Where to stay in Bangkok

Sukhumvit runs southeast through Bangkok. Adventurous types will enjoy exploring its side streets, which contain everything from cozy cafés and spas to lively nightlife and luxury hotels. Right off of Sukhumvit, visit the Science Center for Education which includes a planetarium, aquarium, and computer center. Families will enjoy Dinosaur Planet, an amusement park. While this is off the beaten track for tourists looking for sightseeing and attractions, the Skytrain (BTS) makes it easy to discover the calmer pockets of Thai culture on offer in Sukhumvit.

Thonglor—just one stop east along the Bangkok SkyTrain from Sukhumvit—is a paradise for foodies. The area is host to some of the city’s finest restaurants—boasting the forward-thinking Thai cooking of Badmotel, freshly roasted coffee at Roast, and a number of stellar options for craft beer and cocktails. After an excellent meal, the young, urban crowds that populate Thonglor will head out for a night on the town—and you should join them. From low-key lounges to pulsing beats, to the uninterrupted panoramic views at the Octave Rooftop Lounge, you’re certain to find the right place for you.

Ekamai is the posh Sukhumvit district’s stylish residential neighbor to the southeast. Here you’ll find adventurous dining options, unique boutiques, and top drinking spots like Mikkeler—the self-named Danish brewery’s craft beer bar. Head to the Ekemai Mall to find all this under one roof. Also worth visiting is the airy, Japan-themed Gateway Mall, which holds a staggering number of diverse shops and inexpensive eateries.

Silom reigns supreme for business-minded men and women southeast of Downtown Bangkok. Skyscrapers decorate this financial district and provide pleasant accommodations for visiting professionals. The area also offers cultural sights, such as the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple. There are a variety of restaurants and markets to sample at mealtime; otherwise, take a stroll through Lumpini Park—one of the city's oldest and largest parks—for a more tranquil lunch break. Silom's Patpong Night Market offers a one-of-a-kind experience for nightlife goers and frugal shoppers willing to wheel and deal at the open air night market.

Sathorn is just a short distance south from the popular Sukhumvit area. Here, you’ll find the old-world tranquillity of the Wat Yannawa Temple and the Temple of the Reclining Buddha in the heart of modern Thailand. There are many upscale hotels in this area as well. When in the area, you’ll also want to take a picture of the famous Robot Building that overlooks South Sathorn Road. Headquarters for the United Overseas Bank, this quirky piece of architecture looks just like a robot, with boxy features, eyes, and antennae.

Siam Square is a trendy shopping area in central Bangkok, filled with international brands and eclectic entertainment. Here, visitors will find a fusion of old and new Bangkok traditions with modern Japanese Karaoke bars intermixed with historic houses like The Lido. Travelers will find nearby transportation to historic sightseeing throughout Bangkok, however, there are great sites to experience right here including the Jim Thompson Museum.

Chatuchak is just a few miles north of the buzzing Ratchadaphisek entertainment district—and easily reached by subway, bus, and the Bangkok Skytrain. One of the largest markets in the world, the Chatuchak Weekend Market offers an expanse of tables selling everything under the sun—including clothes, jewelry, crafts, snacks, and drinks. Adjoined to the market are the three vibrant parks that make up the Chatuchak Park Complex, with lush greenways perfect for a post-shopping picnic. Within, you’ll find the Children’s Discovery Museum with interactive science exhibits, shops, and a butterfly garden.

In Banglamphu—just a few miles west of Siam—take a walk through Khao San Road, the short but dense strip flush with backpacker-friendly lodging, market stalls, and exotic local delicacies. At night the street is party central, where music plays, alcohol flows freely, and hungry crowds line up for the skewered meats being grilled curbside by local vendors. The area is also home to great cultural attractions that embody the distinct architecture and vibrant colors of the region, from the bright-red twin pillars of the Giant Swing to the gilded spire of the Golden Mount.

China Town is a must for top-notch culinary experiences in Bangkok. Located on the east side of the Chao Phraya River, China Town is consistently crowded with shoppers and sightseers. One of the most popular landmarks in the area is the Tang To Gung on Sampaeng Lane, China Town's original main street. If you're not visiting during one of China Town's neighborhood festivals, there is still an abundance of Asian culture to experience here. You don't want to leave this district without experiencing Wat Traimit, walking Sampaeng Land, or shopping at Phahurat Market.

Ratchaprasong—centrally situated just west of Siam—boasts luxury hotels and fine dining just off the Bangkok AirTrain. The area is also a shopping haven—and the enormous CentralWorld is the area’s largest and most popular mall. Outside the shopping complex, you’ll find many of Bangkok’s best food carts selling fresh specialties like grilled fish and papaya salad. The neighborhood also houses one of the country’s most admired Buddhist monuments. The Erawan Shrine is a must when visiting the area, a place where worshippers from all over bring gifts to the gilded statue at its center, which was built to keep evil spirits at bay.

Ratchathewi, north of the popular Siam area of the city, is where days can be spent wandering massive shopping complexes—like electronics treasure trove Pantip Plaza, or the 2,000 clothing and accessory shops of Platinum Fashion Mall—before the neighborhood’s exciting bars and nightclubs like the Playhouse Cabaret take over for the night. Amongst the modern glamour, Suan Pakkad Palace is a gem of traditional architecture, a relaxed museum of ancient antiques made up of 8 houses once inhabited by royalty and surrounded by peaceful ponds and gardens.

Khao San is a small area in central Bangkok, frequented by backpacking nomads and carefree creative types. It is a popular and exciting destination for travelers seeking budget lodging and quirky shopping. There are many temples in the area including Wat Chanasongkhram Ratchaworamahawihan and Wat Intharawihan. In the evening, Khao San Road is a great spot for entertainment, bars, and unique street food. Khao San also serves as a hub for adventurers looking for travel guides or tips for exploring Bangkok and neighboring countries.

Bang Na, a few stops southeast along the SkyTrain from Siam Square area, is a major shopping district made unique by the little quirks that color its local businesses. Eat seafood at the massive Royal Dragon Restaurant, but be sure to notice the roller skates your server is wearing. And don’t go shopping at the CentralPlaza Bangna without checking out the water park on the roof. Bang Na is also where you’ll find the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Center, where exhibitions like the annual Bangkok International Motor Show draw major crowds.

Pratunam sits along the calm waters of the Saen Saep Canal in central Bangkok, where daytime strollers move in tandem with the city’s public ferry service. The area, just west of central Sukhumvit, has several great authentic Thai restaurants and street vendors; however, the main draw is shopping—with malls and markets like Pratunam Market and the City Market selling clothes and accessories at haggle-friendly prices. Dazzling sunsets can be viewed from the revolving roof-deck at Baiyoke Tower II, the tallest building in Thailand—preferably before a romantic cocktail at the building’s rooftop bar.

Pick your spot along the Bangkok Riverside—which runs north-south through the middle of the city thanks to the Chao Phraya River—and watch the life of the city float by. With postcard views of majestic landmarks like the Grand Palace and the temple Wat Phra Kaew, the Riverfront is center to historic and modern Bangkok. In addition to iconic temples and palaces, the Bangkok Riverside is the quintessential district for experiencing some of the city's most luxurious amenities, shopping, and restaurants. The Riverside provides access to other areas of interest, such as Chinatown.

Ratchadaphisek, just north from the upscale neighborhood of Sukhumvit, is where visitors and locals alike go for a night on the town. The area has many concert halls, karaoke bars, cultural centers, and convenient public transit. For hungry travelers, there are local restaurants specializing in seafood, and you can’t walk anywhere without being seduced by the savory smells supplied by the city’s many street food vendors. Royal City Avenue boasts some of Thailand’s biggest clubs, with chilled-out lounges and strobe-lit dance raves—where places like Onyx Bangkok and Live RCA Club host legendary parties and world-renowned international DJs.

Ramkhamhaeng can be reached from popular Siam Square by taking an express boat east along the Saen Seap Canal. The district itself is best explored this way as well. Here you’ll find a vast suburb with inexpensive dining, shopping, and accommodations running along its namesake road. With tucked-away spots like the Museum of Buddhist Art and the delightful Prasart Museum—the area is also a great place for seeing art and artifacts from all eras of Thailand’s rich cultural history.

Phahonyothin, which overlaps the Chatuchak district, is a convenient destination for those looking to explore that area’s popular attractions. That means the busy market stalls of Chatuchak Weekend Market and the calm expanse of the Chatuchak Park Complex. Just a short trip north, you’ll find the karaoke bars, food stalls, and all-night clubs of the Ratchadaphisek district. The area also hosts one unusual architectural destination in the Elephant Building, a high rise that looks just like—you guessed it—an elephant.

The Don Muang district is northeast of Bangkok city center. The airport here, named after the district, supports domestic and international travel. Transportation to Bangkok’s historic sites—such as the Grand Palace and Wat Arun—is easy from Don Muang with taxi services to and from wherever you want to go. If you're looking for budget flights out of the city, Don Muang is a great hub to consider. This airport has plenty of food stalls, and duty-free shopping for any last-minute gifts. Kantarat Golf Course is right next to the airport.

In historic Rattanakosin, just west of Banglamphu, you’ll want to see the vast grounds of the Grand Palace, offering a multi-colored potpourri of buildings and lush green courtyards. Nearby, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha—the largest and maybe the oldest temple in Bangkok—houses a massive, room length golden Buddha in repose. After a long day of sightseeing, watch the sun set over another temple—Wat Arun—at the Amorosa rooftop bar. To see Thailand’s cultural history in action, the area’s National Theater hosts frequent performances of traditional plays and enchanting dances.