Visiting Bangkok: My Super Cool 3 - 5 Day Itinerary

Hey there! When people tell me they're not too keen on Bangkok, I'm like, totally get it. Bangkok is one of those cities that's a real love - hate thing. Most folks don't exactly fall head - over - heels for it right off the bat.

You know what? When I first swung by Bangkok in 2006, I couldn't wait to hightail it outta there. But then, when I actually lived in the city, boom! I was smitten. And guess what? Almost twenty years later, Bangkok is still one of my top faves in the whole wide world. It just takes a little time to really get to know and adore this place.

Bangkok isn't one of those cities that spills all its secrets right away. A lot of people just spend a day or two here before jetting off to the islands or the jungle. But hold up! There's so much to do and see in Bangkok. Whether you're into cheap thrills, high - end experiences, unique adventures, or outdoor escapades, Bangkok's got it all.

To help you plan the best trip ever and make the most of your time in Bangkok, here's my super handy itinerary. It'll help you navigate this big, bustling city like a pro, getting you both to the popular spots and the hidden gems. You'll start to understand why I'm so crazy about Bangkok.

Bangkok Itinerary

• Day 1: Grand Palace, Khao San Road, & More!

• Day 2: Floating Market, Muay Thai Fight, & More!

• Day 3: Chatuchak Weekend Market, Lumpini Park, & More!

• Day 4: Bangkok Art and Culture Center, National Museum, & More!

• Other Things to See and Do: Museum of Siam, Lake Taco, & More!

• Where to Stay in Bangkok: My Favorite Hostels & Hotels

Bangkok Itinerary: Day One

The Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun

First stop? The Grand Palace (aka the Royal Palace) and the nearby Wat Pho. Wat Pho is home to the super - famous reclining Buddha and a cool massage school. The royal family doesn't live in the palace these days (it's just for official state stuff), and you can't go inside the buildings. But wandering around the grounds and the open temples is totally worth it. The architecture is seriously beautiful, and the craftsmanship is mind - blowing. Go early in the morning to avoid the crowds.

After that, stroll down the street to Wat Pho and check out the massive reclining Buddha (and the golden Buddha too). It's the largest reclining Buddha in the country, stretching a whopping 46 meters (150 feet) long. The Wat Pho complex is huge, like a whole city block. Seeing the statues doesn't take long, but you could easily spend an hour getting lost in the maze - like temple grounds.

Next, head across the river to Wat Arun (the Temple of the Dawn). It's a gorgeous Buddhist temple on the Chao Phraya River, right across from the Grand Palace. It's got one big spire and four smaller ones, and it's so iconic it's even on Thai money. Climb to the top of the main spire for some amazing views of the city. It's my absolute favorite temple in Bangkok.

If you wanna really dig deep into the history of these temples and the palace, take a guided tour. You'll learn all the cool facts from an expert local guide who can answer all your questions and give you a much more in - depth experience.

Pro - tip: When visiting these places, make sure you're dressed right. Cover your legs and shoulders. Wearing revealing clothes is a big no - no. No short skirts, tank tops, anything showing your stomach, or ripped pants.

Take a River Cruise

Taking a tour of the Chao Phraya River is a super relaxing and beautiful experience. Don't fall for those overpriced tours that cost over 2,000 THB. Instead, ride the water taxi up and down the river for just around 35 THB. Start at the central pier, go to the end, and come back. Voila! You've got yourself a tour at a fraction of the price.

Tour More Temples

Bangkok is full of beautiful temples. Hire a tuk - tuk driver for the day to take you around. It's often the cheapest and most efficient way to see the temples. You can even split the cost with other travelers to save some cash. Here are two of my faves:

• Wat Saket – The Golden Mount has this huge, 100 - meter - high, 500 - meter - wide chedi (a cool mound - like thing with Buddhist relics). I love this temple because of its beautiful golden temple and the awesome views of the city from the top. And at the base of the mountain, there's an overgrown cemetery for 18th - century plague victims.

• Wat Benchamabophit – This temple is on the back of the 5 - baht coin. The white marble was imported straight from Italy, and it's got this unique mix of Thai and European architecture. In the courtyard, there are 53 Buddha images showing every mudra (hand gesture) and style from Thai history. It's a great place to see how Buddha has been represented in Thailand over time.

Just make sure your tuk - tuk driver doesn't try to take you shopping. Some drivers get kickbacks if they bring customers to certain shops. It happened to me in 2006, and I didn't realize it was a shopping tour until halfway through! But hey, I still got to see a lot of temples. Just say no to the shopping tour if you're not into it.

Visit Khao San Road

The backpacker capital of the world! This road (and Soi Rambuttri) is a must - visit. You'll find endless bars, shops, street food, international restaurants, vendors, locals, and activities, day and night. It's also a popular hangout for Thais on the weekend. I personally like the quieter Soi Rambuttri, but Khao San is a great place to sit outside and meet other travelers. It's more commercial now than it used to be, and a bit less "backpacker - like," but it's still a must - see. Just don't expect it to be like the Khao San you see in movies like The Beach.

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Bangkok Itinerary: Day Two

Check out the Floating Market

You can spend half a day checking out the floating markets around the city. Khlong Lat Mayom and Taling Chan are the most popular. It's a fun morning adventure, and if you get there early, you can avoid the crowds. Taling Chan is a bit more touristy, so definitely get there early to dodge the tour groups. They're not the best for shopping, but they're great for people - watching and eating. You can get to both markets by public transportation. I love the chaos, the smells, and the little ladies cooking and selling you yummy treats as they paddle by. You'll never leave hungry!

Explore Chinatown

Bangkok's Chinatown is a food lover's paradise. You can shop for all kinds of useless souvenirs, but what I really love is the food. On the busy, vendor - lined streets, you'll find all sorts of food you won't see many other places in the city. It's crowded and bustling, but one of my favorites. At night, it's one of the best places in the city to get delicious seafood.

Visit the Malls

Hear me out. Malls in Bangkok aren't just malls. They're social hubs, especially because of the air - conditioning. People come here to eat (the mall food courts are delish), drink at bars, watch movies, sit at coffee shops, work out at gyms, play in arcades, and even go bowling! A lot of the city's life happens in the malls, and each one has its own unique character. Here are some of my favorites:

• Terminal 21

• MBK Center

• Siam Paragon

• Emporium / Emquartier

• EmSphere

• CentralWorld

Watch a Muay Thai Fight

Muay Thai is all over Thailand, and Thais take it very seriously. Fighters train for years. Don't waste your time on the touristy Muay Thai fights on the islands. Instead, spend a night in Bangkok at Rajadamnern Stadium, where you can see world - class fighters in an authentic match. The stadium can hold up to 8,000 spectators, and there's usually a fight every night. Check the website.

You can also catch fights at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, which seats up to 5,000 people, on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Between the two stadiums, there's a fight every night of the week. Tickets start at 1,500 THB.

Bangkok Itinerary: Day Three

Wander the Chatuchak Weekend Market

The weekend market is one of the best things in Bangkok. It's huge, like the size of a bunch of football fields, and it gets pretty crowded. You can find everything here, from authentic designer clothes to knock - offs, phones, pirated movies, pets, backpacks, kitchenware, you name it. There's a big dining area with great, cheap Thai food all over the market. Don't miss it! With over 15,000 stalls, it really does have everything. Plan to spend 2 - 3 hours (or more) here. It's open Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 6 pm.

Tour Jim Thompson’s House

Jim Thompson was an American spy and silk merchant in Thailand in the '50s and '60s. He vanished mysteriously in 1967 while in Malaysia. Some say he got lost or killed while hiking, others think he disappeared on purpose (he was a spy, after all).

After the war, he went back to private business and basically single - handedly revived Thailand's silk industry, which was on the decline. He built his home in the traditional Thai style, decorated it with beautiful teak wood, and had a lovely surrounding garden. The tours are full of cool history about Jim, the silk industry, and how and why Thais design their homes the way they do.

Relax in Lumpini Park

Lumpini Park is like Bangkok's Central Park. It's a big, green space covering over 140 acres. If you like people - watching, it's definitely worth a visit. All day long, you'll see people playing sports, walking, biking, doing tai chi, or just chilling. In a city that doesn't have a ton of green space, you'll probably be craving a bit of nature after dealing with all the traffic and vendors. Grab a book, pack a lunch, and come relax in the shade and watch the afternoon go by. It's a nice break from the hustle and bustle of the city (and it's a no - smoking area too).

Hang with the Hipsters on Soi Nana

There are two areas in Bangkok called Soi Nana. One's a bit of a seedy sex tourism place, but the Soi Nana I'm talking about is a super hip nightlife spot near the train station in Chinatown. The street is lined with tiny bars, cocktail lounges, and art exhibits in old - style Chinese homes that are still in their original style.

Some of the best bars are Pijiu (a Chinese beer bar), Teens of Thailand (the first gin bar in Thailand), Ba Hao (a four - floor Chinese - inspired bar), El Chiringuito (Spanish tapas), and 23 Bar & gallery (a bar in an art space). It's really popular with young Thais and is one of the coolest parts of Bangkok. Don't miss it.

Bangkok Itinerary: Day Four

Visit the National Museum

The National Museum opened in 1874 and was set up by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). It's all about Thai culture, and it's got some really cool stuff, like a big collection of musical instruments, recorded music, fancy royal funeral chariots, and impressive wooden carvings. The museum isn't huge, and the signs aren't super detailed, but the artifacts are really interesting to look at.

Take a Food Tour

Bangkok has an amazing food scene and is one of the best places in the world for foodies. The best way to learn about the food culture (while stuffing your face with samples) is to go on a food tour. Bangkok Food Tours has all kinds of yummy tours where you can try everything from street food to exotic fruits. Tours start from 1,650 THB.

And if you're into cooking, a half - day cooking class (including a market visit) costs around 1,345 THB. It's a fun way to learn about the cuisine and pick up some new skills and recipes you can try when you get home.

Enjoy an event at the Bangkok Art and Culture Center

This contemporary arts center is a great place to see art, music, theater, film, design, and cultural events in its exhibition and performance spaces. It opened in 2007 and hosts all sorts of cultural happenings. There's also an art library, cafe, gallery, craft shop, and bookstore. In a city that doesn't have a huge art scene, this is a really cool place to check out some local art. Check the website to see what's going on during your visit.

Other Things to See and Do in Bangkok

Got more time in the city? Here are some other fun things to do:

Museum of Siam

This museum uses all kinds of media to explore the origins of the Thais and their culture. It opened in 2007 and has displays, movies, and multimedia about culture, history, Buddhism, war, and the making of modern Thailand. It's a really interactive and educational little museum in an old 19th - century European - style building that not a lot of tourists know about.

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. It's a popular thing to do with expats. I never tried it, but my friends always said it was a blast. The lake is only 40 minutes away, so it's an easy activity to do when you need a break from the city.

Calypso Ladyboy Show

This ladyboy show is actually a really good cabaret show that attracts all kinds of visitors. It's like Bangkok's version of the Moulin Rouge. There's lots of glitz, glamour, and spectacle. Calypso Cabaret, founded in 1988, is the best place to see a show in the city. Playhouse Cabaret and Golden Dome Cabaret are two other good venues that have fun performances too.

Day Trip to Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya (it's pronounced ah - you - tah - ya) was founded around 1350 and was the second capital of Thailand (before it moved to Bangkok). Unfortunately, it got destroyed in 1767 by a Burmese attack, and now there are just ruins and a few temples and palaces left standing.

It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a summer palace and tons of amazing temples. Since it's so close to Bangkok, it's a really popular day - trip destination. You can go on your own by train (tickets cost around 130 THB and the journey takes 1.5 hours each way), or if you want to learn more, take a guided tour for just 1,300 THB.

Where to Stay in Bangkok

Bangkok has places to stay for every budget. From cheap guesthouses to 6 - star hotels, you can find it all. Since I've been coming here for twenty years, I know the accommodation scene like the back of my hand and have written a bunch of articles about it. Here are my three favorite places to stay:

• @Hua Lamphong Hostel – This hostel has mixed - gender dorms, big lockers, and en - suite bathrooms. It's in a perfect spot for travelers because Bangkok's train station is right across the street.

• D&D Inn – D&D Inn is a classic on Khao San Road. It's great for those with last - minute travel plans because there are always rooms available and reception is open 24 hours.

• Prince Theatre Heritage Stay – This theater - themed hotel is 100 years old. It was first a casino, then a cinema, and now it's a boutique hotel right on Chareon Krung's riverside street food area.

For all my favorite hostels in Bangkok, check out this post. If you'd rather stay in hotels, this post lists all my favorites.

And if you're wondering where to stay in Bangkok (because it's a huge, spread - out city), here's my neighborhood - by - neighborhood breakdown of Bangkok.

Contrary to what a lot of people think, there's way more to Bangkok than just temples, shopping, and traffic. It's a city that reveals its charm slowly, especially when you get off the beaten path.

You can see the main highlights in a couple of days, but with four or five days, you can start to uncover the layers of this crazy, chaotic city and understand why Bangkok is one of the best destinations in the world.

Don't just take my word for it. Use this post as your guide and learn to love the city like I do. I promise you won't be disappointed!

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