Bangkok is a marmite city, people tend to either love it or hate it. There’s a lot to dislike, sure: high pollution levels, the sheer number of people everywhere, never-ending traffic jams spent stuck with surly taxi drivers who try to rip you off… But despite all that, I found myself falling for it, big time.
I suspected I would though, I love the buzz of a thriving city with new things to discover round every corner, endless opportunities to get lost and make memories with friendly strangers in heaving drag bars drunk on shots called golden shower (yep, that was a great night).
I wasn’t sure I was going to write a guide to the city, because three nights is not enough time to know it, heck three nights doesn’t even scratch the surface. However whilst I can’t tell you the best places to eat, drink and be merry with sufficient conviction, I did make my way around enough photogenic places to put together a pretty convincing Instagram guide to Bangkok, with plenty of aesthetically pleasing locations for the photograph-minded.
This is by no means exhaustive, and I’m already plotting my return for all the other places I’d wanted to visit (and photograph). But it’s a pretty good start if you’re heading to the City of Angels and looking to get some snaps in between portions of pad thai.
Things to do in Bangkok: The Temples
Bangkok, like the rest of Thailand, is chock a block with magnificent temples open to the public to ogle. They're often crowded with tourists, largely taking selfies, and can feel a bit repetitive once you've seen a couple, but nonetheless they're a must-see in the city. If you're interested in learning more about Buddhist practices you may not come out any wiser, but if you're looking for an authentic Thai massage or just want a good Instagram snap you're in luck. Make sure to dress conservatively - cover your shoulders and knees or you'll have to purchase a cover up. Also be careful not to do anything that is seen as disrespectful to Buddha - tattoos of Buddha for example are a big no no.
The Grand Palace
Arguably Bangkok's most notable sight, the Grand Palace complex houses several impressive buildings including Wat Phra Kaeo temple. It's a visual feast, with colourful and intricate facades, golden spires and detailed murals lining the walls. The building is no longer a Royal residence but is occasionally used for ceremonial occasions. There's a heck of a lot of history surrounding the Palace, but it's easy enough to enjoy simply for the sheer beauty of the artwork.
If you forget a cover up you can purchase one at the entrance - expect a pair of oh so stylish baggy trousers! For shots, there's plenty of ops around every corner, but it gets busy so aim for opening or closing. Wat Pho is a short walk away, so you can easily combine the two, and even take the boat over the water to Wat Arun afterwards if you're not all templed out.
Grand Palace
Na Phra Lan Rd
Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang
10200
Wat Pho
Wat Pho is just as beautiful as the Grand Palace but enjoyably calmer, at least when we visited. It's best known for it's giant reclining gold Buddha statue, but is also notable as one of the leading schools of Thai massage - if you're feeling tense from all the crowds, now's the time to take a break with a relaxing massage. I didn't have one here myself so can't comment on the experience, but I had a couple of Thai massages during my trip and it's definitely worth doing.
The complex's main feature (other than the massive Buddha!) is the striking decorative statues in adorned with bright tiles reaching up into the sky. What purpose they serve or represent I have no clue, but they're impressive nonetheless.
Wat Pho
2 Sanam Chai Rd
Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang
10200
Wat Benchamabophit
Also known as the Marble Temple, Wat Benchamabophit was probably my favourite temple of those we visited in Bangkok. Outside of the main tourist areas, it's far quieter than its counterparts (it helped that we visited at 7am due to jetlag!). It's smaller too, centred around a main building (pictured). Turn up early and have the place to yourself with only the sounds of birds chirping and the small bells that line the temple ringing in the wind - it really is a lovely moment. Oh, and it's a stunning spot for photos - I took one of my favourite Instagram snaps from the whole trip here!
Wat Benchamabophit
69 Nakornpathom Rd
Dusit
10300
Wat Arun
Another of Bangkok’s main sights is What Arun, otherwise known as Temple of Dawn (I guess it looks really nice at dawn?). It’s iconic design is made up of long spires jutting in to the sky, with four pillars surrounding a central structure, which you can climb. It’s a fairly small complex but the colourful designs are worth a visit to see, plus the most common way to get there is to take a short ferry journey across the river, which makes things more interesting! The building also gets lit up at night.
Wat Arun
158 Thanon Wang Doem
Bangkok Yai
10600
Where to Eat in Bangkok: Instagram Cafes
Kay's Boutique Breakfast
Flower walls are a reliable Instagram stalwart but Kay’s Boutique have taken things up a notch with a full blown flower corridor, lined with floor to ceiling pink and white blooms. Expect to compete with hoards of teens and reluctant Insta boyfriends to get the shot, but as one of my best performing posts of all time I can confirm that it is worth it. Not just for the photos; we went for a hungover brunch which really hit the spot, serving up breakfast burgers, pancakes and waffles alongside pastas and salads.
Kay's Boutique Breakfast
Thanon Phaya Thai
Ratchathewi
10400
Thongyoy Cafe
A little outside of the main tourist areas on an otherwise non-descript road you’ll find a little patch of Instagrammer paradise in the form of picturesque Thongyoy cafe. It’s a dessert cafe, specialising in traditional Thai desserts, as well as coffees and smoothies. The main flower wall makes a great backdrop, and is uniquely decorated with colourful tropical plants instead of the usual saccharine blooms. Fair warning, it’s a bit shambolic - we turned up soon after opening to be told they didn’t open till later because it was a weekend… except it was a Friday. When they did let us in the service was pretty scatty and they didn’t actually have any desserts to serve us. Great for a photo, but not exactly recommendable otherwise! If you do end up getting desserts though, let me know what they’re like because they looked really interesting!
88/2 Areesampan Soi 7
Rama 6 Road
Samsennai
10400
House of Eden
Did pink really even exist before Instagram? Okay maybe Barbie made it famous first but the millennial favourite has found a new home on the platform, from viral London doors to opulent loos (hey Annabels, I’m looking at you). House of Eden certainly got wise, with two Bangkok locations done up in a range of pink hues (with a hint of peach for good measure). I visited their Siam Discovery outpost, which is decked out with cosy pink booths, a sleek silver bar, and abstract glittery ceiling installation. The food is equally pretty, but also tasty. We went for fluffy pancakes (they have both sweet and savoury, labelled “Adam” and “Eve”), as well as decadently decorated lattes and smoothies.
House of Eden
301, Rama 1 Road
Siam Discovery 2 Floor
10330
Drinking in Bangkok
Madame Musur
Okay this one isn't really grammable but I wanted to include it anyway, because it's a cute spot for a cocktail and it does a darn good dinner. Madame Musur is a dining and drinking spot close enough to the Khao San Road to feel buzzy but also far enough away not to have to listen to tacky club music blasting from ten different speaker systems at once. The vibe is that of a laid back beach bar, with wooden chairs and mismatched cushions, plus you can sit out overlooking the street for some prime people watching. The menu is made up of Thai staples - we enjoyed the Pad Thai, green curry and satay chicken, which all tasted authentic and packed with flavour. Cocktails are just as good - try the lychee martini!
Madame Musur
Chakrabongse Rd
Chana Songkhram
10200
Hippie de Bar
We happened to be staying near the backpacker mecca that is the infamous Khao San Road, so wanted to at least attempt to experience the "Khao San" experience (which as it turns out largely boils down to getting stuck in crowds, forced to listen to rubbish chart hits blasting from every bar, and being hassled in to seeing ping pong shows). Most of the bars weren't really our scene (yeah we're old and boring), but a little way back from the main drag we discovered the oasis that is Hippie de Bar. As the name suggests the bar is done up in psychedelic 60s style, and is appropriately chill, being tucked away and less 'in your face' than it's counterparts. Admittedly, the cocktails are a bit on the sweet side, and again it's not really "grammable", but if you want somewhere to drink without having all your senses bombarded at once, it's a nice spot for it.
Hippie de Bar
42/1-2 Khaosan Rd
Talat Yot
10200
wow all those IG cafes!! They are becoming a thing!! The roses one is so pretty!
But the temples are breathtaking!
Amazing little guide!
Cate // 35mminstyle
Brilliant presentation,well done.