Bangkok is a city of layers: royal palaces and riverside shrines, century-old shophouses and cutting-edge malls, canal villages and sky trains. Once a small trading post on the Chao Phraya River, it became Siam’s capital in 1782 and grew into a Southeast Asian powerhouse where old-world craftsmanship meets neon-lit nights.

Expect contrasts at every turn. Ride a longtail boat through Thonburi canals past stilted homes, then step into the gilded Grand Palace. Squeeze into a tiny shophouse for legendary pad thai, then sip a single-origin pour-over at a minimalist cafe. Markets are a way of life here—flowers at 4 a.m., vintage goods on weekends, sizzling skewers after dark.

Practical notes: Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered) for temples. Carry small bills for street food and ferries; cards are widely accepted in malls and many cafes. For smooth airport arrivals and city transport, consider the Airport Rail Link and BTS/MRT. Watch for common “too-good-to-be-true” tuk-tuk detours; if in doubt, use metered taxis or rideshares.

Bangkok

Bangkok rewards curiosity. Wander Old Town’s lanes around Rattanakosin Island, cross to Wat Arun at sunset, and get happily lost (and fed) in Chinatown. When the heat rises, retreat to cool galleries at BACC, or hunt Thai designers in Siam Square.

• Top sights: Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Jim Thompson House, Erawan Shrine, Lumphini Park, Bangkok Art & Culture Centre (BACC).
• Local life: Thonburi canals, Pak Khlong Talat flower market, Talat Phlu food lanes, Nang Loeng Market, Ari neighborhood cafes.
• Shopping: Chatuchak Weekend Market, ICONSIAM, Siam Paragon, CentralWorld, MBK, Siam Square lanes, JODD FAIRS night market.
• Eat & drink: Street stalls and shophouses like Thipsamai (pad thai), Jok Prince (coal-fired congee), Nai Mong Hoi Thod (oyster omelet), Soi Polo Fried Chicken, Pe Aor (tom yum noodles). Coffee greats include Gallery Drip Coffee (BACC), Roast (Thonglor), Sarnies (Charoen Krung), and Phil Coffee Company (Ari). For a nightcap, try Tep Bar (traditional Thai flavors) or Octave Rooftop (skyline views).
• Fun fact: The Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho stretches 46 meters—longer than a blue whale calf.

Where to stay (mid-range friendly): Base yourself in riverside Old Town for history, Silom/Sathorn for access to BTS/MRT and markets, or Sukhumvit (Asok–Thonglor) for food and nightlife. Browse stays on Hotels.com Bangkok or apartment-style options on VRBO Bangkok.

Getting there and around: Compare flights on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. For intercity trains in Thailand, check Trip.com Trains. From Suvarnabhumi Airport, the Airport Rail Link to Phaya Thai takes ~30 minutes (~45 THB); taxis to downtown are ~300–450 THB plus tolls. BTS/MRT rides average ~30–50 THB; grab a stored-value Rabbit card for convenience.

Day 1: Arrival, Riverside Stroll, and First Bites

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off jet lag with an easy Chao Phraya ferry ride from Sathorn Pier to Tha Tien—river breezes and postcard views of Wat Arun. Coffee at Blue Whale (Thai tea latte art) or Sarnies (house-roasted beans and hearty sandwiches) on Charoen Krung.

Evening: Explore Tha Tien and Tha Phra Chan lanes. Dinner suggestions: Supanniga Eating Room by the river (Isan staples; try moo chamuang and crab omelet), The Deck by Arun Residence (Thai classics with sunset views), or Soi Polo Fried Chicken (legendary crispy bird with spicy nam jim sauce). Nightcap at Eagle’s Nest or 342 Bar for wallet-friendly views across to Wat Arun.

Day 2: Royal Bangkok, Wat Pho Massage, and Night Tuk-Tuk Eats

Morning: Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew at opening time to beat crowds (modest dress required). Continue to Wat Pho to admire the 46 m Reclining Buddha; book a 30–60 min traditional massage at the adjacent school (excellent value).

Afternoon: Cross the river to Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn); climb the prang for city vistas. Lunch at Roti Mataba (flaky roti, massaman curry) or Krua Apsorn (royal-approved crab dishes). Coffee and cool-down at Little Pea or Gallery Drip Coffee (inside BACC) if you head toward Siam.

Evening: Hop aboard an award-winning tuk-tuk tour for temples, markets, and street eats after dark—a perfect, delicious orientation to Bangkok nightlife.

Bangkok by Night: Temples, Markets and Food Tuk-Tuk Tour — an evening of tastings, temple glows, and lively markets guided by a local expert.

Day 3: Thonburi Canals and Artist Village + Local Food Lanes

Morning: Glide through Bangkok’s quieter side on a longtail boat. You’ll pass teak houses, spirit houses, and waterside shrines and step into an artist community tucked along the klongs.

Bangkok Canal Boat Tour: Big Buddha & Artist Village (2 hrs) — a gentle, photogenic ride into everyday canal life.

Afternoon: Wander Khlong Bang Luang’s Baan Silapin (Artist’s House); sip an iced coffee by the water. Head to Talat Phlu for lunch: look for moo krob (crispy pork), kuay jab (peppery rolled noodles), and pandan custard desserts.

Evening: Chinatown (Yaowarat) street food crawl. Try Nai Mong Hoi Thod (oyster omelet), T&K Seafood (green sign corner shophouse), Sweettime for Thai desserts, and a herbal drink stand to cool off. For cocktails with Thai botanicals and live music, drop into Tep Bar nearby.

Day 4: Day Trip to UNESCO Ayutthaya

Spend a full day among Siam’s former royal ruins—crenellated prangs, headless Buddhas entwined with roots, and riverside stupas that glow at golden hour. Travel time is ~1.5 hours each way.

UNESCO’s Ayutthaya Historical Park: Full-Day Tour — a small-group trip covering Wat Mahathat’s tree-root Buddha, Wat Phra Si Sanphet, and riverside temples with historical context.

Back in Bangkok, soothe your feet with a foot massage (Health Land or a reputable local spa, ~350–700 THB) and slurp boat noodles near Victory Monument or tom yum goong at Pe Aor (big bowls with grilled river prawns).

Day 5: Markets, Coffee Hopping, and Modern Malls

Morning: If it’s a weekend, hit Chatuchak Weekend Market early (homewares, Thai crafts, vintage; hydrate often). On weekdays, browse Or Tor Kor market (premium produce and snacks) then walk to Chatuchak Park for shade. Coffee stop: Phil Coffee Company (Ari) or Brave Roasters, both known for Thai beans.

Afternoon: Head to Siam: explore BACC’s rotating art exhibits, then Jim Thompson House (classic teak architecture and silk history). Lunch at Som Tam Nua (papaya salad and fried chicken) or Inter Restaurant (broad Thai menu at friendly prices). Shop Siam Square’s Thai designer boutiques, then cool off at Paragon’s gourmet hall for fruit shakes and mango sticky rice.

Evening: JODD FAIRS night market (Rama 9 or DanNeramit): try grilled pork skewers, lava omelets, moo ping with sticky rice, and coconut ice cream in a husk. If you prefer riverfront ambience, browse ICONSIAM’s SookSiam indoor floating-market vibe and catch the fountain show.

Day 6: Green Morning, Backstreets Food Tour, and Rooftop Sunset

Morning: Jog or stroll in Lumphini Park; watch the monitor lizards and tai chi groups. Coffee at Rocket Coffeebar (Scandi vibes, great eggs) or Gallery Drip Coffee at BACC for meticulous pour-overs.

Afternoon: Dive deep into hidden neighborhoods on a chef-designed food walk—ideal for curious eaters who want stories with their bites.

Bangkok Backstreets Food Tour — 15+ Tastings — expect boat noodles, curry puffs, grilled pork, and market snacks, all with neighborhood context.

Evening: Rooftop time. For views without a dress-code fuss, try Octave Rooftop (Sukhumvit 57) or Above Eleven (Peruvian-Japanese plates). Dinner options nearby: Bo.Lan’s alumni spots for Thai heritage cooking, Supanniga (Thonglor) for Eastern Thai dishes, or Phed Mark for a fiery basil-stir-fry burger.

Day 7: Flowers, Last Sips, and Departure

Morning: Early stop at Pak Khlong Talat, Bangkok’s 24-hour flower market—garlands, orchids, and marigold mountains. Grab breakfast at On Lok Yun (retro Thai-Western breakfasts, kaya toast) or Jaywalk to Sarnies for a final flat white and banana bread.

Afternoon: Souvenir picks: handwoven textiles, coconut oil soaps, Thai curry pastes, and enamelware. Depart for the airport via Airport Rail Link (~30 minutes) or taxi (allow for traffic). Check flight options or last-minute changes on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Optional add-ons (if you have extra energy)

• Temple trio DIY: Wat Suthat (majestic red swing nearby), Loha Prasat (metal spires), and Golden Mount (city panoramas).
• Thai massage workshop or spa afternoon in Sukhumvit.
• Chao Phraya dinner cruise for river lights and live music (bookable via tours; budget 2 hours in the evening).

Budget tips (aimed at 50/100 budget level)

• Transport: BTS/MRT and river ferries keep costs low; rides average ~30–50 THB. Use metered taxis or rideshare for late nights.
• Food: Shophouse meals run 60–150 THB; cafe mains 200–350 THB; mid-range dinners 300–700 THB per person (excluding drinks).
• Tickets: Grand Palace ~500 THB; Wat Pho ~200 THB; Wat Arun ~100 THB. Many markets are free—save for shopping and snacks.

Pre-book these 4 standout experiences

• 

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

• 

  Bangkok Canal Boat Tour: Big Buddha & Artist Village (2 hrs)

• 

  UNESCO’s Ayutthaya Historical Park: Full-Day Tour

• 

  Bangkok Backstreets Food Tour — 15+ Tastings

Where to book stays

• Hotels.com — Bangkok stays across Old Town, Silom/Sathorn, and Sukhumvit, from design boutiques to family-friendly hotels.
• VRBO — Bangkok apartments for longer stays and kitchen access near BTS stations.

In a week, you’ll taste Bangkok’s best: royal splendor, waterside calm, street-food fireworks, designer finds, and caffeine craftsmanship. With smart transit, mid-range dining, and these four bookable experiences, you’ll live like a local—then leave already plotting your return.