Thailand rewards the curious. In Bangkok, gilded stupas share streets with sizzling woks and century-old shophouses, while express boats slice down khlong canals that once earned the city the nickname “Venice of the East.” The capital’s story stretches from Ayutthaya’s royal legacy to modern creativity—best tasted one bite of pad kra pao at a time.

Fly south to Phuket and the palette shifts to emerald seas, rainforest hills, and karst towers straight from a movie poster. Old Town mansions whisper of Chinese-Portuguese traders; beach clubs and fishing longtails share the same horizon. Offshore, Phi Phi and Phang Nga Bay promise snorkeling, sea caves, and painterly sunsets.

Practical notes: Dress modestly for temples (shoulders/knees covered). Bangkok is walkable in pockets—most hops are easiest on BTS/MRT and river boats; in Phuket, plan on taxis, app rides, or hotel shuttles. Best season runs November–April for calmer seas. Street food is safe at busy stalls; carry cash for markets. Always choose ethical elephant experiences.

Bangkok

Bangkok dazzles with contrasts: the emerald Buddha at the Grand Palace, sunrise bells at Wat Arun, and Michelin-rated street carts by dusk. The Chao Phraya River is your compass; ferries and longtails deliver you to shimmering temples and artist enclaves in Thonburi.

• Top sights: Grand Palace, Wat Pho’s Reclining Buddha, Wat Arun, Chinatown’s Yaowarat Road, Jim Thompson House, and canal neighborhoods in Thonburi.
• Food to chase: Thip Samai for charcoal-fired pad thai; Jay Fai for wok-seared crab omelet; Phed Mark for fiery basil stir-fry; Pe Aor for tom yum with giant prawns.
• Nightlife: Rooftops like Sky Bar (Lebua) for river views; Tropic City and Teens of Thailand for award-winning cocktails; Talat Rot Fai for vintage markets and snacks.

Where to stay (Bangkok): Riverside for views and boat access; Old Town for temples; Siam/Sukhumvit for malls and BTS.

• Search stays: VRBO Bangkok | Hotels.com Bangkok
• Editor’s picks: Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok (legendary service, riverside); The Siam Hotel (art deco villa vibes); Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort (family-friendly pools); Lub d Bangkok Siam or Niras Bankoc Cultural Hostel (budget-chic near Old Town).

Getting there: Fly into Suvarnabhumi (BKK) or Don Mueang (DMK). Compare fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Airport Rail Link to downtown (~35 minutes, ~45–60 THB) or taxi (45–70 minutes, ~300–500 THB plus tolls).

Day 1: Arrival, River Breezes, and Night Tuk-Tuk Eats

Afternoon: Land in Bangkok and check in. Shake off jet lag with a breezy Chao Phraya ferry hop between Saphan Taksin and Tha Tien to frame the city’s skyline. Coffee at Sarnies (roastery in a restored shophouse) or On Lok Yun (old-school Thai breakfast spot that also does an excellent iced coffee).

Evening: Hop aboard this award-winning night tour to see temples glow and markets buzz while you graze your way through dinner by tuk-tuk.

Bangkok by Night: Temples, Markets and Food Tuk-Tuk Tour

Post-tour drink options: BKK Social Club (Four Seasons; Latin-leaning cocktails), Tropic City (tropical classics), or a nightcap at your hotel bar. Early night is wise—tomorrow starts with royalty.

Day 2: Royal Bangkok, River Crossings, and Rooftop Views

Morning: Cover three icons with a licensed guide—palace etiquette, hidden symbolism, and photo stops included.

Bangkok Royal Road - Top 3 Major Monuments (Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun)

Lunch nearby: Thip Samai for classic pad thai (try the “superb” egg-wrapped version), or Err Urban Rustic Thai for small plates like river prawn “miang” and heritage sausages.

Afternoon: DIY khlong cruise: from Tha Tien, hire a longtail into Thonburi’s canals (1–2 hours) to pass stilt homes, orchid-laced porches, and hidden temples—this is everyday Bangkok in motion.

Evening: Dinner at Nahm (refined Thai heirloom recipes) or Baan (home-style curries). Cap with a skyline view—rooftops around Sathorn/Silom shine after dusk.

Day 3: Ayutthaya—UNESCO Temples and River Heritage (Day Tour)

Trade city streets for Ayutthaya’s temple ruins, once the seat of Siamese power. Expect prang-topped vistas, head-in-tree roots at Wat Mahathat, and a riverine lunch. Hotel pickup simplifies the day.

Small Group Tour to Ayutthaya Temples from Bangkok with Lunch

Dinner back in Bangkok: Jay Fai (book or queue early; crab omelet is the icon), or Somtum Der for Isan salads with grilled chicken. If energy remains, wander Chinatown’s Yaowarat for neon, gold shops, and sesame dumplings.

Day 4: Markets, Massages, and a River Dinner Cruise

Morning: Breakfast at Pe Aor for tom yum noodles with giant prawns or at Rocket Coffeebar for Scandinavian-style coffee and pastries. Shop Chatuchak (weekends) for ceramics and Thai textiles; midweek, try ICONSIAM for crafts on SookSiam’s “floating market” floor.

Afternoon: Thai massage at Wat Pho’s Traditional Medical School or a contemporary spa; then browse Jim Thompson House for silk and teak architecture. Lunch in Siam at Inter Restaurant (beloved Thai comfort food) or Boon Tong Kiat (Hainanese chicken rice).

Evening: Glide past lit-up temples and warehouses turned galleries on a dinner cruise—buffet or set menus with live music as the river unfurls.

The Newest Luxury 5-Star Bangkok Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise

Phuket

Phuket is Thailand’s island gateway—an easy springboard to Phi Phi and Phang Nga Bay, yet rich in its own right. Old Town’s pastel Sino-Portuguese mansions hide speakeasies and Peranakan kitchens; west-coast beaches run the gamut from family-friendly Kamala to surfer-loved Kata.

• Top experiences: Island-hopping to Maya Bay and Bamboo Island, sea-kayaking limestone caves, ethical elephant sanctuaries, sunset viewpoints (Promthep Cape), and Sunday Walking Street Market in Phuket Old Town.
• Eat like a local: One Chun (southern Thai staples), Tu Kab Khao (crab curry with rice noodles), Raya (mellow yellow crab curry), and Mor Mu Dong (stilt-house seafood under nipa palms).

Where to stay (Phuket): Kamala/Kata for mellow beaches; Patong for nightlife; Mai Khao for quiet luxury.

• Search stays: VRBO Phuket | Hotels.com Phuket
• Editor’s picks: Amanpuri (discreet icon on Pansea Beach), Trisara Phuket (private-pool villas), The Shore at Katathani (adults-only villas), JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa (Mai Khao serenity), families love Sunwing Kamala Beach and Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket; budget-social at Lub d Phuket Patong.

Getting there from Bangkok (Day 5 morning): 1h25m flight, usually $35–$120 one-way. Compare on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Phuket airport to west-coast beaches is ~45–70 minutes by taxi (about 700–900 THB).

Day 5: Bangkok → Phuket, Old Town Flavors, Sunset on the Water

Morning: Fly BKK/DMK → HKT. Check in and grab a southern Thai lunch: One Chun (try moo hong, a sweet-spiced pork belly) or Raya (signature crab curry with rice vermicelli). Coffee at Campus Coffee Roasters—house-roasted beans in an artsy setting.

Afternoon: Explore Phuket Old Town’s mansions along Thalang Road and Soi Romanee. Pop into a Sino-Portuguese bakery for pineapple tarts. Beach time if you’re coastal—Kata and Kamala have gentler surf.

Evening: Book a sunset session at this floating beach club—pool, cocktails, and DJ sets with a 360° sea view.

YONA Beach Club: Phuket's Most Incredible Boat Experience

Day 6: Phi Phi Islands—Turquoise Lagoons and Snorkeling (Day Trip)

Early start for a speedboat day that beats the crowds to Maya Bay, swims clear coves, and serves a seaview lunch. Guides know the best coral patches for clownfish and baby reef sharks.

Phi Phi Islands Adventure Day Trip w/ Seaview Lunch by V. Marine

Dinner back ashore: Tu Kab Khao (blue crab curry and southern “sataw” beans), or Mor Mu Dong for rustic seafood in waterside salas—order grilled fish with turmeric and wild pepper leaves.

Day 7: A Morning with Elephants, Souvenirs, and Departure

Morning: Spend a meaningful half-day with rescued elephants—no riding, just observation and gentle interactions as they roam 30 acres of forest. It’s the ethical way to meet Thailand’s gentle giants.

A Morning with the Elephants at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary

Afternoon: Quick Phuket Town souvenirs—batik, local cashews, and Peranakan desserts—before your ride to HKT (~45–70 minutes). If time allows, lunch at One Chun or a breezy beachside spot near your hotel.

Transport Tips & Booking Shortcuts

• International and domestic flights: Trip.com, Kiwi.com
• Trains in Thailand (for regional trips beyond this itinerary): Trip.com trains

Where to Eat & Drink—Handy Shortlist

• Bangkok breakfasts + coffee: On Lok Yun (heritage toast + coffee), Sarnies (flat whites, hefty sandwiches), Rocket Coffeebar (Scandi-style).
• Bangkok lunches/dinners: Thip Samai (charcoal pad thai), Baan (home-style curries), Pe Aor (tom yum noodles), Jay Fai (splurge-worthy crab omelet), Chinatown’s Yaowarat (after-dark grazing).
• Bangkok bars: BKK Social Club, Tropic City, Teens of Thailand.
• Phuket eats: One Chun, Tu Kab Khao, Raya, Mor Mu Dong; beach day grazing at Catch Beach Club or a simple grilled-chicken-and-somtam shack by Kata.

Seven days in Thailand never feels like enough, but this plan threads the best of Bangkok’s temples and street food with Phuket’s sea days and Old Town soul. You’ll head home with mango-sticky-rice cravings, a camera roll full of jade-and-gold, and salt still in your hair.