19 Things To Do On A Layover In Bangkok

There are a number of ferry services that travel up the Chao Phraya river, stopping off at a bunch of different sites. You can get the tourist boat or the regular local commuter service, but whichever you choose, it's an excellent way to get around and escape the traffic in the city.

You might know this as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, as Wat Pho is home to a GIANT gold Buddha. And when I say giant, I really mean it – it's nearly 50 metres long. After you've marvelled at this main drawcard, make sure you take the time to explore the rest of the temple grounds. There are many buildings, paths, courtyards, statues, and gardens to check out. Make sure you're wearing something that covers your shoulders and legs if you plan to visit.

Just outside Wat Pho you'll find a boat that'll take you across the river to visit Wat Arun, which is a smaller and more chilled-out temple. The white facade of the main stupa is embellished so intricately, you'll want to sit and stare at it for hours. Just like Wat Pho, make sure you're wearing something that covers your shoulders and legs if you plan to visit.

Nip back across the river and you'll find the Grand Palace right next to Wat Pho. Made up of a series of buildings and courtyards, this huge complex is part-museum and part-royal offices. The architecture here is pretty damn spectacular, the roofs in particular are really something else. Keep in mind, you'll need long sleeves and pants to get in here.

This one's worth getting up early for. The flower markets are exactly what they sound like – stall after stall selling vibrant and fragrant flowers. It's open 24 hours, though it's most active and bustling around 4am. If that's too early for you, try to get there before 8am when most of the fresh blooms are still there. The market is relatively close to Wat Pho and the Grand Palace, so it'd make sense to do those after checking out the flowers.

This is the place to go if you want to get a touristy fix. By day, the road is full of markets selling food, clothes, bags, and jewellery, as well as countless places to get a massage or a pad Thai. If you visit at night, you'll be greeted by what feels like every other traveller in Thailand. Every bar pumps out music, trying to be louder than the one next to it, and you can buy really, really cheap beers and cocktails.

If you're a fan of anything pink or rainbows, then this is the cafe for you. It's kind of like an assault on the eyes, but in the cutest way possible. Put on a unicorn onesie and indulge in food and selfies to your heart's content.

I promise, this is the last themed cafe I'll mention. If you've ever dreamed of being a mermaid, then this place is for you. Put on a mermaid tail and eat under-the-sea themed snacks, while living your best life.

OK, if you haven't had enough themed cafes, you should also check out the cat cafe, Mr Bean cafe, rabbit cafe, big dog cafe, fairytale cafe, and a restaurant made to look like Rome, complete with a mini Colosseum.

If you love shopping, then Bangkok is the place for you. If you hate shopping, then this actually still is the place for you. Thailand's capital has some pretty epic shopping centres. Siam Square is overwhelming, with many different buildings and malls to discover. There's a whole floor in the Siam Centre of Thai designers that's well worth a look. Also, Terminal 21 is a huge airport-themed mall, where each floor is decorated like a different city around the world.

Chinatown has to be your number-one priority for a night in Bangkok. The streets are heaving with people and cars, and the neon signs on every building create this amazing energy. There are food vendors everywhere, with some of the best food in the city. Come hungry.

Walking around the concrete jungle of Bangkok can be a little too urban... and Lumphini Park is the perfect antidote. It's got lawns, trees, and even a little pond where you can rent paddleboats. Pack a picnic or grab some street food and come here for a time-out. And keep an eye out for the huge monitor lizards which hang out near the water.

Another touristy thing to check off the list, you might recognise this bar from The Hangover 2 . It's the tallest bar in Bangkok, and a perfect place to watch the sun set over the city.

Is it weird to include a convenience store on a list of things to see in a city? But seriously, there are hundreds of 7/11s around the city, and they're all an amazing world of wonders. Even if you don't buy anything, you can spend ages just wandering the aisles and seeing all the amazing snacks on offer.

The traffic in Bangkok is pretty terrible, so the Skytrain or the subway is the best way to get around. But, at least once, you should really hop in a tuk tuk to get from one place to the next. Or if you're feeling brave why not jump on the back of a motorcycle taxi? Just make sure to always agree on the price beforehand.

If you're in Bangkok on a weekend, you can't miss out on visiting the Chatuchak markets. It's HUGE – 8000 stalls selling everything from plants and homemade ceramics to books, art, and food.

Surely this is a no-brainer. For as little as $10AUD, you can get a top-notch, full-body, hour-long Thai massage. It's the perfect thing to do just before or after a long flight. And it's so cheap, you may as well get a facial and mani-pedi while you're there!