3 days in Bangkok – Bangkok main itinerary + tips and map

Bangkok is a concrete jungle filled with beautiful temples, floating markets, delicious street food, bargain basement deals and hedonistic escapes. Here’s how to spend 3 days in Bangkok.

While many travelers fly in and out of Bangkok, making their way to sun-soaked beaches, the capital has its own charm.

Scratch beneath the surface of this busy, chaotic city and you’ll find a romantic mix of old and new.

The city’s bustling ancient temples and floating markets offer a glimpse into a bygone era. Meanwhile, rooftop bars, bargain shopping destinations and a range of clubs allow you to indulge your hedonistic side.

Throw in exceptional local street food, friendly locals and very affordable prices and you’ll be glad you spent 3 days in Bangkok.

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DAY 1 – MORNING

GRAND PALACE

Start at the Grand Palace, a fine example of intricate Thai craftsmanship and the original residence of Thailand’s kings.

The palace is a large-scale complex Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), Thailand’s most important temple, hidden within it. It is almost an icon of the city and one of the things that makes Bangkok one of the best places to visit in Thailand.

WHAT MALE?

Then cross the river on a local ferry to the much-photographed Wat Arun. Its colorfully decorated pillars stand majestically over the Chao Phraya River.

Return to the ferry Pak Khlong Thalad and wander the flower market, an array of intricately woven flowers that offer a gorgeous display of color and beautiful fragrance.

LUNCH

Dine on the pavement at Café Tha Tien for their great value old school Thai food, delicious sweet tea and no frills service.

DAY 1 – AFTERNOON

WAT PHO:

After lunch proceed to the temple What Pho One of Thailand’s many stunning temples.

Here, the 46-meter-long statue is pressed into the temple building. hardly big enough for its mammoth resident. It’s cramped and claustrophobic as you cut space to get the right angle for the photo.

Your ticket includes a bottle of water and the right to be blessed by a monk who will sprinkle you with holy water and whip you with a short broom.

THAI MASSAGE

Wat Pho is also the spiritual home of Thai massage, and a massage school is located on the temple grounds. Massages are excellent but can be booked in advance so call ahead. If it’s busy, visit Chetawan Wat Po Massage School, a branch of the original located a short walk from the temple complex.

CHINATOWN

Feeling relaxed, head to the energetic buzz, neon lights and crazy street food of Chinatown.

Centered around Sampeng Marke:t and: Yaowarat Road, you can buy anything from gold baths to spiritual offerings for the dead. For dinner, create your own culinary experience by wandering around the stalls and taking a bite from each.

DAY 2 – MORNING

WAT SAKET?

Go on day 2 of your 3 days in Bangkok Wat Saket – Temple of the Golden Mountain. The temple is located on top of a man-made hill, climbing 300 steps to reach a magnificent golden chedi with a magnificent view of the city.

Ring the bell on the steps, be blessed by a monk, and commemorate the 60,000 plague victims commemorated in the cemetery.

JIM THOMPSON’S HOUSE

Next, go to Jim Thompson’s house. Meanwhile, the most fun way to get there is to hop on a local ferry. These boats fly at breakneck speed through the narrow canal of Klong Saen Saep as locals prevent everyone else from getting wet by clinging to plastic sheeting. Board the boat at Fanfa Bridge Pier and exit j Sapan Hua Chang Pier. Tickets can be purchased on the plane.

Jim Thompson was the most famous Thai expatriate who revived the handwoven silk trade industry after the war. Deciding to settle in Bangkok, he built his home, which was a combination of six traditional Thai teak wooden houses transported from historic Ayutthaya and Ban Krua. Filled with antiques, it is a fascinating legacy of a man who mysteriously disappeared from the Malaysian highlands in 1967.

DAY 2 – AFTERNOON

MAH BOON KRONG

Time for some shopping! Walk to Death Boon Krong! a mall where teenagers flock for a huge range of stores, great deals and air conditioning.

CHATUCHAK WEEKEND MARKET

Weekends are a better option Chatuchak Weekend Market. It’s a subway ride to this frenetic, chaotic, shopping destination. Narrow streets lined with stalls selling everything from club wear to fighting fish; tropical plants to record holders in the 1970s.

Grab a snack at one of the food stalls full of locals.

SUKHUMVIT

Go for the evening Sukhumvit, home to both a thriving sex tourism industry and a respectable urban scene. Start at Vertigo Moon Bar, an outdoor rooftop bar located on the 61st floor of the Banyan Tree Hotel.

Drinks are expensive, but you’re paying for the glorious Bangkok sunset and the opportunity to mingle with the youth. If you want to sit, arrive an hour before sunset.

PATPONG NIGHT MARKET

Next campaign to Patpong Night Market. With fake Louis Vuitton in stalls and girls strutting their wares in the bars adjacent to the market, it’s a deliciously naughty night.

A few streets east, sit on the sidewalk in Bangkok’s main gay area and watch the street drama unfold.

DAY 3 – MORNING

TRADITIONAL FLOATING MARKET

On the last day of your 3 days in Bangkok, head to the floating market. Here, the locals sitting in the bamboo boats sell all kinds of vegetables, fruits, fried fish, pandan rice wrapped in leaves and much more.

It’s a lively, energetic, yet traditional scene that’s great for photo ops and even better for an early lunch.

There are several good floating markets, each with a different atmosphere. All information and opening hours can be found here.

It is one of the most popular Damnoen Saduak. Great for photos, but the market has become touristy with higher prices and more scammers. Many now consider Khlong Lat Mayom, right on the edge of town, Bangkok’s best floating market.

DAY 3 – AFTERNOON

KHAO SAN ROAD

Back in Bangkok, spend the afternoon sightseeing Khao San Road area, one of the places you should know if you are backpacking in Asia.

Khao San Road and the slightly quieter but still crazy road Soi Ram Butri lined with budget accommodation, massage parlours, tattoo joints, traders, internet cafes and endless bars. Get a foot massage, buy a cheap t-shirt or just sit back and watch the countless tourists.

EAGLES NEST BAR

When the sun goes down, head to the Eagle’s Nest Rooftop Bar; a local place 4 stories above the noise where the atmosphere is cooler.

JAY FAI

If you’re a foodie, dine at Raan Jay Fai, Thailand’s first and only Michelin-starred street food stall. 70+ year old owner and chef Mrs. Jay Fai prepares her signature shrimp omelette and other delicacies.

Find out about opening hours on their Instagram account. They are currently only accepting walk-in entries.

If you decide against Raan Jay Fai or can’t get yourself a seat, there are several other eateries nearby. Pick one up and try Yen Ta Pho, a pink noodle soup that tastes better than it looks.

WHERE TO STAY IN BANGKOK?

We recommend a short walk from the Khao San Road area, but not too close to the busy streets of Soi Ram Butri Khao San Road, both of which can be very noisy.

If you’re traveling with family, here’s a great resource for the best family hotels in Bangkok.

AROUND BANGKOK

International flights arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Mueang Airport. Once you arrive, ignore the directions and hail a public metered taxi into town, making sure you ask them to turn on the meter.

Tuk-tuks are an easy and cheap way to travel short distances in Bangkok, for longer journeys use taxis or the subway. On the map below you can find all the places we visited during our 3 days in Bangkok.

If you have extra days, there are plenty of great cheap day trips from Bangkok just an hour from the center that are worth exploring.

BEST TIME TO GO TO BANGKOK?

The rains hit Bangkok in September/October and temperatures can reach over 30 degrees from April to June. December to February are the hottest and most pleasant months, but tourist numbers can be high. Mid-November to mid-December is optimal.

If you’re visiting Bangkok as part of a longer stay in Thailand, this 3-week itinerary may provide some inspiration.

THANKS FOR VISIT // WHERE NEXT?

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