--- title: "5 Days in Bangkok" description: "Bangkok without the rush: the essential sights, markets and neighbourhoods, a day on the river, and a day trip to Ayutthaya or the floating markets —…" url: https://bestofthailand.org/itinerary/bangkok-5-days locale: en --- # 5 Days in Bangkok Bangkok without the rush: the essential sights, markets and neighbourhoods, a day on the river, and a day trip to Ayutthaya or the floating markets — finished with a proper massage. Place suggestions are pulled live from our directory and re-rank as ratings change — save your favourites to [My Trip](https://bestofthailand.org/my-trip) as you go. ## Day 1: The Old City: Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun Start with the classics while you're fresh — the three big sights sit within one riverside walk, and the earlier you arrive, the kinder the heat and the crowds. Morning ### Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew, then Wat Pho Be at the Grand Palace for opening (8:30, ฿500, tickets sold until 15:30) — it's Thailand's most visited site and by 10:00 the tour groups own it. Dress code is enforced: covered shoulders and knees for everyone. From the palace it's a 10-minute walk south to Wat Pho (฿300, open to 19:30) and its 46-metre reclining Buddha; the temple is also the birthplace of Thai massage, and its on-site school is the most traditional place in the city to try one. Coffee stops near the temples - [Rim&Rang Coffee and Tea House](https://bestofthailand.org/place/rim-rang-coffee-and-tea-house-rattanakosin) · ★ 5.0 · ฿1–200 - [Coffee Buri : Specialty Coffee](https://bestofthailand.org/place/coffee-buri-specialty-coffee-rattanakosin) · ★ 5.0 - [Ninno's Homemade](https://bestofthailand.org/place/ninno-s-homemade-rattanakosin) · ★ 5.0 · ฿1–200 [See all in this area →](https://bestofthailand.org/bangkok/rattanakosin/cafes-coffee) Afternoon ### Cross the river to Wat Arun Take the ฿5 cross-river ferry from Tha Tien pier to Wat Arun (฿200, open to 18:00) — the porcelain-encrusted Temple of Dawn. Climb the central prang for the river view, then eat on the Thonburi side, where the riverside tables are cheaper and calmer than the palace-side tourist strip. Lunch on the Thonburi side - [โก-มนต์ อาหารตามสั่ง (Go-Mon Restaurant)](https://bestofthailand.org/place/go-mon-restaurant-thonburi) · ★ 5.0 - [Somtum restaurant - ร้านส้มตำ ตามสั่ง](https://bestofthailand.org/place/somtum-restaurant-thonburi) · ★ 5.0 - [Plant And Egg](https://bestofthailand.org/place/plant-and-egg-thonburi) · ★ 5.0 · ฿1–200 [See all in this area →](https://bestofthailand.org/bangkok/thonburi/restaurants) Evening ### Yaowarat (Chinatown) street-food crawl Bangkok's Chinatown turns into one of Asia's great street-food strips after dark. Come hungry, graze along Yaowarat Road — and don't commit to the first stall; the queues of locals mark the good ones. Where the queues form in Yaowarat - [Yaowarat Night Street Food](https://bestofthailand.org/place/yaowarat-street-food) · ★ 4.6 · ฿ - [Pad Thai Street Food](https://bestofthailand.org/place/pad-thai-street-food-yaowarat) · ★ 5.0 - [GSB street food](https://bestofthailand.org/place/gsb-street-food-yaowarat) · ★ 4.8 [See all in this area →](https://bestofthailand.org/bangkok/yaowarat/street-food) ## Day 2: Modern Bangkok: Siam, Jim Thompson and a Thonglor rooftop Day two is the other Bangkok — malls the size of neighbourhoods, a silk baron's teak mansion, and the skyline from a rooftop bar. Morning ### Jim Thompson House & Siam The Jim Thompson House museum is the best half-morning in central Bangkok: six teak houses, a jungle garden and the strange story of the American who revived Thai silk and vanished in 1967. It's a short walk from BTS National Stadium, next to the Siam mall cluster. Cafés around Siam & Ratchathewi - [VR Cafe](https://bestofthailand.org/place/vr-cafe-ratchathewi) · ★ 5.0 - [Dr.Green Cafe Coffee Shop ร้านกาแฟดร.กรีน](https://bestofthailand.org/place/dr-green-cafe-coffee-shop-ratchathewi) · ★ 4.9 · ฿1–200 - [คาเฟ่บ้านคุณปู่](https://bestofthailand.org/place/cafes-coffee-5187ac) · ★ 4.8 · ฿1–200 [See all in this area →](https://bestofthailand.org/bangkok/ratchathewi/cafes-coffee) Afternoon ### Sukhumvit at street level Ride the BTS east into Sukhumvit and pick your pace: EmQuartier and Emporium for air-conditioned wandering, Benjasiri Park for shade, or the sois around Phrom Phong and Thonglor for galleries and coffee. This is also prime massage territory when your feet give out. Massage & spa picks in Sukhumvit - [Massage@ONE (Sukhumvit 23)](https://bestofthailand.org/place/massage-one-sukhumvit-23-sukhumvit) · ★ 5.0 - [Relaxing Time Massage and Spa Asok](https://bestofthailand.org/place/relaxing-time-massage-and-spa-asok-sukhumvit) · ★ 4.9 - [Supannika Massage](https://bestofthailand.org/place/supannika-massage-sukhumvit) · ★ 4.9 [See all in this area →](https://bestofthailand.org/bangkok/sukhumvit/wellness-spa) Evening ### Dinner and a Thonglor rooftop Thonglor is Bangkok's eating-and-drinking neighbourhood of the moment. Book dinner, then finish on a rooftop — most ask for smart-casual (no sleeveless shirts or flip-flops for men) and the view is worth the dress code. Rooftops with the skyline view - [BECKA BAR](https://bestofthailand.org/place/becka-bar-thonglor) · ★ 5.0 · ฿1–800 - [Destination RoofTop Bar](https://bestofthailand.org/place/destination-rooftop-bar-thonglor) · ★ 4.9 · ฿200–1,400 - [Cul de Sac - Thonglor Rooftop Bar](https://bestofthailand.org/place/cul-de-sac-thonglor-rooftop-bar-thonglor) · ★ 4.9 [See all in this area →](https://bestofthailand.org/bangkok/thonglor/rooftop-bars) ## Day 3: Markets and neighbourhoods: Chatuchak, Ari and Khao San Weekend? Chatuchak. Weekday? Swap in a food-court-and-neighbourhood morning — either way, day three is about Bangkok beyond the sights. Morning ### Chatuchak Weekend Market 15,000 stalls, everything from antiques to axolotls. Go early (it's open Saturday–Sunday, roughly 9:00–18:00), pick two or three sections rather than trying to see it all, and follow the coconut-ice-cream carts when you overheat. On weekdays, the smaller Or Tor Kor food market next door is the fallback. Markets & food courts in Chatuchak - [Chatuchak Weekend Market](https://bestofthailand.org/place/chatuchak-weekend-market) · ★ 4.5 · ฿ - [Or Tor Kor Market](https://bestofthailand.org/place/or-tor-kor) · ★ 4.4 · ฿฿ [See all in this area →](https://bestofthailand.org/bangkok/chatuchak/markets-food-courts) Afternoon ### Ari's café streets Two BTS stops south, Ari is the neighbourhood Bangkokians pick for a slow afternoon — leafy sois, specialty coffee and small design shops, with almost no tour groups. Ari cafés locals argue about - [Factory Coffee](https://bestofthailand.org/place/factory-coffee) · ★ 4.6 · ฿฿ [See all in this area →](https://bestofthailand.org/bangkok/ari/cafes-coffee) Evening ### Khao San, eyes open Love it or roll your eyes at it, Khao San Road is a Bangkok institution — cheap pad thai, buckets, live music and people-watching. Go for the spectacle, keep your phone zipped in a front pocket, and agree tuk-tuk prices before you get in. Bars & clubs around Khao San - [XongSilp](https://bestofthailand.org/place/xongsilp-khao-san) · ★ 4.8 - [Platinum Lounge # Central Pinklao](https://bestofthailand.org/place/platinum-lounge-central-pinklao-khao-san) · ★ 4.7 - [Ecstacy Bruhh](https://bestofthailand.org/place/ecstacy-bruhh-khao-san) · ★ 4.0 [See all in this area →](https://bestofthailand.org/bangkok/khao-san/nightlife-clubs) ## Day 4: The river day: ICONSIAM, Thonburi and a slow sunset Bangkok grew from its river. Day four stays on and beside the Chao Phraya — boats, the newest mega-mall and the old canals of Thonburi. Morning ### Thonburi's canals Hire a longtail boat from a central pier (agree the price first — ฿1,000–1,500/hour for the boat is the going rate, not per person) and spend an hour in the khlongs of Thonburi: stilt houses, temples and monitor lizards, ten minutes and a century from downtown. Thonburi coffee before the boat - [Aile Coffee](https://bestofthailand.org/place/aile-coffee-thonburi) · ★ 5.0 - [56 COFFEE HOUSE Hom KOPE](https://bestofthailand.org/place/56-coffee-house-hom-kope-thonburi) · ★ 5.0 · ฿1–200 - [OHMUGOSH - coffee & home cooking](https://bestofthailand.org/place/ohmugosh-coffee-home-cooking-thonburi) · ★ 5.0 · ฿1–200 [See all in this area →](https://bestofthailand.org/bangkok/thonburi/cafes-coffee) Afternoon ### ICONSIAM and the riverside The free shuttle boat from Sathorn pier drops you at ICONSIAM, whose ground-floor 'floating market' food hall is the easiest single answer to 'I want to try everything once'. Work upward from there — the upper terraces have the river view. Riverside shopping picks - [ICONSIAM](https://bestofthailand.org/place/iconsiam) · ★ 4.7 · ฿฿฿ - [Asiatique The Riverfront](https://bestofthailand.org/place/asiatique) · ★ 4.4 · ฿฿ [See all in this area →](https://bestofthailand.org/bangkok/riverside/shopping) Evening ### Sunset on the Silom side Cross back for golden hour: the State Tower and Banyan Tree rooftops anchor the Silom/Sathorn skyline scene, with a dozen quieter alternatives below them. Book ahead on weekends. Silom & Sathorn rooftops - [Spire Rooftop Bar Bangkok](https://bestofthailand.org/place/spire-rooftop-bar-bangkok-silom) · ★ 4.6 · ฿400–1,600 - [Sky Bar at Lebua](https://bestofthailand.org/place/sky-bar-lebua) · ★ 4.3 · ฿฿฿฿ [See all in this area →](https://bestofthailand.org/bangkok/silom/rooftop-bars) ## Day 5: Day trip and a proper massage With five days you can afford one day out of the city and a slow last evening. Morning ### Ayutthaya or a floating market Two classic day trips: the UNESCO temple ruins of Ayutthaya (75 minutes by train or minivan; rent a bicycle or hire a tuk-tuk between sites) or the Damnoen Saduak / Amphawa floating markets southwest of the city (go early — Damnoen Saduak is a morning market and a tour-bus magnet by 10:00; Amphawa runs weekend afternoons and is the more local of the two). Afternoon ### Back in town: earn your massage You'll be back mid-afternoon with sore legs — the correct Bangkok response is a two-hour massage. Sathorn's spa row runs the full range from ฿300 street shops to serious wellness houses. Spas in Sathorn worth booking - [Health Land Sathorn](https://bestofthailand.org/place/health-land-sathorn) · ★ 4.4 · ฿฿ [See all in this area →](https://bestofthailand.org/bangkok/sathorn/wellness-spa) Evening ### One last dinner, done properly For the final night, book somewhere you'd regret missing — Bangkok's restaurant scene runs from ฿60 street legends to a thick constellation of Michelin stars, and the best tables go days ahead. A last-night table in Sukhumvit - [Snoop's Joint](https://bestofthailand.org/place/snoop-s-joint-sukhumvit) · ★ 4.9 · ฿400–600 - [Achyut Bhavan Bangkok](https://bestofthailand.org/place/achyut-bhavan-bangkok-sukhumvit) · ★ 4.8 · ฿200–400 - [Hippopotoshi](https://bestofthailand.org/place/hippopotoshi-sukhumvit) · ★ 4.8 · ฿800–2,000 [See all in this area →](https://bestofthailand.org/bangkok/sukhumvit/restaurants) ## Good to know Check the [live forecast](https://bestofthailand.org/weather) and [air quality](https://bestofthailand.org/air-quality) before locking your outdoor days, confirm your entry rules in the [visa checker](https://bestofthailand.org/visa), and skim the [common scams](https://bestofthailand.org/scams) page — the "temple is closed today" routine is aimed precisely at people following itineraries like this one. Timing your trip around a festival? See the [festival calendar](https://bestofthailand.org/festivals) — Songkran and Loy Krathong reshape any itinerary, in the best way. ## Frequently asked questions **Is 5 days enough for Bangkok?** Five days is comfortable: the essential sights, the markets and neighbourhoods, a day on the river and a day trip out — without ever rushing. It's the length we'd recommend for a first visit that doesn't feel like a checklist. **What's the best area to stay for this itinerary?** Anywhere near a BTS station on the Sukhumvit line (Asok to Thonglor) balances nightlife, food and transport; Riverside suits the temple-and-boat days and honeymoon budgets; Ari is the quiet local pick. Avoid basing yourself in the Old City itself — it's transit-poor after dark. **How much should I budget per day in Bangkok?** Excluding the hotel: a street-food-and-BTS day runs ฿600–1,000; a mixed day with a sit-down dinner, a massage and a rooftop drink lands around ฿1,500–3,000. The big variable is drinks — cocktails at skyline rooftops cost Western prices. ## More practical guides [Bangkok itineraries](https://bestofthailand.org/itinerary) · [Visa checker](https://bestofthailand.org/visa) · [Common scams](https://bestofthailand.org/scams) · [Is Thailand safe?](https://bestofthailand.org/safety) · [Thai massage guide](https://bestofthailand.org/thai-massage) · [Bangkok nightlife](https://bestofthailand.org/nightlife) · [Cannabis & kratom laws](https://bestofthailand.org/cannabis) · [Renting a motorbike](https://bestofthailand.org/motorbike) · [Baht & money guide](https://bestofthailand.org/currency) · [Weather by city](https://bestofthailand.org/weather) · [Air quality (PM2.5)](https://bestofthailand.org/air-quality) · [Festival calendar](https://bestofthailand.org/festivals) · [My Trip planner](https://bestofthailand.org/my-trip)