Thailand · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Thailand
Our pick of places across Thailand, from temple ruins and street food stalls to mountain trails, night markets and island beaches. Each one is chosen to help you find something memorable in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi, Ko Samui and Ayutthaya.
Places to Visit in Bangkok
Arts and Culture
- The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Phra Nakhon)
The former royal residence and the temple of the Emerald Buddha, the most sacred site in Thailand. - Wat Pho (Phra Nakhon)
Home of the giant Reclining Buddha and a famous traditional massage school. - Wat Arun (Bangkok Yai)
A porcelain covered riverside spire that glows at sunset, a short ferry from Wat Pho. - Jim Thompson House (Pathum Wan)
Traditional teak houses and a lovely garden collected by the American who revived Thai silk. - Wat Saket (Golden Mount) (Pom Prap Sattru Phai)
A spiral climb past bells to a golden chedi with views over the old city. - Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (Pathum Wan)
A free, airy contemporary art space with changing Thai exhibitions. - Museum Siam (Phra Nakhon)
A playful, interactive museum about what it means to be Thai. - The Jam Factory and Khlong San riverside (Khlong San)
A creative riverside complex of shops, a bookshop and a café.
Shopping and Markets
- Chatuchak Weekend Market (Chatuchak)
Thousands of stalls of clothes, plants, crafts and snacks across a huge weekend market. - Or Tor Kor Market (Chatuchak)
The finest fresh fruit, curries and Thai produce in the city, under one roof. - Pak Khlong Talat flower market (Phra Nakhon)
Mountains of jasmine, marigolds and orchids traded around the clock. - ICONSIAM (Khlong San)
A riverside mall with an indoor floating market of Thai regional food.
Restaurants
- Jay Fai (Phra Nakhon)
The famous goggles wearing street chef and her crab omelettes, worth the long queue. - Thip Samai (Phra Nakhon)
A long-running pad thai institution near the Golden Mount. - Yaowarat Road street food (Samphanthawong)
Chinatown after dark: noodles, grilled seafood, buns and desserts along one glowing road. - Victory Monument boat noodle alley (Ratchathewi)
Tiny bowls of rich boat noodles stacked high by locals and visitors alike. - Supanniga Eating Room (Sathorn)
Family recipes from eastern Thailand served in a warm, stylish room. - Krua Apsorn (Dusit)
Homely Thai cooking such as crab curry, once a favourite of the royal family.
Cafés
- Ari neighbourhood cafés (Phaya Thai)
A leafy district of independent cafés and small food stalls loved by young Bangkokians. - Lumphini Park (Pathum Wan)
The city park for morning tai chi, rowing boats and wandering monitor lizards.
Bars and Nightlife
- Vertigo and Moon Bar at Banyan Tree (Sathorn)
An open-air rooftop bar high above the city lights. - Sky Bar at Lebua (Bang Rak)
The famous rooftop bar with river views from the State Tower dome. - Saxophone Pub (Ratchathewi)
A long-standing live jazz and blues bar near Victory Monument.
Things to Do
- Chao Phraya Express Boat (Riverside)
A cheap, scenic way to hop between temples, markets and hotels on the river. - Thonburi canal long-tail boat ride (Thonburi)
Wooden houses, temples and daily life along the old canals. - Muay Thai at Rajadamnern Stadium (Pom Prap Sattru Phai)
Thai boxing in the historic home of the national sport. - Bang Krachao (Phra Pradaeng)
The green lung of Bangkok, best explored by bicycle on raised paths.
Events
- Songkran water festival (Silom and Khao San Road)
The Thai New Year in April turns streets into joyful water fights. - Loy Krathong on the Chao Phraya (Riverside)
Candlelit floats drift down the river on the full moon of November.
Stays
- Mandarin Oriental Bangkok (Bang Rak)
A legendary riverside hotel with a long literary history. - Chakrabongse Villas (Phra Nakhon)
A handful of rooms in a royal riverside garden facing Wat Arun.
Nature and Outdoors
- Benjakitti Forest Park (Khlong Toei)
Raised walkways over wetlands in the middle of the city.
Places to Visit in Chiang Mai
Arts and Culture
- Wat Phra That Doi Suthep (Doi Suthep)
A golden mountain temple above the city, reached by a naga staircase. - Wat Phra Singh (Old City)
The most revered temple in the old city, with a beautiful Lanna chapel. - Wat Chedi Luang (Old City)
A vast ruined chedi and monk chats where you can ask monks about their lives. - Wat Umong (Suthep)
A forest temple with old meditation tunnels and quiet trails. - Wat Phan Tao (Old City)
A dark teak temple lit by lanterns, lovely in the evening. - Baan Kang Wat (Suthep)
A small artists village of studios, workshops and cafés. - Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural Centre (Old City)
A clear introduction to the history of Chiang Mai and the Lanna kingdom.
Shopping and Markets
- Sunday Walking Street (Old City)
Ratchadamnoen Road fills with crafts, music and food every Sunday evening. - Warorot Market (Riverside)
Where locals buy northern sausage, dried fruit, fabrics and snacks. - Chiang Mai Night Bazaar (Chang Klan)
An evening market of souvenirs, clothes and food courts. - Wualai Saturday Walking Street (Wualai)
A smaller Saturday market famous for its silverwork.
Restaurants
- Khao Soi Khun Yai (Old City)
A simple lunchtime spot for the city signature curried noodle soup. - Khao Soi Mae Sai (Chang Phueak)
A local favourite for rich, fragrant khao soi. - Cowboy Hat Lady Khao Kha Moo (Chang Phueak Gate)
Slow braised pork leg on rice from a famous night stall. - Huen Phen (Old City)
Northern Thai dishes in an old house filled with antiques. - The Riverside Bar and Restaurant (Riverside)
Dinner and live music on the Ping River.
Cafés
- Ristr8to (Nimmanhaemin)
Serious coffee and latte art in the city cafe district. - Akha Ama Coffee (Old City)
Coffee grown by an Akha hill tribe community and roasted in town.
Bars and Nightlife
- North Gate Jazz Co-op (Chang Phueak Gate)
A tiny, packed bar with live jazz and open jam nights. - Nimmanhaemin Road bars (Nimmanhaemin)
Rooftops, craft beer and cocktail bars in the student quarter.
Things to Do
- Thai Farm Cooking School (Mae Taeng)
A farm cooking class with a market visit and herbs picked fresh. - Elephant Nature Park (Mae Taeng)
An observation-only sanctuary for rescued elephants.
Nature and Outdoors
- Doi Inthanon National Park (Chom Thong)
Thailand highest mountain, with cloud forest, waterfalls and twin pagodas. - Bua Tong Sticky Waterfall (Mae Taeng)
Limestone cascades you can walk straight up without slipping. - Monk Trail to Wat Pha Lat (Suthep)
A forest path to a peaceful hidden temple beside a stream.
Events
- Yi Peng lantern festival (Old City)
Lanterns fill the sky and candles line the streets around the November full moon. - Chiang Mai Flower Festival (Old City)
Floral parades and displays on the first weekend of February.
Stays
- Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai (Mae Rim)
Pavilions among rice terraces in the Mae Rim valley. - Tamarind Village (Old City)
A calm boutique hotel around a tamarind tree in the old city. - 137 Pillars House (Wat Ket)
A restored teak house and suites near the river.
Places to Visit in Phuket
Arts and Culture
- Phuket Old Town (Phuket Town)
Pastel Sino-Portuguese shophouses, shrines and cafés along Thalang Road. - Big Buddha Phuket (Chalong)
A white marble statue on the hills with views over the south of the island. - Wat Chalong (Chalong)
The island most important temple, full of local worshippers. - Soi Romanee (Phuket Town)
The prettiest lane of the old town, lined with colourful houses. - Thai Hua Museum (Phuket Town)
A museum on the Chinese and Peranakan history of the island.
Nature and Outdoors
- Promthep Cape (Rawai)
The island classic sunset viewpoint over the Andaman Sea. - Kata Noi Beach (Karon)
A small, pretty beach popular with families in the dry season. - Nai Harn Beach (Rawai)
A local favourite beach with a lake behind it. - Mai Khao Beach (Thalang)
A long quiet beach where planes pass low on their way to land. - Sirinat National Park (Thalang)
Protected northern beaches, mangrove boardwalks and turtles nesting in season.
Things to Do
- Phang Nga Bay sea canoe trip (Phang Nga Bay)
Paddle into hidden lagoons inside limestone islands. - Phuket Elephant Sanctuary (Paklok)
An observation-only sanctuary for elderly working elephants. - Similan Islands day trip (Khao Lak)
Clear water, reefs and granite boulders, open roughly mid October to mid May.
Shopping and Markets
- Phuket Sunday Walking Street (Lard Yai) (Phuket Town)
A Sunday evening market of food and crafts on Thalang Road. - Banzaan Fresh Market (Patong)
Seafood upstairs, cooked for you, and a busy local market below.
Restaurants
- Raya Restaurant (Phuket Town)
Classic Phuket dishes such as moo hong and crab curry in an old mansion. - Mee Ton Poe (Phuket Town)
A long-running shop for Phuket style hokkien noodles. - Kan Eang at Pier (Chalong)
Seafood by the water at Chalong pier. - One Chun (Phuket Town)
Home style southern Thai and Peranakan food in a retro room.
Bars and Nightlife
- Bangla Road (Patong)
The loud, neon nightlife street of Patong, best visited once. - Catch Beach Club (Bang Tao)
A stylish beach club for a sunset drink.
Stays
- Keemala (Kamala)
Unusual tree and cocoon pool villas in the hills above Kamala.
Places to Visit in Krabi
Nature and Outdoors
- Railay Beach and Phra Nang Cave Beach (Railay)
Sheer cliffs, white sand and a cave shrine reached only by boat. - Four Islands boat tour (Ao Nang)
Island hopping to Ko Poda, Chicken Island, Tup Island and Phra Nang. - Hong Islands (Than Bok Khorani National Park)
A hidden lagoon and calm water for kayaking and snorkelling. - Emerald Pool and Hot Spring Waterfall (Khlong Thom)
A clear jungle pool and warm spring cascades on one half-day trip. - Khao Ngon Nak trail (Ao Nang)
A tough jungle hike to a spectacular viewpoint over the coast. - Ko Lanta beaches (Ko Lanta)
A long, gentle island with family friendly beaches and sunsets.
Arts and Culture
- Wat Tham Suea (Tiger Cave Temple) (Krabi Town)
Over a thousand steps to a hilltop Buddha with huge views. - Ko Lanta Old Town (Ko Lanta)
Stilt houses, a Chinese shrine and sea gypsy culture on the east coast.
Things to Do
- Railay rock climbing courses (Railay)
Beginner climbing on world famous limestone cliffs. - Klong Root kayaking (Nuea Khlong)
Paddle through a clear jungle river near Krabi.
Shopping and Markets
- Krabi Town Weekend Night Market (Krabi Town)
A local market of food stalls and live music at weekends.
Restaurants
- Krabi Town Chao Fah Pier food market (Krabi Town)
Evening stalls for seafood, roti and noodles by the river.
Stays
- Rayavadee (Railay)
A resort of pavilions between three beaches on the Railay peninsula. - Pimalai Resort and Spa (Ko Lanta)
A resort on a quiet beach at the southern end of Ko Lanta.
Places to Visit in Ko Samui
Arts and Culture
- Wat Phra Yai (Big Buddha) (Bophut)
A golden Buddha on a small island joined by a causeway. - Wat Plai Laem (Bophut)
A many-armed Guanyin statue rising over a lake. - Secret Buddha Garden (Na Muang hills)
A quirky sculpture garden hidden high in the jungle hills. - Hin Ta and Hin Yai rocks (Lamai)
Famous rocks with a cheeky shape at the south end of Lamai.
Nature and Outdoors
- Ang Thong National Marine Park (Ang Thong)
Kayak and snorkel among forty islands and climb to an emerald lake viewpoint. - Na Muang Waterfalls (Na Muang)
Two jungle waterfalls with cool pools inland. - Choeng Mon Beach (Choeng Mon)
A calm, quiet bay good for families. - Ko Tao snorkelling at Shark Bay (Ko Tao)
Clear water, reefs and turtles off a small Gulf island. - Ko Nang Yuan (Ko Tao)
Three islets joined by a white sandbar. - Bottle Beach (Ko Phangan)
A remote beach on the north coast of Ko Phangan, reached by boat or trail.
Shopping and Markets
- Fisherman's Village Walking Street (Bophut)
A Friday night market on a street of old wooden shophouses. - Lamai Sunday Night Market (Lamai)
A local market with plenty of street food.
Restaurants
- Hua Thanon fishing village (Hua Thanon)
A Muslim fishing village with simple seafood and colourful boats. - The Jungle Club (Chaweng hills)
Hilltop views and Thai and Western food above Chaweng.
Bars and Nightlife
- Full Moon Party at Haad Rin (Ko Phangan)
The famous monthly beach party, best enjoyed carefully. - Coco Tam's (Bophut)
Beanbags, fire shows and cocktails on the sand.
Stays
- Six Senses Samui (Choeng Mon)
Hillside villas and sea views on a quiet headland.
Places to Visit in Ayutthaya
Arts and Culture
- Ayutthaya Historical Park (Ayutthaya)
The ruins of the old royal capital, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. - Wat Mahathat Buddha head (Ayutthaya)
The famous stone Buddha head wrapped in the roots of a tree. - Wat Chaiwatthanaram (Ayutthaya)
A riverside temple of Khmer style towers, beautiful at sunset. - Wat Phra Si Sanphet (Ayutthaya)
Three restored chedis on the site of the old royal palace. - Bang Pa-In Royal Palace (Bang Pa-In)
A summer palace of lakes and pavilions in many styles. - Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon (Ayutthaya)
A tall chedi surrounded by rows of saffron robed Buddhas.
Things to Do
- Cycling the island (Ayutthaya)
Rent a bicycle and ride between the ruins at your own pace.
Shopping and Markets
- Ayutthaya Night Market (Ayutthaya)
Evening food stalls near the historical park.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- Grand Canyon Chiang Mai water park (Hang Dong, Chiang Mai)
A flooded quarry with inflatable obstacles and swimming. - Chillva Market (Phuket Town, Phuket)
A night market of container shops and street food loved by locals. - Campus Coffee Roaster (Phuket Town, Phuket)
A specialty roaster in the old town. - The Shore at Katathani (Kata Noi, Phuket)
Calm villas on one of the island family beaches. - Ao Nang Seafood Street (Ao Nang, Krabi)
Choose fresh seafood by weight and eat by the sea. - Railay East reggae bars (Railay, Krabi)
Laid-back bars with fire shows at night. - Ayutthaya boat noodles near Wat Mahathat (Ayutthaya, Ayutthaya)
Bowls of rich boat noodles in a city famous for them.