The 9 Coolest Things to Do in Bangkok + Our Top 4 Day Trips

Cool Activities in Bangkok

Got a few hours in Bangkok and looking for something fun to do? Here are 9 activities that’ll make your city trip to Bangkok truly unforgettable — whether you prefer exploring solo or joining a tour.

A Guided Tour of Bangkok

What to expect: One of the best ways to get a real feel for Bangkok is on a guided tour — and there’s a huge variety to choose from. You can do a classic city tour, a cool bike tour on the other side of the river, sample incredible dishes on a food tour, or cruise along Bangkok’s river and canals by boat.

Is it worth it? Absolutely! You get genuine insider knowledge from locals and discover the city from a completely different angle. Your guide handles everything and shares tips you’d never find on your own. Choose between private and group tours depending on your budget and style.

Activity location: Throughout Bangkok, depending on the tour

Guided city tour of temples and the Royal Palace

Find the nine best tours of Bangkok and the five best boat tours right here:

Cooking Class

What to expect: Want to bring the best Thai dishes home with you? Take a cooking class and learn how to make Pad Thai, papaya salad, various curries, and mango sticky rice from scratch. A digital cookbook is usually included.

Is it worth it? We love cooking classes in Thailand — we’ve actually done two of them. Admittedly not in Bangkok itself, but in Chiang Mai and Khao Lak. Both were seriously fantastic, and we’ve already cooked several of the dishes at home. We’re totally convinced the Bangkok classes are just as good.

Activity location: Old Town, Sukhumvit Road, and Silom — you can pick whichever is closest to your accommodation in Bangkok.
Our tour recommendations:
Cooking class with market tour in Bangkok’s Old Town

Cooking class with market tour near Sukhumvit Road

Cooking class with market tour in the Silom neighborhood
Good to know: Many travelers head to the Gulf of Thailand islands rather than Chiang Mai and Khao Lak. If you don’t have time for a cooking class in Bangkok, it’s also one of the best things to do on Koh Phangan.

Riding a Tuk Tuk

What to expect: Since the 1960s, tuk tuks have been a beloved way to get around Bangkok — and they’re now an inseparable part of the city’s character. Far more exciting than a taxi, with no doors between you and the street, you get the full Bangkok experience right in the open air.

Is it worth it? Riding a tuk tuk at least once is an absolute must among Bangkok activities. It’s so much fun! We love using them as a cool alternative to taxis just to get from A to B — just negotiate the price upfront. You can also book full tuk tuk tours, often combined with sightseeing or a food tour.

Activity location: Throughout Bangkok

Tuk tuk tour in the evening

Shopping at Markets and Malls

What to expect: Bangkok is a fantastic place to shop — and you can do it pretty much everywhere. At traditional markets, along the streets, or in sleek modern malls. The best deals on clothes, jewelry, and souvenirs are at the markets. Malls tend to be priced more like back home, but you’ll also find international brands there that don’t have stores in your country.

Is it worth it? Absolutely! If we didn’t always travel with carry-on luggage only, we’d have bought even more than we did. We especially love the markets — we’ve picked up clothes, beautiful scarves, and loads of decorative items. For malls, Terminal 21 is one of our favorites.

Activity location: Markets throughout Bangkok; most shopping malls are clustered around Sukhumvit Road

Experience Bangkok from Above

What to expect: Step away from the Old Town and you’ll find modern Bangkok in full force. In neighborhoods like Sathorn, Silom, and around Sukhumvit Road, towering skyscrapers rise high above the city — and the views from up here are seriously breathtaking.

Is it worth it? Totally! One of Bangkok’s most iconic skyscrapers is the Mahanakhon Tower. At 300 meters (nearly 1,000 feet) up, there’s a thrilling skywalk with a glass floor — the highest observation deck in Thailand. Just make sure you’re not afraid of heights! You can also take in the panorama from one of Bangkok’s many rooftop bars — more on that in our next activity.

Activity location: The Mahanakhon Tower is in the Sathorn neighborhood

Ticket for the Skywalk at the Mahanakhon Tower

Drinks at a Rooftop Bar

What to expect: Want to soak in the Bangkok skyline a little longer — or see it lit up at night — with a great drink in hand? Then grab a seat at one of the city’s many rooftop bars. For us, it’s one of the best evening experiences Bangkok has to offer.

Is it worth it? Of course! Bangkok at night is simply magical. Some hotels in these neighborhoods have their own rooftop bars, but there are plenty of standalone spots too. Just be prepared: drinks at most of these places cost more than your average cocktail back home.
Our favorite rooftop bars are:

• Red Sky Bar: On the 56th floor, massive glass walls deliver a stunning panoramic vista, accompanied by live jazz. One floor below, there’s also an elegant restaurant.
• Vertigo Restaurant & Moon Bar: The highest bar on our list — reserve in advance. The 360-degree view from the 61st floor, the food, and the cocktails are incredibly popular.
• Lebua Sky Bar & Sirocco Restaurant: One of the best rooftop venues in the world and a filming location for The Hangover Part II. Unbeatable views, excellent Mediterranean cuisine — but prices to match.
• Breeze Bar: Modern Asian cuisine and great cocktails (especially the Passion Fruit Mojito) in a sleek, almost futuristic setting. Located in the same building as the Lebua Sky Bar.
• Above Eleven Bar: More affordable than the others, with delicious Japanese-Peruvian fusion food. Book a spot by the glass walls in advance!
• Three Sixty Lounge: Quieter and less crowded, with live jazz on many evenings and subtle lighting that makes Bangkok at dusk look incredible. Also on the more affordable side.
• Long Table Bar: Technically not a rooftop bar, but still offers a fantastic view and excellent Thai fusion food. Don’t leave without trying the Bangkok Cosmopolitan!

By the way: Almost all of these bars have a strict dress code, so pack closed-toe shoes and at least one pressed shirt or sundress for your Bangkok trip.

Watch a Muay Thai Boxing Match

What to expect: Looking for an evening activity in Bangkok with a bit more action? Check out Muay Thai boxing — a traditional martial art from Thailand. There are official competitive bouts, but many matches are also staged for tourists. Still a seriously cool experience!

Is it worth it? We watched Thai boxing on Koh Phi Phi and there’s genuinely something special about it. The elegance with which Thai fighters move is impressive to watch. Catching a match at the legendary Rajadamnern Stadium in Bangkok — basically the Madison Square Garden of boxing — would be really awesome. Fights take place virtually every day.

Activity location: At the Rajadamnern Stadium in Bangkok’s Old Town

Ticket for a Muay Thai match at the Rajadamnern Stadium

Muay Thai Boxing Introductory Training

What to expect: Think Muay Thai is so cool that you don’t just want to watch — you want to try it yourself? Book a one-on-one introductory session. In your training hour, you’ll learn the basics: kicks, punches, knees, elbows, and defensive movement.

Is it worth it? A Muay Thai intro session is definitely the most athletic of all our Bangkok experiences. It’s a ton of fun, and you get a hands-on introduction to Thailand’s beloved martial art. No prior experience needed whatsoever.

Activity location: At a Fitfac Muay Thai gym near your hotel

Private Muay Thai session with hotel pickup

Calypso Cabaret Show

What to expect: The Calypso Cabaret Show is a really entertaining way to spend an evening in Bangkok. The performers sing, dance, and put on a varied program — and the performers themselves are part of the spectacle. You may have heard of Thailand’s ladyboys, who take the stage at these cabaret shows in dazzling costumes.

Is it worth it? We watched a cabaret show on Koh Tao and found it absolutely fascinating. The transgender performers are incredibly brave, charming, and genuinely funny. Shows run about 50 minutes — short but sweet, and very distinctly Thai.

Activity location: At Asiatique The Riverfront, a little north of the Old Town

Ticket for the Calypso Cabaret Show (optionally with Thai dinner)

The Best Day Trips from Bangkok

Have more time in Bangkok and want to explore the surrounding area? Let our four favorite Bangkok day trips inspire you.

Day Trip to Ayutthaya

What to expect: Ayutthaya is a small city about 70 kilometers (43 miles) north of Bangkok, best known for its extraordinary temples. But for the Thai people, Ayutthaya means so much more — the city holds deep significance for Buddhism, and you can learn a great deal about the religion and Thailand’s history here.

Is it worth it? If you’re into temples and Buddhism, Ayutthaya is a great choice. We wouldn’t fly to Thailand specifically for it, but as a day trip from Bangkok or a stopover on the way to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, it’s really rewarding.

Trip duration: 1 to 2 days

Day trip from Bangkok to Ayutthaya

All the info for your Bangkok day trip to Ayutthaya:

Trip to the Floating Markets

What to expect: A popular day trip from Bangkok is a visit to the floating markets, where vendors sell their goods directly from small wooden boats. Honestly, it’s not all that authentic anymore — many of the markets on guided tours are more of a tourist attraction these days. During the peak season in Thailand, these places get very busy.

Is it worth it? Despite the tourism, the floating markets are still worth the outing. You get a real sense of what traditional trade along the waterways must have looked like — and the local products we bought and tasted were absolutely delicious. Most tours also include a stop at the Train Market, which is a highlight in itself.

Trip duration: 7 hours

Tour to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market & Train Market

Day Trip from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi

What to expect: Many travelers haven’t heard of Kanchanaburi yet — but the city is incredibly fascinating. It’s home to the so-called Death Railway, a rail line built during World War II by prisoners of war and forced laborers under inhumane conditions. A guided tour brings this history to life in a way that really stays with you.

Is it worth it? The railway is an incredible piece of history and a memorial all in one. Part of the line is still in operation today and is a popular attraction. On a guided tour you won’t ride the train — instead, you’ll visit famous sections of the route and other key sights, plus a stop at Erawan National Park along the way.

Trip duration: 13 to 14 hours

Day trip from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi

Day Trip to Pattaya and Koh Larn

What to expect: Pattaya is a popular resort town on Thailand’s eastern coast, about 150 kilometers (93 miles) south of Bangkok. On this day trip, you’ll first head to the small island of Koh Larn, where you get about four hours to swim, snorkel, and relax on white-sand beaches. Afterward, you’ll visit the Sanctuary of Truth — a temple built entirely out of wood.

Is it worth it? This trip is worth it if you’re not doing a longer road trip through Thailand and won’t be making it to any of the Thai islands or the beaches around Khao Lak. We genuinely believe: you have to experience the Thai coast at least once. The temple is impressive, but we wouldn’t make the trip to Pattaya for that alone.

Trip duration: About 10 hours

Day trip from Bangkok to Pattaya and Koh Larn