The Best Temples in Bangkok

The best temples in Bangkok are Wat Phra Kaew for the Emerald Buddha, Wat Pho for the reclining Buddha and Wat Arun for its riverside tower. If you have a second session, add the Golden Mount for the view and Wat Suthat for the murals.

The nine compared

Fees are for foreign adults. Hours and fees come from the temple or the Tourism Authority of Thailand, and some of those listings are several years old, so check before you go.

The three to see first

Wat Phra Kaew is the one to choose if you only see one. It sits in the northeast corner of the Grand Palace grounds, dates from 1784 and holds the Emerald Buddha. Budget it as a morning job, because the listed hours end at 15:30.

Wat Pho is next door and open far later. The reclining Buddha is 46 metres long and 15 metres high, and the soles of its feet carry 108 images inlaid with mother-of-pearl. The temple is also known as a centre of traditional Thai massage and medicine, so it suits anyone who wants more than a photograph. The official site gives a 300 baht fee, with free entry for children under 120 cm. The nearest MRT is Sanam Chai, about half a kilometre away.

Wat Arun stands on the Thon Buri bank directly opposite Wat Pho. Its tower is decorated with porcelain and seashells. Our Wat Arun guide has the details. The nearest MRT is Itsaraphap, under a kilometre away.

Worth a second session

The Golden Mount is the best pick if you want a view rather than another hall. TAT describes a climb of more than 300 stairs (it gives two different counts) to a chedi on top with panoramic views over Rattanakosin Island. The listed closing time is 17:00.

Wat Suthat suits people who care about art. It is known for its 19th-century murals and hand-carved teak door panels, with the Giant Swing in front. The nearest MRT is Sam Yot. It has the latest closing time on this list, which makes it an easy end to the day.

Wat Ratchanatdaram dates from 1846 and costs 20 baht. Its Loha Prasat is the reason to stop. TAT links it with Wat Saket and Mahakan Fort on one historical route, so combine it with the Golden Mount rather than making a separate trip.

Wat Traimit holds the seated solid gold Buddha that TAT says Guinness World Records certified as the largest in 1991. It sits on the fourth floor of the Phra Maha Mondop, with exhibitions on the image and on Bangkok’s Chinatown on the two floors below. TAT lists a 40 baht fee, while some recent travel guides report 100 baht. It is a few minutes’ walk from Hua Lamphong MRT, so pair it with an evening in Yaowarat.

Wat Benchamabophit, the Marble Temple, is the choice for architecture. The main hall uses marble imported from Italy, and a gallery behind it displays 52 Buddha images in different postures. It stands apart from the old city on Rama 5 Road, so go by car.

Wat Mangkon Kamalawat is a change of tradition. It is Bangkok’s largest Chinese Buddhist temple, with Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian shrines, and the MRT station named after it is within walking distance. TAT describes it as a festival centre during Chinese New Year and the Vegetarian Festival.

How to plan it

For one day, start at Wat Phra Kaew when it opens at 08:30, move to Wat Pho, then cross to Wat Arun. Our Bangkok itinerary fits this into a longer stay and getting around Bangkok covers your transport options.

If you are not interested in temple detail, three is plenty. A fourth and fifth hall will blur together unless you have a specific reason to go, such as the murals at Wat Suthat or the view from the Golden Mount.

If your room is near the river, the morning gets easier. See where to stay in Bangkok. For the rest of the city, start with things to do in Bangkok or The List.

What to wear

TAT rules out shorts, short skirts, tight trousers, sleeveless tops, see-through clothing and sandals without ankle or heel straps at temples. Wat Pho’s own site asks visitors to dress politely, with no shorts, and to remove shoes before entering religious buildings. Linen trousers and a light shirt with sleeves will work everywhere on this list.

When to go

Go early. Thai Meteorological Department normals show a mean daily high above 32°C in every month, so the best time to visit Bangkok matters less than the hour you start. In November 2026, TAT’s Loi Krathong route links Wat Saket, Wat Ratchanatdaram, Wat Thepthidaram and Mahakan Fort from 17 to 29 November, which is a good time to see them together.

Questions people ask

What is the most important temple in Bangkok?

Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, inside the Grand Palace grounds. The Tourism Authority of Thailand lists a 500 baht fee for foreign adults and hours of 08:30 to 15:30.

How many temples can you see in one day in Bangkok?

Three is a sensible limit: Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho and Wat Arun. They sit close together on either side of the river, so one morning and early afternoon covers them.

What should you wear to temples in Bangkok?

Long trousers or a long skirt and a top with sleeves. The Tourism Authority of Thailand rules out shorts, short skirts, sleeveless tops and see-through clothing, and you remove your shoes before entering religious buildings.

Do you have to pay to enter temples in Bangkok?

The major ones charge foreign visitors. Listed fees run from 20 baht at Wat Benchamabophit to 500 baht at Wat Phra Kaew. Check at the gate, since fees change.