Bangkok Visitor Guide 2024: Everything you need to know

Thailand's capital Bangkok is one of the world's most popular tourist destinations. Home to unique Thai culture, incredible food, and close to gorgeous scenery, Bangkok is a great place to visit for any reason. It's no wonder around 20 million people visit the city every year.

These millions of people find plenty to do in this ever-evolving metropolis. Full of incredible museums, famous nightlife, and cultural attractions, Bangkok can seem like a full-frontal assault on the senses for first-time visitors. And whether it's your first visit or your hundredth, you'll never run out of things to do in this Asian jewel. Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of this unique city and see why millions of people around the world recognize Bangkok as a wonderful place to visit.

14 Best Ways to Experience Bangkok in 2024

Arrive in Bangkok and you will immediately sense that Asian vibe. Streets bustle with food vendors, ancient palaces abound, and at any time of day or night there will be something exciting happening. 

Surrounded by so much to experience, the last thing you will want to be doing is be hauling bags. Stow any bags you don’t need at a Bounce storage facility and dive into your exotic adventure.

Best cooking class — Tingly Thai Cooking School

No visit to Thailand is complete without sampling the unique cuisine. For some, the desire to recreate and share those delicious meals is going to be almost overpowering, and Mr Tingly recognized that when he set up his culinary school.

On these one-day courses, transport is provided and you will visit a local market to purchase fresh produce for your cooking adventure. Contact Mr Tingly at tinglythaicooking@hotmail.com or by calling + 66 869032963.

Best small group tour — Bigcountry Vacation

There is a great deal to see and experience in Bangkok and Bigcountry tours are just the people to guide to the best and most exciting options. Licensed as official tour operators, this company specializes in small groups wanting unique experiences. Tours range from must-do visits to the Damnoen floating market to cycling, boat, and walking tours.

To find out more about the varied tours on offer, call +6686897 or email travelinbangkok@gmail.com.

Best private tour — Thai Private Tour Guide

This is a company with a passion for showing off their city as well as destinations slightly further afield such as the famous Bridge over the River Kwai or their popular elephant tour. 

To find out more about the plethora of tours on offer, call +66 82 799 1099 or email them at chob@thaitourguide.com.

Best photography tour — Nikki Tour Guide

Nikki was born in Bangkok and has used his passion for photography and travel to create a customized tour guiding business. He will help you tailor tours to your individual tastes.

To work out an itinerary with Nikki, call him on +66 83 631 2013 or better still, email on nikkitourguide@gmail.com and he will call you to help create that individual experience you are after.

Best local tour — LJ Biz – Lets Tour Bangkok

LJ Biz is a collaborative venture created by two sisters, Buay and Eng. Together these sisters have put together a tour company that specializes in small groups and offers all sorts of ways to experience Bangkok. Let them guide you to major sites or tickle your taste buds on a food tour.

Buay and Eng propose a variety of tours both in Bangkok and further away. Email them at sales1@lets-tour-bangkok.com or call on +66 2616 6007.

Best bike tour — Jamming Thailand

One way of avoiding Bangkok’s notorious traffic jams is on two wheels. Jam and Ex offer cycle and electric scooter tours that will take you to authentic destinations where you can sample local cuisine or visit popular attractions.

To get a better idea of some of the tours on offer call +66 90 991 5088 or email info@bankokescooter.tours 

Best food tour — Taste of Thailand Food Tours

This is one for the dedicated foodie. This is a city with a thousand dishes and each of them tells a story. To help guide you to authentic restaurants and unravel the stories behind those dishes call +66 91 571 7701 or email marketing@tasteofthailand.org

Best walking tour — Bangkok Walking Tour

This company has been offering guided walking tours for sixteen years so they ought to know their stuff. They propose a variety of tours including day and night tours and even a fee walking tour so grab a pair of comfortable shoes and call them on +66 82 799 1099 or email Chob@thaitorgudie.com

Best local experience — Bangkok Vanguards

This company of international guides tries to show a side of Bangkok that you might not usually see. This isn’t for those wishing to visit glitzy palaces or tourist meccas. Instead, this is a company that will show you the city through a completely different set of eyes. Email hello@bangkokvanguards.com or call on +66 90 917 8727

Best tuk tuk tour — Bangkok Tuk Tuk Tour

The tuk-tuk is the quintessential way to get around Bangkok, so what better way to enjoy a night tour than with an experienced guide whizzing you to some of the best spots by tuk-tuk? The company specializes in smaller groups and will collect you from your hotel to start your adventure. Email Chob@thaitourguide.com or call +66 82 799 1099.

Best boat tour — Canal Tour Bangkok

One of the best ways to experience this dynamic city is from the water and Canal Tour Bangkok have put together some itineraries to allow you to do just that.  They include sunset tours, bus and boat tours and tours that can be flexed to suit your specific needs.

Call +66 82 799 1099 or email bangkok@canaltourbangkok.com

Best night tour — Bangkok Night Tour

This is a city that comes into its own after dark. Once the sun sets you will see a whole new world start to come awake, and these night tours will allow you to see the best of what is on offer in complete safety and while accompanied by experienced guides. Whether you want to explore a particular aspect of the city, sample local cuisine, or put together a tour of your own making, this company can help you put it all together. Call +66 82 799 1099 or email Chob@thaitourguide.com 

Best in-depth tour — Bangkok Bike Adventure

Here’s a company that has been around since 2014 and has guided literally thousands of cycle tourists about the city in that time. Their qualified guides, reliable bikes, and time-tested experience will enable you to see places you may never have found on your own. At the same time, an experienced local will be able to explain to you the deeper background to each new thing you discover. 

Call + 66 85 918 6324 or email contact@bangkokbikeadventure.com 

Best adventure tours — Bangkok Urban Adventures

The stated aim of this company is to help you get under the skin of the city. They yearn to show you facets of Bangkok that other companies don't get to. Whether it is on the water, on a bike, or on foot, this company will show you aspects of the city from the ancient through to the modern. All the way you will benefit from your guide’s in-depth local knowledge.

Call +66 92 906 7575 or email info@bangkokurbanadventures.com

A weekend in Bangkok

With only a couple of days in Bangkok, you'll really only be able to scratch the surface of everything the capital has to offer. On such a tight timeframe, there are certain attractions that simply can't be missed. Drop off your bags at a luggage storage service in Bangkok and get a glimpse of what the city has to offer.

• See the unique architecture of the Grand Palace. Built in 1782, this imposing structure was the royal residence of Thailand's rulers. It's now home to a museum that explains the history of Thailand and houses the famous Jade Buddha. It's the perfect place to get some photos and learn a little more about the country's history.
• See one of Thailand's most impressive temples at Wat Pho. The oldest temple in the city, this spiritual place is famous for its reclining Buddha, a statue so big you can only see it in sections.
• Get lost among the busy stalls of Chatuchak Market. This weekend market may be the largest in the world, and you'll find just about anything you might want to buy here. You could easily spend the entire day mixing with the locals and meeting the traders while you pick out some unique gifts for people back home.

Bangkok lockers

Bangkok is a busy and lively place where you want to keep your wits about you. The frenetic pace of the city makes it a great place to explore on foot or via public transit, but you won't want to carry heavy bags with you if you can avoid it. That's why it's a good idea to drop off your belongings with a Bangkok luggage storage service. Travel light, and you'll be able to see far more of this fascinating city.

Off the beaten path in Bangkok

Bangkok is a must-see destination for millions of travelers from around the world. For that reason, as unique as the city is, it can sometimes feel overrun with foreign visitors. However, if you step away from the well-beaten tourist trail, the city still has plenty that can surprise you. Try some of these less well-known gems to see another side of Bangkok.

• Lumpini Park is an oasis from the traffic and noise of the city. You can stroll the well-manicured lawns or hire a boat and explore the lake in the center of the park. Surrounded by skyscrapers, this green space is an intriguing place for photos and is perfect for some relaxation. Keep an eye out for the Asian water monitor lizards that hang out near the lake, but don't get too close.
• See an airplane graveyard off Ramkhamhaeng Road. This isn’t exactly a tourist attraction; instead, it’s the yard where airplanes are stripped down and sold for scrap. Still, it’s a fascinating place to wander and see pieces of planes in various states of being dismantled. Drop off your bags at a luggage locker in Bangkok and see this unique place for yourself.
• Get creeped out at the Siriraj Medical Museum. The exhibits here, including mummified corpses and deformed organs, require a strong stomach. But for those interested in the history of medicine, this is a truly unique place to visit.

What to do alone in Bangkok

Thai people are known around the world for their friendliness and hospitality. Additionally, because it's so popular with both travelers and ex-pats, you'll find plenty of company in Bangkok if you want to. The city is so busy that you'll rarely feel alone, and traveling solo allows you to focus only on the things you truly want to do.

• Everywhere you go in Bangkok, you'll find amazing street food. In fact, some of the best of what the city has to offer can be found on the heavily touristed Khao San Road. Wander from stall to stall trying some of the best Thai cuisine, or duck into one of the many bars to mix with both locals and foreigners.
• Enjoy the excitement of a Muay Thai fight. This martial art, the basis of modern kickboxing, is steeped in ancient tradition and remains popular with the Thai people today. Join the crowd at a fight and cheer on the combatants like a local.
• Take a cruise on the Chao Phraya River. This broad waterway winds through the city and offers spectacular views of the surrounding buildings. Try to head out on the water around sunset to see the ancient temples and modern skyscrapers light up against the sunset. Drop off your bags at a Bangkok bag storage and enjoy your boat trip.

The best souvenirs in Bangkok

Bangkok is home to many lively markets that are great places to pick up souvenirs. If you're looking for the classic gift from Thailand, a pair of baggy elephant pants are a backpacker's favorite and can be found in any souvenir shop in the city. You could also try a POY-SIAN herbal inhaler, available in convenience stores throughout the city. For something truly unique, head to Papaya vintage shop. This unusual store sells just about anything old and quirky. You'll find movie props next to vintage clothes, antique furniture, toys, and other surprising items.