Discover Bangkok in 5 Days
Bangkok Mini Guides
Five days in Bangkok will allow you to tick off all the sights you’ve earmarked in your glossy guidebook, do an unholy amount of shopping, take a trip out of town to Thailand’s more remote regions, and even find a little time for some serious R&R time. Bangkok is a charismatic city that teems with culture, making it one of the most enjoyable destinations in South East Asia.
Alternately, you could just party hard and indulge yourself with the many sensory pleasures on offer, from wonderful food to luxurious spas. This 5-day mini-guide will give you plenty of ideas.
Discover Bangkok in 5 Days.
1. Bangkok: Day 1
From temples, shrines, and shopping to street food and shows!
Good for: History, Nightlife, Shoppers
Kick off your trip with visits to the Grand Palace, Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and Wat Pho – they’re at the top of Bangkok’s must-see list. After all that history, indulge in an afternoon shopping spree at world-class malls like MBK, Siam Paragon, and CentralWorld, but only after you’ve stopped at the famous Erawan Shrine. Here you’ll see how spiritual fervour and shopping fever coexist peacefully in Bangkok.
Discover the delights of Thai cuisine with a dinner derived from the city’s street food—there’s a different 3-course meal to be had on every block! End your first day by taking in a cultural performance like Siam Niramit or Joe Louis Puppet Theatre, or meet flamboyant transgender performers at an iconic ladyboy show.
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
2. Bangkok: Day 2
From cycling and spa time to dinner cruises and kitschy cocktails!
Good for: Adventure, Luxury, Nightlife
Combine a trip to Bangkok’s legendary floating markets with a scenic cycling tour and you’ll get to explore the city’s canals, fruit orchards, and temples, all at your own pace! Alternatively, spend an afternoon enjoying a traditional Thai massage at Wat Pho (home of the famous reclining Buddha) or hit a city or hotel spa for an array of ultra-luxe treatments.
End the day with a sunset dinner cruise past Wat Arun and other landmarks that are strewn along the ‘River of Kings’. If that sounds too romantic, head to ’backpacker ghetto’ Khao San Road for offbeat shopping, gaudy cocktails, pad Thai noodles, and tuk-tuk rides.
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
3. Bangkok: Day 3
From museums and canals to karaoke and cakes!
Good for: Families, Food, History
Visit the National Museum for its collection of antiquities and prehistoric objects or swing by the National Gallery for traditional Thai art and Western-influenced portraiture. Admire old-world relics at Jim Thompson’s House and Suan Pakkad Palace, before taking a boat ride down the city’s khlongs (canals) to soak up the waterfront atmosphere.
In the afternoon, watch the latest Hollywood blockbuster at an air-conditioned cinema, enjoy a competitive game of bowling, or belt out your favorite hits at a lively karaoke joint. Alternately, go for high-tea at one of the city’s 5-star hotels. We love the Shangri-La Bangkok and the Mandarin Oriental.
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
4. Bangkok: Day 4
From elephant sculptures and ancient Siam to dinner with skyline views!
Good for: Food, History, Nightlife
Head out of town on an adventurous day trip. Visit the awe-inspiring Ancient City or the rarely seen Erawan Museum with its huge three-headed elephant sculpture. Highly recommended are tours to the ruins of Ayutthaya (the capital of ancient Siam), Khao Yai National Park, and the famous River Kwai in Kanchanaburi Province.
At night, enjoy a sumptuous dinner at one of Bangkok’s debonair international restaurants. Try Breeze on the 52nd floor of the State Tower for al fresco dining and equally rousing views of the city, followed by martinis at a rooftop venue like Sky Bar (it juts dizzyingly over the edge of the building).
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
5. Bangkok: Day 5
From street markets and Chinatown to clinking drinks in swanky clubs!
Good for: Budget, Nightlife, Photo
Shop for last-minute bargains, a new wardrobe, or funky knick-knacks at the ‘anything-goes’ Chatuchak Weekend Market: a giant outdoor labyrinth that boasts over 15,000 stalls. Afterwards, hit atmospheric Chinatown to explore its winding back alleys where street hawkers sell everything from amulets to animal parts.
Last night? Make it one to remember. Go cosmopolitan in Silom, RCA, or Sukhumvit’s hippest, dressiest, most happening nightclubs. Rub shoulders with the city’s wealthy elite and toast your trip with rounds of cocktails!
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
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