Bangkok has been the beating heart of Thailand since 1782, when the Chakri dynasty established the capital on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. The city’s contrasts are irresistible: gilded stupas beside glassy skyscrapers, klong-side stilt houses a short boat ride from designer malls, and night markets perfuming the air with grill smoke and pandan.

Across seven days, you’ll sample Bangkok’s essentials—Grand Palace splendor, the reclining Buddha of Wat Pho, and lotus-bloom sunsets over Wat Arun—then plunge into neighborhoods: the neon chaos of Yaowarat (Chinatown), creative Charoenkrung, and leafy Banglamphu. Expect bowls of boat noodles and tom yum goong, Isaan salads that sting and delight, and late-night congee that cures all.

Practical notes: Bangkok is hot year-round; hydrate and dress modestly for temples (shoulders and knees covered). Use BTS/MRT to dodge traffic, hop river ferries to crisscross the city, and rely on metered taxis or Grab after dark. Always carry small bills for markets and be temple-ready with slip-on shoes.

Bangkok

Welcome to the “City of Angels,” where saffron-robed monks pass by street carts frying garlic at dawn, and rooftop bars glitter above the river at night. Your week blends temples, canal life, markets, and food experiences that locals love.

• Top sights: Grand Palace & Emerald Buddha, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Jim Thompson House, Bangkok Art & Culture Centre, Chatuchak Weekend Market, and canal neighborhoods in Thonburi.
• Why foodies swoon: From Michelin-star street legends to mom-and-pop shophouses—try pad thai at Thipsamai, oyster omelets at Nai Mong Hoi Thod, Isaan fare at Somtum Der, and silky rice porridge at Jok Prince.
• Fun fact: Wat Traimit’s Golden Buddha weighs 5.5 tons; it was hidden under plaster for centuries to deter invaders before being rediscovered in the 1950s.

Where to stay (curated picks):

• Riverside icon: Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok (legendary service, jazz at The Bamboo Bar).
• Design-led sanctuary: The Siam Hotel (Dusit district calm, private piers, art deco drama).
• Resort vibe in the city: Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort (gardens, river shuttles, big pool).
• Stylish budget: Lub d Bangkok Siam (steps from BTS National Stadium; great for shoppers).
• Character stay: Niras Bankoc Cultural Hostel (Old City charm near temples).
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com: Bangkok and apartment-style options on VRBO: Bangkok.

Getting in and around:

• Compare flights to Bangkok (BKK/DMK) on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Airport Rail Link to Phaya Thai (~THB 45) or metered taxi to downtown (~THB 350–500 + tolls).
• Bangkok’s BTS/MRT is fast and air-conditioned; river ferries link Wat Pho, Wat Arun, and Iconsiam. For DIY rail side-trips in Thailand, check Trip.com Trains.

Day 1: Arrival, First Taste of the River, and Chinatown After Dark

Afternoon: Land in Bangkok and settle into your hotel. If energy allows, take the river shuttle to Iconsiam for an easy orientation stroll—peek into the “SookSiam” food hall to preview regional Thai snacks. Coffee stop: Nana Coffee Roasters at Iconsiam or Blue Whale Cafe near Wat Pho for a photogenic butterfly-pea latte.

Evening: Dive into Yaowarat (Chinatown) for a progressive street-food dinner. Start with peppery guay jub (rolled rice noodles) at Nai Ek Roll Noodles, share an oyster omelet at Nai Mong Hoi Thod, then grilled seafood at T&K Seafood. Finish with gingko-and-barley sweet soup at SweetTime. Nightcap at nearby craft-cocktail pioneers: Teens of Thailand (gin-focused) or heritage-infused Tep Bar with live khaen music.

Day 2: Royal Bangkok—Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun

Morning: Join a guided temple circuit to maximize context and skip guesswork.

Recommended tour: Bangkok City Highlights Tour: Grand Palace & Three Iconic Temples (half day; covers Wat Traimit’s Golden Buddha, the Grand Palace/Emerald Buddha, and Wat Pho’s Reclining Buddha; dress modestly.)

Afternoon: Ferry across to Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) to climb the prang for river views. Lunch nearby at The Deck by Arun Residence (classic Thai with temple vistas) or Krua Apsorn (royal-style recipes; try stir-fried crab with yellow chilies). Treat yourself to a traditional massage at the Wat Pho Thai Traditional Medical School—one of the city’s most respected.

Evening: Sunset drinks at Sala Rattanakosin Rooftop or Eagle Nest, both facing Wat Arun’s glittering silhouette. Dinner at Supanniga Eating Room Tha Tien pier—order moo chamuang (pork with Garcinia fruit) and khao kreab pak mor (steamed rice-skin dumplings).

Day 3: Hidden Alleys, Crafts, and a Night Tuk-Tuk Feast

Morning: Old-school breakfast at On Lok Yun (fluffy toast with kaya, sunny-side-up eggs, Thai iced tea). Wander into Talat Noi’s lanes to see shophouse shrines, Chinese clan associations, and vibrant street art; pause for espresso at Nana Coffee Roasters in Soi Nana (Chinatown) or wallflower-style cafe Ba Hao Tian Mi for black-sesame tofu pudding.

Afternoon: Head to National Stadium BTS for the Jim Thompson House (silk magnate’s teak home and museum) and pop into the Bangkok Art & Culture Centre for contemporary Thai exhibitions. Lunch options in Siam: Inter Restaurant (great tom kha and pad krapao) or Som Tam Nua (papaya salads, fried chicken).

Evening: Experience Bangkok’s best-loved night ride.

Recommended tour: Bangkok by Night: Temples, Markets and Food Tuk-Tuk Tour (award-winning; zips between lit-up temples and local eats with tastings included).

Day 4: Floating Market + Railway Market, Spa Time, and Rooftop Views

Morning: Rise early for the classic markets combo.

Recommended tour: Bangkok: Floating Market and Train Market Experience (watch vendors whisk awnings away as the train passes Maeklong; boat through Damnoen Saduak canals; expect a 6–7 a.m. pickup and mid-day return).

Afternoon: Recover with a spa session—Health Land Asoke is reliable for Thai massage or aromatherapy at fair prices. Coffee at Gallery Drip Coffee (artful pours) beside BACC. If you’re a devotee of city shrines, light incense at the Erawan Shrine.

Evening: Dinner at Somtum Der (Isaan specialties; som tam and larb are standouts) or Soi Polo Fried Chicken (crispy birds with fried garlic and sticky rice). Cap the night with cocktails at Tropic City (award-winning tiki-with-a-twist) or skyline views at Octave Rooftop on Sukhumvit.

Day 5: Day Trip to Ayutthaya—UNESCO Temples and River Life

Full-day tour: Step back into the golden age of Siam with a guided small-group visit to Ayutthaya’s temple ruins and palaces, typically 8–9 hours door-to-door.

Recommended tour: UNESCO's Ayutthaya Historical Park: Full-Day Tour from Bangkok (often includes Wat Mahathat’s Buddha-in-tree-roots, Wat Phra Si Sanphet, and Wat Lokayasutharam’s giant reclining Buddha; lunch at a local restaurant included).

Evening tip: Back in Bangkok, keep dinner simple but iconic: Jeh O Chula for late-night tom yum instant noodles loaded with seafood and crispy pork (join the queue early), or Phed Mark for fiery pad kra pao.

Day 6: Parks, Modern Bangkok, and Jazz by the River

Morning: Walk the skywalk between Benjakitti Forest Park and Lumpini Park for skyline-meets-greenery photos. Breakfast at Jok Prince (smoky rice porridge; add century egg) or Roast at EmQuartier (excellent coffee and brunch classics).

Afternoon: Shop and snack in Siam (Siam Square, MBK, Siam Paragon) or head to creative Charoenkrung—Warehouse 30 and small galleries are fun to browse. Lunch at Prai Raya (southern Thai crab curry and fresh prawns) or The Local by Oamthong (heritage recipes).

Evening: If you want a special-occasion dinner, book Nahm (refined, bold-flavored Thai). For drinks, two world-class options: BKK Social Club (Four Seasons; Latin-Thai craft) or The Bamboo Bar at Mandarin Oriental (live jazz, superb classics). Smart-casual attire suits both.

Day 7: Market Treasures, Canal Life, and a Riverside Farewell

Morning: If it’s a weekend, do Chatuchak Weekend Market—arrive by 10 a.m., graze on coconut ice cream, grilled pork skewers, and northern Thai sausages. Weekday alternative: Or Tor Kor Market (spotless produce and snack stalls) then hop to Ari for cafe-hopping (Pacamara, Casa Lapin).

Afternoon: Explore Thonburi’s canals. Hire a longtail boat from Tha Tien or Tha Chang pier (agree on ~THB 1,200–1,800 for 1.5–2 hours) to pass stilt houses, hidden temples, and the Khlong Bang Luang Artist House—watch a puppet show if timing allows.

Evening: Farewell dinner on the river facing Wat Arun at Sala Rattanakosin Eatery & Bar or at Steve Cafe & Cuisine by the river (old-school dishes, tranquil vibe). End with panoramic city views at King Power Mahanakhon SkyWalk or a last riverside stroll.

Optional/Swap-In Experience (if you prefer fewer DIY logistics):

If you’d like a single expertly guided overview day early in the trip, consider this comprehensive private option:

Private Tour: Best of Bangkok in A Day (covers major temples, markets, and neighborhoods with hotel pickup).

(Use this to replace Day 2’s morning + parts of Days 3–4 if you want to compress sightseeing; then spend more time on cafes, galleries, and spa.)

Insider tips: Carry a light scarf for temples; avoid touching monks if you identify as female. Use metered taxis (ask to use the meter) or Grab. For popular restaurants (Jay Fai, Nahm, Sorn), secure reservations or expect queues. Street food hygiene is generally good at busy stalls—follow the crowds and fresh turnover.

Bookends & logistics refresher: For flights, compare on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. For stays, browse Hotels.com: Bangkok and VRBO: Bangkok.

Viator activities used in this itinerary (link + image included above):

• Bangkok City Highlights Tour: Grand Palace & Three Iconic Temples
• Bangkok by Night: Temples, Markets and Food Tuk-Tuk Tour
• Bangkok: Floating Market and Train Market Experience
• UNESCO's Ayutthaya Historical Park: Full-Day Tour from Bangkok

Seven days in Bangkok goes by in a flash, but you’ll leave with a head full of temple bells, charcoal-scented night markets, and river sunsets. This itinerary balances big sights with local flavor so you can savor the capital’s rhythm—and know exactly where to find your next great bite.