Bangkok is a complex city. It’s got modern skyscrapers, a gritty underbelly and pockets of the divine that remind you Thailand is still over 90% Buddhist. The temples here all impress for different reasons: some are just dazzling pieces of architecture putting on a show for tourists while others are deeply spiritual local sites. It doesn’t matter which neighborhood you find yourself in, there’ll be a beautiful “Wat” hidden somewhere.

We try to visit two or three different temples on each of our trips, simply because it breaks up the usual routine of shopping, street food and rooftop bars. As electrifying as the capital is, sometimes it’s nice to step foot into a quiet and reflective environment (Bangkok’s green parks are great for this as well). If temple hopping is your main priority in Thailand, you couldn’t have come to a better place than Bangkok. Below is a list of our favorite temples, including tips on how to see them without the crowds.

Best Temples in Bangkok - Kat at Golden Mount — *Kat at the Golden Mount (Wat Saket)*

10 Best Temples to Visit in Bangkok

Classic Temples

1. Wat Pho

Wat Pho offers the perfect introduction to Bangkok’s temples. It’s home to traditional architecture, enchanting little courtyards, rows of small Buddha statues, and not to forget the Reclining Buddha. You can even get a Thai massage, either inside the temple gates or just outside. The grounds are surprisingly big though - we’ve got lost here many times trying to locate the Reclining Buddha but when we do find it, it’s always a special experience. Make sure you arrive early, otherwise it’s a jostle to try and take photos.

When to Arrive: 8:00 AM
Entry Fee: 300 THB (cash only)
How to Get There: Ride the MRT to Sanam Chai Station and take Exit 1. Then walk for five minutes until you reach the main entrance.

Best Temples in Bangkok - Wat Pho - Reclining Buddha — *The Reclining Buddha, Wat Pho*

Best Temples in Bangkok - Sanam Chai Station — *Sanam Chai Station*

2. The Grand Palace

The Grand Palace has a lot going for it - from the colorful and detailed Ramakien Gallery to the giant Yaksha statues standing guard. The glittering gold and blue architecture is magnificent, however the pricey entrance fee and the relentless flow of tourists can put a slight dampener on things. That’s why you’ve got to arrive as soon as the gates open, and also ensure you stick to the dress code. For men, this means long pants. As weird as it felt, Cam rocked a pair of those famous Thai elephant pants.

When to Arrive: 8:30 AM sharp
Entry Fee: 500 THB (both cash and cards are accepted)
How to Get There: Again, take the MRT to Sanam Chai Station and take Exit 1. From there, it’s a 15 minute walk to the north gate.

Best Temples in Bangkok - The Grand Palace — *The Grand Palace*

Best Temples in Bangkok - How to Avoid the Crowds — *Crowds at the Grand Palace*

3. Wat Traimit

If you plan on exploring Chinatown, which is an absolute must by the way, you can also swing by Wat Traimit. This is a white marble and gold building that rises 60 meters above a street corner, in the most spectacular fashion. On the top floor, you’ll find a solid gold Buddha statue which is the largest of its kind in the world, weighing an incredible 5.5 tonnes. We liked how tight it got inside - like you’re discovering something of secret value.

When to Arrive: 8:00 AM (for peace) or 4:00 PM (before dinner)
Entry Fee: 200 THB (cash only)
How to Get There: Jump on the MRT to Hua Lamphong Station and take Exit 1. Then cross the canal and walk five minutes to the entrance.

Best Temples in Bangkok - Wat Traimit — *Wat Traimit*

Local Spots/Hidden Gems

4. Marble Temple (Wat Benchamabophit)

The Marble Temple, or Wat Benchamabophit, is another marble inspired design but this time with Italian Carrara. The ordination hall is precisely symmetrical which makes for fantastic photography, particularly under the red and gold door frames. On our visit there, we saw university art students sketching out the temple - some of whom were super talented. This is one of the only temples in Bangkok that can be visited at sunrise, and as you can imagine the morning light makes the white marble glow brilliantly.

When to Arrive: 6:00 AM (for sunrise) or 4:30 PM (to beat the crowds)
Entry Fee: 100 THB (cash only)
How to Get There: Unfortunately, this temple isn’t close to a train station. So grabbing a taxi or ordering a Grab is the best option.

Best Temples in Bangkok - Marble Temple — *Marble Temple (Wat Benchamabophit)*

Best Temples in Bangkok - Marble Temple Art Students — *Marble Temple (Wat Benchamabophit)*

5. Wat Ratchanatdaram (Loha Prasat)

Wat Ratchanatdaram is a slightly forgotten temple of the Old Town, which is strange because it’s both visually stunning and unique thanks to its Sri Lankan/Indian model. Travelers in the know come here for Loha Prasat - the “Metal Castle” that features gold iron spires. Each one represents the virtues of enlightenment. We recommend visiting in the late afternoon, before it closes at 5:00 PM, and then hanging out at King Rama III Memorial Park to see the golden spires illuminate at night. And afterwards, why not book a Muay Thai Show at the nearby Rajadamnern Stadium?

When to Arrive: 4:00 PM
Entry Fee: 20 THB (cash only)
How to Get There: Ride the MRT to Sam Yot Station, take Exit 1 and then head up Maha Chai Road for a leisurely 15 minute stroll.

6. Wat Ratchabophit

Wat Ratchabophit is another temple of Bangkok hiding in plain sight, not too far from Wat Pho and the Grand Palace. Some of its exterior architecture looks like The Temple of the Emerald Buddha, yet noticeably it comes with much smaller crowds. The highlight is actually the interior: built like a miniature Versailles after King Rama V was inspired from his European travels. It opens at 6:00 AM but there’s no need to rush there.

When to Arrive: 9:00 AM
Entry Fee: Free (although donations are appreciated)
How to Get There: You can simply walk if you’re based in Khao San Road. Otherwise, you can catch the MRT to Sanam Chai or Sam Yot stations.

Best Temples in Bangkok - Wat Ratchabophit - Old Town — *Wat Ratchabophit*

Best Temples in Bangkok - Wat Ratchabophit — *Wat Ratchabophit*

Most Scenic Views

7. Golden Mount (Wat Saket)

Wat Saket would be up there as one of our favorite temples in Bangkok. The whole experience is cool. You start by climbing up the 344 steps of the Golden Mount, past gardens and water displays, and then you get to ring bells and massive gongs. After the final ascent, you arrive at a platform terrace where amazing views across the Old Town await, and further out to the city’s skyscrapers as well. It’s special for sunset, watching monks make merit, and doing the Wian Thian three lap ritual (something Kat did with such grace).

When to Arrive: 5:00 PM (an hour before sunset)
Entry Fee: 100 THB (cash only)
How to Get There: Head to Sam Yot Station on the MRT and take Exit 1. Afterwards, you can walk 15 minutes to the bottom of the mount.

Best Temples in Bangkok - The Golden Mount at Sunset — *Golden Mount (Wat Saket)*

Best Temples in Bangkok - Wat Saket — *Golden Mount (Wat Saket)*

8. Wat Paknam

If you’re wondering where to see Bangkok’s giant Buddha, it’s here at Wat Paknam nestled along the Khlong Dan Canal. Taking a cheeky longtail ride alongside the statue is mandatory in our opinion, and so too is seeing the emerald pagoda on the 5th floor of the Maharatchamongkhon Stupa. It might be tempting to fly your drone over the 69 meter Buddha but don’t because it’s strictly prohibited. Instead, wander around the little “sois” or head to a nearby cafe to find unique vantage points for standard camera photography.

When to Arrive: 9:00 AM
Entry Fee: Free (apart from 200 THB pp for the longtail ride)
How to Get There: Ride the MRT to Bang Phai Station (Blue Line), take Exit 1 and then walk 15 minutes using Google Maps.

Best Temples in Bangkok - Wat Paknam Canal Boat Ride — *Wat Paknam*

Weird & Wonderful Temples

9. Wat Sam Phran

Although it’s situated an hour west of the city, Wat Sam Phran is still worth making the effort for. You’ll be blown away by its towering stature, pink color, and (of course) the green dragon that wraps around it from the bottom to the top. Be sure to touch the dragon’s claws at the bottom for good luck, and then head up to the rooftop shrine and look out over the green urban landscape of the very local Nakhon Pathom province.

When to Arrive: 9:00 AM (to beat the heat)
Entry Fee: Free (though small donations can be made)
How to Get There: Your best bet is to order a Grab for the hour trip. We’ve taken long Grab rides all across Thailand and they always work out well.

Best Temples in Thailand - Wat Sam Phran — *Wat Sam Phran*

10. Wat Phra Dhammakaya

Wat Phra Dhammakaya is Bangkok’s most controversial temple, set way off the tourist trail just north of the Don Mueang Airport (where many domestic flights depart from). The temple has been embroiled in many local dramas, including accusations of cult-like behaviour and financial exploitation. However, that aside, the architecture alone makes it a fascinating visit. It’s home to a pagoda filled with 1 million tiny Buddha statues - 300,000 on the outside and 700,000 on the inside - resembling a golden UFO.

When to Arrive: 10:30 AM (leave Bangkok at 9:30 AM)
Entry Fee: Free
How to Get There: Again, Grab or a taxi makes the most sense.

Overrated Temples in Bangkok

Wat Arun is the one temple you shouldn’t worry too much about visiting. There’s nothing wrong with it per se - its spires and mosaics are pretty impressive. However, since you can see it from the Chao Phraya River and at places like Eagle Nest Rooftop Bar, it’s actually best admired (and photographed) from a distance. Other temples we suggest skipping are Erawan Museum, Wat Suthat and the Giant Swing, and Wat Intharawihan.

Best Temples in Bangkok - Wat Arun at Night — *Wat Arun from Eagle Nest Bar*

Temple Etiquette in Bangkok

Mind Your Feet: Always take off your shoes when entering the main halls (ordination halls) and never point your feet directly at Buddha statues, monks or other Thais, as it’s insulting in the local culture.
Sit Respectfully: Sit at a respectful distance from Buddha images, and tuck your legs beneath you rather than sitting cross-legged.
The Head Rule: Avoid standing higher than statues, monks or other devotional locals. And never touch the head of anything or anyone.
Give Monks Space: It’s very common to see monks (dressed in orange robes) at the temples in Bangkok. It’s important to give them space, stay quiet and allow them to practice their religion in peace.

Best Temples in Bangkok - Respect the Monks — *Monks in Bangkok*

FAQs About Bangkok’s Temples

How many temples should I visit in a day?

The most temples you should visit in a day in Bangkok is three. Any more and you risk becoming severely “templed out”. We’ve heard some travelers recommend up to 10 in a single day and that just seems crazy to us, and a logistical nightmare. We suggest spreading the temples out over a few days and fitting them naturally into your plans. For example, a day in the Chinatown area could include Wat Mangkon Kamalawat and Wat Traimit, in between a saunter down Song Wat Road and a hot pot dinner down Yaowarat Road.

What’s the dress code and can men wear shorts?

Technically, all temples in Bangkok require both women and men to cover their shoulders and knees. So in theory men can’t wear shorts, which makes life difficult for them under the intense heat. However, the rules can be lenient as long as men dress well: a nice pair of knee-length dress shorts (not showing any thigh), a clean t-shirt and some tidy shoes. One place where they strictly enforce the wearing of long pants for men is the Grand Palace.

10 Best Temples in Bangkok: What to See & What to Skip