How to spend two days in Bangkok: 10 best things to do & see

Bangkok is often a stop on many routes in South East Asia. Especially, if you are flying to or from Europe, Australia or the US, you will most likely find your way to Bangkok at some point during your travels. But instead of continuing your journey straight away, why not take a few days and explore Bangkok? The capital of Thailand is a popular destination for any kind of traveller and has multiple highlights and things to see which you simply cannot miss. The colorful temples, the vibrant night life and the hectic atmosphere on the streets among the countless tuk-tuks: Bangkok is one of the cities in Asia you simply have to experience. This guide is all about getting to know Bangkok in just two days without missing out on any highlight. Of course, if you have the time to stay longer, you can extend the things to do by visiting even more places around the city.

Visit the stunning Wat Arun Temple

Bangkok is home to many beautiful temples, which all invite you to dive deeper into the culture and background of the city and Thailand in general. Therefore, of course, on the list of the best things to see in Bangkok, you will find beautiful temples. On your two days in Bangkok, you should for sure find time to visit the Wat Arun Temple. It is one of the prettiest temples in the city and located directly at the river side. The Buddhist temple is simply a piece of art. Covered in millions of ceramic tiles, it is impressive to visit and to explore.

Make sure to visit the temple during the day and as well, check it out from the other side as soon as it gets dark. The lights and the structure are incredibly photogenic and provide a totally different atmosphere.

Go sightseeing at the beautiful Wat Pho Temple

Are you ready to see one of the largest Buddha sculptures? If so, you should visit the popular Wat Pho Temple. It is located directly at the opposite shore of the river, where you find the Wat Arun. This makes it easy to combine the two temples in one day.

The Wat Pho Temple is mainly known for the Reclining Buddha, a 15 meters long golden sculpture. You definitely need to see this while in Bangkok. Even though, you will visit quite a few temples when travelling around Asia, this is special.

Many buddhists come to worship at the temple. But it is not only the Reclining Buddha which makes the Wat Pho Temple worth to visit. The temple itself consist of numerous smaller buildings with a beautiful artsy design. Make sure to take at least an hour to stroll around the temple and witness the incredible details.

Visit the Grand Palace

For most tourists, the Grand Palace is a something you must see in Bangkok. For some, this is the most important monument of the city as it was once the home of the King. You should definitely stop at the Grand Palace and have a look at it from the outside. As it is located directly next to the Wat Pho Temple, you can combine the visits.

Still, it is not highly recommended to go inside the Grand Palace unless you really want to. The entry fees are quite high and it is not as special as you might think. Regarding the fact that you have only two days to see the best of Bangkok, you can totally skip it. But of course, do not miss to take a look at the spectacular building from the outside.

The Chao Phraya River and the Bangkok Floating Market

Another great way to experience a unique side of Bangkok is by going on a tour over the river. The Chao Phraya River is the main river floating through the city of Bangkok. Of course, it can best be explored by boat. The countless little canals show you a different side of the city and you get to see some of the more remote areas.

The best stop during the tour is probably the Floating Market in Bangkok. Local sellers offering goods on the market on the water – an absolute highlight for tourists. Be aware, that the Floating Market is indeed a tourist hotspot, but still a must-do during your two days.

When booking your boat tour, make sure you book with your hotel or at the official ferry point. Bangkok is not only the capital of Thailand, but as well the capital of scams. And the boat tours on the river are one of the most frequent scams on tourists.

Enjoy the delicious street food in the Khao San Road

The Khao San Road is the number one place to be for street food in Bangkok. The road is mainly known as a backpacker´s district, but all different tourists and travellers gather as soon as it gets dark to enjoy the cuisine of Bangkok. You will find different tiny restaurants and food stalls offering all kinds of dishes. It is the ideal place to end your first day in Bangkok and get something to eat or meet up with other travellers.

There are even stands selling fried insects or scorpions. On some you can get sweet and delicious pancakes and others invite you to try the best fruit juice in the city. The Khao San Road is a massive experience and an absolute must-do for everybody visiting Bangkok.

The best thing to taste when eating in Bangkok is Pad Thai. It’s the national dish and can simply not be missed. But there are even more options in the street food places and you will find something for any taste.

You can order a tuk-tuk from anywhere in Bangkok to reach the Khao San Road. Most travellers do stay in the nearby area, which makes it easy to reach the street food hotspot by foot. And of course, you should come with an empty stomach to be able to try everything!

Stroll through China Town

China Town is best to visit during the evening. But on a 2-day trip to the city, you will not have time to come to China Town after sunset, so it is best to explore it in the morning. You can enjoy a delicious breakfast here and stroll through the colorful streets.

Make sure to start your days in Bangkok early to have enough time to see all the highlights. During the hot season, you might want to take a break at your hotel during midday to avoid the incredibly hot and humid temperatures.

Take a relaxing break at the Lumphini Park

Whenever you feel like taking a rest or you need a break from the chaos of the streets, the Lumphini Park is a great idea. It seems to be one of the only green places in Bangkok. Locals love to come here and meet. You can have a picnic in the grass or walk around the park and enjoy the nature.

If you have more time, you can paddle over the small but beautiful lake. This really does feel like a little escape from the city. Plus, it shows you a different side of Bangkok and a true favorite among the locals.

Go for a little shopping tour in Bangkok

To be honest, shopping in Bangkok is a must-do. There are different options. While you can spend either your money in one of the massive shopping centers, you can as well visit a popular local market. It is called the Chatuchak Market and counts as one of the largest markets worldwide. With hundreds of different sellers, you can basically get anything. From food to souvenirs and clothes – you will not leave with empty hands.

The best shopping mall in Bangkok is the Siam Paragon and the Siam Center. This calls for some fun for the travelling ladies, but as well the men can spend some time to get to know new side of Bangkok! And if you love vintage, you will be in heaven when visiting Bangkok. There are countless vintage stores and markets where you can get unique clothing and stroll through the different shops.

The best thing to do in Bangkok: Enjoy the sunset from a rooftop bar

Visiting a sky bar in the city is one of the best things to see and do in Bangkok. Even on a short trip to Bangkok, this needs to be high up on your list. Due to the absolute horrible traffic in Bangkok, you should make your way to the bar quite early to avoid any hassle or even missing the sunset. There are different sky bars in the city, each on a different budget.

Most sky bars do not charge any entry fee, but you need to buy a drink on top. These usually start around seven euros. From the bars, which are mostly located on the roof top of a hotel, you can overlook the entire city. Watching the sun set over Bangkok and the millions of lights turning on, is a unique experience.

A selection of best sky bars in Bangkok:

• Cloud 47 Rooftop Bar
• Vertigo Rooftop Bar
• Above Eleven Bar
• Lebua Sky-Bar at the State Tower (known from the Hangover Movies)
• Char Rooftop Bar
• Octava

Watch a Thai Boxing Match, a Ping-Pong show or get a Thai Massage

Well… how do you spend your last evening in Bangkok? After an incredible time at the Sky Bar you can finish your time in the city with different options.

For some travellers, watching a traditional Thai Boxing Match has always been high up on the list. If this is something you want to do, make sure to research first. There are different locations where you can go, but you should check them out first. You can always ask in your hotel or a tuk-tuk driver for more detailed information.

Another, maybe cheekier, option is a Ping-Pong show. Most travellers do know what is truly behind those mysterious shows. While it can be quite disturbing, it can as well be an unforgettable experience on your travels. The choice is yours

And if you just want to take some time for yourself before leaving Bangkok, why don’t you go for a massage? A Thai Massage is a must-do in Bangkok and it can help you relax before your journey continues.

Short but sweet: Two days in Bangkok

Two days do fly by pretty fast. But still, it is absolutely possible to explore the city in a minimum of time. Make sure to not miss out on the highlights and the best things to see in Bangkok and to really soak in the crazy atmosphere.

And if you even have more time left, you can take it more easy or add some things to do to your list.