14 Days in Thailand: Bangkok, Chiang Mai & Phuket Itinerary for Culture, Temples and Beaches

Two weeks through Thailand’s greatest hits—grand palaces and street food in Bangkok, golden temples and mountain craft villages in Chiang Mai, and island-hopping on Phuket’s turquoise Andaman Sea.
A beautiful aerial view of a tropical beach with boats and lush greenery, ideal for vacation.
Photo by Tirachard Kumtanom on Pexels

Thailand blends ancient kingdoms and modern buzz with a storyteller’s flair. From the Chao Phraya River—Bangkok’s royal artery—rise gilded spires and giant Buddhas that have anchored the city since the Chakri dynasty. Farther north, Lanna heritage shapes Chiang Mai’s quiet lanes and mountain craft traditions; in the south, limestone karsts and coral gardens frame Phuket’s warm waters.


Food is a glorious throughline. Think wok-fired pad thai, coconut-rich khao soi, sour-and-spicy tom yum, and tropical fruit at night markets that glow late. Thailand’s coffee scene is thriving too—farm-to-cup roasters in Chiang Mai, design-forward cafés in Bangkok, and breezy beach espresso bars in Phuket.

Practical notes: Most travelers arrive via Bangkok. Dress modestly for temples (shoulders/knees covered), carry cash for markets, and check seasonal weather—November to February is driest and coolest; May to October brings monsoon swells in the south. Always choose ethical wildlife experiences; never ride elephants.

Bangkok

Days 1–4: Royal river, temples, and night markets

Start in the “City of Angels,” where longtail boats thread old canals, monks chant at dawn, and rooftop bars twinkle above Chinatown’s neon. Base yourself by the river or near the Skytrain for easy exploring.

  • Essential sights: The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Emerald Buddha), Wat Pho’s Reclining Buddha, and Wat Arun’s porcelain spires at sunset. Browse contemporary Thai design at Warehouse 30 and riverfront creative spaces.
  • Neighborhood wanders: Talat Noi’s street art and machine-part shophouses; Chinatown (Yaowarat) for gold shops and crab omelets; Ari for indie cafés and leafy lanes.
Featured experiences (highly rated and time-efficient) Eat & drink (local favorites)
  • Breakfast/coffee: % Arabica at ICONSIAM for river views; Nana Coffee Roasters (Ari) for inventive pours; On Lok Yun for old-school Thai toast and soft-boiled eggs.
  • Lunch: Thipsamai (Pratu Phra Arthit) for charcoal-fired pad thai; Krua Apsorn for blue crab curry; Jay Fai for wok-kissed crab omelets (arrive early).
  • Dinner: Nahm for refined heritage Thai; Sorn for southern Thai tasting menus (book early); Soei for bold, spicy favorites by the tracks.
  • Nightcaps: Tropic City (award-winning tropical cocktails), Teens of Thailand (gin-led, moody), Tep Bar (herbal Thai drinks and live music).
Where to stay Getting in and around
  • Fly into Bangkok: Compare fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Airport Rail Link + BTS gets you downtown in ~35–45 minutes; taxis are ~45–75 minutes depending on traffic.
  • Local transport: Use BTS/MRT for speed, river boats for scenic hops, and tuk-tuks or Grab for short hauls.

Chiang Mai

Days 5–8: Lanna temples, mountain air, and craft villages

Fly north to Chiang Mai, ringed by mountains and dotted with 700-year-old temples. The Old City’s moat and brick gates guard quiet lanes of teak houses, espresso bars, and silversmith workshops.

  • Temples to savor: Wat Phra That Doi Suthep for the sunrise bell chorus; Wat Chedi Luang’s 15th-century brick stupa; Wat Phra Singh’s Lanna murals.
  • Slow-craft Chiang Mai: Baan Kang Wat artists’ village; San Kamphaeng for silk and celadon; Warorot Market for spices, lanterns, and dried fruit.
  • Nature day ideas: Doi Inthanon waterfalls and cloud forests; Mae Sa Valley for canopy walks; ethical elephant observations (no riding) in nearby sanctuaries.
Eat & drink (northern Thai highlights)
  • Breakfast/coffee: Ristr8to (award-winning latte art), Akha Ama Coffee (direct-trade from hilltribe farms), Graph Café (tiny, creative espresso lab).
  • Lunch: Khao Soi Khun Yai or Khao Soi Mae Sai for the city’s iconic curry noodles; SP Chicken for herb-roasted gai yang.
  • Dinner: Tong Tem Toh (Lanna small plates), Huen Phen (old recipes in a teak house), Dash! Teak House for grilled river prawns and northern sausages.
  • Night markets: Saturday Walking Street (Wua Lai) for textiles and snacks; One Nimman for crafts and live music.
Suggested pacing
  • Day 5 morning: Fly Bangkok → Chiang Mai (~1h15). Expect ~$35–$90 one-way. Book via Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Check in, stroll the Old City, and catch the sunset at Doi Suthep.
  • Days 6–7: Temple morning walks, cooking class or craft village afternoon, and a market evening. Add a day trip to Doi Inthanon for waterfalls and hill views.
  • Day 8: Coffee crawl and massage in the Old City; prepare for the beach leg.
Where to stay Getting there & around
  • Bangkok → Chiang Mai flight: ~1h15; budget carriers are frequent. Book via Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Scenic overnight trains exist; browse timetables on Trip.com Trains.
  • Local transport: Songthaews (red trucks), tuk-tuks, and Grab. The Old City is wonderfully walkable and bike-friendly.

Phuket

Days 9–14: Beaches, island-hopping, and southern Thai cuisine

Phuket is your launchpad to the Andaman: jade bays, karst spires, and snorkeling coves. Stay near Kamala, Kata, or Mai Khao for calmer vibes; base in Phuket Town if you want colorful Sino-Portuguese streets and night markets.

  • Classic beaches: Kata Noi for soft sand, Nai Harn for a local feel, and Ya Nui for snorkeling. Catch sunset at Promthep Cape.
  • Old Town stroll: Murals, Peranakan shophouses, and Sunday Walking Street Market for snacks and crafts.
Island and nature experiences (handpicked small-group and ethical) Eat & drink (southern Thai spice and seafood)
  • Breakfast/coffee: Feelsion Café (vintage bakery vibes), Campus Coffee Roaster (serious espresso), The Tent (slow brunch near Old Town).
  • Lunch: Go Benz (legendary pork rice soup), One Chun (local classics in a heritage house), Tu Kab Khao (yellow crab curry worth the trip).
  • Dinner: Raya (Sino-Thai favorites like moo hong), Kan Eang@Pier (grilled seafood by the water), Mor Mu Dong (thatched huts over mangroves; Bib Gourmand).
  • Sunset & beach clubs: Catch Beach Club (Bang Tao), Café del Mar Phuket (Kamala) for sundowners and DJ sets.
Suggested pacing
  • Day 9 morning: Fly Chiang Mai → Phuket. Nonstops ~2h (some routings via Bangkok 3–4h). Expect ~$50–$140; book via Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Prefer fast-track on arrival? Consider Phuket Airport VIP Fast-Track Immigration.
  • Days 10–13: Alternate sea days (Phi Phi, Phang Nga Bay) with beach and Old Town exploration. Slot in the ethical elephant morning and an ATV viewpoint run on a non-boat day.
  • Day 14: Slow brunch, last swim, and airport transfer.
Where to stay

Intercity travel at a glance

  • International arrival to Bangkok: Compare fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.
  • Bangkok → Chiang Mai: Morning flight ~1h15; ~$35–$90. Consider a scenic sleeper on Trip.com Trains if you prefer rail.
  • Chiang Mai → Phuket: Morning flight ~2h nonstop (3–4h with connection); ~$50–$140.
  • Airport tips: Allow ~1.5–2 hours for domestic departures; pack light for budget-airline carry-on rules.

Suggested day-block flow

  • Days 1–4 (Bangkok): Heritage highlights, canal ride, night tuk-tuk eats, and a river dinner cruise.
  • Days 5–8 (Chiang Mai): Temples, cooking or craft day, mountain waterfalls, and market nights.
  • Days 9–14 (Phuket): Island-hopping (Phi Phi and Phang Nga Bay), ethical elephant morning, beach time, and Old Town evenings.

Two weeks in Thailand brings you from royal Bangkok to gentle Chiang Mai and onward to Phuket’s luminous seas—rich with temples, street food, and island light. With smart morning transfers and a mix of guided gems and free time, you’ll savor both depth and downtime. Bookmark this itinerary and return to it as your steady, deliciously detailed travel companion.


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