Phra Nakhon is a district in Bangkok, which is also one of the best areas to stay in the capital city of Thailand. In this detailed guide, discover the Phra Nakhon District in Bangkok. Explore top attractions, transportation options, the best things to do, and the best places to stay in the district of Phra Nakhon, Bangkok.
The Phra Nakhon District covers two very popular areas: Rattanakosin Island, the Old Town of Bangkok, and Khao San Road, the city's backpacker district.
Rattanakosin Island is the historic center of Bangkok, located along the Chao Phraya River. It is the most visited area of the entire Thai capital, which contains some of the most famous historical attractions and important buildings in the capital, such as the iconic Grand Palace, the majestic Wat Phra Kaew, the famed Wat Pho, and much more. If this is your first trip to Thailand, Bangkok Old Town is definitely one of the top places in the city that you shouldn’t miss.
Located just north of the old city, Khao San Road is the backpacker street in Bangkok. It is the most popular location to stay in the city among backpackers and solo travelers who like to connect. Khao San Road is also one of the best areas for nighttime hangouts with dozens of restaurants and bars, tattoo shops, and massage salons.
Rattanakosin is different from other tourist areas in Bangkok due to its authenticity, so by staying in the area you can immerse yourself in Thai culture. In Bangkok Old Town, the selection of hotels is quite limited, but you can still find comfortable accommodation in different price ranges with many boutique hotels available. On the other hand, Khao San Road is one of the cheapest areas to stay in Bangkok, as there are many budget accommodations available.
Where is the Phra Nakhon District in Bangkok?
Phra Nakhon is the historic center of Bangkok, located along the Chao Phraya River. The district is framed by Phadung Krung Kasem Canal in the north, Ratchadamnoen Nok Road and Khlong Bang Lamphu and Khlong Ong Ang canals in the east, and the Chao Phraya River in the west.
The neighboring Bangkok districts are:
- Dusit
- Pom Prap Sattru Phai
- Samphanthawong
Things to Do in the Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok
Phra Nakhon is offering many interesting activities and places to go to from day to night, so you will always find various things to do in the Phra Nakhon District.
The Grand Palace: The former royal residence with over 100 luxurious buildings, beautiful courtyards, and neatly kept gardens, built by King Rama I in 1782 in the heart of the old city of Bangkok.
Wat Phra Kaew: Located inside the complex of the Grand Palace, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha is famous for its unique architecture and jade statue of Buddha.
What Pho: Often called the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, the temple has a famous reclining Buddha statue, which is 47 meters long, 15 meters high, and gilded with gold.
Wat Suthat: Another famous temple with the 21-meter-high Giant Swing next to it.
Khao San Road: A 300-meter road bustling with many eateries, bars, clubs, and inexpensive accommodations.
Democracy Monument: The monument commemorates the 1932 Siamese coup d'état that led to the establishment of a constitutional monarchy.
Phra Sumen Fort: A fort in Bangkok that overlooks the Chao Phraya River, built during the era of King Rama I.
Santi Chai Prakan Park: A famous park in Bangkok that overlooks Phra Sumen Fort and the Chao Phraya River.
The National Gallery: Situated on Chao Fa Road opposite the National Theatre, the museum exhibits traditional and contemporary works of art created by Thai artists.
Maliwan Thai Cooking Class: The place where you can learn how to prepare and cook traditional Thai food.
To have more options for your choice, explore an extended list of the best Thai cooking classes in Bangkok and choose a more affordable one.
Popular Attractions Nearby
Some of the most popular spots in Bangkok are located just outside the Phra Nakhon District.
Wat Arun: One of the most beautiful temples in Bangkok, located on the west side of the Chao Phraya River, famous for its 80-meter central pagoda with many decorative elements.
Wat Saket: The Golden Mountain Temple with the staircase consisting of 318 steps leading to the top of the hill, where you can see the panoramic view of Phra Nakhon District.
Rajadamnern Stadium: The birthplace of Muay Thai, where you can experience authentic heritage and witness exciting Muay Thai fights up close.
Chao Phraya River Dinner Cruise: A highly recommended experience is to enjoy Bangkok city in a different way. You can spend the night on a dinner cruise while enjoying food and live entertainment on board and seeing several historic Bangkok landmarks along the Chao Phraya River. All main cruise departure points can be easily reached from public boat piers located in the Phra Nakhon District, such as Phra Arthit Pier near Khao San Road or Tha Chang Pier near the Grand Palace.
Some of the most popular Chao Phraya River cruises are:
Places to Stay in the Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok
When it comes to finding a place to stay in Phra Nakhon District, there are a limited number of accommodations in Old Town, mostly the mid-range to high-end hotels along the Chao Phraya River. However, the area around Khao San Road has many cheaper accommodations.
Budget-Friendly Hotels in Phra Nakhon
Lamphuhouse Bangkok: An affordable hotel in Soi Rambrutri, 5 minutes’ walk away from Khao San Road.
Khaosan Art Hotel: A well-rated budget hotel close to the river with a funky restaurant and a bar.
New Siam III Guest House: A low-key guesthouse on the corner of Khao San Road.
Back Home Backpackers: A very social hostel offering dormitory rooms with free Wi-Fi in public areas.
Siam Champs Elysees Unique Hotel: A unique hotel in the heart of Bangkok's Old Town, inspired by an exquisite blend of Oriental-French-influenced architecture and modern contemporary Thai design.
Mid-Range Hotels in Phra Nakhon
Villa De Pranakorn: A boutique hotel with 47 rooms located on Rattanakosin Island.
Baan Noppawong: One of the beautiful traditional Thai houses in Bangkok Old Town, decorated with white flowers from Pak Klong Talat.
Chillax Heritage: A hip hotel featuring unique accommodations inspired by the story of the ancient epic Ramayana.
Casa Vimaya Riverside: An elegant 3-star hotel on Phra Sumen Road in a historic neighborhood of Bangkok.
Villa De Khaosan Hotel: A unique hotel of the French Era hotel style, which is inspired by the times when the French Kingdom began exploring the Kingdom of Siam.
Siri Heritage Bangkok Hotel: A 3-star hotel highlighting classic Siamese historic architectural motifs through a clean, colorful, and contemporary design.
Luxury Hotels in Phra Nakhon
Chakrabongse Villas: A former royal residence located by the Chao Phraya River and offering stunning views of Wat Arun from luxurious Thai-style suites.
Riva Surya Bangkok: A luxurious 4-star urban oasis along the bank of the Chao Phraya River, offering a touch of style and charm.
Sala Rattanakosin Bangkok: A 4-star boutique riverside hotel overseeing the beautiful Bangkok Old Town, located close to Wat Pho and the Grand Palace.
Centra by Centara Hotel Bangkok Phra Nakhon: A 4-star hotel with 180 rooms and suites spread across two low-rise buildings built around an inner courtyard, conveniently provides a peaceful and relaxing sanctuary from the bustling city outside.
Transportation in the Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok
Transportation in the Phra Nakhon District is well developed, making it easily accessible by public transport from anywhere in Bangkok. The main historical and cultural attractions will be within a walking distance if you choose to stay in the Phra Nakhon District.
The district can be reached by Bangkok MRT, as there's an MRT Sanam Chai Station in the area. The station is located close to many attractions such as the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Museum Siam, and Pak Khlong Talat (Flower Market). By boarding the underground metro here, you can get to Chinatown, Silom, or Sukhumvit directly.
The Chao Phraya River flows by the Phra Nakhon District, so taking a boat is an easy way to get around the area. The most important piers in the district are Tha Chang (for the Grand Palace), Tha Tien (for Wat Pho), and Phra Arthit (for Khao San Road). All boats of the Chao Phraya Express Boat and Thai Smile Boat go to Sathorn Pier, where you can transfer to the BTS Skytrain.
The Chao Phraya Hop-on Hop-off Boat is a convenient and cheap way for sightseeing along the magnificent Chao Phraya River.
Many Bangkok bus routes pass through Phra Nakhon. In the area you can also use the sightseeing bus, as there’s a stop of the hop-on hop-off bus tour in the old town.
How to get from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Phra Nakhon
By Airport Bus: A direct airport bus S1 from Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) stops at a few places in the Phra Nakhon District, including Khao San Road and Sanam Luang, and costs only 60 THB.
By Train: The Airport Rail Link connects the airport with Phaya Thai station in the city center, where you can take a taxi or tuk-tuk for a short ride.
By Private Transfer: Enjoy a premium and hassle-free experience going from Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) to Phra Nakhon with a private transfer service. The all-inclusive price includes a ride with comfortable seating and ample luggage space.
By Taxi: A ride by a Bangkok taxi from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Phra Nakhon can take approximately 1 hour, depending on traffic conditions.
How to get from Don Mueang Airport to Phra Nakhon
By Airport Bus: A direct bus A4 from Don Mueang Airport stops at a few places in the Phra Nakhon District, including Democracy Monument, Khao San Road, and Sanam Luang, and costs only 50 THB.
By Train: Trains on the SRT Red Line depart from Don Mueang Airport and terminate at Krung Thep Aphiwat Station, which is connected to the MRT Blue Line. From MRT Bang Sue Station, you can travel directly to MRT Sanam Chai Station.
By Taxi: A taxi ride from Don Mueang Airport to the Phra Nakhon District normally takes approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the traffic.
Tips for a stay in Phra Nakhon
The Phra Nakhon District is a perfect place to stay for first-time travelers coming to Bangkok, as you can visit all the main attractions of Bangkok Old Town on foot. Alternatively, you can also take a tuk-tuk or taxi.
Khao San Road is perfect for those looking for fun, parties, and meeting other travelers. For those looking for a quiet place to stay, it is best to check for accommodations on Rattanakosin Island, as Khao San Road can be extremely noisy and chaotic, especially in the evening and night.
Families with kids might find other areas such as Siam, Silom, or Sukhumvit more suitable for a stay. These are more modern areas with a family-friendly atmosphere and definitely a lot more kid-friendly attractions.
Other Bangkok Districts
As Bangkok is a huge metropolis, staying in the right place can save you lots of time and money during your visit. Explore the city's most popular districts and choose the best district to stay in Bangkok according to your trip plan.
Otherwise, explore a full list of Bangkok districts.