Cover picture: Grand Palace (Royal Palace)
The entrance to the Grand Palace is located on Na Phra Lan Road at the "Manee Nopparat Gate"
Pictures of the royal family are not uncommon in Bangkok - as can be seen here again
Buddhist temples may only be entered with long clothing. If necessary, you can also hire these on site.
Right at the entrance gate we see a meter-long queue to buy tickets ... too bad Marmelade! It pays to be early!
Admission costs 500 baht per person. Children under 1.20 meters are admitted free of charge
We see the first ancient spire towers (called "Prang"), dating back to the architecture of the old Ayutthaya period
Stone figures from Thai mythology protect the sacred site
The inner courtyard of the temple complex can get quite crowded at lunchtime
Thai architecture catapults you back to a completely different era
Magnificent buildings in gold and glitter with ornate roof decorations are everywhere
This roof art is called "Chofah" and is part of many Buddhist temples in Thailand
The smallest mosaic elements on this building reflect the light of the midday sun
Huge yaks stand at the entrance to Wat Phra Kaeo temple and protect the famous Emerald Buddha, which is hidden here
Ancient murals illustrate the rich culture in the country's history
The huge temple complex is home to many other magnificent buildings
Miniature model of Angkor Wat from 1882; commissioned by King Rama IV.
The detail work on the individual buildings is truly incredible
We were particularly fascinated by the elaborate decorations
White building design with silver elements - rather unusual in Thailand
Phra Sri Rattana Chedi - a holy shrine in which the relics of Buddha are said to lie
Ancient spires in different architectural styles - and yet they are in harmony!
The round-cut bonsais and green ornamental trees give the grounds a well-kept appearance
Continue to the "Chakri Maha Prasat" (Throne Hall), a magnificent building from the 19th century, built by Rama V in the European style
The magnificent building in combination with the well-tended front garden is a pretty photo spot
One motif more beautiful than the next!
It was a wonderful day at the Grand Palace - with wonderful impressions!
There are rows and rows of tuk-tuks in front of the palace - so what are you waiting for? Bangkok still has sooo much to offer! 🙂
Costs
500 THB p.p.
(≈ 13,16 EUR)
Opening hours
Daily 08:30 - 15:30
Grand Palace (Royal Palace)
Anyone traveling to the Thai capital is unlikely to come across the Grand Palace over - in the truest sense of the word. The huge 2.6 km² site is located in the middle of Bangkok, directly on the Chao Phraya River. Contrary to expectations, there is not just a single palace to marvel at here, but an entire complex consisting of many magnificent temples, ancient towers with ornate decorations, government buildings and lovingly tended gardens. Every day, tens of thousands of visitors flock to the metropolis to visit this historic site!
Entrance & dress code
The entrance to the temple district is located on the Na Phra Lan Road at "Manee Nopparat Gate", located to the north on the map. Access requires appropriate clothinglong trousers or skirt and covered shoulders. There are a few stores in the area where you can rent trousers or a sarong for 50 baht.
Entrance fees
Admission to the Grand Palace costs 500 THB per person, which corresponds to approx. 13-14 euros. You can either buy tickets on site (with queuing) or in advance onlineª and go straight through - a separate entrance saves you the long wait in the crowds. The grounds are incredibly huge! To see everything at your leisure, we recommend allowing at least 2-3 hours for your visit.
History of the Grand Palace
The Grand Palace was built in the year 1782 and served for over 150 subsequent years as a royal residence. Although the royal family now lives in the north of Bangkok, the palace is still used for ceremonies or state receptions for foreign guests. With its prestigious reputation, the palace symbolizes the country's rich culture and history.
Sacred Emerald Buddha
The main attraction of the facility is Wat Phra Kaeo - the temple of the king, which is guarded by giant yaks (temple guardians from Thai mythology) and the famous Emerald Buddha is housed here. The figure, which is only 66 cm tall, sits on a gilded throne at a height of 11 meters. It is also surrounded by ten other Buddha statues. The shimmering green emerald Buddha is a very valuable artifact and is one of Thailand's national shrines. What makes it so special are its many RobesHe has three different outfits, which are worn depending on the season (hot season, cold season or rainy season). This is why the Emerald Buddha is also a popular trend motif that is picked up by visitors at different times of the year; a kind of collector's item.
Note: Pay attention to the Opening hours of the Grand Palace! While most temples in Bangkok are open until 6 pm, the Grand Palace closes daily at 3:30 pm. So it's worth being early! At 08:30, shortly after opening, the grounds are still super quiet and not overcrowded. If you want to explore several places in Bangkok, we recommend visiting the temple first.
Tip:: About the platform GetYourGuide you can create a historical city tourª, on which you will visit the most important temples in Bangkok and a local market - the ideal choice if you are only spending a few days in the big city!
Places of interest in the vicinity
Map
More Bangkok highlights
Wat Arun
Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchaworamaha Wihan, or Wat Arun for short, is one of the most visited Buddhist temples in Bangkok. Its name is derived from Aruna, the god of dawn from Indian mythology, which is why this place is also commonly known as the "Temple of Dawn" or "Temple of Dawn". Its origins lie far back in the ancient Ayutthaya period, where the first temple of this complex was built as early as the 17th century under the name Wat Makok. The kings Rama II and Rama III finally completed the temple in the 19th century with the addition of further building elements under the current name Wat Arun.
Wat Pho
Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Rajwaramahawihan, better known as Wat Pho, is one of the most important historical temples in the heart of Bangkok. Its origins lie far back in the 16th century during the Ayutthaya period, when the first buildings were erected. Around 1801, King Rama I undertook restorations to the temple and gave it its current name. However, the place only achieved great fame in 1832, when King Rama III erected a 46-meter-long, reclining, gilded Buddha statue (English name: Reclining Buddha) in the newly built temple hall Viharn Phranorn.
Chinatown
Samphanthawong is one of the liveliest neighborhoods in Bangkok and is better known as Chinatown. Founded in 1782, it is now one of the oldest and largest Chinatowns in the world! Around the main street Yaowarat Road, you can see ornate gates (like the famous Chinatown Gate) & Chinese temples, stroll under bright red lanterns or taste your way through delicious street food stalls! This place is a must-see, even if you are only planning a short stay in Bangkok. The best way to get here is by tuk-tuk (the drivers know exactly where to drop you off when you say "Chinatown") and from there you can continue on foot. The streets are very noisy and busy, especially in the evening, but it's worth a walk to immerse yourself in traditional Chinese culture in Bangkok!
ICONSIAM
ICONSIAM is a huge mall in the center of Bangkok. With a total of eight floors and an area of over 500,000 m², this shopping center offers plenty to explore and will make your shopping heart beat faster! A visit is particularly worthwhile on rainy days to discover the latest trends, store for luxury brands or visit the remarkable food court in the basement. The SOOKSIAM food court has been recreated in the style of a floating market with lots of boats, colorful floral decorations and an artificial river! A special highlight can be found on the 6th floor: a 15-metre high indoor waterfall that shines in bright colors! In one of the lovingly decorated restaurants, you can watch this spectacle at its best & try delicious delicacies. Our favorite place is right at the top on the 7th floor: the Napalai Terrace. From here you can enjoy the fantastic view of the beautiful Chao Phraya River for free!
Baiyoke Observation Deck
The Baiyoke Tower II is the third tallest building in Bangkok's Ratchathewi district and was built in 1997. At first glance, this old-fashioned skyscraper doesn't seem very special, but the top floor offers a real highlight: a 360-degree rotating viewing platform! In addition to the Baiyoke Sky Hotelª with over 600 rooms, numerous restaurants and a rooftop bar, the tower offers a glazed observation deck on the 77th floor and the fascinating Revolving View Point on the 84th floor at 309 meters. This slowly rotating platform offers you a unique opportunity to get a panoramic view of Bangkok within 8 minutes - without moving a single centimeter!
King Power Mahanakhon (Skywalk)
The King Power Mahanakhon is a must-see in Bangkok! The 314-metre-high skyscraper stands out from afar with its Tetris-like shape, which sets it apart from all other skyscrapers in Bangkok. In addition to hotel rooms and stores, the reflective building also has a fascinating 360-degree viewing platform on the 78th floor. A glass floor (= skywalk) has also been built, above which you can walk freely and the world below you suddenly becomes very small! Cars and people look like tiny toy figures from this height - definitely not for people with a fear of heights. Other attractions in the building include a rooftop bar, a Mexican restaurant and an immersive SkyRide, where you can paraglide through a virtual world.
Lumphini Park
At over 570,000 square meters, Lumphini Park is the largest park in the center of Bangkok. There are seven park entrances, known as gates, from different directions. The southwest entrance is adorned with a monument to King Rama VI, who created the site in the 1920s as the first public city park. Today, the huge area features an artificial lake where you can go pedal boating, numerous benches and pavilions for resting, a public concert stage, the public library, children's playgrounds, a public sports facility with fitness equipment, a Muay Thai boxing stadium and a 2.5 km jogging track through the entire park. Another interesting activity and very typical for Thailand and Southeast Asia are the outdoor sports courses such as Tai Chi, martial arts, yoga or aerobics - which you can take part in free of charge.
Chao Phraya boat trip
If you are in Bangkok, you absolutely must plan a boat trip on the glittering Chao Phraya River! Especially in the evening, countless tourists flock to ICONSIAM Pier 4 to take one of the popular dinner cruises. Even if this place has something of a mass processing, in our opinion it is worth experiencing this spectacle once. The ships are modernly equipped, offer seating on several floors and usually have live music or a DJ on board. While the ship sails past the most famous sights, such as the ancient temple of Wat Arun or the Grand Palace, you can help yourself to an unlimited buffet. There are lots of delicious dishes and the service from the Thai crew is first class as usual! As the crowds are so big, there are now numerous providers of river cruises - you can get tickets from as little as 25 euros per person for a 2-hour tour including dinner.
Benjakitti Park
A popular oasis of calm in the otherwise hectic metropolis is the pretty Benjakitti Park. At 208,000 square meters, it is one of the largest parks in Bangkok and is centrally located between the two metro stations Sukhumvit and Asok. It was opened in 2004 to mark the 72nd birthday of Queen Sirikit, who subsequently gave the park its current name: Benjakitti. The extensive grounds include two large wooded areas, idyllic walking paths, plenty of sunbathing areas and benches, a 1.8-kilometre circular path for joggers and cyclists and a huge artificial lake in the middle of the park. The pretty lakeside promenade is decorated with colorful flowers and water fountains. We were particularly fascinated by the contrast between the vast green spaces and the gigantic skyscrapers that surround the entire park!
