How to Spend the Perfect 3 Days in Bangkok Itinerary

Last Updated on 4th March 2024 by Sophie Nadeau

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Are you planning a trip to Thailand and your itinerary includes 3 days in Bangkok? This article brings you a perfect short break in the city of angels with its impressive royal palaces and temples, eclectic shopping opportunities, flavorful street food, and hidden gems to discover around town.

This Bangkok itinerary also has hotel recommendations and a few extra details that will be helpful when it’s time to get ready for your vacation in this incredible country in Southeast Asia, let’s go!

Best time to visit Bangkok

When exploring Thailand, you might want to enjoy some sunny days if you also want to visit the country’s glorious beaches and islands in the south. However, those who are only interested in checking out the capital will certainly prefer to avoid the heavy showers of the rainy season.

Bangkok generally has a tropical climate, making it a humid and quite warm place all year round. Besides, showers are common, so if hot, humid weather is not your thing, pick the period between November and February, cooler and with less rain.

What is Bangkok known for?

With its vibrant street life, bustling markets, and rich cultural heritage, Bangkok is a city that truly never sleeps. The city boasts some of the most stunning Buddhist temples in the world, including the famous Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Arun.

Food lovers flock to Bangkok for its incredible street food, with countless food stalls offering a vast array of delicious and affordable local delicacies. The city’s lively nightlife, with its numerous bars, nightclubs, and entertainment venues, attracts visitors from all corners of the globe.

Additionally, Bangkok is a shopper’s paradise, with everything from high-end luxury malls to traditional markets selling all sorts of goods. If you’re planning to see more destinations in Thailand, check out how to spend 3 days in Chiang Mai.

Moving around in Bangkok

The best option to get from the airport is the taxi, affordable and safe. To move around town, instead, you can use the modern metro system or the Skytrain. Both of them are convenient, affordable, and easy to use. There is also a good bus network you can rely on, however, traffic tends to be heavy in town, so you might want to avoid it in peak hours. 

The train is useful for day trips to nearby towns and attractions, including the popular Ayutthaya, or longer trips to the northern city of Chang Mai or the southern coast. 

Other options to move around in town include boats, useful when crossing the Chao Phraya and visiting different temples and districts in the city. Finally, you might also want to experience, at least once, a trip on a tuk-tuk.

Is 3 days enough time in Bangkok?

Yes, if you plan it right (or follow our itinerary below) then you should find that 72 hours in Bangkok is more than enough time to get a well-rounded overview of the city, eat in some of its best eateries, and discover some of the top attractions. If you want to see absolutely everything, then you’ll want to set aside four or five days to discover the city.

Where to Stay in Bangkok

The city offers all kinds of accommodations, from quite affordable hotels to the most luxurious hotels featuring incredible rooftop pools with views over the impressive skyline of the city. These are the three best options I recommend for different budget ranges.

Affordable accommodation in Bangkok 

4M Pratunam Hotel offers affordable accommodation in the cosmopolitan Pratunam district, perfect for those interested in shopping experiences. The place has a restaurant as well as a shared kitchen. The hotel is just a short metro ride from Siam Paragon Mall, SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World, and Gaysorn Village Shopping Mall. Check prices and availability here.

Mid-range accommodation in Bangkok 

Chillax Heritage Hotel Khaosan is a fantastic hotel situated in the lively area around Khao San Road, featuring a swimming pool, and a fitness center. At this hotel, you can savor delicious American breakfast every morning before starting your day exploring Bangkok. Check prices and availability here.

Luxury accommodation in Bangkok 

Bangkok Publishing Residence is a gorgeous property in the historic center of town, located a short bus or metro ride from the Bangkok National Museum and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The property features accommodation with free bikes, a garden, a terrace, and a hot tub.  The hotel also offers a morning breakfast with a buffet and a free airport shuttle for guests. Check prices and availability here.

Best Things to Do in Bangkok in Three Days

Bangkok Day One: The Palaces and Temples

Start early and head to any riverside pier to get on a boat, you will be visiting the western bank of the Chao Phraya River to explore the most impressive temples in town. Remember that most temples close at 3.30 pm, so wake up early to make the most of your morning.

However, do not run, enjoy the unique experience of sailing along the Chao Phraya just like the locals do. Although there are both regular (orange) and tourist (blue) boats, picking the regular boat will be cheaper, more authentic (maybe also more crowded), and the best way to be surrounded by the local sounds, smells, and traditions.

To get to the temple area in Bangkok, you can choose between the public ferry with an orange flag or the more expensive tourist ferry with a blue flag. To fully experience the “real” Bangkok, we recommend taking the public ferry (orange flag). The rivers and canals are the heart of Bangkok, and its cross-river ferries are still the main transportation for the locals. 

Also, moving from one temple to the other is quite easy on foot, they are located within walking distance from one another and this will get you walking along the most traditional alleys in town. Just be sure to wear comfortable shoes as you’ll be on your feet a lot during this itinerary!

Your first stop will be the ancient royal district where some of the most impressive temple complexes are located. 

Start by heading to the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The complex guards not just the former home of the monarch, the Grand Palace but also one of the most sacred Buddhist temples in the country, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha or Wat Phra Kaew.

This temple, which receives hundreds of visitors from all over Asia every week, houses the impressive emerald Buddha, a 66 cm tall figurine in green Jade covered in gold cloth, and the fabric is changed at different times of the year according to the season. 

Although it is possible to explore the Grand palace and the Temple on your own, joining an organized experience or booking an audio guide can be of immense help to understanding more about the history of the country. These are the experiences I recommend checking out:

• Grand Palace & Wat Pho Half-Day Private Tour also includes a visit to the War Pho with its reclining Buddha. Check prices and availability here.

• Grand Palace Self-Guided Walking Tour. Check prices and availability here.

• Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew Guided Walking Tour Check prices and availability here.

The Grand Palace was built in 1782, around the time when the current city of Bangkok became Thailand’s capital. Visiting the whole complex can easily take more than two hours since the area features more than a hundred religious and official buildings with incredible statues and pagodas, surrounded by incredible oriental gardens.

Wat Pho should be your next stop after this visit. The temple, also known as Wat Phra Chetuphon, is a quick 10-minute walk from the Grand Palace. The place is better known for its giant reclining Buddha (about 46 meters long) covered in gold leaf.

And if you also want to experience an authentic Thai massage, this is the right place to visit as it is the country’s leading massage academy and prices are affordable.

If you still have time to explore a bit more, do not skip Wat Arum, to get there from What Pho you will have to reach the Than Tien Pier (Pier number 8) and get to the western side of the Chao Praya River to get to this incredible temple that has been recently renovated.

Known as the Temple of Dawn, this unique structure features iridescent tiles that lighten up the surface of the temple, especially during dawn and sunset. Its main prang or tower-like spire is about 67 meters high and is decorated with small pieces of porcelain.

It has several terraces with Chinese sculptures and Buddhist iconography. There are also different Chinese pavilions with breathtaking landing bridges.

Dress code for your Bangkok temple experience:  Don’t forget that all these sites are considered sacred grounds, therefore a strict dress code should be respected, and trust me, it is strictly observed and controls are frequent at the entrance. 

Both men and women should avoid shorts, short skirts, tank tops, and short-sleeved tops. You will be asked to wrap a sarong around your body. 

The dress code is less strict with kids, who are allowed short pants and short-sleeved t-shirts. Bring enough water with you, especially if you visit on a hot or humid day, since the place is often overcrowded, and kiosks sometimes run out of refreshing drinks in the middle of the day.

The whole temple experience will take you most of the day. You will end your tour around mid-afternoon, and taking a short break is not a bad idea. You can head to your hotel and enjoy a refreshing dip in the pool or a quick nap. Alternatively, you can go for a wholesome meal heading to one of the city’s liveliest places, Khao San Road.

This is a great place for affordable street food, delicious drinks, and some affordable shopping. Over here you can get anything from decorative statues, magnets, and comfy elephant pants, a trademark in Southeast Asia.

Bangkok Day Two: The Markets

The city of Bangkok can be heaven for those who enjoy bargaining or simply exploring colorful markets. There are several fantastic markets in and around town and devoting a day to exploring at least a few of them is never a bad idea.

Chatuchak Weekend Market: As its name claims, the market is at its best during the weekend, however, it can be calmer during the weekdays as it doesn’t feature as many open stalls and is less overcrowded.

Chatuchak is the best place to go to purchase souvenirs, especially clothes, at affordable prices. All kinds of souvenirs, including ceramics, leather, and wood products, metalwork, and tons of incredibly delicious food. Eating at Chatuchak can be a one-of-a-kind foodie moment too! 

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market: Second to none when it comes to a unique experience, this is the quintessential Bangkok market you should include in your three-day-in-Bangkok adventure.

This is one of the most famous floating markets in Thailand that you will be able to visit on a paddle board ride, admiring the colorful environment and enjoying the feast of delicious food sold from floating stalls and other boats as well.

There is nothing quite like experiencing this market with a local so that you can learn about the products sold and purchase the staple dishes cooked in the area, this tour offers excellent value for money as it also includes a stop at another traditional Bangkok market, the Maeklong Railway Market.

Maeklong Railway Market: Another favorite tourist attraction in town, you may have probably seen pictures of this place when searching for information about the best places to discover in Bangkok.

During your visit, you will be impressed at how market stalls are pulled back from the tracks every time a train approaches to let the train pass through. This original place is a perfect destination to buy or sample fresh vegetables and delicious tropical fruit often unavailable (or too expensive) in occidental markets.

If modern malls are your favorite shopping experience, then Bangkok won’t disappoint, the city is home to dozens of amazing multi-story shopping centers where you can get anything from well-tailored clothes, some of them from high-end brands, to the latest electronic gadgets and cutting-edge technology. 

With more than forty malls to visit, it can be overwhelmingly difficult to decide which one to visit, you can always ask at your hotel which is the nearest or most convenient one, or you can also pick one of the following ones:

CentralWorld spreads over  800,000 square meters, making it the eleventh-largest mall in the world. The place features mega stores, restaurants, and movie theatres. Kids can enjoy the Thailand Knowledge Park and the Genius Planet Zone. The place is great for families and perfect for retail therapy fun, shopping both luxury and budget shopping opportunities (Rama I Road, Pathum Wan, Bangkok).

Siam Discovery is an iconic Japanese-design mall spanning over eight floors where to find a variety of Japanese, European, and American brands (Rama I Road, Pathum Wan, Bangkok).

Central Embassy Shopping Mall is one of the most luxurious malls in Bangkok with stores like Prada, Gucci, and Versace as well as more affordable European and American brands. The place includes different food courts offering Japanese, Chinese, Thai, and Occidental cuisine. Want more? The mall also houses the 6-star Park Hyatt Hotel

Siam Center has been Bangkok’s most traditional shopping space for at least forty years. This mall is ideal to purchase clothes, featuring more than 200 local and international brands and some of the best restaurants in town (Rama 1 Road, Pathumwan Bangkok).

Finally, don’t miss a visit to one of Bangkok’s iconic night markets. My favorite night market is the train night market Talad Rod Fai located on Ratchada Road. Probably one of the most famous night markets in Bangkok selling vintage antiques, clothing, and a large variety of delicious street food as well as different cocktail bars set in vintage VW vans.

Bangkok Day Three: Authentic Hidden Gems

Devote the third day in town to visit more off-the-beaten-track areas and get away from the overcrowded markets and tourist-filled temples to admire the city’s hidden corners that not every visitor can experience. 

Start by heading to Bangkok’s Chinatown, an intriguing maze of small alleys with centuries-old shrines, exotic markets, and traditional food eateries. The streets are home to unique buildings, tea houses, shops, and a few small boutique hotels. 

In the same area, Talad Noi is an original neighborhood within the Chinatown district. Walk around this fascinating area spreading close to the Chao Phraya River, where ancient Chinese and Portuguese settlements spread when Bangkok became the capital of the country, back in 1767. 

Among the best buildings to visit in the area, don’t miss the oasis-like, So Heng Tai Mansion with beautiful gardens and well-kept traditional architecture. Dating from the nineteenth century.

To access the house, the mandatory ticket is a glass of juice or a cup of tea. The area is also home to ancient Buddhist temples, Catholic Churches, shrines, ancient trees, and tons of vivid street art and murals.

From here, you can visit another beautiful building that is part of Bangkok’s culture, Jim Thompson House, a famous character in local history, responsible for making Thai silk popular all over the world.

His incredible history and unusual mysterious disappearance are worth learning about to enjoy the visit even more, and several tours available can help you with the task. 

His former home is an architectural gem that you shouldn’t miss. This beautiful traditional Thai wood house amidst green bushes and lush gardens is not far from Siam Square. In the nearby area, devote some minutes to check out the Baan Krua weaving community that has been producing top-quality silk for centuries.

You can visit both places with a guided tour experience that highlights the details of the house and the traditional techniques still used by this ancient textile community in the center of modern Bangkok.

End the day by experiencing the impressive sights of Bangkok’s skyline. There are some fantastic rooftop bars in town where to soak in the views as early as sunset time.

Head to the Banyan Tree Hotel to explore the popular open-air Moon Bar on its 61st floor (South Sathon Road) or, if you prefer, go for the more traditional Skybar Sirocco on the 63rd floor of the Dome State Tower (Silom Road).

A final note on visiting Bangkok

As is easy to see, there are so many things to do in Bangkok that you could easily fill months of enjoyment and entertainment. This itinerary for three days in Bangkok has you covered for the most popular sites in town and also includes some unique experiences that will transform your trip into an unforgettable adventure.

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Gabi Ancarola is a journalist and travel writer who has lived over 20 years in Italy, and has been living in Crete for the last five years. She hosts culinary tours, translates and writes for her Crete travel blog The Tiny Book. She’s written for Greek Reporter and published several travel guides about Greece.