I Have Suggested A 3-5 Day Itinerary For 2025
It’s a love/hate city that most people aren’t fans of upon arrival. When I first arrived in Bangkok in 2006 I hated the city. I couldn’t wait for it to be over.
Bangkok can be a difficult city to get to know and love. Most people only spend a few days here before heading to the islands or jungle. There are many things to see and do in Bangkok. Bangkok has it all: cheap things, expensive items, unique items, outdoor activities. Bangkok has a bit of everything.
To help you plan your trip and make the most of your visit, below is my suggested itinerary for Bangkok. This itinerary will allow you to explore this chaotic, sprawling city and see why I love it.
The Grand Palace, Wat Arun, and Wat Arun
The Grand Palace and Wat Arun
The Grand Palace is home to the reclining Buddha, as well as the massage school. You can’t enter the buildings of the Royal Palace (it is only used for official functions), and you cannot go inside any of them. However, wandering around the open temples and the grounds are worth a visit. The architecture and craftsmanship is stunning. Go first thing in the morning to avoid the crowds.
Afterward, wander down the street to Wat Pho and the famous reclining Buddha (as well as the famous Golden Buddha). The 46-meter (150-foot) long reclining Buddha is the longest in the country. The Wat Pho complex fills a city block so while seeing the statues doesn’t take long, you could spend a solid hour wandering the maze-like temple grounds.
Next, head across the river to Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn). The Chao Phraya River is home to a beautiful Buddhist temple. It’s located opposite the Grand Palace. The temple has a main spire, four smaller ones, and is so famous that it appears on Thai currency. You can see the entire city from the top of the main tower. Take a guided tour to get a deeper look at the temple and palace. You’ll learn about the history of each temple and the palace from an expert local guide who can answer all your questions and provide a much more nuanced experience.
Note:
When visiting these places, be sure to wear clothes that cover your legs and shoulders; it’s considered disrespectful to wear revealing clothes. That means no short skirts, no tank tops, nothing that shows your stomach, and no ripped pants.
The Grand Palace is located on Na Phra Lan Road; royalgrandpalace.th/en/home. Open every day from 8:30am to 3:30pm. Admission is 500 THB.
Wat Pho can be found at 2 Sanamchai Road in the Grand Palace Subdistrict. Contact +66 083-057-7100 or watpho.com/en. Open every day from 8am to 7:30pm. Admission costs 300 THB.Wat Arun can be found across the river, at 158 Wang Doem Road. Call +66 2 891 2185. Open daily from 8am to 6pm. Take a River Cruise
A river cruise is a great way to relax and enjoy the Chao Phraya River. Avoid overpriced tours (which cost more than 2,000 THB). Water taxis are available for 35 THB to ride up and down river. Start at the central pier and go to the far end. Then, come back. Presto! Instant tour for a fraction of the price!Tour More Temples
Bangkok has a lot of beautiful temples. You can hire a driver for a day to show you the temples. You can even split the cost with other travelers to save money. My favorite temples include:Wat Saket
– The Golden Mount contains a massive, 100-meter high, 500-meter broad chedi. It is my favorite temple in the city due to its golden temple, and the wonderful view of the city at its top. A cemetery of 18th century plague victims is located at the foothills of the mountain. The temple is open daily from 7am to 7pm. Admission to the temple is free while the chedi costs 100 THB.Wat Benchamabophit
– This temple is pictured on the back of the 5-baht coin. The white marble that contrasts the building is imported from Italy. It has a unique blend between European and Thai architecture. The courtyard contains 53 Buddhas, each representing a different mudra and style in Thai history. It is a great place to see how Buddha was represented in Thailand throughout history. Admission is 50 THB. The entrance fee is 50 THB. Ask your hotel/hostel staff for a reputable driver; they will likely know someone.Visit Khao San Road
The backpacker capital of the world, this road (along with Soi Rambuttri) is a must visit! There are endless bars, shops and street food. You can also find international restaurants and vendors. Thais love to visit this place on weekends. It’s much more commercial than it used to be, but it’s still fun to explore! It’s much more commercial than it used to be, but it’s still fun to explore!
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Bangkok Itinerary: Day Two
Check out the Floating Market
You can enjoy a half-day visit to the floating markets around the city (Khlong Lat Mayom and Taling Chan are the two most popular). You can enjoy a fun morning at the floating markets. Thaling Chan, the most touristy of the two, is where you want to be if you don’t want the tour groups. Although they’re not great places to shop, you can enjoy people watching and eat there. Public transportation is available to visit both markets. I love the chaos and smells and the little women cooking and selling various treats while they paddle past you. You never go hungry. )
Explore Chinatown
Chinatown in Bangkok is a culinary feast. The food is what makes this place so special. You can shop here for useless souvenirs and you’ll find a lot of them, but I prefer to eat there. You’ll find food vendors in the street-lined chaos, selling foods you won’t see anywhere else. The area is one of the best places in Bangkok to get delicious seafood at night. At night, the area is one of the best places in the city to get delicious seafood.
Visit the Malls
Okay, hear me out: Malls in Bangkok are more than just malls, they are social hubs (thanks in part to the air-conditioning) where people eat (mall food courts in Bangkok are delicious), drink at bars, see movies, sit at coffee shops, and even go bowling! The malls are the heart of the city and have their own unique character.
Here’s a list of the best malls in the city:Terminal 21
(88 Sukhumvit Road 19, +66 2 108 0888, terminal21.co.th)MBK Center
(444 Phayathai Road, +66 2 853 9000, mbk-center.co.th)
Siam Paragon
(991/1 Rama I Road, +66 2 610 8000, siamparagon.co.th)
Emporium
(622 Sukhumvit Road, +66 2 269 1000, emporium.co.th)
- CentralWorld
- (999/9 Rama I Road, +66 2 640 7000, centralworld.co.th)
- Watch a Muay Thai Fight
- Muay Thai (a combat sport involving striking and clinching) is everywhere in Thailand and Thais take it very seriously. Fighters practice for years. Avoid the tourist Muay Thai matches on the islands. Check the website to see what’s happening every night. Check the website for details. There are fights every night in both stadiums.
1 Ratchadamnoen Nok Rd, +66 2 281 4205, rajadamnern.com. Tickets start at 1,500 THB. Bangkok itinerary: Day Three
Wander through the Chatuchak Weekend market
The Chatuchak Weekend market is one the best things to do in Bangkok. The market is the size of several football fields, and it’s quite crowded. From designer clothes and their knockoffs, to phones and knockoff movies, to pets, backpacks or kitchenware to fake movies. The dining area is large and offers cheap, delicious food. Do not miss this place. With over 15,000 stalls, it really does have everything!
Kamphaeng Phet 2 Rd, +66 2 272 4813, chatuchakmarket.org. Tour Jim Thompson’s house
Jim Thompson, an American spy who worked in Thailand in the 1950s and 1960s as a silk merchant and spy, mysteriously disappeared in 1967 in Malaysia. Others claim he vanished himself, while others believe he died or got lost while hiking. He was an American spy after all. His home was decorated in the Thai traditional style with teak wood, and had a garden surrounding it. The tours include a lot about Jim and the silk industry. They also cover why Thais build their homes in the style they do.
1 Khwaeng Wang Mai, +66 2 216 7368, jimthompsonhouse.org. Admission is 200 THB. Relax in Lumpini Park
Lumpini Park, Bangkok’s Central Park. The large green space covers over 140 acres. It is a great place to visit if people watching is your thing. You’ll see people doing sports, exercising, cycling, practicing tai-chi or relaxing at all times of the day. You’ll likely crave some wildlife in a city with little green space. It’s a nice change of pace from the hectic flow of the rest the city (it’s also a no-smoking area). Open daily 4:30am-10pm.
192 Wireless Rd., +66 2.252.7006. Open daily 4:30am-10pm.
Hang with the Hipsters on Soi Nana
There are two areas in Bangkok called Soi Nana (one is a sex tourism hub), but the Soi Nana I’m referring to is a hip area for nightlife near the train station in Chinatown. This street has a variety of bars, cocktail lounges and art exhibitions housed in old Chinese houses that have been left in their original design. Some of the best bars include Pijiu, a Chinese beer bar, Teens of Thailand, Thailand’s first gin bar (with four floors), Ba Hao (4-floor Chinese-inspired restaurant), El Chiringuito Spanish tapas and 23 Bar Gallery (art gallery with a bar). Don’t miss it.
- Bangkok Itinerary: Day Four
- Visit the National MuseumOpened in 1874 and established by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), this museum focuses on Thai culture. Highlights include a large collection of musical instruments, recorded music, ornate royal funeral chariots and impressive wooden carvings. Visit the National Museum
- Opened by King Chulalongkorn in 1874, this museum is dedicated to Thai culture. Highlights include musical instruments, recordings of music, ornate funeral chariots and impressive wood carvings. The museum’s size is small and its signs are not very detailed but the artifacts on display are fascinating. Na Phra That Alley, +66 2 224 1333, finearts.go.th/museumbangkok/. Open Wednesday-Sunday 8:30am-4pm. Admission costs 200 THB. Take a food tour. A food tour is the best way to discover more about food culture and enjoy some tasty samples. Bangkok Food Tours offers a range of delicious tours that allow you to sample everything from exotic fruits to street food. The tours start at 1,650 THB. A half-day class, which includes a visit to the market, costs approximately 1,345 THB. Enjoy an event at the Bangkok Art and Culture Center
- This modern arts center hosts and highlights art, music and theater events, films, design and cultural events. The BACC, which opened in 2007, hosts cultural events at its exhibition and performance areas. The BACC also has an art library and cafe as well as a gallery, bookshop, craft store, and a craft shop. This is a great place to view local art in a city with no real art scene. Visit the website for more information. Open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10am-8pm. Tickets are available on the website. Admission is free, but some events do cost money. Other Things to Do and See in BangkokHave extra time? Here are some other things to see and do in Bangkok:
- Museum of SiamThis museum uses a variety of media to explore the origins of the Thais and their culture. The museum was opened in 2007 and has displays, movies and multimedia covering culture, history and Buddhism. It also covers war and the creation of modern Thailand. This interactive museum is housed in a 19th century European-style building. It is not very popular with tourists. Admission is 100 THB. Admission is 100 THB.
Wakeboard at Lake Taco
If you want to get out of the city and have some adventure, head to the outskirts of Bangkok for some wakeboarding (riding on a short board while being pulled by a motorboat). It’s a very popular activity among expats. I have never done it but my friends all said it was fun. The lake is just 40 minutes away so it’s an easy activity to do whenever you need a break from the city.
thaiwakepark.com. A 90-minute session for beginners costs about 395 THB. Bangkok’s Moulin Rouge. You can expect glitz, glamor, and spectacle from a Bangkok cabaret. Calypso Cabaret was founded in 1988 and is the best venue to watch a show. Playhouse Cabaret, Golden Dome Cabaret, and other venues are also reputable places to see fun performances. Tickets start at 900 THB for performances at 7:45pm or 9:45pm.
Day Trip to Ayutthaya
Ayutthaya (pronounced ah-you-tah-ya) was founded around 1350 and was the second capital of Thailand (it was the capital before it relocated to Bangkok). The city was devastated by a Burmese invasion in 1767, and only the ruins of temples and palaces remain. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the Summer Palace and tons of unique and breathtaking temples. It’s close to Bangkok and is a popular destination for day trips. While many companies offer tours, the train is so convenient that it’s worth going on your own. The train tickets are around 130 THB and the trip takes 1.5 hours. Take a guided tour to learn more. These tours are only 1,300 THB, and a great way to discover this UNESCO-listed site.
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Contrary to popular belief there is more to Bangkok than temples, traffic, and shopping. Once you venture off the tourist trail, Bangkok’s charm slowly emerges. You can get a taste of Bangkok in just a few days. But if you have four or five, you will be able to explore the city in depth and see why it is ranked as one of the top destinations in the entire world. This post will help you to fall in love with the city like I did. I promise you won’t be disappointed!
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