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.
I’ll be honest, Milan wasn’t on my original Italian radar. Rome, Florence, the Amalfi Coast, those were the ones everyone raved about. But then I actually went to Milan, and something clicked. This city is different. It’s cooler, sleeker, and somehow more real than you’d expect from one of the EU’s wealthiest cities. Yes, the designer boutiques are everywhere and the Aperol Spritzes are €14, but scratch beneath the surface and you’ll find Gothic cathedrals, Renaissance masterpieces, neighbourhood aperitivo bars, and some of the best risotto you’ll ever eat.
Whether you’re spending a weekend or a full week, there are so many brilliant things to do in Milan. It’s a city that rewards slow wandering just as much as ticking off the big sights. Get lost in Brera, stumble across a canal bar at golden hour, stand on the Duomo rooftop as the sun sets over the Alps, and then wonder why you didn’t come sooner.
This guide covers everything: my Milan bucket list, where to stay, where to eat, the best tours, day trips, and all the practical info you need to plan your trip.
MILAN ESSENTIALS
✈️ Getting There / Milan has two main airports. Malpensa (MXP) is the larger international hub, about 50km from the city centre, budget around 50 to 60 minutes by road. Linate (LIN) is much closer, just 7km east, and is often used for European short-haul flights. From London, you’re looking at roughly 2 hours in the air. Book a private airport transfer with WelcomePickups: fixed prices, professional drivers, no taxi rank stress. Search flights on Skyscanner.
🚗 Getting Around / Milan’s metro is excellent, clean, affordable, and fast. The main lines to know are M1 (red), M2 (green), M3 (yellow) and M5 (lilac). Trams are charming and great for getting around the centre, and much of the historic core is very walkable. Avoid taxis and Uber, they’re expensive in Milan. A 24-hour travel pass is great value if you’re planning to cover a lot of ground.
🧳 Luggage Storage / If you’re early for check-in or have time to kill before a flight, no stress, there are luggage storage points all over Milan. 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 / Don’t travel without it. World Nomads is brilliant for independent travellers and covers most adventure activities.
Milan Bucket List: 19 Things to Do in Milan
1. Climb the Duomo di Milano
The Duomo is Milan, this Gothic cathedral has been under construction for over 600 years and is the third largest in the world. Even if you’ve seen plenty of European cathedrals, nothing quite prepares you for this one. The white marble facade, the forest of spires, the sheer scale of it all. But the real highlight? Getting up on the rooftop terraces and weaving between 135 spires and 3,200 statues with the Alps as your backdrop on a clear day. It’s genuinely one of Italy’s greatest views.
Practical info: Entry to the terraces costs around €15 via stairs or €20 by lift. Rooftop access is included in the Duomo Pass. Book well ahead to skip the queues, this is one Milan attraction where winging it will cost you time, or skip the stress entirely with a guided Duomo and rooftop tour that includes tickets. Dress code applies (no bare shoulders or knees inside the cathedral). Open daily from around 9am.
2. See Da Vinci’s The Last Supper
This is the one you cannot miss, and also the one that requires the most planning. Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper (Il Cenacolo) is housed in the refectory of Santa Maria delle Grazie, and viewings are strictly limited to 15 minutes with groups capped at 30 people. Tickets can sell out months in advance. I am not exaggerating. Do not leave this to chance.
The painting depicts the moment Christ announces his betrayal, the expressions on each apostle’s face are extraordinary, and seeing it in person, understanding its scale (roughly 4.6m x 8.8m), is a genuinely moving experience.
Practical info: Viewings run in timed slots. Independent tickets via the official website sell out fastest, or book a skip-the-line guided tour instead, which is often easier to secure and gives you valuable context on the painting. €15+ for entry. Address: Piazza di Santa Maria delle Grazie, 2.
3. Explore Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Right next to the Duomo, the Galleria is one of the world’s oldest shopping malls, a soaring 19th-century glass-and-iron arcade housing luxury brands, historic cafés, and the famous mosaic of the bull in the floor (spin on its bits for good luck, apparently). Even if you’re not in the market for Prada, it’s worth wandering through just for the architecture.
Practical info: Free to enter and explore. The cafés inside (Biffi, Savini) are expensive but atmospheric for a coffee. Open all hours as it’s a public walkway, and it’s usually one of the stops on this Milan highlights walking tour if you’d rather see it with context alongside the Duomo and Sforza Castle.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
4. Castello Sforzesco and Michelangelo’s Pietà Rondanini
The Sforza Castle is one of Milan’s most impressive landmarks, a massive 15th-century fortress built by Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan. What most people don’t know until they get there is that it houses several excellent museums, including Michelangelo’s final and unfinished sculpture: the Pietà Rondanini. He was working on it just days before his death at 88. It’s raw, haunting, and unlike anything else you’ll see in Italy.
Practical info: Entry to the castle grounds is free; museums cost €5–10, or book a guided tour with an audioguide if you want the Pietà Rondanini’s story properly explained. The Museo della Pietà Rondanini is open Tuesday–Sunday, 10am–5:30pm. The castle is a 10-minute walk from the Duomo.
5. Wander the Brera Neighbourhood
Brera is the artistic heart of Milan and one of those rare city neighbourhoods that manages to feel both genuinely historic and genuinely cool. Cobblestone streets, independent boutiques, art galleries, great coffee shops, and some of Milan’s best restaurants. It’s where you wander without a plan and end up having the best afternoon of your trip.
Practical info: Best explored on foot. The neighbourhood clusters around Via Brera and Via Fiori Chiari. It’s very walkable from the Sforza Castle and the Duomo.
6. Pinacoteca di Brera
While you’re in Brera, don’t skip the Pinacoteca, one of Italy’s finest art galleries, housed in a beautiful Baroque palace. The collection spans medieval and Renaissance masterpieces including Raphael’s The Marriage of the Virgin, Mantegna’s Dead Christ, and works by Caravaggio, Tintoretto, and Leonardo. It’s less hectic than the Uffizi in Florence and the collection is genuinely world-class.
Practical info: Entry €15, free on the first Sunday of each month, or book a guided experience if you want an expert walking you through the highlights. Open Tuesday–Sunday, 8:30am–7:15pm. Address: Via Brera, 28.
7. Aperitivo in the Navigli District
If you only do one evening activity in Milan, make it aperitivo in the Navigli. The Naviglio Grande canal dates back to the 12th century and today its banks are lined with bars that do the most gloriously generous happy hours, buy a drink and you get a spread of snacks laid out like a proper meal. Arrive between 6 and 9pm when the vibe is at its best, the lights hit the water, and the whole neighbourhood feels like it’s exhaling after a long day.
Practical info: It’s worth doing an evening canal boat tour to see the canals from the water before settling in for aperitivo, this one bundles the boat ride and aperitivo together so you don’t have to plan the two separately. Most bars along the Naviglio Grande do aperitivo from around €8 to €12 including food. The Navigli is in the south of the city, reachable by metro (Porta Genova, M2 green line).
8. Santa Maria delle Grazie
Even setting aside The Last Supper (which is in an adjacent building), Santa Maria delle Grazie is a stunning church worth visiting in its own right. The external dome, designed by Bramante in the late 15th century, is a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture. The interior is serene and beautiful.
Practical info: Entry to the church is free. The refectory housing The Last Supper requires a separate timed ticket (see item 2 above). Address: Piazza di Santa Maria delle Grazie, 2. Closed Monday.
9. Via Montenapoleone and the Fashion District
Even if couture isn’t your thing, a stroll through the Quadrilatero della Moda (Fashion Quadrangle) is a Milan experience. Via Montenapoleone is the most famous street, think Gucci, Prada, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, all lined up in beautiful historic buildings. The window displays alone are an art form. For slightly more affordable shopping, Via della Spiga and the streets around it have independent Italian brands alongside the big names.
Practical info: Free to wander. The fashion district is a 15-minute walk northeast of the Duomo. Peak shopping hours can get very busy; go early morning for a more peaceful experience.
10. San Siro Stadium Tour
San Siro, or to give it its proper name, Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, is one of football’s most iconic venues and the shared home of AC Milan and Inter Milan. Even if you’re not a huge football fan, the stadium tour is surprisingly excellent: you walk through the players’ tunnel, see the changing rooms, stand on the pitch, and visit the museum packed with shirts and memorabilia from two legendary clubs.
Practical info: Stadium tours run daily (9:30am to 5pm October to March; until 6pm April to September), book your spot on the stadium and museum tour here, tickets from around €20. Note: tours are suspended on match days. The stadium is in the northwest of the city, take the M5 (lilac line) to San Siro Stadio.
11. Bosco Verticale and Porta Nuova
This one won’t likely be in any other Milan travel guide, but in my opinion it’s totally worth looking at. Bosco Verticale (Vertical Forest) is one of the most photographed buildings in Milan, twin residential towers literally covered in over 900 trees and 20,000 plants. The concept is extraordinary and the execution is genuinely impressive, super environmentally friendly but also very photogenic. It sits in the regenerated Porta Nuova district, which is Milan’s modern business quarter and a fascinating counterpoint to the historic centre.
Practical info: You can’t go inside the towers (they’re private residences) but the external view is free and the surrounding Biblioteca degli Alberi park is a lovely spot to sit and take it all in. From the Gae Aulenti square, the buildings are about a 5-minute walk. Reachable by metro (Porta Garibaldi, M2/M5).
Bosco Verticale
12. Cimitero Monumentale
One of Milan’s most unexpected highlights. The Monumental Cemetery opened in 1866 and is essentially an open-air museum of funerary sculpture, elaborate mausoleums, dramatic statues, and artistic monuments commissioned by Milan’s wealthy families over the centuries. It’s extraordinarily beautiful in a very particular way and often overlooked by visitors in favour of more traditional sights.
Practical info: Free entry, or book a guided tour if you want the stories behind the mausoleums explained rather than wandering blind. Open Tuesday–Sunday, 8am–6pm (closed Monday). Address: Piazzale Cimitero Monumentale. Reachable by tram (lines 12/14) or a short walk from Monumentale metro (M5 lilac line).
13. Aperitivo Culture: Do It Like a Local
Aperitivo isn’t just a drink in Milan, it’s an institution. The tradition of serving a generous spread of food with your pre-dinner drink is particularly Milanese (it’s different from the rest of Italy, where you usually just get crisps and olives). Do it properly: order a Negroni, an Aperol Spritz, or a local Campari Soda, find a bar with a good buffet spread, and spend an hour not rushing.
Practical info: Classic aperitivo runs 6pm–9pm. Beyond the Navigli, good areas include Brera, Corso Como, and Isola neighbourhood. Budget €8–15 per drink including food.
14. Peck Delicatessen
Peck is a Milan institution, a legendary delicatessen on Via Spadari that’s been feeding the city since 1883. The ground floor is a temple to Italian food: aged cheeses, cured meats, truffles, olive oils, fresh pasta, and hundreds of other things you’ll want to buy and carry home. Upstairs there’s a restaurant. It’s pricey, but even just browsing is an experience.
Practical info: Address: Via Spadari, 9 (2 minutes from the Duomo). Open Tuesday–Sunday. A small treat from the deli counter makes an excellent picnic companion for Parco Sempione.
15. Parco Sempione
Milan’s green lung and the park that stretches behind the Sforza Castle. On sunny days this is where Milanese come to read, cycle, picnic, and generally exhale, and it has real charm too: ducks and turtles in the ponds, buskers and musicians dotted around, and the Arco della Pace at one end with the Sforza Castle at the other. There are several interesting structures within the park including the Torre Branca viewing tower and the Triennale design museum, but honestly the best thing to do is just find a bench and spend an hour people-watching in one of Europe’s most style-conscious cities.
Practical info: Open daily from 6:30am. Free entry. The main entrance is via the Sforza Castle courtyard. Worth combining with a castle visit.
16. Teatro alla Scala
La Scala is simply one of the greatest opera houses in the world. Even if opera isn’t your thing, the building itself is magnificent, the ornate auditorium with its six tiers of boxes is exactly what you imagine when you picture 19th-century Italian theatre grandeur. The museum is excellent and you can often access the auditorium as part of the visit.
Practical info: The Museo Teatrale alla Scala is open daily 9am to 12:30pm and 1:30pm to 5:30pm; entry around €9. Performance tickets vary hugely in price, check the schedule at teatroallascala.org. If you’d rather see it as part of a wider route, this 3-hour city highlights walking tour includes La Scala alongside the Duomo and Galleria. Address: Piazza della Scala.
17. Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore
Known as “Milan’s Sistine Chapel,” this 16th-century Benedictine church on Corso Magenta looks almost plain from the outside, which is exactly why it’s such a good surprise. Step in and every surface, walls, vaults, arches, is covered in Renaissance frescoes, most of them by Bernardino Luini, one of Leonardo da Vinci’s most talented followers. It’s genuinely one of Milan’s best hidden gems and most visitors walk straight past it.
Practical info: Entry is free. Address: Corso Magenta, 15, a short walk from Santa Maria delle Grazie, easy to combine with a Last Supper visit.
18. Bar Basso and the Birth of the Negroni Sbagliato
If you only make one cocktail pilgrimage in Milan, make it this one. Bar Basso, open since 1947, is where the Negroni Sbagliato was accidentally invented in the early 1970s when founder Mirko Stocchetto reached for prosecco instead of gin. It’s still served the same way today, in huge custom Murano glasses, and the bar itself has barely changed either. Expect a proper old-school Milanese crowd and a genuinely historic drink in your hand.
Practical info: Address: Via Plinio, 39. Get there for a pre-dinner drink, it gets busy.
19. San Bernardino alle Ossa, Milan’s Bone Chapel
Tucked a short walk from the Duomo, San Bernardino alle Ossa looks like an ordinary Baroque church from outside, until you step into the small side chapel and find every wall covered in thousands of human skulls and bones, arranged in deliberate, almost decorative patterns. It’s not for everyone, but it’s one of the strangest and most memorable things I’ve seen in any Italian city, and most visitors have no idea it’s there.
Practical info: Free entry, donations welcome. Address: Piazza Santo Stefano / Via Carlo Giuseppe Merlo, 4. Open Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm, Saturday 9:30am to 6pm, the ossuary itself is closed on Sundays.
Navigli District
Milan Day Trips
Milan’s position in northern Italy makes it an excellent base for day trips. Here are the best ones:
Lake Como
The most popular day trip from Milan, and for good reason. Lake Como is impossibly beautiful: crystal-clear water, dramatic Alpine mountains, and elegant villages like Bellagio, Varenna, and Menaggio strung along the shoreline. Bellagio is the jewel, a perfectly preserved lakeside village that justifies every postcard it’s ever appeared on. Como is about an hour from Milan by train (direct services from Milano Centrale) and there’s a regular ferry network between villages. Allow a full day, ideally combining the train to Como with a ferry hop between villages, or skip the planning entirely and book a Lake Como and Bellagio day trip from Milan that handles the transport for you.
Lake Garda
Lake Garda is Italy’s largest lake and a very different character to Como, wider, grander, with a slight Mediterranean feel in the south. Worth it for Sirmione (a beautiful peninsula with a fairy-tale castle), Gardaland (if you have kids), or the northern shore around Riva del Garda for dramatic mountain scenery. Around 1.5 hours from Milan by train.
Bergamo
Bergamo is one of Italy’s most underrated cities and just 45 minutes from Milan by train. The Città Alta (upper town) is a perfectly preserved medieval walled city perched on a hill above the modern lower town, reachable by funicular. Fewer tourists than most Italian destinations of this quality, and the food (polenta, casoncelli pasta, moscato wine) is outstanding.
Turin
About 1 hour by high-speed train from Milan, Turin is elegant, baroque, and seriously underappreciated, the original Italian capital, home to the Shroud of Turin, some of the best chocolate in Europe, and a brilliant Egyptian museum. Great for a day trip or an overnight add-on.
Where to Stay in Milan
Staying in the centre of Milan is recommended but not at all essential in my opinion. On my trip I stayed north of the centre, near a concert venue, and found it noticeably cheaper, getting into the centre on the metro was still super quick and easy, though the specific place I picked wasn’t great so I won’t be recommending it here. It’s worth knowing that hotels inside the very centre (near the Duomo) command a premium. The areas around Brera, Porta Garibaldi, and Porta Romana offer great value with easy metro access.
Excellent location just a short walk from the Sforza Castle and Duomo, with consistently high guest ratings (9.6 for location and comfort). Clean, comfortable rooms with a lovely breakfast buffet, and the staff are notably helpful. One of the best budget picks in the city centre. Best for: First-timers who want to be central without overspending.
A stylish 4-star right on Piazza Fontana, just a 2-minute walk from the Duomo. 330 rooms with a sharp, contemporary Italian look; the food and beverage programme is run by Eataly, which is a very good sign. Strong ratings across the board and a genuinely premium feel without the full luxury price tag. Best for: A special occasion stay in the heart of Milan.
If you’re going to splash out in Milan, this is the place to do it. Tucked on a private garden street between Via Montenapoleone and La Scala, in other words, exactly where you want to be in Milan, the Bulgari Hotel is housed in a beautifully restored 18th-century Milanese palazzo. A gold-tiled spa pool, 61 impeccably designed rooms, and the kind of service that makes you feel like the most important person in the city. Best for: Honeymoons, milestone celebrations, living your best life.
Pizza: Maruzella and Piccola Ischia are solid all-rounders, Pizza AM is the one for a proper Neapolitan version, and S.P.I.B. is the one to know for proper thin-crust.
Panzerotto: Luini, a Milan institution near the Duomo serving fried and baked panzerotti (think a pocket-sized calzone) since 1888, is an essential quick bite between sights.
Ice cream: La Gelateria della Musica and Gelato Giusto are both consistently excellent, Cioccolatti Italiani does a lovely chocolate-dipped cone if you want to make it a bit extra, and Ciacco is the pick if you want organic or vegan gelato, I had the vegan pistachio there and it was a dream come true.
How Long to Spend in Milan
2 days is enough to hit the main highlights: Duomo and rooftop, The Last Supper, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, Sforza Castle, Brera neighbourhood, and an evening in the Navigli. It’s a tight itinerary but doable if you pre-book everything.
3 days is the sweet spot. Add the Pinacoteca di Brera, a morning in the fashion district, the Cimitero Monumentale, and a proper long aperitivo evening without feeling rushed.
4 to 5 days gives you time to breathe, explore the Porta Nuova area, fit in a day trip to Lake Como, discover neighbourhood restaurants properly, and generally feel like you’ve understood the city rather than just ticked off its sights.
Getting To & Around Milan
Most UK airports have direct flights to Milan Malpensa (MXP) or Milan Linate (LIN), around 2 hours flying time from London, with Ryanair and easyJet flying to both from multiple UK cities, often very cheaply. Book a private airport transfer in advance with WelcomePickups for fixed-price pickups with meet-and-greet service, and note that Malpensa is much further from the city (50km) so factor in extra journey time and cost. If you fancy a scenic, low-carbon alternative, it’s possible to reach Milan from the UK by train via Eurostar to Paris, then a high-speed train through the Mont Cenis tunnel to Turin and on to Milan, it’s a long day, but a genuinely scenic one. Check routes and prices on Trainline.
Once you’re in Milan, the metro is excellent, clean, affordable, and fast, and trams and walking cover the rest of the historic core easily, so avoid taxis and Uber, which are expensive here. If you’re exploring further afield within Italy, Milan is well-connected by high-speed rail: Florence is about 2 hours away, Venice about 2.5 hours, and Rome about 3 hours, with Trenitalia and Italo as the main operators, book in advance for the best prices, again via Trainline.
Castello Sforzesco
Best Time to Visit Milan
Milan is a year-round destination, but some times are better than others. April to June and September to October are the sweet spots, mild temperatures, lovely light, and the city feels alive without being overwhelmingly busy.
Avoid August if you can. Milan empties out dramatically in August, locals leave for the coast, many restaurants and shops close, and the city has a strange, hollow energy. It can also be brutally hot.
Fashion Weeks in September and February are worth knowing about. They bring an exciting creative buzz to the city, but hotel prices surge and the Quadrilatero della Moda area gets very crowded. Book well in advance if you’re visiting during these periods, or factor in the premium.
Winter (November to February) has fewer tourists and lower prices, which has its appeal, but Milan in grey, drizzly weather is less inspiring than in the golden light of spring or autumn.
Milan FAQ
Is Milan worth visiting?
Absolutely. Milan often gets unfairly dismissed as just a shopping and business destination, but it has world-class art, architecture, food, and some of Italy’s most fascinating neighbourhoods. It’s simply a different kind of Italian city, more cosmopolitan and modern, and that’s part of its appeal.
How many days do you need in Milan?
Minimum 2 days to cover the highlights. 3 days is the sweet spot. If you want to add a day trip to Lake Como, plan for 4 days minimum.
What is the best area to stay in Milan?
For first-timers, anywhere within walking distance of the Duomo or in the Brera neighbourhood puts you close to everything. Porta Garibaldi and Isola are great for a more local, neighbourhood feel.
How far is Lake Como from Milan?
Lake Como is about 50km from Milan. The town of Como is roughly 1 hour by direct train from Milano Centrale, or 30 minutes by regional express. Bellagio is an additional 50-minute ferry ride from Como.
Do I need to book The Last Supper in advance?
Yes, and I cannot stress this enough. Tickets can sell out months in advance, especially in peak season. Book as early as humanly possible. If you’ve left it too late for official tickets, booking via a guided tour is often the best way to still secure access.
When is the best time to visit Milan?
April to June and September to October are the best months, good weather, vibrant atmosphere, and manageable crowds. Avoid August (the city empties out) and be prepared for premium prices during Fashion Weeks in February and September.
Planning more of Italy? Check out my guides toVenice, Cinque Terre, andGenoafor the perfect Italian trip.
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I was raised Catholic but I’d describe myself as agnostic now, and yet Jerusalem absolutely blew me away. There’s something about standing in a place where three of the world’s major religions converge, where every stone seems to carry thousands of years of story, that makes even the most secular traveller feel the weight of it. If you’re wondering what to do in Jerusalem, the honest answer is: everything. But here’s where I’d start.
JERUSALEM ESSENTIALS
✈️ Getting There / Jerusalem is served by Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, about an hour away. Book a private airport transfer with WelcomePickups: fixed price, no negotiation, your driver is waiting when you land. A lifesaver after a long flight. Search flights on Skyscanner.
📱 Connect / Stay connected from the moment you land with an eSIM. I use Holafly, use code TRAVELWITHPAU for 5% off.
🛡️ Get Insured / Jerusalem is safe for tourists but travel insurance is always worth having, particularly if you’re adding a Masada hike or Dead Sea trip to your itinerary. World Nomads covers medical, cancellations, lost luggage, and a huge range of activities.
Things to Do in Jerusalem
1. Explore the Old City
Let’s be honest, the Old City is really why you came to Jerusalem in the first place. This is the main attraction within Jerusalem and the one that deserves most of your time. It’s divided into four quarters, the Jewish Quarter, the Christian Quarter, the Muslim Quarter, and the Armenian Quarter, each with its own atmosphere, architecture, and sacred sites. There are probably hundreds of things to see here, but a few essentials follow below.
The easiest way to get under the skin of the Old City is with a guided walking tour, the history is dense and a good guide makes it come alive. Book the Old City walking tour for a few of the best hours you’ll spend here.
Wander without a plan too. The alleyways between the quarters are full of unexpected details, Byzantine mosaics, Crusader arches, Ottoman doorways, and getting slightly lost is part of the experience. Keep an eye out for the Cardo, the old Roman and Byzantine colonnaded street running through the Jewish Quarter, now lined with boutique shops but still unmistakably ancient. And get to know the Old City’s gates as you go, Jaffa Gate is the main western entrance, Damascus Gate the grand northern one into the Muslim Quarter, and Zion Gate, Dung Gate, and Lions’ Gate each lead somewhere different, useful landmarks for navigating without constantly checking a map.
Jerusalem Old City Market
2. Walk the Jerusalem Ramparts
For a completely different view of the Old City, walk along the top of its walls on the Ramparts Walk. Built by Suleiman the Magnificent in the 1530s, the walls can be walked in two separate stretches, a northern route from Jaffa Gate to Lions’ Gate (about 90 minutes, looking down over the Christian and Muslim Quarters), and a shorter southern route from Jaffa Gate towards Dung Gate (about 45 minutes, over the Armenian and Jewish Quarters). Tickets are cheap and buyable at the Jaffa Gate ticket office, and it’s a genuinely different, quieter way to see the Old City from above.
3. Visit the Western Wall
The Western Wall (or Wailing Wall) surrounds the Temple Mount, one of the holiest places in Jerusalem. As Jewish people are not permitted onto the Temple Mount itself, this has become the primary place of prayer and pilgrimage. It’s one of the most moving sights I’ve ever experienced, the intensity of devotion, people rocking in prayer, slipping handwritten notes into the cracks in the ancient stone. If you’re visiting on a Saturday, you’ll likely see a Bar or Bat Mitzvah celebration happening at the wall, families singing and dancing, it’s a lovely thing to witness respectfully from a distance.
The wall is open to all visitors. There’s a men’s section and a women’s section. Dress modestly, shoulders and knees covered, and be respectful of the prayers happening around you.
Don’t miss the Western Wall Tunnels, an underground passageway that runs along the full length of the wall. It requires advance booking and is best with a guide: book it in advance here. Right next door, the Davidson Center (Jerusalem Archaeological Park) is worth adding on too, it’s built around Robinson’s Arch, the remains of a monumental staircase and arch that once led up to the Temple Mount, alongside excavated Herodian streets and fallen Temple stones from 70 CE.
4. Climb the Temple Mount and See the Dome of the Rock
The Temple Mount is one of the most contested pieces of land on the planet, sacred to Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike, and visiting it is an experience unlike anything else. For Muslims it’s the third holiest site in Islam, believed to be where the Prophet Muhammad began his miraculous Night Journey. The stunning Dome of the Rock, built in the seventh century, dominates the skyline of Jerusalem from almost every vantage point.
Non-Muslim visitors can access the Temple Mount plaza but cannot enter the Dome of the Rock or Al-Aqsa Mosque. Opening hours are limited (typically morning only, Sunday to Thursday) and it’s closed on Fridays and Saturdays. Modest dress is essential, and unless you are Muslim, do not attempt to enter any of the structures on it.
5. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre
For Christians, this is the most sacred place in the world. Built over what tradition holds to be the site of Jesus’s crucifixion, burial, and resurrection, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre contains Golgotha (the Hill of Calvary) and the tomb from which Jesus rose. It’s simultaneously awe-inspiring and chaotic, multiple Christian denominations share custodianship of different sections of the church, and the atmosphere can range from reverent to frenetic depending on the day.
Entry is free. Go early in the morning if you want some quiet, by mid-morning it can be extremely busy. The energy in here is wild, even as an agnostic, I found it genuinely affecting, and if you were raised Christian it feels like standing in the place where everything started.
6. Walk the Via Dolorosa
The Via Dolorosa, the “Way of Suffering,” is the route Jesus is believed to have walked carrying the cross to his crucifixion. It winds for about 600 metres through the Muslim Quarter of the Old City, marked by fourteen Stations of the Cross, and ends at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Friday afternoons see a Catholic procession along the route, which is a remarkable thing to witness.
Jerusalem: Church of the Holy Sepulchre
7. Church of St Anne and the Pool of Bethesda
Near Lions’ Gate, just off the start of the Via Dolorosa, the Church of St Anne marks the traditional birthplace of the Virgin Mary and is one of the best-preserved Crusader churches in the Old City, famous for its remarkable acoustics if anyone’s singing when you visit. Right next to it are the excavated remains of the Pool of Bethesda, the site where the Gospel of John describes Jesus healing a paralysed man. It’s quieter than most of the big-name sites nearby and easy to miss if you’re not looking for it.
8. Explore the Arab Souk
Running through the Muslim and Christian Quarters, the Arab Souk is a labyrinthine maze of stalls selling everything from handmade ceramics and embroidered textiles to spices, hookahs, and silver jewellery. It’s busy, atmospheric, and genuinely wonderful for browsing, even if you’re not buying.
Don’t be in a rush. Stop for a coffee, taste the kanafeh (a cheese and syrup pastry you’ll dream about for weeks), and let yourself get happily lost in the alleyways.
9. Visit the Tower of David
The Tower of David, also known as the Jerusalem Citadel, is a medieval fortress built on ancient foundations near the Jaffa Gate, containing important archaeological findings from multiple periods, some over 2,000 years old. Inside, an excellent museum walks you through more than two millennia of Jerusalem’s history, and the views from the ramparts over the Old City are superb.
At night, check whether the Night Spectacular sound and light show is running, it’s projected across the ancient walls of the Citadel and is genuinely spectacular. Book tickets in advance here.
10. Wander Mahane Yehuda Market
Known locally as “the shuk,” Mahane Yehuda Market is West Jerusalem’s great open-air food market, over 250 vendors selling fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods, fish, meat and cheeses, nuts, seeds, and spices, wines and liquors, and housewares and textiles. Alongside the classics like falafel, shawarma, kibbeh, kebab, shashlik, kanafeh, baklava, halva, and zalabiya, you’ll also find trendier newer stands doing sushi, wok dishes, burgers, and craft beer.
During the day it’s a working market. By evening, especially Thursday nights before Shabbat, it transforms into a buzzing bar and restaurant scene, the same stalls that were selling hummus at noon are now pouring craft beer and cocktails. I had so much fun here, the pre-Shabbat rush on Thursday afternoons is one of Jerusalem’s great pieces of theatre. If you’d rather have a guide talk you through what you’re eating, book a private culinary tour of the market.
Jerusalem: Mount of Olives
11. Explore Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial
Yad Vashem is Israel’s official memorial to the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust, dedicated to preserving the memory of the dead, honouring those who fought against or aided victims of Nazi oppression, and researching the Holocaust with the aim of avoiding such events in future. It’s situated on the Mount of Remembrance in west Jerusalem and is one of the most important, and most sobering, places I’ve ever visited. The main Holocaust History Museum takes around two to three hours to walk through properly.
Give yourself more time than you think you need to understand the context properly. Entry to the main site is free, though if you’d rather have context as you go, this audio guide tour of the Holocaust History Museum is worth booking.
12. Walk Up the Mount of Olives
The Mount of Olives rises immediately to the east of the Old City and offers some of the most spectacular panoramic views of Jerusalem, particularly the golden Dome of the Rock gleaming against the skyline. It’s been a Jewish burial ground for over three thousand years (around 150,000 graves) and several key events in the life of Jesus took place here, it’s also described as the place from which he ascended to heaven.
Known landmarks within the mount are Gethsemane, home to the Basilica of All Nations (also called the Church of the Agony, with its distinctive alabaster windows), and the Church of Mary Magdalene with its golden onion domes. You can easily get there on foot from the Old City, and the descent back down through the Kidron Valley is one of the best walks in Jerusalem.
13. Ascend Mount Zion and Visit the Cenacle
Mount Zion is the highest point in ancient Jerusalem, the broad hill south of the Old City’s Armenian Quarter. Several important Christian events are believed to have occurred here, among them the Last Supper of Jesus and his disciples, and the coming of the Holy Spirit on the disciples, both thought to have taken place at the site of the Cenacle. King David’s Tomb is also on Mount Zion and is an important place of worship for Jews.
A lot happened here, so it’s worth reading up beforehand, or asking your Old City walking tour guide to swing by, to get the most out of it.
Jerusalem Temple Mount
14. Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu
Also on Mount Zion, the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu (“in Gallicantu” meaning “at the cock’s crow”) marks the traditional site where Peter denied knowing Jesus three times before the cock crowed, and where Jesus is believed to have been imprisoned overnight before his trial. Look out for the ancient stone prison pit beneath the church and a striking bronze relief of a crowing cock at the entrance. It’s easy to combine with the Cenacle since they’re a short walk apart.
15. Discover the City of David
Just outside the Old City walls, the City of David is the archaeological site of the original ancient Jerusalem, the city King David conquered and made his capital around 1000 BCE. It’s genuinely fascinating and far less visited than the sites inside the walls.
The highlight is Hezekiah’s Tunnel, a 2,700-year-old water channel carved through solid rock that you can wade through (bring shoes you don’t mind getting wet and a torch). It’s about 500 metres long and emerges at the Pool of Siloam. Book a City of David tour to get the most out of it.
16. Visit the Israel Museum and the Dead Sea Scrolls
The Israel Museum is the largest cultural institution in Israel and one of the leading art and archaeology museums in the Middle East. The unmissable exhibit is the Shrine of the Book, a stunning white dome housing the Dead Sea Scrolls, the oldest surviving manuscripts of the Hebrew Bible, discovered in caves near Qumran in the late 1940s.
The museum also has an extraordinary outdoor scale model of Jerusalem in the Second Temple period, incredibly useful context for everything else you’ve seen. Allow at least three to four hours. If you want more and have the time, the nearby Bible Lands Museum covers artifacts from across the ancient Near East going back to 1550 BCE, and the Museum of Islamic Art (founded by Vera Salomons) is a lovely, far less crowded stop for Islamic art, ceramics, and jewellery.
17. Stroll Ben Yehuda Street
Ben Yehuda Street and the surrounding Nahalat Shiva neighbourhood are the heart of modern West Jerusalem, a pedestrianised strip of cafés, restaurants, street performers, souvenir shops, and people-watching. It’s a nice contrast to the intensity of the Old City and a good place for an evening wander, a coffee, or a cold Goldstar beer. The streets around here come alive on Thursday and Friday evenings, grab dinner before Shabbat begins.
18. Explore the German Colony
For a completely different side of Jerusalem, head to the German Colony, a leafy, café-lined neighbourhood built by German Templers in the 19th century, centred on Emek Refa’im Street. It’s one of the most relaxed parts of the city, good for a slow brunch or an evening out away from the Old City crowds. On Fridays, look out for the farmers’ and artisan market here, and if you’re around on a Friday more generally, the Bezalel Arts Fair near the Old City walls is worth a browse too, local jewellery, ceramics, and crafts from independent makers.
19. Join a Shabbat Dinner Experience
If your visit lines up with a Friday night, one of the most memorable things you can do in Jerusalem is join a Shabbat dinner in a local home. You’re welcomed in as a guest for the evening, walked through the candle-lighting and blessings, and served a proper spread of Mediterranean-inspired kosher home cooking, it’s a genuinely warm, personal way to understand what Shabbat actually means here rather than just seeing its effects (closed shops, quiet streets) from the outside. Book a spiritual Shabbat dinner experience.
Jerusalem: Church of the Holy Sepulcher
Day Trips from Jerusalem
Masada and the Dead Sea
No visit to Jerusalem is complete without at least one day trip, and the combination of Masada and the Dead Sea makes for one of the best days out in the entire Middle East.
Masada is a clifftop fortress where nearly a thousand Jewish rebels made their last stand against the Romans in 73 CE, one of the most dramatic archaeological sites in Israel. Take the cable car up for sunrise (book in advance and arrive early) or hike the Snake Path if you’re feeling ambitious. The views across the Judean Desert and Dead Sea are extraordinary.
From Masada it’s a short drive to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth at 430 metres below sea level. The water is so saturated with salt that you simply float, one of those genuinely surreal experiences that lives up to the hype. Bring an old bikini or costume (the salt ruins anything lycra), cover any cuts or shaving nicks before you get in, and don’t stay in longer than about 20 minutes.
Want to benefit from Jerusalem’s proximity to Palestine to see it? If so, don’t miss out on this tour with Abraham Tours, which takes you to Jericho, Ramallah, and Bethlehem among other stops and provides another side to the story of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I wrote a full review of this exact tour here if you want to know more about it before booking.
Nazareth, Tiberias & the Sea of Galilee
If you want to head north and follow more of the story beyond Jerusalem, this is the day trip to book. It’s a long one, Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee are around two hours away each way, but it covers the region where Jesus grew up and spent much of his ministry: the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth, Capernaum, and the Sea of Galilee itself, often with an optional boat ride included. Book the Nazareth, Tiberias & Sea of Galilee tour.
Caesarea, Acre & Rosh Hanikra
Another good option if you want to see more of Israel’s coast, this full-day trip heads north to the Mediterranean, taking in the Roman ruins and amphitheatre at Caesarea, the Baha’i Gardens in Haifa, the Crusader-era old city of Acre, and the sea grottoes at Rosh Hanikra right on the Lebanese border. Hotel pickup is included. Book the Caesarea, Acre & Rosh Hanikra day trip.
Where to Stay in Jerusalem
I stayed in two completely different accommodations in Jerusalem, and I’ve added a third pick below for anyone chasing more polish and style.
Splurge: Mamilla Hotel
I haven’t stayed here myself, but the Mamilla Hotel is Jerusalem’s best-known design hotel, steps from Jaffa Gate on the Alrov Mamilla Avenue, a short walk from the Old City, the Tower of David, and the Western Wall. Expect a sleek, design-forward interior, a rooftop terrace with panoramic Old City views, a spa, and an indoor pool, the kind of place to book if you want a genuinely luxurious base for exploring.
The Jerusalem Hotel, where I stayed, was one-of-a-kind. This family-run hotel was a Byzantine church, a police station, and a school before becoming a hotel. Today it’s decorated in an Islamic and Andalusian style, with every piece of furniture hand-carved and truly unique. The rooms are spacious and equipped with AC, TV, and a kettle with tea and coffee, and mine had a balcony overlooking the Old City. Breakfast on its beautiful front terrace is included, and the same area works as a restaurant at night. The location is also perfect, right outside Damascus Gate, so it’s ideal for visiting the Old City.
Tzefania ApartHotel is a long-standing establishment of Jerusalem, founded as early as 1947 and run by three consecutive family generations. The rooms are a mix of new and old, with a modern layout mixed with antique decorative items, kettles, tea and coffee, and a microwave. The common areas look like a museum, with pieces of antique Jewish art and memorabilia displayed throughout. One of the best things about it is that it’s located in the Geula neighbourhood, an ultra-orthodox part of Jerusalem, which makes staying there quite an experience, just dress modestly, or you might disrespect the local residents. It’s affordable and great value for money. It’s not super close to the Old City but still within walking distance.
The Jerusalem HotelThe Jerusalem HotelThe Jerusalem Hotel
Where to Eat in Jerusalem
Jerusalem’s food scene runs through its markets and streets more than through any single restaurant strip, and that’s exactly what makes it fun to eat your way through.
Mahane Yehuda Market is the obvious starting point, come hungry and graze your way through the stalls: falafel, shawarma, kibbeh, kebab, shashlik, kanafeh, baklava, halva, and zalabiya are all here, alongside newer stands doing sushi, burgers, and craft beer. Go on a Thursday evening before Shabbat if you want the market at its liveliest, with the same stalls that sold hummus at noon pouring cocktails by 9pm. If you’d rather have it all explained as you go, book a private culinary tour of the market.
In the Old City souk, don’t rush past the kanafeh stalls, a cheese and syrup pastry that’s worth planning a coffee stop around. And around Ben Yehuda Street and Nahalat Shiva, you’ll find a proper evening food and bar scene, a good option if you want a sit-down dinner and people-watching rather than market grazing, especially on Thursday and Friday nights before Shabbat begins.
How Long to Spend in Jerusalem
3 days is the minimum I’d recommend to cover the Old City properly, Yad Vashem, the Israel Museum, and Mahane Yehuda Market, without feeling rushed.
4–5 days gives you time for a day trip to Masada and the Dead Sea (essential) and potentially the West Bank (Bethlehem and Jericho).
7 days is ideal if you want to explore beyond Jerusalem, add Tel Aviv (a completely different vibe, brilliant beach and food scene), Eilat, or the Galilee region.
Jerusalem is also very doable as part of a wider Israel itinerary, two to three days here as a base, then onward to Tel Aviv for the rest.
Best Time to Visit Jerusalem
Jerusalem has a Mediterranean climate with distinct seasons, and the timing of your visit genuinely matters.
Spring (March–May) is the best time to visit. Temperatures sit around 15–22°C, the city is in full bloom, and the light in the Old City is extraordinary, warm and golden on those ancient stones. It’s also Passover and Easter season, which means the city is busier than usual but also more electric with pilgrims and festivals. Book accommodation well in advance if you’re visiting during these religious holidays.
Autumn (September–October) is equally pleasant, warm without being scorching, and the summer crowds have thinned out. Jewish High Holidays (Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot) fall in this period, worth knowing as some businesses close and the atmosphere shifts significantly.
Summer (June–August) is hot, temperatures can reach 30°C+, and busy. Start early to beat the crowds at the Western Wall and Temple Mount, and take a long midday break in the shade.
Winter (November–February) is cool and occasionally rainy, and Jerusalem can even see snow in January. The major sites are much quieter and hotel rates drop. If you’re visiting for spiritual rather than sightseeing reasons, the quieter atmosphere can actually make it more meaningful.
Note: many sites close or have limited hours on Shabbat (Friday evening to Saturday evening) and on Jewish and Muslim holidays. Always check ahead.
Getting To & Around Jerusalem
To get to Jerusalem, fly into Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) in Tel Aviv, about an hour away, with direct flights from London Heathrow and Gatwick and connections from several other UK airports. Compare prices on Skyscanner. From the airport, there’s public transport into the city every day except Shabbat, when you’ll need a taxi or a shared shuttle (Nesher Sherut) instead, or book a private transfer with WelcomePickups for a fixed price with a driver waiting at arrivals.
Within Jerusalem, the best way to get around is on foot, and honestly, walking is the only way to properly experience the texture of the place. If you need to go further, the bus system covers the rest of the city well, or take a taxi. The easiest way to book a reliable one is the Gett app, use promo code GTLEOYF for up to £15 off.
What to Wear / Jerusalem’s main attractions are religious sites, and modest dress isn’t optional, it’s required for entry. Women should wear something that covers the knees and shoulders, a lightweight maxi dress or loose trousers with a scarf works well in the heat. Men face no specific requirements at most sites but should have a head covering (kippah) for the Western Wall, these are provided free at the entrance.
Jerusalem FAQ
Is Jerusalem safe for tourists?
Yes, Jerusalem is generally very safe for tourists. The Old City and tourist areas have a visible security presence and violent incidents targeting visitors are extremely rare. As with any city, use common sense, stay aware of your surroundings, and check your government’s travel advice before you go. The FCO and US State Department both maintain up-to-date advisories for Israel and the Palestinian territories.
Do I need a visa to visit Jerusalem?
UK citizens do not currently need a visa to visit Israel for stays of up to 90 days, you’ll receive an entry stamp at the airport. Note that if your passport has stamps from certain other countries (previously Lebanon, Syria, Saudi Arabia), you may face extra scrutiny at immigration. Always check the latest entry requirements before you travel.
What is the currency in Jerusalem?
The currency is the Israeli New Shekel (ILS). Cards are widely accepted at hotels, restaurants, and larger shops, but carry some cash for the market stalls, smaller souvenir vendors, and sites that charge entry fees. ATMs are plentiful throughout the city.
Can I visit both the Western Wall and the Temple Mount?
Yes, but not at the same time and not via the same entrance. The Western Wall is accessible to all visitors throughout the day. The Temple Mount has limited opening hours (typically mornings only, Sunday to Thursday) and is closed on Fridays, Saturdays, and Muslim and Jewish holidays. Non-Muslim visitors can walk on the plaza but cannot enter the Dome of the Rock or Al-Aqsa Mosque. Arrive early to avoid queues and dress modestly.
When does Shabbat affect visiting Jerusalem?
Shabbat runs from approximately sunset on Friday to nightfall on Saturday. During this period, most public transport stops running, many Jewish-owned shops and restaurants close, and the Jewish Quarter of the Old City becomes very quiet. Muslim Quarter businesses remain open. Mahane Yehuda Market is closed. Plan accordingly, it’s actually a fascinating time to be in Jerusalem, but you need to be prepared for reduced services.
How far is the Dead Sea from Jerusalem?
The Dead Sea is about 55km from Jerusalem, roughly an hour by car. It’s an easy and extremely popular day trip, often combined with a visit to Masada. The easiest option is to join an organised tour: Masada & Dead Sea day trip from Jerusalem.
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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.
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🛡️ 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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