11 Unmissable Thailand Temples

There is no feeling quite like seeing your first Thailand temple. From the bright and colourful pagodas to the stunning Buddha statues and a rich sense of living history, these are the moments that take your breath away. Whether you are hiking high into the mountains or exploring the heart of Thailand’s most iconic cities, the temples here leave a lasting impression.

With more than 40,000 to choose from, where should you even start? We have curated this list to make your trip of a lifetime go the extra mile, so without further ado, here are our top 11 picks for some of the best temples to visit in Thailand!

Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha)

Even if you have only 24 hours in Bangkok, checking out Wat Phra Kaew as part of a trip to the Grand Palace is a must. Even more jaw-dropping in person, it is so easy to lose yourself in all the little details here, from the bright gold pagodas bejewelled with gemstones to the colourful sculptures woven throughout the temple grounds.

Wat Phra is more famously known as the “Temple of the Emerald Buddha”, so make sure you save enough time to step inside and see why. The Emerald Buddha is carved from precious jade stone and clothed in diamonds, making it one of the most sacred objects in the entire country, only able to be touched by the King of Thailand!

📍Location: Grand Palace, Bangkok

⏰ Opening Hours: 8:30am to 3:30pm

💷 Entrance Fee: 500 baht (roughly £11.50)

Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha)

If there is one temple on everyone’s Thailand bucket list, it has to be Wat Pho! Only next door to the Grand Palace, this unmissable destination is home to Bangkok’s biggest reclining Buddha. This gigantic, golden statue stretches for almost 50 metres, so the ambience here is pretty indescribable as you wander through the halls on our Thailand tours.

A fun fact about Wat Pho is that this temple made history as the first ever public university to open in Thailand. To this day, it is Thailand’s headquarters for teaching traditional medicine practices. You could even treat yourself and book a Thai massage here. When in Wat Pho, right?

📍Location: Rattanakosin Island, Bangkok

⏰ Opening Hours: 8:00am to 7:30pm

💷 Entrance Fee: 300 baht (roughly £7)

Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)

Bangkok’s waterfront is easily one of the most beautiful in the world, and it has everything to do with Wat Arun! Little pagodas are dotted around one giant ivory tower, which glistens like pure gold under the sunset glow. It is a view best enjoyed either on a cruise along the Chao Phraya River or at the rooftop bars just across the water. Bangkok after dark is a rite of passage, and the best way to begin the night of your life is right here.

Wat Arun is more than a gorgeous backdrop; this is a temple that you need to experience up close! Floral mosaic patterns blossom on almost every wall, with layers upon layers of handmade figurines. This is the definition of an architectural masterpiece, and the breathtaking views do not end there. If you climb to the top, get ready to see the Bangkok waterfront from a brand new perspective.

📍Location: West Bank of Chao Phraya River, Bangkok

⏰ Opening Hours: 8:00am to 6:00pm

💷 Entrance Fee: 200 baht (roughly £4.50)

The Historic City of Ayutthaya

Only two hours away from Bangkok, a day trip to Ayutthaya is a must for history lovers. This epic archaeological site was once the capital of a powerhouse empire that ruled for centuries, laying the foundations for Thailand to transform into the destination it is today. Ayutthaya is home to an entire series of temples, and each of them is so extraordinary that we just could not pick a favourite!

From Wat Mahathat, famed for its Buddha head tangled in the ancient treetops, to the lotus-shaped towers of Wat Chaiwatthanaram, something awe-inspiring awaits around every corner in Ayutthaya. And what better way to explore these ruins than on a scenic bike tour as part of our 14-day North Thailand Experience?

📍Location: Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

⏰ Opening Hours: 8:00am to 6:00pm

💷 Entrance Fee: The park is free, some temples cost 50 baht (roughly £1.20)

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

The north of Thailand is like a world of its own, and in the stunning city of Chiang Mai, you’re absolutely spoiled for choice with temples! But if we could only pick one, it would have to be Wat Phra Doi Suthep (called “Doi Suthep” for short). Just picture this. Shimmering pagodas that not only kiss the sky, but are so golden that they look drenched in sunlight. An epic staircase adorned with colourful naga (half-serpent, half-human) statues, like something out of a fairytale. And most impressive of all… That jaw-dropping view from the mountains, overlooking the city!

So the story goes, a bone shard belonging to the Buddha broke into two at the base of the mountain. A rare white elephant found one of these pieces, carrying it around everywhere it roamed in the jungle. At the elephant’s final resting place, Doi Suthep was born in 1383.

📍Location: Doi Suthep Mountain, Chiang Mai

⏰ Opening Hours: 5:00am to 9:00pm

💷 Entrance Fee: 50 baht (roughly £1.20)

Wat Chiang Man

Who are we kidding… Once you have visited one temple in Chiang Mai, you only want to see more! Wat Chiang Man, the city’s oldest temple, feels like travelling back in time as you explore the dazzling grounds. Built in 1296 by Chiang Mai’s founder and the first monarch of the Lanna Kingdom, King Mengrai, this temple is over 700 years old. But it has not aged a day! 

When you are not soaking in the historic atmosphere, take your time wandering around the pagoda, with rows of giant elephant statues wrapping around it. The best part? This temple is completely free to visit, so it is perfect for budget backpackers looking for a chilled afternoon in Chiang Mai’s old city.

📍Location: just off Ratchapakhinai Road, Chiang Mai

⏰ Opening Hours: 8:00am to 5:00pm

💷 Entrance Fee: free!

Wat Rong Khun (The White Temple)

Think you know everything there is to Thailand temples? Think again! Get ready because Wat Rong Khun (aka “the White Temple”) is a mind-blowing experience that every traveller needs to experience at least once. From a distance, Wat Rong Khun is built in the purest shade of porcelain white, almost like it is *too* perfect. As you get closer, all the details reveal themselves. Hand statues reach out to the sky, warrior statues wave their weapons and… Is that a robot sitting on a bench?

Wat Rong Khun is one of the youngest temples on our list, designed in 1997 by local artist Chalermchai Kositpipat. This self-funded passion project redefines what a temple can be, as it is both an homage to popular culture and a prophecy for the modern day. It may be a bit controversial, but there is no denying that the White Temple is iconic and has put Chiang Rai on the world map!

📍Location: Pa O Don Chai, Chiang Rai

⏰ Opening Hours: 9:00am to 5:00pm

💷 Entrance Fee: 100 baht (roughly £2.50)

Wat Rong Suea Ten (The Blue Temple)

The student becomes the master, or at least that is true for our next pick! Wat Rong Sua Ten, also known as “the Blue Temple”, was designed by Putha Kabkaew and finished construction in 2016, partially inspired by her teacher’s work on the legendary White Temple. As the youngest temple on our list, the art style here is bright and modern, characterised by its deep shades of cerulean blue.

Like a water palace in the heart of Chiang Rai, prepare for this temple to take your breath away from the moment you set foot onto the grounds. The gold accents only make the shades of blue even more colourful, and just when you think you have seen it all, the cosy interior is even more captivating. Vivid tales of the Buddha’s path to enlightenment flood every wall, with a porcelain seated Buddha statue reflecting a pale shade of blue in the centre. 

📍Location: north of the Kok River, Chiang Rai

⏰ Opening Hours: 7:00am to 8:00pm

💷 Entrance Fee: free!

Wat Saeng Kaeo Photihyan

We’ll let you in on a little secret… You seriously need to add Wat Saeng Kaeo Photihyan to your Chiang Rai bucket list! This enchanted temple is the definition of a hidden gem and it’s possible to chase every colour of the rainbow inside the grounds. Gold dragons, vibrant blue accents and cotton-candy pink temple walls… Yep, it really is that colourful!

As if exploring this temple was not memorable enough, the secluded ambience and stunning gardens go the extra mile in making Wat Saeng Kaeo Photihyan feel like a fairytale come to life. This temple was built in 2006 in memory of the Buddhist monk Kruba Srivichai, making it one of the youngest temples on our list. Come here before the word gets out! ✨

📍Location: Chedi Luang, Chiang Rai

⏰ Opening Hours: 9:00am to 5:00pm

💷 Entrance Fee: free!

Phraya Nakhon Cave

If there is a temple in Thailand that genuinely belongs in a movie, it has to be the Phraya Nakhon cave. Sunlight pours through the centre, casting a spotlight onto a single temple embellished with shades of scarlet and gold. Emerald flora crawls all over the cave walls, and there is hardly a soul in sight. Even the journey here is cinematic, as you glide through the sunkissed waters on a small boat, before taking a long walk along the beach and trekking from coast to coast in the forest.

It only takes an hour to get here, but the memories last a lifetime. Somehow, the Hollywood directors have yet to discover this temple… Now is the perfect time to go, and on our Thailand Animal Welfare Volunteer project, you can visit this hidden gem temple after spending your weekdays befriending and looking after adorable dogs!

📍Location: Sam Roi Yot, Hua Hin

⏰ Opening Hours: 8:00am to 4:30pm

💷 Entrance Fee: 200 baht (roughly £4.50)

Wat Tham Suea (Tiger Cave Temple)

If you’re longing to experience culture and adventure, Krabi’s iconic Wat Tham Suea (aka Tiger Cave Temple) is the answer to your travel desires. The temple was built in 1975 after a Buddhist monk came here for worship and noticed tigers roaming around. While the big cats may have found new territory, you can still see their paw prints in the caves! Besides, there is a new kind of wildlife watching you can do here, as little Macaque monkeys crawl through the treetops.

Tiger Cave Temple will quite literally take your breath away, with 1,260 steps ready to be climbed. But good things never come easy and the view at the top overlooking all the limestone cliffs and rural farmlands is glorious. On a clear day, you can even spot the ocean and little islands in the distance. Coming here at any time of day is pretty spectacular, but for the sunrise or sunset? No words.

Fun fact: the fastest record time for reaching the top of Tiger Cave Temple is 10 minutes and 21 seconds! Will you try to beat it on one of our Thailand tours? ⚡

📍Location: Krabi Noi, Krabi

⏰ Opening Hours: 24 hours, staffed from 6:00am to 6:00pm

💷 Entrance Fee: free!

What Should I Wear When Visiting Thailand Temples?

If you’re deciding what to wear, the dress code for temples in Thailand is pretty similar to other religious sites around the world. The key is to dress smartly and to cover your shoulders and your knees, whether that means opting for long skirts or trousers. Some temples can be more formal than others, so if you are ever unsure of the specific rules, always check beforehand online - or just chat to your trip leader!

One of our top travel hacks is packing a lightweight sarong and shawl (or cardigan) for sightseeing days. These can sometimes also be hired outside temples. We also highly recommend wearing shoes that are easy to take on and off, as most temples have a no-shoe policy. These can be stored outside on a shelf or near the temple steps. Hats should also be removed before entering a temple.

Etiquette Tips for Visiting Temples in Thailand

After picking out the perfect outfit, let’s go over the etiquette tips. Thailand temples are generally relaxed, and after visiting your first temple, everything will quickly feel like second nature! Still, here are a few things to keep in mind before your visit.

Smoking, vaping and alcohol are not permitted on temple grounds. Try to keep conversation at a low volume and avoid public displays of affection, especially since many temples are working religious sites. Some platforms or seats are especially reserved for monks, so try to avoid sitting on these (if you are unsure, you can always ask). 

And if you want to be a temple pro, there are also a few smaller etiquette tips. Check our easy list of bullet points summarising everything you need to know below!

• No smoking, vaping or alcohol
• No public displays of affection
• Try not to be too loud
• Avoid sitting on platforms or seats reserved for monks
• Avoid pointing your feet towards Buddha or monks
• Lower your head to Buddha or monks

Now that you know the best temples in Thailand, it’s time to put your knowledge to the test and start planning your dream trip to Thailand today! Wat are you waiting for?