Bangkok—Krung Thep, “City of Angels”—has been Thailand’s capital since 1782, when King Rama I built the Grand Palace along the Chao Phraya River. Today it’s a kinetic blend of gold-tipped temples, cutting-edge galleries, and neighborhood markets where recipes are honed over generations.

Fun fact: Bangkok’s ceremonial name holds a Guinness World Record for length. Another truth locals know well—life here flows along canals (klongs), ferries, and food stalls; the river is both highway and stage. Expect a city that rewards early starts, flexible plans, and the courage to follow your nose.

Practical notes: Temples require modest dress (covered shoulders/knees). Carry small bills for boats and street food. The BTS/MRT beat traffic; taxis are inexpensive but ask for the meter. Spicy is the default, but everything’s adjustable. Hydrate, chase shade, and schedule indoor breaks in the midday heat.

Bangkok

Bangkok dazzles with contrasts: the Emerald Buddha’s calm, Yaowarat’s blazing neon, 19th-century shophouses reborn as coffee bars, and tuk-tuks threading lanes that still smell of incense and wok fire. Come for the temples; stay for the klongs, jazz bars, and midnight bowls of noodles.

• Top sights: Grand Palace, Wat Pho’s Reclining Buddha, Wat Arun’s porcelain spires, Jim Thompson House, Bangkok National Museum, and the river ferries.
• Don’t miss: A longtail-boat ride through canals, a weekend roam at Chatuchak Market, a traditional Thai massage, and a rooftop sunset.
• Food highlights: Pad Thai at Thip Samai, peppery basil stir-fries, Chinatown’s oyster omelets and peppery noodles, Isan grilled chicken and som tam, and mango sticky rice.

Where to stay (book with confidence):

• Iconic luxury by the river: Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok — history-soaked service and a legendary Author’s Lounge.
• Design-forward sanctuary: The Siam Hotel — Bill Bensley design, private river pier, serene gardens.
• Resort feel in the city: Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort — lush grounds, complimentary boat to the Skytrain.
• Boutique/heritage: Niras Bankoc Cultural Hostel — vintage teak vibes near the Old City.
• Social budget stay: Lub d Bangkok Siam — steps from BTS National Stadium, great for shoppers and museum-goers.
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com – Bangkok and VRBO – Bangkok.

Getting in and around:

• Flights: Compare fares to Suvarnabhumi (BKK) or Don Mueang (DMK) on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. From BKK, taxi to riverside or Sukhumvit is ~45–60 minutes (THB 350–600 including tolls); Airport Rail Link to Phaya Thai runs ~30 minutes (THB 45).
• Local transport: BTS/MRT fares typically THB 16–59 per ride; river ferries (Orange Flag) ~THB 16–30. Avoid rush-hour road traffic when possible.
• Trains (Thailand): For intercity routes like Ayutthaya or Kanchanaburi, check schedules on Trip.com Trains.

Day 1: Arrival, River Orientation, and Old Bangkok Flavors

Afternoon: Land in Bangkok and transfer to your hotel. Freshen up, then ride the BTS to Saphan Taksin and hop the Orange Flag river boat—glide past warehouses turned galleries and bell-ringing temples for a first feel of the Chao Phraya.

Evening: Dinner by the river at Supanniga Tha Tien (heritage recipes—moo cha muang pork curry, crab fried rice) or Steve Café & Cuisine (aromatic curries, lotus-stem salads). For a view, ascend to the Mahanakhon SkyWalk near Siam/Silom for a glass-floor sunset; dress smart if you choose a rooftop cocktail afterward.

Night: Toast your first night with Thai-forward cocktails at Tropic City (tropical rums, Thai fruit infusions) or a mellow jazz set at Smalls. If jetlag hits, keep it gentle with mango sticky rice from a late-night stall.

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

Morning: Arrive early at the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (dress codes enforced). Beat the heat and crowds, then consider a guided temple circuit to add context and streamline routing:

Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho and Wat Arun Walking Tour From Bangkok

Lunch: Krua Apsorn (Dinso Road) for royal-style Thai—crab omelet, stir-fried ivy gourd, and yellow curry with lotus stems. Alternatively, Raan Jay Fai (book or queue) for wok-fired crab omelet, a Michelin-lauded icon.

Afternoon: Stroll to Wat Pho’s Reclining Buddha, then book a traditional massage at the temple’s famed school. Cross the river by ferry to Wat Arun to admire its glazed tiles up close.

Evening: Feast in Chinatown (Yaowarat): Nai Mong Hoy Tod for oyster omelet; Nai Ek Roll Noodles for peppery guay jub; T&K Seafood for wok-charred prawns. Cap with a gin at Teens of Thailand or a herbaceous sip at Tep Bar with live khon music.

Day 3: Canal Life, Art & Design, and a Jazz Nightcap

Morning: Drift through Bangkok’s klongs on a nimble longtail to see stilt houses, shrines, and waterside markets. This small-group route hits quieter waterways and the Big Buddha:

Hidden Bangkok Longtail Boat Tour to Big Buddha&Canal Life 2hrs

Breakfast/coffee: Before or after the ride, sip a butterfly pea latte at Blue Whale near Wat Arun or grab a flat white at Sarnies Bang Rak in a restored shophouse.

Afternoon: Explore Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (contemporary Thai art) and the Jim Thompson House (silk, teak architecture). Cool down with award-winning pours at Factory Coffee (try the nitro or signature affogato).

Evening: Dinner at Jeh O Chula (famous tom yum “mama” noodles with crispy pork—go early for a number) or Nahm for refined regional Thai tasting menus. Catch live music at SoulBar in Talad Noi or slide back to Smalls for late-night jazz.

Day 4: Day Trip to Ayutthaya—UNESCO Ruins and River History

Trade skyscrapers for 14th–18th-century Siam. This small-group tour is efficient and story-rich, covering the key temples and a river perspective:

UNESCO's Ayutthaya Historical Park: Full-Day Tour from Bangkok

Expect pickups ~7:30–8:00 a.m., 1.5 hours by road, visits to Wat Mahathat (Buddha head entwined in roots), Wat Phra Si Sanphet, and Wat Chaiwatthanaram, often with a boat ride. Try river prawns for lunch—grilled with chili-lime dip. Return by late afternoon; refresh and enjoy an easy dinner near your hotel.

Day 5: Markets on the Move—Floating Market and Railway Market, Then Night Bites

Morning–Afternoon Tour: See a train slice through a market, then float past canal vendors in wooden boats—touristy but truly unique. Early start, back early afternoon:

Bangkok: Floating Market and Train Market Experience

Evening: Wander Jodd Fairs Night Market (Rama 9) for trendy Thai street eats—grilled squid, khao soi, “leng saap” spicy pork bone soup, and Thai tea soft-serve. If you prefer vintage vibes, head to Srinakarin Train Night Market (Thu–Sun) for antiques and barbershop bars.

Late drinks: Rooftop detour to Sky Bar at Lebua (film-famous) or a refined dram at BKK Social Club (art deco glamour) before turning in.

Day 6: Old Lanes, New Creativity—Charoen Krung, Talad Noi, ICONSIAM

Morning: Explore Talad Noi’s labyrinth of street art and engine-part yards—the city’s most photogenic tangle. Breakfast at On Lok Yun (since the 1930s; Thai-American plates, kaya toast) or a croissant at Patongo shops nearby.

Lunch: Prachak Roasted Duck (since 1909) on Charoen Krung—order duck over rice with a side of crispy pork and pickled greens. Or Phed Mark for a fiery pad kra pao with runny egg (choose spice level).

Afternoon: Browse Warehouse 30’s boutiques, then cool off at ICONSIAM—Thailand’s most ambitious mall—with an indoor Thai “floating market” food zone to sample northern sausages, kanom jeen curries, and coconut ice cream.

Evening: Consider a Muay Thai bout at Rajadamnern Stadium for a quintessential cultural rush (go for ringside if you want to feel the footwork). Celebrate after with inventive Thai botanicals at Asia Today or classic cocktails at Rabbit Hole in Thonglor.

Day 7: Flowers, Boat Noodles, and Farewell

Morning: Wander Pak Khlong Talat, the 24-hour flower market—pyramids of marigolds and jasmine garlands scent the lanes. Breakfast nearby with Thai rice congee or grab a last iced coffee and pandan custard bun.

Late morning/lunch: Victory Monument boat noodles—tiny bowls of intense broth; stack them high and finish with crispy pork skins. If shopping calls, make a quick stop at Siam Paragon for last-minute gifts.

Afternoon departure: Taxi or Airport Rail Link to BKK. Aim to leave your hotel ~4 hours before an international flight during peak times; traffic can surprise even locals.

Optional add-ons and swaps (if you want more):

• Hands-on cooking class: Learn curry pastes and wok technique; great midday indoor activity.
• Erawan National Park day trip: Turquoise-tiered waterfalls plus WWII history in Kanchanaburi—best for cooler months.
• Chatuchak Weekend Market: If your Day 5 is a Sat/Sun, start here for ceramics, plants, and emerging Thai designers; refuel with coconut ice cream.

Another excellent guided option for city highlights (full-day, private):

Private Full Day Bangkok City Tour

Bangkok rewards wanderers and planners alike. Across seven days, you’ll trace royal splendor, taste your way through alleys and night markets, and ride the waterways that built the city. Leave space for serendipity—Bangkok’s best moments often arrive on the steam of a street-side wok.