Old City

The historic center inside the moat with temples, cafes, and the Sunday market. Most first-time visitors stay here because it's walkable and convenient. More touristy and expensive than other areas, but you can get around easily on foot and there's good street lighting at night.

The Old City sits inside ancient walls and a moat that takes about an hour to walk around. Over 30 temples are scattered throughout, and on Sundays Ratchadamnoen Road becomes a walking street market. Most first-time visitors stay here because everything is close - you can walk to temples, cafes, and restaurants without needing transport. During the day you'll see a mix of tourists at temples, locals at street food stalls, and people working on laptops in cafes. The area stays lit and busy until late. It gets touristy during peak season and prices run higher than in residential neighborhoods, but the convenience makes up for it. Lots of tourists means English is common and nobody notices someone eating alone. The atmosphere shifts from quiet around temples to busier near Tha Phae Gate.