The Perfect Bangkok 3-Day Itinerary For First-Timers (+ Free Map!)

Many people make the mistake of skipping Bangkok when landing in Thailand on the way to the popular beach resorts in the south of the country. This 3-day Bangkok itinerary will make you fall in love with the city!

I highly recommend dedicating at least 3 days to explore the Thai capital, as it is a vibrant cultural metropolis with many different facets, it’s a haven for foodies, and harmoniously blends old and new.

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A 3-Day Itinerary: What to do in Bangkok?

Bangkok is a large buzzing and multifaceted metropolis.

On one hand, you have the historic centre, boasting beautiful temples and markets, and on the other side there are modern skyscrapers with rooftop pools, trendy bars, and shopping malls. In the middle, there’s the hustle and bustle of Chinatown’s street food stalls, and infamous backpacker districts straight out of The Hangover.

I’ll guide you through an itinerary that will make the best out of your first trip to Bangkok – diverse, cultural, delicious, fun, and definitely one to remember!

Is 3 days enough time in Bangkok?

For those landing in Bangkok for the first time, 3 days is a great taster for the feel of the city.

3 days are enough to explore the main sightseeing spots of Bangkok’s Old Town, experience some of its cultural activities, discover local Thai food, and even venture beyond the city centre to visit floating markets and temples.

Bangkok Itinerary: Day 1

Wat Arun

Wat Arun (also known as the Temple of Dawn) is one of the most iconic Buddhist temples in Bangkok.

The temple’s imposing stance by the Chao Phraya river is just as impressive during the daytime as it is lit up at night. It’s also one of the few temples where it’s permitted to climb its main staircase.

I suggest visiting Wat Arun early in the morning, so that you can beat both the crowds and the hot midday sun. Expect to spend 1-1.5 hours exploring the temple grounds.

Opening times: 8 AM – 6 PM daily. Last entry at 5:40 PM.
Entry fee: 200 THB for adults (cash only), including a small bottle of water. Free entry for small children.

As with any religious sites in Thailand, make sure to wear loose-fitting clothes that cover your shoulders, knees, cleavage, and midriff.

It’s also a good idea to wear shoes that can be removed easily, as you’ll need to take off your shoes before entering some temple areas.

Tip: You can also rent traditional Thai costumes from nearby shops or inside Wat Arun itself.

Wat Pho

Continuing the temple-hopping activities, take the 5 THB cross-river ferry from Wat Arun to Tha Tien Pier (bring cash!). This short ride will give you a great view of Wat Arun from the water. Once at Tha Tien Pier, it’s a short walk to Wat Pho.

Wat Pho is one of Bangkok’s oldest temples – existing long before the city was established as the capital by King Rama I in the 18th century. It comprises of a complex of several Buddhist temples, which house the largest collection of Buddha images in all of Thailand – the most famous of which is The Reclining Buddha.

Opening times: 8 AM – 6:30 PM daily.
Entry fee: 300 THB for foreigners (cash-only). Free entrance for children under 120cm.

Dress code restrictions at Wat Pho are similar to those at Wat Arun. You will be provided with a bag to place your shoes before entering the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, as you enter from one side and exit through the other.

Expect to spend 1-1.5 hours exploring the temple grounds. There are free water-refilling stations at some points of the complex.

Tip: Wat Pho is also home to the first official school for teaching traditional Thai Medicine and massage, making it a great spot to get your first Thai Massage! Prices start from 340 THB.

Lunch

After a temple-hopping morning, it’s time to take a little break in this 3-day Bangkok itinerary, sit down for lunch and escape the heat for a little while.

As one of my main goals during my trip to Thailand was to eat as much mango sticky rice as possible, I had a very successful stop at Make Me Mango for a delicious mango overload (and air-conditioning)!

Pak Khlong Talat (Bangkok Flower Market)

The very colourful Pak Khlong Talat is Thailand’s largest flower market, open 24/7 to both retail and wholesale customers.

Besides both imported and local Thai flowers, you can also find fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices for sale at the market. My favourite part was watching the skilled Thai artisans creating Phuang Malai flower garlands, which are often given as offerings in shrines and statues.

Another type of flower offerings that you may spot here are Baisri. These cone-shaped flower arrangements are made using rolled-up banana and pandan leaves, adorned with chrysanthemum and other flower buds.

Tuk Tuk Food Tour (including Chinatown and a Rooftop Bar)

Bangkok is an incredibly-vibrant city at night, and there is never a shortage of things to do!

My main recommendations for a first night in Bangkok would be to ride in a tuk tuk, hit the street-food stalls in Chinatown, and to visit one of the many rooftop bars with beautiful views in the city.

But what if you could do all of this in one go?

This is exactly what we did – we signed up for this Mightnight Tuk Tuk Food Tour and got to be driven around Bangkok in a tuk tuk, sampling Thai food with a local guide. It was a fantastic way to be introduced to Bangkok’s food scene, including a meal at a Michelin Guide restaurant and snacking in Chinatown.

If you’re nervous about eating street food, then this is the best way to do it – as you can be sure that you’re only going to the safe spots.

We also re-visited the Flower Market, where we learned how to make a small flower arrangement ourselves. The evening ended with a cocktail at the famous EAGLE NEST Rooftop Bar, with a premium view of Wat Arun!

Bangkok Itinerary: Day 2

Floating Market Visit

I recommend starting the second day of your 3-day itinerary with an early breakfast at your hotel before leaving central Bangkok to visit a floating market.

There are a number of floating markets near Bangkok. While the most famous one is the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, it’s located about 100km/60mi southwest of Bangkok, requiring a full day to visit. It also gets very busy and pushy, as it’s primarily a touristic spot nowadays.

I decided to take some local advice and make my own way to a smaller and more authentic floating market, about 30 minutes from central Bangkok. We arrived at Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market by 10 AM and it was very calm, but it got busier as we left around 12 PM.

We took a 1-hour canal boat ride for 100 THB per person and enjoyed some local food and drink while admiring all kinds of fruits and vegetables we’d never seen before.

If you decide to visit a floating market on your own, make sure to always use Grab or Bolt to book your journey.

Avoid the well-known street taxi scams that promise cheap rates only to bring tourists to private piers charging extortionate prices for boat rides.

Lunch at a Unique Café

One thing Bangkok has gotten known for in recent years are its beautiful and unique cafés. There are a few of them in this part of the city, reachable by Grab or Bolt in just a few minutes.

I headed to the After the Rain Coffee & Gallery – the perfect hideaway for a tranquil lunch. The food was very well-priced and tasty, from the flavourful Tom Yum soup to the prettiest Pad Thai dish I’ve ever seen.

By spending 100 THB (about the price of one drink or a slice of cake), you can have a go on the row boats around the canal. It’s a great photo op, as well as a relaxing way to end your lunch break.

Tip: Another unique café nearby is the Bubble in the Forest Café (albeit pricier and more westernised – I recommend it more for a coffee break rather than a full meal).

Wat Sam Phran (Dragon Temple)

While in this part of West Bangkok, take the opportunity to visit a less-touristic yet very unique Buddhist temple: Wat Sam Phran (also often called Dragon Temple). Use Grab or Bolt to reach it.

Wat Sam Phran is a temple complex including a 17-storey pink tower with an impressive sculpted dragon wrapped around its exterior. Next to it, a building houses The Big Buddha – a large golden statue of the Buddha, and one of the best viewpoints to the pink dragon tower.

The temple grounds also comprise of a garden with various animal-shaped statues and unique corners. It is likely that you will spot monks praying or meditating.

As with any religious sites in Thailand, make sure to cover up your knees and shoulders. You’ll also need to remove your shoes before entering the buildings.

Opening times: 8 AM – 5 PM daily.
Entry fee: Free entry, but a small donation is expected if you visit inside the pink tower

Want to use a drone in Thailand? Read my guide on how to register your drone in Thailand!

It’s possible to climb up the dragon tower. Inside, there’s an elevator and a staircase all the way to the top, with fans for ventilation. The climb takes 5-10 minutes, and it’s meant to represent the ascent from hell to happiness and enlightenment.

At the top, you can make a wish and touch the dragon’s beard to make it come true! You can also enjoy the panoramic view from the top of the tower over the surrounding area.

Expect to spend 1 hour exploring the temple grounds, or 1.5 hours if climbing up the tower.

Return to Bangkok

Call a Grab or Bolt from the temple and return to central Bangkok for a quick shower and change of clothes ahead of your evening activities.

Watch a Muay Thai Fight

Muay Thai is Thailand’s ancient martial art and national sport known as the “Art of Eight Limbs“. Watching Muay Thai is one of the most popular activities in Thailand, but many people end up going to smaller local gyms where you mostly see fights between pre-pubescent kids.

Instead, for a real fun experience, I highly recommend watching Muay Thai at Rajadamnern Stadium.

Rajadamnern was Thailand’s first Muay Thai stadium, and today it hosts immersive Muay Thai experiences. The show explains the sport’s origin and heritage, there’s live music, as well as many engaging cam moments, food, and lots of fun (even for those who may not be combat sports fans!).

If you’re big full-contact combat sports fan, make sure to attend their Rajadamnern Knockout events (on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays), which guarantee an 80% knockout rate!

Bangkok Itinerary: Day 3

The Grand Palace & Khon Performance

For your final day in this Bangkok 3-day itinerary, we’re going to close the temple-hopping loop.

The Grand Palace in Bangkok had been used as an official royal residence since the 18th century, and it comprises of a complex with numerous pavilions and buildings. The most popular is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew), which is considered the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand.

As The Grand Palace closes earlier than other temples, it’s best visited in the morning. I found it to be the busiest temple complex of all, and you can expect to spend 2-3 hours exploring it.

Opening times: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM daily.
Entry fee: 500 THB for foreigners, including entry to a 25-minute Khon performance at the Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theater (free shuttle service from The Grand Palace).

Entry to The Grand Palace includes admission to a 25-minute Khon performance at the Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theater, as well as a free shuttle service between the two sites.

Khon dance is Thailand’s traditional masked dance drama (classified as an UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage), which used to be performed in royal or princely courts. The performance includes subtitles in both Thai and English, describing the story that is being enacted on stage.

There are only three daily Kohn performances included in The Grand Palace ticket – at 1 PM, 2:30 PM, and 4 PM. Make sure to time your visit well to attend the performance.

Khao San Road

Khao San Road (KSR for short) is likely the most famous street in Bangkok, if not all of Thailand.

If you’ve watched Leonardo DiCaprio’s film “The Beach“, then you’ll have a good sense of what the vibe is like here. It’s a popular area with young backpackers, and you’ll be offered to buy all sorts of things: from recreational drugs to grilled crocodile, deep-fried insects, massages, adult shows, whacky souvenirs, etc.

I’ll be honest and say that Khao San Road had little appeal to me, and I’m glad that I didn’t visit it at the start of my Bangkok trip.

We visited KSR at night during our visit, and it was the most overwhelming experience of my life. The bars opposite each other play music so loud you can barely think, the street is crowded, and you’re constantly being approached. It didn’t feel at all like the rest of Bangkok, which I loved so much, but I’m glad that at least I visited (or, rather, dashed through) it and made my own conclusions.

If it turns out to be your vibe, you can take the chance to buy some last-minute souvenirs, try some street snacks, and get a drink or a massage.

Alternative: Eat & Shop at ICONSIAM

If the idea of Khao San Road doesn’t appeal to you and you choose to skip it (I totally understand), then I highly recommend heading to ICONSIAM for your last-minute food tastings and souvenirs, instead.

ICONSIAM is a large shopping centre across the Chao Phraya river, with hundreds of shops and an indoor floating market. I loved its food market, SOOKSIAM, which recreates the look of traditional regional Thai bazaars, and you can try all kinds of Thai dishes, fruits, drinks, and snacks.

We had our first taste of durian, got our farewell mango smoothie, bought a bag of deliciously-sweet Chiang Mai pineapples, drank heavenly Thai coffee, and ate a lovely bowl of Khao Soi.

Chinatown

Chinatown is a great middle-ground option for visitors seeking to explore the various sides of Bangkok. It’s a great cultural hub, close enough to Old Town Bangkok to make sightseeing a breeze, as well as being well-connected on the MRT line to reach the modern neighbourhoods of Siam and Sukhumvit.

While the main centre of Chinatown is buzzing and bustling, finding a hotel slightly removed from the main streets and close to the train station ensures a peaceful stay while remaining close to all the action.

Chao Phraya (Riverside)

The Riverside area on the Chao Phraya river is one of the best areas to go sightseeing in Bangkok, with some of the best views in the city. Given its convenient location, with ferry access and within walking distance to various temples, markets, and Chinatown, the Riverside is a great option for families.

With being very central and perfect for a first visit to Bangkok, the Riverside can be pricier than other areas. The area is also not so well connected to the MRT/BTS lines, making it more challenging to travel to other parts of Bangkok.

Sukhumvit

Sukhumvit has become one of the best areas to stay in Bangkok for tourists wanting a soft approach to the city. It’s modern and cosmopolitan, home to numerous trendy rooftop bars, shopping centres, restaurants, and beautiful hotels with rooftop pools.

However, Sukhumvit is somewhat far from Bangkok’s old town (about 1 hour), making it less ideal for first-timers mainly looking to explore the city’s historic centre.

Khao San Road

Khao San Road is the most famous street in Bangkok, and it mainly attracts young backpackers on limited budgets.

However, Khao San Road gets mad in the evenings, and it is probably the loudest place I have ever been to. Unless you are specifically looking for the party and backpacker lifestyle, I would avoid staying in this area.

You can find quieter budget options around the wider local Banglamphu area, but bear in mind that there is no access to the MRT or BTS lines, so you’ll have to rely on taxis and ferries to get around.

Where NOT to stay in Bangkok for the first time

While Bangkok is an incredible and diverse city, it also attracts some undesirable kinds of tourism.

To avoid some of the seedier areas catering mostly to sex tourism and adult activities, stay clear of Nana Plaza, Soi Cowboy, and Patpong (Phat Phong).

My hotel recommendations for first-timers in Bangkok

During my first stay in Bangkok, I chose to stay near Chinatown over Sukhumvit, due to the proximity to Bangkok’s Old Town.

I stayed at the ASAI Chinatown hotel, located on a side street away from the main hustle and bustle and conveniently around the corner from the Wat Mangkon MRT Blue line.

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