Thailand—known as the Land of Smiles—has welcomed travelers for centuries with gilded temples, aromatic street food, and islands that look painted by the sun. Once the powerful Kingdom of Ayutthaya and later the Rattanakosin capital, Thailand blends courtly traditions with a lively, contemporary energy.

In seven days, you’ll savor Bangkok’s riverfront palaces and markets before flying south to Phuket’s jade hills and Andaman Sea. Expect standout experiences: temple hopping at Wat Pho and Wat Arun, a canal ride on a long-tail boat, a day in UNESCO-listed Ayutthaya, and a speedboat adventure to Phi Phi or limestone caves in Phang Nga Bay.

Practical notes: temples require shoulders and knees covered; watch out for the common “Grand Palace is closed” scam; use Grab for rides; and carry small bills for markets. Dry season (Nov–Apr) is ideal, while May–Oct brings quick tropical showers. Book regional flights with Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com, and trains within Thailand on Trip.com Trains.

Bangkok

Bangkok is Thailand’s electric capital: sacred stupas shine beside neon night markets, and century-old shophouses neighbor designer malls. The Chao Phraya River is the city’s spine—ride ferries to temples, canals, and creative districts like Charoen Krung.

Top sights include the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (home of the Emerald Buddha), reclining Buddha at Wat Pho, sunrise spires at Wat Arun, and the sky-high King Power Mahanakhon. Don’t miss a khlong (canal) ride to see waterside life and the Artist House at Khlong Bang Luang.

Where to stay: Riverside for views and heritage, Old Town for culture at your doorstep, or Sukhumvit for nightlife and BTS access. Browse stays on VRBO Bangkok or compare hotels on Hotels.com Bangkok.

• Coffee & breakfast: Sarnies (Charoen Krung) for flat whites and kaya toast; On Lok Yun (Old Town) for retro Thai-American breakfasts; Roast (EmQuartier) for ricotta pancakes.
• Lunch favorites: Krua Apsorn (royal-style Thai—try crab omelet); Pe Aor Tom Yum Kung Noodle (rich tom yum); Boat noodles at Victory Monument.
• Dinner and night: Supanniga Eating Room (Isan and Eastern Thai classics); Jay Fai (Michelin-star street food, expect queues); Thipsamai (charcoal-fired pad thai). For views, Mahanakhon SkyBar or Sky Bar at Lebua.
• Local experiences: Weekend Chatuchak Market; Talad Rot Fai Srinakarin (vintage night market); long-tail boat through Thonburi canals; massage at Wat Pho School.

Day 1: Arrival, River Breeze, and Old Town Flavors

Morning: Fly into Bangkok (BKK or DMK). Book flights via Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Take the Airport Rail Link + BTS (fast) or Grab to your hotel.

Afternoon: Settle in, then hop on a Chao Phraya Express Boat to Tha Tien pier. Visit Wat Pho’s colossal reclining Buddha and book a 30–60 min massage at the famed school.

Evening: Early dinner at Supanniga Eating Room (river branch has sunset views). Cap the night with a drink at Mahanakhon SkyWalk for a glass-floor panorama of Bangkok’s lights.

Day 2: Grand Palace, Wat Arun, and Thonburi Canals

Morning: Dress modestly for the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew; arrive at opening (8:30 a.m.) to avoid crowds. Coffee first at Sarnies nearby.

Afternoon: Cross the ferry to Wat Arun for mosaicked spires. Then take a private long-tail boat from Tha Tien or Tha Chang for a 60–90 minute Thonburi canal ride—spot stilt houses, shrines, and the Khlong Bang Luang Artist House.

Evening: Dinner at Thipsamai (charcoal pad thai with shrimp and wrapped egg). If you have energy, stroll the flower market (Pak Khlong Talat) for midnight colors and jasmine scents.

Day 3: Markets, Modern Bangkok, and Rooftop Night

Morning: If it’s Sat/Sun, go to Chatuchak Weekend Market (homewares, vintage, plants); otherwise visit Or Tor Kor Market for pristine fruit and curry pastes. Breakfast at On Lok Yun or Roast (EmQuartier).

Afternoon: Explore Charoen Krung’s creative stretch—galleries and heritage shophouses. Coffee at Warehouse 30 or Sarnies. Alternatively, mall-hop at ICONSIAM for Thai brands and river views.

Evening: Try Jay Fai (book or queue early; crab omelet is iconic) or Krua Apsorn for a calmer dinner. After, ride a tuk-tuk to Sky Bar at Lebua for a classic golden-hour cocktail.

Day 4: Day Trip to Ayutthaya (UNESCO Heritage)

Morning: Depart early by train from Hua Lamphong or Krung Thep Aphiwat (1.5–2 hrs; ~$1–6). Check schedules and book via Trip.com Trains. Rent bikes or hire a tuk-tuk circuit in Ayutthaya.

Afternoon: Visit Wat Mahathat (Buddha head in tree roots), Wat Ratchaburana, and the towering prang of Wat Chaiwatthanaram. Lunch on boat noodles or river prawns at a local riverside shop.

Evening: Return to Bangkok. Dinner near your hotel; consider a night market like Talad Rot Fai (Fri–Sun) for vintage stalls, snacks, and live music.

Phuket

Phuket is the Andaman’s gateway: rainbow-hued Sino-Portuguese mansions in Old Town, sugar-soft beaches, and water as clear as blown glass. Inland, rubber plantations and viewpoints give sweeping horizons; offshore, karst towers rise from emerald bays.

Spend days between Kata, Karon, or Nai Harn beaches, then dive into Old Town’s food scene. Choose a boat day: Phi Phi and Bamboo Island for aquamarine lagoons, or Phang Nga Bay for sea caves and James Bond’s craggy pinnacle.

Where to stay: Patong for nightlife, Kata/Karon for balanced beach time, Kamala/Surin for quieter coves, or Old Town for culture. See options on VRBO Phuket and Hotels.com Phuket.

• Coffee & sweets: Campus Coffee Roaster (expert brews), The Feelsion Café (Instagrammable Thai desserts), Torry’s Ice Cream (local flavors like Phuket pineapple).
• Local eats: One Chun Café & Restaurant (southern Thai—order crab curry with vermicelli), Raya Restaurant (blue crab curry, slow-braised pork), Tu Kab Khao (spicy moo hong and crispy shrimp paste rice).
• Seafood: Laem Hin Seafood (pier-side, pick your catch), Mor Mu Dong (rustic huts over mangroves, beloved by locals).
• Sunset sips: Kata Rocks bar for sea views; beach shack cocktails on Kata or Karon for toes-in-sand simplicity.

Day 5: Fly South to Phuket, Old Town Wander

Morning: Fly Bangkok to Phuket (1h20–1h30; ~$35–90 low-cost carriers). Compare fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Grab from HKT to your hotel (45–70 min depending on beach).

Afternoon: Explore Phuket Old Town: Thalang and Dibuk Roads’ pastel shophouses, Peranakan mansions, and street murals. Coffee at Campus Coffee Roaster; snack on roti at Roti Chaofa.

Evening: Dinner at One Chun—southern flavors with a lively, vintage vibe. If Sunday, stroll the Lard Yai Walking Street Market for crafts, satay, and music.

Day 6: Island-Hopping Adventure (Choose Your Bay)

Morning: Option A: Phi Phi & Bamboo Island speedboat (8 a.m.–5 p.m.; ~$75–120 including snorkel gear, lunch). Swim at Pileh Lagoon and relax on Bamboo’s white sands. Option B: Phang Nga Bay & Hong Island canoes (8 a.m.–4 p.m.; ~$70–110) for sea caves, mangroves, and James Bond Island.

Afternoon: Continue snorkeling or sea-cave paddling. Look for clownfish in coral gardens and soaring sea eagles above karst towers.

Evening: Back on Phuket, celebrate with seafood at Laem Hin or rustic Mor Mu Dong. Toast sunset on Kata Beach with a fresh coconut or a chilled Singha.

Day 7: Beach Morning, Big Buddha, and Departure

Morning: Slow start on Kata or Nai Harn Beach—swim or paddleboard. Swing by the 45-meter Big Buddha for panoramic island views; stop at Wat Chalong for Phuket’s spiritual heart.

Afternoon: Quick lunch at Tu Kab Khao or Raya (if staying in town), then head to HKT for your flight. Search return flights via Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Evening: Departure day—if time allows, pick up Phuket pineapple cakes or local cashews as edible souvenirs.

Getting Between Cities and Around

• Bangkok ⇄ Phuket: Frequent flights (~1h25; ~$35–90). Book on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.
• Bangkok local transport: BTS/MRT for speed; river ferries for sights; Grab for door-to-door. Avoid rush hour gridlock when possible.
• Phuket local transport: Grab or Bolt; blue songthaews run between Phuket Town and beaches (daytime). Hotel shuttles are common along Kata/Karon/Patong.

Seven days in Thailand can hold multitudes: shimmering palaces, sizzling woks, canal breezes, and island horizons. With Bangkok’s cultural pulse and Phuket’s salt-kissed calm, this itinerary balances adventure and ease—leaving just enough unscripted time for serendipity and second helpings.