10 Best Temples to Visit in Bangkok
Discover Bangkok's spiritual heart with our guide to the 10 best temples in the city
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Once you’ve seen one temple, you’ve seen them all, right? Wrong. In Bangkok anyway. Beyond the hedonistic nightlife and colourful markets lies the ancient, beating heart of a city that’s centuries old. The temples of Bangkok are a glimpse into Thailand’s deeply spiritual side, with each temple, or wat, bringing its own beauty, charm and significance. If you’re looking to explore this side of the City of Angels, this is our ultimate guide to the 10 best temples in Bangkok.
1. Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha)
Wat Phra Kaew, or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, is arguably the most important and revered temple in Thailand. Located within the huge Grand Palace complex, this temple houses the Emerald Buddha, a sacred statue carved from a single block of jade. The temple’s architecture features intricate mosaics, golden spires and richly decorated hallways. Unlike other temples, Wat Phra Kaew does not have resident monks, as its primary purpose is to house the Emerald Buddha.
2. Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha)
A short walk from the Grand Palace, Wat Pho is famous for its colossal Reclining Buddha statue, which measures 46m long and 15m high. The statue, coated in gold leaf, depicts Buddha in a state of nirvana and is one of the largest of its kind. The soles of the statue’s feet are inlaid with mother-of-pearl and the temple dates back to the 16th and 18th centuries. Wat Pho is also known for its prestigious traditional Thai massage school, which offers visitors the chance to experience this ancient healing practice. The temple complex features beautiful chedis, intricate murals and quiet courtyards to wander through.
3. Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)
Wat Arun, or the Temple of Dawn, is a striking landmark situated on the western bank of the Chao Phraya River. Known for its towering central spire, which reaches a height of 70m, Wat Arun is covered in colourful porcelain tiles and has breathtaking views of the city from its upper levels. The temple is especially beautiful in the early evening, when the sunset bathes the temple in golden light. Monks live, study, and perform religious duties at the temple, and when you visit Wat Arun, you’ll often see them going about their daily routines, engaging in prayer, meditation and other spiritual practices. A boat ride across the river is one of the best ways to view this iconic temple.
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4. Wat Sa Ket (Golden Mount)
Perched on a hill in the heart of Bangkok, Wat Sa Ket – commonly known as the Golden Mount – has panoramic views of the city from its summit. The temple’s golden chedi is visible from afar, perched on a sugar-cube white building. Climbing the 300 plus steps to the top is a breathtaking experience – literally, and figuratively! The wide-sweeping views over the city are worth every step. The temple serves as both a place of worship and a monastic community, and here you can see how Buddhist monks go about their lives, from ceremonies and blessings to simple grounds maintenance and care for the temple. Wat Saket is also known for its annual Loy Krathong festival, where thousands of candles are lit around the Golden Mount.
5. Wat Benchamabophit (Marble Temple)
Wat Benchamabophit, also known as the Marble Temple, is known for its stunning architecture and use of glistening white Italian marble, imported in from Carrarra, Italy. Built in the late 19th century during the reign of King Chulalongkorn, the temple features a stunning red and gold interior and a large central courtyard surrounded by 52 Buddha statues. The temple’s peaceful atmosphere make it a quiet haven away from the busier, more popular temples that Bangkok has to offer. The gardens here feature a beautiful canal, marble bridges and lush gardens.
6. Wat Pak Nam (Home of the Giant Buddha Statue)
Until a couple of years ago, most people wouldn’t have heard of Wat Pak Nam, and here it is on a list of the best temples in Bangkok. The temple itself is of national importance and history (it was built back in the 16th century). But in 2021, construction was finished on one of the largest Buddha statues in Thailand, a megalith that stands 69m (226ft) above the city of Bangkok. The bronze giant is housed in the grounds of Wat Pak Nam temple, and can be seen from all over the city, covered in the brightest gold. The temple itself is a major meditation centre, teaching the Dhammakaya practice, which the temple is known for. The Buddha statue is the real draw, and we predict it will be an icon of Bangkok, over the coming years. Get here first.
7. Wat Ratchabophit (Temple of the King’s Guard)
Wat Ratchabophit is an often-overlooked gem in Bangkok. Unusually for Thai temples, the main hall is circular and surrounded by a moat, with the interior of the temple adorned with murals and ornate decorations. It’s an artistic and beautifully designed temple that merges traditional Thai design with more European ideas, such as intricate marble work and stained glass windows. It’s also a Royal Temple and the final resting place for members of the Thai Royal Family. Its unique layout, beautiful design and quiet atmosphere make this a perfect place to escape the crowds of the city and see an authentic, less commercial side to Thailand’s temples.
8. Wat Traimit (Temple of the Golden Buddha)
Wat Traimit, also known as the Temple of the Golden Buddha, is home to a magnificent solid gold Buddha statue, this one weighing in at approximately 5.5 tons and standing 3m tall. The statue, which dates back to the Sukhothai period, is a crucial and fascinating part of Thailand’s colonial history. It was discovered in the 1950s after being covered in plaster to conceal it from invaders. It’s true identity was only revealed after it was dropped and the plaster fell away, revealing the gold statue beneath. The temple’s museum provides insight into the history and significance of the Golden Buddha if you want to learn more. Wat Traimit is also conveniently located in the Chinatown district of Bangkok.
9. Wat Intharawihan (Standing Buddha Temple)
Wat Intharawihan is famous for its enormous standing Buddha statue, known as Phra Buddha Sai Yas. Coming in at 32m tall, this statue is one of the tallest in Thailand. It’s a sight to behold, adorned in intricate mosaics and 24-karat gold. Unlike many other temples, Wat Intharawihan provides a more intimate and less crowded experience, and is famous for its healing and blessing ceremonies. These ceremonies typically involve chanting, the sprinkling of holy water and the offering of sacred items like amulets or blessed threads (known as sai sin). The ceremonies are generally open to anyone, regardless of religious background and there’s no need to book. Visitors to the temple can request a blessing or healing ceremony from the monks.
10. Wat Mahathat (Temple of the Great Relic)
Wat Mahathat is an ancient temple located in the historic district of Bangkok. It is known for its impressive central chedi and its role as a centre for meditation and learning. The temple houses relics of the Buddha, including a tooth relic, which is highly revered and protected, kept in a sacred chamber that’s off-limits to the general public. The temple is one of the oldest in Bangkok, and despite its central location near the Grand Palace, it retains a quiet air that can be hard to find in the city. Wat Mahathat also serves as the headquarters of the Thai meditation tradition. It’s a wonderful place to gain insight and understanding into Thailand’s spiritual practices.
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