Best Temples in Bangkok

Visiting these temples is an excellent opportunity to learn about Thailand's history and spirituality, as well as giving you the chance to connect with its cultural values and traditions, which is why visiting them is one of the best things to see and do in Bangkok.

Among the most famous temples you have to visit in Bangkok are the Wat Phra Kaew, which is the temple of the Emerald Buddha. But I also invite you to visit other temples that are located in Thailand and attract thousands of tourists and pilgrims every year. Visiting the temples also allows you to have a unique and exciting experience in the city, which is an excellent way to enrich your trip and make it much more interesting and memorable.

Wat Phra Kaew is no less than Thailand's holiest temple and is located in the grounds of Bangkok' s Grand Palace. It is definitely a must-see during your Bangkok trip in 2 days or less. Wat Phra Kaew has been an important part of Thai history and culture since its construction in 1782.

Inside you will see some of the most revered religious artefacts in the country. These include a 66-centimetre Emerald Buddha statue, which is famous for its supposed magical powers to protect all who enter its temple. Architecturally, its walls and ceilings are decorated with intricate murals depicting scenes from Buddhist mythology as well as traditional Thai stories and legends.

I recommend buying your tickets to visit the Grand Palace in Bangkok, so you can go and experience the atmosphere of Wat Phra Kaew. This place also witnesses multiple celebrations that take place throughout the year to pay homage to the Buddhist faith.

Details of interest

• Price: To visit this site you will have to pay around 15 euros per person.
• Opening hours: This temple is open to the public between 8.30am and 3.30pm daily.
• Location: Located at Na Phra Lan Road, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon.

Wat Arun is also known as the "Temple of Dawn", and is especially known for its impressive architecture and incredible design details, including mosaic decoration and gilded sculptures. The temple features an imposing central tower, over 70 metres high, decorated with glass and ceramic ornaments.

When you go to Wat Arun, you should know that the best way to visit the temple is to climb the steep steps while enjoying the panoramic views from the steps and the top. You will also love to see and admire the architectural beauty of the temple, which among other things, is considered an important sacred place for Thai Buddhists.

A good way to get to know this place is to sign up for a Bangkok city tour, where you will be taken to see the temple, which was built during the 17th century. A curious phenomenon of the temple, and one that you will really like, is the impact of the sun's rays adorning the central tower of the temple.

Interesting details

• Price: To enter this temple, you will have to pay around 3 euros per person.
• Opening hours: The temple is open between 8:00 and 17:30 every day.
• Location: It is located right in front of the Grand Palace. To cross the river you can take a boat.

If you sign up for a bike tour in Bangkok, you will have the opportunity to visit the Wat Pho, which is one of the most important and popular Buddhist temples in Bangkok. It is also known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, because inside there is a large statue of Buddha, 46 metres long and 15 metres high, made of brick and covered with gold leaf. In addition to the statue, there are other buildings and courtyards with statues and religious structures.

Inside the temple there is a massage school where you can learn Thai therapeutic techniques. You can also enter a traditional Thai massage centre to experience these traditional techniques. In terms of the number of tourists inside, Wat Pho is one of the most visited places in the world.

Details of interest

• Price: You will have to pay around 6 euros per person to visit this temple.
• Opening hours: This temple is open every day between 8:30 am and 6:30 pm.
• Location: This temple is specifically located behind the Grand Palace.

Wat Benchamabophit is also known as the Marble Temple, and is built mainly of Italian marble. It was built in the late 19th century during the reign of King Chulalongkorn and one of the most striking features is its imposing architecture and elegant design.

Also, in the main hall of the temple, you will be impressed to see the seated jade Buddha statue, which is one of the most important structures in the temple as it is highly revered by the faithful. Wat Benchamabophit is a place of pilgrimage for many tourists and locals who want to learn about and explore Thai culture and history.

Inside the temple you will also see a lot of Buddha statues and many wood carvings. I recommend taking a tuk tuk tour of Bangkok to see the temples, including Wat Benchamabophit.

Interesting details

• Price: To enter this temple you will have to pay around 2 euros per person.
• Hours: This place is open between 8:00 and 17:30 every day.
• Location: This temple is located at a very short distance from Dusit Park.

Without a doubt a temple that you have to visit is the Wat Sri Sudaram Worawihan, located in the region of Ayutthaya in Thailand, to visit it I recommend you to sign up for one of the tours to the temples of Ayutthaya, in which you will not only know this one but also others that are located in that region.

This one in particular is a temple built in the 18th century during the reign of King Boromakot of Ayutthaya. One of the things that will catch your attention about this place is its 15-metre high seated Buddha image, which is definitely a good place to take some of the best pictures of your trip. You will also see many beautiful murals and wood carvings dating back to the Ayutthaya period.

Without a doubt, this temple is one of the best places to see and take time to visit in its entirety, especially because of the cultural importance that the place represents for Thailand and its traditions.

Interesting details

• Price: To visit this temple you will have to pay around 3 euros per person.
• Hours: You will be able to visit this site between 8:00 and 20:30, every day.
• Location: It is located in the locality of Phra Nakhon in Bangkok.

Wat Saket is one of the most famous temples in Bangkok, and is also called Golden Mountain. It is a very popular pilgrimage site in the city and is located on a small hill with incredible views of Bangkok. What will draw your attention to this place is its golden chedi, which rises more than 70 metres high, and is therefore a major tourist attraction in the city.

Inside the temple you will see an extensive collection of Buddha images and sacred shrines that are of great importance to Thai culture and religion. Also inside you will see numerous statues and paintings of various styles where you can appreciate the Buddha and other deities important to Thai culture. Wat Saket is always crowded during the different festivities and religious events that are organised during the year.

If you go with a tour guide to visit Wat Saket, he or she will surely tell you the belief that a relic of Gautama Buddha is kept inside. Whether true or false, what is certain is that a visit to Wat Saket should be included in your Bangkok itinerary in 3 days or less.

Details of interest

• Price: To enter this place you will have to pay around 3 euros per person.
• Hours: You can go to visit this temple between 8:00 and 17:00, every day.
• Location: This place is exactly at 344 Thanon Chakkraphatdi Phong, Ban Bat, Pom Prap Sattru Phai.

Although the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple is considerably less known compared to other Buddhist temples in Thailand, it is an important place of worship and is also valued by the Hindu community in Thailand. Among other things, you will be delighted to see the colourful and detailed architecture that stands out in this temple. You will also be able to see how the Hindu tradition of South India manifests itself inside the temple.

You will be able to walk through several rooms inside the temple, where you will come across altars and statues of different Hindu deities, such as Ganesha and Durga. You will also see an elegant tower and different architectural elements of great value. In addition to all of the above, this place is incredibly interesting because inside you can learn a lot about the culture and religious traditions of Thailand.

Interesting details

• Price: There is no entrance fee, but donations are accepted.
• Opening hours: The temple is open daily from 6:00 to 20:00.
• Location: Located at No. 5, Soi Sri Bahphan, Surawong Road, Suriyawongse, Bang Rak.

The temple is called Wat Ratchanatdaram Woravihara, but is also known as the Iron Monastery. It was built on the orders of King Rama III in the 19th century, and part of what makes this temple stand out is its elegant architecture. Inside you will see several important buildings and structures, including the imposing 36-metre metal tower known as Loha Prasat.

The 3-tiered tower has forty-eight columns, representing the forty-eight virtues of Buddha. The Loha Prasat is said to be the only remaining building of its kind in the world. In addition to these features of the building, there are also a large number of Buddhist relics kept inside, which you can see if you visit the temple.

Interesting details

• Price: To visit this temple you will have to pay around one dollar per person.
• Opening hours: It is open from 8:00 to 17:30 every day.
• Location: Located on the corner of Ratchadamnoen Klang and Maha Chai Road.

Wat Saman Rattanaram is located in Chachoengsao, very close to Bangkok in Thailand. The temple is famous for its giant statue of the Hindu goddess of war, Vishnu. The statue is over 17 metres tall and visible from far away, so one of the things you will like most about this site is the sheer size of this monument.

You will also be able to see the various buildings and garden areas inside the temple that are so popular with visitors. Wat Saman Rattanaram is a sacred place for the Thai people and is even popular during Buddhist festivals such as Songkran and Loy Krathong. I recommend that when you visit this place, show respect because it is a sacred place for the Thai people.

Interesting details

• Price: There is no fee to enter the temple, but donations are accepted.
• Opening hours: The temple is generally open every day from 6:00 to 18:00.
• Location: It is located at 99, Moo 3, Tambon Ban Mai, Amphoe Mueang Chachoengsao.

Visiting Wat Sakae is one of the things you definitely have to do when you visit the city, even though it is located in the Wang Thong district of southern Thailand. It is a site famous for its unique architecture, zigzagging side walls and steeply pitched roofs. It is definitely a good place to experience Buddhist culture and history. Inside the temple you will also see various statues and picturesque buildings that are very photogenic.

One of the things you will love about this place is the number of festivals and cultural activities that are held here throughout the year, including the water blessing ceremony, which is one of the best things to do in Bangkok in April. You can't miss the golden Buddha which is about 32 metres high, making it one of the largest Buddhas in the country.

You will also be delighted to see the more than 80 Buddha statues in various poses and sizes that are located within the site. From the top of the hill where the temple is located, you will be able to see the different panoramic views of the city.

Details of interest

• Price: To enter this temple you will have to pay around 3 euros per person.
• Opening hours: The temple is open every day between 8:00 and 20:00.
• Location: This temple is located exactly in the heart of Bangkok city.