Best Palaces in Bangkok

If there's one thing you need to include on your list of things to see and do in Bangkok, it's to check out the historic and traditional sites, such as some of the city's most important palaces. Most of these spaces were built to serve as royal residences.

Many of them no longer serve their original function, but they have remained part of the city's priceless cultural heritage. Among the most important ones you should visit are the Grand Palace, the Suad Pakkad, and a few others. I will tell you in detail about each of them.

The Bangkok Grand Palace is a complex of buildings in the heart of Bangkok, and is one of the most important sights in the region as it has been the official residence of the Kings of Siam, and later Thailand, since 1782. Inside the palace you will see numerous buildings that showcase traditional Thai architecture and art. It is famous for its intricate design and cultural significance in Thai tradition.

If there is one thing you will love about this place, it is the enchanting beauty and decoration of each of the buildings. You will see carved and gilded walls and ceilings and you will notice the quality of the detail of the artwork inside the palace. There is one important thing to bear in mind when you go here and that is that there is a dress code required to visit the Grand Palace.

You must dress with your shoulders and waist covered at all times, which in Thai culture, is a sign of respect and modesty. If you are not dressed for the occasion, you can rent some clothes before purchasing your ticket to the Grand Palace.

Details of interest

• Price: To enter the palace and see the inside, you will have to pay around 16 euros per person.
• Opening hours: The opening hours of the Bangkok Grand Palace in Thailand may vary according to the season. However, the palace is usually open every day between 8:30am and 3:30pm.
• Location: The Royal Grand Palace is specifically located in the Phra Nakhon district of Bangkok.

Another place you should visit in Bangkok is undoubtedly the Vimanmek Palace, which is a golden teak mansion, ranked as the largest in the world. This is undoubtedly one of Bangkok's most iconic landmarks. It was built in 1900 on the orders of King Rama V of Thailand.

Today, inside the palace, you can see a museum that houses a collection of royal artefacts and exhibits showcasing Thai culture and history. This building was restored during the 1980s and is now one of the city' s most popular tourist destinations.

Any of the best tours in Bangkok will take you to see this place that will also enchant you with its architecture and the rich history told by its walls and most interesting places about Thailand's development.

Interesting details

• Price: To enter the Vimanmek Palace you will have to pay around 4.40 euros per person.
• Opening hours: To visit this place you will have to go between 9:00 and 16:30. It is open several days a week, with the exception of Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
• Location: It is located in the Dusit Palace complex.

The Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall is a neo-Renaissance style pavilion that was designed by Italian architect Mario Tamagno. The palace was built during the reign of Rama V in the early 20th century. It was originally intended to be used as a throne room and reception hall for the King of Thailand. Today the site is famous for its architecture, decoration and interior paintings.

It is also regularly used for receiving foreign guests and for ceremonies connected with the Thai monarchy. Inside the palace you will see an extensive collection of fresco paintings narrating the history of Thailand and the European influence on the country. You will also be able to see incredible gardens that are there to complement the delicate architectural design of the place. It's a destination you're sure to visit if you sign up for a tuk tuk tour of Bangkok.

Interesting details

• Price: Admission to the public is free.
• Hours: The palace is open between 10:00 and 17:00 most days, except Wednesdays.
• Location: This palace is located just west of Chitralada Palace on Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue, very close to the Thai Parliament.

Suan Pakkad Palace now functions as a museum and has an impressive collection of art objects and antiques of Thai culture, which is reason enough for you to take a bicycle tour of Bangkok to see this palace, which was originally built in the 1780s.

At that time it was built to be used as a royal residence, but was later converted into a museum with eight connected rooms only in the 1950s. Among the things you can see in the museum's collection are Thai antiques and works of art from other parts of the world. Among the items collected are ceramics, textiles, sculptures and antiquities from prehistoric times.

Before you go to see the entire palace, you should know that it has several buildings including gardens and courtyards. Each building is in Thai architectural style and has a different collection of art. You will love to see the traditional Thai garden which includes a Lotus pond.

Details of interest

• Price: You will have to pay around 3 euros per person to visit this site.
• Hours: Visiting hours are from 9:00 to 16:00, and it is open every day.
• Location: This palace is located on Sri Ayutthaya Road, very close to the intersection with Phaya Thai Road.

Bang Pa-In Palace is a royal palace that was used as a summer residence by Siamese royalty and their consorts. This place is made up of different iconic buildings that are distributed throughout the park. One of the best ways to tour this palace and its surroundings is to rent an electric car, especially during the hot days, so you will have no excuses to visit this place during your trip to Bangkok in summer.

Now, contextualising the history of this palace, what happened during the reign of Rama IV is a bit fuzzy. What is clear is that most of the buildings as they are today were created from the time of his successor, King Chulalongkorn or Rama V, who also took it upon himself to expand the palace into the Versaillesque gardens.

The royal palace of Bang Pa In is spread over a huge area that is mainly filled with lawns and huge water fountains. And one thing that will strike you about the structure is that small canals run through most of the complex, connecting to the river next to it. A good way to visit is to take one of Bangkok's best cruises.

Interesting details

• Price: Entrance to this palace costs approximately 3 euros for domestic visitors and around 6 euros for foreign visitors.
• Hours: This site is open to the public every day between 8:30am and 4:30pm.
• Location: The palace is located on the outskirts of Bangkok, so to reach it you will have to go by land or arrive by boat from Bangkok.

Wat Benchamabophit, also known as the Marble Temple, is one of Bangkok's finest temples. It was built in the late 19th century during the reign of King Chulalongkorn. The name of the palace refers to the Italian Carrara marble used in its construction and the golden decoration of the Buddha images.

You will love to admire this temple for its combination of different elements of Thai and European architecture. You can visit the main courtyard and the large collection of Buddha images. You can also see its gardens, fountains and Thai-style buildings, not to mention the collection of 53 Buddha statues, each in a different pose.

Details of interest

• Price: To enter the temple you will have to pay around 2 euros per person.
• Opening hours: The temple is open to visitors between 8:00 and 17:30 every day.
• Location: Located at 69 Thanon Si Ayutthaya, Dusit, Bangkok.

Phan Fa Palace is one of the most famous palaces in Bangkok, basically because it was built in the late 1800s to serve as a residence for King Rama V during some of his travels, but nowadays it is used as a luxury hotel. If you want to know about the history of Thailand through its palaces, this is definitely one you should visit.

In terms of its architectural structure, this palace shows a mixture of European and Thai styles, as well as a decoration with intricate carvings, antique furniture and other ornamental details. You'll love to take a tour of this place, and if you want to stay overnight, you can do that too, to enjoy the comforts that the compound has to offer now that it functions as a luxury hotel.

Details of interest

• Price: To enter this palace you will have to pay around 13 euros per person. If you are staying overnight, you will have to pay extra.
• Opening hours: As it is a hotel, you will have to check in between 14:00 and 19:00.
• Location: It is located in the city centre of Bangkok.

Another really interesting palace in the city of Bangkok is the Chitralada Palace, which currently serves as the residence for the royal family of Thailand. It covers an area of over 400 hectares, making it one of the largest palaces in the city. The palace is also known as the "House of Studies" and houses the King's public school.

As it is the king's residence, it is not a palace that can be visited in its entirety, but you can take special tours to see the interior of the palace. As for its history, it was built in 1913 by King Rama V and has a mix of traditional Thai and Western architectural styles.

Details of interest

• Price: The palace is not always open to the public, but special tours are sometimes available. Entrance fees depend on the type of visit, the day and the time you are allowed to stay inside.
• Opening times: There are no specific visiting hours for the Chitralada Palace because it is visited on a special basis, so you will need to arrange a time available, together with your tour guide.
• Location: It is located in the city centre of Bangkok.

Saranrom Palace is another of Bangkok's historic buildings. It was built in 1866 during the reign of King Mongkut, and since then it has served as the residence of his brother, Prince Bovorn Vichaichan. One thing that will strike you about this place is its design in traditional Thai architectural style. Nowadays it is used as a government venue for important events and ceremonies.

The Saranrom is a palace with a history, because during the First World War it was used as a military hospital to care for the wounded. It is very close to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, so you should definitely take the time to see it. This building is said to be built on top of an ancient sacred forest.

Details of interest

• Price: To enter the palace you will not have to pay anything, the entrance is free.
• Opening hours: Entrance times may change according to the season of the year, although it is usually open between 10:00 and 18:00.
• Location: Saranrom Palace is located in Bangkok, Thailand, near the Chao Phraya River.

Phya Thai Palace, also known as Royal Phya Thai Palace, is located on the bank of the Samsen Canal on Rajavithee Road in Bangkok. Since its construction in the early 20th century, this place was used as a residence for members of the Thai royal family.

Later, during World War II, the palace was used as the headquarters of the Japanese forces occupying Thailand. After the war, it was returned to use as a residence for the royal family and also as a venue for official receptions and important ceremonies.

It is not currently open to the public, but is used as a venue for official events and ceremonies. Although it is not open to the public, it is still one of the most important palaces in the city and you will love taking amazing pictures of its façade.

Interesting details

• Price: Not open to the public, so there is no entrance fee.
• Opening hours: No opening hours are available as the palace is not open to the public.
• Location: Located on the banks of the Samsen Canal on Bangkok's Rajavithee Road.