Sitting on the glass SkyWalk high above Bangkok

Thailand

Bangkok & Phuket

two cities · 9 must-see spots

The trip

Spectacular. A real dream.

Thailand gave us two completely different trips in one. We started in Bangkok — temples, glass skydecks, neon Chinatown and markets that spill onto train tracks — then flew south to Phuket for elephants, island-hopping and slow beach sunsets. Here's exactly where every shot was taken in each city, and the tours we booked to make it easy. We visited in March 2025.

City one

Bangkok

Us inside a gilded hall of the Grand Palace flanked by lion statues

Bangkok · Most iconic01

The Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew

📍 Grand Palace · Old City (Rattanakosin)

An overwhelming, glittering complex of gold spires and mirrored temples, home to the Emerald Buddha. It's Bangkok's must-see — we'd just say get there early before the heat and the crowds peak. One thing to know: the dress code is strict (shoulders and knees covered for everyone); we brought layers, and you can rent a cover-up at the gate if needed.

Cover shoulders & kneesGo early

The glass-floor SkyWalk at King Power Mahanakhon

Bangkok · Best view02

The Mahanakhon SkyWalk

📍 King Power Mahanakhon · Silom / Sathon

Thailand's highest observation deck, with a glass floor that shows the whole city dropping away beneath your feet — equal parts thrilling and terrifying. We went in the late afternoon so we could watch the light change over the skyline (there's a clip of that view further down). Not for the faint-hearted, but the photos are unreal.

Glass skydeckGo for sunset

On the red terrace of the Golden Mount with Thai flags and the Bangkok skyline

Bangkok · Best free view03

The Golden Mount (Wat Saket)

📍 Wat Saket · Old City

A golden stupa on top of an artificial hill, reached by a gentle spiral of about 300 steps lined with bells and flags. It was one of our favourite Bangkok surprises — the terrace at the top gives a full 360° view over the old city for barely a couple of dollars. We went late afternoon as it cooled down.

~300 steps360° city view

Neon-lit Yaowarat, Bangkok's Chinatown, at night

Bangkok · After dark04

Chinatown & a night at the fights

📍 Yaowarat Road → Rajadamnern Stadium

Yaowarat is a wall of neon and, we think, the best street food in the city — we came hungry and left very full. Another Bangkok night we'll never forget was ringside at a Muay Thai match: the energy in the stadium is electric, and it's a real slice of Thai culture, not a tourist show.

Come hungryBest after dark

GetYourGuide We booked this

Bangkok: Muay Thai Boxing Tickets at Rajadamnern Stadium

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Long-tail boats packed into the canals of a floating market

A train pushing through the Maeklong Railway Market

Bangkok · Best day trip05

The floating & train markets

📍 Damnoen Saduak & Maeklong Railway Market · outside Bangkok

Two of the most surreal mornings of the trip, and easy to combine. At the floating market we drifted the canals in a long-tail past vendors selling everything from noodles to fruit; at the railway market, stalls literally slide back off the tracks as a real train squeezes through inches away, then reopen like nothing happened. We booked the two together as one day trip — there are clips of both below.

Combine bothGo early

GetYourGuide We booked this

Bangkok: Floating Market and Train Market Experience

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City two

Phuket

Us sharing a kiss beside a rescued elephant

Us in the river beside a rescued elephant

Phuket · Most memorable01

A morning with rescued elephants

📍 Elephant sanctuary · Phuket

Hands down one of the most special things we've ever done. We spent a half-day feeding, walking and bathing rescued elephants down by the water — no riding, just time with these gentle giants. If you do one thing in Phuket, make it this, and choose an ethical, no-riding sanctuary like the one we went with.

No ridingIncludes lunch

GetYourGuide We booked this

Phuket: Lily Elephant Half-Day Trip on the Beach with Lunch

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Us in the water in front of James Bond Island in Phang Nga Bay

Sea-kayaking under a limestone cave arch in Phang Nga Bay

Phuket · Best adventure02

James Bond Island & Phang Nga Bay

📍 Phang Nga Bay · day trip from Phuket

Towering limestone karsts jutting straight out of emerald water — the whole of Phang Nga Bay looks unreal. We stood in front of the famous James Bond Island (Ko Tapu), sea-kayaked into hidden caves and lagoons, and had lunch at Koh Panyee, a fishing village built entirely on stilts over the water. A full, brilliant day on the sea.

Sea kayakingFull-day trip

GetYourGuide We booked this

Phuket: Full-Day James Bond Island Trip with Sea Kayaking

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Rows of brass wishing bells at the Big Buddha, Phuket

Us at a Phuket clifftop viewpoint over a turquoise bay

Phuket · Best panorama03

The Big Buddha & the viewpoints

📍 Big Buddha & the island's clifftop viewpoints · Phuket

The 45-metre Big Buddha sits on a hilltop with rows of brass wishing bells and a sweeping view over the south of the island. We paired it with Phuket's famous viewpoints looking down over the turquoise bays — best strung together on a half-day city tour that also drops you at the night market for dinner.

Modest dressSunset viewpoints

GetYourGuide We booked this

Phuket: Half-Day City Tour with Night Market

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Standing in the shallows at sunset on a Phuket beach

Phuket · Most relaxing04

Phuket's beaches & sunsets

📍 Phuket's west-coast beaches

After all the temples and markets, we slowed right down on Phuket's west-coast beaches. Warm water, soft sand, sunset cocktails and skies that turned the whole horizon gold — the perfect way to end a trip. We'd just pick a beach on the west side and time it for golden hour.

West coast for sunsetSlow days

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