Thailand rewards curiosity. From Ayutthaya-era spires to neon night markets, this kingdom has shaped trade routes and taste buds for centuries. In seven days, you can savor Bangkok’s royal temples and legendary street food, then swap the city’s hum for Phuket’s longtail boats, limestone cliffs, and soft-sand beaches.

Bangkok began as a canalside village and rose to a cosmopolitan capital—home to the glittering Grand Palace, Wat Pho’s reclining Buddha, and a river that still powers daily life. You’ll ride a tuk-tuk past sizzling woks, cruise the Chao Phraya at sunset, and browse floating markets that have buzzed for generations.

Phuket, once a tin-trade hub, is now the gateway to the Andaman Sea. Days bring coral reefs and emerald coves; nights deliver Sino-Portuguese facades, spicy southern curries, and lantern-lit lanes. Practical notes: dress modestly at temples (shoulders/knees covered), carry cash for markets, drink bottled water, and avoid unmetered taxis. November–March offers the driest skies for islands.

Bangkok

Bangkok is equal parts royal splendor and ravenous appetite. Mornings glow with monk chants; evenings buzz in Chinatown, where woks flare and mangoes perfume the night air. The city’s backbone is the Chao Phraya River—ride a ferry and the skyline shifts from gilded stupas to glassy towers.

• Top sights: Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Chinatown (Yaowarat), Jim Thompson House, Chatuchak Weekend Market, Mahanakhon SkyWalk.
• Eat & drink: Thip Samai (charcoal-fired pad thai), Krua Apsorn (royal Thai family favorite), Somtam Jay So (fiery papaya salads), Pe Aor (creamy tom yum goong), rooftop sips at Sky Bar (Lebua) or Mahanakhon SkyBar.
• Fun facts: Wat Pho is Thailand’s first public university; Bangkok’s canals earned it the nickname “Venice of the East.”

Getting there: Fly into BKK or DMK. Compare fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Airport rail links and taxis connect the city; expect 45–70 minutes by car to central areas depending on traffic.

Where to stay (Bangkok): Browse stays on VRBO Bangkok or Hotels.com Bangkok. Standouts: riverside icon Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok (old-world service, teak boats), design-forward The Siam Hotel (private pool villas, museum-caliber art), resort feel at Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort, and excellent-value hostels like Lub d Bangkok Siam or Niras Bankoc Cultural Hostel.

Day 1 — Arrive in Bangkok, river breezes, and a tuk-tuk night feast

Morning: In transit. If you land early, stretch your legs at Lumphini Park and watch tai chi by the lake.

Afternoon: Check in and freshen up. Grab a pick-me-up at Nana Coffee Roasters (Ari or Warehouse 30) where Thai-grown beans shine, or Sarnies (Charoen Krung) for flat whites and kaya toasts.

Evening: Hit a celebrated night tour that threads together temples, markets, and snacks by tuk-tuk. Expect sizzling pad kra pao, crispy rotis, and a temple lit in gold.

Book: Bangkok by Night: Temples, Markets and Food Tuk-Tuk Tour (often $70–95). Cap the night with a lemongrass spritz at Mahanakhon SkyBar or a riverfront mango sticky rice from Kor Panich, a century-old favorite.

Day 2 — Grand Palace, river temples, and Chinatown eats

Morning: Tour the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (emerald Buddha). Dress code enforced; tickets ~500 THB. Walk to Wat Pho (200 THB) to see the massive reclining Buddha; massage school here is a classic for a 30-minute foot rub.

Afternoon: Ferry across to Wat Arun (100 THB) and climb for Chao Phraya views. Coffee and butterfly-pea lattes at Blue Whale Café nearby. Lunch at Thip Samai (try the “Superb Pad Thai” wrapped in egg) or Krua Apsorn (crab omelet, stir-fried lotus stems).

Evening: Wander Yaowarat (Chinatown). Sample peppery fishball noodles at Nai Mong Hoi Thod (oyster omelet), roast duck at Prachak, and black sesame dumplings for dessert. Nightcap at Teens of Thailand (gin-forward) or Ba Hao (1930s shophouse vibes).

Day 3 — Railway Market, Floating Market, and creative Bangkok

Morning: Venture out to the umbrella-folding Maeklong Railway Market and Damnoen Saduak Floating Market on a small-group tour. It’s a photogenic slice of Thai trading life—boats piled with pomelos and coconut ice cream.

Book: Half-Day Railway & Floating Market Tour (about $35–55, includes round-trip transport).

Afternoon: Back in town, cool off at the Jim Thompson House (silk legacy and teak architecture). Espresso at Gallery Drip Coffee (BACC) or Brave Roasters. If it’s a weekend, roam Chatuchak Market for ceramics, indigo-dyed shirts, and coconut pancakes.

Evening: Dinner at Supanniga Eating Room (Isan and Eastern Thai family recipes) or Baan (home-style classics). For skyline views, try Moon Bar at Banyan Tree. If you’re a planner, a Chao Phraya dinner cruise pairs live music with lit-up temples.

Bangkok → Phuket travel: Fly in the morning to maximize beach time. Bangkok–Phuket is ~1h25m nonstop; fares often $30–90. Compare on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Trains don’t reach Phuket directly; the rail-to-bus route via Surat Thani can take 10–12 hours.

Phuket

Phuket mixes powdery beaches with a culture-rich old town. By day, snorkel clear coves; by night, wander Sino-Portuguese shophouses painted in pastels. Southern Thai cuisine turns the heat up—think turmeric-laced curries and crab with yellow chili.

• Top sights: Big Buddha, Wat Chalong, Old Town murals and mansions, Promthep Cape sunset, Kata/Kamala/Nai Harn beaches, island-hopping to Phi Phi and Phang Nga Bay.
• Eat & drink: One Chun (Bib Gourmand southern Thai), Raya (blue crab curry), Kan Eang@Pier (seafront seafood), Tu Kab Khao (southern staples), Campus Coffee Roasters (single-origin pours).
• Fun facts: Phuket’s wealth once came from tin; many shophouses were built by Peranakan (Baba-Nyonya) families in the 19th century.

Where to stay (Phuket): Browse VRBO Phuket or Hotels.com Phuket. Luxurious retreats: Amanpuri (legendary hillside privacy), Trisara Phuket (pool villas, private bay), JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa (family-friendly). Beachfront picks: Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket, adults-only The Shore at Katathani. Budget social vibe: Lub d Phuket Patong.

Day 4 — Fly to Phuket, Old Town flavors, and a sunset beach

Morning: Flight to Phuket. Grab a window seat for views of rice fields turning to reefy blues.

Afternoon: Check in and unwind on Kata or Kamala Beach. Smoothie bowls at The Shack or a coconut ice cream from a beach cart. Coffee at Campus Coffee Roasters (Old Town) for Thai beans roasted on-site.

Evening: Explore Phuket Old Town. If it’s Sunday, stroll the Lard Yai Walking Street—grilled squid, moo ping (pork skewers), and roti. Sit-down dinner at One Chun (order the moo hong pork belly and southern crab curry) or Raya (blue crab with rice vermicelli). Nightcap at Dibuk House (classic cocktails in a heritage home).

Day 5 — Phi Phi Islands by speedboat (snorkel, lagoons, and sea-view lunch)

Full-day island-hopping to the Phi Phi archipelago: turquoise water, sheer karsts, and snorkeling above coral gardens. Expect stops like Maya Bay’s viewpoint area (bay access varies for conservation), Pileh Lagoon for swims, and Monkey Beach for photos.

Book: Phi Phi Islands Adventure Day Trip (2023–2025 award winner, ~$95–120, lunch and snorkeling gear included). Bring reef-safe sunscreen and a dry bag. Back at your hotel, ease sun-kissed muscles with a Thai massage before grilled seafood at Kan Eang@Pier (butterflied prawns, spicy nam jim dips).

Day 6 — Big Buddha, Wat Chalong, and an ethical elephant afternoon

Morning: Drive up to the 45-meter Big Buddha for sweeping views over Karon Bay; the hilltop breeze is a relief. Continue to Wat Chalong—look for tiny flecks of gold leaf and the Grand Pagoda’s Buddha relic. Brunch at The Feelsion Café (brioches, Thai desserts with modern twists).

Afternoon: Join a small-group visit to a Phuket ethical elephant sanctuary—feed, learn, and observe rescued elephants as they roam, with no riding. It’s meaningful and photogenic, and your fee supports veterinary care.

Book: Elephant Sanctuary Small Group Tour in Phuket (~$95–130, hotel transfers typically included).

Evening: Sunset at Promthep Cape or Windmill Viewpoint. Dinner at Tu Kab Khao (southern prawn curry, stink bean stir-fry with shrimp), followed by coconut puddings from a night-market stall. If you fancy a splashy scene, consider a floating beach-club session earlier in the day.

Day 7 — Slow morning and departure

Morning: Squeeze in a last swim at Nai Harn or Kamala. Coffee at Rush Coffee Rommani or a fresh-pressed sugarcane juice from a beach vendor. Pick up edible souvenirs: crispy durian chips, roasted cashews, and Thai tea mix.

Afternoon: Fly out of Phuket (HKT). Compare one-way or open-jaw fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. If returning to Bangkok for a long-haul, allow 2.5–3 hours to connect.

Practical planning notes

• Local transport: In Bangkok, use the BTS/MRT to skip traffic; river ferries are scenic and cheap. In Phuket, arrange hotel shuttles or use metered taxis and Grab. Island tours include pickup.
• Costs (typical): Temple entries 100–500 THB; street meals 60–150 THB; specialty coffee 80–150 THB; rooftop cocktails 350–550 THB; island day tours $90–130.
• Tickets & tours: Prebook your four key experiences to lock in times: the Bangkok night tuk-tuk tour, floating markets, Phi Phi day trip, and the elephant sanctuary (links above).
• Air & rail search: For domestic and international routes in Asia, use Trip.com flights, Kiwi.com, and for Asian rail options Trip.com trains.
• Airport help: Hate queues? Consider a paid fast-track on arrival in Bangkok if you’re entering there first.

Alternate dining short list (bookmark-worthy): Bangkok—Jay Fai (fiery crab omelet; expect queues), Pe Aor (tom yum with jumbo river prawns), Sabai Jai Gai Yang (Ekkamai; charcoal chicken and som tam), Sühring (modern German tasting), Charmgang (bold southern Thai). Phuket—Lock Tien Food Court (hokkien noodles), Mee Ton Poe (stir-fried Hokkien mee), Go Benz (pork rice soup), Laem Hin Seafood (waterfront, local favorite).

Seven days fly by, but this Bangkok-and-Phuket itinerary stitches together Thailand’s greatest hits: royal temples, night markets, island lagoons, and soul-stirring food. You’ll depart with a camera full of sunsets and a craving for one more mango sticky rice.