Things to do at Bangkok? How many days should I stay in Bangkok? These are probably questions you are asking yourself. Bangkok is an awesome city to discover. Normally the capital isn’t the best place to visit in a country, but Bangkok is one of the highlights of your trip through Thailand. Bangkok has a lot to offer. It is also the beginning and last destination for many travelers. It is a perfect place to get used to the Thai culture, fantastic food, and warm temperatures. Be prepared that you may have to get used to all the hustle and bustle in the beginning. You cannot compare it to a Western city. There are a lot of things to do at Bangkok, for example, you can go to the palace of the king, discover various temples or visit local markets. With this 3 days in Bangkok travel guide, you will discover all the highlights of Bangkok Thailand.
How many days in Bangkok?
We recommend staying 3 days in Bangkok. In all likelihood, Bangkok is your destination that you fly to, so you should also take into account that you need to recover from the flight and give yourself time to get used to all the new impressions. It is also important to do not that much on the first day of arrival, given the jet lag.
Tip: if Bangkok your start and end destination, we recommend staying the first two days at the beginning and the third day at the end of your trip.
Things to do at Bangkok
There are a lot of things to do at Bangkok. It is difficult to make a planning, because you do not want to stuff your planning with activities immediately after your trip, but you still want to do the best things in Bangkok.
We indicate per day the things to do at Bangkok and include personal tips to make your 3 days trip in Bangkok a success. It is important to mention that with this 3 day in Bangkok guide, distances between different attractions in Bangkok have been kept as small as possible.
Below you can read how the 3 days in Bangkok are structured:
- Day 1
- 1.1 Wat Phra Kaew & Grand Palace
- 1.2 What Pho
- 1.3 What Arun
- 1.4 Boat trip Chao Phraya
- 1.5 Visit rooftop bar Cloud 47
- Day 2
- 2.1 Bicycle tour of Bangkok
- 2.2 Chatuchak market
- 2.3 Have a drink in Khao San Road
- 2.4 Yunomori Sathorn Onsen and massage (optional)
- 2.5 Steps to Khao San Road
- Day 3
- 3.1 Amulet market “The Prachan”
- 3.2 Discover the cuisine in Chinatown
- 3.3 Lumpini Park
- 3.4 Drink at the rooftop bar Cloud 47
3 days in Bangkok | Day 1
After you have rested after your flight or trip, you are ready to explore Bangkok. The first day is mainly devoted to Thai culture.
#1.1 Wat Phra Kaew & Grand Palace
Start your day with a visit to Wat Phra Kaew and the Royal Palace. Wat Phra Kaew and the Royal Palace are Bangkok’s most popular destinations. Wat Phra Kaew is the most important Buddhist temple in Thailand. You see beautiful buildings in Wat Phra Kaew. For example, the walls are beautifully painted which depicts the time from the 19th century. It is also beautiful to see yaksha at every entrance, these are protectors from Hindu mythology. There is so much beauty to see at things temple.
Besides Wat Phra Kaew you can visit the Royal Palace. This is less spectacular because you can’t enter the building. Today the palace is only used by the royal family on solemn occasions.
Tip: Wat Phra Kaew and the Royal Palace is open daily from 08:30 to 15:30. Go as early as possible to avoid heat and crowds. Your shoulders and knees serve for the start of this complex to be covered. It is best to buy a scarf to cover yourself. Do not wear long pants and sleeves, because you have to walk in here all day, this is really too hot!
If you leave this complex you can easily walk to Wat Pho in 10 minutes. Use maps.me to navigate yourself.
#1.2 What Pho
Wat Pho is Bangkok’s second highlight. At this size, you see a huge Buddha. This reclining Buddha is 15 meters high and 46 meters wide. The Buddha is completely covered in gold. It is an amazing sight to see. Besides the Buddha, the complex itself is beautiful to see. You can see a Buddha gallery and large stone statues that show various influences from Chinese opera to the time of Marco Polo. The big benefit of this complex is that it isn’t that busy as some other places.
Tip: Don’t forget to cover your knees and shoulders. After visiting Wat Pho, before the entrance, there is a stall on the street where you can order Pad Thai. We have one of our best Pad Thai of our trip through Thailand at this stall.
#1.3 What Arun
After visiting Wat Pho and eating something, your next visit is Wat Arun. It is a wonderful little complex to visit as it is located next to the Mae Nam Chao Phraya River. From Wat Pho, you first walk to the Tien pier in four minutes. Here you take the boat to Wat Arun pier. Once you arrive you will see the high tower Wat Arun which is 82 meters high. It is not possible to climb the temple.
#1.4 Boat trip Chao Phraya
Bangkok is also called the Venice of the East by some travelers. Whether you can compare Bangkok with Venice is not entirely clear to us. Bangkok has the Mae Nam Chao Phraya River running right through the city. Because of this, there are many small canals to be found in Bangkok. If you are interested you can take a boat trip to see all the temples and buildings from the water. It is possible to get on and off at any stop.
#1.5 Visit rooftop bar cloud 47
Visiting the rooftop bar Cloud 47 is optional. It depends on how much energy you still have to do this. On the third day, a visit to the rooftop bar cloud 47 is once again on the program. It is literally and figuratively one of the highlights of Bangkok!
If you are in Thailand for the first day and you have a jet lag and you are tired after all the activities, it is recommended to go to Khaosan road and have dinner at Magic Mike. After dinner, you can go to your accommodation and rest.
If you still have enough energy, we recommend taking a tuk-tuk to Cloud 47. There are several rooftop bars in Bangkok, however, we recommend Cloud 47, because the prices are not high and there isn’t a dress code. You can have diner for a reasonable price and enjoy the music with a delicious drink. Finally, the view is really beautiful, a nice ending to the first day of Bangkok and the start of your trip through Thailand.
3 days in Bangkok | Day 2
#2.1 Bike tour of Bangkok
Discovering Bangkok by bike is a great way to discover a part of Bangkok that isn’t that touristy. The second day is perfect for this activity because your body has already got used to the temperatures and food. During the bike tour, you will visit places where you otherwise wouldn’t visit. You will see that Bangkok is more than a city of high towers and busy streets. There are several bike tours, we recommend this tour.
The big advantage is that you discover the quieter side of the city in a small group. It is strongly recommended to plan your bike tour in the morning, because of the temperature. Book in advance via this link to secure your spot at your desired time. It is a very popular tour, so it is quickly sold out.
#2.2 Chatuchak market
After lunch, you continue your way to the Chatuchak market by using a tuk-tuk. During the weekend 8000 stables sell all kinds of items. It is for sure a very special place to visit. It is one of the largest markets in the world. If you want to buy something, you can find it in this market.
Tip: take a map of the market at the entrance so you don’t get lost.
If you are not going to the Chatuchak market, we recommend that you spend more time in the historic center. It’s simple, just walk around and enjoy everything you encounter. Sometimes the things you don’t plan are the best surprises you get on your trip😊.
#2.3 Have a drink in Khao San Road
After you have been active during the day, it is great fun regardless of your age to have a drink on Khaosan road. Sit comfortably on a terrace and enjoy your free time!
#2.3 Yunomori Sathorn Onsen and Massage (Optional)
If you want to do something after your break in Khao San Road, a visit to an onsen is perfect to give your body treatment. You can enjoy various pools. Also, a 90-minute massage is included. You can reserve your place via this link.
#2.4 Party at Khao San Road
For those who love a party, we recommend going to Khao San Road. After all, Bangkok is known for its parties with the Khao San Road. It is best to walk through the Khao San Road and see which bar appeals to you.
If you follow our Thailand itinerary, we recommend that you continue to Chiang Mai after the second day. The third day of this itinerary is recommended to do at the end of your travel through Thailand. If you do not return to Bangkok, you must of course plan the three days in a row.
Tip: book your accommodation in advance for the 3rd day in Bangkok to ensure yourself a place.
3 days in Bankok | Day 3
#3.1 Amulet market “The Prachan”
The amulet market is close to the royal palace. As the name says, many amulets are sold on this market. You can also find many Buddhas and other regional items here. A nice market to walk through.
#3.2 Discover the cuisine in Chinatown
Chinatown is a city within a city. A very nice place to discover. You really feel like you are in China when you are here. Make sure to visit Chinatown during dinner time. There are a lot of street stalls and restaurants where you can eat delicious food for a good price. In Chinatown, many nice little boutique shops sell Chinese goods, definitely recommended to walk into one of the shops.
#3.3 Lumpini Park
After you’ve visited Chinatown, you probably want to relax. You can do this in Lumpini Park, which is located right in the center. It is a large park where it does not seem like you are in a big city. In this park, you have an oasis of peace, delicious! Many locals come here to relax and exercise. We really enjoyed seeing how the Thai people spend their free time. For example, we saw two older men’s playing a kind of chess and women practicing yoga. What’s really special about this park is that there living lizards. You can see them between the grass and water. Don’t get too close as they can bite.
Our special moment was that we could follow a lesson in Tai Chi with a group of locals. We got talking to one of the members and then asked if we would like to participate. Of course, we did it and can tell you it was very special.
#3.4 Drink at the rooftop bar Cloud 47
If you want a special closer of Bangkok, we recommend doing this in the rooftop bar Cloud 47. As mentioned earlier at #1.5. The advantage of Cloud 47 is that you do not pay an entrance fee, the prices of consumption and food are not very high and there is no dress code. Moreover, the view is beautiful. We ended our last day here and thought it was fantastic, we recommend doing the same!
If you want to see the most special sky bar in Bangkok you should visit Mahanakhon Bangkok Sky Bar. This is the highest sky bar in Bangkok where you have the most beautiful view over Bangkok. You have a 360-degree view of the city here. You can easily buy a ticket via this link.
Optional activity in Bangkok
If any of the activities don’t seem interesting enough you can swap this with a day trip to Damnoen Saduak market and Maeklong Railway market
Maeklong Railway Market is a market where the train runs across the market. You will also visit the Damnoen Saduak market. This is a market on the water where all the local people sell their products on small boats. A very nice day trip where you have a lot of interaction with the locals. You can book a ticket via this link.
Where to stay in Bangkok
Bangkok is an incredibly large city and you are probably wondering where to stay. We recommend staying in the Banglampoo area because you can get around quickly by walking, taxi or tuk-tuk. Other neighborhoods are also fine, but a distance of 5 km takes 30 minutes. Also, the advantage is that you are close to all major attractions. For example, you can walk everything on the first day.
Tip: The hostels and hotels below are the best options if you want to stay in the Banglampoo district. It is important to book on time because they are quickly fully booked. If you book via our link you can change your reservation free of charge for up to 48 hours.
Rambuttri Village Plaza
We stayed at Rambutri Village Plaza twice and believe this is one of the best accommodations you can find in Thailand. The rooms are super, the breakfast buffet is very tasty and you have many choices. Also, the swimming pool on the roof is very nice to relax. The location is also great for every type of traveler. It is just a street away from Khaosan Road, so you can quickly reach the cozy street. This location is also great for non-party people because you are right in the historic center. A great stay for a low price!
Price per night from:
$ 22 double room
Bed station hostel Khaosan
Bed station is a cool and hip hostel where you quickly meet other travelers because the general area is very cozy. The location is great and the rooms are neat. A very nice hostel to stay. The bed station is rated incredibly well with a 9 average. Also, the big advantage is that you can stay here for little money in contrast to many other expensive luxury hotels. Bed station is centrally located in the Banglampoo district, so you can walk everything. Highly recommended, so don’t wait too long to book.
Price per night from:
$ 24 dorm
Travel insurance
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Next destinations
We hope our article helped you get a clear picture of Bangkok. With a 3-day travel guide for Bangkok, you can discover all the fun things in Bangkok. The question: what to do in Bangkok is definitely answered :)! If you follow our Thailand itinerary, your next destination is Chiang Mai. You can access this article via this link: 3 days in Chiang Mai itinerary.
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