Thailand is an intoxicating blend of royal pageantry, river life, and jungle-fringed coasts—where saffron-robed monks share morning streets with vendors of sizzling wok-fried noodles. From the kingdoms of Sukhothai and Ayutthaya to the modern bustle of Bangkok, the country’s story is one of reinvention, hospitality, and flavor. This itinerary captures two sides of Thailand: the cultural heart of Bangkok and the turquoise playground of Phuket.

Expect golden temples, longtail boats skimming along historic canals, and night markets perfumed by lemongrass and charcoal. Down south, limestone karsts punch through the sea, coral reefs shimmer with schools of fish, and island kitchens turn out coconut-rich curries and grilled seafood. It’s a feast for the senses—and yes, the coffee culture is excellent, too.

Practical notes: internal flights are frequent and inexpensive, street food is both safe and superb when busy with locals, and Grab taxis/BTS/MRT make Bangkok navigation easy. Dress modestly for temples (shoulders and knees covered), carry small bills for markets, and hydrate often—Thailand’s tropical heat is no joke.

Bangkok

Bangkok is a kaleidoscope: gilded wats, canal-side wooden homes, and cutting-edge galleries under the glow of sky bars. The Chao Phraya River has been its lifeblood for centuries, which is why some of the best moments happen on the water—sunset ferries, dinner cruises, and longtail boats slicing through Thonburi’s quiet klongs.

• Unmissable sights: Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho’s reclining Buddha, Wat Arun at sunset, Chinatown’s Yaowarat Road, and the Mahanakhon SkyWalk.
• Food you’ll dream about: Charcoal-kissed pad thai, peppery boat noodles, mango sticky rice, and fiery southern curries. Hunt them in historic shophouses and Michelin-recognized street carts.
• Good to know: Use the BTS Skytrain/MRT to dodge traffic, and time temple visits early to beat the heat. Carry a light scarf and slip-on shoes for temple etiquette.

Where to stay (Bangkok): Browse stays on VRBO Bangkok or Hotels.com Bangkok. Tried-and-true picks: Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok (riverfront legend and literary haunt), The Siam Hotel (art deco Thai elegance with a private boat), Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort (lush resort vibe on the river), Lub d Bangkok Siam (budget-friendly, steps from BTS), and Niras Bankoc Cultural Hostel (heritage charm near the Old City).

Getting in: Search international flights to Bangkok on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. From Suvarnabhumi (BKK), the Airport Rail Link to Phaya Thai takes ~30 minutes; taxis to the riverside take ~45–60 minutes depending on traffic.

Day 1: Arrival, Riverside Glow, and Chinatown Eats

Morning: Fly into Bangkok. If you arrive early, fuel up with Thai iced coffee and a pandan waffle at On Lok Yun, a nostalgic 1930s shophouse café.

Afternoon: Check in and freshen up. Take the public ferry to Wat Arun for golden-hour views over the river—its porcelain mosaics sparkle at sunset. For a late lunch, try Savoey Tha Tien for river prawns and tom yum while watching boats drift by.

Evening: Kick off with a celebrated tuk-tuk night tour that blends street food, markets, and illuminated temples.

Featured experience: Bangkok by Night: Temples, Markets and Food Tuk-Tuk Tour — award-winning, fun, and delicious.

Before or after, wander Yaowarat Road for grilled squid, peppery crab fried rice at T&K Seafood, and sesame buns from Chinatown icons. Nightcap at Tep Bar for herbal Thai cocktails and live traditional music.

Day 2: Floating Markets, Royal Bangkok, and River Lights

Morning: Venture out to two of Thailand’s most photogenic markets: the Maeklong Railway Market (where vendors whisk awnings back for passing trains) and Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.

Featured experience: Half-Day Railway Market and Floating Market Tour in Thailand — a small-group classic with canal boat time.

Afternoon: Back in the city, visit the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (home of the Emerald Buddha), then stroll to Wat Pho for the reclining Buddha and a traditional Thai massage at the on-site school. Coffee pick-me-up: Blue Whale Café near Wat Pho for butterfly-pea lattes.

Evening: Dine riverside at Supanniga Eating Room (Tha Tien) for elevated family recipes—think smoky moo cha muang and crab omelet. Consider a post-dinner river cruise to see the city aglow, or sip a drink at Sala Rattanakosin with Wat Arun shimmering across the water.

Day 3: Old City, Creative Bangkok, and Rooftop Sundowners

Morning: Explore Rattanakosin by foot: Loha Prasat’s metal spires, the Artist’s House (Baan Silapin) along the canals, and the amulet market near Sanam Luang. Breakfast at On The Table for Japanese-Thai comfort or Jay Fai if you’re keen (arrive early; wait times apply).

Afternoon: Head to Bangkok’s creative enclaves: Warehouse 30 and Charoen Krung murals, then the Bangkokian Museum for a glimpse into 20th‑century life. Lunch on pad krapao from Phed Mark (run by food vloggers; it brings the heat) or roast duck noodles at Nai Ek Roll Noodles.

Evening: Catch sunset at the Mahanakhon SkyWalk; then celebrate your last Bangkok night at Octave Rooftop Bar or Tropic City (Asia’s 50 Best Bars alum). Dinner options: Bo.lan (for refined, produce-led Thai), 100 Mahaseth (Isan-inspired nose-to-tail), or Thipsamai Pratu Phi for the pad thai benchmark.

Phuket

Phuket is Thailand’s big, beautiful island—emerald hills, Sino-Portuguese Old Town, and a necklace of beaches from family-friendly Kamala to surfer-loved Kata. Offshore, coral gardens and karst towers lure day-trippers to Phi Phi and Phang Nga Bay.

• Top experiences: Ethical elephant encounters, longtail boat hops to secret coves, sunset viewpoints, and Sunday night walking street in Old Town.
• Eat & drink: Southern Thai cuisine leans spicy and tangy—try crab curry with rice vermicelli (kanom jeen), turmeric-laced fish, and smoky satay at timeworn shophouses.
• Good to know: Dry season (Nov–Apr) brings calmer seas for island trips; monsoon swells can affect snorkeling visibility but make for dramatic skies.

Where to stay (Phuket): Explore options on VRBO Phuket or Hotels.com Phuket. Great picks: Amanpuri (zen-luxe icon), JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa (quiet Mai Khao beachfront), Trisara Phuket (all-pool-villa romance), Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket (beachfront fun at Karon), Sunwing Kamala Beach (family-friendly), and Lub d Phuket Patong (social, budget-friendly, near nightlife).

Getting there (Day 4 morning): Fly Bangkok → Phuket (1h20; ~$35–$90 most dates). Compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Airport to Patong/Karon/Kata is ~45–70 minutes by taxi or hotel transfer.

Day 4: Fly South, Phuket Old Town, and Beach Sunset

Morning: Depart Bangkok on a morning flight to Phuket. Grab a coffee at Campus Coffee Roaster in Old Town (nutty flat whites, house roasts) before hotel check-in.

Afternoon: Stroll Phuket Old Town’s pastel Sino-Portuguese shophouses along Thalang and Soi Romanee. Pop into Thai Hua Museum for local history. Lunch at One Chun for southern specialties—blue crab curry and stir-fried stink beans with shrimp—or Raya Restaurant for classic moo hong (braised pork belly).

Evening: Head to Kata Beach for a mellow swim and sunset. Dinner at Mom Tri’s Kitchen (sea views, refined Thai) or The Boathouse (wine-focused). For a casual night market bite, explore Chillva Market (Thu–Sat): grilled skewers, rolled ice cream, and local crafts.

Day 5: Ethical Elephant Morning, Viewpoints, and Seafood by the Sea

Featured experience: Spend a meaningful morning meeting gentle giants at Phuket’s first ethical sanctuary—no riding, no tricks, just observation and feeding in a forested refuge.

A Morning with the Elephants at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary

Afternoon: After lunch at Mor Mu Dong (rustic bamboo huts over mangroves; locals swear by the turmeric grilled fish), ride up to Karon Viewpoint for sweeping Andaman blues, then continue to Promthep Cape for wind-swept panoramas.

Evening: Unwind with a Thai massage in Kata. Dinner at Kan Eang@Pier near Chalong for live prawns, grilled squid, and spicy seafood salads; or Laem Hin Seafood, where longtail boats bob beside your table.

Day 6: Phi Phi Islands Speedboat Adventure

Today is all about jade waters and postcard coves. Snorkel over reefs, laze on white-sand beaches, and enjoy a seaview lunch between stops. Early departures help beat the crowds, and calm-season days can feel impossibly blue.

Featured experience: Phi Phi Islands Adventure Day Trip w/ Seaview Lunch by V. Marine — Viator Experience Awards winner with over 2,000 glowing reviews.

Back on Phuket, grab an easy dinner near your hotel—No. 9 2nd Restaurant in Patong for wide-reaching Thai favorites, or Red Duck in Karon for fragrant curries and fresh coconut shakes.

Day 7: Big Buddha, Temple Calm, and Departure

Morning: Rise early for Big Buddha, where a breezy hilltop offers panoramic views and a contemplative mood. Swing by Wat Chalong to see intricate pagodas and learn about local monastic life. Brunch at The Feelsion Café (Old Town) for creative Thai sweets and strong espresso, or Delico Decoration Coffee & Dessert for photogenic bakes.

Afternoon: Pack up and transfer to the airport for your flight out. If time allows, a quick bowl of boat noodles or a pineapple fried rice is the perfect last taste of the Andaman.

Optional Add-Ons (if you extend)

• Phang Nga Bay sea caves and James Bond Island by big boat or sunset yacht—kayak into hidden lagoons and watch the karsts glow at golden hour.
• Thai cooking class in Phuket or Bangkok—master curry pastes, pad thai technique, and coconut desserts.
• Koh Yao Noi day trip for a quieter island vibe with cycling and village visits.

Intercity travel recap: Bangkok → Phuket morning flight on Day 4 (1h20, ~$35–$90). Compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. In-city, use BTS/MRT (Bangkok) and taxis/Grab (both cities); ferries and longtail boats add scenic shortcuts along the river and bays.

Recommended stays recap: For Bangkok: Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, The Siam Hotel, Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort, Lub d Bangkok Siam, Niras Bankoc Cultural Hostel. For Phuket: Amanpuri, JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa, Trisara Phuket, Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket, Sunwing Kamala Beach, Lub d Phuket Patong. Or browse VRBO Bangkok and VRBO Phuket for apartments and villas.

Final featured experiences used in this itinerary:

• Bangkok by Night: Temples, Markets and Food Tuk-Tuk Tour
• Half-Day Railway Market and Floating Market Tour in Thailand
• A Morning with the Elephants at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary
• Phi Phi Islands Adventure Day Trip w/ Seaview Lunch by V. Marine

In one unforgettable week, you’ll taste Bangkok’s street-food soul, admire temples laced with myth, and swim in Phuket’s translucent seas. With ethical wildlife encounters and island-hopping thrills, this Thailand itinerary balances culture, flavor, and barefoot bliss—leaving just enough time to plan your return.