Things to do
Bangkok for Couples
Bangkok isn't an obvious romantic city, but it has a few perfect hours: sunset on the river, a quiet temple at opening time, a long dinner by the water. This is how to string them together.
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Bangkok isn't Paris or Venice, and it doesn't pretend to be. But it has a handful of moments that are as romantic as anywhere: a temple at sunrise before the crowds, a long-tail boat through quiet canals, the river turning gold at sunset, a candlelit dinner by the water. The trick is to find them between the traffic and the heat.
Where to stay
The area you choose matters more for couples than for most travellers.
- The Riverside is the obvious choice: grand hotels with river views, boats instead of taxis and calm evenings. See our Riverside guide.
- Sathorn for upscale hotels and rooftop bars close by. See Sathorn.
- The Old Town for small boutique hotels in restored shophouses, walking distance to the temples. See Old Town.
Pick a hotel with a pool — afternoons by the water are part of a good Bangkok trip. See where to stay in Bangkok.
The most romantic things to do
Watch the sun set over Wat Arun
From the Tha Tien side of the river, or from a riverside restaurant or terrace opposite the temple. See Wat Arun.
Take a long-tail boat through the canals
The khlongs of Thonburi, lined with wooden houses and temples, are the Bangkok that predates the skyscrapers. Hire a private boat for an hour or two. See the Chao Phraya River guide.
Have a drink above the city
A rooftop at sunset, then dinner somewhere else. See the best rooftop bars in Bangkok.
Dinner on the river
A dinner cruise on a smaller boat or a converted rice barge, or a riverside restaurant with a view. See Bangkok dinner cruises.
Get a couples' massage
Many spas offer side-by-side Thai massages. See Thai massage in Bangkok.
Take a cooking class together
You'll leave with recipes you can make at home. See Thai cooking classes.
A slow morning in Lumphini Park
Walk the lake at 7am, then breakfast nearby. See Lumphini Park.
A two-day plan for couples
| Day 1 | Day 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Grand Palace at opening, then Wat Pho | Long-tail boat through the Thonburi canals |
| Afternoon | Hotel pool, then a couples' massage | Riverside galleries and cafés on Charoen Krung |
| Sunset | Wat Arun from across the river | A rooftop in Sathorn or by the river |
| Evening | Dinner by the river | Dinner cruise or Thong Lo cocktail bars |
Honeymoon tips
- Tell your hotel you're on honeymoon when you book — some add small extras.
- Plan Bangkok as the start or end of a longer Thailand trip, with a beach or the north in between.
- Book the most popular rooftop and riverside restaurants ahead, especially at weekends.
Skip it if you're on a romantic trip
- Khao San Road and lower Sukhumvit's red-light areas at night.
- Packed tourist night markets at peak times — go early or choose a quieter one.
- Over-scheduling. Bangkok's heat rewards slow afternoons.
Special dates
Loy Krathong, in November, is the city's most romantic festival: couples float a krathong together on the river or a park lake. See Loy Krathong in Bangkok.
For nightlife beyond the romantic, see Bangkok nightlife.
where to next?
- Bangkok RiversideThe riverside is Bangkok at its most romantic and, thanks to the boats, better connected to the Old Town than anywhere on the BTS.
- Best Rooftop Bars in BangkokA drink above the city at sunset is part of most first trips to Bangkok. It's also easy to overpay for. Here's which rooftop suits which evening.
- Bangkok Dinner CruisesA dinner cruise is the classic Bangkok evening for couples and families. Choosing the right type of boat matters more than choosing the operator.