When people say they hate Bangkok, I can totally relate. Most people don’t like Bangkok when they first arrive.
When I first went to Bangkok in 2006, it was a place I hated, and I couldn’t wait for the day I could leave.
It was not until I moved to Bangkok that I truly fell in love. Even after almost twenty years, Bangkok remains one of my favourite cities.
Just a little bit of time is needed to love and get to know someone.
Bangkok is not an easy city to explore. Most people only stay a few days before heading to the islands or the jungle.
Bangkok is a city with a wide range of activities and sights to see. There are cheap things, expensive items, unique items, and outdoor activities. Bangkok offers a little bit of everything.
Below is my itinerary to help you plan and maximize your time in Bangkok. This itinerary will allow you to explore this chaotic, sprawling city and get off the beaten path. You can discover what makes Bangkok so special and why I love it.
Bangkok Itinerary: Day One
The Grand Palace (Wat Pho), Wat Arun, and Wat Pho
Bangkok’s first stop should be the Grand Palace, also known as the Royal Palace. Wat Pho is nearby and has a famous reclining Buddha and a massage school. You can’t enter the buildings of the Royal Palace (it is only used for official functions), and the Royal Family doesn’t reside there. However, wandering around the open temples and grounds is worth it. The architecture is beautiful, and the craftsmanship is incredible. Avoid the crowds by going early in the morning.
After that, walk down the street, and you’ll find Wat Pho, which has the famous Golden Buddha as well as the famous reclining Buddha. The 46-meter (150-foot) reclining Buddha is the longest in the country. Wat Pho is a complex that occupies an entire city block. While it’s not difficult to see the statues, you can easily spend an hour exploring the temple grounds.
Then, cross the river and head to Wat Arun. It’s a beautiful Buddhist temple located on the Chao Phraya River, opposite the Grand Palace. The temple has a main spire and four smaller ones, and it is so famous that its image appears in Thai currency. From the top of the main tower, you can see the entire city. This is my favourite temple in Bangkok.
If you’re looking for a deeper dive into a temple or palace, take a guided tour. A local guide will answer your questions about the temples and palaces and give you a more in-depth experience.
Note: Wear clothes that cover the legs and shoulders when visiting these places. It is considered disrespectful to dress in revealing clothing. This means that you should not wear short skirts or tank tops. You also shouldn’t wear pants with rips.
Take a River Cruise
A tour along the Chao Phraya River is a beautiful and relaxing experience. Avoid overpriced tours (they can cost more than 2,000 THB). Water taxis are available for 35 THB to ride up and down the river. Start at the central pier and go to the far end. Then, come back. Presto! Instant tour at a fraction of the price!
Visit More Temples
Bangkok is home to many beautiful temples. You can hire a driver for a day to show you the temples. It is the most cost-effective and efficient way to visit the temples in Bangkok. Splitting the cost of your trip with other travellers can save you money. My two favourite temples are:
Wat Saket The Golden Mount is a 100-meter high, 500-meter wide Chedi (a mound-like structure that contains Buddhist relics). It is my favourite temple in the city because of the beautiful golden temple on top and the wonderful view of the city. A cemetery of 18th-century plague victims is located at the base.
Wat Benchamabophit This temple appears on the reverse of the 5-baht coins. The white marble that contrasts the building is imported from Italy. It has a unique blend of 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.
Make sure that your driver does not take you to shops along the way. Drivers get paid a kickback if they refer customers to certain stores. It happened to me in 2006 when I first did this trip. I only realized halfway through that it was a shopping trip! I saw many temples during that trip, but it was a shopping tour. You can opt out of the tour if that’s not what you want!
Visit Khao San Road
This road, along with Soi rambutan, is the backpacker capital of Thailand. There are endless bars, shops and street food. You can also find international restaurants, vendors and locals. Thais love to visit this place on weekends. Khao San has a great atmosphere to meet travellers and is a good place to relax outside. The area is much less backpacker and more commercial now, but you can still find many travellers. You won’t find the Khao San you see or hear about in movies such as The Beach.
Bangkok Itinerary: Day Two
Visit the Floating Market
Enjoy a half-day trip to the floating markets in the city. Khlong Lat Mayom and Taling Chan are two of the most popular. This is a great morning activity, and you can avoid the crowds if you arrive early. Thaling Chan, the most touristy of the two, is where you want to be if you don’t like the tour groups. Although they’re not great places to shop, you can enjoy people-watching and eating there. Public transportation is available to visit both markets.
The little girls cooking and selling treats to you as they paddle past you are a delight. You never go hungry.
Explore Chinatown
Chinatown is a culinary delight in Bangkok. The food is what makes this part of Bangkok so special. You can shop here for useless souvenirs, and you’ll find a lot, but I prefer the food. You’ll find food vendors in the street-lined chaos, selling foods you won’t see anywhere else. It’s a busy and crowded part of the city, but it is one of my favourite places. The area is a great place to get seafood at night.
Visit the Malls
Listen up: malls in Bangkok are much more than just shopping centres. They are social hubs where people can eat, drink, watch movies, go to coffee shops, visit gyms, arcades and even bowl! The malls are the heart of the city and have their unique character. Here is a list of some of my favourite places in the city.
Watch a Muay Thai Fight
Muay Thai, a martial art that involves striking and clinching, is everywhere in Thailand. Thais take this sport very seriously. Fighters train for many years. Avoid the tourist Muay Thai matches on the islands. Spend a night in Bangkok to see an authentic match between world-class fighters at the Rajadamnern Stadium. This stadium can accommodate up to 8,000 people. Check the website to see what’s happening every night.
On Tuesdays, Saturdays, and Fridays, you can watch fights in Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, which has a capacity of 5,000. There are fights every night in both stadiums. Tickets start at 1,500 THB.
Bangkok Itinerary: Day Three
Explore the Chatuchak Weekend Market
Bangkok’s weekend market is a must-see. The market is the size of several football fields, and it’s quite crowded. From designer clothes and their knockoffs to knockoff films, to phones and pets to backpacks or kitchenware to fake movies to phones, you’ll find it all. You’ll find a large number of dining areas that serve cheap, delicious Thai food. Do not miss this place. It has everything, with over 15,000 stalls! Spend at least 2-3 hours here. Open on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 am-6 pm.
Jim Thompson’s House
Jim Thompson, an American spy who was a silk merchant and spy in Thailand in the 1950s and 1960s, mysteriously disappeared in 1967 in Malaysia. Others claim he died or was lost while hiking, while others believe he vanished himself (he was, after all, a spy).
When he returned to the private sector after the war, he revitalized Thailand’s silk industry. His home was decorated in the traditional Thai style with teak wood and surrounded by a garden. The tours include a lot about Jim and the silk industry. They also cover why Thais build their homes in the style they do.
Relax at Lumpini Park
Lumpini Park, Bangkok’s Central Park. This large green space covers over 140 acres and is worth a visit for people-watchers. You’ll see people doing sports, exercising, cycling, practising tai-chi or relaxing at all times of the day. You’ll likely crave some wildlife in a city with little green space. Bring a book and a picnic lunch and relax in the shade. This is a great change from the busy city. It’s also a non-smoking zone.
Hang out with Hipsters at Soi Nana
The Soi Nana area in Bangkok is divided into two distinct areas (one is the sex-tourism hub), but the Soi Nana that I am referring to has a vibrant nightlife in Chinatown, near the station. This street is full of tiny bars, cocktail salons, and art exhibitions in old-style Chinese houses left in their original styles.
Pijiu is a Chinese beer bar; Teens of Thailand is the first gin bar to open in Thailand; Ba Hao (4-story Chinese-inspired bar), El Chiringuito serves Spanish tapas, and 23 Bar Gallery (a bar within an art gallery) are some of the best. This is a very popular area with young Thais. It’s also one of the coolest parts of Bangkok. Don’t miss it.
Bangkok Itinerary: Day Four
Visit the National Museum
This museum was opened in 1874 by King Chulalongkorn, also known as Rama V. It focuses on Thai Culture. Highlights include a large selection of musical instruments, recordings, ornate funeral chariots and impressive wood carvings. The museum’s size isn’t that big, and neither are the signs. However, the artefacts on display are fascinating.
Take a Food Tour
Bangkok is one of the top foodie destinations on the planet. 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. Tours begin at 1,650 THB.
A half-day class, which includes a visit to the market, costs approximately 1,345 THB. These classes are a great way to learn about the local cuisine and new cooking skills.
Enjoy an event at the Bangkok Art and Culture Center.
The BACC is a contemporary art centre that hosts and exhibits art, music, theatre, film, design, and cultural events. It was opened in 2007 and hosts cultural events within its exhibition and performance space. The BACC also has an art library and cafe, as well as a gallery, bookshop, craft store, and craft shop. This is a great place to view local art in a city without a vibrant art scene. Visit the website to find out what is happening during your visit.
Bangkok has many other things to see and do.
Museum of Siam
The museum explores the culture and origins of Thais using a variety of media. The museum was opened in 2007. It has displays, films, and multimedia covering culture, history, Buddhism, war and the creation of modern Thailand. This interactive museum is housed in a 19th-century European-style building. It’s not very popular with tourists.
Wakeboard on Lake Taco
Wakeboarding is a great way to escape the city while still having some fun. You ride on a board and are pulled by a motorboat. It’s a very popular activity among expats. I have never done it myself, but my friends all said it was fun. It’s easy to get away from the city when you want to. The lake is only 40 minutes away.
Calypso Ladyboy Show
This cabaret is a great show for a wide range of people. This is Bangkok’s Moulin Rouge. You can expect glitz, glamour, and spectacle from a Bangkok cabaret. Calypso Cabaret was founded in 1988 and is the best venue to watch a show. Playhouse Cabaret and Golden Dome Cabaret also host entertaining performances.
A Day Trip to Ayutthaya
Ayutthaya was founded in 1350 and was Thailand’s second capital (before Bangkok became the capital). A Burmese attack in 1767 destroyed the city, leaving only ruins. A few temples and royal palaces remain standing.
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the Summer Palace and countless other unique and breathtaking temples. Its close proximity to Bangkok makes it a popular day trip for tourists.
It’s easy to reach by train, and many companies offer excursions. The train tickets are around 130 THB, and the journey takes 1.5 hours.
Take a tour to learn more. These tours are only 1,300 THB, and they’re a great way to discover this UNESCO-listed site.
Bangkok Hotels
Bangkok offers accommodation for every budget. The city has everything from cheap guesthouses to six-star hotels. I’ve been visiting Bangkok for 20 years, and I have written a lot about the accommodation. Here are my top three places to stay in the city:
@Hua Lamphong Hostel This hostel offers mixed-gender dormitories, large lockers, and bathrooms with en suites. It is located in an ideal location, right across from Bangkok’s main train station.
D&D Inn—D&D Inn, an institution on Khao San Road, is perfect for last-minute travellers. Rooms are always available, and the reception is open 24/7.
Prince Theatre Heritage Stay This theatre-themed resort has existed for over 100 years. It was first a casino and later a cinema. It’s now a boutique located along Chareonkrung’s riverside food area.
This post contains a list of all my favourite hostels in Bangkok. This post contains all of my favourite hotels if you prefer to stay at hotels.
If you are wondering where to stay (because Bangkok’s sprawling size makes it difficult to choose a specific area), I’ve broken down Bangkok’s neighbourhoods by district.
Bangkok is more than temples, traffic, and shopping. Once you venture off the beaten track, Bangkok’s charm slowly emerges.
Bangkok is a chaotic city that can be seen in just a few days. But if you have four or five extra days to spend, you will begin to understand why it is one of the most popular destinations in the entire world.
Please don’t take my word alone. This post can be used as a guide to help you love the city, as I did. You won’t regret it!