Temple of Dawn
Located across the river from the Grand Palace, it’s best accessed by taking a riverboat ride from Tha Tien Pier – a short walk from Grand Palace. Ticket only cost about 5 Baht per person.
Wat Arun’s spires are stunning, especially at sunset when the colours of the sky reflect off the intricate design.
Tip: Wat Arun has become a popular photo shoot location with so many visitors renting traditional Thai costumes. If you want you can pre-book a photographer direct via Instagram or hire a costume and photographer on-site.
Eat Your Heart Out in Bangkok
If you’re a foodie, Bangkok is like your culinary dream come true! From sizzling street food to world class fine dining, the flavors here are nothing short of incredible. Whether you’re diving into a bowl of Khao Soi, munching on some Som Tam, or savoring a plate of Pad Thai, you’re in for a treat. Prices are cheap and seafood dishes here cost the same as other meats!
Tip: When traveling with kids you can always ask for non spicy options – or ask for the chilli/sauce to be separated. Check out our Bangkok tips blog post here.
Day Trip 1: Ayutthaya – A Step Back in Time
Just a short day trip from Bangkok, Ayutthaya is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a MUST visit for history lovers. Once the capital of the Kingdom of Siam, this ancient city is home to Bang Pa-in Royal Palace and incredible ruins that will transport you back in time. Hire a private driver (we used Mr Neng) to get around easily and explore at your own pace.
We explored:
- Wat Chai Watthanaram: Known for its stunning Khmer-style architecture.
- Wat Maha That: Famous for the Buddha head entwined in tree roots.
- Wat Ratchaburana: Beautiful ruins with intricate details.
- Wat Phra Si Sanphet: The grandest temple on the site, once home to the royal family.
- Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon: Known for its giant reclining Buddha.
Chatuchak Weekend Market – Shop ‘Til You Drop
If you love street markets, Chatuchak Weekend Market is the grand daddy of them all! This bustling market is one of the largest in the world, with over 8,000 stalls. You can find absolutely anything here: second hand clothing, artisanal jewellery, pet products, unique souvenirs, and some of the best street food around. Just wear comfortable shoes and stay hydrated!
Our highlights:
- Coconut ice cream
- Amazing choice of street food
- Unique souvenirs (we purchased cool Muay Thai boxer shorts here)
Tip: Walk across the road via the foot bridge to Bangsue Junction (red building on Kamphaeng Phet 2 Rd). From 2nd floor upwards you will find amazing selection of vintage clothing and electronic shops. There is also a good food court on the top floor.
Always bring cash if you are planning to shop. In Thailand markets it is always cash only.
Day Trip 2: Damnoen Saduak Floating Market – A Waterway Adventure
About 1.5 hours from Bangkok, Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is one of Thailand’s most famous markets. Although it’s a tourist hotspot, we decided to give it a go. The trick to saving money? Don’t book a boat ride from the market itself. We booked through a private company via WhatsApp (check them out at floatingmarketthai.com) and paid just 790 Baht for a 1-hour boat ride, compared to the 2000 Baht official price. The meeting point is at a local temple pier about 10 minutes away from the floating market.
Pro Tip: Bargain hard here! Prices are super inflated for tourists. Also come super early, as by midday the market gets super busy and boat traffic jam is no fun (thanks to the engine fumes).
Still Day Trip 2: Maeklong Train Market – Chaos and Charm
Just 20 minutes from the Floating Market, Maeklong Train Market is one of the most chaotic and fun experiences you’ll have in Bangkok. The market is set up right along the train tracks, and every time a train passes through, the vendors quickly pull back their goods—it’s wild!
The train pass at a super slow speed of 10-20km/hour while going through the market. The train arrives at the station at 8.30am, 11.10am, 2.30pm and 5.40pm.
Tip: Arrive earlier to grab your front row seats at one of the food stalls.
Day Trip 3: Mueang Boran – Modern model of Thailand Ancient City
Just a 50-minute drive from Bangkok, Mueang Boran is an open air museum that covers Thailand’s rich history and culture. The park is enormous, and if you’re planning to see it all, renting a golf buggy is a MUST. This park showcases replicas of Thailand’s most iconic landmarks and monuments.
We got the golf buggy rental for 350 Baht for the first hour (extra 100 Baht per hour after). It was totally worth it, as the park is massive, and walking can get exhausting.
Tip: Book your tickets through Klook to save some cash—entry at the gate costs 700 Baht, but we paid only 580 Baht, which included a buffet lunch! Children tickets cost less too.
Bargain Shopping: MBK, Platinum Fashion Mall & More
If you love a good bargain, make sure to hit up MBK Center (in Wang Mai near Siam shopping area) and Platinum Fashion Mall (in Ratchathewi). Both are packed with everything from fashion to electronics, and you’ll find some of the best deals in town.
Other bargain heavens you can go to include December Mall – right next door to Platinum and Pratunam market (just across Platinum via the footbridge) for even cheaper shopping! Pratunam has both morning and night market sections.
One of our favorite finds was the Super Sports Factory Outlet on the 3rd floor of MBK, where we scored a pair of Nike Renew 4 runners for just 660 Baht ($31 AUD)!
Tip: These places do get busy and often dominated by (Surabaya-nese) Indonesian live streaming (loudly) selling various clothing items via TikTok. Check out our Bangkok tips blog post here.
Icon Siam – A Shopping & Dining Paradise
Icon Siam is one of Bangkok’s newest and most luxurious malls. It’s not just about shopping—it’s a complete experience. We started our day at the indoor floating market in the basement (food court), where we sampled amazing local dishes and snacks. The mall also features an observation terrace that offers stunning views of the city skyline and the Chao Phraya River. Want to watch a movie?.. the cinema here has a wine bar and dedicated kids theatre!
Tip: Head to House of Beers on the 6th floor for a chilled view of the skyline. It is relatively family friendly but remember, alcohol is only served after 5 PM!
If you still want more shopping… Visit countless other malls
The shopping scene in Bangkok is absolutely next level. If you’re a shopaholic or just love exploring massive malls, Bangkok is the place to be. Whether you’re after high-end luxury, local designer brands, or quirky finds, nice restaurants, try to keep cool on hot days there’s a shopping mall for every taste and budget.
We visited these malls: Central World, Siam Center, Siam Paragon, Siam Discovery, Siam Square, Terminal 21, EmQuartier, Emporium and EmSphere. Your shopping adventure will never end!
Bangkok – where to stay
Bangkok offers plenty of accommodation options that provide great value for money and are perfect for families. To make your travels easier, prioritise staying near public transport stations.
For longer stays, it might be worth switching hotels to be closer to different attractions. For example, we initially stayed at Lancaster Bangkok as our base for day trips, then switched to Centre Point Hotel Chidlom, which is closer to the shopping districts (the latter provides complementary tuk tuk service from hotel to Chidlom BTS station which saves you 10 minutes of walking). This helped us avoid a lot of traffic headaches.
Conclusion: An Epic Bangkok Experience
Bangkok is a city full of contrasts and offers an endless array of experiences. Whether you’re a history buff, foodie, shopaholic, or adventure seeker, you’ll find something to fall in love with here. We spent 8 nights here and there’s so much more to explore. We loved it here and Bangkok will be in our top cities to re-visit!
Check out our Bangkok tips blog post here.
For other places we have visited, checkout our website’s travel Destinations section. We buy our travel essentials online via Ebay
