Once the heart of powerful kingdoms and rich maritime trade routes, Thailand today is a mosaic of gilded wats, jungle-fringed shores, and markets that never seem to sleep. Bangkok dazzles with royal palaces and neon alleys perfumed by wok smoke, while Phuket stages sunsets that look hand-painted. In one week, you can taste both worlds—urban energy and island serenity—without rushing.

History hums everywhere: Ayutthaya’s legacy echoes in Bangkok’s temples, and Sino‑Portuguese shophouses color Phuket Old Town with 19th‑century flair. You’ll snack on boat noodles beside canals, then swap city tuk‑tuks for speedboats over coral gardens. Expect kind smiles, convenience stores at every corner, and world-class coffee hiding behind wooden shutters.

Practical notes: modest attire is required at temples (shoulders/knees covered); carry cash for markets; and in hot months, pace sightseeing early and late. Thailand’s food is famously spicy—ask for “pet nid-noy” (a little spicy) if needed. For flights, compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com; Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi (BKK) is the major international hub.

Bangkok

Bangkok is Thailand’s kinetic capital—part royal citadel, part river city, part culinary playground. Mornings glow with saffron robes and temple bells; nights spark with Chinatown woks and rooftop bars hanging over the Chao Phraya River. Between BTS skytrain lines and ferries, it’s easy to glide between serene shrines and chaotic, unforgettable markets.

• Top sights: Grand Palace, Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha), Wat Arun at sunset, Jim Thompson House, Chinatown (Yaowarat), Chatuchak Weekend Market.
• Dining highlights: Pad Thai at Thipsamai, royal-style Thai at Krua Apsorn, peppery kuay jab (rolled rice noodles) in Chinatown, and mango sticky rice at Mae Varee.
• Fun fact: Wat Traimit houses the world’s largest solid-gold Buddha, hidden under plaster for decades to foil invaders.

Where to stay (Bangkok): For riverside heritage and impeccable service, book Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok. Design lovers adore The Siam Hotel, an art-deco oasis. Resort-style comfort? Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort. Wallet-friendly: Lub d Bangkok Siam or Niras Bankoc Cultural Hostel. Compare more stays on Hotels.com (Bangkok) or browse apartments on VRBO (Bangkok).

Getting in: From BKK, the Airport Rail Link to Phaya Thai takes ~30 minutes (about 45 THB). Metered taxis to riverside areas typically run 300–500 THB depending on traffic. Compare international flights via Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Day 1: Arrive and Taste the River City

Morning: In transit.

Afternoon: Land in Bangkok and check in. Shake off the flight with a mellow ferry ride on the Chao Phraya to see Wat Arun’s porcelain spires glinting in the sun. Coffee at Sarnies (Charoen Krung) for house-roasted beans and pandan croissants.

Evening: Head to Chinatown (Yaowarat). Slurp peppery kuay jab at Nai Ek Roll Noodles, then grab charcoal-grilled satay and chestnut-sweet roasted duck from street stalls. For dessert, try Thai doughnuts (pa tong go) or mango with coconut sticky rice. Nightcap on a riverside terrace—River Vibe or a sky bar if you want the views (dress code enforced at many rooftops).

Day 2: Royal Bangkok and Night Eats by Tuk-Tuk

Morning: Classic temples with a guide on the Bangkok City Highlights Tour: Grand Palace & Three Iconic Temples (tickets and transfers included; ideal for first-timers). Dress modestly. Between stops, sip iced Thai tea to beat the heat.

Afternoon: Lunch at Thipsamai for the tamarind-bright pad thai “supalai” (egg-wrapped); queues move quickly. Explore the nearby Giant Swing and wander to the Bangkok City Library’s cool interiors if you need AC. Coffee at Factory Coffee near Victory Monument—award-winning baristas and a silky “nitro orange” espresso.

Evening: Hop on the award-winning Bangkok by Night: Temples, Markets and Food Tuk-Tuk Tour for a four-hour whirl of backstreets, twilight wats, and late-night bites. It’s festive, filling, and a fantastic orientation to Bangkok’s street food scene.

Day 3: Markets, Canals, and the River After Dark

Morning: Classic Bangkok breakfast at On Lok Yun (since the 1930s): kaya toast, soft eggs, and milk tea in a time-capsule café. If it’s a weekend, roam Chatuchak Market for ceramics, linen, and plants; weekdays, browse Talat Nang Loeng for old-school sweets. Consider hiring a longtail boat for a slow cruise through Thonburi’s khlongs to glimpse stilt houses and waterside temples.

Afternoon: Lunch at Krua Apsorn (Dusit) for blue crab omelet and turmeric-spiced curries—royal Thai comfort food. Cool off at the Jim Thompson House, a teak architectural jewel filled with silk-weaving lore. Coffee stop at Nana Coffee Roasters (Ari) or a gelato at Ghignoni near Siam.

Evening: Stroll ICONSIAM’s riverfront and artsy “SookSiam” food hall. For a memorable finale, book a Chao Phraya dinner cruise for temple-lit views and live music, or dine riverside at Supanniga Eating Room (Tha Tien) for refined Isan flavors and a front-row seat to Wat Arun shimmering across the water.

Phuket

Phuket is more than beaches: it’s a culinary capital with pastel Sino‑Portuguese mansions, bustling night markets, and a coastline scalloped by powdery coves. Use it as a launchpad to the Phi Phi Islands and Phang Nga’s limestone towers—or linger in Old Town’s cafés and craft bars between swims.

• Top sights: Phuket Old Town, Kata Noi and Nai Harn beaches, Big Buddha, island-hopping to Phi Phi and Maya Bay (controlled access), Phang Nga Bay sea caves.
• Dining highlights: One Chun (Bib Gourmand) for southern Thai, Raya for crab curry with rice noodles, Kan Eang@Pier for sunset seafood, Mor Mu Dong’s rustic huts over mangroves.
• Travel tip: Grab works well; beach-to-town rides can take 30–60 minutes depending on traffic. Early starts help you beat the heat and crowds.

Where to stay (Phuket): Splurge at Amanpuri or Trisara Phuket for private-villa seclusion. Beachfront standouts include JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa, The Shore at Katathani, and Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket. Family-friendly: Sunwing Kamala Beach. Social budget stays: Lub d Phuket Patong. Compare more on Hotels.com (Phuket) or browse villas on VRBO (Phuket).

Getting there from Bangkok (Day 4 morning): Fly BKK/DMK → HKT in ~1h25m; fares often $30–$100+ on Thai Vietjet, AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, or Thai Airways. Compare options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Airport to Old Town is ~40 minutes; to Kata/Karon/Kamala 60–75 minutes depending on traffic.

Day 4: Fly South, Stroll Old Town, Sunset Seafood

Morning: Depart Bangkok for Phuket on an early flight (aim to land by late morning). Drop bags at your hotel.

Afternoon: Explore Phuket Old Town’s colorful shophouses on Thalang and Soi Romanee. Coffee at Campus Coffee Roasters (small-batch pours) and a coconut break from a street cart. Lunch at Raya for rich, aromatic crab curry with kanom jeen (rice noodles) or One Chun for southern staples like pork belly stew and fiery fish curry.

Evening: If it’s Sunday, don’t miss the “Lard Yai” Walking Street—music, crafts, and excellent snacks. Otherwise, browse Chillva Market’s container stalls. Dinner at Tu Kab Khao for moo hong (braised pork) and Phuket pineapple fried rice. Finish with local-flavor ice creams (butterfly pea or durian) at Torry’s.

Day 5: Phi Phi Islands—Emerald Water and Coral Gardens

Full-day boat adventure to white-sand coves and glassy lagoons on the Phi Phi Islands Adventure Day Trip w/ Seaview Lunch by V. Marine (2023–2025 award-winner; includes snorkeling gear, guides, and lunch). Expect Maya Bay photo time (swimming restrictions may apply), Pileh Lagoon’s jade pool, and bright reefs teeming with parrotfish. Bring reef-safe sunscreen and a light rash guard.

Back on Phuket, rehydrate and opt for a casual beachside dinner near your base—grilled seafood, som tam (papaya salad), and a cold coconut as the sky goes tangerine.

Day 6: Ethical Elephants, Beach Time, and a Mangrove Feast

Morning: Meet gentle giants at the A Morning with the Elephants at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary—no riding, just observation and feeding as rescued elephants wander and bathe on a lush reserve. It’s moving, educational, and kid-friendly.

Afternoon: Beach-hop: Kata Noi for soft sand and swim-friendly surf, or Nai Harn for a quieter cove. Grab an easy lunch—grilled corn and chicken skewers from beach vendors, or a beach café pad kaprao (holy basil stir-fry) with a lime soda.

Evening: Dinner at Mor Mu Dong, a locals’ favorite with bamboo huts over mangroves—order turmeric grilled fish, stink beans with shrimp, and smoked chili dips. Alternatively, Kan Eang@Pier pairs classy seafood with Chalong Bay views. If you can snag a reservation another night, Baba Nest’s sunset deck is spectacular.

Day 7: Lazy Morning and Departure

Morning: Brunch near your beach: try an eggs-and-espresso set at The Boathouse (Kata) or smoothie bowls at a local café. Squeeze in a last Thai massage—look for reputable spas along the main strips—or souvenir-shop for batik textiles and hand-carved soaps in Old Town if you’re based nearby.

Afternoon: Transfer to Phuket International Airport for your onward flight. If you’re flying internationally via Bangkok, allow generous connection time. Compare fares and connections on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Practical Food & Coffee Map (By Day)

• Day 1 (Bangkok): Sarnies coffee; Chinatown—Nai Ek Roll Noodles, T&K Seafood, mango sticky rice stalls.
• Day 2 (Bangkok): Thipsamai pad thai; Factory Coffee; late-night tuk-tuk tour bites (grilled pork skewers, panang curry, surprise dessert stop).
• Day 3 (Bangkok): On Lok Yun breakfast; Krua Apsorn lunch; riverside dinner or dinner cruise with temple-lit views.
• Day 4 (Phuket): Campus Coffee Roasters; Raya or One Chun; Tu Kab Khao; Torry’s Ice Cream.
• Day 5 (Phuket): Tour lunch included; casual beachside seafood dinner.
• Day 6 (Phuket): Beach café lunch; Mor Mu Dong or Kan Eang@Pier dinner.
• Day 7 (Phuket): Brunch café near your beach; airport snacks if time is tight.

Getting Around & Booking Tips

• City transit: In Bangkok, use BTS/MRT and river ferries to skip traffic; Grab is reliable for late nights and airport runs.
• Domestic flights: Bangkok ⇄ Phuket is ~1h25m; most low-cost carriers charge separately for checked bags—prepay online to save.
• Travel search: Use Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com for fare alerts and mixed-carrier itineraries.
• When to go: Nov–Mar is cooler and drier. If visiting in the green season (May–Oct), build in flexibility for seas and showers.
• Temple etiquette: Cover shoulders and knees; remove shoes; speak softly. A light scarf in your daypack is invaluable.

Optional Viator swaps (if you prefer): Consider a serene khlong cruise—Bangkok Canal Tour: 2-Hour Longtail Boat Ride—or trade a night out for a Chao Phraya dinner cruise such as the newest options departing from ICONSIAM.

In a single week, you’ll bow before Bangkok’s golden Buddhas, feast on night-market classics by tuk‑tuk, float above coral in the Phi Phi archipelago, and share quiet moments with rescued elephants. It’s a well-paced Thailand sampler—rich in flavor, culture, and time by the sea—designed to leave you planning a return.