Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland and one of the most underrated city breaks in the UK. It’s compact, incredibly walkable, and packed with history, culture, and one of the best food and bar scenes I’ve encountered anywhere in the British Isles.
It’s also a city that wears its complex past openly the murals, the Peace Wall, the political taxi tours and that honesty makes it one of the most thought-provoking places I’ve visited. Come with an open mind, and you’ll leave with a genuine understanding of a city that has worked incredibly hard to reinvent itself.
Nowadays Belfast is my second home, as I own short term accommodation properties in the city. I’m constantly advising and engaging tourists so I do dare say I know a lot. So if you are visiting do me a favour and stay in one of them… wink, wink!
GRAND OPERA HOUSE
BELFAST ESSENTIALS
✈️ Getting There / Belfast has two airports, Belfast International (BFS) and George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD), most UK flights use City Airport, which is closer to the centre. Book a private airport transfer with WelcomePickups for a stress-free arrival. Search flights on Skyscanner.
🚗 Getting Around / The city centre is very walkable, with most attractions within a 20 to 30 minute walk of each other. For day trips out to Giant’s Causeway or Hillsborough Castle, compare rental cars on DiscoverCars.
🧳 Luggage Storage / If you’re early for check-in or have time to kill before heading home, no stress, there are luggage storage points all over Belfast. Use this website to find one nearby.
📱 Connect / Stay connected the moment you land with an eSIM. I use Holafly, use code TRAVELWITHPAU for 5% off.
🛡️ Get Insured / Even for a UK trip, it’s worth having cover. World Nomads offers coverage for over 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
Wonderful Things to Do in Belfast
Visit the Titanic Belfast Experience
The Titanic Belfast museum is, without exaggeration, one of the best museums I’ve ever been to. Built on the exact slipway where the Titanic was constructed, it takes you through the full story of the ship, from Belfast’s industrial history to the night of the sinking and beyond. The building itself is stunning, designed to resemble the prow of a ship.
Book in advance, this sells out, especially on weekends. Book your Titanic Belfast tickets and include the SS Nomadic visit while you’re there.
Spot the Samson & Goliath Cranes
These two giant yellow cranes are Belfast’s most iconic skyline feature, you can see them from almost everywhere in the city. They’re a symbol of the city’s shipbuilding heritage and make for great photos, especially from the Titanic Quarter waterfront.
Looking for immersive experiences in London? Well, good, because I’m the UK’s biggest independent immersive experience blogger. Whenever an immersive experience launches in London, I’m there no matter how weird it is. I have visited more than 100 so far!
Below London’s best immersive experiences that I have tried and tested, organised by type. This article gets updated regularly, check the last published date for the latest update time and you’ll find 30+ immersive experiences here at all times.
Something needs updating? Give me a shout in the comments, or on Instagram (@travelwithpau).
This Month’s Highlight
Luminiscence
After captivating over one million people worldwide, Luminiscence is coming to London this summer — and Westminster Cathedral might be the most spectacular venue it has ever had. The building’s vast domes, soaring columns, and intricate mosaics become a living canvas as 360° projections sweep across every surface, all set to the music of Beethoven, Verdi, Debussy, Vivaldi, and Bach performed live by the Lux Aeterna choir. There’s also a specially commissioned script narrated by Hugh Bonneville. It’s seated, around 50 minutes, and genuinely unmissable. Running 1 July – 27 September 2026, from £32.50.
The most technically remarkable concert I’ve ever seen — and I don’t even say that lightly. ABBA Voyage takes place in a purpose-built arena in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, where four holographic ABBAtars (the band as they looked in 1979) perform a 100-minute setlist backed by a ten-piece live band. The result is genuinely uncanny — it looks, sounds, and feels like seeing ABBA live. All 20 songs are greatest hits: Dancing Queen, Mamma Mia, Waterloo, Fernando, Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! — the full lot. You can sit or go on the dance floor. London exclusive, has been running for years, and still sells out. If you haven’t done it yet, stop waiting.
You’re the crew of a starship. That’s the premise of Bridge Command, and it delivers completely. Held in a custom-built spaceship set in Vauxhall, you and your group take on roles — pilot, engineer, weapons, communications — and work together to navigate missions, survive crises, and interact with live actors playing characters in the story. No VR, no headsets — just an extraordinarily immersive set with sliding palmprint doors, smoke and sparks when you take damage, and two hours of proper group gameplay. One of the most original immersive experiences in London right now. Running until August 2026, from £40. Groups of up to 14.
This is one of the most exciting immersive experience launches of 2025! The official live, playable experience based on the BAFTA and Emmy award-winning TV show, The Traitors is set in London’s West End. The Traitors: Live Experience will allow players to dive into the world of the hit TV series as they take a seat at ‘The Round Table’, participate in missions and work together to uncover the Traitors.
Candlelight has exploded into one of the most popular concert experiences in London — and honestly, I get it. Intimate live performances in stunning venues, lit entirely by candlelight, at prices that won’t bankrupt you. There are now over 45 different shows running across the city, from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and Hans Zimmer film scores to tributes to Adele, The Beatles, Queen vs ABBA, and even Hip-Hop on Strings. Venues range from Southwark Cathedral and St Martin-in-the-Fields to Central Hall Westminster and Cadogan Hall. Whatever your taste in music, there’s almost certainly a Candlelight show for you — and it makes a brilliant date night or gift.
Bangkok hit me like a burst of chilli, full-on, a little overwhelming, and utterly addictive. I arrived expecting temples and tuk-tuks and found a city of breathtaking contradictions: monks in saffron robes weaving between suits on the Skytrain, a centuries-old floating market twenty minutes from a rooftop cocktail bar on the 83rd floor. It’s the kind of place where every alley holds a street food stall that’ll ruin you for Thai food back home forever.
For most travellers, Bangkok is the gateway to Thailand, the starting point before heading south to the islands or north to Chiang Mai. But I’d argue you need to give it at least three or four days in its own right, because there are more things to do in Bangkok than you can possibly cram into a rushed layover. The temples alone could fill a week.
I’ve put together this Bangkok bucket list to help you make the most of the city, from the iconic Grand Palace to the hidden alleys of Chinatown, the best day trips, where to stay, and every practical detail you need. Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, Bangkok always has something new to throw at you.
🚗 Getting Around / The BTS Skytrain, MRT, and Grab app cover the city easily, plus the scenic Chao Phraya Express Boat by river. Heading further out, book your train, bus, or ferry on 12Go.
🧳 Luggage Storage / If you’re early for check-in or have time to kill after checkout, no stress, there are luggage storage points all over Bangkok. Use this website to find one nearby.
📱 Connect / Stay connected the moment you land. I use Holafly, use code TRAVELWITHPAU for 5% off.
🛡️ Get Insured / Thailand is generally safe, but travel insurance is non-negotiable, especially if you’re planning any adventure activities, motorbike rides, or water sports elsewhere in the country. World Nomads covers a wide range of activities that standard insurers often exclude.
Bangkok Bucket List: 27 Things to Do
1. Marvel at the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew
No Bangkok bucket list is complete without the Grand Palace, and no visit to the Grand Palace is complete without understanding what you’re actually looking at, which is why I’d strongly recommend booking a guided tour rather than wandering around with just a leaflet. The complex was built in 1782 and served as the official residence of the Kings of Siam, and the sheer scale of it is staggering. Within the walls is Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the most sacred Buddhist site in Thailand.
Practical info: Entry costs 500 THB (approximately £11). The complex is open daily 8:30am–3:30pm. Dress code is strictly enforced: shoulders and knees must be covered. Sarongs are available to borrow at the entrance, but they’ll also sell you a cheap cover-up on the spot if you turn up underdressed, my friend had to buy a shirt for 150 baht after a pashmina wasn’t deemed enough coverage, so don’t assume a scarf will cut it. Book a guided Grand Palace tour.
2. See the Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho
Just a short walk from the Grand Palace, Wat Pho is one of the oldest and largest temple complexes in Bangkok, and home to an absolutely enormous 46-metre-long golden Reclining Buddha. The scale of it only hits you when you’re standing in front of it: your eye travels down the length of the figure and you realise you’ve been craning your neck the whole time. Wat Pho is also considered the birthplace of traditional Thai massage, and there’s a massage school on the premises, a legitimately good place to book a session.
3. Watch the Sunset at Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn
Wat Arun sits on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River and is best seen from the water, the towering prang (spire) encrusted with colourful fragments of porcelain is one of the most photographed images in Thailand. Don’t leave Bangkok without taking the public ferry at least once, it’s a brilliant way to get around and you’ll get places through the water fast. You reach Wat Arun by crossing the river on a short public ferry from Tha Tien pier, which costs about 5 THB. Get there at sunrise or golden hour for the best light; the views back across the river towards Wat Pho are equally gorgeous.
One of the largest markets in the world, Chatuchak has over 15,000 stalls spread across 35 acres, selling everything from vintage clothing and independent designer homeware to live animals (a slightly overwhelming section I always hurry past). It’s a market full of independent designers that’s extremely cheap but also super cool, genuinely one of the least touristy things to do in Bangkok, and prices are very reasonable compared to anything you’d find in the tourist-facing markets. I picked up vintage-style blouses for just 100 baht each and beautiful embroidered pashminas for 150 baht. Go on a Saturday or Sunday, bring cash, wear comfortable shoes, and prepare to lose several hours.
Practical info: Open Saturdays and Sundays, 9am–6pm. Entry is free. Located near Mo Chit BTS station and Kamphaeng Phet MRT station.
Bangkok Bucket List: Wat Phra Kaew
5. Feast Your Way Through Chinatown (Yaowarat)
Bangkok’s Chinatown is one of the oldest in the world and, to my mind, one of the most atmospheric neighbourhoods in the city. Yaowarat Road comes alive at night, when the street food vendors set up and the neon signs glow gold overhead. Go hungry, there are Michelin-recommended stalls serving crab omelettes, roast duck, shark fin soup, and all manner of things on sticks that you absolutely must try. But it’s just as fun for shopping as it is for eating, I got properly lost in the small side alleys buying totally unnecessary but brilliant fun items, an accessories and patches shop kept me entertained for a good half hour. The streets off the main drag are just as rewarding: look for the medicine shops, the gold traders, and the tiny shrines tucked between restaurants.
Practical info: Best visited in the evening from around 6pm. Take the MRT to Hua Lamphong or the Chao Phraya boat to Ratchawong pier. Join a Chinatown Night Food Tour.
6. Cruise the Chao Phraya River at Sunset
An evening dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya is one of the most atmospheric things you can do in Bangkok, watching Wat Arun, the Grand Palace walls, and the lit-up riverside temples slide past from the water is genuinely magical. There are options at every price point, from a simple hop-on hop-off day boat to white-tablecloth dinner cruises with live music. For a first visit, I’d go for a dinner cruise so you catch the temples lit up at night.
Practical info: Cruises run from around 7pm. Prices vary from roughly 1,000 THB (£22) for a basic dinner cruise to 2,500 THB+ (£55+) for more upmarket options. Book the newest Luxury 5-Star Chao Phraya Cruise.
7. Live It Up on Khao San Road
Khao San Road is Bangkok’s legendary backpacker street, and whatever you may have heard about it, it’s worth at least one visit, if only for the spectacle. By day it’s a street market selling everything from knock-off designer goods to gap year essentials (fisherman trousers, elephant-print everything). By night it transforms into a full-on party strip, with bars spilling out onto the street, music competing from every direction, and buckets of who-knows-what changing hands. It’s wonderfully chaotic, and I mean that affectionately.
You don’t really need a tour to feel the vibe, just turn up and wander, but if you’d rather have someone show you around, point out the good spots, and answer questions as you go, book the Khao San Nightlife Tour with Street Food and Drinks.
Practical info: Khao San Road is in the Banglamphu neighbourhood, a short tuk-tuk or taxi ride from the Grand Palace. Free to visit. Most bars are open until 2am or later.
8. Haggle at Bangkok’s Floating Markets
Bangkok has several floating markets within day-trip distance, ranging from the famously touristy to the genuinely local. Taling Chan is the closest to the city centre and the most authentically Thai, it’s a weekend market where locals buy their groceries from boats moored along the canal. Damnoen Saduak (about 100km south-west) is the most photographed and the most organised for tourists, colourful boats, lots of photo opportunities, and plenty of vendors. Amphawa (about 80km) is a lovely evening market that fills up with fireflies after dark. If you’re short on time, a guided tour takes care of the logistics. Book a Damnoen Saduak Floating Market Tour.
Bangkok Bucket List: Grand Palace
9. Watch a Muay Thai Fight Night
Watching a live Muay Thai fight at one of Bangkok’s legendary stadiums is one of those experiences that sticks with you long after you leave. The atmosphere is electric, the crowd bets on the bouts, the live music changes tempo as the fight intensifies, and the skill and athleticism on display is extraordinary. Rajadamnern Stadium (one of the oldest, dating from 1945) and Lumpinee Boxing Stadium are the two main venues, with fight nights running several times a week at each. Book tickets in advance to guarantee good seats.
If you’d rather get involved than just watch, a Muay Thai class is a brilliant way to experience Thailand’s national sport firsthand. Classes are open to all levels, even if you’ve never thrown a punch, with small groups or private sessions and English-speaking instructors in a welcoming environment. Bring comfortable clothing, water, and a change of clothes. Book a Muay Thai introduction class for beginners.
11. Learn to Cook in a Thai Cooking Class
Learning to cook Thai food in Bangkok is one of the best travel investments you can make, the skills and flavours travel home with you in a way that a souvenir never does. Most classes begin with a morning market tour to pick up ingredients, then move into a kitchen where you learn to make classics like pad thai, green curry, and mango sticky rice. The Blue Elephant cooking school is particularly well-regarded, but there are dozens of excellent options at all price points.
A proper Thai massage in Bangkok is basically a rite of passage, and you won’t have to go far to find one, massage parlours are absolutely everywhere, especially around spots like Khao San Road. Beyond a classic Thai massage, most places also offer foot reflexology, oil massages, facials, and scrubs. Prices are super affordable compared to Western standards, so don’t be surprised if you end up going back more than once during your trip. Try a Thai massage class if you’d rather learn the technique than just receive it.
13. Ride in a Tuk-Tuk
Zipping through the chaotic streets of Bangkok in the back of a tuk-tuk is a rite of passage in itself. These colourful, three-wheeled rickshaws are loud, a little wild, and undeniably fun, there’s something exhilarating about weaving through traffic with the wind in your hair. Always negotiate and agree on the fare before you hop in, and don’t be surprised if your driver suggests a “quick stop” at a gem or tailor shop along the way, politely decline if you’re not interested. Book a half-day tuk-tuk sightseeing tour if you’d rather have a driver take you round the sights properly.
14. Shop and Dine at Asiatique The Riverfront
Asiatique is a sprawling open-air shopping and entertainment complex on the banks of the Chao Phraya, a converted 1900s wharf that now houses over 1,500 boutiques, 40-odd restaurants, a Ferris wheel, and a cabaret theatre. It’s a lovely place to spend an evening: the riverside setting is beautiful, the vibe is relaxed, and the food options range from street food to sit-down dining. You can reach it by taking a free shuttle boat from Sathorn Pier (Central Pier).
Practical info: Open daily 5pm–midnight. Entry is free. Free shuttle boat from Sathorn Pier runs from around 4pm.
15. Catch a Calypso Cabaret Show
Bangkok’s cabaret shows are a genuine institution, glitzy, theatrical, and performed by some of the most talented and glamorous performers you’ll see anywhere. Calypso Cabaret at Asiatique is the best-known and most polished option, singing and dancing through a full theatrical programme that’s cheeky, colourful, and honestly one of the most entertaining things to do in the city after dark.
In the middle of one of Bangkok’s busiest intersections, surrounded by the Grand Hyatt Erawan hotel, a shopping mall, and a very loud junction, sits one of the most deeply venerated shrines in the city. The Erawan Shrine houses a four-faced golden Brahma statue that Thais believe grants wishes, and at almost any hour of the day you’ll find people leaving offerings of flowers, wooden elephants, and incense. Traditional dancers perform when visitors commission them in thanks for answered prayers. It’s a profoundly moving thing to witness.
Practical info: Located at the corner of Ratchadamri Road and Ploenchit Road, next to Chit Lom BTS station. Open 24 hours. Entry is free.
17. Admire the Golden Buddha at Wat Traimit
On the edge of Chinatown, Wat Traimit houses the world’s largest solid gold Buddha statue, weighing over five tonnes and standing nearly 3 metres tall. For decades it was hidden under a plaster casing to protect it from looters, and was only discovered to be solid gold in 1955 when the plaster cracked during a move, revealing what had been sitting in plain sight the whole time. That story alone makes it worth the visit.
Practical info: Entry costs 100 THB (approximately £2.20). Open daily 8am–5pm. Located at the edge of Chinatown, a short walk from Hua Lamphong MRT station.
18. Step Inside the Jim Thompson House
Jim Thompson was an American businessman who almost single-handedly revived the Thai silk industry after the Second World War, and his home, a complex of six traditional Thai teak houses reassembled along a canal in 1959, is one of the most beautiful and fascinating places in Bangkok. The house is filled with his collection of Asian art and antiques, and the guided tours are excellent. His mysterious disappearance in 1967 (he simply vanished during a walk in the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia, and was never found) adds an additional layer of intrigue.
Bangkok can be relentless in its energy, and Lumphini Park, the city’s lungs, is the best antidote. In the early morning, you’ll find Tai chi practitioners, joggers, and groups doing aerobics by the lake. Monitor lizards (large ones, absolutely unfazed by humans) patrol the paths. I once got chatting to an elderly Thai man in the park who spoke several languages and kept a diary logging the nationality of every visitor he met, then taught me a few Thai phrases before we parted ways, the kind of encounter that only happens when you slow down enough to sit on a park bench. On weekend evenings, families set up picnics and musicians play. It’s completely free, completely lovely, and a reminder that Bangkok is a city where people actually live.
Practical info: Open daily 4:30am–9pm. Entry is free. Located near Silom MRT station and Lumphini MRT station.
20. Cycle Through Bang Krachao, Bangkok’s Green Lung
Bang Krachao is a man-made island formed by a bend in the Chao Phraya River, and despite sitting just minutes from the skyscrapers of downtown, it feels like a different country entirely: jungle boardwalks, quiet canals, coconut groves, and barely any traffic. Renting a bike and getting lost on the elevated concrete paths through the mangroves is one of the best low-key things to do in the city, especially if you need a break from the noise. Reach it by a short longtail boat crossing from Klong Toey or Wat Bang Nam Phueng pier, or skip the planning altogether and book the Green Oasis Nature Bike Tour.
Practical info: Bike rental is available near the pier for a small daily fee. Best visited on weekday mornings to avoid crowds. Book a Bang Krachao cycling tour.
21. Wander the Backstreets of Talad Noi
Talad Noi is Bangkok’s oldest neighbourhood, a maze of narrow lanes between Chinatown and the river packed with vintage machinery shops, Chinese shrines, and increasingly, striking street art murals that have made it a favourite with photographers. It’s scruffy in the best way, genuinely lived-in rather than curated for tourists, and one of those areas that rewards slow wandering with no fixed plan.
Practical info: Best explored on foot in the late afternoon. A short walk from Hua Lamphong MRT station or the River City pier.
22. Snack Your Way Through Jodd Fairs Night Market
If Chatuchak feels too sprawling, Jodd Fairs is the trendier, more manageable alternative, a modern night market with converted shipping container bars, live music, and food stalls slinging everything from grilled seafood to inventive fusion snacks. It has a younger, more local crowd than the tourist-heavy markets, and it’s a genuinely fun way to spend an evening.
Practical info: Open evenings, typically from around 4pm to midnight. Free entry. Multiple locations across the city, Rot Fai (Ratchada) is the most established.
23. Shop Till You Drop at MBK Center and Siam
Bangkok is a world-class shopping city, and the Siam area is its commercial heart. MBK Center is the local favourite, a massive, slightly chaotic mall with over 2,000 stalls selling electronics, fashion, accessories, and food at very good prices. It’s the place to go for phone repairs, custom phone cases, and bargain branded goods. I genuinely loved MBK, and definitely shopped one too many beach dresses there, all bought with good intentions for the islands later in the trip. For more upmarket shopping, Siam Paragon and CentralWorld are next door, housing international brands and excellent food courts. The Skytrain connects all of them.
Practical info: MBK Center is open daily 10am–10pm. Located at National Stadium BTS station. Entry is free.
24. Sip Cocktails at Bangkok’s Rooftop Bars
Bangkok’s skyline is spectacular from above, and there are several rooftop bars vying to give you the best view. The most famous is Sky Bar at Lebua State Tower (the one from The Hangover Part II), perched on the 64th floor, with views in every direction and cocktails to match. For something more accessible, the Baiyoke Sky Hotel at 83 floors up is the highest public observation point in Bangkok, and significantly cheaper. Red Sky, on the 56th floor of Centara Grand, is another excellent option, and you can book a table in advance to skip the queue. Rooftop sundowners are a Bangkok rite of passage.
Practical info: Sky Bar at Lebua is open from 6pm. Smart casual dress code enforced. Cocktails start around 600 THB (£13). Located at the corner of Si Phraya and Charoen Krung roads.
25. Explore the Vimanmek Teak Mansion
The Vimanmek Teak Mansion is an extraordinary building, reportedly the world’s largest golden teak wood mansion, built in 1900 as a royal residence for King Rama V. It’s stunning to look at, sits within beautifully maintained gardens, and feels genuinely off the tourist radar compared to the more famous sights. The guided tours (compulsory with entry) are interesting and unhurried. Dress code applies as it’s on royal palace grounds.
Practical info: Entry costs 100 THB (approximately £2.20), or free if you already have a Grand Palace ticket from the same day. Open Tuesday–Sunday 9:30am–4pm. Located near Dusit Park.
26. Dive Into Bangkok’s Street Food and Night Markets
Bangkok’s street food scene is among the best in the world, and the best way to experience it is simply by wandering, though having a guide helps enormously for context and recommendations. Yaowarat (Chinatown) at night is unmissable. The area around Silom and Patpong Night Market is good for browsing. Victory Monument has excellent student-budget noodle spots. And if you want a one-stop street food experience, Chatuchak Park area on weekends offers everything from rotis to grilled seafood.
Wat Saket is one of Bangkok’s lesser-visited gems, and all the better for it. The temple sits atop an artificial hill about 80 metres high, reached by a winding staircase of more than 300 steps through gardens, bells, and prayer flags. The views from the top across the old city rooftops are fantastic, and the whole experience feels far more meditative than the busier Grand Palace complex. Go in the late afternoon for the best light.
Practical info: Entry costs 20 THB (under £1). Open daily 7:30am–5:30pm. Located in the Pom Prap Sattru Phai district, about 20 minutes’ walk from Khao San Road.
Bangkok Day Trips
Bangkok’s location in central Thailand makes it an excellent base for day trips. Here are the best options:
Ayutthaya (most recommended): The ancient capital of the Kingdom of Siam, Ayutthaya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site roughly 80km north of Bangkok, about an hour and a half by train or minivan. The crumbling temple ruins, headless Buddha statues, and sheer scale of the historical park make it one of the most impressive archaeological sites in South-East Asia. You can easily do it as a day trip, though staying overnight gives you the place almost to yourself in the early morning. Book an Ayutthaya Temples Guided Tour with Lunch.
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and Maeklong Train Market: Combine both iconic day trips in one, watch vendors pull their stalls back from the tracks as a full-size train passes through the Maeklong market, then head to Damnoen Saduak for the famous floating market experience. Best done on a guided tour as getting between the two independently is time-consuming. Book the combined Railway and Floating Market Tour.
Kanchanaburi: The site of the infamous Bridge on the River Kwai and deeply significant WWII history, Kanchanaburi is about two hours west of Bangkok. The Allied War Cemetery is sobering and moving. Worth a full day at minimum. Trains run directly from Thonburi Station, or you can take a minivan from Mo Chit, both take around 2 to 2.5 hours. Check routes and book your ticket on 12Go.
Koh Samet: For a beach day without the commitment of travelling south, Koh Samet is a small island about 200km south-east of Bangkok, around three hours by bus and ferry. White sand, clear water, and very doable as a two-night trip if you want a change of pace from the city. Book your bus and ferry combo on 12Go.
Bangkok Bucket List
Where to Stay in Bangkok
Bangkok has accommodation at every budget level, and the neighbourhood you choose matters as much as the hotel itself. Here’s my breakdown:
Budget: Baan2459, Best for Atmosphere in Chinatown
Baan2459 is a tiny boutique guesthouse with just four rooms, set in a beautifully restored heritage shophouse on the edge of Chinatown. I stayed here and loved it because being so small and boutique, every detail is really thought through, right down to a genuinely customised welcome, it felt like a little oasis in the middle of Bangkok. It puts you right in the heart of the most exciting neighbourhood in the city for street food and night-time wandering, perfect for exploring Chinatown and the temples. Check availability.
Rated 8.3 out of 10 from nearly 6,000 reviews, Solitaire Bangkok is genuinely excellent value for money. It’s a totally different style of stay to Baan2459, but I loved it just as much, the pool and steam rooms are great, and the breakfast was honestly amazing. It’s on Sukhumvit Soi 13, walkable distance from the BTS Skytrain, a great area if you like gourmet restaurants and nightlife. There’s an outdoor pool, breakfast included, and they even run a free tuk-tuk shuttle to the nearest BTS stations. Comfortable, well-run, and reliable. Check prices and book.
If you’re going to push the boat out in Bangkok (quite literally), Capella Bangkok is the place to do it. It’s a low-rise riverside property with 101 suites and villas, all with panoramic views of the Chao Phraya. The design is hushed and residential, contemporary luxury without the fuss, and the service is impeccable. It consistently features in the world’s top 50 hotel lists, and for good reason. Rates start from around £600 per night. Check availability and book.
Bangkok is genuinely one of the best food cities on earth, and honestly, wandering is half the fun. Yaowarat (Chinatown) at night is unmissable, Michelin-recommended street stalls serving crab omelettes, roast duck, and shark fin soup line the main road once the neon comes on. Silom and Patpong Night Market are good for browsing between bites, Victory Monument has excellent student-budget noodle spots, and Chatuchak Park on weekends offers everything from rotis to grilled seafood. If you’d rather have a local walk you through it, book a Chinatown food tour with Michelin stalls, or take a hands-on Thai cooking class so you can recreate it all when you’re home.
Bangkok Bucket List: Wat Arun
Getting To & Around Bangkok
Most flights from the UK to Bangkok land at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), the main international hub, roughly 11 to 13 hours from London. Thai Airways and British Airways operate direct services; budget-friendly alternatives often involve a stop (usually Dubai, Doha, or Kuala Lumpur) and can save you significant money if you’re flexible with timing. Budget airlines, including AirAsia and Nok Air, tend to use Don Mueang Airport (DMK), the second Bangkok airport, further north of the city, so factor in extra travel time and cost if your onward flight uses it. Use Skyscanner to find the best fares, and book a private transfer into the city with WelcomePickups for a fixed price, a named driver, and no stress after a long-haul flight.
Once you’re in the city, the BTS Skytrain and MRT metro are your best friends, fast, air-conditioned, and very affordable, get a Rabbit Card and top it up as you go. The Grab app is a reliable local version of Uber for door-to-door trips, and the public Chao Phraya Express Boat is a brilliant, cheap, and scenic way to get around by river. Tuk-tuks are fun for shorter hops, just always agree on a price before you get in.
If you’re heading further afield, to Kanchanaburi, Koh Samet, or anywhere else in Thailand, 12Go is worth knowing about. It’s a booking platform that covers pretty much every domestic transport option in one search, trains, buses, minivans, ferries, and even combined routes like a bus plus ferry to an island, so you can compare times and prices and book the whole journey without piecing it together yourself.
How Long to Spend in Bangkok
I’d recommend a minimum of three full days in Bangkok, and ideally four or five if you want to do the city justice without feeling rushed.
Three days is enough to cover the main temples (Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun), do an evening on Khao San Road, explore Chinatown, and squeeze in a day trip to Ayutthaya.
Four to five days gives you breathing room, a cooking class, a river cruise, Chatuchak market on a weekend, and the chance to properly get lost in the neighbourhoods between the main sights. This is my recommended length.
One week or more and you can slow right down, venture further afield (Kanchanaburi, the floating markets), and start to feel like you actually understand the rhythms of the city rather than just ticking boxes.
If Bangkok is your gateway to the rest of Thailand, don’t try to cram it all into one day. Give it three, come back through, and give it three more.
Best Time to Visit Bangkok
The best time to visit Bangkok is between November and February, during the cool dry season. Temperatures hover around 25–30°C, humidity is lower, and you won’t be caught in a downpour every afternoon. This is peak tourist season, so book accommodation and tours ahead.
March to May is hot season, genuinely brutal, with temperatures pushing 38°C and thick humidity. It’s manageable if you’re temple-hopping in the mornings and mall-hopping in the afternoons, but not ideal.
June to October is monsoon season. Bangkok doesn’t flood in the dramatic way some other Thai cities do, and the rain tends to come in short, heavy bursts rather than all-day drizzle. Hotel rates drop significantly, and the city is far less crowded, if you don’t mind the occasional soaking, it’s actually a decent time to visit.
Bangkok FAQ
Is Bangkok worth visiting?
Absolutely, and emphatically. Bangkok is one of the great cities of the world: extraordinary temples, phenomenal food, a rooftop bar scene to rival any metropolis, and an energy that’s completely its own. The heat and the chaos can be exhausting, but they’re also exhilarating. Go in.
How many days do you need in Bangkok?
Three full days is a comfortable minimum for the highlights. Four to five days lets you explore at a reasonable pace and take at least one day trip. A full week gives you Bangkok and some breathing room. Don’t try to rush it.
What is the best area to stay in Bangkok?
It depends on your priorities. Khao San Road is ideal for backpackers and those wanting to be close to the old city temples. Sukhumvit is the most convenient all-rounder, great transport links, restaurants, and shopping. Silom is good for business travellers and has excellent nightlife. For atmosphere (and the best street food), Chinatown is unbeatable.
Is Bangkok safe for travellers?
Bangkok is generally very safe for tourists. The main risks are petty theft in crowded markets, scams targeting tourists (particularly the “the Grand Palace is closed today” tuk-tuk scam, it never is), and traffic. Exercise the usual caution you would in any large city. Drink responsibly, use reputable taxis via Grab, and trust your instincts.
When is the best time to visit Bangkok?
November to February, during the cool dry season, is the best time to visit. It’s peak tourist season but the weather is the most manageable, low humidity, clear skies, and temperatures around 25–30°C. See the Best Time to Visit Bangkok section above for more detail.
Do British citizens need a visa for Thailand?
As of 2026, British passport holders can visit Thailand visa-free for stays of up to 60 days (recently extended from 30 days). Always double-check the latest entry requirements before you travel, as these can change.
More Thailand Inspiration
If Bangkok has whetted your appetite for Thailand, here’s where to head next:
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I’ve visited Birmingham from London more than seven times now, and I even lived there for a couple of weeks while renovating my own apartment just a minute from New Street Station. It’s the second largest city in the UK, the youngest too, with over 40% of the population under 25, and it has more canal waterways than Venice. Add in fine dining, serious greenery, an industrial-meets-artsy vibe (Digbeth alone could keep you busy for a day), and the fact it’s home to Cadbury’s chocolate factory, the Peaky Blinders, and the birthplace of heavy metal, and it’s a city that deserves a lot more than a rushed day trip.
This guide covers everything: my Birmingham bucket list, where to stay, where to eat, and every practical detail you need, whether you’re doing it as a day trip from London or making a proper weekend of it.
Bath Place Street Art
BIRMINGHAM ESSENTIALS
🚆 Getting There / Birmingham is very walkable once you’re there, and getting to it from anywhere in England is easy. Check train and coach options together on Trainline so you can pick whichever is cheapest and fastest, New Street Station puts you right in the centre of everything.
🚗 Getting Around / The city centre is compact enough to walk between most of the big sights, and there’s a solid bus network for anything further out. If you want to combine Birmingham with a Cotswolds or Stonehenge day trip, compare rental cars on DiscoverCars.
🧳 Luggage Storage / If you’re early for check-in or have time to kill before your train home, no stress, there are luggage storage points all over Birmingham. Use this website to find one nearby.
📱 Connect / Stay connected the moment you arrive. I use Holafly, use code TRAVELWITHPAU for 5% off.
🛡️ Get Insured / Even for a UK trip, it’s worth having cover. World Nomads offers coverage for over 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
Birmingham Bucket List: 27 Things to Do
1. Take a Walking Tour to Get Your Bearings
If you only do one organised thing, make it this: a guided walk through the city centre to understand how Birmingham grew from a small market town into the UK’s second largest city. It’s a great way to get authentic insight into modern Birmingham life and spot a few hidden gems you’d otherwise walk straight past. Book the Birmingham Guided City Centre Walking Tour.
2. Explore the Bullring and Grand Central
Birmingham has been a marketplace since the 12th century, and that legacy has only grown over the years. The Bullring is the shopping district around Grand Central station, and it’s genuinely worth a wander even if shopping isn’t your priority, Selfridges looks like it landed from space, the Western Arcade has splendid architecture and lovely independent stores, and the Mailbox nearby is where you go for the luxury brands.
Practical info: Free to explore. Selfridges and the Bullring are a couple of minutes from New Street Station.
3. Take a Selfie with The Bull
Just outside the Bullring in Rotunda Square stands The Bull, a 6-tonne bronze sculpture by artist Laurence Broderick that’s become the symbol of the whole shopping district. It’s undoubtedly the most photographed spot in the city, and it’s impossible to walk past without stopping.
Practical info: Free, outdoors, accessible any time.
4. Wander the Canal Quarter and Brindleyplace
Birmingham’s canal quarter houses the city’s best bars, restaurants, and views, and it just makes for a lovely stroll. Brindleyplace is a beautiful square with restaurants, bars, shops and cafes right on the water, and the area is also home to the National Sealife Centre and the IKON Gallery if you want to make a proper afternoon of it. Book National Sea Life Centre entry tickets.
Practical info: Free to walk. National Sealife Centre and IKON Gallery both charge separate entry (IKON is free on Mondays).
5. Wander Gas Street Basin
Just around the corner from Brindleyplace, Gas Street Basin is the historic junction where several of Birmingham’s canals meet, all cobbled towpaths, narrowboats moored three-deep, and canalside pubs. It’s one of the prettiest, most photogenic corners of the city, and a proper reminder of why Birmingham genuinely does have more miles of canal than Venice.
Practical info: Free to walk. Right next to Brindleyplace and the ICC.
Victoria Square
6. Admire Victoria Square and the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
Victoria Square is best described as Birmingham’s answer to Trafalgar Square, and at its edge sits the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, home to the largest collection of pre-Raphaelite paintings in the world, occupying one of the city’s finest buildings. It’s also where you’ll find the Staffordshire Hoard, the largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold and silver metalwork ever discovered, on permanent display.
Practical info: Free entry. Located right on Victoria Square in the city centre.
7. Look Up at the Frescoes of Piccadilly Arcade
Opposite New Street Station, this picturesque arcade has beautiful architecture and an eclectic mix of independent stores, but what really gets my attention every time is the hand-painted ceiling frescoes, they’re rather unusual and easy to walk straight under without noticing.
Practical info: Free to walk through, open during shopping hours.
8. See Tolkien’s Inspiration at Moseley Bog
Moseley Bog is a green idyll on the fringes of the city, sitting on the site of an old millpond. J.R.R. Tolkien grew up around it in the 1890s, and it’s said to be the inspiration for hobbit-hangout the Shire, while a Victorian waterworks down the road in Edgbaston is said to have inspired Sauron’s towering lair. Wander around the nature reserve full of plants, animals, gnarled old trees, and gorgeous carpets of bluebells each spring. There’s real archaeological interest here too, including two burnt mounds and the remains of an old mill dam.
Recently named the Coolest Neighbourhood in Britain by the Sunday Times, Digbeth is less than ten minutes’ walk from the Bullring and Grand Central, and it’s completely worth the detour. The Custard Factory is the heart of it, cafes, independent shops, cinemas, arts venues, and the weekly food and drink festival, Digbeth Dining Club. Digbeth is also Birmingham’s street art hotspot, so a walk around doubles as an open-air gallery, Bath Place is one of the best spots for it. Book the Digbeth, Public Art and Peaky Blinders Film Locations Walking Tour to get the context behind it all.
10. Explore the Jewellery Quarter
Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter has been producing jewellery for over 250 years and still is, this is a working district, not a museum piece, with independent workshops, the Jewellers’ Clock, and genuine working goldsmiths behind unassuming shopfronts. It’s a completely different pace and character to the Bullring, well worth the wander if you want to see a side of Birmingham most day-trippers miss. Book the Discovering Birmingham Walking Tour, which winds through the “secret canal” on its way into the Quarter.
Bennets Hill
11. Eat Your Way Through the Chinese Quarter
Curry isn’t the only food scene worth crossing town for. Birmingham’s Chinese Quarter, centred around Hurst Street and Arcadian Centre, is strung with lanterns and packed with genuinely authentic Vietnamese, Japanese, Thai, and Korean restaurants alongside the Chinese ones, a proper contrast to the Balti Triangle further out.
I’m a craft beer fan, so this one’s close to my heart. Head to Indian Brewery in Snowhill, the craft brewery behind Birmingham Lager, for a proper pint made in the city.
13. Play a Round at Golf Fang (formerly Ghetto Golf)
Golf Fang, inside the Custard Factory, is an 18-hole graffiti-themed crazy golf course paired with a full cocktail bar, arcade games, AR darts, and pool, adults-only and thoroughly ridiculous in the best way. It went through a £500k refurb and rebrand from its old name, Ghetto Golf, in 2026, so don’t be surprised if you see the old name still floating around online. Book Golf Fang Birmingham.
14. Play Retro Games at NQ64
Also in the Custard Factory, NQ64 is a neon-splattered arcade bar packed with retro cabinets and pinball machines alongside a proper cocktail menu, open late every night of the week. A great one to pair with Golf Fang for a full evening in Digbeth.
The Old Crown is Birmingham’s oldest secular building, standing since 1368. Having survived the English Civil War, the pub and its events garden now sit proudly in the heart of Digbeth, Birmingham’s thriving creative quarter. Fun fact: it has some of the coolest, most original bar snacks in the city.
Gibb St Digbeth
Practical info: Located in Digbeth, easily combined with a street art wander.
16. Feel Like Charlie at Cadbury World
A chocolate-focused attraction? I’m in. Just 13 minutes by train from New Street takes you to the red-brick, old-world Bournville village, built for the workers of what was once the centre of England’s chocolate empire. The demonstration area involves actual molten chocolate (and you get to eat it), and the world’s biggest Cadbury store awaits at the end, stocking concoctions you won’t find anywhere else. Book Cadbury World entry tickets.
St Pauls Gallery is the world’s leading retailer of signed limited edition album cover fine art, with well over 100 signed prints on permanent show and sale. It’s not to be missed if music is your thing, especially if you’re into 60s or 70s rock, prints signed by Pink Floyd, Deep Purple, and plenty more are all on sale here, alongside exclusive musician portrait photography.
Practical info: Free to browse. Located in the city centre.
19. Sip a Cocktail in a Speakeasy
Some of Birmingham’s best bars are hidden behind unassuming storefronts and doorways. 18/81 on Thorp Street has no obvious signage, just ring the bell. 40 St Pauls is equally discreet, look for the door with the number 40 off St Paul’s Square.
Practical info: Both bars in or near the Jewellery Quarter and St Paul’s Square.
Peaky Blinders Pub (actually haven’t been on it, FYI)
20. Have a Curry in the Balti Triangle
Birmingham is the original home of the Balti. The Birmingham Balti was born here in the late 70s, when curry chefs started making dishes lighter, healthier, and faster to serve to suit Western tastes. There’s even an area called the Balti Triangle, just south of the city centre along Ladypool Road, Stoney Lane, and Stratford Road, named for the sheer number of eateries serving curries the balti way. See the Where to Eat section below for my picks.
21. Visit Winterbourne House and Garden
Step back in time at Winterbourne House and Garden, a beautifully preserved Edwardian gem a short distance from the city centre. Built in 1903, the house offers a genuine glimpse into early 20th-century middle-class life, with many rooms restored to their original charm. Surrounding it are seven acres of exquisite botanical gardens with over 6,000 plant species from around the globe, a picturesque walled garden, and a tranquil Japanese bridge, a peaceful escape from the city and a must for history and nature lovers alike. Book Winterbourne House and Garden entry tickets.
Practical info: Entry fee applies, check the official Winterbourne website for current prices and opening days.
22. Relax in Cannon Hill Park
Cannon Hill Park is Birmingham’s biggest and most popular green space, 200 acres of formal gardens, woodland, and lakes down in Moseley. Hire a swan-shaped pedalo on the ornamental lake, play a round on the 36-hole mini-golf course, or just find a patch of grass, and it’s also home to MAC Birmingham, an arts centre with a cinema, theatre, and gallery space if the weather turns.
A different, more curated green escape to Cannon Hill or Winterbourne, the Birmingham Botanical Gardens in Edgbaston pack glasshouses, aviaries, and beautifully maintained grounds into 15 acres, a proper afternoon out if gardens are your thing. Book Birmingham Botanical Gardens entry tickets.
24. Step Inside the Library of Birmingham
The Library of Birmingham is the largest public library in Europe, and even if libraries aren’t usually your thing, this one is worth popping into for the building alone, a striking, filigree-wrapped structure in Centenary Square with a rooftop garden and sweeping views over the city. It also holds one of the most significant Shakespeare collections in the world.
Practical info: Free entry. Open Monday to Saturday, closed Sundays. Located in Centenary Square, Broad Street.
25. See How Birmingham Really Lived at the Back to Backs
The Birmingham Back to Backs is the city’s last surviving court of back-to-back houses, once the standard working-class housing across Birmingham, and now preserved and restored by the National Trust to show life there across different decades. It’s guided-tour only and genuinely moving, a side of the city’s industrial history that’s easy to miss among the shopping centres. Book your Back to Backs visit through the National Trust.
Practical info: Booking essential, tickets are released a few weeks ahead. Located in the city centre near the Bullring.
26. Go to a Candlelight Concert
Experience live music illuminated entirely by candlelight at a Candlelight Concert in Birmingham. These intimate performances feature talented musicians playing everything from classical to contemporary, all under the soft glow of hundreds of candles, a lovely, low-key evening activity. Browse Candlelight Concerts in Birmingham.
27. Catch an Immersive Experience
The best immersive experiences tend to cluster in London, but a city the size of Birmingham gets its fair share too, worth checking what’s on while you’re in town. Check what’s currently available in Birmingham.
Picadilly Arcade
Birmingham Day Trips
The Cotswolds: While Birmingham is a vibrant urban hub, the idyllic Cotswolds are just a short drive away and make for an excellent day trip. Known for rolling hills, picturesque villages, and honey-coloured stone cottages, the Cotswolds offer a quintessential English countryside experience, explore charming villages like Broadway or Stow-on-the-Wold and soak in the tranquillity. Book the Cotswolds Full-Day Tour from Birmingham.
Stonehenge and Bath: A longer but genuinely worthwhile day out, combining England’s most famous prehistoric monument with the Roman baths and Georgian architecture of Bath. Book the Stonehenge and Bath Day Tour from Birmingham.
Warwick Castle and Stratford-upon-Avon: The closest day trip on this list, both are only around 40 minutes from Birmingham by car or train, and just nine miles apart from each other, easily combined into one day. Climb the ramparts of the medieval Warwick Castle, then wander Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s birthplace and final resting place. Book Warwick Castle entry tickets.
Where to Stay in Birmingham
Make a weekend of it if you can, get to Birmingham on a Friday and stay through Saturday for two full days of exploring.
Perfect for longer stays, this all-suite hotel offers modern, spacious accommodation with kitchenettes and complimentary breakfast, right in the city centre.
If you only have one day, start at the Bullring, stroll around and make sure to visit both arcades (Piccadilly and Western), then walk through the canal quarter and drop into St Pauls Gallery, have a curry for lunch, then head to Digbeth for another stroll, drinks, and food in the evening at Digbeth Dining Club, and make sure to pop into The Old Crown.
If you make a weekend of it (which I recommend), use the second day to visit Moseley Bog, Cadbury World, and the Peaky Blinders walking tour.
Getting To & Around Birmingham
You can take a bus or train from pretty much anywhere in England. Check train and coach options together on Trainline so you can compare and pick whichever is cheapest and fastest, New Street Station drops you right in the middle of the action. If you’re planning day trips out to the Cotswolds or further, a rental car gives you more flexibility, compare rates on DiscoverCars.
Once you’re there, Birmingham is a genuinely walkable city with a great bus system for anywhere slightly further out, you won’t need a car for the city centre itself.
Birmingham FAQ
Is Birmingham worth visiting? Absolutely. It’s the UK’s second largest city, with world-class museums, a thriving food scene (it’s the birthplace of the Balti), a genuinely cool street art neighbourhood in Digbeth, and enough history and quirky attractions to fill a full weekend.
How many days do you need in Birmingham? One full day covers the city centre highlights, the Bullring, the canal quarter, and a curry in the evening. A weekend lets you add Cadbury World, Moseley Bog, and the Peaky Blinders walking tour without rushing.
Is Birmingham a good day trip from London? Yes, trains from London take around 1.5 hours, making it a very doable day trip, though a weekend gives you a much fuller picture of the city.
What is Birmingham famous for? The Bullring, the Peaky Blinders, being the birthplace of heavy metal, Cadbury’s chocolate, the Balti curry, and having more canals than Venice.
What is the best area to stay in Birmingham? The city centre around New Street Station and the Mailbox puts you within walking distance of almost everything. Digbeth is a great alternative if you want to be closer to the nightlife and street art scene.
Do I need a car in Birmingham? No, the city centre is very walkable and the bus network covers everything else. A car is only useful if you’re planning day trips out to the Cotswolds or further afield.
Enjoyed this article? Support my work by buying me an oat capuccino. Otherwise, do me a great favor of leaving a comment and following me on Instagram (@travelwithpau). Feel free to say ‘Hello!’ I don’t bite. And make sure you save the article for later on Pinterest!
This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one and make a purchase, I might make a small commission, at no extra cost to you in order to help support my blog.
La Fortuna was my very first stop in Costa Rica, and it set the bar impossibly high for everything that followed. Nestled beneath the brooding cone of Arenal Volcano, this small town is one of those rare places where you can genuinely do as much or as little as you like, soak in a hot spring and call it a day, or pack your schedule so full of things to do in La Fortuna Arenal that you collapse into bed each night absolutely buzzing with it all.
I stayed at Rancho Margot, a self-sustainable ranch near Lake Arenal that turned out to be one of the most memorable stays of my entire trip. But I’ll get to that. First, here’s everything you need to know to plan your own Arenal adventure.
ARENAL /LA FORTUNA ESSENTIALS
✈️ Getting There / Fly into San José (SJO) from the UK, flights take around 11 to 12 hours, typically with one stop (most commonly via the US or Madrid). From San José, La Fortuna is roughly a 3.5-hour drive northwest. Book a private airport transfer with WelcomePickups for a stress-free arrival. Search flights on Skyscanner.
🚗 Getting Around / The roads around Arenal and La Fortuna are largely paved and manageable, but a 4×4 is still recommended if you want to access more remote waterfalls and trails. Compare rental cars on DiscoverCars, they consistently had the best rates with full insurance included when I booked mine. Shared shuttles (Interbus, Comfortable Costa Rica) also connect La Fortuna to San José and other destinations like Monteverde.
📱 Connect / Stay connected the moment you land. I use Holafly, use code TRAVELWITHPAU for 5% off.
🛡️ Get Insured / This is not one to skip. La Fortuna is an adventure-activity hub, rafting, canyoneering, zip-lining, and most standard travel policies won’t cover any of it. World Nomads covers 150+ adventure activities, medical emergencies, trip cancellation, and lost luggage. Sort it before you fly.
