From the beautiful temples to the most modern malls, here are the most unique and instagrammable places to see in Bangkok
One of the most stunning temple in Thailand, Wat Arun stands out thanks to its notably different design from other temples in Bangkok.
Set on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, the temple is a grand and striking sight that will enchant you and your Instagram followers!
When the sun sets over the city, Wat Arun is lit up like a shimmering tower of gold against the inky night sky.
Whether you capture its beauty from across the river, or climb to the top and snap some close-ups and shots of the view, Wat Arun is one of the best sights in Bangkok and a perfect backdrop for your Bangkok photography.
Wat Pho is a beautiful temple complex that houses one of the city’s most famous attractions: a 46-meter long statue of Buddha.
The statue shows Buddha in a relaxed, reclined position, and is covered entirely in gold leaf!
The rest of the temple is equally magnificent; ornate patterned ceilings arch over intricate interiors, and lush sprouts of greenery pepper the colourful courtyards. I recommend getting an iconic picture standing amongst the spires!
Exploring the outside grounds of Wat Pho in Bangkok, Thailand
Wat Pho gets quite busy during the day, so if you want to get some cool shots with the reclining Buddga you should aim to get here early in the morning.
However we visited in the early afternoon and were able to find peaceful corners among the spires in the courtyard even if other spots were busier.
Built from marbles imported from Italy, Wat Benchamabophit is also known as the marble temple. I think it’s one of the most beautiful temples in the city, and one of the best places to see in Bangkok.
It flaunts a photogenic symmetry that will stop Instagram scrollers in their tracks!
Light coloured marble is adorned with splashes of red and gold, while the structure is shaped with balanced curves and angles that the eye can’t help but find pleasing!
Snap a strikingly symmetrical shot from the front of internal courtyard, or capture the temple glowing in the soft golden hour light.
Bonus points if you frame it with the archway of the door frame, you want to be a bit creative with your Instagram shots after all!
Located around 40km outside of the city, Wat Samphran is a truly unique temple. Known as ‘Dragon Temple’, it’s an 80-meter tall, pink, cylindrical building wrapped by an enormous dragon sculpture.
The brightly coloured dragon is a pretty impressive sight and makes for a top-notch Instagram picture. Where else can you find a dragon to feature on your feed?
The temple is not particularly well known, and for now, isn’t on the tourist map, so you’re likely to have a peaceful visit! You may even be lucky enough to walk through the tunnel inside the dragon that leads up the temple.
A vast and impressive building complex, Grand Palace is undoubtedly the most popular tourist attraction in the city. It lies at the heart of Bangkok and was the official residence of the king for centuries.
The buildings in the complex boast more golden spires and sweeping rooftops, and are decorated with ornate detailing.
Housed within them is a myriad of ancient treasures, including Emerald Buddha, which is the most important statue of Buddha in the country!
A visit to the Grand Palace will allow you to get some of the most iconic Instagram pictures in Bangkok!
Mueang Boran, or Ancient City, is the largest outdoor museum in the world. It’s a park that takes the shape of Thailand and contains replicas of some of the country’s most famous temples and landmarks.
Some of the buildings are life-size, but the majority are scaled-down which makes for some interesting pictures!
The buildings are mapped out in the Thailand shaped park to match their correct positions geographically.
It’s a great place to get pictures of some of the country’s finest architectural wonders and temples while not straying far from its capital city.
Bangkok’s Maeklong Railway Market is certainly unique and stands out from the other markets in the city. The market is set on either side of an active train track, and trains pass right through the middle of it several times a day!
The vendors scuttle to fold in their awnings as the trains make their approach.
The train barely scrapes past the stalls, which makes for a really cool and unexpected Instagram video or boomerang! While you’re there, you can pick up some unique local delicacies or fresh produce from the stalls.
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is the most popular of its kind in all of Thailand. It’s a food market set on the Damnoen Saduak Canal and is comprised of a plethora of floating stalls and kitchens.
The market presents some of the most interesting and iconic photo opportunities in the world, with vibrantly coloured produce stacked high in the boats that line the canal.
If you want to get shots from one of the wooden boats I recommend getting there early in the morning, as later in the day it can get very busy and there can be proper traffic jams of boats along the canals!
Located about 100km outside of Bangkok, getting to the floating market is a bit of a journey. But the unique atmosphere and neverending stream of striking visuals are well worth it!
Thailand, and Bangkok in particular, is world-renowned for its street food. You can pick up world-class dishes from roadside stalls for an absolute bargain!
Khao San Road Market is one of the best places in Bangkok to try this famed style of dining. Just as inviting as the cuisine, is the lively market which surrounds it!
Khao San Road is lined with restaurants, bars, and stalls, with music floating through the air. The beautiful roadside trees are strung together with colourful lights, which makes the night market a gorgeous spot for some Instagram shots!
Khao San Road gets very busy in evenings, it’s the backpacker hub of Bangkok and you’ll find plenty of people partying the night away.
One cool to capture this street would be with a tripod and slow shutter speed to really catch the hustle and bustle of the street.
On top of the Marriott hotel Sukhumvit is a beautiful rooftop bar. Unlike some of the other hotel rooftops in the previous section, this one’s open to the public!
Glide on up to the top of the hotel for views that soar out over the city. Sip on colourful drinks and snap some pics of the gorgeous surroundings.
ICONSIAM is Bangkok’s most luxurious shopping mall. Located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, the mall houses many hundreds of shops and restaurants and even an indoor floating market. Its riverside garden offers stunning views of the Bangkok skyline.
Go check out my guide for the best free things to do as well as itineraries and travel tips to make your trip unforgettable.