The Marble Temple (also known as Wat Benchamabophit) is one of the most popular and famous temples in Bangkok, Thailand.
This is Thai architecture at its best, with the pointy layered rooftops and white Singha lion statues guarding the doorways.
The city of Bangkok has temples everywhere you look, but I think this one stands out as one of the best in the whole country.
This travel guide for Wat Benchamabophit will explain how to get there, current entrance fees, dress code, and everything else you need to know before you go!
What Is Wat Benchamapophit?
Wat Benchamabophit gets its nickname of the โMarble Templeโ from the Italian marble used in the design.
Itโs a Buddhist temple that was built by the king of Thailand in 1899, making it over 120 years old today.
This temple is actually part of a big temple complex with several buildings next to the canal, and most of them are free to walk around and look at.
Dress Code
The outer temple grounds donโt have a dress code, but if you want to enter the main temple thereโs a strict dress code for both men and women.
This means what you wear should cover your knees and shoulders, otherwise youโll be denied entry. Theyโre serious about this.
Shorts are okay as long as they go to the knees. They also have cheap sarongs you can buy to comply with the rules, which is what wifey did.
Entrance Fees
Most of the temple area is free to visit, but you have to pay a 50 Baht entrance fee if you want to go inside the main temple.
- Outer Grounds: Free
- Inner Courtyard: 50 THB (~$2)
- Kids: Free
Remember to count your change, because Iโve heard of scammy receptionists here handing back partial change and pocketing a bill or two for themselves.
How To Get There
Wat Benchamabophit is located in the Dusit district of central Bangkok.
The easiest and best way to get there is to hail a driver with the Grab app. Fares are pretty cheap and there are lots of drivers available in this area!
Another option is to book a day tour that includes several locations in Bangkok. Hereโs a private guided tour that includes the marble temple and two other famous temples in Bangkok.
When To Visit
Thereโs no โbadโ month to visit Bangkok, but the rainiest months are May to October, and the sunniest months are November to March.
With that said, we spent a week in Bangkok in August and it never rained at all, so itโs definitely possible to visit in the rainy season and still have a good trip!
The best time of day to visit Bangkok temples is in the morning, when itโs cooler and less crowded.
Best Tours In Bangkok
Where We Stayed
We stayed at ninaguesthouse in Bangkok and paid $27 USD for a clean double room with cold A/C, hot shower, and great WiFi.
It may not be the cheapest place we've stayed in our Thailand travels, but the location was great. The touristy Khao San Road was just a 3 minute walk away, along with many good restaurants and shops.
To top it off, all of the big temples we wanted to see were easy to reach by walking or taking a quick Grab ride. Prices may fluctuate from time to time, so just keep an eye out for a good deal.
