Bangkok

The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew

The royal compound founded in 1782 and the temple that houses the Emerald Buddha, Thailand's most revered image. Shoulders and knees must be covered. Go at opening time, before the tour groups and the heat.

Hours: Ticket sales 8:30am–3:30pm; consult the official schedule for closing timesCost: ฿500

Wat Pho

A temple complex known for its reclining Buddha and traditional massage school. Plan the temple visit and any massage separately.

Hours: Daily 8am–7:30pm, as listed on the official planning pageCost: ฿300

Wat Arun

The Temple of Dawn, whose central spire is covered in pieces of coloured porcelain. Take the cross-river ferry from Tha Tien pier, beside Wat Pho. It looks its best from the opposite bank at sunset.

Hours: TAT lists daily 8am–6pm; confirm with the templeCost: ฿200

Wat Saket (the Golden Mount)

A gilded chedi on top of an artificial hill. More than 300 steps wind up past bells and gongs to a terrace with an open view over the old city.

Hours: Daily 7.30am to 7pmCost: ฿100

Jim Thompson House Museum

Six traditional teak houses joined into one home by the American who revived the Thai silk trade and vanished in Malaysia in 1967. The main house is seen by guided tour only, offered in five languages. Address: 6 Soi Kasemsan 2, Rama 1 Road, a short walk from BTS National Stadium.

Hours: Daily 10am to 5pm, last guided tour 5pmCost: ฿250 adults · ฿150 ages 10 to 21

Bangkok Art and Culture Centre

A spiral of free contemporary art galleries opposite MBK Center, linked directly to BTS National Stadium. The lower floors hold small design shops and cafes.

Hours: 10am to 9pm (usually closed Mondays)Cost: Free

Lumphini Park

Bangkok's central park, laid out in the 1920s. Joggers circle the lake at dawn and dusk, and large monitor lizards sun themselves on the banks. MRT Silom and Lumphini are at the corners.

Hours: Dawn to 9pmCost: Free

Talat Noi

A riverside neighbourhood of Chinese shrines, car-part workshops and street art, between Chinatown and Charoen Krung. Landmarks include the So Heng Tai mansion and the Holy Rosary Church.

Cost: Free to wander

Pak Khlong Talat (flower market)

The city's wholesale flower market, near Memorial Bridge and MRT Sanam Chai. Marigold garlands, orchids and jasmine are sold by the armful around the clock.

Hours: Open 24 hours, busiest before dawnCost: Free

Chatuchak Weekend Market

A large market for clothes, ceramics, plants, antiques and food. Choose the general weekend market if you want the broadest browsing; plant and wholesale sessions are different outings. Save your entrance and return station.

Hours: Weekend general market; midweek plant and Friday wholesale sessions differ. Check the visitor website for your day.Cost: Free

Or Tor Kor Market

A clean, covered fresh market across the road from Chatuchak, known for top-grade fruit and a row of ready-to-eat curry stalls. MRT Kamphaeng Phet opens straight into it.

Hours: Daily 6am to 8pmCost: Curries about ฿80 to ฿150

Jodd Fairs Ratchada

The Ratchada location is distinct from the former Rama 9 market.

Hours: Daily 5pm to 1amCost: Free

Train Night Market Ratchada

The Ratchada train market is behind Esplanade, separate from Jodd Fairs.

Hours: Daily 5pm to 1amCost: Free

Rot Fai Market Srinakarin

A separate train-market location in the Srinakarin area.

Hours: Thursday to Sunday 5pm to 1amCost: Free

Ong Ang Canal walking street

A canal-side walking area near Chinatown.

Hours: Friday to Sunday 4pm to 10pmCost: Free

Asiatique The Riverfront

A riverside retail and dining complex with additional paid attractions.

Hours: Daily 10am to midnightCost: Free

Thip Samai

The most famous pad thai in the city, cooked over charcoal since the 1960s. The premium version comes wrapped in a thin omelette. Expect a queue. MRT Sam Yot.

Hours: 5pm to midnightCost: ฿70 to ฿250

Raan Jay Fai

A well-known street-side kitchen associated with crab omelettes and wok-cooked seafood. Check the current menu and queue arrangements before visiting.

Hours: Wednesday to SaturdayCost: Confirm the current menu; seafood specialities can be a splurge

Nai Mong Hoi Thod

A small shophouse that does one thing: oyster omelette, fried crisp or soft. MRT Wat Mangkon.

Hours: Closed Monday and TuesdayCost: About ฿150

Guay Jub Ouan Pochana

Rolled rice noodles in a clear pork broth that is heavy with white pepper, served on Yaowarat Road.

Cost: About ฿80

Boat Noodle Alley

A canal-side row of shops selling boat noodles in bowls that hold three mouthfuls. Stack the empties and count them at the end. BTS Victory Monument.

Hours: Lunch to late eveningCost: ฿15 to ฿20 a bowl

Go-Ang Pratunam Chicken Rice

Hainanese chicken rice served by staff in pink shirts on Phetchaburi Road. BTS Chit Lom.

Hours: 6am to 2pm and 5pm to midnightCost: ฿60 to ฿100

Prachak Pet Yang

Roast duck over rice from a shop that has traded since 1909. BTS Saphan Taksin.

Cost: About ฿150 for a quarter duck

Jok Prince

Smoky rice porridge with pork balls and a century egg, eaten at breakfast.

Hours: 6am to 1pm, and eveningsCost: About ฿70

Mae Varee

A fruit shop at the mouth of Sukhumvit Soi 55 that is known for mango sticky rice to take away.

Hours: Until about 11pmCost: About ฿150

King Power Mahanakhon SkyWalk

The city's highest observation deck: a glass floor at 310 metres and an open rooftop at 314 metres, with a bar at the top. Next to BTS Chong Nonsi.

Hours: Daily 10am to 7pmCost: Ticketed. Prices vary by time of day

Sky Bar at Lebua

An open-air bar on the 63rd floor of State Tower, familiar from the 2011 film The Hangover Part II. A smart dress code applies.

Vertigo and Moon Bar

A rooftop grill and bar on the 61st floor of the Banyan Tree hotel, with no walls and a view over Lumphini Park.

Octave Rooftop Lounge

Three levels on floors 45 to 49 of the Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit, with a 360-degree view from the top. A short walk from BTS Thong Lo.

Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok

The city's oldest grand hotel, opened as The Oriental in 1876. The original Authors' Wing still serves afternoon tea.

The Peninsula Bangkok

A riverside hotel on the Thonburi bank. Compare the room category, boat services and current dining arrangements directly with the hotel.

The Siam

A riverside hotel in Dusit with an art and antiques focus. Compare current room categories, inclusions and transfers with the hotel.

Capella Bangkok

A Chao Phraya riverside hotel. Check the actual room category and included services rather than assuming every booking has the same view or benefits.