I completely understand it when people tell me they dislike Bangkok; it is such a love/hate city that the majority of people are unimpressed from arrival. I personally hated Bangkok...
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tyl
August 13, 2025
I completely understand it when people tell me they dislike Bangkok; it is such a love/hate city that the majority of people are unimpressed from arrival.
I personally hated Bangkok when I first arrived for a visit in 2006 and couldn’t have exited quick enough.
In fact, it wasn’t until I had lived there that I truly fell in love with it; almost twenty years later, and Bangkok is still one of my favorite cities in the world.
It just takes a little time and love.
Bangkok is a difficult city to get accustomed to and most people are here for a day or two before heading to nearby islands or to the jungle.
But there is a lot to do & see in Bangkok: cheaply, expensively; uniquely; or outside. Bangkok has it all.
As you plan your trip, in this article is my itinerary and suggestions for how to tackle this sprawling, chaotic city in an off & on extensive way so that you can peel back the onion that is Bangkok and personally discover why I love it so much.
Bangkok Itinerary: Day One
The Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun
The first stop in Bangkok should be the Grand Palace (Royal Palace) and Wat Pho, home of the reclining Buddha and massage school. The Royal family does not stay in the palace (it’s only for official use) and you can’t go into any buildings, but the Grand Palace grounds and open temples are worth visiting. The site is beautiful, and the craftsmanship in the architecture is stunning, and worth the visit alone. Go early to beat the crowds.
After that, walk down the street to Wat Pho and the reclining Buddha (and the famous Golden Buddha). It is the largest reclining Buddha statue in the country at 46 meters long (150 feet). The Wat Pho area takes up a city block so it’s not going to take you long to see the statues, but you could certainly spend an hour just wandering the maze-like temple grounds.
Next on your journey, cross the river to Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn). It’s a stunning Buddhist temple on the Chao Phraya River across from the Grand Palace that’s beautiful enough to put on Thai currency. It has one main spire and four smaller spires, and is so recognizable it’s on money. From the top of the spire, you’ll have panoramic views of the city. Wat Arun is my favorite temple in the city.
If you’d like a full tour of the temple and palace, I recommend booking a guided tour. You’ll get to learn about the history of each temple and the palace from an expert local guide who knows all the ins and outs and can answer any questions you might have, allowing you to have a much richer experience.
Note: When visiting these holy places, please make sure to wear clothing that covers your legs and shoulders, revealing clothes/ inappropriate clothing is disrespectful. That means no short skirts, no tank tops, nothing that shows your stomach, no ripped pants, and no flip-flops.
Take a River Cruise
A tour of the Chao Phraya River is a beautiful and enjoyable experience you shouldn’t forgo. But do not buy an overpriced tour (which is about 2,000 THB) take the water taxi up and down for roughly 35 THB. Start at the central pier, go to one end and return. Voila, Tour complete for about an 1/80 of the price!
Tour More Temples
Bangkok is full of amazing temples. Hire a tuk-tuk driver to take you around for the day to check out the temples. This is usually the most cost-effective method and often the quickest method of seeing the majority of temples around Bangkok. You can even split the fair with other travelers to save costs. Here are two of my favorite temples:
Wat Saket – The Golden Mount has a huge, 100m high, 500m wide chedi (mound-like structure containing a Buddhist reliquary). It is a pretty temple and my favorite in the city because the stunning golden temple and great views of the city from its summit. At the base of the mountain is an overgrown cemetery for plague victims from the 18th century.
Wat Benchamabophit – Currently on the reverse side of the 5-baht coin. The only material imported from Italy is the white marble accent that was used to strengthen the building. It combines both Thai and European architecture and harbours exquisite designs. You can also find, in the courtyard, the 53 Buddha images that depict every mudra (gesture) and style in the history of Thailand. Thus, it is a nice visual representation of how Buddha has been depicted over time in Thailand.
Just remember to tell your tuk-tuk driver not to take you shopping along the way. Tuk-tuk drivers are often paid a commission for taking customers into certain shops. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been taken to a shop (on my first internationally tour in Thailand on 2006 I went to shop and realized half way through the ride that I was on a shopping tour!) I did see a lot of temples on that trip too! Just make sure you let him know you do not want to go on the shopping tour!
Visit Khao San Road
The backpacker capital of the world and a road you must visit (along with Soi Rambuttri)! You will find lots of bars, shops, street food, international restaurants, vendors, locals, and activities day and night. It’s also frequented on the weekends by Thais. I personally like Soi Rambuttri as this is a little quieter, but Khao San is a great place to sit outside and meet other travelers. It is much more commercial than it was and a lot less “backpacker”, but it’s still worth a visit and you’ll still find lots of travelers there. Just don’t expect the Khao San of old that you always hear about or see in movies like The Beach.
Bangkok Itinerary: Day Two
Check out the Floating Market
How to Book Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
You can take a half-day trip to this floating markets around the city (Khlong Lat Mayom and Taling Chan are the two most well-known). It makes for a nice filling morning adventure and if you get there early – you can escape the hoards of tourist in the area. Thaling Chan is the more touristy one – if you want to avoid the bus loads of tour groups you definitely have to get there early. They are not the greatest places to shop, but they are certainly fun for people watching and eating. Both can be reached by public transportation.
I love the chaos, the smells and the little ladies cooking and selling you all sorts of treats as they paddle by you. (You never leave hungry.)
Explore Chinatown
Chinatown in Bangkok is a food lover’s paradise. You could shop here and buy a bunch of useless souvenirs, but the real highlight of this area is the food. From the crazy sky of vendors and the street-lined area, the variety of food stands is something you hardly get anywhere else in the city. It is a crowded and hectic area, but definitely one of my favourite spots. At night, this area is one of the best spots in the city for unbelievable seafood.
Visit the Malls
Please see me out: Malls in Bangkok are more than just malls, they are social centers (due in part to the air-conditioning) where people eat (the mall food courts in Bangkok being delicious), drink at bars, watch movies, sit at coffee shops, gyms, arcades, and bowl! A lot of life in the city happens in the malls and each have their own personalities. Here is a list of my favorites, in Bangkok:
Terminal 21
MBK Center
Siam Paragon
Emporium / Emquartier
EmSphere
CentralWorld
Watch a Muay Thai Fight
Muay Thai (a sport that includes strikes and clinch) is everywhere in Thailand and Thais take it very serious. Fighters train for years and years. Don’t waste your time with the tourist Muay Thai fights on any of the islands. Instead, spend an evening watching an authentic match with world-class fighters in Bangkok at Rajadamnern Stadium. They hold events often (almost every night) and they have a capacity of 8,000 so check their website for a schedule.
You can also watch fights at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, which has a maximum capacity of 5,000, on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Between these two stadiums, Thailand has fights going every single day 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 greatest places in Bangkok. The market is enormous, the size of several football fields, and it’s quite crowded. You can find everything and anything here – authentic designer clothes and their fake versions, phones, knockoff movies, pets, backpacks, kitchen items, you name it. There’s great, cheap Thai food and a large plaza to eat in. You will not want to miss coming here. With over 15,000 stalls, it really does have everything! Plan on spending a good 2-3 hours (if not more) here. Open Saturday and Sunday 9am – 6pm.
Tour Jim Thompson’s House
Jim Thompson was a U.S. spy and silk merchant located in Thailand in the 1950s and 1960s who disappeared mysteriously in 1967 while in Malaysia, and some speculate he was either lost or murdered while on a hiking trip, while others state he disappeared by choice (he was a spy after all).
When he returned to the private sector after the war, Thompson single handedly essentially revived the silk industry of Thailand that was diminishing. He lived in a home of traditional Thai motif, beautifully decorated with teak wood, and surrounded by a lovely garden. The tours of the property hold much history about Jim, the silk industry, and explain how and why the Thais design their homes as they do.
Relax in Lumpini Park
Lumpini Park is Bangkok’s Central Park. This large green space covers over 140 acres and is worth visiting for any people watcher. At every hour of the day, you will find people playing sports, walking, biking, doing tai chi, or just relaxing. In a city with hardly any green space, you’re bound to want a little wildlife after spending a few days dodging all the traffic and vendors in a concrete jungle. Grab a book, pack lunch, and come laze in the shade and watch the afternoon drift away. It is a nice change from the frenetic flow of the rest of the city (and it is a no smoking area).
Hang with the Hipsters on Soi Nana
There are two places called Soi Nana in Bangkok (one of which is a hub for sex tourism), but I am talking about the Soi Nana that is the hip area for nightlife near the train station in Chinatown. This street is packed with tiny bars, cocktail lounges, and exhibits in old-style Chinese homes where the original designs have been preserved.
Some of the hottest places to go include Pijiu (a Chinese beer bar), Teens of Thailand (the first gin bar in Thailand), Ba Hao (a four-floor bar with heavy Chinese influences), El Chiringuito (Spanish tapas), and 23 Bar & gallery (a bar in an art space). It is super popular with young Thais and is one of the coolest areas in Bangkok. Do not miss it.
Bangkok Itinerary: Day Four
Visit the National Museum
Founded in 1874 by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), this temple and museum concentrates on Thai culture, with some highlights including a large collection of musical instruments, recorded music, ornamented funeral chariots, and doors and fabric wood carvings. The museum is not particularly large and had few signs or no explanations, but the items were interesting to look at.
Take a Food Tour
Bangkok boasts an incredible food scene and one of the top foodie destinations in the world. The best way to take in the food culture (while tasting some bites) is to take a food tour. The Bangkok Food Tours has a number of delicious tours that cover everything from street food to exotic fruits. Tours start at 1,650 THB.
And, if you’re looking to do some cooking classes, a half-day cooking class (with market tour) is about 1,345 THB. Cook classes are a fun way to learn about the cuisine while learning some new skills and recipes to try when you are back home.
Get Engaged at the Bangkok Art and Culture Center This contemporary arts venue features art, music, theater, film, design, and culture in their exhibition and performance venues. Opened in 2007, the Bangkok Art and Culture Center host cultural events in their exhibition and performance venues. They also have an art library, cafe, gallery, craft shop, and book store. If you’re in a city that doesn’t really have an art scene, this is a great spot to see some local art. Check out the website to see what is going on for your visit.
Other Things to See and Do in Bangkok
Have more time in the city? Here are some other things to see and do in Bangkok:
Museum of Siam
The purpose of this museum is to use a wide spectrum of media to explore the origins of the Thais and their culture. Opened in 2007, there are displays, videos, and multimedia displays that explore culture, history, Buddhism, war, and how modernized Thailand was formed. This is an interactive and educational little museum in an old 19th-century European-style building that not many tourists view.
Wakeboard at Lake Taco
If you are looking to escape the city and have some fun, go to the outskirts of Bangkok and wakeboard (where you get pulled by a motorboat on a short board). This is a favorite thing to do with expats and even though I missed out, all my friends said it was amazing. You are only 40 minutes from the lake, so it’s an easy activity to for when you want to escape the city.
How to Book Calypso Cabaret Tickets?
Calypso Ladyboy Show
This ladyboy show is, in fact, a nice cabaret show that entertains a broad variety of guests. It is essentially Bangkok’s Moulin Rouge. It was glitzy; it was glamorous; it was spectacular – everything you could expect from a cabaret show in Bangkok. Calypso Cabaret, established in 1988, is the top spot for a show in this city. Other options with reputable fun performances are Playhouse Cabaret and Golden Dome Cabaret.
Day Trip to Ayutthaya
Ayutthaya (pronounced ah-you-tah-ya) was founded in the early 1350s and was the second capital of Thailand (and the capital before its relocation to Bangkok). The city was destroyed in 1767 in an attack by the Burmese, and now there are only ruins and a few temples and palaces still standing.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it has the summer palace and whole lot of amazing and unique temples. Since it is so close to Bangkok, it is a popular day-trip location for tours.
While there are many companies who do provide paying trips, it is so easy to just do it on your own by train. Train tickets are about 130 THB, and it takes about 1.5 hrs each way.
You can certainly do it just on your own (and it would be enjoyable!) but if you wanted to learn, take a guided tour. They run about 1,300 THB and they are really a good way of understanding this UNESCO site.
Where to Stay in Bangkok
Bangkok’s got it all for accommodation. Cheap guesthouses, mid-range hotels, top 5 star hotels, and even 6 star hotels billionaires can stay in. I have been coming to Bangkok for twenty years now, so I know the accommodation situation very well and have many articles on accommodation.
Contrary to popular belief, there is more in Bangkok than temples, shopping, and traffic. A city that reveals it charm, but only if you allow it to, and that often takes getting off the beaten path.
You can see the major sites in 2 days. But if you have 4 or 5 days, you can start to figure out the layers of this chaotic city, and I challenge you to find out why Bangkok is truly one of the best cities to visit in the world!
But don’t just take my word for it. Use this post as your guide, and learn to fall in love with the city just like I did, I promise you won’t regret it!
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FAQs
What are the must-visit attractions in Bangkok for a 3–5 day trip?
Bangkok highlights include the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Chatuchak Market, and a boat ride along the Chao Phraya River.
What’s the best way to get around Bangkok?
Use the BTS Skytrain, MRT subway, river ferries, and tuk-tuks for quick and affordable travel.
What should I pack for a trip to Bangkok?
Light clothing for hot weather, comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, and modest attire for visiting temples.
Can I explore Bangkok on a budget in 3–5 days?
Yes! Street food, local markets, and public transport make Bangkok a budget-friendly destination.
What’s the best time of year to visit Bangkok?
November to February offers cooler, drier weather ideal for sightseeing.
