Top 6 Must-See Temples in Bangkok, Thailand

Embark on a spiritual journey through Thailand, where vibrant culture and ancient traditions meet in the form of architectural masterpieces. Learn ultimate first-timers’ tips for your visit and get inspired to travel while reading about the must-see temples in Bangkok. From traditional temples by the river to a stunning dragon-wrapped tower, get ready to plan your next itinerary in the beautiful country of Thailand.

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Intro

Thailand is known for its enchanting landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant cuisine. Whereas the country’s capital Bangkok blends ancient traditions with modern living. One thing both have in common is the importance of spiritual temples in all different architectural shapes, designs, and colors.

While Thailand has over 40,000 temples across the country, Bangkok is home to over 400 of those. So how are you possibly going to visit that many places during your stay? Of course, you won’t. The more interesting question is: What are the absolute must-see temples in Bangkok? I got the answer for you below!

This guide highlights some of the best temples in regard to significance, size, and/or looks & gives inspiration for what to visit on your next trip. Stay tuned for great temple tips & amazing pictures to save for later.

A GUIDE to Visiting Thailand’s Temples

Though temples are a great attraction, it’s also essential to be respectful of the culture and know basic etiquette while visiting or shooting pictures there. Besides behavioral rules, you’ll also find recommendations on what to wear.

Temple Etiquette

Travel Essentials (for visiting temples)

Aside from knowing the rules for visiting Buddhist temples, it’s definitely good to keep a few things on hand when exploring Bangkok’s must-see temples:

• Sunscreen & sun hat
• Cover-up (e.g. for covering shoulders or cleavage)
• Comfortable shoes: Some temple grounds are huge! Entering temple buildings might also require you to be barefoot – keep that in mind.
• Cash (= baht; for entrance fees)
• Phone + portable charger
• Camera
• Toiletries like wipes etc. / first aid kit

Must-Visit Temples in Bangkok

Wat Pho

Starting with one of the biggest and oldest temples in Bangkok, covering an area of 80,000 square meters. Wat Pho consists of multiple buildings and statues, making it very unique and eventful to visit. Historically, the temple complex was named after the Monastery of the Bodhi tree, where it’s believed Buddha attained enlightenment. Thus, it’s considered one of the most important places in Thailand. Generally speaking though, Wat Pho is most known for the golden “Reclining Buddha” statue, which is 46 meters long, making it the star of this place.

Wat Ben

Also known as The Marble Temple, Wat Benchamabophit is one of the most known tourist attractions in Bangkok. The white exterior made of Italian marble features a large golden Buddha image and looks absolutely stunning. The stained glass windows showcase the European influence on Wat Ben. Due to its beauty, this temple is probably on every “Most picture-worthy spots in Bangkok” list.

Wat Phra Kaew (Grand Palace)

Wat Phra Kaew is located inside the Grand Palace and is mostly known as The Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Not only is the Grand Palace a symbolic and historic center of the Thai monarchy, but the temple site is also used by the royal family for ordinations and coronations. Its amazing architecture with intricate golden spires and vibrant murals offers plenty of cultural insight into Thailand.

Wat Arun

This is another beautiful temple with intricate design and breathtaking architecture. Wat Arun is named after the Hindu god Aruna, who is the radiation of the rising sun. This temple is one of the most sought-after landmarks in Bangkok because of its distinctive and detailed spire aka prang.

Wat Ratchanatdaram

If you’re looking for something less touristy, consider visiting this mesmerizing Wat. King Nangklao had this temple constructed for his granddaughter, thus the name Temple of the Royal Niece. Also known as the Metal Castle, it consists of a 36-meter-high structure with 37 metal spires representing the values towards enlightenment. The gold details make this a great place to visit during golden hour.

Wat Samphran

Located about 40 minutes outside of Bangkok, you’ll stumble upon the Dragon Temple. It’s definitely worth a visit if you have a little more time during your visit. This place is unique because of the large ornate dragon wrapped around the pink 17-story tower. While heading to the top of the temple, you have the option to walk through the dragon’s body; a symbol of good luck during your climb.

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This concludes the Must-See Temples in Bangkok with some Temple 101…
Though this post lists a good handful of fantastic temples in Thailand, there are so many more to discover. As mentioned above, Bangkok has hundreds of stunning landmarks – so planning your itinerary beforehand is a must.

Regardless, this Bangkok bucket list should help you prioritize some temples and prepare you for your visit!

Feel free to share your favorite Bangkok temples and tips in the comments! 🙂

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