Best Temples in Bangkok

Temples in Bangkok are an essential part of Thai culture and religion. Here are a few that you will want to visit to learn about Buddhist art and architecture.

Andressa García

Andressa García

10 min read

Best Temples in Bangkok

Templo dorado en Bangkok |©Lu Zhao

Visiting these temples is an excellent opportunity to learn about the history and spirituality of Thailand, they also give you the opportunity to connect with its cultural values and traditions, that is why visiting them is one of the best things to see and do in Bangkok.

Among the most famous temples that you have to visit in Bangkok are the Wat Phra Kaew, which is the temple of the Emerald Buddha. But I also invite you to visit other temples that are located in Thailand and attract thousands of tourists and pilgrims every year. Visiting temples also allows you to have a unique and exciting experience in the city, which is an excellent way to enrich your trip and make it much more interesting and memorable.

1. Wat Phra Kaew

Wat Phra Kaew, Bangkok, Thailand|©east med wanderer
Wat Phra Kaew, Bangkok, Thailand|©east med wanderer

Wat Phra Kaew is no less than the holiest temple in Thailand and is located on the grounds of the Grand Palace in Bangkok. It is certainly a must visit during your Bangkok trip in 2 days or less. Wat Phra Kaew has been an important part of Thai history and culture since its construction in 1782.

Inside you will see some of the most revered religious artifacts in the country. These include a 66-centimeter Emerald Buddha statue, which is famous for its supposed magical powers to protect all who enter its temple. As for its architecture, its walls and ceilings are decorated with intricate murals depicting scenes from Buddhist mythology, as well as traditional Thai stories and legends.

I recommend you to buy your tickets to visit the Grand Palace in Bangkok, so you can go and experience the atmosphere of Wat Phra Kaew. This place also witnesses multiple celebrations that occur throughout the year to pay homage to the Buddhist faith.

Details of interest

  • Price: To visit this site you will have to pay around 15 euros per person.
  • Hours: This temple is open to the public between 8:30 am and 3:30 pm daily.
  • Location: Located at Na Phra Lan Road, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon.

Book a tour with visit to the temples of Bangkok

2. Wat Arun

wat arun wat|©Feroze Kaliyadan
wat arun wat|©Feroze Kaliyadan

Wat Arun is also known as the "Temple of Dawn", and is especially known for its impressive architecture and incredible design details, including mosaic decorations and golden sculptures. You will be able to see in the temple, an imposing central tower of more than 70 meters high, decorated with glass and ceramic ornaments.

When you go to Wat Arun, you should know that the best way to visit the temple is to climb the steep steps while enjoying the panoramic views from the steps and the top. You will also love to see and admire the architectural beauty of the temple, which among other things, is considered an important sacred place for Thai Buddhists.

A good way to get to know this place is to sign up for a Bangkok city tour, where you will be taken to see the temple, which was built during the 17th century. A curious phenomenon of the temple, and that you will like a lot, is the impact of the sun's rays adorning the central tower of the temple.

Interesting details

  • Price: To enter this temple, you will have to pay around 3 euros per person.
  • Hours: The temple is open between 8:00 and 17:30 every day.
  • Location: It is located exactly in front of the Grand Palace. To cross the river you can take a boat.

Book a tour with visit to the temples of Bangkok

3. Wat Pho

Wat Pho, Bangkok|©Weng Yung
Wat Pho, Bangkok|©Weng Yung

If you sign up for a bike tour in Bangkok, you will have the opportunity to go and see the Wat Pho, which is one of the most important and crowded Buddhist temples in Bangkok. It is also known under the name of Temple of the Reclining Buddha, because inside it has a large statue of Buddha 46 meters long and 15 meters high, made of brick and covered with gold leaf. But in addition to this great statue, you can also see inside, other buildings and courtyards with statues and religious structures.

Inside the temple there is a massage school where you can learn Thai therapeutic techniques. You can also enter a traditional Thai massage center to experience these traditional techniques. In terms of the number of tourists inside, Wat Pho is one of the most visited places in the world.

Details of interest

  • Price: You will have to pay around 6 euros per person to visit this temple.
  • Hours: This temple is open every day between 8:30 am and 6:30 pm.
  • Location: This temple is specifically located behind the Grand Palace.

Book a bike tour in Bangkok

4. Wat Benchamabophit

wat benchamabophit|©David Wilkinson
wat benchamabophit|©David Wilkinson

Wat Benchamabophit is also known as the Marble Temple, and is built mainly in Italian marble. It was built in the late 19th century during the reign of King Chulalongkorn and one of the features that will strike you the most is its imposing architecture and elegant design.

Also, in the main hall of the temple, you will be impressed to see the seated jade Buddha statue, which is one of the most important structures in the temple due to the fact that it is highly revered by the faithful. Wat Benchamabophit is a place of pilgrimage for many tourists and locals who want to learn and explore Thai culture and history.

Inside the temple you will also see a lot of Buddha statues and many wood carvings. I recommend you to sign up for a tuk tuk tour of Bangkok that will take you to see the temples, including Wat Benchamabophit.

Details of interest

  • Price: To enter this temple you will have to pay around 2 euros per person.
  • Hours: This place is open between 8:00 and 17:30, every day.
  • Location: This temple is located at a very short distance from Dusit Park.

Book a tour with visit to the temples of Bangkok

5. Wat Sri Sudaram Worawihan

Temple in Bangkok|©Rattasat
Temple in Bangkok|©Rattasat

Undoubtedly a temple you have to visit is the Wat Sri Sudaram Worawihan, located in the region of Ayutthaya in Thailand, to visit it I recommend you to sign up for one of the tours to the temples of Ayutthaya, in which you will not only know this but also others that are located in that region.

This one in particular, is a temple built in the eighteenth century during the reign of King Boromakot of Ayutthaya. One of the things that will catch your attention about this place is its 15 meters high seated Buddha image, it is certainly a good place to take some of the best pictures of your trip. You will also see many beautiful murals and wood carvings dating back to the Ayutthaya era.

Undoubtedly this temple is one of the best places to see and spend time to know in its entirety, especially for the cultural importance that the place represents for Thailand and its traditions.

Details of interest

  • Price: To visit this temple you will have to pay around 3 euros per person.
  • Hours: You will be able to visit this site between 8:00 and 20:30, every day.
  • Location: It is located in the locality of Phra Nakhon, in Bangkok.

Book an excursion to Ayutthaya

6. Wat Saket

Wat Saket|©Thanathip Moolvong
Wat Saket|©Thanathip Moolvong

Wat Saket is one of the most famous temples in Bangkok, and is also called Golden Mountain. It is a very popular pilgrimage site in the city and is located on a small hill with incredible views of Bangkok. What will draw your attention to this place is its golden chedi, which rises more than 70 meters high, and is therefore a major tourist attraction in the city.

Inside the temple you will see a large collection of Buddha images and sacred shrines that are of great importance to Thai culture and religion. Also inside you will see numerous statues and paintings of various styles where you can see the Buddha and other deities important to Thai culture. Wat Saket is always crowded during the different festivities and religious events organized during the year.

If you go with a tour guide to visit Wat Saket, he will surely tell you the belief that a relic of Gautama Buddha is kept inside. Whether true or false, what is certain is that a visit to Wat Saket should be included in your Bangkok itinerary in 3 days or less.

Details of interest

  • Price: To enter this place you will have to pay around 3 euros per person.
  • Hours: You can go to visit this temple between 8:00 and 17:00, every day.
  • Location: This place is exactly at 344 Thanon Chakkraphatdi Phong, Ban Bat, Pom Prap Sattru Phai.

Book a tour with visit to the temples of Bangkok

7. Sri Maha Mariamman Temple

Sri Maha MariAmman Hindu Temple Bangkok|©macca c
Sri Maha MariAmman Hindu Temple Bangkok|©macca c

Although the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple is considerably less known compared to other Buddhist temples in Thailand, this is an important place of worship and is also valued by the Hindu community in Thailand. Among other things, you will be delighted to see the colorful and detailed architecture that stands out in this temple. You will also be able to see inside, how the Hindu tradition of South India manifests itself.

You will be able to walk through several rooms inside the temple, where you will find altars and statues of different Hindu deities, such as Ganesha and Durga. You will also see an elegant tower and different architectural elements of great value. In addition to everything previously detailed, this place is incredibly interesting thanks to the fact that inside you will be able to learn a lot about the culture and religious traditions of Thailand.

Interesting details

  • Price: There is no entrance fee, but donations are accepted.
  • Hours: The temple is open every day from 6:00 to 20:00.
  • Location: Located at No. 5, Soi Sri Bahphan, Surawong Road, Suriyawongse, Bang Rak.

8. Wat Ratchanatdaram

Wat Ratchanatdaram Worawihan|©Uwe Schwarzbach
Wat Ratchanatdaram Worawihan|©Uwe Schwarzbach

The temple is called Wat Ratchanatdaram Woravihara, but is also known as the Iron Monastery. It was built by order of King Rama III in the 19th century, and part of what makes this temple stand out is its elegant architecture. Inside you will see several important buildings and structures, including its imposing 36-meter metal tower, known as Loha Prasat.

The 3-level tower has forty-eight columns, representing the forty-eight virtues of Buddha. The Loha Prasat is said to be the only building of its kind remaining in the world. But in addition to these features of the building also highlights a large number of Buddhist relics that are kept inside and you can see if you visit the temple.

Interesting details

  • Price: To visit this temple you will have to pay about one dollar per person.
  • Hours: Its opening hours are from 8:00 to 17:30, every day.
  • Location: Located at the corner of Ratchadamnoen Klang and Maha Chai Road.

Book a tour with visit to the temples of Bangkok

9. Wat Saman Rattanaram

Wat Saman Rattanaram|©NoDurians
Wat Saman Rattanaram|©NoDurians

Wat Saman Rattanaram is located in Chachoengsao, very close to Bangkok in Thailand. The temple is famous for its giant statue of the Hindu goddess of war, Vishnu. The statue is over 17 meters high and is visible from far away, so one of the things you will like most about this site is the sheer size of this monument.

You will also be able to see the different buildings and garden areas inside the temple that are so popular with visitors. Wat Saman Rattanaram is a sacred place for the Thai people, even during Buddhist festivities, such as Songkran and Loy Krathong. I recommend that when you visit this place, show respect because it is a sacred place for Thais.

Details of interest

  • Price: To enter this temple you will not have to pay anything, but donations are accepted.
  • Hours: The temple is generally open every day from 6:00 to 18:00.
  • Location: It is located exactly at 99, Moo 3, Tambon Ban Mai, Amphoe Mueang Chachoengsao.

10. Wat Sakae

Wat Sakae Phra Ubosot|©Gerry Gantt
Wat Sakae Phra Ubosot|©Gerry Gantt

Visiting Wat Sakae is one of the things you definitely have to do when you visit the city, even though it is in the Wang Thong district in southern Thailand. It is a site famous for its unique architecture, zigzag side walls and steeply pitched roofs. It is definitely a good place to experience Buddhist culture and history. Inside the temple you will also see different statues and picturesque buildings that are very photogenic.

One of the things you will love about this place is the number of festivals and cultural activities that are held here throughout the year, including the water blessing ceremony, which is one of the best things to do in bangkok in April. You cannot fail to appreciate the golden Buddha which is about 32 meters high, making it one of the largest Buddhas in the country.

You will also be delighted to see the more than 80 Buddha statues in various poses and sizes that are located inside the site. From the top of the hill where the temple is located, you will be able to see the different panoramic views of the city.

Details of interest

  • Price: To enter this temple you will have to pay around 3 euros per person.
  • Hours: The temple is open every day between 8:00 and 20:00.
  • Location: This temple is located exactly in the heart of the city of Bangkok.