Best things to do in Thailand from the city to the beach
From beautiful beaches to street food markets, ancient ruined cities to abseiling limestone rocks, Thailand has it all.
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A country of sun-drenched beaches in the south, lush jungles in the north and buzzing Bangkok in between – a trip to Thailand never fails to impress.
From enjoying all the authentic cuisine it has to offer – to exploring the capital's floating markets and even the historic city of Ayutthaya there's a lot to do around Thailand.
So it's understandable if you're a little stumped on where to start.
To help, we've whittled it down to five of the most memorable and mandatory experiences you'd be hard-pressed to miss: food, temples, beaches, ancient ruins and caving.
BEST THAILAND FOOD TOUR
For the ultimate food tasting experience, you will want to skip lunch for this four hour tour. For just $85, the tour will have you consume around 15 food and drink tastings from sunset.
This isn’t your average tour, and will have your small group strolling through the backstreets in Chinatown to catch a glimpse of traditional Thai.
Stroll by homes and temples while you munch on Thai snacks, each street stall will give you a sample of their best dish – whether it be sweet, salty, sour or bitter.
Some of the highlights include indulging in delicious coconut chicken skewers with satay peanut sauce and peppery soups, plumped up with crispy pork belly and rice noodles.
BEST TEMPLE TOUR IN THAILAND
Mastering Chiang Mai Temples in a Half-Day, Viator, $126.70
No visit to Thailand is complete without a exploration of rich culture, local markets and temples.
While the capital of Bangkok has a trio of famous temples (Wats) to discover (Wat Arun, Wat Pho and Wat Traimit), it's in the north where they capture the skyline and are that much more arresting.
Starting in Chiang Mai, this half-day tour takes you across this northern's city's rich landscape showcasing seven of its most famous temples, giving you ample time to admire the intricate architecture and symmetry of the temples.
Some of the highlights include a stop at Wat Phan Tao with its captivating teakwood Ordination Hall, the 700-year-old Wat Chiang Man and the breathtaking Wat Phra That Doi Kham. Translated to the Temple of the Golden Mountain, this magnificent complex surrounds itself in mountain views and centres around a 17-metre high Buddha statue.
BEST BEACH ESCAPE IN THAILAND
Thai Island Hopper West, Contiki, from $973
Thailand's southern islands are notorious for their pristine beachfronts, craggy caves and azure waters - and there are a lot of dots in the islands to explore.
Contiki takes these their stride, splitting them up between a Thailand Island Hopper West and Thailand Island Hopper East tour, each with three famous islands on their itineraries.
If this is your first trip around the islands the west is best as it covers all the big ones: Phuket, Koh Phi Phi and Krabi. On top of hopping from white beach to white beach, you'll have the chance to tack on a trip to the elephant sanctuary, distillery and spin around the Phi Phi islands for a snorkel, swim and cave exploration.
BEST HISTORIC RUINS TOUR
UNESCO's Ayutthaya Historical Park: Full-Day Tour from Bangkok, Viator, $52.44
I'm a bit of a UNESCO Heritage Site nerd so when I first visited Bangkok the number one attraction on my list was Ayutthaya. It didn't disappoint.
Once the capital of the Kingdom of Siam, this ancient city resides within a Historical Park that spans 289 ha, and is speckled with the crumbling remains or temples, monasteries and Buddha statues.
With your guide, you'll uncover the ruins from the oldest temple of Wat Phra Mahathat to its largest; Wat Phra Si Sanphet.
"Exploring Ayutthaya was an unforgettable journey through Thailand's history and culture," raves one Viator customer. "From ancient temples to bustling markets, every moment was filled with wonder and discovery. Knowledgeable guides and delicious local cuisine made it a truly immersive experience, leaving lasting memories of Thailand's rich heritage."
BEST ROCK CLIMBING AND CAVING IN THAILAND
Full Day Climbing and Caving Tours at Railay Beach in Krabi, Viator, $109.81
Located in Krabi, this experience is for the adrenaline lovers.
But even you've never scaled heights by hand before the good news is that it's perfect for beginners. So much so that kids from the age of 5 can even do it - though being physically fit is still a must!
Over the day you can expect to put your best feet, and hands, forward on limestone rocks, trek through national park, explore beachfront caves and abseil above the turquoise water and white sands of Railay Beach; a spot many claim to be the most beautiful of Thailand’s southern beaches.
You'll be given full instruction on how to climb, honing your skill on easier climbs before increasing the difficulty throughout the day. "Awesome experience," says one traveller. "Where other tour groups had 20-25 individuals, we were the only ones on our tour for the day. Our guide was personable, friendly, and easy going. We got to climb routes with a variety of difficulty levels with beautiful views at the top!" says another. It's an experience you'll never forget.
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