Your ultimate seven-day Bangkok itinerary

Bangkok is a true Asian metropolis, with soaring skyscrapers, dazzling megamalls, and high-end hotels boasting rooftop bars. Yet it's also a city steeped in heritage and full of vibrant local neighborhoods.

In this seven-day Bangkok itinerary, you'll cover all the main attractions, including the Royal Palace and the most important temples, but there will also be plenty of opportunities to meet locals, check out the emerging art scene, and taste the best street food.

Bangkok also has some easy day trips to explore other elements of Thailand, and this itinerary suggests two of them, including to the ancient capital of Ayutthaya.

Morning

One of the city's most significant sights is the Grand Palace, so let's begin this seven-day Bangkok itinerary there. It's been the official residence of the king since 1782, but as the Royal Family no longer lives here, the large complex is now open to the public – just make sure your knees and shoulders are covered for entry.

You'll walk through different outdoor courts lined with sculptures, ornate golden decorations, and colorful pavilions. A highlight is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha —Wat Phra Kaew—once the private chapel for the royal family and covered with beautiful murals with a Buddha statue of jade-like stone at the center.

Afternoon

Next to the Grand Palace is another important Bangkok sight, Wat Pho, one of the city's oldest and largest temples, and home to a 151–foot-long reclining Buddha. It'll take about an hour to see it, so grab lunch at one of the nearby riverside restaurants first.

It's then just a few minutes' walk to Museum Siam, where a historic government building houses interesting exhibits about the national identity of Thailand and how the country's heritage has shaped it. Afterward, continue on to Pak Khlong Talat, the city's primary flower market. Although it's busiest before dawn, the colorful aromatic stalls are open 24 hours a day.

Evening 

One of the best things about visiting Bangkok is the cuisine, which includes the street food stalls all across the city. Join a food tour of Bangkok to learn from a local expert the best places to eat and suggestions for dishes to try. As well as being a fun evening, you'll get tips for the rest of your stay.

Morning

After yesterday's focus on some of Bangkok's biggest sights, explore some of the city's quieter areas this morning on a hidden gems tour – perhaps by foot or bike. Bangkok's residential neighborhoods are often vibrant districts teeming with local markets, storehouses, and temples.

The tour may take you on one of the canal boats that locals use as public transportation. If not, make sure to try it yourself at some point during your Bangkok itinerary.

Afternoon

For lunch, Bangkok's Chinatown, known as Yaowarat, is full of food options, including street food like crispy pork or fishball soup. There's also the rolled noodle soup at Guay Jub Ouan Pochana that has been awarded a Bib Gourmand, while Potong has a Michelin star for its innovative Thai-Chinese menu.

Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring Chinatown, which is full of markets and interesting stores. The city's largest Chinese Buddhist temple, Wat Mangkon Kamalawat, has lots to see and it's also worth visiting the nearby Wat Traimit, one of Bangkok's important landmarks which holds an enormous 5.5-tonne golden Buddha statue.

Evening 

This evening, you may want to stay in Chinatown for dinner. Or this could be a good opportunity to see some of the national sport, Muay Thai. Also known as Thai boxing, this martial art originated from the local army and big matches are held several nights a week at the military's Lumpinee Boxing Stadium.

Morning

A seven-day Bangkok itinerary gives you the chance to do a couple of day trips, so today join a tour out of the city to a floating market and the Maeklong Railway, or rent a car in Bangkok to travel independently.

Start the morning with a visit to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, about 60 miles west of central Bangkok, where local vendors sell fresh produce direct from the longboats they're paddling along the canal. You can buy items from the waterside or rent a boat to row through the canals yourself.

Afternoon

Then, head to Maeklong Railway, which has become famous in recent years as a bustling market set on active railway tracks. As the trains come, the vendors quickly pack up their stalls and then immediately reopen when the coast is clear. You can join the shoppers in the trackside market or ride the train for a different vantage point.

On the way back to Bangkok, you may want to stop at Wat Sampran, which is also known as Dragon Temple. This 17-level pink tower has a giant green dragon coiled around it that you can climb up for epic views of the surroundings.

Evening 

Tonight, take in the views of Bangkok from one of the city's rooftop bars. The most famous, the Sky Bar by Lebua, has become particularly busy since it featured in the Hangover 2 movie. Other options include the sophisticated Vertigo & Moon Bar at the Banyan Tree, the more energetic Tichuca Rooftop Bar, or the relaxed Eagle's Nest Bar.

Morning

Tucked away in a quiet street near the busy center of Bangkok is an old teakwood building called the Jim Thompson House. Named for the American businessman who lived here from 1959, the house is now a museum that displays some of his collection of Southeast Asian art. You can take a tour of the house and also explore the site's modern building with an exhibition about his silk company.

Then take a short walk to the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, a huge nine-story contemporary arts venue with large gallery spaces, art stores, bookstores, and cafes. You can easily spend a couple of hours seeing it all.

Afternoon

Head up the road to see the imposing Victory Monument roundabout and get lunch at an iconic restaurant called Baan Kuay Tiew Ruathong that serves authentic boat noodles next to a canal. Or from the art center, you're very close to some of Bangkok's malls, which are filled with places to eat.

Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the megamalls around Siam, which are more entertainment complexes than just shopping destinations. Siam Paragon has global  premium brands and Southeast Asia's largest aquarium. Siam Discovery has a wax museum on its upper floors, and the enormous centralwOrld has hundreds of stores and a movie theater complex.

Evening 

Although Bangkok's famed nightlife can be found across the city, two of the main hotspots are Silom and Sukhumvit. This evening, check out whichever is more convenient, as they both have Michelin-starred restaurants, bustling bars, and energetic street markets. The night can be as quiet or as long as you choose.

Morning

By now, you've likely eaten plenty of local food, so why not try your hand at making some. This morning, join a Thai cooking class to learn how to prepare some classic dishes like tom yum soup, green curry, and massaman curry.

The experience may start with a visit to a local market to learn about the ingredients and collect what you'll need for the class. When all the cooking is finished, you'll be able to eat your creations for lunch.

Afternoon

To work off that big meal, head to the Temple of the Golden Mount (Wat Saket), where more than 300 steps lead up a hill, with bells to ring along the way. At the top is a collection of shrines and panoramic views across the city. Once you've descended, go across the road to Loha Prasat, another striking temple that looks like a castle with 37 metal spires.

Just a couple of blocks away is Khao San Road, the original backpacker district that still caters to a young crowd, even though the strip has modernized. It gets much busier in the evenings with loud music blaring from the bars, but you could pop in this afternoon to have a look and an afternoon refreshment.

Evening 

One of the trendiest new districts of Bangkok is Charoenkrung, an old multicultural trading area along the river where warehouses and alleys have been transformed by local artisans and small businesses. 

Before they close, check out some of the art galleries and craft stores, including a good collection of stores at Warehouse 30. Grab a drink at fun cocktail bars like Tropic City and Jua, then head for dinner at somewhere casual like Baan Phadthai or Michelin-star Thai dining at 80/20.

Morning

Today is a convenient point in this Bangkok itinerary for another day trip, and one of the best is to the ancient city of Ayutthaya, about 47 miles north. It was the capital of Thailand for about four centuries from 1350 and many of the monumental structures from that time remain.

A popular option is a group tour to Ayutthaya, but you can also take the train or rent a car in Bangkok. Once you arrive, some of the sights are within walking distance or many visitors rent a bicycle for the day. In the morning, focus 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 Pa Lek Boat Noodle for small bowls of the city's traditional dish, designed so they wouldn't spill when served to people paddling on canals. Then head to the grandest temple off the main island, Wat Chaiwatthanaram, set on the river with a design inspired by the Buddhist cosmological center of Mount Meru.

Other interesting temples include Wat Phana Choeng and Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, but there are also other types of heritage. The Japanese village has a beautiful garden and museum, while the old Portuguese village has original building foundations. The Chao Sam Phraya National Museum is worth a visit to see invaluable treasures found within the temples.

Evening 

It's likely you'll spend the evening returning to Bangkok from Ayutthaya, but if you want dinner before you leave, there are some great restaurants along the southwestern shore of the main island with sunset views across the river.

Morning

The last morning of this Bangkok itinerary is a good opportunity to see any of the city's attractions you've missed so far. For instance, if you're keen on shopping for souvenirs, the Chatuchak Weekend Market (only open Saturday and Sunday) is a sprawling complex of 15,000 stalls selling almost anything you can imagine.

To learn more about Thai culture and history, the National Museum is one of the largest in Southeast Asia and contains a lot of ancient sculptures. Across the road is the National Gallery, which has a focus on more modern styles.

And for families, the morning or whole day could be spent at Siam Amazing Park, an amusement and water park with dozens of rides, slides, and pools.

Afternoon

This afternoon, treat yourself to a traditional Thai massage. Developed more than 2,000 years ago, it's usually performed with no oils and loose clothing, using yoga positions and pressure along "energy lines."

Then, before sunset, there's one last temple to see. Wat Arun is set on the river, almost opposite the Royal Palace, and its tall central tower is one of Bangkok's most distinctive landmarks.

Evening 

For the final evening in Bangkok, join a cruise along the Chao Phraya River. You might be able to join from the pier at Wat Arun or you could catch the local ferry to the embarkation point.

The boat will take you along the river, past sights like Wat Arun, Asiatique The Riverfront, and Wichai Prasit Fort. Many of the evening river cruises also include drinks and some even serve dinner.

If you're visiting the city on a shorter trip, there are still lots of things you can fit into a Bangkok itinerary for a few days:

• Visit the Grand Palace and the neighboring Wat Pho temple to see two of Bangkok's most important sights.
• Take a cruise along the Chao Phraya River to soak up the waterfront attractions and see some local life.
• Join a food tour to taste the best street food in Bangkok and get some tips for where to eat during the rest of your trip.
• See the art and architecture at the charming Jim Thompson House and learn about the legacy of his silk business.
• Have a drink at one of Bangkok's rooftop bars and take in the panoramic views of the city.

To make the most of this energetic city, there are a few things to know before visiting Bangkok that will help you get around and stay safe:

• When it comes to getting around Bangkok, the BTS and MRT trains are cheap and efficient. There are also lots of taxis and rideshares, but they can get stuck in the city's notoriously bad peak-hour traffic.
• Many small businesses in Bangkok will only accept cash, so make sure to always have Thai bhat with you.
• You'll be expected to dress modestly at temples in Bangkok, including covering your shoulders and knees. The dress code will be enforced at important sites like the Royal Palace and Wat Pho.
• Street food is generally very safe to eat in Bangkok but a good rule is to look for the busiest vendors. It's worth always carrying hand sanitizer because there likely won't be places to wash your hands.
• It's not safe to drink the tap water in Bangkok, so always use bottled or boiled water.

There's no shortage of things to do in Bangkok, from the ornate temples to the glittering megamalls and the local neighborhoods. But something you can enjoy every day is the excellent Thai cuisine.

This Bangkok itinerary has included some suggestions for where to eat, but you'll find street food, casual restaurants, and fine dining throughout the city. One final tip is to try it all, because it's likely to be a highlight of your time in the city.

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