9 BEST Temples In Bangkok: Hidden Gems & Must-Visit Sites 2026

Visiting Bangkok and want to explore some of its best temples? We’ve rounded up our favourite, including plenty of hidden gems!

Bangkok, a city known for its vibrant culture, bustling streets, and mouthwatering street food, is also home to some of the most stunning and sacred temples in the world. 

From well-known attractions, such as Wat Pho and its iconic reclining Buddha, to hidden gems such as Wat Ratchanatdaram Worawihan, there are so many to discover. In fact, Bangkok is home to over 400 temples, which is just crazy.

Of course, there is no way you’ll be able to see all 400. However, exploring the temples is an essential part of experiencing Bangkok. We spent a week in Bangkok, and the temples were by far our favourite part of the city.

In this guide, we’ll take you through 9 of the best temples in Bangkok. We’ll show you the famous landmarks as well as lesser-known treasures, with all the practical tips you need to know before visiting.

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The Best Temples In Bangkok

Bangkok has over 400 beautiful Buddhist temples scattered across the city. There are so many that are worth visiting, so let’s jump right in with all of our favourite temples in Bangkok.

Wat Phra Kaew & The Grand Palace

Wat Phra Kaew is the most sacred Buddhist temple in the whole of Thailand. Located within the Grand Palace complex, it also has to be one of the most stunning temples. 

Wat Phra Kaew is home to the Emerald Buddha, a 66cm meditating Buddha statue made of solid jade. It has also been a designated royal chapel since 1784, hence its location within the palace complex.

The Grand Palace, and the complex of temples that go with it, is absolutely huge. The temples are so beautiful, covered in gold and jewels that sparkle in the sunlight.

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It is, however, one of the most popular attractions in Bangkok, and in peak season it can get pretty crowded. It is worth booking skip-the-line tickets in advance.

We visited during rainy season and it actually wasn’t too bad. It was dry the entire time, and there were way less people there. In fact, we were often completely alone. Whilst some people say the Grand Palace is not worth the entry fee, we absolutely loved it. It was possibly our favourite temple in Bangkok. 

Wat Pho

Wat Pho is possibly the most iconic and universally recognised temple in Bangkok. Home to a 46m gold-plated reclining Buddha, you’ve probably seen this one plastered all over your Instagram feed.

However, the temple complex has way more to it than just the reclining Buddha. It’s a pretty large complex, filled with shrines, a water feature, trees and greenery, and so many other beautiful buildings. It’s also home to more than 1000 Buddha images and is the largest temple in Bangkok.

Despite being so well known, it’s such an iconic temple that you have to visit it when you’re in Bangkok. 

Wat Arun

Located right on the edge of the Chao Phraya River, Wat Arun is an iconic part of the riverbank. You can see it pretty clearly from the water itself, but it’s insanely beautiful up close.

As with Wat Pho, Wat Arun was a lot bigger than we expected. 

At its heart is an 82m tall spire, surrounded by several smaller spires. You’re able to walk up the main staircase of the spire, to around a third of the way up. Looping around the spire, you’re treated to spectacular views of the Chao Phraya River and the city beyond. You can even catch a glimpse of the Grand Palace and Wat Pho!

Whilst Wat Arun is most famous for its spire, it also is home to a really unique and beautiful temple. Unlike the glitzy jewel-covered temples of the Grand Palace, Wat Arun is painted in a crisp white, with pink flowers painted over the exterior. 

One experience you can have at Wat Arun is to rent a traditional Thai outfit and a photographer. This is a very popular thing to do at Wat Arun, and the photographers seemed very skilled and incredibly good at posing people. 

However, if this is not something you’re interested in, it kind of takes away from the experience a little. There were too many occasions where we had to stop for several minutes to allow the photographers to take their photos. We even saw them ask one woman to move out of the way when she was trying to take her own photo of the entrance. It made us a little uncomfortable.

That being said, the temple is beautiful and worth seeing.

Wat Traimit

Located on the edge of Chinatown, Wat Traimit is far less visited by tourists. This really shocked me. It was one of my favourite temples in Bangkok.

Whilst the outside might not look like much, Wat Traimit is home to the largest solid gold Buddha in the world. And yet people don’t visit?!

The Buddha measures 3 metres and weighs 5.5 tons. It’s truly beautiful. The gold Buddha was actually only rediscovered in 1955. The story goes that it was covered in plaster in the 18th century to protect it from invading armies. It wasn’t until they dropped it whilst trying to move it in 1955 that the solid gold Buddha was revealed. I think this is just crazy.

Wat Traimit is also a designated Royal Temple, and it’s easy to see why.

Wat Ratchabophit

We stumbled upon Wat Ratchabophit completely by accident and we are so glad we did. This temple is so beautiful and we were literally the only people there. No tourists, no locals. In fact, we haven’t seen it mentioned on any other blog. 

Wat Ratchabophit is completely unique compared to the other temples on this list for one thing: its curves. Most temples in Bangkok are formed of straight lines, but this has curved walls spanning the temple. It’s covered in ornate tiles, gold, and jewels, with a garden filled with perfectly trimmed trees and greenery.

We couldn’t believe how peaceful this temple was, and highly recommend visiting.

Wat Ratchanatdaram Worawihan

Wat Ratchanatdaram Worawihan is also known by the shorter, easier to pronounce name of Loha Prasat. This temple is another hidden gem in Bangkok. Again, we were the only people here. 

This temple is built in a Sri Lankan style which is pretty unique for Bangkok. It is 36m tall and characterised by the 37 gold spires built in a pyramid. These 37 spires are said to represent the 37 virtues needed to reach enlightenment. 

The terrace of Wat Ratchanatdaram Worawihan also gives incredible views of the next temple on the list: Wat Saket.

Wat Saket

Wat Saket, also known as the Golden Mount, is another really unique temple in Bangkok, and an iconic feature of its skyline. Built on top of an artificial hill, measuring 60m at its peak, the views from Wat Saket are insane. Some call it the best sunset spot in Bangkok, though it tends to rain heavily in the evenings during rainy season, so we visited in the morning.

You can see for miles around, from the low rise buildings of the old town to the tall skyscrapers in the distance. It makes you appreciate just how many temples there are in Bangkok.

Whilst Wat Saket is incredibly beautiful, the hill itself is stunning. The 320 steps winding up to the top of the Golden Mount are lined with little shrines, water features, mist, and even koi ponds. At the base of the mount, you can find a cave with a huge Buddha image inside, as well as bells and wishing trees.

It is a whole experience visiting Wat Saket, and we highly recommend it.

Wat Bowonniwet Vihara

Wat Bowonniwet Vihara is a little temple that we visited purely because it was located just down the road from our accommodation. Despite that, it was amazing. We visited on a national holiday, and yet it was still really quiet, even though it’s located just off the main road in a peak tourist area. 

This is actually a very historically important temple. The giant golden chedi houses the remains of two former kings. It is also where many former kings resided during their monkhood years.

Wat Bowonniwert Vihara is also home to a rare double Buddha, with a larger statue built behind a smaller golden statue. 

Wat Benchamabophit

Wat Benchamabophit is located a little bit further north than the other temples on this list, but if you have time it is worth the trek. Known as the ‘Marble Temple’, this is one of Bangkok’s most well-known temples. Despite this, it remains pretty quiet as it is slightly off the tourist trail.

The temple is made almost entirely of marble imported from Italy, which gives it a really distinctive appearance. There are 52 Buddha statues located around the complex.

The best way to get to Wat Benchamabophit is to catch a Grab. It should only take around 10-15 minutes by Grab to get there from the old town, costing around 65-100 Baht.

Where To Stay In Bangkok

If you want to explore some of the best temples in Bangkok, you’re going to want to stay in the Old Town, Phra Nakhon district. This is the perfect base for temple hopping, with most temples easily reachable on foot. 

There is a large range of accommodation options in the Phra Nakhon district to suit every budget. We would advise avoiding Khao San Road if you want to get any sleep, however.

✅ Best Budget Option – Alley & Pier

During our time in Bangkok, we stayed in Alley & Pier and it exceeded all expectations. The rooms were generously sized, impeccably clean, and incredibly comfortable. We especially appreciated the complimentary filtered water, coffee, and access to a washing machine. The location couldn’t have been better, just a 2-minute stroll from Phra Arthit pier and a 20-minute walk to the Grand Palace. Highly recommended!

✅ Best Mid-Range Option – Chillax Heritage Hotel Khaosan

Chillax Heritage Hotel is a chic boutique hotel nestled just a short walk from Khao San Road, right in the heart of Bangkok’s Old Town. Featuring elegant Thai-inspired decor with a rooftop pool, it’s the perfect spot to stay in the city. The location is ideal for exploring nearby temples, markets, and the Chao Phraya River, while offering a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok.

✅ Best Luxury Option – Chakrabongse Villas

Chakrabongse Villas is a true hidden gem, nestled along the banks of the Chao Phraya River, providing a tranquil escape in the heart of Bangkok’s old town. Housed in a former royal residence and owned by a descendant of royalty, the property boasts lush, peaceful grounds with stunning views of Wat Arun across the water. It offers a perfect blend of tranquility and luxury, a peaceful haven just steps away from the city’s vibrant streets.

What To Wear For Visiting Bangkok’s Temples

To visit the temples in Bangkok, you’re going to need to adhere to a strict dress code. This means shoulders and knees must be covered at all times, for both men and women. 

For women, you must also not have an open-back top. Scarves are not permitted to cover shoulders, they must be covered with a top.

Sarongs are available to purchase or hire at the entrance of the 3 main temples (Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun), though we’d always recommend dressing respectfully from the get-go. 

Make sure to wear comfortable shoes, preferably ones that are easy to slip on and off. You will be doing a lot of walking so want to make sure you’re comfortable, and to enter any of the temples, you will need to remove your shoes.

I’ve been wearing these Croc sandals day-in day-out, and they’re incredible. They’re so comfy (even after 20k steps), so easy to slip on and off, and waterproof so they’re great for rainy season!

It may also be worth bringing a pair of socks for when you take your shoes off, especially if you’re bothered about walking barefoot amongst hundreds of others. Plus, the ground can get very hot, so it’ll stop you burning your feet too!

FAQs

Still have a few questions about the best temples in Bangkok? We’ve answered the most common questions below.

If I Only Have Time To Visit 3 Temples, Which Should I Visit?

If you’re short on time, I would recommend visiting the Grand Palace (but get there for opening time with a skip-the-line ticket), followed by Wat Ratchabophit, and finishing with Wat Saket. This offers a fantastic blend of must-see and hidden gems.

What Is The Best Time Of Year To See Bangkok’s Temples?

This is a controversial answer, but we would recommend visiting in rainy season. The crowds are much smaller, or non-existent in some temples, and it generally only rains once in the evening. 

What Is The Lucky Temple In Bangkok?

If a local tells you to visit the Lucky Temple, run. Okay, not literally, but this is a well-known and very elaborate scam. We had two locals on the same day offer to take us there, but we politely declined. They started with regular conversation, offering some helpful advice, but then got funny when we said we had other plans and would maybe visit the temple later.

They really tried to push us to go then and there. 

We’ve heard of tourists get scammed out of thousands by purchasing fake gemstones from the Lucky Temple. We would advise not visiting the Lucky Temple, and declining if any local offers to take you there, even if they offer an insanely good price for a tuktuk tour. 

Wrap Up

Bangkok is home to some of the most stunning temples in the world. Adorned with gold, intricate tiles, and colourful jewels, no photos could ever do them justice. With more than 400 temples in the city, temple hopping is an essential activity to do when visiting Bangkok (though I don’t think you could ever see them all!).

From the popular, crowded temples of Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Arun, and Wat Pho, to the peaceful hidden gems of Wat Ratchabophit and Wat Ratchanatdaram Worawihan, there is something for everyone. 

Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, we’re sure you’ll find plenty of beautiful temples to see. 

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