Thailand offers something for everyone. While the first thing that comes to your mind is often the pristine white beaches and sunbathing, this paradise has cosmopolitan cities, historical grand palaces and ancient temples, nature trails to rival any country as well as some of the best shopping in Southeast Asia.
Besides the world famous capital city, Bangkok, there are so many other bustling or serene cities to visit in Thailand that are definitely worth the visit. Beautiful coastal towns offering some of the best beachfront accommodations are peppered around the country, as well as cities that provide nature-lovers with beautiful scenery and the ability to immerse themselves in the natural splendours of this tropical paradise.
Here are our top 5 cities to visit in Thailand
The best cities in Thailand according to our team:
Discover the best cities to visit in Thailand
Bangkok
There are many good reasons why Bangkok is the most visited city in the world. There are plenty of things to do in this bustling metropolis where modern skyscrapers are nestled alongside centuries-old temples and landmarks. Bangkok is not only one of the best cities in Thailand, it also made it on our top 10 best cities in the world.
Being well-known for friendly and beautiful people, Thailand’s capital city is a nightlife hotspot, cultural centre as well as food and shopping paradise.
As both the social and economic heart of Thailand, this city offers something for most visitors and even offers an efficient public transport system that includes their popular Bangkok Mass Transit System, better known as BTS or the Skytrain makes it easy to travel around the city and avoid the traffic.
READ MORE: Thailand transportation – The ultimate getting around Thailand guide
What to do in Bangkok
While you will never run short of things to do in Bangkok, one of the must-sees include Wat Phra Kaew, better known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Considered to be the most sacred temple in the country, it is located within the grounds of the Grand Palace, the official residence of the Kings of Siam until 1925.
The temple now serves as a museum of sorts, where visitors can walk the same halls, pavilions, and courtyards of the world’s richest royalty. Just a short 10-minute walk away is Wat Pho, which is home to a 46-meters-long reclining Buddha covered in gold leaf, if you want to experience even more of Bangkok’s rich cultural heritage.
A shopping paradise, Bangkok has a number of massive shopping malls, but a favourite for many is the Chatuchak Weekend Market – the world’s largest outdoor weekend market. With over 8,000 market stalls selling everything from handicrafts, food, clothes, and antiques, this is the best place to find whatever you might need.
If it is nightlife you want there is always Khao San Road, a great place for shopping and street food, and most popular with backpackers and tourists. This area is known for its lively atmosphere at night, with live music, street performers, and amazing open-air restaurants.
READ MORE: Check out our expert guide to Thailand nightlife
Chiang Mai
For travellers looking to avoid the hustle and bustle of the big city, Chiang Mai might just be the perfect city for you. The laid-back city is very easy to navigate and ideal base for the outdoorsy.
The city is surrounded by national parks, waterfalls, and mountains dotted with historic temples, including Thailand’s highest mountain, Doi Inthanon.
Chiang Mai is also tourist-friendly and spending time there won’t hurt the wallet. Being so close to the farms, there are vegetarian and numerous fresh food options for everyone.
Things to do in Chiang Mai
A popular activity for all Chiang Mai visitors is hill tribe trekking, where visitors get a chance to trek the local hillside and mountains to visit the tribe villages.
There is also the Chiang Mai Night Safari, which is not your typical zoo. Starting after sundown, visitors get to spend some up close and personal time with exotic animals such as white porcupines and raccoons. Visitors even get to play with giraffes and baby hogs as you tour the park in an open top bus.
If you are looking for heritage and culture, you are in luck as Chiang Mai is also a great place to see temples, including the 14th-century golden Wat Phra Singh and Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.
ABOUT CHIANG MAI: Annual celebrations of the Thai New Year in Chiang Mai made our list of best and biggest festivals in the world.
Hua Hin
Just a short car ride (200 kilometers) south of Bangkok, Hua Hin evolved from a little fishing village to a genuine summer getaway destination and one of the best cities to visit in Thailand. The city has become a popular beach resort destination for families, couples, and those who want the joy of a beach holiday without the hustle and bustle of nightlife.
Due to the proximity to the capital city Bangkok, the locals often make it a weekend getaway, so the town tends to be busy year-round. It is also a golf haven between December to mid-March, which is the dry season.
READ MORE: Thailand beaches – What are the best beaches in Thailand?
What to do in Hua Hin
This beautiful city has a major water park – Vana Nava – for those looking for clean and wholesome family fun.
Shoppers also have the option of two themed shopping centers including Plearn Wan, a unique and fun retro open-air mall that aims to recreate the 1920 and 30s shophouses of Thai-Chinese immigrants in Bangkok.
For those looking for a more local flavour, there is a night market; and the royal teak Klai Kangwon Summer Palace.
Probably the main attraction in Hua Hin is the 20-kilometer stretch of beautiful sandy beach that reaches all the way to Khao Takiap Mountain. On the other side of this rocky bay there is also the famous Suan Son beach, making this city a beach-lover’s paradise.
READ MORE: What is the best time to go to Thailand?
Kanchanaburi
Visitors to west Thailand should not miss the town of Kanchanaburi. Best known for being the location for the well-known war film Bridge over the River Kwai, it is a land steeped in history.
Visitors will definitely see the Japanese-built bridge that was meant to be part of the infamous Burma railway during WWII.
While it has a sordid history, it is an important part of the country’s history during that period.
Visitors to Kanchanaburi can hop on the regular local train that crosses over the bridge. This short ride is both picturesque and a sombre reminder of times long past.
READ MORE: Thailand sightseeing – A guide to Thailand tourist places
What to do in Kanchanaburi
History-buffs will definitely enjoy this city, where they can visit the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery and the Thailand-Burma Railway Center, which offers an in-depth look into WWII and the trials and tribulations of the allied forces in this city.
There is also a cultural landmark, such as the Wat Tham Phu Wa temple. This temple is located inside a nearby cave, offering a different experience. Nature-lovers can also visit the Erawan National Park, which is home to the stunning seven-tiered fall of the same name.
READ MORE: Tallest, highest and largest waterfalls in the world
Chiang Rai
Northern city Chiang Rai, which is located near the borders with Laos and Myanmar, is not as crowded as the other cities, but offers amazing sights and scenery for those who do make it up there.
One of the must-dos in Chiang Rai is to catch the sunrise at the Phu Chi Fa national forest park.
What to do in Chiang Rai
In a place best known for culture, it makes sense that one of the best-known spots in the city is Wat Rong Khun (also known as “white temple”). But, it is not actually a religious building but an art installation of a local visual artist – Chalermchai Kositpipat.
The temple mixes traditional with elaborate modern murals of pop culture icons from Harry Potter, Star Wars and comic book heroes.
For a more traditional cultural experience, visitors can go to Wat Huai Pla Kang, a temple with 23-story-high statue of Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy, and a nine-story high pagoda.
READ MORE: Thailand hidden gems – discover what makes Thailand unique
These are just five of the best cities to visit in Thailand, but you will be spoiled for choices as a visitor to this fantastic country. Thailand is also known for its beautiful islands and hidden gems that make it an amazing place for any visitor.
Don’t miss out on our Ultimate Thailand Travel Guide for tips on
everything you need to know when planning your trip to Thailand
so you can make the most of your time in the Land of Smiles!
