Things To Do in Nonthaburi: Street Food, Temples, & More
Key Highlights
Nonthaburi is located 45 minutes from central Bangkok and offers quieter streets, riverside temples, and some of the best local street food on the Chao Phraya. This guide covers what to see, where to eat, and how to plan a one-day trip or longer stay using Riverine Place Hotel & Residence as your base.
Nonthaburi is often overlooked by travelers who don’t take the time to explore its offerings. This riverside city, located only 45 minutes from Bangkok’s center, offers more peaceful streets, genuine cuisine, and a more relaxed lifestyle than the capital. If you are looking for things to do in Nonthaburi, you will find riverside temples, busy markets, and some of the best Nonthaburi street food outside Bangkok’s tourist circuit. It also makes one of the easiest day trips from Bangkok if you want a break from the city without committing to a full weekend away.
Why Nonthaburi Is Worth the Trip
Nonthaburi is not a tourist destination in the traditional sense, and that is exactly the point. The city sits along the Chao Phraya River with easy access from Bangkok by MRT or river boat, and it tends to feel calmer than the central districts. Markets stay open later, temples are less crowded, and the riverfront is genuinely walkable.
It’s a great area for families, couples, and extended-stay visitors looking for a tranquil base removed from the clamor of Sukhumvit or Silom. You can see many of the main attractions on foot in one morning because most are free or cheap and located close to the river.
Top Things To Do in Nonthaburi
Here is a practical list of things to do in Nonthaburi, ordered roughly by ease and proximity to the river. None of these require booking ahead, and most can be combined into a single morning or afternoon.
Wat Khema Phirataram
One of the older royal temples in the area, Wat Khema Phirataram sits on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River about two kilometers south of the town center, on Phibun Songkhram Road. It was built during the Ayutthaya period and renovated under Kings Rama II and IV. The 30-metre Phra Maha Chedi behind the ubosot (ordination hall) is the main draw, along with Ayutthaya-period Buddha images inside. Mornings are best, before the heat builds.
Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat Worawihan
A short ride upriver, Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat Worawihan is one of the most photographed temples in the province. Constructed under King Rama III to honor his mother, it showcases light-colored walls, gabled roofs adorned with ceramic tiles, and a serene riverside location that offers a respite from Bangkok’s bustle.
Nonthaburi Pier and Local Markets
Nonthaburi Pier (Tha Nam Nonthaburi), in Tambon Suan Yai is a working community space, not a tourist set piece. Fruit, snacks, and household items are sold by vendors to commuters, and the market situated behind the pier offers a great view of daily Thai life. Take a break here for breakfast or a fruit snack before you continue your journey.
Ko Kret Island Day Trip
Ko Kret is a small island in the Chao Phraya formed by a man-made canal cut in 1722. It is home to a Mon community known for handmade terracotta pottery, weekend food markets, and a leaning chedi at Wat Paramaiyikawat that has become the island’s most recognisable landmark. A short ferry from Wat Sanam Neua in Pak Kret crosses to the island in two minutes and costs only a few baht each way.
Walk the island’s outer path, browse pottery workshops, and stop for Mon-style sweets and savoury snacks at the weekend market. The full loop takes about two hours at a relaxed pace. Weekdays are quieter but many food stalls close, so weekend visits give the fullest experience.
Nonthaburi Street Food: Where To Eat
The food in Nonthaburi is different from Bangkok’s tourist-facing scene. It is more local, more honest, and noticeably better priced. Nonthaburi street food is a real reason to make the trip on its own, and most of the best stalls are clustered in two or three areas that are easy to walk between.
Must-try dishes include kuay chap (rolled noodles), near Nonthaburi Pier, fried chicken from market stalls, fish balls served in clear broth, and Isan staples like som tam and grilled pork from the smaller community markets. Prices are typically 40 to 80 baht per dish, and ordering is straightforward. Just point at what looks good if your Thai is limited.
The best areas are the evening food streets along Rattanathibet Road and the community night markets that are set up after dark. Two or three small dishes from different stalls will cost less than a single restaurant meal in central Bangkok and tell you more about the local food scene.
One-Day Itinerary from Bangkok
If you only have a single day, this hour-by-hour structure works for travelers arriving from central Bangkok. Treat it as a starting point, not a strict schedule.
8:00 to 9:00 AM: Catch the MRT Purple Line or the Chao Phraya Express Boat from central Bangkok and aim to arrive at Nonthaburi Pier before the heat builds.
9:00 to 11:00 AM: Visit Wat Khema Phirataram first, then take a short ride or river crossing to Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat. Both temples are at their best in the cooler morning hours.
11:00 AM to 1:00 PM: Break for a slow lunch at a market stall near Nonthaburi Pier. Try kuay chap, grilled pork, and a fresh fruit drink for under 150 baht.
1:00 to 4:00 PM: Take the ferry to Ko Kret for an afternoon walk around the island. Stop at the pottery workshops, see the leaning chedi at Wat Paramaiyikawat, and pick up Mon-style snacks along the way.
4:00 to 6:00 PM: Return to the riverside for a coffee stop during the cooler hours. Most cafés along the Chao Phraya have outdoor seating with river views.
6:00 to 8:00 PM: Head to the night food street on Rattanathibet Road for a proper food run. Three or four small dishes is plenty. This is where the day turns into an overnight trip if you decide to stay.
Getting There and Getting Around
The MRT Purple Line and the MRT Pink Line both serve the Nonthaburi area, and the Chao Phraya Express Boat from Sathorn Pier offers a slower, scenic route up the river. By car or Grab, the journey takes around 45 minutes from central Bangkok depending on traffic.
Traveling around Nonthaburi once you’re there is quite simple. Motorcycle taxis are fast and affordable for short trips, songthaew pickups travel set routes between key locations, and river boats link the piers on the Chao Phraya. Walking is frequently the most enjoyable way to explore temples along the riverfront.
Best Time To Visit Nonthaburi
The cooler months from November to February are the most comfortable for walking the riverfront and temple grounds, with daytime highs in the high 20s rather than the high 30s. March to May gets hot, and the rainy season from June through October brings short heavy showers most afternoons but is still workable if you plan around them.
The markets and temples are less crowded during the week, but on weekends, you’ll find a wider selection of street food and a lively evening ambiance. Ko Kret in particular is best on weekends when the market stalls and pottery workshops are fully open. You might want to add Loy Krathong on the Chao Phraya if your travel dates coincide.
A Relaxing Getaway at Riverine Place Hotel
Riverine Place Hotel & Residence is located directly on the Chao Phraya River with views over the water and easy access to local piers. It works well as a base for everything covered above. The hotel is conveniently located near temples, markets, and food streets, and offers a relaxing space to unwind.
Room options run from 24 sq.m. Studio up to 195 sq.m. 3-Bedroom Deluxe, with plenty of choice in between. For families, book our hotel family room in Nonthaburi or upgrade to the 2-bedroom deluxe Nonthaburi suite at 105 sqm for much-needed space.
For city dwellers and leisure travellers alike, Nonthaburi is a welcome escape from the nearby hustle of central Bangkok. Plan your stay with us and make a direct booking for the best rate at riverineplace.com.
References
- The BEST Things to Do in Nonthaburi. (2026). GetYourGuide. Retrieved May 5, 2026, from https://www.getyourguide.com/nonthaburi-l124001/ttd/
- Nonthaburi Travel Guide. (2024). Tourism Authority of Thailand. Retrieved May 5, 2026, from https://www.tourismthailand.org/Destinations/Provinces/Nonthaburi/350
- Wat Khema Phirataram. (n.d.). Thailand Guidebook. Retrieved May 5, 2026, from https://www.thailandguidebook.com/nonthaburi/wat-khema-phirataram/
- Loy Krathong Festival in Thailand. (2024). Tourism Authority of Thailand. Retrieved May 5, 2026, from https://www.tourismthailand.org/Articles/loy-krathong-festival
Frequently Asked Questions About Things To Do in Nonthaburi
1) What are the best things to do in Nonthaburi?
The best things to do in Nonthaburi include visiting riverside temples like Wat Khema Phirataram and Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat, taking the short ferry to Ko Kret island for pottery and Mon food, walking around Nonthaburi Pier, and eating at the night markets along Rattanathibet Road.
2) Is Nonthaburi a good day trip from Bangkok?
Yes. Nonthaburi is around 45 minutes from central Bangkok by car or MRT and offers temples, riverside walks, and street food in a quieter setting. It is one of the easiest day trips from Bangkok for travelers who want a break from the city center.
3) Where can I find the best Nonthaburi street food?
The best Nonthaburi street food is found along Rattanathibet Road and at community night markets near Nonthaburi Pier. Look for kuay chap, fried chicken, fish balls, and Isan dishes like som tam and grilled pork.
4) How do I get from Bangkok to Nonthaburi?
You can travel from Bangkok to Nonthaburi by MRT Purple Line, MRT Pink Line, Chao Phraya Express Boat from Sathorn Pier, taxi, or Grab. The journey takes roughly 40 to 45 minutes depending on the option and traffic.
