Today’s adventure took us deep into the historic heart of Bangkok where golden rooftops dazzle in the sun, ancient legends whisper from temple walls, and yes, traffic moves at the pace of a snail on a sightseeing tour.
🚖 Getting There: A Journey Through Bangkok’s Wild Streets.
We hopped into a taxi from our hotel in Rama 9, thinking 8 km wouldn’t take long. Forty minutes later, we were still weaving through tuk-tuks, scooters, and buses that looked like they were auditioning for Fast & Furious: Bangkok Drift.
Google Maps claimed the train would take about an hour. Whether that’s accurate or not, we didn’t risk it this time so aircon and a seat won.
👖 Dennis vs Dress Code: Shorts at the Palace? Rookie Error
Upon arrival at the Grand Palace, we hit the first hurdle: the temple dress code. Shoulders and knees must be covered, no exceptions. I’d worn shorts (oops), so I had to grab some lightweight trousers from a nearby stall. Only about 180 baht (£4), and they’ll probably become my new temple pants. Crisis averted.
👑 The Grand Palace: Dazzling, Ornate, and Absolutely Packed
Bangkok’s Grand Palace is, well, grand. It’s not just one palace it’s a sprawling complex of royal halls, museums, and the incredible Wat Phra Kaew, home to the revered Emerald Buddha. The detail on the buildings is staggering every spire, tile, and mural tells a story.
We spent a solid two hours wandering through the grounds, dodging crowds, and taking in the golden splendour. If you’re visiting with kids, note that there’s not much shade bring water and go early to beat the heat.
🛌 Wat Pho: The Reclining Buddha & So Much More
Just a 10 minute walk from the Grand Palace is Wat Pho, home of the 46 metre long Reclining Buddha. It’s hard to describe how enormous and peaceful this statue is photos don’t do it justice, it was huge!
But Wat Pho is more than just the big Buddha. The temple grounds are like a mini city of ancient relics, golden statues, and intricate carvings. You’ll also find cafés, souvenir shops, and some of Bangkok’s best traditional Thai massage from the nearby massage school.
We spent a few hours exploring here, and honestly, it’s one of our favourite spots so far. It’s calmer than the Grand Palace and has a real feeling of reverence and quiet discovery even with kids in tow, dotty had a nap in the pushchair and we took it a bit slower!
When we got back to our accommodation we had enough time to dip in the pool for an hour before dinner, what a full on day!
🧒 Tips for Families
Kids under 120 cm go free at both sites. Wat Pho has more space to move around, making it a bit easier with young children. Toilets and cafés are available near both locations. Be aware of scams outside the palace if anyone tells you “it’s closed today,” just keep walking and buy your ticket at the official booth.
✨ Our Verdict
If you’re exploring Bangkok with your family, this duo of temples is a must see. Just be prepared for the heat, the crowds, and the trousers.
Both sites gave us a real sense of Thailand’s rich history and spirituality, and the kids loved spotting all the different Buddha statues some small, some towering over us like peaceful giants.
📍 Where to next? Maybe something with a bit more aircon and a bit less gold… but we’re not done with Bangkok just yet!
