Bangkok—“Krung Thep,” the City of Angels—has been Thailand’s vibrant capital since 1782. Golden spires and intricate stupas rise beside glassy skyscrapers, while longtail boats skim the old canals that once earned it the nickname “Venice of the East.” This city invites you to savor contrasts: sacred calm in ancient temples and neon-lit bustle on night markets that never seem to sleep.

Across seven days, you’ll wander the Grand Palace, glide along the Chao Phraya River, and taste your way through Chinatown and hidden backstreets. Expect a mix of heritage and modernity—wat-hopping by day, rooftop views by dusk, and a tuk-tuk food safari after dark. Day trips to Ayutthaya and the famed floating and train markets round out the experience.

Practical notes: temples require modest dress (shoulders and knees covered); carry small bills for boats and markets; and hydrate constantly—Bangkok’s heat is real. Use the BTS Skytrain and MRT to skip traffic, and beware “too-good-to-be-true” tuk-tuk gem shop detours. Most venues accept cards, but cash is still king at street stalls.

Bangkok

Bangkok rewards curiosity. Start with the royal heart—Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Emerald Buddha)—then cross to Wat Arun for a river breeze and sunset. Duck into Wat Pho for the Reclining Buddha and one of the city’s best traditional massage schools. Later, roam Chinatown’s Yaowarat Road for oyster omelets, roast chestnuts, and blazing woks lighting up the night.

Save a morning for canal life in Thonburi, where stilt houses and orchid-decked porches line quiet khlongs. On the modern side, Sukhumvit delivers design cafés, Benjakitti Forest Park’s skywalk, and late-night bowls at Jeh O Chula. Weekends mean Chatuchak Market—13,000 stalls of souvenirs, vintage, crafts, and snacks.

• Top sights: Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Jim Thompson House, Chinatown, Benjakitti Forest Park, ICONSIAM.
• Where to stay: Riverside for views and breezes; Old City for temples; Siam for malls and museums; Sukhumvit or Silom for nightlife and dining.
• Getting there: Compare flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Most arrivals land at Suvarnabhumi (BKK): Airport Rail Link to Phaya Thai (~30 minutes, ~45 THB) or taxi to central areas (~45–60 minutes, ~350–500 THB plus tolls).
• Getting around: BTS/MRT fares ~17–47 THB; river ferries ~16–30 THB; taxis are metered; tuk-tuks for short hops—agree the fare first.

Where to book stays: Browse apartments on VRBO Bangkok or hotels on Hotels.com Bangkok.

• Splurge, riverside icon: Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok — storied teak house and legendary service on the Chao Phraya.
• Design-led retreat: The Siam Hotel — Bill Bensley aesthetics, sunset pier, and peaceful Dusit location.
• Resort vibe in the city: Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort — lush grounds, spa, and boat shuttle to the BTS.
• Stylish budget (Siam/MBK): Lub d Bangkok Siam — social, spotless, steps from museums and malls.
• Budget in Silom: Lub d Bangkok Silom — great base for markets and nightlife.
• Character stay, Old City: Niras Bankoc Cultural Hostel — heritage charm near Democracy Monument.

Day 1: Arrival, River Breeze, and Rooftop Sunset

Morning: Fly into BKK or DMK. For flights, compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Aim for an early afternoon landing so you can settle in and catch golden hour on the river.

Afternoon: Check in and refresh. Ride the Chao Phraya ferry to Tha Tien or ICONSIAM for an easy orientation—river boats beat traffic and offer skyline views. Coffee at Blue Whale Café (Tha Tien; pastel butterfly pea lattes) or Gallery Drip Coffee inside BACC (balanced single-origin pours).

Evening: Dinner riverside at Supanniga Eating Room (Tha Tien; northeastern Thai recipes, rich nam prik, and a front-row seat to Wat Arun’s glow). Then toast your first night at one of Bangkok’s rooftop bars: Sky Bar at Lebua (cinematic, dress code), Moon Bar at Banyan Tree (open-air, 61 floors up), or Octave Rooftop (Marriott Sukhumvit; wraparound view). For a nightcap at street level, swing by Smalls (Suan Phlu; cozy, art-filled).

Day 2: Royal Bangkok, Wat-Hopping, and a Tuk-Tuk Night Feast

Morning: Fuel up at On Lok Yun (since 1933; Thai-Western breakfast plates and kaya toast) or Factory Coffee (award-winning espresso near Victory Monument). Tour the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew first to beat the heat—dress modestly. Walk or ferry to Wat Pho to see the Reclining Buddha, then book a therapeutic massage at the on-site Traditional Medical School.

Afternoon: Cross the river to Wat Arun for porcelain-spired beauty and breezes. Lunch nearby at Krua Apsorn (royal-family-favorite crab omelet; stir-fried lotus stems) or Thipsamai (fiery wok-char Pad Thai; the “Superb” version with prawns). Sip something cool and artistic at Blue Whale Café before a quick rest.

Evening: Dive into a beloved night experience by tuk-tuk—temples after dark, markets, and killer eats.

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

Expect crispy pork, aromatic curries, and secret viewpoints, with an insider guide to navigate the chaos. After the tour, grab a gin-forward cocktail at Teens of Thailand or Thai herb cocktails at Tep Bar in Chinatown.

Day 3: Jim Thompson, Creative Charoen Krung, and Chinatown After Dark

Morning: Start at Jim Thompson House (silk tycoon’s teak compound; serene koi ponds). Coffee at Gallery Drip Coffee in BACC or at Roast (The Commons; stellar brews and brioche French toast). Walk over to the Bangkok Art & Culture Centre for contemporary exhibitions.

Afternoon: Head to Talat Noi and Charoen Krung: wander alleys of shophouses, street shrines, and murals. Lunch at Nai Mong Hoi Thod (legendary oyster and mussel omelets) or at Prachak Roasted Duck (since 1909; lacquered duck over rice or noodles). Treat yourself to a foot massage along Charoen Krung or in Silom (Health Land is reliable and great value).

Evening: Chinatown comes alive: graze along Yaowarat with peppery fishball noodles, grill-smoked satay, and pandan custard buns. For dinner, queue at Jay Fai (fiery crab omelets; long waits) or opt for T&K Seafood’s grilled river prawns. End with cocktails at Tropic City (award-winning tropical bar) or at Asia Today (Thai terroir spirits and foraged ingredients).

Day 4: Floating Market and Train Market Adventure, Pool Time, and Night Market Snacks

Morning: Rise early for a classic Bangkok day out—rural canals, a train threading a market, and colorful longtail boats stacked with fruit.

Bangkok: Floating Market and Train Market Experience — small-group pacing with photogenic moments galore.

Afternoon: Return to Bangkok for downtime by the pool or a gentle ferry spin. Late lunch at Soi Polo Fried Chicken (herb-crusted chicken with sticky rice and som tam) or Som Tam Nua (papaya salad, spicy pork larb) if you’re near Siam.

Evening: Browse JODD FAIRS (Rama 9)—a lively night market for soft-shell crab burgers, Thai tea croissants, and local fashion. If you’ve got late-night energy, slurp famous tom yum “mama” noodles at Jeh O Chula (go early, expect a queue).

Day 5: Sukhumvit Cafés, Green Walks, and a Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise

Morning: Brunch at Phed Mark (chili-forward pad kaprao), or at Luka (handsome café with Thai twists). Stroll Benjakitti Forest Park’s skywalk for skyline-meets-wetlands scenery, then window-shop at EmQuartier or Terminal 21.

Afternoon: Choose a Thai cooking class (learn green curry and mango sticky rice) or book a spa session—Wat Pho School for traditional massage or a spa hotel for aromatherapy. Coffee stop at Phil Coffee Company (Ekkamai) or Hands and Heart (minimalist pour-overs).

Evening: Celebrate with a river cruise—temples and palaces illuminated while you dine.

The Newest Luxury 5-Star Bangkok Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise — 2 hours of skyline views, live music, and Thai dishes as you glide past Wat Arun and the Grand Palace.

Pre-cruise sunset idea: Mahanakhon SkyWalk for sweeping views; after, sip a quiet drink riverside or along Charoen Krung.

Day 6: UNESCO History—Full-Day Ayutthaya from Bangkok

Trade city bustle for Siam’s ancient capital: crumbling prang towers, headless Buddhas embraced by roots, and river-island serenity. This is a full day; wear breathable clothing and bring sun protection.

UNESCO's Ayutthaya Historical Park: Full-Day Tour from Bangkok — efficient, insightful, and photography-rich.

Back in Bangkok, dine at Nahm (refined southern Thai), Baan (comfort dishes like caramelized pork belly), or Supanniga Eating Room (if you missed it earlier).

Day 7: Last Sips, Last Shops, and Farewell

Morning: If it’s a weekend, make it Chatuchak Market for souvenirs, ceramics, and indie fashion. Otherwise, hit Or Tor Kor Market (produce like art) and adjacent stalls for silky mango sticky rice. Coffee at Roots at The Commons or Casa Lapin (well-crafted espresso).

Afternoon: A final massage near your hotel—your flight will thank you. Lunch at Thanying (royal Thai recipes) or Taling Pling (reliable classics: massaman curry, crab fried rice). Depart for the airport with time to spare: taxis take ~45–60 minutes; Airport Rail Link is predictable.

Evening: Flying late? Fit in a last riverside stroll by ICONSIAM’s boardwalk and pick up Thai snacks (dried mango, crispy seaweed) for the journey home.

Optional/Practical Extras

• Trains in Thailand: If you’re continuing onward by rail, compare options on Trip.com Trains.
• Dress & etiquette: Covered shoulders/knees for temples; remove shoes before entering ubosots; speak softly in sacred spaces.
• Street food savvy: Follow lines and hot woks; ask for “mai phet” (less spicy) if needed; carry small cash.

What to Book Ahead (Limited to 4 Curated Picks)

• Bangkok by Night: Temples, Markets and Food Tuk-Tuk Tour
• Floating + Train Markets Day Trip
• Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise
• Ayutthaya Historical Park Day Trip

Where to sleep—quick picks (book with our partners): Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok • The Siam Hotel • Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort • Lub d Bangkok Siam • Lub d Bangkok Silom • Niras Bankoc Cultural Hostel • Browse all on Hotels.com or VRBO.

Summary: In a week, you’ll trace Bangkok’s arc from royal splendor to canal-side calm, from sizzling woks to serene temples—and out to Ayutthaya’s evocative ruins. With curated tours, insider eats, and time to breathe by the river, this itinerary balances must-see highlights and the city’s quieter, most delicious corners. You’ll leave with full memory cards, a newfound love of Thai flavors, and a promise to return.