What to Do on the Bangkok Riverside
Bangkok Riverside is the most attractive part of Bangkok, and every visitor should go there one day, or even better, book a hotel on the riverbank. The Chao Phraya River has several famous temples: Wat Pho, Wat Arun and the Grand Palace with the famous Wat Phra Kaew. There are two famous places for visitors to shop and enjoy: Asiatique The Riverfront, a night market with many restaurants and a Ferris Wheel, and IconSiam, one of the largest shopping malls in Bangkok.
There are many great hotels by the river, some very luxurious like the Mandarin Oriental and the Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok, and some more affordable like the Riva Arun Bangkok near the famous Khao San Road. We often spend time by the riverside to enjoy restaurants with views and some of Bangkok’s most beautiful rooftop bars.
What to Do in Bangkok Riverside?
Asiatique The Riverfront
Asiatique is a shopping, dining and entertainment complex with a 60-metre Ferris wheel, carousel, and riverside walkway. Once the location of the East Asiatic Company’s port warehouse, Asiatique is now a lively shopping area with a night market, dozens of shops selling clothing and souvenirs, several restaurants, game rooms, and a haunted house ride called Mystery House. It’s also home to Calypso Bangkok, a colourful cabaret show with 2 performances every evening.
IconSiam
IconSiam in Bangkok is a premier shopping destination offering a blend of luxury, culture, and entertainment. The mall’s IconLuxe zone features world-renowned luxury brands, while its SookSiam area provides an immersive cultural experience with traditional Thai crafts, street food, and performances. Another highlight at IconSiam is its many dining spots, with a great choice of cafes and restaurants offering everything from local street food delights to global cuisines.
Talad Noi
Talad Noi is one of the best places to go in Bangkok to taste the city’s history and authentic roots. The Talad Noi neighbourhood sits next to Chinatown, and its narrow alleys, shophouses, temples, and markets offer a colourful view of the city’s Chinese and Thai cultural mix. Established some 200 years ago, Talad Noi was once a bustling port and industrial area and home to many Chinese immigrants who stayed and built their fortunes there.
Riverside Temples
Wat Phra Kaew
Wat Phra Kaew is an ornate Buddhist temple found within the sprawling grounds of the Grand Palace. One of Thailand’s most sacred sites, this temple, built in 1782 by King Rama I, is named for the Emerald Buddha statue that sits in the main ordination hall. Visitors could spend hours wandering the temple grounds, taking in its glittering spires, colourful Ramakian murals, and the large statues of Yaksha, the mythological giants that protect against evil spirits.
Wat Arun
Wat Arun, or the Temple of Dawn, is one of Bangkok’s must-see landmarks with its shimmering spires and stunning riverside location. Dating back to the Ayutthaya period, this Buddhist temple was renovated and expanded during the reign of King Rama II in the early 19th century. Set on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River, Wat Arun’s 82-meter prang (tower) decorated with intricate glazed porcelain tiles is a sight to behold.
Wat Pho
Wat Pho is Bangkok’s largest temple, best known for its huge 46-metre-long reclining Buddha statue. This awe-inspiring golden statue is 15 meters tall and takes up most of the space inside the temple’s main assembly hall (viharn). Wat Pho is also a centre for Thai traditional medicine, and you could book a Thai or foot massage session through its massage school, or even take a massage course to learn how to practise this healing art.
Where to Stay on the Bangkok Riverside?
Hotels on the Bangkok riverside offer a surprisingly good range of options. The riverside is home to some of the city’s most luxurious properties, such as the Mandarin Oriental, The Peninsula, and, more recently, Capella Bangkok, all known for their high-end amenities and prime river views. On both sides of the Chao Phraya River, travellers can also find more affordable options, including boutique hotels and budget-friendly stays that provide excellent value. Several riverside hotels feature rooftop bars or restaurants, such as threesixty at the Hilton Millennium, Sala Rattanakosin and ARUN Riverside, allowing guests to enjoy panoramic views of the city and famous landmarks like Wat Arun from some.
Mandarin Oriental Bangkok
| 5-star hotel – Riverfront |
The Mandarin Oriental Bangkok is the best riverside hotel in Bangkok and probably one of the most famed hotels in the world, with its long history of hosting glittering guests, a design that oozes opulence, and a superb location on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. Known for its impeccable service, the 331-room Mandarin Oriental offers a range of luxury accommodations from premier rooms to 2-bedroom suites with large river-view terraces.
Address: 48 Oriental Ave, Khwaeng Bang Rak, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500
Phone: 02 659 9000
Range: 5-star
Restaurants and bars: 10 restaurants, 1 bar, 2 lounges
How many pools: 1
Closest BTS station: BTS Saphan Taksin : 850 m
Closest MRT station: MRT Hua Lamphong: 2 km
Check the rates
Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok
| 5-star hotel – Riverfront |
The Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River is a 299-room hotel offering superb river views and a tranquil escape in the heart of the city, one of the best riverside hotels in Bangkok. Celebrated for its avant-garde design and lush tropical surroundings, the Four Seasons has become a dining destination, with Italian, French, and Cantonese restaurants among its culinary offerings.
Address: 300/1 Charoen Krung Road, Khwaeng Yan Nawa, Khet Sathon, Bangkok 10120
Phone: 02 032 0888
Range: 5-star
Restaurants and bars: 4 restaurants, 1 bar, 1 lounge
How many pools: 1
Closest BTS station: BTS Saphan Taksin: 1.1 km
Closest MRT station: MRT Hua Lamphong: 3.4 km
Check the rates
The Peninsula Bangkok
| 5-star hotel – Riverfront |
The Peninsula Bangkok is a luxurious 370-room hotel set on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River. The hotel’s design is a vision of classic elegance with optimal views of the river throughout, especially from its lovely three-tiered swimming pool. Among the luxurious touches to enjoy at The Peninsula are a fabulous 9-course culinary experience at the hotel’s Mei Jiang restaurant, spa treatments, and spacious silk-swathed guest suites.
Address: 333 Charoen Nakhon Rd, Khlong Ton Sai, Khlong San, Bangkok 10600
Phone: 02 020 2888
Range: 5-star
Restaurants and bars: 5 restaurants, 3 bars
How many pools: 1
Closest BTS station: BTS Charoen Nakhon: 450 m
Closest MRT station: MRT Hua Lamphong: 2.6 km
Check the rates
Bangkok Neighbourhoods
