Yodpiman Riverwalk

Come here for the river, not the shopping. This is a waterfront development in Phra Nakhon with restaurants, a few retail units and open space along the Chao Phraya, and its real appeal is having somewhere to sit down near the water after a morning of temples. If you're picturing a big mall, adjust. It's smaller and calmer than that, which is rather the point.

My advice is to time it for the evening. Old Bangkok in the middle of the day is punishing, and the riverside only really comes into its own once the sun's off it and the lights are on across the water. Doors are open from 08:00 to 23:00 every day, so a late stroll after dinner works fine. In the rainy months, roughly May to October, expect an afternoon downpour and plan to be under cover when it lands.

It slots naturally into a day around Wat Pho and the Grand Palace, both close by, and the river boats make getting to and from it easy.