Thailand rewards the curious. Ancient kingdoms shaped its gilded wats, Portuguese traders left pastel mansions in Phuket, and modern culinary masters turned humble street carts into Michelin-lauded legends. In one week, you’ll taste Bangkok’s thrilling energy and slow down on Phuket’s warm, island-framed shores.

Bangkok began as a riverside town on the Chao Phraya; today it’s a metropolis where canal-side wooden homes coexist with sky bars and sleek malls. Phuket’s story runs through tin mining, Baba-Peranakan culture, and fishermen who still launch longtails at dawn. Together, they make a perfect city-and-sea pairing.

Practical notes: temples require modest attire (shoulders and knees covered); carry small bills for markets; Grab works well for rides. The best street food is often at stalls with long local queues. Keep hydrated, and time activities to beat midday heat.

Bangkok

Bangkok dazzles with contrasts: saffron-robed monks gliding past shimmering stupas, neon alleys pulsing with wok-fire, and quiet khlongs (canals) where time seems to pause. The Chao Phraya River is your spine—temples and old neighborhoods hug its bends.

• Top sights: Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha, Wat Pho’s Reclining Buddha, Wat Arun’s porcelain spires, Chinatown’s Yaowarat Road, and the creative lanes of Talat Noi.
• Why go: world-class street food and heritage eateries, longtail canal rides, and markets from dawn flower stalls to midnight nibbling tours.
• Good to know: start temple days early to avoid heat; use river ferries to hop between sights; always remove shoes in temple halls.

Where to stay (Bangkok): Browse stays on VRBO or Hotels.com. Handpicked options: riverfront icon Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, design-forward sanctuary The Siam Hotel, resort-feel in-town at Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort, stylish budget social stays Lub d Bangkok Siam or Lub d Bangkok Silom, and character-rich Niras Bankoc Cultural Hostel.

How to get here: Fly into BKK (Suvarnabhumi) or DMK (Don Mueang). Compare fares on Kiwi.com or Trip.com. Airport Rail Link to Phaya Thai (~30 minutes) is the fastest into town; taxis are metered—expect 45–75 minutes depending on traffic.

Day 1: Arrive, Chinatown Flavors, Bangkok by Night

Morning: Travel day. Book your flight to Bangkok on Trip.com or Kiwi.com; aim to land by early afternoon. Keep temple attire handy in your carry-on for the week (light scarf, longer pants/skirt).

Afternoon: Check in, then stretch your legs in Chinatown (Yaowarat). Snack at Nai Ek Roll Noodle (peppery pork soup) or Guay Jub Mr. Joe, and sample mango sticky rice from a street hawker—go for ripe, yellow Nam Dok Mai mangoes.

Evening: Kick off with a top-rated tuk-tuk tasting and temple circuit.

Bangkok by Night: Temples, Markets and Food Tuk-Tuk Tour — expect glowing chedi at Wat Pho, old-town bites (Isaan sausage, charcoal-grilled pork), and a spin through flower markets.

Post-tour, cap the night with a herbal drink from a traditional apothecary stand on Yaowarat or a gin at Teens of Thailand on Soi Nana (micro-bar scene hub).

Day 2: Royal Bangkok, River Views, Rooftops

Morning: Start early with a guided classic.

Bangkok Highlights: Grand Palace & Three Famous Temples — efficient, ticket-included access to the Grand Palace (Emerald Buddha), Wat Pho (traditional massage school), and Wat Arun across the river.

Afternoon: Lunch at Krua Apsorn (royal-style Thai; try crab omelet) or Thipsamai for wok-kissed pad thai. Hop a river ferry to Tha Tien, then wander Talat Noi’s street art and shrine-dotted alleys (look for the photogenic “Holy Rosary Church” area and riverside machine-parts shops).

Evening: Sunset drinks with a view—choose Mahanakhon SkyBar or the original Sky Bar (Lebua) for cinematic cityscapes. Dinner at Baan Somtum (green papaya salad variations) or Soi Polo Fried Chicken (crispy skin, fried garlic confetti). Finish with Thai tea gelato at Natthaphon.

Day 3: Canals, Creative Bangkok, Market Hopping

Morning: Explore Thonburi’s klongs by longtail boat from the Wang Lang or Tha Chang piers—glide past teak houses, floating shrines, and orchid-draped porches; ask your boatman to stop at the Artist’s House (Baan Silapin) if time allows. Coffee at Blue Whale (butterfly pea latte) near Wat Arun or Gallery Drip Coffee beside BACC.

Afternoon: If it’s a weekend, browse Chatuchak’s vintage T-shirts and ceramics; weekdays, dip into Warehouse 30 or the Bangkokian Museum for old-town charm. Lunch at Pe Aor (creamy tom yum goong noodles) or Phed Mark (fiery beef basil with runny egg).

Evening: Chinatown again, but deeper: try Nai Mong Hoi Thod (oyster omelet with crisp edges) or T&K Seafood (garlic prawns, morning glory). Bar-hop Soi Nana’s tiny shophouse bars—Ba Hao for Chinese-inspired cocktails, Asia Today for foraged Thai botanicals.

Phuket

Phuket blends jade hills, Sino-Portuguese shophouses, and a necklace of beaches from family-friendly Kamala to surfer-loved Kata. Offshore, karst towers erupt from jade water in Phang Nga Bay—among Southeast Asia’s most photogenic seascapes.

• Top experiences: ethical elephant sanctuary visits, island-hopping to sea caves and sandbars, Old Town’s Sunday Walking Street, and sunset viewpoints at Promthep Cape.
• Why go: warm, swimmable bays, outstanding southern Thai cuisine (crab curry, moo hong pork), and day cruises that time the light for jaw-dropping photos.
• When to beach: mornings are calmest; save town strolls and markets for late afternoon and cooler evenings.

Where to stay (Phuket): Compare stays on VRBO or Hotels.com. Favorites: cliffside icon Amanpuri, private-pool serenity at Trisara Phuket, romantic villas at The Shore at Katathani, beachfront family fun at Sunwing Kamala Beach or Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket, solid resort facilities at JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa, and social-budget at Lub d Phuket Patong.

Getting there from Bangkok: Fly BKK/DMK → HKT in ~1h25m; fares often $35–$90 one-way. Check times and deals on Kiwi.com or Trip.com. From HKT, taxis/Grab to Patong/Karon/Kata take 45–75 minutes; to Phuket Town ~35–50 minutes.

Day 4: Fly South, Old Town Tastes, Golden Hour by the Sea

Morning: Depart Bangkok on an early flight (aim 8–10 a.m.) booked via Trip.com or Kiwi.com (about 1h25m). Check in at your Phuket hotel.

Afternoon: Explore Phuket Old Town’s pastel shophouses on Thalang and Dibuk roads. Lunch at Lock Tien (local food court—fresh spring rolls, Hokkien noodles) or Tu Kab Khao (southern Thai classics; try crab yellow curry with rice noodles).

Evening: Head to Kata or Karon for a swim and sunset. Dinner at One Chun (moo hong pork stew, spicy shrimp paste dips) or Raya Restaurant (signature crab curry). Sip a nightcap at Dibuk House (craft cocktails) or chill with coconut ice cream at Torry’s.

Day 5: A Morning with Elephants, Beach Time, Night Market

Morning: Meet gentle giants in Phuket’s first ethical sanctuary (no riding or bathing, just observation and feeding in forested enclosures).

A Morning with the Elephants at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary — small-group, transport included; learn rescue stories and elephant behavior.

Afternoon: Recover on Kamala or Nai Harn Beach; rent a lounger and order young coconut. Coffee stop at The Feelsion Café (retro-industrial sweets) or Campus Coffee Roaster in town.

Evening: If it’s Sunday, stroll the Lard Yai Walking Street (Thalang Road) for street bites and crafts; other days, try Chillva Market for indie stalls. Dinner at Mor Mu Dong (rustic waterside huts; grilled fish with turmeric and herbs) or Kan Eang@Pier (seafood, breezes).

Day 6: Phang Nga Bay Luxury Cruise — James Bond Islands, Sea Caves, Sunset

Luxury Boat to James Bond Islands with Lunch and Sunset Dinner Spend the day gliding through limestone towers, kayaking sea caves at Hong Island, and pausing at Khao Phing Kan (“James Bond Island”). Onboard daybeds, a DJ, and golden-hour dinner make this as relaxing as it is scenic.

Back ashore, opt for a foot massage near your hotel or a quiet dessert—Portuguese-influenced bebinca or coconut puddings are local favorites.

Day 7: Last Swims, Brunch, Departure

Morning: Early dip at your nearest beach, then a hearty local breakfast: Phuket-style dim sum at Ko Yoon or roti with curry at Roti Chaofa. Pick up edible souvenirs—dried pineapple, cashews, or crispy coconut rolls.

Afternoon: Transfer to HKT for your flight (allow 60–90 minutes for the ride). Check fares on Kiwi.com or Trip.com. If you have time, squeeze in a quick lunch of Hokkien mee at Mee Ton Poe near Saphan Hin.

Evening: In transit. Reflect on your week of temple bells, longtail wakes, and chili-lime brightness.

Getting between cities (recap): Bangkok → Phuket flight ~1h25m; typical one-way $35–$90. Use Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Morning departures maximize beach time.

Where to eat — quick shortlist to save:

• Bangkok: Krua Apsorn (royal Thai), Thipsamai (pad thai), Soi Polo Fried Chicken (crispy garlic chicken), Pe Aor (tom yum noodles), Nai Mong Hoi Thod (oyster omelet).
• Phuket: Tu Kab Khao and Raya (southern Thai staples), One Chun (moo hong), Mor Mu Dong (rustic seafood), Kan Eang@Pier (grilled seafood), Lock Tien (Hokkien noodles, spring rolls).

This 7-day Thailand itinerary balances Bangkok’s must-see temples and sizzling street food with Phuket’s ethical wildlife encounters and limestone bays. Expect big flavors, river breezes, and sunsets that linger long after you’ve flown home.