From the Chao Phraya River’s wooden stilt houses to Bali’s emerald rice terraces, Southeast Asia rewards curiosity. In a single week, you’ll trace royal Thai history at the Grand Palace, taste legendary street food, and glide by longtail boat through quiet Bangkok khlongs before trading city buzz for Ubud’s jungle air and cliff-lined coasts.

Bangkok, founded in 1782 as Thailand’s capital, pairs resplendent temples with markets that thrum late into the night. It’s a city where saffron-robed monks share lanes with noodle carts and skytrain stations; where watching Muay Thai in a classic stadium is as essential as slurping tom yum.

In Bali’s uplands, Ubud has long been a magnet for artists and spiritual seekers. Hindu temples nestle among banyans, and village lanes lead to waterfalls, craft studios, and warungs serving fragrant babi guling. You’ll also hop to Nusa Penida for limestone cliffs and luminous bays—an easy day that feels like a mini expedition.

Bangkok

Bangkok is a feast for the senses: jade Buddhas, shimmering chedis, tuk-tuks weaving past Chinatown neon, and canal neighborhoods where life still spills onto wooden porches. Start riverside and work inward: Wat Arun’s porcelain petals at sunrise, the Grand Palace’s gilded halls, then an afternoon wandering alleys of talat (markets) and warehouse-chic bars along Charoen Krung.

• Top highlights: Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho’s Reclining Buddha, Wat Arun, Chao Phraya ferries, Talat Noi street art, Chinatown (Yaowarat) eats.
• Dining to know: Thipsamai (classic Pad Thai cooked over charcoal), Krua Apsorn (royal-style Thai—crab omelet), Nai Mong Hoi Thod (crispy oyster omelet), and sweet roti or mango sticky rice along Yaowarat.
• Coffee breaks: Gallery Drip Coffee (near BACC) for hand-pour, Blue Whale (near Wat Pho) for butterfly pea lattes, %Arabica at ICONSIAM for river views.

Where to stay (Bangkok):

• Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok — storied riverfront grande dame with legendary service and a teak Authors’ Wing.
• Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort — resort-style escape on the Chao Phraya with boat shuttle.
• The Siam Hotel — art deco oasis with private river pier and curated antiques.
• Lub d Bangkok Siam — budget-friendly, steps from the BTS and malls; great for first-timers.
• Niras Bankoc Cultural Hostel — heritage stay near the Old City; ideal for temple days.
• Lub d Bangkok Silom — sociable base with easy access to street eats and the river.
• VRBO apartments in Bangkok and Hotels.com Bangkok stays — compare riverfront icons and BTS-adjacent hotels.

Getting there & around: Fly into BKK or DMK—search fares on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com (flights). For regional rail (e.g., Ayutthaya), see Trip.com (trains). Use BTS/MRT, river boats, and Grab for easy moves.

Not-to-miss experiences (Bangkok):

• Hidden Bangkok Longtail Boat Tour to Big Buddha & Canal Life (2 hrs) — a photogenic glide through khlong culture.

  

• Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho and Wat Arun Walking Tour — history-rich, efficient temple day.

  

• Muay Thai at Rajadamnern Stadium — electrifying fight night in the sport’s historic arena.

  

• Heritage Tour in Ayutthaya by Cruise — UNESCO ruins, river scenery, and temples of ancient Siam.

  

Day 1: Arrive in Bangkok

Morning: In transit to Thailand. If arriving early, freshen up at your hotel and hydrate; Bangkok’s tropical heat can surprise first-timers.

Afternoon: Check in and wander the riverfront. Grab a hand-pour at Gallery Drip Coffee near the Bangkok Art & Culture Centre, then ride the orange-flag boat for skyline views. Snack on coconut ice cream from ferry piers.

Evening: Take the Hidden Bangkok Longtail Boat Tour at golden hour for calm canals and stilted houses. Dine with Wat Arun views at The Deck by Arun Residence (Thai classics; book a terrace table) or riverside Supanniga Eating Room x Roots (Isan flavors, som tam, and moo krob). Nightcap at Sala Rattanakosin Rooftop—temple spires glow across the water.

Day 2: Royal Bangkok, Street Food, and Muay Thai

Morning: Join the Grand Palace & Temples Walking Tour. Dress modestly (shoulders/knees covered). Don’t miss Wat Pho’s massage school for a restorative foot massage after the Reclining Buddha.

Afternoon: Lunch near the Old City: Thipsamai for charcoal-kissed Pad Thai, or Krua Apsorn for crab omelet and stir-fried lotus stems—royal recipes in a humble setting. Coffee at Blue Whale (try the indigo latte) and a stroll through Talat Noi’s shophouse lanes and street art.

Evening: Book ringside for Muay Thai at Rajadamnern Stadium. Pre-fight bites at Nai Mong Hoi Thod (crispy oyster omelet) or Yaowarat dim sum stalls, then toast the night with a gin-based cocktail at Teens of Thailand on Soi Nana (Chinatown’s bar street).

Day 3: Ayutthaya Day Trip by River

Spend the day on the Ayutthaya Heritage Tour by Cruise. Walk among headless Buddhas and prang towers, learn how this 14th–18th century capital shaped modern Siam, and glide back to Bangkok with lunch aboard, passing riverfront life. On return, dine at Somtum Der (Isan grilled chicken, papaya salads) or Pe Aor for the city’s cult tom yum goong. Turn in early—tomorrow is your island hop.

Ubud (Bali)

Ubud is Bali’s cultural heartbeat—temple courtyards draped in canang sari offerings, artists’ compounds tucked down lanes, and rice terraces stepping into the distance. Mornings bring mist over the Campuhan Ridge; afternoons end beneath waterfalls like Tegenungan or Kanto Lampo.

• Top highlights: Ubud Monkey Forest, Tegallalang Rice Terrace, Tirta Empul water temple, craft villages (Mas woodcarving, Celuk silversmithing), waterfalls, and the Campuhan Ridge Walk.
• Dining to know: Warung Bintangbali (sunset rice-field views), Ibu Oka (babi guling), Room 4 Dessert (inventive sweets and garden drinks), Clear Café (colorful bowls, fresh juices), and Seniman Coffee Studio (island-roasted beans).
• Good to know: Offerings on sidewalks are sacred—step around them. Carry a sarong for temple visits.

Where to stay (Ubud & Bali):

• Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan — a jungle ring-shaped sanctuary above the Ayung River; one of Asia’s most iconic stays.
• Puri Garden Hotel & Hostel — social yet serene Ubud base with pool and daily activities.
• The St. Regis Bali Resort — if you add a beach night in Nusa Dua, this is the benchmark for service and sand.
• M Boutique Hostel — Seminyak budget favorite near cafés and the beach (good if you extend south).
• VRBO villas in Ubud and Hotels.com Ubud stays — from rice-field pool villas to boutique retreats.

Getting there & around: Fly Bangkok (BKK/DMK) to Denpasar (DPS), ~4h15 nonstop or ~6–7h with a short connection. Search on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com (flights). Private transfers Ubud–DPS take 1.5–2 hours depending on traffic.

Not-to-miss experiences (Ubud):

• Discover The Best of Ubud: All-Inclusive and Private Guided Tour — covers Monkey Forest, Tirta Empul, Tegallalang, and a waterfall in one polished day.

  

• Premium All Inclusive Full Day Tour from Bali to Nusa Penida — small-group yacht, West Penida highlights, and crystalline snorkel stops.

  

Day 4: Bangkok to Bali, Ubud Sunset

Morning: Fly Bangkok to Denpasar (~4h15 nonstop; typical one-way $120–$220). Compare options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Afternoon: Private transfer to Ubud (1.5–2h). Coffee flight at Seniman Coffee Studio (single-origin Indonesian beans) and a light bite at Warung Biah Biah (nasi campur, satay lilit). Stroll the Campuhan Ridge for golden-hour photos.

Evening: Dinner at Warung Bintangbali (grilled fish, gado-gado, rice-field breeze). Cap the night with a garden cocktail and plated dessert at Room 4 Dessert—order the “Chocolate, coffee, and spice” trilogy to sample Bali cacao.

Day 5: Ubud Essentials (Full-Day Tour)

Today is your comprehensive Ubud day with the Discover The Best of Ubud: All-Inclusive and Private Guided Tour. Expect close-ups with macaques in the Monkey Forest, holy springs at Tirta Empul (bring a change of clothes if you wish to join the purification), panoramas at Tegallalang Rice Terrace, and a refreshing waterfall stop. Lunch is typically included or taken at a terrace-view warung en route. Back in town, feast at Ibu Oka (babi guling) or go plant-forward at Clear Café; finish with gelato on Jalan Raya.

Day 6: Nusa Penida Island Adventure (Full-Day Tour)

Board a small-group yacht for the Premium All Inclusive Full Day Tour to Nusa Penida. Highlights typically include Kelingking’s T-Rex cliff, Broken Beach, Angel’s Billabong, and snorkeling in clear water where turtles glide. It’s a big, beautiful day—pack sunscreen, a hat, and reef-safe lotion. On return, detour to Jimbaran for a feet-in-the-sand seafood dinner (grilled snapper, prawns, chili sambal) as lanterns flicker along the bay.

Day 7: Ubud Slow Morning & Departure

Morning: Sunrise yoga at The Yoga Barn or a gentle walk down quiet Penestanan lanes. Brunch at Alchemy (raw cacao smoothie bowls) or Yellow Flower Café (banana pancakes, jungle view). Quick shop at Ubud Art Market for handwoven baskets or ikat.

Afternoon: Check out and transfer to Denpasar Airport (allow 4 hours buffer for traffic and check-in). For onward flights, compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Evening: In transit—if you have a late flight, early dinner in Sanur (Bali’s classic seaside promenade) keeps you close to the airport without stress.

Practical Notes

• Money & tipping: Thailand uses THB; Bali uses IDR. Cash is handy at markets; cards accepted at most hotels.
• Dress code: Temples require covered shoulders and knees; carry a light sarong.
• Health: Drink bottled water; use reef-safe sunscreen for Bali’s marine sites.

At-a-glance travel between cities: Bangkok → Denpasar flight ~4h15; typical one-way $120–$220. Morning departures recommended so you still catch Ubud sunset. Search on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

This itinerary pairs Bangkok’s temple heritage, canal life, and Muay Thai energy with Ubud’s serene temples, rice terraces, and a sparkling Nusa Penida escape. You’ll taste, see, and feel two distinct cultures in one week—balanced, efficient, and full of memory-making moments.