Your ultimate ten-day Thailand itinerary

Thailand's diversity is one of its biggest attractions and you'll get a taste of that with this ten-day Thailand itinerary. It includes the bustling metropolis of Bangkok, the jungles around Chiang Mai, and some time relaxing by the water on the southern island of Phuket. With three main destinations in ten days, there's plenty of time to explore Thailand's famous food scene and discover some local gems.

Morning

Land at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, about 19 miles from the city center, and transfer to your accommodation to settle in after the flight. Most first-time visitors to Bangkok choose to stay in the convenient areas of Silom or Sukhumvit.

Afternoon

Ease into your Thailand itinerary with a traditional Thai massage, which was developed more than 2,000 years ago using yoga positions and pressure along "energy lines." Then pop into Jim Thompson House, an old teakwood home that's now a museum of Southeast Asian art and local heritage. The museum is close to Bangkok's main megamalls, which act as entertainment complexes, so it's a good opportunity to explore somewhere like Siam Discovery or centralwOrld.

Evening

To make the most of Thailand's cuisine during your trip, join a food tour of Bangkok to learn about the best meals and local customs. As you taste spring rolls, noodles, and stir fries, you'll get local tips for finding good street food stalls and authentic restaurants.

Morning

One of the most important landmarks in Bangkok is the Grand Palace, the official home of Thailand's king (although he doesn't live there now). A visit takes you through decorated courtyards and pavilions. with the highlight of the ornate Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew). Be sure to also visit the adjacent Wat Pho, one of the city's oldest and largest temples, home to a 150-foot-long reclining Buddha.

Note: You'll need to be respectfully dressed, with your shoulders and legs covered for both sites.

Afternoon

After the main landmarks this morning, spend the afternoon discovering some of the city's local areas on a hidden gems tour – perhaps by foot or bike. There's lots to see in Bangkok's residential neighborhoods, which are areas full of temples, markets, and canals.

Alternatively, you could independently explore Bangkok's Chinatown, which also has interesting markets and restaurants. The Wat Mangkon Kamalawat temple is always lively while the nearby Wat Traimit temple holds an enormous 6-ton golden Buddha statue.

Evening

Spend the evening soaking up the city's famed nightlife. The rooftop Sky Bar by Lebua was made famous by the Hangover 2 movie, but you'll also find lots of restaurants and bars around Silom and Sukhumvit.

Morning

About 47 miles north of Bangkok is Ayutthaya, the former capital of Thailand for about four centuries from 1350. Many of the grand monuments from that time still remain and the city makes a great day trip. You can do a group tour, take the train or rent a car in Bangkok.

Once you arrive, spend the morning focusing on the temples on the island, which include the huge tower at Wat Ratchaburana and a Buddha head entangled in roots at Wat Mahathat.

Afternoon

For lunch, try the city's traditional dish – small bowls of "boat noodles" designed so they wouldn't spill when served to people paddling on canals. Then use the afternoon to see the imposing riverside temple of Wat Chaiwatthanaram, the Japanese village with a garden and exhibition explaining the city's trading history, and the treasures inside the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum.

Evening

For an early dinner in Ayutthaya before the return trip to Bangkok, there are restaurants with sunset views along the southwestern shore of the main island.

Morning

Check out and catch the 1.5-hour flight to the northern city of Chiang Mai, then transfer to your accommodation and settle in. Staying in (or near) the Old City puts you conveniently close to many of the main sights.

Afternoon

Spend the afternoon exploring the highlights of the Old City, the capital of the Lanna Kingdom centuries ago and still surrounded by a moat and some red-brick walls. There are more than 30 temples, but don't miss the important Wat Chedi Luang in the exact center or Wat Phra Singh and its intricate wood carvings. You can also see the local produce at Somphet Market and learn about the city's history at the Lanna Folklife Museum. 

Evening

The country's national sport is Muay Thai boxing and watching some matches gives an interesting insight into the local culture. Chiang Mai has several venues with regular fights, including Kalare Night Bazaar Stadium and Chiang Mai Boxing Stadium.

Morning

Chiang Mai's jungle landscapes have been home to elephants for generations but it can be hard for them to live in the wild these days, so many elephant sanctuaries offer safe spaces for the animals. This morning, visit the original Elephant Nature Park or one of the other ethical sanctuaries to see the animals in their native environment.

Note: Check that you're visiting an ethically run sanctuary that doesn't offer elephant riding, performances, or other exploitative experiences.

Afternoon

This afternoon, it's time to learn how to make some of the delicious dishes you've been eating on your trip. Join a Thai cooking class, where a local chef will explain the ingredients and then teach you the recipes for meals like pad thai and green curry.

Evening

Chiang Mai is famous for its markets and many of them are bustling in the evening. Stroll past the stalls to look at or buy some local arts and crafts, and stop at the street food vendors for dinner. The Chiang Mai Night Bazaar is one of the busiest and aimed at visitors, while the Jing Jai Market and San Kamphaeng Walking Street attract a more local crowd.

Morning

About three hours' drive from Chiang Mai, the city of Chiang Rai is a popular day trip, taking you to a smaller and more artistic Northern Thai community. You can rent a car to drive independently or join a guided tour.

This morning, focus on one of the city's main landmarks – the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun). Created by an artist in 1997, this striking Buddhist temple sits on a small lake and uses clever effects to appear like it's made of sparkling marble

Afternoon

Visit the Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten), which is another modern construction designed by a local artist. The dazzling blue and gold colors of the exterior extend inside, where painted walls and flowers lead to the large white Buddha statue. Then head to the Black House (Baan Dam Museum), a sprawling compound of about 40 dark-colored structures holding collections of items like buffalo horns and crocodile skins.

Evening

This evening will be taken up with the three-hour drive back to Chiang Mai. About halfway, the road passes through Wiang Pa Pao, with lots of good restaurants for dinner.

Morning

Head to the airport for the flight south to the island of Phuket. Direct flights take just over two hours, while a transit in Bangkok normally makes the journey about four hours. Staying in Patong puts you in the heart of the action, while Kamala or Kata are quieter options.

Afternoon

Once you've settled in, head to the beach for a relaxing afternoon. Phuket has more than 40 beaches, mainly on the island's west coast. The busiest, Patong Beach, has rows of sun lounges and vendors offering activities on the water. To the south, Karon, Kata and Kata Noi Beaches have more relaxed atmospheres, while Kamala to the north is also peaceful. 

Evening

For an entertaining evening, you may like the famous Simon Cabaret show in Patong. With singing and dancing, it combines some traditional Thai culture with modern glamour.

Morning

At about 30 miles long, Phuket is Thailand's largest island and there's lots to see here. Spend today exploring some of the sights, which you can do on a guided tour or by renting a car.

Start the day by driving along the west coast, to stop at some of the main beaches you haven't already seen. The Phuket Art Village is a nice spot to break for its coffee and artworks, then head to the 148-feet--high Big Buddha on top of a forested hill, followed by the beautiful Wat Chalong temple.

Afternoon

In the island's capital, Phuket Town, you'll find lots of heritage along the nostalgic street of Soi Rommanee, in historic buildings like the Surin Circle Clock Tower and in temples like Wat Mongkhon Nimit. The center of town has markets and a good selection of restaurants, while the sweeping views from the top of Khao Rang make the walk up worthwhile. 

Evening

To finish the day of island exploration, head to the southernmost tip where you'll get gorgeous sunset views from Promthep Cape. Nearby Rawai Beach has casual waterside restaurants serving fresh seafood.

Morning

Join a boat tour for a day of island-hopping around the Andaman Sea. Lots of local companies offer tours and they'll each be slightly different, although the highlight will usually be the Phi Phi Islands. The morning may include a stop at a smaller island like Bamboo Island, and there will be opportunities to swim and snorkel at several beaches.

Afternoon

There are two Phi Phi Islands that most tours visit. The larger is Koh Phi Phi Don, where you can swim in clear waters off white beaches with dramatic limestone cliffs rising up to the jungle. The smaller, Koh Phi Phi Le, is where you'll be able to visit the location made famous in the movie The Beach at Maya Bay.

Evening

For your final evening in Thailand, you may want a special meal. Phuket has one Michelin-starred restaurant, PRU in the northwest of the island, serving a fusion of Thai and European cuisine. Phuket Town has a good selection of local Thai restaurants, while all the beaches have fresh seafood menus.

Morning

It's been a busy ten days in Thailand, so enjoy a final morning relaxing at the beach, pool, or around town. You'll find plenty of local vendors offering massages, paddleboards, or drinks. But if you have time and are looking for something more active, Phuket also offers white-water rafting, ATV rides and ziplining.  

Afternoon

For last-minute souvenir shopping before you leave, you might find markets at Chillva or Thalang Road in Phuket Town or around Karon Temple, depending on the day of the week. Central Phuket is the main mall for premium shopping, while Jungceylon Mall in Patong has hundreds of stores.

Evening

Head to the airport for your departure. Remember Phuket Airport is in the north of the island, and it can take up an hour to reach it by car from the southern beaches.

• Eating street food in Thailand can be a wonderful way to try new dishes – but if you're worried about getting sick, follow the crowds to the busy stalls with high turnover.
• Tipping is generally not expected in Thailand but you won't offend anyone if you leave a small amount as a thank you.
• You should dress modestly when visiting temples in Thailand, including covering knees and shoulders.
• Thailand is renowned for its nightlife, but remember there are strict rules around alcohol, vaping, and illegal drugs.
• The Thai New Year celebrations, known as Songkran, in mid-April are a lot of fun – but they involve massive water fights so be sure to waterproof your belongings.

Regardless of the length of your trip to Thailand, there are itineraries that will show you some of the country's most interesting regions.

• To still experience the diversity of Thailand in seven days, spend two days in Bangkok, two days in Chiang Mai, and three days on an island like Phuket.
• For a longer 14-day Thailand trip, you could also visit some of the islands off the eastern coast, such as Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, which feel smaller and more relaxed than Phuket.
• Or you can extend this ten-day itinerary in Thailand with more cultural destinations like Kanchanaburi for its military history and Sukhothai for its ancient temples surrounded by lush forests.

Thailand has a reputation as a fun and friendly country and this itinerary has been curated for slow travel without missing any important sights. After discovering some of the country's most important landmarks in Bangkok and then exploring the northern culture of Chiang Mai, make the most of your days in Phuket to relax and enjoy the slow pace of life on the beaches.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and don't necessarily reflect the official policy or position of our company.