The 18 best things to do in Thailand

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This article with the best things to do in Thailand is the perfect choice if you are looking for travel inspiration for your next trip, or if you are already planning one. Without a doubt you landed here for a reason. Welcome, my friend!

Whether you plan to visit Thailand in the near future or not, you probably know how amazing this country is. The internet is loaded with gorgeous pictures that paint a very clear picture on how dreamy Thailand is. From exotic and wild white beaches, gold and glittering temples that are hidden in the jungle, to picturesque nature rich views, Thailand will enchant you from the first moment you set foot on its land.

Now, you booked the plane tickets and started counting the days until you leave for the airport. But you are wondering, once you arrive in Thailand, what can you do? Which activities or things should you include on your itinerary?! Of course, you want to make the best of your trip, but depending on the duration of your stay, you need to plan smartly and choose only things that will excite you the most.

There are so many incredible things to do in Thailand, that no matter your travel style or preferences, you will find something for your liking. In my opinion Thailand has something for everyone. Hiking breathtaking trails through the jungle, visiting unique and outstanding temples, like the White Temple, or creepy and dark attractions like the Black House, staying in a luxury resort, or visiting an authentic tea plantation, are only a few of the things you can do or visit in Thailand.

I hope you are ready, because I will take you through the best things you can do in Thailand. Grab a paper and pen (and maybe a coffee, cuz’ this is a long one) and start making your list for your itinerary!

Visit a national park

If you are a fan of hikes, lush jungle trails and phenomenal views, then you need to include a national park on your Thailand itinerary. One of the most popular ones is Doi Inthanon National Park located in Northern Thailand in Chiang Mai.

Imagine hidden villages, small family owned cafes, beautiful waterfalls and luxurious forest trails perfect for hikes and connecting with nature. One of the attractions that is a must in my opinion in Doi Inthanon National Park is the Twin Pagodas that are located on a plateau that offer an unforgettable view.

I wrote a detailed travel guide explaining everything you need to know about the park. Please check it out, here.

Visit a secluded village

A secluded village inhabited by locals or tribe people is an interesting and unique experience you should try in Thailand. While visiting Northern Thailand, we saw two tribe villages, Long Neck village and Akha Hill Tribe Village. You need to keep an open mind and be willing to understand and learn about the people living in these villages. I wrote more about them in this article, with top things to do and see in Northern Thailand. We also visited Mae Klang Luang Village (inhabited by locals), located inside Doi Inthanon National Park. There we drank one of the best coffees in this small cafe owned by a nice and welcoming family.

Visit a floating market

When I first heard this name, I thought that it means something symbolic, but nope, a floating market is actually a market that floats! Sounds interesting and intriguing, right?!

Before there were roads in Bangkok, the canals have always been an important part of transportation and a way of living. The floating markets are part of Thailand’s culture, making them a must see attraction for tourists. There are several floating markets in Thailand, but the most famous ones are located in Bangkok. If you want to learn more about the floating market in Bangkok, read this article I wrote about all the things you can do and see in Bangkok.

Explore a night market

Night markets in Thailand are a spectacle for the eyes. Streets filled with dozens of stalls that sell anything for food, clothes, souvenirs, decorations and sweets. If you love shopping, especially cheap shopping, then you need to add night markets on your Thailand travel itinerary. The most impressive ones that we chose to visit are Chatuchak Market in Bangkok and the ones in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.

Things to see in Northern Thailand — Night Bazaar in Chiang Mai

Ride a tuk tuk

You are in for a crazy ride, but a must if you visit Bangkok! With a tuk tuk you can get from one place to another fast and with a close-up view of the city. Another bonus point, a tuk tuk is cheaper than a classic taxi, but you cannot cover long distances. Bangkok is a big and impressive city and the landmarks are scattered all over the place. Walking around is a good idea, but it’s impossible to walk to every attraction, so a tuk tuk is your best option. Be aware that some drivers may seem a little crazy, but believe it or not, they know what they are doing. Buckle up and prepare for one crazy ride.

Visit temples deep in the jungle

Temples located deep into the jungle are an experience that I find one of a kind. In general Thai temples inspire tranquility, meditation, but if they are located in the middle of the jungle, surrounded by trees and beautiful bird sounds, the atmosphere is even more peaceful. Wat Tham Pha Plong is a forest temple located in Northern Thailand and in order to get to it, you will need to climb approx 500 steps. I shared our experience in this article, here.

Stay in a luxury resort

Staying in a luxury resort is a cool thing to do, but I find that in Thailand the experience is somehow enhanced by the environment. Thailand offers 5 stars views that will leave you breathless for sure.

While visiting Northern Thailand we spent two nights at two 4 star resorts. What I loved about those experiences is that both resorts had as a primary focus and theme nature itself. We had our own little cottages that were surrounded by trees. In one of the resorts our cottage had a small terrace that faced a beautiful pond. Me and my husband (boyfriend at that time) spent our evening on the terrace talking and eating fresh fruits while we were bathed by the serenity of that place. Another thing I loved about those resorts was the breakfast. You know me, I’m a foodie and my favorite meal of the day is (you guessed it) breakfast! And if I can enjoy my food and coffee in a beautiful scenery that’s a big win for me.

If you plan to visit Northern Thailand I highly recommend you give these two resorts a try: Serene and La Luna Resort.

Stay in a place close to nature

Sleeping surrounded by nature is one of the best things you can do in Thailand. I hope you take my word on that, but if you are not convinced by this statement, then the following narrative will unlock your daydreaming superpowers for sure.

While visiting Northern Thailand, we spent one of the nights at this rustic wooden cabin in the middle of the jungle. This place was well hidden into the forest, because we didn’t see any civilization close by.

I feel like I need to point out that this accommodation was included in our itinerary by the tour company that we booked for visiting Northern Thailand. We traveled with another couple and basically the cabin was occupied only by us, our guide and our two hosts.

The wooden cabin was located on a hill and had a huge deck that appeared to be an extension of the cabin and gave the impression that it was floating. On the deck we helped our host prepare dinner (we grilled meat directly on the deck) and we chatted well into the night. Oh man, it was so peaceful out there, I miss that level of silence. I wanted to stay there for at least a week, to eat, drink coffee, taste delicious fruits and gaze at my surroundings.

Our rooms were located upstairs. Our room was ridiculously small, with a huge bed that occupied most of the space, placed near a window that was facing the forest (sadly, the bathroom was ugly and kinda filthy, but we overcame this small detail).

We woke up in the morning to the sound of birds and monkeys coming from the jungle. We spend our morning gazing at the endless tree canopy, drinking coffee and planning our day ahead. Sounds ideal, right?!

Visit the White Temple

Wat Rong Khun, also known as the White Temple, is one of the most famous attractions in Thailand. The temple is located 15 km away from Chiang Rai town. In my opinion this is a must-see if you visit Northern Thailand. The meaning behind every detail of the White Temple and its surroundings it’s fascinating. The artist that is behind this unique construction has an interesting intake on religion and an even more interesting way of expressing it. I wrote a travel guide dedicated to the White Temple, where I explained the things that fascinated me and what to expect from your visit. You can check it out, here.

Get creeped out by the Black House

I can’t write this article without including the Black House in it. Maybe this is not a common attraction in Thailand. Chances are you are not going to find many recommendations regarding this place, but if you are a fan of creepy and dark stories and places, then you need to consider adding the Black House to your travel itinerary. If you want to learn more about it, you can read this article about all the things you can do in Northern Thailand.

Spoiler alert, expect snakeskin runner, buffalo horns (among others), and wooden carved penises (yep, you read that correctly). If a horror movie is to be filmed here, any additional ornaments won’t be necessary.

Visit a tea plantation

Even if you aren’t a fan of tea, visiting a tea plantation in Thailand is a great experience to add to your itinerary. For example I’m a coffee addict, but recently I started to understand the pleasure of enjoying a relaxing cup of tea every evening. Anyhow, we visited a tea plantation in Northern Thailand and I was impressed by the enormous green tea plantation that stretched as far as the eye could see (Hint: perfect place for gorgeous photos). In addition, the owner invited us to participate in a demonstration on how to prepare different kinds of tea and see how the taste can differ depending on the chosen method.

Eat mango sticky rice and Pad Thai

I feel like I should name this point in a more straightforward way, like, eat Thai food (as much as you can)! Thai food became one of my favorite cuisines. The flavors, smells and food combination is mouth watering. Every dish it’s delicious and I like that they use a lot of fresh vegetables. I observed that they have a specific way of eating, always including meat, vegetables and rice.

By far, one of my favorite dishes are Pad Thai and mango sticky rice. If you don’t know anything about this cuisine or don’t know with which dish you should start your Thai food journey, start with these two. Pad Thai is very popular and maybe you ate it in other parts of the world, but you need to try it in Thailand too, because it’s a whole different experience. The dish includes noodles (big lover of noodles here!) egg (it can be an omelet), spring onion, crunchy bean sprouts, fish sauce, oyster sauce and meat (can be shrimp, chicken, or tofu). Omg, my mouth is watering right now…

Mango sticky rice is the perfect dessert. It’s colorful, sweet (but not excessively) and full of flavor. I tried it in Romania as well, but man, it cannot be compared to the one eaten in Thailand.

Eat watermelons and mangoes

If you are a fruit lover, Thailand is heaven for you. I’m a fruit not cake kind of girl, so I took the opportunity to eat and drink a lot of fresh juices (especially in Bangkok, read more about this, here). Watermelons are my favorite and I think that I asked at every restaurant for them as dessert. And the mangos, OMG, in Thailand I ate the best mangos ever. In Romania I rarely eat them because most of the time I find them tasteless, but in Thailand I couldn’t believe how different the flavor is. I wanted to pack several and take them home with me.

I mean, the landscapes, temples and people are amazing, but if I ever think of moving to Thailand it will be because of the fruits (no joking). You need to try them.

Visit an elephant sanctuary

This is a delicate subject, because even if for most of us, it’s our dream to see the elephants in Thailand, we need to be aware that this is a business for them, thus the rights of these magnificent animals are violated for money (more often than you think)..

Before you visit an elephant sanctuary, do your research and find out if that place is ethical, if they treat them properly. Most importantly, when you go visit don’t ask or demand things for your own entertainment (like riding the elephants). Please be respectful. These animals deserve our love, admiration and respect. Treat them as you want to be treated.

To be really honest, I think that the best way to visit elephants or any animal for that matter is by going on a safari trip. There we can see them in their own environment, we should be just observers and not disturb their lives with our curiosity and needs. If you have this option, choose a safari. I know I will do that next time.

Go kayaking

If you like fun water sports, then you should try kayaking in Thailand. This adventure wasn’t included in our initial itinerary, but when we arrived in Phuket we booked a boat trip that included 5 small kayaking trips through a couple of caves.

It was the first time we did something like this and I was hooked! One of the staff guys showed us how to maneuver a kayak and let us go on a little trip by ourselves. I highly recommend this activity, it’s fun and depending on your itinerary, the views can be memorable. I remember we entered a cave that followed a place surrounded by rocks and small islands and when we looked up, we were surprised to see that the tree’s canopy formed a heart. It was beautiful and a little romantic.

Go on a boat trip

If you decide to go on a boat trip, choose a long tail boat, especially if you suffer from seasickness. Boat trips are very popular in Thailand, especially if you visit one of the islands, like Phuket, Krabi or Phi Phi. When you arrive at the airport, there are a lot of companies that will try to tempt you with the best offers. We chose two trips, one with a speed boat (big mistake) and one with a long tail boat. Don’t get me wrong the speed boat was amazing, the sensations, the views and the experiences were pretty cool. But when the boat stopped for us to go swimming or to eat, the sensation of the moving boat was awful to me. Another reason why I think that long tail boats are better is that you have more space, you can admire the views better and overall you avoid getting sick.

However, booking a boat trip in Thailand is the perfect occasion for you to visit more islands, meet new people and try other adventures.

Book a private guided tour

While visiting Northern Thailand we booked a guided tour and we were lucky to get a smart guide with us that made our trip memorable. Our tour lasted 5 nights and 6 days and it included accommodations, tickets to different landmarks, water and at least two meals per day. The accommodations were very diverse and it offered us the opportunity to see and experience Thailand from many points of view. For example, we spent our first night in a secluded village in Doi Inthanon National Park in a local’s house (more about it, in this article here), our second night was spent in the middle of the jungle in a wooden cabin and on our third night we arrived at a 4 stars resort were we had our own cottage with a terrace. As you can see, every night we tried a different experience and it was amazing. They wanted to make our trip fun and interesting and they succeeded.

As I already mentioned, our guide was smart and also a great photographer. She was patient and took lots of photos of us. She knew many stories about Buddha, the meaning behind the temples (like the White Temple), and personal and emotional stories about tribes and how they came to Thailand. She taught us about Buddha’s teachings, the way Thai people chose to live, and how they enjoy sharing food and many more. She took us to small and affordable stores to buy crystals and other souvenirs.

We learned so many interesting things about Thailand thanks to our guide. This is why I recommend you consider booking a guided tour, if you can afford it, of course. I feel like it’s a guarantee that you will make the best of your trip. You will see a lot of amazing places and most importantly, you will learn a lot. If you are interested in booking a guided tour, you can check out the company that we used for our trip. Please check them out, here.

Be curious and learn about the culture and people

I think that no matter what place or country you visit, taking the opportunity to learn something new should always be part of your travel goals. In Thailand there is so much to learn, about the people, the tribes, the culture, the history behind the temples, their environment and how it has changed over time and about the animals. We took every opportunity we had to ask locals and our hosts about the country. We assaulted our guide in Northern Thailand at every step with questions and curiosities. At some point we discussed with our taxi driver in Chiang Mai about how the elephants were affected by deforestation and how the locals now are planting trees.

Checking off popular landmarks, taking gorgeous photos and eating traditional food are fine and dandy, but learning about the country’s secrets and stories will leave that footprint that will follow you always. Even if I visited Thailand in 2019, that trip still holds a special place in my heart, four years later. When I think about our time there a feeling of serenity envelops me every time. When I talk with my friends about it, I always have a spark in my eyes.

I hope you find this article useful and you are already planning at least half of these activities (if not all) for your following Thailand trip. Let me know in the comments below which ones excites you more!

Also, I wrote several articles about Thailand that can help you figure out a lot of stuff before you book your trip, you can find them below:

Happy traveling! 😄

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