The Grand Palace

The spectacular Grand Palace is undoubtedly the most famous and important landmark in Bangkok. It’s one must-see sight that no visit to the city would be complete without! 

The Grand Palace is a massive complex that was built all the way back in 1782 and for 150 years it served as the main residence of the King until 1925. Now it is mainly used for ceremonial purposes. A visit to the Grand Palace will not disappoint, there is so much history and it consists of not only the royal and throne halls, but also a number of government offices as well as the renowned Temple of the Emerald Buddha, a place you don't want to miss out on!  

Make sure to plan ahead and take some time out of our day (at least two to three hours) to visit the whole compound because the area is as big as 142 football fields!

Fun fact: did you know that in the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (the most holy shrine in the entire country), no one is allowed to touch the Buddha except for the Thai king himself?

How to get there?

As the Grand Palace is located in the heart of Bangkok, it won't be difficult to get there! The easiest way to get to the Grand Palace is via the BTS (Skytrain), the Chao Phraya Express Boat or taxi. If you only need to cover a short distance, a Tuk Tuk is also worth considering!

What is the best time to visit?

We would suggest getting to the Grand Palace during weekdays at 8.30 AM! It gives you a far greater chance of having the place to yourself (or at least less people). Weekend days can get pretty hectic.

Best spot to take pictures:

The Grand Palace is a great place for photographers to test out their wide angle lenses. And even if you're not a professional photographer or have expensive gear, you will have the best time taking pictures, as every corner of the Palace is worth a picture. 

The temples are surrounded by a dazzling collection of soaring spires, golden stupas and ferocious-looking guardian figures. It's worth paying attention to all the details as almost every surface is covered in multi-colored mosaic tiles!

Tips:

A strict dress code applies and visitors must be properly dressed before being allowed entry to the temple. Men must wear long pants and shirts with sleeves (no tank tops). If you're wearing sandals or flip-flops you must wear socks (in other words, no bare feet.) Same thing applies to female visitors: you can't wear see-through clothes, or show bare shoulders and knies. Don't worry, there is a booth near the entrance that can provide appropriate clothes (although a deposit is required).

 The Grand Palace is only a couple minutes walk away from Wat Po, another must-see Bangkok attraction – it’s worth doing both together.