Bangkok Itinerary | Top Attractions & Day Trips for DIY Tours in Thailand

Planning a Bangkok itinerary is a rewarding adventure on its own, but it also ensures plenty of time to see the best iconic landmarks, glorious temples and traditional neighborhoods during a trip to Thailand. Be sure to leave some wiggle room for the unknown, as Bangkok is an enchanting city with winding streets and multiple canals that invite exploration. Arm yourself with a Bangkok itinerary, and prepare to travel deep into the City of Angels and capital of Thailand.

Bangkok’s World-Famous Landmarks

Many travelers plan a Bangkok itinerary around the city’s monuments and landmarks. This is a great place to start, since these landmarks are often the inspiration for a trip to Thailand in the first place. You can get yourself to these places by BTS Skytrain, taxi, river taxi or on foot. For destinations further afield or day trips from Bangkok, plan ground transportation with your hotel, a private chauffeur or a group tour service.

1. You can’t experience Bangkok without a ferry ride down the Chao Phraya River. Curving its way through the city, the river is a revered part of life here. Connect to your favorite landmarks through its piers, similar to bus stops or train stations in other cities.
2. The Grand Palace is the original home of Thailand’s king, so this home is considered a significant cultural institution.
3. Nearly everyone recognizes Wat Arun or the Temple of The Dawn. The spires rise into the sky and attract your attention both day and night. This spot is such a favorite that many people visit it to see both the sun reflecting off its gleaming finish and the floodlit silhouette against the nighttime sky.
4. Just as recognizable is Wat Pho, or The Temple of The Reclining Buddha. This elegant, yet joyful temple features an icon of the Buddha, covered in gold leaf to showcase the importance of Buddhist values in Bangkok. You can also get a Thai massage here, where a historic medical teaching center has become a massage school.
5. Put Chatuchak Market on your weekend itinerary. Open on Saturdays and Sundays, this market offers literally thousands of stalls. Spend the day getting lost in the beautiful wares of Bangkok and supporting local merchants while souvenir shopping.
6. The Bangkok National Museum is a must-see for anyone who wants an exciting look at the wide range of cultural influences and artifacts that make up Thailand’s inimitable presence. Located in a former palace, this museum has royal objects, great halls, weapons, precious stones and much more.
7. Khao San Road is always on the itinerary for backpackers. If you like a youthful vibe, want a tattoo or just can’t wait to dive into the vibrance of street life in Bangkok, this is the street for you. It’s also got a variety of hostels and hotels.
8. For cross-cultural appeal, check out the Jim Thompson House Museum. This museum is an homage to Thai culture as imagined by an American. See the country through the eyes of a traveler who became a local and imagine yourself enjoying the same lifestyle.
9. Lumpini Park deserves a stop for its local authenticity. This green space is where to go when you want a break from touring, but still want to stay connected to the pulse of the city. Relax as locals jog, play games, flirt and cross to other neighborhoods. You can also enjoy lots of street food here.

Check In to Hua Chang Heritage Hotel, Step Out to Jim Thompson House

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When You Only Have Two or Three Days

If you’re creating an itinerary for just a couple days in Bangkok, there are a few places you’ll be glad to include. These are the showstoppers that most people associate with the energetic city. They’ll give you a good feel for Thailand as a whole – especially if you’re only in town for a short time.

Day One – Temples and Chinatown

• Have breakfast at your hotel, or better yet, at a local cafe in your neighborhood. If you’re brave enough, ask the waiter or waitress to bring you their favorite dish, and just go with the flow of spicy breakfast in Thailand! Or for a more toned-down breakfast adventure, On Lok Yun on the edge of Chinatown, is a historic venue that has been experiencing a resurgence with hip, creative types for its East-West breakfast offerings and unique breads and toasts.

• Grab a river taxi along the Chao Phraya River to get an overview of the city’s contours. From the water, you’ll see skyscrapers, temples, churches, markets, military headquarters and even residential areas.

• Visit the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew by getting off the ferry at Tha Chang Pier (N9). You may spend several hours soaking up the atmosphere here, so plan accordingly. Afterwards, take a short walk of about 10 minutes to see Wat Pho.

• Once at Wat Pho, or The Temple of The Reclining Buddha, there is a lot of great street food in this area, so enjoy a bite to eat like the locals do. Select traditional Thai food from nearby carts, and enjoy a meal in the open air before viewing the Buddha. This is also a perfect neighborhood to get a Thai massage. Try a head or foot massage to keep you feeling light and free but still energized enough to see the rest of the city.

Day Two – Markets

• Head into Chinatown, where thousands of stalls, booths and storefronts feature local wares. The streets are a maze here, so get ready to get a little lost.

• Stay on theme by visiting the Jim Thompson House, a museum dedicated to the American who brought Thai silk to the world. Later in life, Thompson disappeared and no one knows where he went, so there’s an interesting mystery here as well as tons of culture!

• Spend your evening at Ratchada Rot Fai Train Night Market. You can get here by train. Just take the MRT to Thailand Cultural Centre Station, and walk through Esplanade Cineplex Ratchadapisek to reach the market.

Day Three – A Slower Pace

• Take a long-tail boat on the canals and enjoy the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, open until noon. It’s a bit outside of the city, so joining an organized tour may make this trip easiest.

• In the afternoon, head over to Lumphini Park for a chance to check out local fun. Lay back and daydream, talk over what’s next or jog off all that street food. You’ll find street food vendors throughout the park grounds, particularly at midday and in the evenings.

• Finish the day with a walk up to Wat Saket (Phukhao Thong), also known as the Golden Mount. It’s about a half-hour walk, and the sweeping views are incredible.

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What To Do With 7 Days in Bangkok – Immerse Yourself in Thai Culture!

If you’re spending an entire week in Bangkok, you can take your time exploring the city. Make your itinerary a little looser, so that you can meditate alongside statues or icons of the Buddha or savor one more serving of your favorite street food.

Organize your days by special interest, neighborhood or activity. For instance, a spa day with massages and sound healing that includes lots of light, healthy Thai fare between services can reset your spirit for weeks to come. A day of sports, learning Muay Thai boxing and playing games in Lumphini Park can invigorate travelers after being indoors at museums or hotels.

Most visitors develop a Bangkok itinerary in order to witness as much culture as possible. Since this land is probably very different from much of what you’ve experienced before, you can itinerize for your personal interests. If you’re traveling with family or in a group of friends, let each person have their say about a theme for the day. On a seven-day journey, you can get to know the beauty of Bangkok, marvel at the wonders outside the city on day trips and learn more about what your traveling companions like.

Thai Massage

Thai massage has made its way around the world because it is so effective at restoring your wellness and vitality. Plus, most people agree it feels fantastic. This is a different kind of massage than you may have had in the past. When you want to add a Thai massage to your itinerary, explore the neighborhood surrounding Wat Pho. This part of Bangkok is known as a center of massage education, so practitioners are well trained and the area is safe. Of course, reputable massage salons and spas are located everywhere in the city, so if you’re not near Wat Pho when the urge for a Thai massage strikes, relax: there are massage parlors on every street in Bangkok.

Things to know about Thai massage

• You usually remain clothed, because much of the bodywork focuses on stretches or pressure-based releases of muscular or joint tension.
• Depending on your massage specialists, you may either lie down on a mat or sit in a chair for head, hand and arm massages, as well as for foot and leg rubs or shoulder and neck massages.
• It’s easy to plan a massage. Often, you can walk into a storefront for services or ask the concierge at your hotel to schedule one for you.

Muay Thai or Thai Boxing

Discover the national art of Muay Thai. This unique form of boxing was developed as a close-combat form of fighting that allows athletes to use their entire bodies as a weapons. Take a lesson or watch a demonstration, learn the history of martial arts or explore how Thai military factions trained fighters in the beginning of the first millennium.

The best places to enjoy Muay Thai are Rajadamnern Boxing Stadium and New Lumpinee Boxing Stadium.

Check In to Chillax Resort, Step Out to Rajadamnern Boxing Stadium

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Day Trips from Bangkok

Add day trips to a longer itinerary, so that you can witness more of what makes Bangkok unique against its neighboring cities or enclaves. There are many nearby towns, villages or landmarks that are easy and enriching to explore when you have a few extra days in the region. These day trips are simple to plan by reserving a spot on a group tour, hiring a private driver or riverboat captain or booking a ticket on a bus or train.

Cruising The Khlongs and Markets

The market culture of Bangkok and its surrounding areas is one of its defining features. Beyond the bustle of Chinatown and the modern expanse of shopping malls, you can glide through floating markets, many of which are just outside the main urban area. Plan these adventures with a little more detail, and enjoy a fuss-free day of exploring the floating markets of Bangkok.

1. Amphawa Floating Market is the place to be when you want to journey into the deeper parts of canal life. This market is one of the furthest from the city center, but it allows you to see the more local temples you might not catch otherwise. The seafood is excellent here, too.
2. Go to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market for the history. It’s been around since 1866, so you know locals love it. Snacks abound, plus tourists get a sense of how vital market life is for Thai people.
3. Bang Phli Floating Market is also a historic market with over a century and a half of business. Traditional wooden homes line the canals on the way, and monks mingle with locals, who do their regular shopping at this market.
4. If your itinerary only allows for a closer market, pick the Taling Chan Floating Market. It’s still a short boat ride, but the local musicians on the banks of the khlongs make it worth your time.

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Ayutthaya

Another beautiful day to add to a longer itinerary is the historic city of Ayutthaya. This destination is a UNESCO World Heritage Center, which means it’s globally recognized for its cultural value to the world. Founded in the 14th century as a specific Siamese kingdom, it’s home to temples, Siamese ruins, restored royal structures and other unique architecture.

Take a train from Hua Lamphong Train Station (about 80 minutes), and find a hotel in Ayutthaya and spend the night, or arrange transportation to and from Ayutthaya with your base hotel in Bangkok.

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Kanchanaburi, Death Railway & The Bridge Over the River Kwai

Add a day to your itinerary to head slightly northwest into Thailand to see Kanchanaburi. Here, you can learn about historical skirmishes and visit the infamous Death Railway, also called the Thai-Burma Railway, and walk across The Bridge Over the River Kwai. About an hour up the road by train, tourists will find Hellfire Pass, a memorial walkway and museum commemorating the thousands of workers who died while building this historical landmark.

For an eye-opening look at Thai history, take a train from Thon Buri Railway Station to Kanchanaburi Railway Station. The scenic trip takes about four hours and includes a trip through the Wang Po Viaduct.

Check In to Felix River Kwai Resort, Step Out to The Bridge Over the River Kwai

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Som tum

Khao pad

Gai Ping & Khao Neaw

Dining in Bangkok

Some people love to add restaurants to their itinerary, while others choose to go with the flow and eat wherever they are when the mood strikes. A combination of both allows you to make the most of your vacation to Bangkok. Discover some of the dining options travelers to Bangkok love the most with these tips.

Pad krapao (gaprao) moo

Pad Thai

Yum woon sen

Thai Foods to Try During a Trip to Bangkok

As you travel throughout Bangkok, leave time in your itinerary for some of the city’s classic street foods. Knowing a few Thai phrases is helpful when ordering and choosing what to eat. Travelers who like their Thai food hot and spicy probably won’t have to ask for extra spice, but if spice isn’t your thing, just say, “mai phet,” meaning “no hot spice,” and your taste buds should be able to cope.

• Papaya salad, or som tum, is a light salad made with green papaya or green mango. It is spiced up with chilis mixed with lime juice and fish sauce. Most som tum also contains dried prawns and crushed peanuts. If you don’t want one of the regular ingredients, just point to the ingredient and say, “Mai sai nee,” which roughly translates to, “Don’t put this in, please.”
• Khao pad means fried rice, and you’ll find this traditional Thai dish everywhere on the street. Enjoy it with a squeeze of lime and a sprinkle of dried chilies to fuel walking tours.
• For protein, try gai (chicken) or moo (pork) ping (grilled): grilled chicken and pork skewers are generally served with khao neaw, or sticky rice. All together now: koh gai ping gap khao neaw (I would like grilled chicken with sticky rice, please). You’ll never go hungry in Thailand now!
• Holy basil, which is a little spicier than regular basil, is key to Thai cuisine. Enjoy some in pad krapao (gaprao) moo, or stir-fried ground pork with holy basil.
• Noodles are always available. Look for white, rice flour noodles ranging from thin and wiry to thick and flat. Noodles are served in a million different ways, but pad Thai is a great place to start!
• Glass noodles may offer something unique for your palate, too. They’re called woon sen, and one of the best ways to try them is in yum woon sen, a zingy and refreshing salad served with shrimp or ground pork and pepped up with lime juice, fish sauce and chilis.

Where to Go for Thai Street Food

Street food is plentiful and delicious in Bangkok. Check out these neighborhoods for tasty, on-the-go choices.

1. Old City (Rattanakosin) – The historical area of Bangkok is rife with choices. Almost everywhere you look, you can find a restaurant, cafe or bar.
2. Bang Rak – This neighborhood is easy – and scenic – to meander because it’s bound on one side by the Chao Phraya River. Take a river taxi and wander and eat.
3. Khao San Road – This backpacker’s haven has lots to do and lots to eat. Check out low-key spots with a cool vibe that appeal to youthful and youthful-minded travelers of any age.
4. Take a tour out to a floating market for exceptional local food. The authenticity of these experiences is a worthy part of your itinerary, plus the culinary surprises may inspire you to enjoy a wider range of flavors in your everyday life.

Fun Bangkok Restaurants with Local Flair

If you’re looking to add special reservations or schedule a good meal at a recognized spot in Bangkok, try these options, all located in and around Old Town (Rattanakosin). You can include them in your Bangkok itinerary and stop by when you’re in the neighborhood to see other landmarks.

• Somsong, 112 Samsen 4 Alley, Ban Phan Thom, Phra Nakhon, offers a down-home atmosphere that’s quintessentially Thai but also modern and interesting. Try the Sukhothai noodles for traditional flavors.
• Natthaphon Coconut Ice Cream, Phraeng Phuthon Rd, San Chao Pho Sua, Phra Nakhon, gives you a sweet treat topped with tropical fruits and grains, a traditional way to eat dessert in Thailand. Top off a scoop of ice cream with fresh fruit and peanuts, or go totally Thai and choose sweet corn, puffed barley and red beans as toppings. Hey, don’t knock it until you try it, ok?
• Bangkok Bold Cooking Studio, 321 Soi Wat Priyai, Ban Phan Thom, Phra Nakhon, began as a cooking school and expanded into a restaurant as its name and success spread. Have a sit-down meal, or learn how to cook your own Thai food – a souvenir that lasts a lifetime!

Check In to My hotel CMYK @ Ratchada, Step Out to Old Town (Rattanakosin)

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