I’ve had nearly 20 years to refine and refresh my Bangkok travel guide—and I hope it shows. In fact, I rewrite huge sections of this page at least a few times per year in order to reflect new information and insights I’ve gained.
This speaks as much to the life force I’ve devoted to Thailand’s “City of Angels”—I’ve lived here on three separate occasions; I visit at least that many times annually—as it does to the dynamism of the place. Bangkok is constantly evolving, like a cobra shedding its skin. Shouldn’t I do the same, as someone who seeks to document it?
Whether you’re on the lookout for a complete Bangkok itinerary, or simply need an inspirational starting point to chart your own course, you’re in the right place.
Where to Stay in Bangkok
The good news? I’ve written a complete guide about where to stay in Bangkok. The better news? If you don’t feel like reading it, I’ll summarize it here, and then recommend a few specific properties. To that end, in my more detailed article, I outline that you have two basic choices about where to base yourself in Bangkok: The Old City and the New City. You can also technically stay on notorious Khao San Road (which is just north of the Old City), though I’ll be honest that I’m not a huge fan of it.
If you want to stay in the Old City (in particular on Rattanakosin island, on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River), I recommend either the luxurious Chakrabongse Villas, or the simpler (but adjacent) Riva Arun. The best Bangkok hotels in the New City, meanwhile, range anywhere from the simple Anajak Bangkok Hotel in Phaya Thai not far from the Airport Rail Link, to the Grand CentrePoint Prestige on upmarket Ratchadamri Boulevard, to the ultra-luxurious Rosewood Bangkok near BTS Phloen Chit Station.
The Best Things to Do in Bangkok
Dig deep into Bangkok’s old citi(es)
The first order of business for Bangkok travel guide? Spotlighting the best temples in Bangkok! Famous ones include Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha) and Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), in the Rattanakosin and Thonburi “lobes” of Bangkok’s Old City, respectively. Lesser-known temples and shrines I also love range from the Wat Pak Nam “space temple” deeper into Thonburi, and Wat Saket, aka the “Golden Mountain,” from which you can get one of Bangkok’s most enchanting sunset views. The Grand Palace, meanwhile, is home to Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
Devote a full evening to Chinatown
Whether you dine at Bangkok Chinatown restaurants like the understated dim sum joint Canton House, or brave the somewhat chaotic street food scene, Yaowarat is a logical place to continue your Bangkok travel once the sun has set on the Old City. Hop in a tuk-tuk and head down to this exciting part of town, whether you have a cocktail at one of the many shophouses converted into gin bars, say your prayers at the magnificent Wat Traimit marble temple or practice your long exposure photography skills in front of the Chinatown Gate. Centering Chinatown has always been one of my top Bangkok travel tips!
Enjoy retail therapy and relaxation in “new” Bangkok
The older I get, many of my favorite things to do in Bangkok are…shall we say, hedonistic. And I’m not talking about nightlife, per se, and certainly not anything of the “adult” nature. Rather, I’m talking about higher-end experiences in the New City, aka central Bangkok. Some days, this entails walking the entire strip of malls that runs along Rama I Road from MBK Center, to Siam Paragon, to Centralworld, to Central Embassy. Other times, this is enjoying the lushness of Lumphini Park with the Sathorn district rising above it, while still other times I’m taking in sunset views and clinking glasses at any number of Bangkok’s best sky bars, whether along Silom or Sukhumvit roads.
Embrace your inner foodie
Here’s a hack you might not be expecting for your Bangkok vacation: Much of the best street food in Bangkok is not on the streets. Rather, basically all the malls in Bangkok have their own local-style food courts, where you can enjoy clean and safe versions of dishes you might otherwise only find on the street, in air-conditioned comfort no less. You’re welcome! Of course, if you’re feeling more adventurous, you can always enjoy street eats in spots such as Convent Road in Silom, Soi Suan Phlu 8 in Sathorn and of course, at Chatuchak Weekend Market (which, in spite of its name, is actually located closer to Kamphaeng Phet MRT station than to the Chatuchak Park one). You can also obviously eat your way through Chinatown!
Make a point of taking day trips
The sheer number of day trips from Bangkok you can take is staggering. Obvious choices include the ancient city of Ayutthaya to Bangkok’s north and Pattaya, a coastal city (though not really a “beach” one) to the south and east. Other great places to visit on a day trip include various floating markets (the most famous of which is Damnoen Saduak in Samut Songkhram province) and Maekhlong Railway Market. Further destinations, such as the towering Buddha of Ang Thong, lush Kanchanaburi and Koh Samet island, are better visited on weekend trips.
How Many Days Should You Spend in Bangkok?
For a long time, 3 days in Bangkok was my gold-standard answer for how long you should stay in Thailand’s capital. Now, having lived there (on more than one occasion, no less), I can clearly see arguments why you might want to spend more or less time in Bangkok. On the low end, if you’ve only got a week or two in Thailand, Bangkok for about two full days might be all the doctor ordered, at least to start with—you’ll likely need to come back here at the end of your trip.
Likewise, given all the amazing things to do in Bangkok, it makes sense that you would want to spend longer than 3-4 days in Bangkok—perhaps significantly longer, if you have the time and wherewithal. Staying in the city for a week or more is especially enjoyable, because it allows you to feel as if you’re living there (even though—trust me on this one—living in Bangkok is definitely not for everyone!).
Is Bangkok Underrated or Overrated?
As I’ve just expressed, I don’t necessarily think living in Bangkok if for everyone. I do, however, think every traveler to Thailand needs to visit Bangkok at least once. I’m biased in saying this: Prior to my first trip to Thailand, almost two decades ago, I’d had no intentions of setting foot in the capital. It was only because my crappy point-and-shoot camera busted when I was on Koh Mak that I took a Bangkok trip at all. Of course, I was hooked before I even set foot into the MBK Center to buy my very first DSLR!
In general I would say that Bangkok is underrated, primarily because most people travel to Bangkok either with wrong instructions or wrong intentions—usually both. For example, there is a certain subset of tourists that just wants to go wild, be it along foreigner-infested Khao San Road or on seedy Soi Cowboy, which is probably my least favorite soi of Sukhumvit Road. Even people who arrive in Bangkok wanting to have the best experience are often seriously misguided about where to go in Bangkok.
Other FAQ About Travel in Bangkok
What can you do in Bangkok for 3 days?
With three days in Bangkok, Thailand, you can spend one day in the “old” cities of Rattanakosin and Thonburi, another exploring modern districts such as Siam, Silom, Sukhumvit and Sathorn and a third taking day trips, whether to ancient Ayutthaya, or the sprawling Chatuchak Weekend Market. Have a longer amount of time to spend? Thankfully, many of the things to do in Bangkok in three days can be spread out to four, five or longer.
Is Bangkok worth visiting?
Absolutely! Whether you prefer modern experiences like shopping malls and skybars, or visiting ancient temples like Wat Pho and the Grand Palace, Bangkok is one of the most dynamic cities in the world, and the indisputable hub of Southeast Asia. If you’re searching for what to do in Bangkok today, the possibilities are basically endless!
Is Bangkok safe for tourists right now?
Bangkok is safe in the sense that violent crime is relatively rare—petty theft is another story. As as certain other dangers, including traffic accidents, respiratory irritation from constant pollution and even occasional political demonstrations. With all this being said, Bangkok is much safer than most cities in the United States and Latin America.
The Bottom Line
Whether you’ve come here seeking a general Bangkok travel guide, to decide how many days to spend in Bangkok or wanting a complete Bangkok itinerary, I’m confident you’ll now have found what you’ve needed. I’m biased—I lived here on several occasions after all—but I think Bangkok is one of the best cities in the world, and certainly among my favorites. Focus your energy on the city-center, divided between ancient Rattanakoskin or Thonburi and futuristic Silom, Siam and Sukhumvit. Or, take day trips to destinations like spiritual Ayutthaya and lush Kanchanaburi. Love my Bangkok travel blog, and don’t want to leave traveling to Bangkok to chance? Commission a custom Thailand itinerary today!
