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Bangkok is a vibrant mix of glittering temples, royal palaces, bustling markets and modern skyscrapers, all tied together by the Chao Phraya River. This piece highlights the key places and experiences you should not miss on a first (or even second) visit, from historic landmarks like the Grand Palace to famous street food areas and rooftop bars. Whether you are interested in history, culture, shopping or nightlife, Bangkok offers a wide range of attractions that can be explored over a few days or a longer stay.

One of the most important places not to miss in Bangkok is the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The Grand Palace was built in 1782, when Bangkok became the capital of the Kingdom of Siam, and served as the royal residence for over 150 years. Within the same complex, Wat Phra Kaew houses the revered Emerald Buddha, a small but highly significant statue carved from a single block of jade. Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered) and allow at least two to three hours to explore the richly decorated halls, courtyards and murals.

Just a short walk or boat ride away are two of Bangkok’s most iconic temples: Wat Pho and Wat Arun. Wat Pho, one of the city’s oldest temples, is famous for its 46-metre-long Reclining Buddha and is considered the birthplace of traditional Thai massage, which has been taught here since the late 19th century. Across the river, Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, is known for its central prang (tower) decorated with colourful porcelain, dating back to the early 19th century. Climbing its steep steps rewards you with excellent views of the river and city skyline, especially around sunset.

For a taste of local life and commerce, the city’s markets are another thing you should not miss in Bangkok. Chatuchak Weekend Market, which began in the 1940s and has grown to more than 8,000 stalls, is one of the largest markets in the world, selling everything from clothes and handicrafts to plants and antiques. In the evenings, areas like Asiatique the Riverfront and the Ratchada Train Market (when operating) offer a mix of food, shopping and entertainment. For something more traditional, consider a visit to a floating market on the outskirts, such as Damnoen Saduak or Amphawa, where vendors sell produce and snacks from wooden boats.

Bangkok’s street food scene is another highlight that many travellers regard as unmissable. Areas like Yaowarat (Chinatown), which has roots going back to the late 18th century, are packed with stalls serving noodles, seafood, grilled meats and Thai desserts well into the night. Other popular food streets include Victory Monument, Ari and parts of Sukhumvit Road. You can sample classics such as pad thai, som tam (papaya salad), mango sticky rice and boat noodles, often at very reasonable prices. For visitors who prefer more guidance, food tours and cooking classes are widely available and can provide useful context about Thai ingredients and flavours.

Many visitors also enjoy seeing a different side of Bangkok by exploring its canals and green spaces. A long-tail boat ride through the khlongs (canals) on the Thonburi side of the river offers a glimpse of traditional wooden houses and quieter neighbourhoods that predate much of the modern development. Within the city, Lumpini Park, established in the 1920s, provides a welcome break from the traffic with lakes, jogging paths and shaded lawns. For contemporary culture, the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC) and the nearby Jim Thompson House, a traditional teak house museum from the 1950s, are both worth adding to your list.

Common questions about what not to miss in Bangkok include: How many days are enough? Most travellers find three to five days suitable to see the main sights at a relaxed pace. What should I wear to temples? Shoulders and knees should be covered, and shoes must be removed before entering main temple buildings. Is public transport convenient? The BTS Skytrain and MRT subway are efficient for many areas, while river boats are useful for temple districts. When is the best time to visit? The cooler, drier period from November to February is generally most comfortable, though Bangkok is a year-round destination. Is street food safe? Choosing busy stalls with high turnover is a good guideline.

To round out your stay, consider experiencing Bangkok’s modern side with a visit to one of its rooftop bars or shopping districts. Rooftop venues in areas like Silom and Sukhumvit offer panoramic views, especially striking at night when the city lights up. For shopping, Siam Square, MBK Center, CentralWorld and ICONSIAM combine international brands with local designers and food courts. Balancing historic temples and palaces with markets, street food, river life and contemporary attractions will give you a well-rounded sense of what makes Bangkok such a memorable place to visit.

Located in Shepherds Bush, with excellent transport links from across London and the UK, and free parking for over 5,000 cars, Westfield is Europe’s largest shopping/leisure facility, and is visited by over 26 million annually.

Some estimates put the footfall at over 50 million per annum, with a surprisingly high number of London tourists staying in hotels across the city spending a day enjoying the numerous attractions.

The complex contains over 300 UK High Street and premium stores, and a ‘village’ of 40 high-end retail outlets from 15 countries, including Adidas, Gucci, Burberry, Tiffany & Co, Versace and many, many more.

For those must-have accessories, you will find shops such as Breitling, APM Monaco, Mango and Longines. While stores such as Lego, Early Learning and the Disney Store will keep the little ones entertained.

A great day out for the whole family, Westfield is also home to over 80 different eating concepts, including, on the balcony of the southern terrace, 13 counters specialising in prepared and cooked-to-order dishes.

Stunning in its own right, the light, glass-roofed main hall, boasts a 14-screen cinema hosting world premieres and music concerts featuring international artists.

A two-acre outdoor section holds numerous outdoor programmes and events, many aimed at younger family members. Or book the kids into KidZania, where they can be anything they like, from a brain surgeon to an airline pilot or train driver.

Wherever you’re staying in London, why not take a day off from the sightseeing, and treat the whole family to a day at Westfield.

Did you know over 800 marathons are run every year in cities worldwide?

London’s first-ever marathon event was way back in 1981, with 7,055 starters and 6,255 finishers. Staged every year since, in 2019, the last figures before the two-year covid break, 42,906 started the marathon, with 42,549 completing the course.

In just a few short months, a similar number of professional athletes running for records, and amateur athletes running to raise money for good causes, will again be pounding the streets of London Town.

With a course that wends its way through the heart of the city, finding somewhere to stay to enjoy the festivities shouldn’t be a problem. The TCS London Marathon starts at Great Cross Avenue in Greenwich. Heading east through Woolwich, it turns west and passes the Cutty Sark at around seven miles. Crossing the Thames at Tower Bridge, the route bends around the Shard, and at about 12 miles, it passes the London Eye and Canary Wharf.

Finally, after 26 gruelling miles and around four hours of running, the competitors will pass Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace, before crossing the TCS London Marathon finish line.

If you’re considering joining the thousands of spectators who watch this annual event, why not do it in style, and book a short weekend break. On the Saturday enjoy a little retail therapy, a drink beside the Thames, or a meal in Soho. Before seeking out the buskers, bands and numerous other street entertainers, who will be setting up their pitches to entertain the crowds lining the route on the Sunday morning.

The doors of Madame Tussauds have attracted thousands of visitors since it opened its doors over 200 years ago. Here we explore its rich history.

Madame Tussauds escaped the horrors of the French Revolution and settled in Britain, where she captivated audiences with her wax figures. Madame Tussauds Museum is one the leading attractions in central London with waxworks of some of the most famous personalities in the world such as Barack Obama, Queen Elizabeth, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, and Donald Trump, among others.

Who was Madame Tussauds?

Madame Tussauds was born as Marie Grosholtz in 1761 in Strasbourg, eastern France. This was months after her father was killed in a war. Her mother worked as a housekeeper in the Swiss city of Bern. She was working for Dr Philippe Curtius, an anatomist and wax worker. Curtius acted as a guardian to little Marie, and she regarded him as an uncle. He would go on to teach her how to make wax sculptures. She completed a wax figure likeness of philosopher Voltaire, aged around 15 or 16. She would thereafter create famous figures such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Benjamin Franklin, among many others. When revolution broke out in 1789, she and her mentor found themselves in danger after being accused of receiving monarchist sympathies. She was thrown into prison and forced to make ‘death masks’ of the executed King, Queen and nobles as revolutionary victories.

Madame Tussauds Museum

When she settled in London, she set up a separate room for her death masks, referred to as the Chamber of Horrors. However, it was partially burnt down in 1925, destroying over 300 waxworks.

The Madame Tussauds museum at Baker Street, London, is one of the iconic tourists’ attractions to visit for great waxworks and the eerie history behind Madame Tussauds creations.