14 Must See Temples in Bangkok

Amazing Temples of Bangkok

Bangkok is blessed with more than 400 temples. Locally known as ‘Wats’ many of them are immense, superbly crafted and should absolutely be part of your visit to Bangkok. With so many temples to discover, which one should be on your list? Three or four of them are famous, and they are all located in the old part of Bangkok’s Old Town.

The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew are definitely the most impressive, followed by the beautifully crafted Wat Pho just next door. Wat Arun, also called the Temple of Dawn, is just across the river. There are a few more in the old city area, but there are temples all over town and probably a few near your hotel. We started this list and will keep adding more as we review them.

Our List of Temples in Bangkok

The Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew

Bangkok Old Town

The Grand Palace of Bangkok and Wat Phra Kaew are the most famous landmarks in Bangkok, and they are often seen in many movies, a marvel of delicate and intricate craftwork, architecture, carving and painting ... Read More

Wat Pho – Temple of the reclining Buddha

Bangkok Old City

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 ... Read More

Wat Arun, the temple of Dawn

Thonburi

Wat Arun, also known as the temple of Dawn, is a significant landmark of Bangkok, built before 1656. It's much more modest than Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace or Wat Pho and the Giant Reclining Buddha, but its iconic shape is better known in many ways ... Read More

Wat Saket Bangkok

Bangkok Old Town

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 ... Read More

Loha Prasat Temple in Bangkok

Bangkok Old Town

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 ... Read More

Wat Benjamabophit

Dusit District

Wat Benjamabophit (Wat Benchamabophit Dusitwanaram), also known as the Marble Temple, is a magnificent temple located in the Dusit district of Bangkok. It is one of the most beautiful and iconic temples in the city, renowned for its stunning architecture and peaceful atmosphere ... Read More

Wat Traimit Witthayaram Worawihan

Chinatown

The striking spire of Wat Trai Mit protects a 5-metre-tall seated Buddha statue made of solid gold. Weighing in at 5.5 tonnes, the statue dates back to the 13th century and was originally covered in plaster ... Read More

Wat Suthat Thepwararam (Giant Swing)

Bangkok Old Town

Wat Suthat (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. Originally used in a Brahminic ritual to celebrate the rice harvest, the swing was later incorporated into Buddhist ceremonies ... Read More

Wat Kanlayanamit Woramahawihan

Thonburi

Wat Kanlayanamit is a magnificent temple in the Thonburi side of Chao Phraya River. It was constructed in 1825 during the reign of King Rama III on the bank of the Chao Phraya River ... Read More

Wat Chakkrawat Rachawat Woramahawihan

Chinatown

Wat Chakkrawat Rachawat Woramahawihan earned its nickname from the resident population of large reptiles. The legend goes that an especially belligerent man-eating croc with a missing eye, going by the nickname Ai-bod, was being hunted by angry locals and took refuge beneath a monk’s house in the temple ... Read More

Wat Prayoon

Thonburi

Wat Prayoon, also referred to as Wat Prayurawongsawat Worawihan, is a 19th-century Buddhist temple placed near the Memorial Bridge in Bangkok's Thonburi district ... Read More

Wat Mahathat Yuwaratrangsarit

Bangkok Old Town

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 ... Read More

2-Day Bangkok Temple Itinerary

✏️ Tips:

• Wear proper clothes: covered shoulders and knees for all temples.
• Start early: it gets very hot and crowded after 10:30 AM.
• Use river ferries: they are cheap, fast, and more fun than taxis.
• Use the MRT Blue Line to reach Chinatown easily on Day 2 (Wat Mangkon Station).
• Budget: Small entrance fees apply (Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Pho have entrance fees, others are mostly free or very cheap).

Map of Bangkok Temples

Videos of Bangkok Temples

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Loha Prasat Video

Wat Arun – The temple of Dawn Video

Wat Pho – Temple of the Reclining Buddha Video

Wat Phra Kaew Video