Experience the best of Bangkok with Withlocals

Enjoy the fun Floating Markets

The Floating Markets are a joy for the eyes and a delight for foodies! Add them on your things to do in Bangkok list and you won’t regret it! You will find there everything from tropical fruits to deliciously cooked foods, made right there, on the boats of the locals.

Most of the markets are really crowded, but that’s part of their charm. Your host will help you handle all the fuss and give insights on what you should buy. He’ll also translate for you every time you want to talk to the local sellers. Some of the markets worth visiting with them are: Khlong Lat Mayom, Taling Chan, Bang Ku Wiang, Tha Kha, and the famous Damnoen Saduak Market (the first out of all the floating markets).

Visit the Grand Palace & Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew)

There quite a few highlights worth seeing in Bangkok, but these 2 are surely must see spots. To get a complete view of the city you'll have to see them.The Grand Palace has wowed it’s visitors since the beginning, while the Wat Phra Kaew is known for the amazingly carved emerald green Buddha. Go there with a local bangkok private guide who will share with you all the enchanting stories about the two. They’ll also tell you why the Palace is no longer the official residence of the king, and what it’s used for now.

Local tipBe prepared to leave your shoes at the entrance, or better yet, take a bag with you, so you’ll be sure you won’t get them lost.

Visit a Beautiful Hidden Artist Canal Spots

Since the city is full of many touristy places, you should also explore the more peaceful & traditional things to do in Bangkok as well. Your host can show you the Artists House (Baan Silapin), an amazing art centre in a restored house, right by the Yai Canal. You’ll enjoy there a traditional puppet show and get a sense of the local creative lifestyle. The Artist's House is more than two hundred years old! It has lots of history and secret stories that come with it, which your local guide knows all about.

You’re also going to see some human-sized statues painted in white, red or black sitting by the water. They too have their own tale! Get all the info from your private guide and have a great time there!

Discover the local nighttime food & shopping tours

The city is also quite known for its nightlife, from relaxing walking tours to hardcore parties, you have it all. A more unique thing to do in Bangkok, especially if you’re more into antiques and quiet night Bangkok tours is to go on a vintage shopping experience with a local host. They’ll show you all the great spots at the local vintage market.

Your tour can also be all about a Thai street food experience as well! There are incredibly many places where you can taste all the local dishes, but your host will show you the best ones out there. Such a food tour can take up to 4 hours in which you will be able to explore many different flavours and spices as well as getting in touch with the local street chefs. Ask your guide for suggestions and let the fun begin!

Go to Jim Thompson’s House (Siam)

Besides its uniqueness in style, the awesome residential area has a huge story behind it! Your host will share with you all the hidden stories about the place as well as the popular facts. The compound belonged to Jim Thomson, a visionary architect. He is known for his collection of Asian art objects, his work for reviving the Thai silk industry and his mysterious disappearance into the Malaysian jungle in 1967.

The place is worth visiting for its interesting background tale and for the beautiful elements that you would for sure not find in an ordinary Thai home. Your private guide will make sure you’ll experience the unique atmosphere and understand more about the elements you’ll see there.

Get a private food tour or go to the fisherman community

Really wanna go off the beaten track? Another exquisite thing you can do in Bangkok, that is usually forgotten by most tourists is meeting the fishermen's community in a lovely tour by the coast, at the non-touristic fishermen village Bangkrajao. This village is located in a hidden area, so only locals would actually know about it. Enjoy a boat tour with your private guide and share your stories, while listening to theirs. The view itself will be great and you will get to meet some Thai fisherman on the way.

You can also have a taste of the traditional recipes with freshly caught fish and seafood at a famous one-table restaurant in the same village. The lives of the locals from this area mostly depend on the local fishing and the seafood processing, so you can get an inside view on how the local market works. Ask questions, listen to stories and delight in the local atmosphere.

Want do discover the area around the city? A Day trip from Bangkok is the thing you need to do!

Riverside historic neighborhood tour

One distinctive thing you can experience is a riverside tour by the Kadeejeen community. The neighborhood is one of the oldest around and has a very rich and interesting history to it. Your private guide surely knows all about it. Also, it’s a very diverse area in terms of people living there. You have there a mixture of races and nationalities that you will not see in other places of Thailand.

There are many beautiful places by the riverside, so you’re host can also take you to the Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn). The temple is designed quite differently than the others you might see there, so it’s worth taking a look at. Take a private boat tour on the Chao Phraya River and see the city, as a super relaxing experience. Always make sure you pick a private tour with a local host, so you won’t get in any tourist traps.

Participate in a traditional Thai fruit carving activity

Last, but definitely not least, you shouldn’t leave Bangkok before taking part of at least one workshop. Taking part of an activity with a local gets you more into the local vibe than any tour you might experience. One type of activity that we suggest is the Thai fruit carving one, since it’s totally creative and unique.

It might sound a bit difficult, but we assure you it isn’t actually as hard to do as it seems. You will firstly be learning how to carve simple shapes and evolve into the more complex designs. It’s a very fun activity to do with your friends or your family, especially if you like arts&crafts. You might actually discover you have a hidden talent or start building a new skills!