Discover Old Town Bangkok with guides to historic temples, local shops, and traditional culture. Explore Bangkok’s charming ancient district and heritage sites.
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.