Bangkok is one of the most visited cities on Earth for a reason. But the endless options for discovery — from its centuries-old heritage and ever-growing food scene to its bustling street life — can be a lot to take in for first-time visitors.
This two-day itinerary highlights the capital’s essential sights, bold flavors, and creative energy, without making you feel like you’re missing out or merely ticking boxes.
Day 1: Temples, Tradition, and Riverside Charm
Morning
Check in at the legendary Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok—Thailand’s first luxury hotel and one of the first in the country to receive 3 MICHELIN Keys. This iconic riverside retreat blends timeless elegance with warm Thai hospitality, offering a step back in time at the nation’s original five-star hotel. Prefer something more intimate and local? Sala Rattanakosin Bangkok is a chic boutique stay along the Chao Phraya River, perfect for soaking in the scenic charm Bangkok is known for.
Start your day at Wat Pho, easing into the day at one of historic Bangkok’s most treasured temple complexes. See the 46-meter reclining Buddha, then wander the quiet courtyards lined with centuries-old stupas and mosaics.
Hop on a ferry to climb the steps of a Bangkok icon: Wat Arun. The Temple of Dawn is best known for its striking 80-meter Khmer-style tower. When you get closer, you’ll notice the colorful Chinese porcelain mosaics that decorate it. Go early for soft light and sweeping views.
If you’re still obsessed with The White Lotus, take a short detour up the river to Wat Suwannaram. The hand-painted murals inside this quiet, Ayutthaya-style temple inspired the intro credits to the show’s third season.
If you have more time, you can visit many of these places on a canal tour or join a guided bike or walking tour to go deeper into the history of Rattanakosin – Bangkok’s historic district – and its many heritage sites and communities.
Lunch
Hop back across the river to the Dusit district to dine at Krua Apsorn (Dusit). The Bib Gourmand pick in The MICHEIN Guide Thailand 2025 is beloved for authentic Thai family recipes. Think stir-fried crab with yellow chili and sour curry with lotus shoots and prawns.Expect queues, but rest assured, service is quick and tables turn quickly.
Afternoon
After lunch, take a tuk-tuk, taxi, or river boat to Talat Noi and Charoenkrung, two of Bangkok’s oldest districts and now among its most creative.Wander through Talat Noi’s narrow alleyways lined with hidden shrines, street art, and still active shophouses — the old spare parts shops and rusted-out cars are unmissable photo opportunities. You can join a bike or walking tour to get deeper insights about this working-class Thai-Chinese district, but it’s just as fun to get lost and discover it at your own pace.
Pause for a coffee break at Mother Roaster, a unique café set above an old auto parts shop. From there, walk towards Warehouse 30, a cluster of repurposed industrial spaces housing galleries, boutiques, and design studios, to explore the city’s creative side.
Nearby, ATT 19 offers a blend of art, antiques, and contemporary design, while the Charoenkrung 43 community offers everything from coffee and natural wine at Madi to vinyl records and vintage fashion in its revived shophouses.
Look for the dozen or so murals decorating building walls around here, many of them remnants from the Bukruk Urban Arts Festival in 2016.
Evening
Either you can enjoy tasting menus at Small Dinner Club near Charoenkrung area, or you can head to Yaowarat, Bangkok’s neon-drenched and utterly electric Chinatown.Start with drinks on Soi Nana. The street is home to bars that serve some of the best cocktails in town without any pretense.
Then, walk a few blocks to Potong, the world’s first One-MICHELIN-Star Thai-Chinese restaurant, for an unforgettable dinner. Housed in a former Chinese herbal pharmacy that has been in Chef Pichaya “Pam” Soontornyanakij’s family for five generations, the space is as storied as the cuisine. Come hungry—you’ll be treated to 20-plus courses rooted in Soontornyanakij’s Thai-Chinese heritage. Be sure to book in advance to secure a table.
Late-night bites
If you’re still hungry, stroll down Yaowarat Road for one-of-a-kind street food. From smoky kuay jap (rolled noodles) with crispy pork to bouncy fish balls at Lim Lao Ngow (Samphanthawong), one street over on Soi Song Wat, eating here is a timeless Bangkok experience.
Day 2: Markets, Modern Bangkok, and a Sky-High Finale
Morning
Kick off the day at Or Tor Kor. The produce market is a favorite among Bangkok chefs for its top-tier ingredients and stellar street food. Vendors serve grilled pork, just-pressed coconut juice, mango sticky rice, and other Thai classics, with a focus on freshness and quality. It’s a great spot to sample regional snacks and pick up edible souvenirs.
From here, stroll across the road to Chatuchak Park, a leafy escape from the traffic and heat. If it’s the weekend, swap the park for Chatuchak Weekend Market — a maze of stalls and a rite of passage for first timers. With over 15,000 vendors spread across 26 sections, this is one of the world’s largest and most popular markets, offering everything from vintage denim and handmade ceramics to antiques and artwork.
Lunch
After a stroll and some retail therapy, make your way to Prik-Yuak—a former kindergarten turned Bib Gourmand eatery serving comforting, home-style Thai fare. Don’t miss their standout Southern Thai pork belly and egg stew, where tender meat, boiled eggs, and tofu come together in rich harmony. The calming earth-toned interiors, peaceful garden setting, café, and boutique shop add even more charm to the experience.For modern Thai cuisine done right, visit Paste, a MICHELIN-listed restaurant located in Gaysorn Village. Paste reinterprets traditional Thai cuisine, blending ancient recipes with contemporary techniques in a setting that’s pure refinement.
Afternoon
You can’t miss Ratchaprasong, literally or figuratively. The whole city converges here for art, fashion, food, and action at this buzzing commercial core.You’ll find some of Bangkok’s best-known malls within walking distance, offering luxury flagships and indie Thai design boutiques alike. Beyond global labels and beauty megastores, the malls also house cafés, bookstores, and lifestyle shops. Be sure to wander around Siam Square, the hangout for Bangkok’s university students.
Don’t miss the free-to-enter Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC), where rotating exhibitions spotlight Thai and Southeast Asian artists. Next, stop by the Jim Thompson House Museum, a serene compound of teakwood homes filled with antiques, textiles, and the mysterious story of the American entrepreneur who helped revive Thailand’s silk industry.
Dinner
For a special finale, book a table at Samrub Samrub Thai, a One-MICHELIN-Star establishment where Chef Prin Polsuk reimagines rare regional recipes with refined technique and deep respect for tradition. Set in an intimate shophouse space, the tasting menu explores seasonal ingredients and forgotten dishes, making it one of Bangkok’s most rewarding culinary experiences.
If you’re after something more casual but still bursting with bold Thai flavors, head to Bib Gourmand Charmgang. This curry-focused canteen near Chinatown is always a hit thanks to its spice-forward dishes and plates made to share.
Evening
Whether you want five-star glamour or soaring views minus the dress code, Bangkok’s rooftop bar scene delivers.
From Sukhumvit to Sathon, you’ll find splurge-worthy spots, like the appropriately named Sky Bar at Lebua at State Tower and Sky Beach at The Standard Bangkok, offering sweeping city views and quality cocktails alongside celebratory bubbles.
For a more relaxed vibe — and reasonable prices — Rooftop Bar at Sala Rattanakosin Bangkok and Above Riva at Riva Arun Bangkok offer perfect views of Wat Arun beautifully illuminated at night.
