Day 1
Old Town temples & the river
Start early at the Grand Palace, then walk to Wat Pho's Reclining Buddha. Cross to Wat Arun by ferry and end with sunset drinks on the Thonburi bank.
Thailand's capital hits all your senses at once: incense drifting from golden temples, woks flaring on every corner, tuk-tuks weaving through the heat. The old royal island of Rattanakosin holds the great shrines, while the river ties the whole sprawl together.
But Bangkok is just as much rooftop bars, air-conditioned megamalls and 3am noodle stalls. Give it three days and it swings from sacred to hedonistic without ever slowing down.
Itinerary
Day 2
Markets & modern Bangkok
Spend the morning at Chatuchak Weekend Market, then cool off in a Sukhumvit mall. Finish with a rooftop bar and dinner along the Skytrain line.
Day 3
Chinatown & canals
Take a long-tail boat through the Thonburi khlongs in the morning, then explore Charoen Krung's galleries. Save your appetite for a street-food crawl through Yaowarat after dark.
Highlights
🏛️Landmark
Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew
Bangkok's dazzling royal compound, built in 1782, a maze of gilded spires and mirror-tiled halls. Come early and cover shoulders and knees — the dress code is strictly enforced at the Emerald Buddha shrine.
🏛️Landmark
Wat Pho Reclining Buddha
Home to the 46-metre gold-leaf Reclining Buddha and the country's oldest school of Thai massage. Drop coins into the 108 bronze bowls lining the hall for a wish and a soundtrack of clinking metal.
🌄Viewpoint
Wat Arun
The Temple of Dawn rises 70 metres over the river, its spire encrusted with broken Chinese porcelain that glints at every hour. Cross on the 5-baht ferry, climb the steep steps, then watch it glow gold at sunset from a Thonburi-side bar.
🛍️Market
Chatuchak Weekend Market
One of the world's largest weekend markets, with over 15,000 stalls across 27 sections. Come Saturday or Sunday morning before the heat, and follow the numbered alleys for vintage, ceramics and coconut ice cream.
🍽️Food
Yaowarat Chinatown street food
After dark, Chinatown's main artery turns into an open-air kitchen of charcoal woks, neon and plastic stools. Queue for grilled river prawns, peppery guay jub noodle soup, or a bowl of bird's-nest dessert.
✨Experience
Long-tail boat on the Chao Phraya
Escape the traffic on a long-tail boat threading the Thonburi khlongs, past stilt houses, orchid gardens and riverside temples. Charter one for an hour at Tha Chang pier, or hop the cheap orange-flag express boat between the big sights.
Neighbourhoods
Rattanakosin (Old Town)
The historic royal quarter on the river, packed with the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun. Base here for temple-hopping on foot through quiet, low-rise streets.
Sukhumvit
Bangkok's modern spine, strung along the BTS Skytrain with rooftop bars, malls and endless dining. Convenient and well-connected, if short on old-world charm.
Yaowarat (Chinatown)
Gold shops and herbal stalls by day, a legendary street-food corridor by night. Gritty, dense and best explored on foot after dark.
Charoen Krung / Bang Rak
The city's oldest paved road, now a creative riverside strip of galleries, old shophouses and heritage hotels. Great for a slow wander down to the Chao Phraya.
Where to eat
Pad Thai
Stir-fried rice noodles with tamarind, egg, prawns and crushed peanuts. Thip Samai near the Old Town is the cult address.
Boat noodles (kuaytiaw ruea)
Tiny, intense bowls of dark, spiced pork or beef broth, once sold from canal boats. Order several — a bowl is barely three bites.
Mango sticky rice (khao niao mamuang)
Sweet coconut-soaked glutinous rice with ripe yellow mango. Best from March to May when mangoes peak.
Som tam
Fiery green-papaya salad pounded with lime, chilli, garlic and fish sauce. Ask for it 'mai phet' if you want to survive the first bite.
Good to know
Best time to visit
November to February is the sweet spot — dry, breezy and around 25-30°C, ideal for temples and river trips. March to May turns brutally hot, and the June-to-October monsoon brings short, heavy downpours that rarely ruin a day.
Getting around
Skip the traffic with the BTS Skytrain and MRT metro, both cheap and air-conditioned. The orange-flag Chao Phraya express boat links the big riverside sights, and Grab covers the rest; Ayutthaya's ruins make an easy day trip by train.
- Currency
- THB ฿
- Languages
- Thai
How much does Bangkok cost?
A realistic daily budget per person, in three styles.
Backpacker฿800per person / day
Mid-range฿2,000per person / day
Comfort฿5,000per person / day
Bangkok offers a wide range of options for every travel budget.
Local tips
- ✓Dress modestly for temples — cover shoulders and knees or you'll be turned away.
- ✓Agree the fare before you get in a tuk-tuk; metered taxis or Grab are usually cheaper.
- ✓Carry small cash — the best street food never takes cards.
