Founded in 1782, Bangkok—Krung Thep, the City of Angels—began as a riverside capital guarded by canals and gilded spires. Today it dazzles as Southeast Asia’s great metropolis: a place where saffron-robed monks share sidewalks with street vendors and skytrains glide past century-old teak houses.

Expect time-honored splendor at the Grand Palace, the serene Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho, and the dawn-lit prang of Wat Arun. Balance temple days with a longtail-boat canal ride, a tuk-tuk food safari, and a dinner cruise along the Chao Phraya—Bangkok’s original highway.

Practical notes: dress modestly for temples (shoulders and knees covered), carry cash for markets, and hydrate—the heat is real. The BTS/MRT are fast, air-conditioned, and easy; taxis and river ferries fill the gaps. November–February is the coolest stretch; summer showers pass quickly.

Bangkok

Bangkok rewards curiosity. Turn one way and you’re in Rattanakosin’s royal quarter; another and you’re in Chinatown’s neon maze, or sipping coffee on creative Charoen Krung. Food is a national sport: from wok-fired pad thai to refined royal cuisine and Michelin star tasting menus.

• Top sights: Grand Palace & Emerald Buddha, Wat Pho (traditional massage school), Wat Arun, Jim Thompson House, Bangkok Art & Culture Centre, Benjakitti Forest Park skywalk.
• Can’t-miss experiences: longtail boat through Thonburi canals, floating markets day trip, tuk-tuk night eats, rooftop cocktails at sunset, Thai massage.
• Where to stay: Riverside for romance, Sukhumvit for nightlife and shopping, Old Town for temples and heritage.

Book your stay:

• Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok – A storied riverside icon with butlered service and legendary afternoon tea.
• Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort – Resort feel in the city; tropical gardens, spa, and boat shuttle to the BTS.
• The Siam Hotel – Art Deco elegance, boat-access, and an exceptional spa in the Dusit area.
• Lub d Bangkok Siam – Excellent-value hostel/hybrid steps from BTS National Stadium and MBK.
• Niras Bankoc Cultural Hostel – Cozy Old Town base walkable to Wat Suthat and mural-lined lanes.
• Lub d Bangkok Silom – Social, stylish, and great for food lovers exploring Silom’s sois.
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com – Bangkok | VRBO – Bangkok

Getting to Bangkok & around: Fly into Suvarnabhumi (BKK) or Don Mueang (DMK). Compare routes and fares on Trip.com flights and Kiwi.com. Regional hops (e.g., Singapore/Ho Chi Minh) are often $60–$180 one-way; long-haul from the U.S./Europe typically $750–$1,300 round-trip when booked early. Airport Rail Link to Phaya Thai takes ~30–35 minutes (~THB 45); taxis to downtown run ~45–60 minutes depending on traffic (~THB 300–500 plus tolls). For intercity rail in Thailand, see Trip.com trains.

Day 1: Old Town Welcome, River Sunset, and Night Tuk-Tuks

Morning: In transit. If landing early, drop bags and refresh with a light Thai iced tea and pandan custard toast at On Lok Yun (a 1930s diner) or a flat white at Blue Whale Cafe near Wat Pho (famous for the butterfly pea latte).

Afternoon: Ease into Bangkok with a stroll up Wat Saket’s Golden Mount for a 360° city view and ringing prayer bells. Wander atmospheric lanes to Talat Noi for Sino-Thai shophouses and street art; pop into a specialty roaster like Brave Roasters for a cold brew.

Evening: Join a small-group tuk-tuk adventure to eat and sightsee after dark—cooler air, fewer crowds, and neon magic.

Recommended experience: Bangkok by Night: Temples, Markets and Food Tuk-Tuk Tour (about 4 hours). Taste late-night bites, see illuminated temples, and learn local lore with a guide.

Pre- or post-tour dinner ideas along the river: Supanniga Eating Room (Tha Tien) for northeastern Thai with a view, or The Deck by Arun Residence for grilled river prawns facing Wat Arun’s sparkling prang. Nightcap: Tep Bar in the old town for heritage Thai herb cocktails and live traditional tunes.

Day 2: Royal Bangkok—Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun

Morning: Beat the heat and join a guided temple circuit—proper attire required (shoulders and knees covered). This takes the guesswork out of tickets, navigation, and etiquette.

Recommended experience: Bangkok Highlights: Grand Palace & Three Famous Temples. Visit the Royal Grand Palace & Emerald Buddha, Wat Pho’s Reclining Buddha, and Wat Arun’s riverside chedis with a local expert.

Afternoon: Refuel near the river: Rongros serves refined Thai plates with postcard views; Steve Café & Cuisine offers homestyle curries and crispy catfish salad. If you didn’t on the tour, get a traditional Thai massage at Wat Pho’s massage school—unhurried and excellent.

Evening: Glide up to a rooftop for sunset—Octave Rooftop (Thonglor) sweeps 360°, while Mahanakhon SkyBar pairs views with cocktails. Later, dive into Yaowarat (Chinatown): slurp peppery guay jub at Guay Jub Mr. Joe, try oyster omelets at Nai Mong Hoi Thod, and finish with mango sticky rice at Kor Panich (a beloved institution).

Day 3: Floating Markets & Canals, Art & Night Market Grazing

Morning: Rise early for a classic duo: the Maeklong Railway Market where vendors pull back awnings as the train rolls through, and the Damnoen Saduak floating market where canal boats brim with tropical fruit.

Recommended experience: Bangkok: Floating Market and Train Market Experience. Expect an early pickup and a well-paced half day; bring small bills for snacks.

Afternoon: Back in town, choose culture-with-aircon: Jim Thompson House (silk merchant’s teak compound) then the Bangkok Art & Culture Centre (rotating contemporary exhibitions). Coffee break at Gallery Drip Coffee for precise pour-overs. If it’s a weekend, detour to Chatuchak Market for handicrafts, vintage tees, and clay pot noodles.

Evening: Snack and shop at JODD FAIRS (Rama 9 or DanNeramit): try grilled squid, moo ping (pork skewers), and Thai milk tea. If you prefer a seated dinner, book Le Du (modern Thai, Michelin-star) or Nahm (elegant, heritage flavors). Finish with a late cocktail at Teens of Thailand (gin-focused) or Asia Today (local botanicals).

Day 4: Green City Stroll, Modern Malls, and a River Dinner Cruise

Morning: Walk the elevated skywalks of Benjakitti Forest Park for skyline-meets-wetlands views. Brunch at Luka (Sathorn) for quality coffee, brioche French toast, and Thai-inspired scrambles; or hit Sarnies (Charoen Krung) for artisan sandwiches and cold brew.

Afternoon: Shop and sightsee in Siam: explore CentralWorld and Siam Square, then step into the Erawan Shrine to witness flower garlands and classical dance. Treat yourself to a 90-minute massage—Perception Blind Massage (excellent therapists) or Health Land Asok (great value and consistent).

Evening: Toast your final night on the water with a two-hour dinner cruise—watch the Grand Palace and Wat Arun glow as you dine.

Recommended experience: The Newest Luxury 5-Star Bangkok Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise. Arrive 20–30 minutes early for boarding; smart-casual dress fits the mood.

Alternate/Add-On (fits Day 1 afternoon or Day 3 afternoon): Thonburi Canal Ride

See the city’s quieter side by longtail boat—stilt houses, orchid-laced porches, and the Artist House (Baan Silapin) with occasional puppet shows.

Recommended experience: Bangkok Canal Tour: 2-Hour Longtail Boat Ride. It’s an easy, photogenic glide through living waterways.

Local dining guide (bookmark-worthy):

• Breakfast & coffee: Blue Whale Cafe (butterfly pea latte near Wat Pho); Sarnies (sourdough sandwiches, house-roasted coffee); Brave Roasters (specialty roasts); Luka (creative brunch).
• Lunch classics: Krua Apsorn (royal-style crab omelet, green curry); Somtum Der (Isan papaya salad and grilled chicken); Thipsamai (old-school pad thai with river shrimp).
• Dinner hits: Supanniga Eating Room (Isan and Trat recipes), Le Du (modern Thai tasting menu), Nahm (heritage Thai), Rongros (river-view Thai), The Deck (romantic Wat Arun vistas).
• Sweet stops: Kor Panich (mango sticky rice), Nai Mong Hoi Thod (oyster omelets with crisp edges), coconut ice cream at Chatuchak on weekends.
• Rooftops & bars: Octave Rooftop, Mahanakhon SkyBar, Tep Bar (traditional spirits), Teens of Thailand (gin), Asia Today (Thai botanicals).

Getting around daily: The BTS/MRT cover most sights in Sukhumvit/Silom/Siam (fares ~THB 16–59). Chao Phraya Express Boat connects river sights (tourist pass available at piers). Taxis/Grab are plentiful; insist on the meter. Traffic peaks 8–10 a.m. and 5–8 p.m.—plan boats or trains during those windows.

Where this itinerary shines: it clusters temples and river sights to minimize backtracking, layers in food-forward nights when the city truly hums, and leaves pockets of downtime for massage or pool time. It’s the Bangkok locals love—historic, hungry, and always near the water.

Ready to book flights or tweak dates? Compare options on Trip.com flights and Kiwi.com, then lock in a riverside stay via Hotels.com or a spacious apartment on VRBO.

Summary: Four days in Bangkok can hold multitudes—gold-leafed temples in the morning, canals and markets by day, and sizzling street food under midnight neon. With this plan, you’ll see the royal heart, the riverside soul, and the delicious everyday in between.