Want to take a trip to the most visited city in the world? It might not be what you think. Known for it’s ancient temples and palaces, Bangkok, Thailand has a lot to offer, including vibrant street life and a variety of markets. Taking a trip to this city may seem like a far-off dream, but with our list of free things to do in Bangkok, you’ll be booking your trip in no time!
1. Listen to a free concert at Lumphini Park
This beautiful park gives visitors a view of the city skyline and a chance to step away from the busy city streets. There are huge green spaces, a lake with boat rentals and plenty of spaces for picnicking and relaxing. Besides being the perfect spot for a peaceful afternoon, the park also hosts free concerts. Catch one every Sunday evening at 5:30pm during the cooler months (December to February).
2. Visit one of Bangkok’s ancient temples
There are lots of temples spread out all across Bangkok and luckily for you, many of them are free. Not sure where to start? Check out some of our favorites like the Wat Intharawihan and Wat Patam. Pro tip: visit these temples early in the morning when fewer people are out and about. If you’re interested in going to the Grand Palace, you can sometimes get free admission around the time of the King’s birthday, in December. While it is courteous to leave a donation when you visit a temple, the admission fee is usually either free or very little at most temples across the city.
3. Snap a few pics at the Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden
This beautiful botanical garden in Rot Fai Park is home to a stunning butterfly garden, plus a variety of different plants and flowers all across the park. Definitely a perfect place for an Insta photo opp! It’s free to enter, so feel free to spend the day strolling through the gardens and admiring all the butterflies.
4. Get cultured at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre
This center offers films free to the public, as well as live music and storytelling. It’s open from 10am to 9pm every day of the week except Mondays. The Bangkok Art and Culture Centre is home to a huge variety of art—everything from famous artists’ work to beginner exhibitions. Located right at the National Stadium Station, it’s easy to get to! It’s definitely an underrated attraction in Bangkok and deserves a visit if you’re in town.
5. Check out the Bangkok Flower Market
This stunning flower market has gained a lot of publicity from tourists over the years due to it’s wide array of exotic and gorgeous flowers. Pak Khlong Talat is a massive wholesale market filled with fresh flowers of all different kinds. The best time to visit is in the early morning so there aren’t as many people. Although the flowers aren’t free, you can definitely get them for a reasonable price and just walking through the market is worth the experience. The sights, the colors, and the people all make for a sometimes overlooked Bangkok attraction.
6. Listen to live music at Khao San Road
If you want to be immersed in the bustling Bangkok city life, this is the place for you. Khao San Road is located in Central Bangkok and is the perfect destination to shop ’til you drop.There are vendors and small shops along this entire street selling a variety of clothes, food and souvenirs. If you’re not looking to spend any money, it’s still a must-see road for window-shopping and people-watching. There is often live music playing and you can find rooftop bars overlooking the street that make it a great spot to take in the city around you.
7. Watch a muay thai boxing match
A traditional Thai boxing match can be pretty pricey. However, visitors can watch a muay thai boxing match for free every Wednesday night at 6pm in the MBK shopping centre. This is a really unique cultural experience, so don’t miss your chance to go watch. Get there early so you can get a good seat!
8. Go see Erawan Shrine
This stunning shrine is always surrounded with tourists and locals alike. It’s located right near the BTS Skytrain station Phrom Phong and close to other Bangkok attractions. A quick stop along your tour of Bangkok, this shrine is often surrounded by Thai dancers and loud music. Definitely a good place to stop by while you’re out and about!
9. Walk the streets of Chinatown
As one of the oldest parts of Bangkok, Chinatown is bustling with delicious foods and a lot of culture you won’t want to miss. Although not *totally* free, the food here is cheap and you can still experience a lot just by walking down the street. You can also walk by the Temple of the Golden Buddha near here!
10. Get moving at an aerobics class
There are a variety of free yoga, aerobic, and other fitness classes held in parks across the city. One of the most popular is in Saranrom Park—you can get a free aerobics class every night! Many of the parks around Bangkok have some exercise equipment you can use as well, so keep your eyes peeled while you’re strolling through one of Bangkok’s beautiful parks.
Wherever you choose to go in Bangkok, travel with an open mind! There’s plenty to do and see in this amazing city and it’s hard fitting everything you want to into one trip. Make the most of it and experience the culture as much as possible—it’ll be worth it.
Ready to book your trip? Check out these cheap flights to Bangkok and start packing!
