Discover Old Town Bangkok with guides to historic temples, local shops, and traditional culture. Explore Bangkok’s charming ancient district and heritage sites.
Maha Rat Road runs behind the Grand Palace along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok’s historic Rattanakosin district. This lively street connects famous temples like Wat Pho, known for its giant reclining Buddha, and Wat Phra Kaew at the Grand Palace.
Chakrabongse Dining occupies a unique location by the riverside of Bangkok. Built in 1908 by Prince Chakrabongse as a riverside retreat, the villa overlooks Wat Arun and the Chao Phraya River, creating an unmatched backdrop for a romantic dinner.
Ha Tien Cafe hides near Maharat Road in the Tha Tien district, steps away from Wat Pho. This vintage-style cafe occupies a century-old shophouse transformed into a three-storey space filled with antique furniture, taxidermied animals, and vintage collectables.
Visit Baan Chao Phraya Art Gallery in Bangkok’s Old Town. Free entry to changing Thai art exhibitions in a restored neoclassical mansion on Phra Athit Road.
Phra Athit Road runs alongside the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok’s old city, just a short walk from Khao San Road via Rambuttri Alley. This riverside area draws growing numbers of travellers seeking an authentic, less touristy alternative to the busier backpacker district nearby.
For over a century, Song Wat Road quietly existed as one of Bangkok’s most anonymous streets. Running parallel to the famous Yaowarat Road in Chinatown, this 1.2-kilometre stretch was lined with neglected shophouses, empty warehouses, and small local businesses that few visitors ever noticed.
Mega Plaza Saphan Lek is a massive shopping mall in Bangkok. It is located in Bangkok Old Town and very close to Chinatown. It is the prime destination for gamers and toy collectors
Right in the heart of Bangkok’s old town, Thipsamai is one of those legendary pad Thai spots everyone talks about. The queue moves fast, takeaway is quick, and there’s an indoor A/C area if you want to sit and eat in comfort.
Wat Ratchabophit Sathit Maha Simaram is one of those temples that surprised me. Tucked away near the Grand Palace, it was built in 1869 by King Rama V, and what makes it stand out is how it seamlessly blends classic Thai design with a touch of European style inside.
Eagle Nest is one of those rooftops I keep going back to. It’s not high up like many others in Bangkok, but the view is hard to beat. Located right on top of Sala Rattanakosin Hotel, the bar looks directly across the river to Wat Arun.
Nusara is one of the best dinners we’ve had in Bangkok for a long time. Chef Ton, a long-time friend, created this restaurant as a tribute to his grandmother, who inspired his love for Thai cooking.
This video of Loha Prasat takes you to one of Bangkok’s most unique and overlooked temples. Located within the Wat Ratchanatdaram complex, Loha Prasat, or the “Metal Castle,” is a multi-tiered structure with 37 metal spires, representing the 37 virtues of enlightenment in Buddhism.
This Wat Pho video takes you to one of Bangkok’s most famous and historic temples. Known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, Wat Pho is home to a massive 46-metre-long golden Buddha statue, making it one of the most visited religious sites in Thailand.
This Wat Phra Kaew Video takes you to one of Thailand’s most sacred and important temples. Also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Phra Kaew is located within the Grand Palace complex in Bangkok and is considered the spiritual heart of Thai Buddhism.
Bangkok Flower Market (The Pak Khlong Talat) is a picturesque sight in the old town. The marketplace hosts dozens of vendors selling just about everything, from fresh-cut flowers and potted plants to traditional garlands and flower arrangements.
Tha Phra Chan is a historic pier on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. Named after a bronze bell that once hung in a nearby temple, this important transportation hub serves as a gateway to many notable attractions in Bangkok Old Town, including the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and Wat Pho.
Wat Suthat Thepwararam (Giant Swing) is a famous Buddhist temple dating back to the late 18th century. It’s mostly known for its towering red teak swing standing at 21 m. Due to its towering height, it can be seen from other areas in Bangkok Old Town.
Museum Siam in Bangkok Old Town offers an interactive and engaging way to learn about Thailand’s history and culture. It occupies a 19th-century building on Sanam Chai Road, which puts you within a 5-minute walk of Wat Pho.
Tha Maharaj is a riverside community mall in Bangkok’s Old Town, just next door to Tha Phra Chan Pier. It’s one of those places I like to stop by after wandering around the temples or the amulet markets nearby.
Tha Tian Market is a sizable community marketplace on Rattanakosin Island, right next to Wat Pho. It offers a unique shopping experience, thanks to its largely local clientele. Most of the vendors sell dried salted seafood wholesale and retail, but you can also find fresh produce and daily necessities.
The most attractive hotels in Bangkok Old Town are the riverside ones, often housed in renovated old houses spanning several floors and often featuring rooftops with stunning views of the famous Wat Arun across the Chao Phraya River.
Bangkok Old Town, Rattanakosin Island, is a historic area that reflects the city’s rich cultural heritage. The Grand Palace, a magnificent architectural feat and former royal residence, is a focal point.
Wat Mahathat Yuwaratrangsarit doesn’t always show up on first-timers’ lists, but it’s one of the oldest and most significant temples in Bangkok. You’ll find it tucked between the Grand Palace and what used to be the Front Palace — not far from Sanam Luang.
The National Museum of Bangkok is a captivating treasure trove of Thai art, history, and culture, located conveniently near the iconic Grand Palace and the bustling Khaosan Road.
The highlight of Bangkok Old Town is its cultural heritage. Bangkok Old Town, also known as Rattanakosin Island, the area was once the capital of the Kingdom of Siam.
Khao San Road, together with Soi Rambuttri, is a vibrant street in the Banglamphu district of Bangkok, not far from the famous Wat Phra Kaew (The Grand Palace) and Wat Pho.
Loha Prasat, or Wat Ratchanatdaram Worawihan, is a superb temple in the old city of Bangkok, easily identified by its 37 golden spires. In the recent past, Loha Prasat was known as the Iron Temple or the Metal Castle because the 37 iron spires were originally bare and black.
Methavalai Sorndaeng is an old-fashioned Thai restaurant frozen in time, just next to the Democracy Monument, not far from Khao San. There are so many Thai restaurants in Bangkok finding something original for a special occasion will be difficult.
Wat Saket Bangkok, more officially Ratcha Wora Maha Wihan, is a Buddhist temple in Rattanakosin, not far from the famous Khao San Road. The famous Golden Mount is easily visible from a distance.
Wat Pho, the temple of the reclining Buddha or Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Rajwaramahawihan, is such an iconic landmark of Bangkok that it is on everyone’s list of places to visit, even on a short trip.
The Grand Palace of Bangkok, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and Wat Phra Kaew (or Wat Pra Kaew) are, without a doubt, the most famous landmarks in Bangkok, and they are often seen in many movies.
