How to spend 5 days in Bangkok – A Detailed Itinerary

If you have five days to spare and are wondering what to do in Bangkok than this ultimate Bangkok Travel Guide is for you.

Bangkok is a bit of a Marmite city. You are either going to love it or hate it. In our case, it was the former. Whilst Chiang Mai was our favourite city in Thailand, we did appreciate the unique charm of the City of Angels.

Bangkok really isn’t a city for tourist. What I mean by that is that you probably need more than a couple of days to really fall in love with the capital’s urban grit. However there only so many things to do in Bangkok as a typical tourist. This city really doesn’t have that many tourist attractions. Bangkok is a city you roam through and experience with all your senses. So if like most people you only have two to five days to spend in Bangkok, before you jet off to the mountainous or beachy regions of Thailand, then don’t despair. In fact, I would argue that three to five days is the ideal timeframe to get a great overview of the city of Bangkok.

If you are spending two or three weeks in the country, I would suggest you start your Thailand itinerary with Bangkok. You are going to need a lot of energy. Bangkok is a sprawling city of modern skyscrapers, ancient temples, crisscrossing highways, and swanky shopping malls. “Chaotic” does not even begin to describe it. Street food, incredibly ornate temples, tuk-tuks, river boats, insane drivers, city skylines, and backpacker bars, are all intermingled here. A confusing mix of smells – incense, Thai food, exhaust smoke, and garbage – constantly lingers in the air. It’s all part of the Bangkok experience.

There are many day trips you can take from Bangkok, but if this is your first time, I would suggest you concentrate on the city itself. Below I have outlined the itinerary Gary and I personally followed as we explored Bangkok in September 2016. And I would highly recommend you do the same. Without praising myself too much, I believe it is perfect if you are planning to tick off some of the major sites whilst still leaving room for the lesser known ones.

In total, we spent 5 days in Bangkok, three at the start of our two-week trip, and two at the end before going home. The only way I would potentially change this itinerary is by adding one additional day in order to visit the city of Ayutthaya.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO WITH 5 DAYS IN BANGKOK?- A DETAILED ITINERARY

DAY 1: EXPLORE BANGKOK’S BUSY MARKETS

If like us, you have booked a flight that lands in Bangkok in the morning, then you are probably going to spend at least half of this day traveling from the airport to your hotel, checking in, and recovering from jetlag (cheeky nap anyone?). But once you have got your bearings, I would recommend you hit the ground running and visit one of Bangkok’s famous markets.

Since we landed in Bangkok on a weekend, Gary and I decided to visit Chatuchak Weekend Market. The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and the Amphawa Floating Market are probably the most famous ones, but both are located outside of the city limits and will require a daytrip from Bangkok. The slightly smaller Khlong Lat Mayom and Thaling Chan floating Markets or the Maeklong Railway Market are great alternatives though, that you might want to consider visiting instead or on the same day as the Chatuchak  Weekend Market .

I would suggest that half a day is more than enough time to spend at any one of these markets, so if you arrived the night before you might want to contemplate visiting two of them.

CHATUCHAK WEEKEND MARKET 

Chatuchak Weekend Market is not only the biggest market in Southeast Asia, it is probably one of the biggest markets in the world. In total this weekend market has over 15 0000 stalls and covers an area of one square kilometre. Here you can buy almost anything you can imagine, from every corner of Thailand, whether it is useful or not. It is definitely one of the top things to do in Bangkok, especially if you are in Bangkok over the weekend, and whether you are a fan of shopping or not.

The Chatuchak Market operates on Saturdays and Sundays. A tourist attraction in itself, it draws more than 200 000 visitors a day! It is popular among both local Thais, foreigners living in Bangkok and tourists. The market is divided into 27 sections and similar types of items tend to be grouped together in the same section (e.g. used goods, clothing, shoes, jewellery, plants, home goods, food). At the entrance to each aisle, there is a sign above that denotes the section number and category. Try to bargain for everything you are planning to buy. Always start out with a super-low price, then work your way up to something a bit more reasonable that the shopkeeper will agree on.

What we loved about the Chatuchak Market is that you’re never hassled or ripped off. You’re free to get lost in the maze of stalls and play the bargaining game whenever you feel like making a purchase. With a great mix of souvenirs vs. common goods, tourists vs. locals, and shopping vs. dining, the Chatuchak Market is the perfect place to get a balanced taste of Thailand.

Chatuchak Weekend Market is pretty easy to get to. You can either hop on the Skytrain, get off at Mo Chit and then traverse the park to get to the outskirts of the market… or you could take the BTS, and get out at Kamphaeng Phet, which is right next to the market.  Note: You could also take the BTS to the Chatuchak stop, but this actually isn’t as close to the market as you might think.

Whilst visiting the market is a lot of fun, I would note that it can get very hot and humid and that you should come prepared. Remember to drink plenty of water, as it is easy to become dehydrated. Of course, the usual tactics in crowded areas apply. In this market, where the crowd moves neck to neck in peak hours, there are high chances of theft and pickpocketing. So, always be cautious about your belongings, money, and electronic gadgets. Keep a close watch on any valuables.

DAY 2: VISIT BANGKOK’S TEMPLES & CULTURE

On Day 2 you are probably still suffering from some serious jetlag (we certainly were) but there is no time to waste. Today will be a busy day spent exploring Bangkok’s famous temples. In order to maximise your experience, I would advise you get up early and arrive at the Grand Palace before it fills up with crowds of tourists. 

You should also think carefully about your outfit for the day. In Thailand, you must be properly dressed to gain entry into most temples. This means that you should wear a top with sleeves, long pants or a skirt and shows. You won’t be allowed in if you are wearing a tank top, shorts, a revealing dress or flip-flops. Although many temples will lend you a shawl to cover up with in exchange for your passport or credit card as security. 

You will find many of Bangkok’s most famous attractions along the main river in Ko Ratanakosin, an area that used to be the ancient royal district. Your best bet is to take a ferry to No. 9 Tha Chang and then to explore the area by foot. You can easily walk between the temples and sites in this area, but note that most of them close around 3:30 pm. 

Whilst exploring Ko Ratanakosin be wary of anyone who approaches you directly, speaks perfect English, and tells you that the site you want to visit is closed for the day. There are a lot of people here eager to scam trusting tourists. Generally, they will attempt to steer you to shop, where they get a commission for bringing in trade.

SARANROM PALACE

As you head south towards the Grand Palace, you will most likely walk past Saranrom Palace. 

This beautiful salmon coloured building was finished in 1866 and looks distinctively Spanish rather than Thai. The Palace and its park were built for King Rama IV who died before it was finished. King Rama V then presented the palace to his son who first turned the building into a zoo and later in 1926 into the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

OLD BIG GUN MUSEUM

Right beside the Saranrom Palace is another colourful building, Bangkok’s Ministry of Defence which also doubles up us the Old Big Gun Museum.

The yellow and white building was once a grand palace but is now occupied by the Ministry of Defence. On the front lawn of the ministry, you will find an open-air museum that displays various cannons down through the ages,  from late in the Ayutthaya period up until the Rattanakosin period.

THE GRAND PALACE AND TEMPLE OF THE EMERALD BUDDHA

In my opinion, you really cannot claim to have been in Bangkok, if you didn’t visit the Grand Palace. This is probably the most famous attraction the city has to offer. The architecture of the Grand Palace is mind-blowingly beautiful and unlike anything else you will have experienced in western culture.  

Both the Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha are located in the same complex, so you can visit both of them at the same time. The entrance fee is 400 Baht. The grounds of the grand palace contains more than 100 buildings, so you will probably need at least two if not three hours to explore the entire temple.  

It was King Rama I, who moved the royal palace from Thonburi to Rattanakosin in 1782. Up until then, the area of Rattanakosin had been occupied by Chinese settlers, but King Rama got them to move a couple miles South down the river, to an area that today is known as Chinatown.  The new Palace complex was laid out in the same fashion as the ancient Northern capital of Ayutthaya, in the hope that this would bring good fortune to Siam.  The next generations of Chakri Kings added additional Throne Halls to the temple complex and thus the Grand Palace continued to expand. That is until 1925 when King Rama VII  decided to turn the family Palace in Dusit Park into his main royal residence. Since then the Kings of Thailand have only visited the Grand Palace on special occasions. 

Many of the buildings of the Grand Palace are actually closed to the public. But even their beautifully decorated exteriors are impressive to behold. And it is fun just to walk around the grounds. The main highlight of the Grand Palace complex is, of course, Wat Phra Kaew, a large temple that houses the historic Emerald Buddha Statue. The two-foot-tall dark green Buddha is actually made out of solid Jade and according to legend was carved in India in 43BC. It wears seasonal costumes, which are changed three times a year (in Summer, Winter, and the rainy months) by the King.  The interior of the temple is covered in murals that depict Buddha’s life – starting with his birth in Nepal – his steps to enlightenment, and the Buddhist cosmology of the Worlds of Desire, Being, and Illusion

• Opening hours: Every day 8:30 – 15:30
• Ticket price: 400 Baht = 13 USD
• Estimated time: 2-3 hours

WAT ARUN – TEMPLE OF DAWN

Once you have had your fill of the Grand Palace, head across the river to Wat Arun. If you took the river ferry, you probably already caught a glimpse of this beautiful temple on your way to the Grand Palace. To be honest this temple is most magnificent after dark when it is lit up from all sides. Unfortunately, however, it closes before nightfall. 

No one knows quite how old the current Wat Arun temple really is. However, we know that there was a Khmer-style (Prang) Hindu Temple on its site when the Siamese first settled in the area in the 1500s. Back then the temple was surrounded by olive fields and so it was named Wat Makok. Almost 100 years later the Siamese capital city of Ayutthaya fell to Burmese forces in 1767 and was largely left in ruins.  According to legend, Wat Makok inspired King Taskin to relocate the capital of Siam from Ayutthaya to Bang Makok. He then renamed the temple Wat Arun after the Hindu God of the Dawn. From 1809 to 1851, after years of neglect during King Rama I reign, Wat Arun was extensively renovated and upgraded by King Rama II and King Rama III. During this time the main Prang tower was extended, capped by a seven-pronged Trident of Shiva, decorated with colourful Chinese porcelain pieces, and supported by rows of detailed statues.   

As you enter the temple complex you are greeted by two huge demon statues (yaksha). The white statue represents Sahassateja, the green one Tasakanth, and both guard against evil spirits.  As you approach the base of the 234 foot tall Wat Arun, make sure to check out the sculptures of Chinese soldiers and animals which support the first levels of the tower.  Towards the top of the tower, you will find yourself at arm’s length of the four statues representing the Hindu god Indra riding on her elephant Erawan.  You could easily spend several hours at Wat Arun, examining every individual statue, but I would recommend you target one or two hours. The ascent to the top is steep and tiring but you  will be rewarded by the stunning views

• Opening hours: Daily 7:30am-5:30pm.
• Ticket price: 50Baht.
• River Crossing Ferry: Ferries leave from Tha Tien every 10-15 minutes from 6am-10pm and cost only 3 Baht.

THONBURI CANAL 

After lunch, head towards the Royal Barges Museum, located among Bangkok’s Thonburi Canals. I hope you will be luckier with the weather in Bangkok than we were. Gary and I got soaked in a sudden downpour as we made our way across the city and this was our first experience of Thailand’s temperamental weather. 

It is a good idea to experience the Thonburi canals for yourself. They will give you great insight into Bangkok’s past. As you stroll through this dense area of traditional riverside houses, it won’t take long until you feel the frenzy of Bangkok’s urban jungle fade away. Most of these houses belong to the working class, so be prepared to see children leaning over porches, adults doing their laundry in the river, stray dogs crossing bridges and the odd cockfight.

THE ROYAL BARGES MUSEUM

At the Royal Barges Museum, you can admire the gilded long tail boats of Thailand’s former Kings.It is probably one of the most unique attractions Old Town Bangkok has to offer. And yet it doesn’t seem to be that popular among tourists – perhaps because of its rather remote location. Gary and I however really enjoyed our visit and would highly recommend it.  

To get to the museum you can either hire a private Long Tail Boat (this will save you some time, but costs around 500 baht) or walk through the Thonburi Canals like Gary and I did. The museum is easy to find if you simply follow the signposts. 

In the Royal Barges Museum, you will find a small selection of highly decorated barges. Almost all of the barges feature a large colourful Garuda figure, lots of gold, and a couple of flags. The most impressive barge has to be Suphannahongse. Resembling a Golden Swan, it was built in 1911 for King Rama IV.

WAT PHO: TEMPLE OF THE RECLINING BUDDHA

After you had your fill at the Royal Barges Museum return to Ko Ratanakosin and visit Wat Pho, the temple of the Reclining Buddha. This another incredibly popular temple, so in order to avoid the crowds, it’s best to visit it either early in the morning or just before closing time. Depending on how thorough you are, your visit to Wat Pho should take one to two hours. 

Wat Pho (officially called Wat Phra Chetuplon) was built by Rama I on top of another temple that dated back to the 1500s and was completed in 1788. Rama I was inspired by the ancient temples of Ayutthaya. He collected fragments of Buddha statues from the old capital, some of which were incorporated into this new temple complex.  

In total Wat Pho has over 1000 Buddha statues, but its main attraction by far remains the gigantic Reclining Buddha. This 150-foot-long and 19-foot-tall Reclining Buddha was built in 1832 by King Rama III and can be found inside the Phra Virhara building. The gold plated statue depicts Buddha laying on his side, not sleeping, but as he gains enlightenment. The soles of his feet are covered in 108 Thai and Indian Mother of Pearl Lakshanas that depict the 108 auspicious characters of Buddha. The Reclining Buddha is also surrounded by 108 bronze bowls. You can buy a sack of coins at the entrance. As you walk past the bronze bowls, drop one coin into each one. This ritual is said to bring good luck to those who perform it. 

Even though your main mission at Wat Pho is of course to see the reclining Buddha, don`t forget to wander around in the courtyard and admire the ancient Bodhi Tree, as well as the crocodile pond, the Chinese statutes that were once used as ballasts on ships, and the 91 stupas that are beautifully decorated in ceramic pottery flowers and colourful and sparkling tiles. 

If at this point your feet are killing you, then you are in luck. Wat Pho is said to be the birthplace of Thai massage and it is home to a massage school with eager students ready to work your muscles. After a very long day spent exploring Bangkok’s temples, nothing beats a relaxing head or foot massage.

• Opening hours: Every day 8:00 – 17:00 (Thai massage is available till 18:00)
• Ticket price: 100 Baht = 3 USD
• Estimated time:  1-2 hour (extra time if you want a Thai massage)

DAY 3: HEAD TO THE SIAM CENTER AND JIM THOMPSON’S HOUSE

If you are following my complete itinerary for Thailand, then today you will be travelling to Chiang Rai, our next destination in Thailand.

Gary and I made sure to book an evening flight so that we would half almost an entire day in Bangkok before we had to leave. In the morning we treated ourselves to a shopping spree at the Siam Centre and then spent the rest of the day touring the nearby Jim Thompson House. 

A SHOPPING SPREE AT BANGKOK’S SIAM CENTRE

Thailand is famous for its many Shopping Malls and some people spend their entire trip visiting them all. To be honest, after popping into the Siam Centre, I really don’t blame them.  

Going shopping in Bangkok will definitely show you the modern side of the capital. To get to the Siam Centre simply jump on to a sky train and alight at Siam Station or Chit Lom. The Siam Centre is actually made up of four separate shopping centre. It is huge and could easily keep you occupied a whole day in these conditioned buildings. It isn’t only targeted at shopaholics either. Central World has an ice skating ring on the ground floor, Siam Paragon contains South East Asia’s biggest aquarium and Siam Discovery houses Bangkok’s Madam Tussaud. 

Gary and I popped into the food hall of the Siam Center Building. Here we snacked on a variety of Thai dishes and then wolfed down a massive Patbingsu.

A CULTURAL AFTERNOON AT JIM THOMPSON’S HOUSE

After you had your fill of these fancy shopping malls, take a detour from modern Bangkok to explore a bit of its history.

Jim Thompson’s House is located just a short stroll away from the Siam Center. It is a popular attraction, featured in many guide books. And it was definitely one of my favourite tourist attractions in Bangkok, as well as a highlight of our entire Thailand Holiday.

Jim Thompson was an American Spy, Silk Trader, and Entrepreneur. He lived in Bangkok during the ’50s and ’60s and vanished mysteriously in 1967 whilst on an excursion in Malaysia. His story is fascinating and pretty enigmatic. Jim Thompson built his own house in the traditional Thai style, decorating it with beautiful teak wood and a surrounding garden.

His charming house, full of antiques, and lush garden have today been converted into a museum. The 100 baht ticket buys you a guided tour around his property, as well as a demonstration of how Thai silk is made. Beside the museum, you will find a shop that sells gifts and souvenirs made of silk. There is also a nice restaurant/cafe tucked away in the green and lush garden which serves delicious Thai food.

KHAO SAN ROAD

Bangkok is probably best known for its nightlife and after a culture heavy day, it is time to unwind with a cold drink in your hand on one of the city’s most famous roads – Khao San Road. Khao San Road is a crazy street usually frequented by partying backpackers, hippies, and hipsters. 

Stroll through the many shopping stalls, that selling everything from strange Thai snacks like barbequed insects to fake leather handbags, hand-painted t-shirts, beautiful lanterns and fake lonely planet books. Then grab a table in one of the restaurants, order an ice-cold Chang beer or cocktail and watch the street life. If you have enough energy you could of course simply party all night long.

DAY 4: BANGKOK’S NIGHT MARKET

Towards the end of your Thailand trip, you will most likely return to Bangkok. Before you catch your flight, try and cram in a couple of extra attractions in the City of Angels.

Gary and I returned to Bangkok late in the evening. This wasn’t helped by the fact that we nearly got into a Mafia Taxi at the airport (more about that another time). So we only had a couple of hours left to explore Bangkok and decided to spend them at one of Bangkok’s famous Night Markets.

If you have a little more time on your hands, feel free to either relax in the hotel or visit one of Bangkok’s many museums (for example the National Museum, the Erawan Museum, The Bangkok Corrections Museum)

BANGKOK NIGHTMARKET

If you are going to visit Thailand then you need to visit at least one of its famous night markets. And if you are in Bangkok, then you are in luck, because this city will spoil you with choice. Your only problem will be choosing which market you want to go to.

The energy and vibe of a Bangkokian night market are incredible and you really need to experience it for yourself. After dark, the food, drink, and live entertainment truly come to life. These diverse and dynamic gatherings can be found at a variety of locations across the capital, and attract a huge number of locals and tourists alike. You should easily find a night market near your hotel if, like us, you do not feel like wandering too far (we were a bit shaken up that night).

I do not regret not venturing further out. In fact, whilst it wasn’t a particularly famous one, I still remember the night market, we ended up spending the evening at, rather fondly. It was located on Rama I Road, near the Siam Shopping Centre, and had an unusual modern/ hipster vibe.

Better yet it was really cheap. We each purchased a rice dish, a cocktail, pineapple juice, and ice cream for only 300 baht. Now that is not a price to be frowned at!

DAY 5: LUMPHINI PARK, CHINA TOWN AND A LADY BOY SHOW

If you are following my Thailand Itinerary then this is your last day in the Land of Smiles. 

Gary and I ended our vacation with a bang. We wandered through two of Bangkok’s prettiest areas (Lumphini Park and China Town) and then plunged deep into Bangkok’s nightlife on the riverfront of the newly built Asiatique Shopping Centre.

LUMPHINI PARK – THE GREEN LUNG OF BANGKOK

Start the day by strolling through Lumphini Park, Bangkok’s biggest park and green lung. This sizeable green space is well worth a visit, especially if you are a people watcher.

The park is beautifully maintained and well-loved by the inhabitants of Bangkok. At almost all hours you will find people strolling through the park, cycling, practicing Tai Chi, playing sport, or simply relaxing on the grass.

If you visit the park in the afternoon, from 5 to 6 o’clock, you can participate in the daily aerobic session.

Lumphini Park also has lots of wildlife. This park has more than stray cats and birds. Monitor Lizzard call Lumphini Park their home! You can never be entirely sure to strike it lucky with wildlife and so Gary and I were unsure whether we would see any Monitor Lizzard at all. But we didn’t have to wait long. The park is crawling with them.

End your visit to Lumphini Park with a Swan-Paddle-Boat ride across the lake. These can be rented by the hour, are really cheap and lots of fun.

OLD CHINATOWN

Our hotel was located near Bangkok’s old China Town. So before heading off to Asiatique, we decided to take a walk through the crowded, busy, narrow streets of this area and admire the many traditional buildings.

It is a great place to watch life on the streets and an even better one to grab a bite to eat. You will find some of Bangkok’s most delicious seafood here.

China’s Town history is even longer than that of Bangkok. Many Chinese settled in the area in the years between 800-1200 AD. In 1767, after the destruction of Ayutthaya, the Siamese Empire moved its capital near an ancient Hindu temple (Wat Arun) on the Westside of Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River. This new capital was known as Thonburi and sat just across the river from Bangkok’s Chinese early settlements. For 15 years both settlements continued to grow in harmony. But in 1782 King Rama I decided to build a new capital on the Eastside of the river, right in the heart of the growing Chinese village.  In order to build his new capital called Rattanakosin (known as Old Town today), Rama convinced the Chinese to move a couple of miles South to Yaowarat (now known as Chinatown). 

Over the centuries to follow lively markets, Taoist temples, Buddhist shrines, and thriving restaurants have helped to create a Chinatown that rivals San Francisco and New York.

A LADYBOY SHOW AT ASIATIQUE

Asiatique is a new night market with a revolutionary concept. It fuses an outdoor shopping centre with the raw fun that we love about the Thai capital’s more conventional night markets. Asiatique is a great place to pick up some last-minute souvenirs, whilst enjoying a fun evening out with plenty of food and drink on Bangkok’s beautiful riverside.

It is relatively easy to get to Asiatique. The shopping center is located a couple of miles down the Chaophraya river from Saphan Taksin Ferry Station. You can get to Saphan Taksin either with the BTS Skytrain or by taking the river ferry. Then simply swap over onto the free shuttle to Asiatique.

What is now a popular night market originally began life as an international port used for trade between Europe and Siam. The area is still covered by a row of iconic warehouses that were once home to the East Asiatic freight company. Asiatique thus combines the vibes of a night market with the values of a living museum. At Asiatique you will find the stalls typical for Thai Nightmarkets, as well as 1500 brick and mortar shops and dozens of restaurants.

One of the main reasons to come to Asiatique, however, are the nightly performances that take place in the two cultural theatres. You can watch a traditional puppetry show or head to the more risqué Calypso Cabaret (like we did). Make sure to book your tickets early, as the best seats in the house are snapped up early.

Thailand is well known for its Lady Boy shows and I would, therefore, argue that this is definitely a must-do whilst in Bangkok. Oh and read this post if you are wondering how to recognize a ladyboy.

WHERE TO STAY IN BANGKOK

In total Gary and I checked into three different hotels whilst in Bangkok. Although I would strongly advise against following our example in this case (your time could be spent much more wisely), I would nonetheless suggest you book at least two hotels.

Bangkok, the City of Angels, is gigantic and incredibly diverse. Each district has its own character, advantages, and disadvantage and I would argue that it’s fun to have at least two different experiences.

That being said, here is a list of hotels we stayed in. For a more detailed description, please follow the link to the individual reviews of each hotel.

MILLENNIUM HILTON HOTEL

Located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, Millennium Hilton Bangkok is a contemporary five-star hotel with all the amenities you could wish for. Gary and I spent our first three nights in Bangkok here. All rooms, but especially the River View Suites, have an incredible panoramic view of the city.

ORIENTAL RESIDENCE BANGKOK

Oriental Residence Bangkok is a hotel with luxurious self-serviced apartments located adjacent to Lumphini Park. This is the perfect place to stay for an extended trip or for a Bangkok shopping spree.  Each self-contained apartment is furnished with a kitchen, dining and lounge area and a walk-in wardrobe, which connects the bathroom and bedroom.

CASA NITHRA

Located a short walk away from Khao San Road the Casa Nithra is one of the best mid-range alternatives in this part of town. You are far enough from Khao San to get a good night’s sleep but close enough to partake in the festivities. The rooftop swimming pool is lovely, the rooms comfortable and the breakfast has plenty of options. This was also the most affordable hotel we stayed at, during our entire trip.

FINAL THOUGHTS