After visiting the Grand Palace, the best next steps are visiting the nearby Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha), a short 10-minute walk away, followed by a quick ferry ride to Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn). These three sites form the "Big Three" in Bangkok’s Old Town, perfect for a consecutive, culture-packed itinerary.
If you want to see everything the Grand Palace has to offer, it's recommended that you spend at least 3 hours there, though you can see everything in 1 to 2 hours at a push.
Wat pho is a beautiful place. The reclining Buddha is really cool, but make sure you take time to walk around the rest of the compound. Beautiful architecture, many Buddha statues other than reclining, and it is much more relaxed and calm than the grand palace grounds.
How To Visit The GRAND PALACE, WAT ARUN and WAT PHRA in ONE DAY | Bangkok Thailand Travel Vlog 2024
What is the first must see in Bangkok?
For first-timers in Bangkok, the best places blend ancient history, vibrant culture, and modern city life, focusing on the iconic Grand Palace, Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha), and Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) for stunning temples, Chinatown (Yaowarat) for incredible street food, Khao San Road for lively nightlife, and river experiences on the Chao Phraya River, with rooftop bars and huge malls like ICONSIAM offering modern thrills.
Split into two main shopping areas, Siam Paragon and Siam Square, this vibrant district is also a hotspot for celebrity sightings. Thai stars are often spotted at Siam Paragon, browsing the boutiques of global fashion houses such as Cartier, Fendi, and Louis Vuitton.
Is it worth visiting the Grand Palace? For tourists, visiting the Grand Palace is one of the top things to do in Bangkok. It offers a wonderful insight into Thai culture and heritage, alongside some of the country's most beautiful traditional architecture.
Most of Bangkok's best and biggest malls are in Siam Square. As you move east into the Sukhumvit area the activity moves out onto the streets and alleys – though there are still some large malls in the area. You'll find lots of great places to eat in Sukhumvit in a wide range of styles and costs.
Is it better to go to the Pena Palace in the morning or afternoon?
Pena Palace is Sintra's most famous and photogenic attraction—and also the busiest. To enjoy it peacefully: Arrive before 9:00 AM, when the gates open. Crowds start building quickly by mid-morning, especially on weekends.
Bar Fines. Ladies working in can be taken out of the bar for the evening. If they agree to go with you and you wish to take her out before the bar closes, you have to pay a fee (around 300-500 Baht) known as a “bar fine”.
The worst months to visit Thailand are typically September and October, due to the peak of the rainy/monsoon season bringing heavy rains, potential flooding, and rough seas (especially the Andaman coast), while March to May is bad for extreme heat and poor air quality from agricultural burning in the North, making those months generally challenging for typical tourist activities.
Dress regulations are stricter at Thailand's more important temples and those with royal connections such as Wat Phra Kaew at the Grand Palace, Bangkok. At high profile venues like this, visitors should dress extra conservatively with long trousers for men, and a below the knee skirt/dress or trousers for women.