1. Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew
The former royal residence, with the Temple of the Emerald Buddha inside the same walls. It's the city's most famous sight, so plan it first thing.
- Area
- Rattanakosin (Old City)
- Hours
- 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. daily; tickets sold 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. The official page lists no closed days.
- Price
- ฿500 for foreigners (includes Wat Phra Kaew and the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles)
- Getting there
- MRT Sanam Chai (Exit 1), or express boat to Tha Chang (N9) or Tha Tien (N8)
- Tip
- Tickets are sold at the gate or online. The palace is a place of reverence for Thai people, so dress carefully (see the dress code).
- Muslim-friendly
- The official dress code bans sleeveless tops, short pants, mini skirts, and torn, tight or see-through clothing, so loose long clothing works well for everyone.
2. Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha)
Bangkok's oldest temple, home to a gilded reclining Buddha about 46 metres long. It's next to the Grand Palace, so the two pair well.
- Area
- Rattanakosin (Old City)
- Hours
- 8:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m. (official page)
- Price
- ฿300 for foreigners (children under 120 cm free)
- Getting there
- On Sanam Chai Road next to the Grand Palace; MRT Sanam Chai (Exit 1) is about a 5-minute walk
- Tip
- Go early or late in the day to miss the crowds. No shorts, and women should not wear shorts above the knee.
3. Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)
A riverside temple with a tall tower covered in porcelain. It's best seen from the water or from the Rattanakosin side at sunset.
- Area
- Thonburi (across the river)
- Hours
- 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. daily (per a May 2026 guide; check before you go)
- Price
- ฿200 for adults (per the same guide)
- Getting there
- Cross the Chao Phraya by ferry from Tha Tien pier, near Wat Pho
- Tip
- Cover shoulders and knees. Carry some cash for the ferry and ticket.
4. Museum Siam
A hands-on museum in a 1922 building. Its main show, "Decoding Thainess", uses 14 interactive rooms to explain Thai history, beliefs, food and daily life. A good indoor stop in the heat.
- Area
- Rattanakosin (Old City)
- Hours
- 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m., Tuesday to Sunday; closed Mondays
- Price
- ฿100 for adults (children under 15 free)
- Getting there
- MRT Sanam Chai (Exit 1); the entrance is at the top of the stairs
- Tip
- Allow 1.5 to 2 hours. It's an easy add-on to a Wat Pho day.
5. Jim Thompson House Museum
A teak house on a canal, once the home of the American businessman who revived the Thai silk trade. Visits are by guided tour.
- Area
- Pathumwan (near Siam)
- Hours
- 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. daily; last entry 5:00 p.m.
- Price
- ฿250 adults; ฿150 under 22; free under 10
- Getting there
- BTS National Stadium (Exit 1), about a 5-minute walk; or Khlong Saen Saep boat to Hua Chang Pier
- Tip
- Guided tours run hourly in Thai and English. Wooden floors can be slippery after rain.
- Muslim-friendly
- The silk Jim Thompson sold came from Ban Khrua, a weaving community founded by Cham Muslims in 1787 (see our halal travel guide to Bangkok).
6. Chatuchak Weekend Market
A huge, maze-like market with clothes, crafts, plants and food stalls. Section 16 has Muslim-run food stalls.
- Area
- Chatuchak
- Hours
- Saturday–Sunday, 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. (some zones open Friday afternoon)
- Price
- Free to enter
- Getting there
- BTS Mo Chit (Exit 1) or MRT Kamphaeng Phet (Exit 2)
- Tip
- Come at 9:00–11:00 a.m. or after 4:00 p.m. to avoid the worst heat. Bring water and a market map or app.
- Muslim-friendly
- A 2026 halal guide lists Section 16 for Muslim-run food stalls. Look for the halal sign or logo before ordering.
7. Chao Phraya Tourist Boat
A hop-on, hop-off boat from Sathorn to Phra Arthit that stops near the Grand Palace and Wat Pho. It's a cheap way to see the river and skip road traffic.
- Area
- Chao Phraya River
- Hours
- About 8:30 a.m.–7:15 p.m. daily (approximate). Regular express boats run Monday to Friday only.
- Price
- ฿40 per trip or ฿150 for an all-day pass (per an August 2026 guide)
- Getting there
- Board at Sathorn pier (BTS Saphan Taksin). Useful stops are Tha Chang (Grand Palace) and Tha Tien (Wat Pho and the Wat Arun ferry).
- Tip
- Check fares at the pier; they change. Express boats do not go into the canals.
8. Haroon Mosque
An active neighbourhood mosque dating from the 1800s, in the old Muslim quarter by the river. The present two-storey building was finished in 1934 and has Arabic calligraphy and carved decoration.
- Area
- Bang Rak
- Hours
- Open daily; call ahead to confirm visiting times around prayers (08-1488-8154, per a Thai tourism listing)
- Price
- No fee listed
- Getting there
- Charoen Krung Soi 36, Bang Rak. Go to the Bang Rak or Si Phraya area, then take a taxi or motorbike taxi into the soi.
- Tip
- Friday midday is busy with worshippers. Ask before taking photos and don't walk across prayer areas.
- Muslim-friendly
- Muslims are welcome to pray. Dress modestly: long pants and sleeves for men; covered arms, legs and hair for women.
Hours and prices were checked October 1, 2026 on the sources below and can change. Tour links search GetYourGuide and Klook; some earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.
