Thailand is a tapestry of gilded temples, spicy-sweet flavors, and island-dotted seas. From the royal grandeur of Bangkok’s Grand Palace to the emerald karsts of Phang Nga Bay, it’s a country that rewards the curious with beauty both ceremonial and wild. Expect a fast-paced capital, a slower island rhythm, and a cuisine that will recalibrate your idea of balance—fiery, sour, salty, sweet.

Historically known as Siam, Thailand was never colonized, shaping a proudly independent identity that radiates through its monarchy, Buddhism, and crafts. Bangkok rose from canal-laced settlements into a megacity where longtail boats still ply the Chao Phraya, and Phuket’s Sino-Portuguese shophouses hint at a centuries-old trade past. You’ll see saffron robes at dawn, neon signs at night, and limestone cliffs by day.

Practical notes: Dress modestly for temples (shoulders and knees covered), remove shoes when required, and carry small bills for street food. BTS/MRT in Bangkok is fast and air-conditioned; Grab taxis are easy. Peak season is November–March. Stay hydrated—Bangkok is hot year-round. As of 2025, card acceptance is widespread, but many markets remain cash-first.

Bangkok

Bangkok is Thailand’s beating heart—part royal city, part street food paradise, part design-forward metropolis. The Grand Palace dazzles with mirror mosaics, Wat Pho shelters the reclining Buddha, and Wat Arun flares gold at sunset. Along the river, old shop-houses host third-wave coffee and cool galleries; deeper into Yaowarat (Chinatown), woks roar past midnight.

Top experiences include temple-hopping by boat, a tuk-tuk food safari, and a canal ride through Thonburi’s stilted neighborhoods. Eat your way through pad kra pao, boat noodles, mango sticky rice, and Michelin-rated street stalls. End with a skyline toast on a rooftop.

Where to stay (Bangkok):

• Iconic luxury on the river: Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok (legendary service, jazz bar).
• Design-forward serenity: The Siam Hotel (art deco villas, riverside pool).
• Resort-in-the-city: Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort (tropical grounds, boat shuttle).
• Budget/social: Lub d Bangkok Siam or Niras Bankoc Cultural Hostel.
• Browse more: VRBO Bangkok | Hotels.com Bangkok

Getting in: Search flights to Bangkok (BKK/DMK) via Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Airport rail link or taxi to the city takes ~30–60 minutes depending on traffic.

Day 1: Arrival, River Life & Chinatown Night Bites

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off the flight with a stroll along the Chao Phraya—board a public river boat from Sathorn Pier to Tha Tien to feel the city’s old waterways. Grab a first iced Thai coffee at Gallery Drip Coffee (Bangkok Art & Culture Center) or Brave Roasters (The Commons).

Evening: Head to Yaowarat Road (Chinatown) for a street food dinner crawl. Try Nai Ek Roll Noodles (peppery pork soup), T&K Seafood (plastic stools, big flavors), and mango sticky rice from a cart. If you want sit-down Thai with river views, Supanniga Eating Room (Tha Tien) serves northeastern classics like moo chamuang. Nightcap at Tep Bar (Thai herbal cocktails, live music).

Late: If energy allows, ride up to Octave Rooftop Bar (Marriott Sukhumvit) for panoramic views—ideal first-night orientation.

Day 2: Royal Bangkok, Temples & Rooftop Sunset

Morning: Explore the capital’s top three monuments on a guided half-day:

Bangkok Royal Road - Top 3 Major Monuments (Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun)

You’ll see the Emerald Buddha, the 46-meter Reclining Buddha, and cross the river to the Temple of Dawn. Expect modest dress codes; entry to the Grand Palace is ~500 THB.

Afternoon: Lunch at Krua Apsorn (royal-style Thai; crab omelet and kaffir lime-spiked curries). Wander Talat Noi’s street art and mechanic-lantern alleys; peek into machine shops turned galleries. Cool down with coconut ice cream from a riverside vendor.

Evening: Sunset drink at Mahanakhon SkyBar or Moon Bar (Banyan Tree). Dinner at Jay Fai (fiery wok-kissed crab omelet—book or expect a queue) or Baan (home-style Thai by Chef Thitid). Post-dinner foot massage near your hotel (200–350 THB/hour).

Day 3: Markets, Canals & Bangkok by Night Tuk-Tuk

Morning: If it’s a weekend, dive into Chatuchak Weekend Market (JJ)—thousands of stalls for crafts, ceramics, and street snacks; go early for cooler temps. Weekday alternative: Jim Thompson House for silk heritage, then Saen Saep canal boat hop.

Afternoon: Explore Charoen Krung’s creative corridor: Warehouse 30 concept shops, ATT 19 gallery, and Chinese shrines tucked behind metalworks. Coffee at Blacklist Coffee Roasters or drop into Pak Khlong Talat (flower market) for bursts of jasmine and marigold garlands.

Evening: Join an award-winning night food-and-temple spin through the city by tuk-tuk:

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

This after-dark route hits illuminated temples, hidden markets, and beloved street eats—perfect for first-timers to understand Thai flavors and late-night culture.

Phuket

Swap skyline for sea. Phuket pairs soft-sand beaches and rainforest hills with a UNESCO-listed Gastronomy City scene in photogenic Old Town, where pastel Sino-Portuguese shophouses shelter cafes, noodle joints, and spice-laden southern Thai kitchens. Offshore, karst towers rise from jade waters—great for kayaking caves and boat trips.

Spend days beach-hopping (Kata, Karon, Nai Harn, Kamala), chasing viewpoints (Big Buddha, Karon Viewpoint), and snacking through Old Town. Cap it off with a luxury bay cruise or a sunrise sprint to Phi Phi when the coves are quietest.

Where to stay (Phuket):

• Ultra-luxe hideaways: Amanpuri, Trisara Phuket (private pools, discreet service).
• Beachfront classics: JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa, The Shore at Katathani, Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket, Sunwing Kamala Beach (family-friendly).
• Budget/social near Patong: Lub d Phuket Patong.
• Browse more: VRBO Phuket | Hotels.com Phuket

Bangkok → Phuket travel: Fly in the morning (BKK or DMK to HKT). Flight time ~1h25m; one-way fares typically $35–$100. Book via Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Taxi from airport to beach areas: 45–75 minutes depending on location.

Day 4: Fly South, Phuket Old Town & Night Market

Morning: Fly to Phuket. Drop bags and refresh.

Afternoon: Explore Phuket Old Town’s Soi Romanee and Thalang Road—pastel shophouses, Peranakan doorways, and hidden shrines. Coffee and cashew cake at Campus Coffee Roaster or The Feelsion Cafe (retro decor, Thai sweets). Learn about tin mining and Hokkien heritage as you wander.

Evening: Southern Thai dinner: One Chun (signature crab curry with vermicelli), Tu Kab Khao (moo hong—slow-braised pork belly), or Raya Restaurant (blue crab curry, fresh herbs). If it’s Sunday, stroll the Lard Yai Walking Street for crafts and street snacks.

Day 5: Beach Time & James Bond Sunset Cruise

Morning: Slow start with beach time at Kata or Kamala—gentle surf, cafes for smoothie bowls and Thai breakfast (jok rice porridge). Optional stop at Karon Viewpoint for sweeping Andaman vistas.

Afternoon–Evening: Board a stylish bay cruise with kayaking and a golden-hour finale:

Luxury Boat to James Bond Islands with Lunch and Sunset Dinner

Expect sea-cave kayaking, Hong Island lagoons, and the iconic spire of Khao Phing Kan. Onboard day beds, a full bar, and sunset dinner keep it festive. Return after dark with stars overhead.

Day 6: Phi Phi Sunrise, Snorkels & Sea Views

Luxury Small Group Phi Phi Sunrise from Phuket

Beat the crowds with a pre-dawn departure, then snorkel at glassy bays, glide past Maya Bay’s cliffs, and lunch by the sea. Small groups keep it relaxed and photogenic.

Back mid-afternoon: decompress with a Thai massage near your hotel (ask for "sen" line stretching). Dinner by the water at Kan Eang@Pier (grilled river prawns, spicy seafood salads) or Mor Mu Dong (rustic pavilions, southern specialties like turmeric grilled fish).

Day 7: Viewpoints, Last Bowls & Departure

Morning: Sunrise walk to Big Buddha for island panoramas and the gentle ring of temple bells. Coffee at Phuket Coffee Lab or Sri The Shophouse in Old Town. Final bowl at Go Benz Pork Noodles (late-morning opening; famed peppery broth) or dim sum at local Hokkien spots.

Afternoon: Transfer to Phuket Airport for your flight out. Search departures via Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. If you’re returning to Bangkok to connect, allow 2.5–3 hours between flights.

Optional Add-On (if you have extra time)

Prefer canals over crowds? Swap a morning for a 2-hour longtail ride through Thonburi’s khlongs to glimpse stilt houses and hidden temples. Craving elephants? Choose an ethical, no-riding sanctuary visit in Phuket where retired animals roam and bathe freely.

Daily Food & Coffee Cheat Sheet

• Bangkok breakfasts: On Luk Yun (old-school Thai-Western), Roast (all-day brunch), Rocket Coffeebar (Scandi-Thai bakery).
• Bangkok lunches: Pe Aor Tom Yum Kung Noodle (lobster tom yum noodles), Thipsamai (pad thai over charcoal), Jok Prince (smoky congee).
• Bangkok dinners: Krua Apsorn, Supanniga Eating Room, Nahm (refined Thai; book ahead).
• Phuket coffee: The Feelsion Cafe, Campus Coffee Roaster, Phuket Coffee Lab.
• Phuket eats: One Chun, Tu Kab Khao, Raya, Kan Eang@Pier, Go Benz Pork Noodles, Mor Mu Dong.

Local Logistics Tips

• City transit: BTS/MRT rides typically 17–47 THB. River boats (orange flag) ~16–20 THB per ride.
• Taxis/ride-hailing: Use meter or app; ask your hotel for estimated fares. Bangkok traffic spikes 7–9am and 4–7pm.
• Temple etiquette: Shoulders/knees covered; bring a lightweight scarf. Remove shoes where signed.
• Connectivity: eSIMs at the airport kiosks are cheap; 5G coverage is strong in cities and resort areas.

Alternative Bangkok Day Trip (swap Day 3 morning if markets appeal)

If you’d like a guided combo of the famous umbrella-folding railway market and canal-side floating market, consider:

Half-Day Railway Market and Floating Market Tour in Thailand

Note: If you choose this swap, you’ll replace the morning portion of Day 3; the evening tuk-tuk tour still pairs perfectly.

Recap of your 7-day Thailand itinerary: Bangkok front-loads temples, canals, markets, and street food; Phuket shifts to Old Town culture, beaches, and island-hopping. You’ll ride tuk-tuks, river boats, and luxury cruisers—eating brilliantly all along the way.

With this balance of heritage and sea, you’ll leave with saffron-lit memories and salt on your skin—already plotting your return for northern mountains or a deeper island hop.