Discover the iconic landmarks where tradition meets wow: Bangkok’s best in one go.
Discover the cultural heart of Bangkok on this half-day tour, where you’ll explore the Grand Palace and the city’s most iconic temples in the company of a local guide. Along the way, you’ll hear fascinating stories about these historic sites, the Thai monarchy, and the role of Buddhism in daily life.
At the centre of the city stands the magnificent Grand Palace, the former royal residence from the reign of King Rama I to King Rama V of the Rattanakosin Kingdom. Today, this architectural masterpiece is still used for royal ceremonies and to receive state guests and foreign dignitaries.
Within the palace grounds lies Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, regarded as the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand. Here you’ll find Phra Kaew Morakot, the highly revered Emerald Buddha, a single piece of jade carved with extraordinary skill.
Next, you’ll visit Wat Pho, home to the famous Reclining Buddha. This vast temple complex covers 20 acres, making it the largest in Bangkok, and is considered one of the city’s oldest, built around 200 years before Bangkok became the capital. The reclining Buddha, measuring 46 metres in length and 15 metres in height, symbolises the Buddha’s passing into nirvana. Wat Pho also houses more than 1000 Buddha images, many brought from the ancient capitals of Ayutthaya and Sukhothai.
From here, a short ferry ride will take you across the Chao Phraya River to the Thonburi side, where Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, awaits. Dedicated to the Indian god Aruna, its central prang (spire) rises over 70 metres and represents Mount Meru, the mythical home of the gods. Adorned with delicate pieces of coloured glass and Chinese porcelain once used as ballast on trading ships, Wat Arun is one of Bangkok’s most recognisable landmarks.
No trip to Bangkok is complete without visiting these treasures of Thai heritage.
Important notes:
- The Grand Palace and temples are sacred sites. Shoulders and ankles must be covered for both men and women. Scarves over sleeveless tops are not permitted. No shorts, leggings, ripped jeans, tight pants, slippers (flip-flops), or revealing tops. Entry will be refused if you are not dressed appropriately.
- Entrance fees (THB 1000 per person) are not included in the tour price and must be paid in cash on the day of the tour.
Meeting point:
Your guide will wait for you in front of Tha Chang Ferry Pier, located at the Chao Phraya River, opposite the Grand Palace.
For the location of the Tha Chang ferry pier on Google Maps, please click HERE.
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158 Comments
5
Great option for on day in Bangkok
We had so much fun on the tour! Nicky was an awesome guide and took really great photos! Each temple has something really special to offer and Nicki does a great job of showing off the highlights and pointing out the details. While, you definitely can enjoy the temples on your own we found it valuable to have a guide who could take us to the coolest spots the quickest!
5
Great tour
Learn a lot about Thai culture, religion.
I would highly recommended this trip to everyone interested in the culture
5
Temple walking tour
We loved the tour with Wang. She was very attentive and knowledgable and provided very good background knowledge to Thai culture and Buddhism. Every question we asked was answered in detail. She was very attentive to our needs.
We highly recommend it. The coffee break was appreciated after half of the tour.
The selection of temples on the tour was fitting for the time provided.
5
Grand Palace and Temples tour
Sunday was a jovial, helpful and intelligent guide who seemed genuinely interested in the history of the place and the people he was taking around. It was a packed day but the experience was worth the money spent. The only problem was the heat, even the beginning of March seemed quite warm and uncomfortable.
5
Private tour accidentally!
Tack was very kind, knowledgeable and caring. I’m still recovering from a broken back and after I told him that, he made sure that I always had a place to sit while putting my shoes on and off.