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VISITING BANGKOK: MY SUGGESTED 3-5 DAY ITINERARY

Last Updated: 02/08/20 | February 8th, 2020

When people tell me they hate Bangkok and don’t find a lot of things to do there, I understand. When I first visited Bangkok in 2006, I despised the city and couldn’t wait to get out.

It wasn’t until I lived in Bangkok that I really fell in love with it.

Bangkok is one of the best cities in the world.

It just takes a little time to get to know and love.

Bangkok is not a city that opens itself up easily, and most people spend just a day or two here before leaving to go to the islands or the jungle.

But, while as a tourist, you may not need tons of time to “see” the city, Bangkok is worth more than a quick stay most travelers give it.

The city may not have a lot of “tourist attractions” in the way that Paris, London, NYC, and Buenos Aires do but Bangkok is not that kind of city. Bangkok is a place to wander, eat, and imbibe. It is a city that reveals itself to people who get away from the temples, touts, and tourists and get into the local way of life. That’s when you see the beauty Bangkok has to offer! There are a lot of things to do and see in Bangkok – cheap things, expensive things, unique things, and fun things! Bangkok has it all. It’s what made me fall in love with it.

So what things to do in Bangkok are there? What do you see in Bankok when you visit?

Here is my sample itinerary to make things easier for you to plan your trip here and tackle this city in a way that has you on and off the beaten track so you get to peel back the onion that is Bangkok!

Table of Contents

Day 1: Grand Palace, Khao San Road, Wat Arun, & more!

Day 2: Floating Market, Chinatown, Muay Thai Fight, & more!

Day 3: Chatuchak Weekend Market, Jim Thompson’s House, Lumpini Park, & more!

Day 4: Bangkok Art and Culture Center, National Museum, Food Tour, & more!

Other Things to See and Do: Museum of Siam, Lake Taco, Cooking Classes, & more!

 

Bangkok Itinerary: Day One

The Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun

The first place you should visit in Bangkok is the Grand Palace (Royal Palace) and neighboring Wat Pho, home to the famous reclining Buddha and massage school. The Royal family doesn’t live in the palace (it’s only used for official state functions) and you can’t go into any of the buildings, but wandering the grounds and open temples is worth the visit. It’s beautiful and the craftsmanship in the architecture is amazing. 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 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) and get stellar views of the city from atop the temple. It’s my favorite temple in the city because of the view!

The Grand Palace is located on Na Phra Lan Road, +66 2 623 5500. Open daily from 8:30am-3:30pm. Admission is 500 THB. Wat Pho is located on 2 Sanamchai Road, Grand Palace Subdistrict, +66 2 662 3553, watpho.com. Opening daily from 8am–6:30pm. Admission is 100 THB. Wat Arun is across the river at 158 Wang Doem Road, +66 2 891 218. Open daily from 8am–5:30pm. Admission is 50 THB.

Note: Be sure to wear clothes that cover your legs and shoulders; it’s considered disrespectful to wear revealing clothes. If you don’t, you can rent pants or shirts at the palace. At Wat Pho, they give them out for free.

Take a river cruise

Take a tour of the Chao Phraya river, a relaxing and beautiful experience that shouldn’t be skipped. Don’t take an overpriced tour, though. You can ride the water taxi up and down the river for around 20 baht (less than $1 USD). Start at the central pier, go to the end, and come back. Presto! Instant tour! (The difference with the official tourist boat, which makes fewer stops, is that they have someone that gives brief descriptions about important sites as you go.)

Tour all the temples

Bangkok has a lot of beautiful temples. Hire a tuk-tuk driver to take you around for the day to see the temples. Just make sure he doesn’t take you shopping along the way — drivers get kickbacks if they bring customers into certain shops. They can be annoying about this but stay firm! This is often the cheapest and most efficient way to see the temples throughout Bangkok. My favorite temples are:

• Wat Saket – The Golden Mount has an enormous, 100m-high, 500m wide chedi (mound-like structure containing Buddhist relics). This is one of my favorite temples in city because of its beautiful golden temple and wonderful views of the city from its top. 344 Chakkraphat Diphong Road, +66 2 478 6010, bangkokforvisitors.com/golden-mount.Open daily from 9am-5pm. Admission is 10 THB.
• Wat Benchamabophit – This temple is pictured on the back of the 5-