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If your goal is to never run out of things to explore in Bangkok, plus the bonus of easily hitting 10K+ steps a day during your trip, then you chose the right city to travel to. Bangkok, Thailand is one of those places that instantly pulls you in. From flavorful Thai food (fun fact: one of my favorites), to nonstop shopping (guilty), and cultural landmarks woven throughout the city, it’s nearly impossible to get bored here.

If you’re planning a short stay or looking for ideas to add to your itinerary, keep reading to steal my 3-day Bangkok itinerary, complete with food stops and must see sites to help you make the most of your time in the city.

Day 1 (Explore Bangkok’s Historic Sights):

Spend your first day exploring Bangkok’s historic sites, including temples, and learning about the city’s history!

1. Start Your Morning at Kay’s

On the first day, start with breakfast before heading out to explore. One of my favorite breakfast/brunch spots I tried in Bangkok was Kay’s. They have multiple locations around the city, and the Rangnam one was closest to our hotel, so that’s where we went. I ordered the Oh My Omelet, which consists of an omelet topped with hollandaise sauce, bacon, and Paris ham, paired with an iced Thai tea latte… and let me tell you, I was definitely fueled up for the day!

• Price Range: $ to $$
• Opening Hours (open daily):
  • Rangnam: from 6:30 AM to 4 PM
  • Embassy: from 10 AM to 10 PM
  • Sukhumvit: from 7:30 AM to 10 PM
  • Sathorn: from 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM

Here’s the map to Kay’s Rangnam:

2. Your First Attraction: The Grand Palace

The Grand Palace can get busy quickly (and hot), so it’s great to start here first thing in the morning. You may also find yourself spending more time than expected, as the complex is large and detailed. This historic site is known for its royal significance and for housing the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, one of Thailand’s most sacred temples.

• Ticket Cost (Foreign Visitors): 500 THB (about $16 USD) 
• Average Visit Time: 2-3 hours
• Opening Hours:
  • Daily: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Here’s the map to The Grand Palace:

3. Head Over to Wat Pho

Wat Pho is walkable from the Grand Palace, making it an easy stop right after. This temple is known for the giant Reclining Buddha, and it’s a nice place to slow down a bit while still seeing one of Bangkok’s most well known temples.

• Ticket Cost (Foreign Visitors): 300 THB (about $9.50 USD)
• Average Visit Time: 1-2 hours
• Opening Hours:
  • Daily: 8 AM – 7:30 PM

Here’s the map to Wat Pho:

4. Take a Drink Break at Naifhun

Thailand is a tropical country, so chances are you’ll feel hot (and probably a little tired) after all the outdoor sightseeing. Around the Wat Pho and Grand Palace area, there are plenty of cafes and restaurants, which makes it a great spot to take a break and refuel. The place I stopped at was Naifhun, which is within walking distance from both sites. I ordered a mango smoothie, and it honestly made me feel full and cooled down from the heat. If smoothies or drinks aren’t your thing, don’t worry — there are plenty of other options nearby, plus some shopping if you’re into that.

• Price Range: $
• Opening Hours (days and hours may vary):
  • 8 AM to 4:30 PM

Here’s the map to Naifhun:

5. Visit Wat Arun Next

The last site to visit on your first full day is Wat Arun. The temple is stunning in person, especially with the river nearby. Wat Arun isn’t within walking distance from the other sites, but it’s still close. From the Wat Pho area, you can take a short ferry across the river that only takes a few minutes, or take a Grab if you prefer.

• Ticket Cost (Foreign Visitors): 200 THB (about $6 USD)
• Average Visit Time: 1-2 hours
• Opening Hours:
  • Daily: 8 AM – 6 PM

Here’s the map to Wat Arun:

6. Try a Traditional Thai Dinner

After all the sightseeing on your first day, end it by having some Thai food for dinner. I went to a local restaurant that didn’t have a clear Google Maps listing or website, which is pretty common for smaller spots in Bangkok. I do know it’s located next to Bizotel Premier Hotel & Residence in the Rang Nam area. I ordered Pad Thai and Thai tea, which felt like the perfect way to wrap up a full day.

• Price Range: $ to $$
• Opening Hours (days and hours may vary): 1 AM – 11 PM

Here’s the map to the local Thai restaurant area in Rang Nam:

Day 2 (Experience a Museum & Night Market):

On the second day, spend the day visiting an outdoor museum just outside of Bangkok that gives you an idea of what Thailand’s ancient city looked like. In the evening, head back into the city and spend the night at a popular night market for food and shopping.

1. Begin Your Day with Breakfast

Start your second day with breakfast. Bangkok has plenty of cafes offering breakfast and brunch options, and the one I went to was Bean Around Cafe. Unfortunately, the cafe has since officially closed, but I ordered an American breakfast with Thai milk tea (you can reference the pic I took)… and you’ll probably notice pretty quickly how often I get Thai tea since it’s one of my favorite drinks! Since this cafe has closed, I’m not including the usual details here, but I wanted to share it as part of my actual day.

If you want cafe recommendations with similar options and overall good reviews, you can try Breakfast Story Eleven, Sarnies Bangkok, or ROAST coffee & eatery.

2. Spend the Day at Muang Boran (Ancient City)

One of my favorite attractions to visit was this large outdoor museum that recreates what Thailand’s ancient cities looked like. Muang Boran (Ancient City) is located outside of Bangkok, but it’s still easy to get to by public transportation, taxi, or Grab. I spent most of the day here since the area is huge, and I got around the grounds using a golf cart, which made it much easier to see more of the site in one day. The museum also has a few food spots and small shops, so it’s easy to stay for several hours without needing to leave.

• Ticket Cost (Foreign Visitors): 800 THB (about $25 USD) or book via Klook for about $32 USD (includes Ancient City tickets and join in transfers)
• Average Visit Time: Full day
• Opening Hours:
  • Daily: 9 AM – 7 PM

Here’s the map to Muang Boran (Ancient City) :

3. End the Night at Jodd Fairs Night Market

After spending the day at the Ancient City, end it by heading to a night market. This is a good time to try different Thai foods or street food and do a bit of souvenir shopping. I went to Jodd Fairs Night Market, which has a wide mix of food stalls and shopping vendors.

• Ticket Cost (Foreign Visitors): Free to enter
• Average Visit Time: 1-3 hours
• Opening Hours:
  • Daily: 5 PM – 12 AM

Here’s the map to Jodd Fairs Night Market:

Day 3 (Shop & Relax):

On your final day in Bangkok, take it easy with some shopping and a massage. Shopping is a big part of the city, and with so many malls and shopping areas, you could easily spend days just browsing. This is a good time to dedicate the day to shopping and end it with a traditional Thai massage to relax before wrapping up your trip.

1. Shop and Eat at ICONSIAM

Since this day is focused on shopping and relaxing, one mall I recommend starting with is ICONSIAM. The mall is especially known for SookSIAM, an indoor market area that features traditional Thai food from different regions of the country. As a Pad Thai and Thai tea lover, I of course had to get both. When it comes to shopping, this mall does lean more on the luxury side.

• Ticket Cost (Foreign Visitors): Free to enter
• Average Visit Time: 2-4 hours
• Opening Hours:
  • Daily: 10 AM – 10 PM

Here’s the map to ICONSIAM:

2. Next Shopping Stop: CentralWorld

For the next shopping stop, you can check out CentralWorld. This mall feels a lot more local, with a wider mix of Thai brands you don’t always see at other malls. There are also plenty of cafes and food options throughout, so it’s easy to take breaks while shopping.

• Ticket Cost (Foreign Visitors): Free to enter
• Average Visit Time: 2-4 hours
• Opening Hours:
  • Daily: 10 AM – 10 PM

Here’s the map to CentralWorld:

3. Get a Traditional Thai Massage

Once you’re done with shopping, it’s time to get a traditional Thai massage. I chose to go to One More Thai Massage and Spa and booked their traditional Thai body massage with an herbal compress for 120 minutes. It was one of the best experiences I had during the trip and something I’d recommend adding, especially after full days of walking. They also offer other massage types and different time options.

• Cost via Klook (for Thai traditional body massage with herbal compress, 120 minutes): about $45 USD (check the site for other options and prices)
• Average Visit Time: 1-2 hours
• Opening Hours:
  • Monday to Friday from 10 AM to 11 PM
  • Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM to 12 AM

Here’s the map to One More Thai Massage and Spa:

4. End Your Day with Dinner in the Siam Area

After getting a massage, end your final day in Bangkok with dinner in the Siam area. It’s easy to get to by BTS Skytrain and is nearby, especially if you’re coming from the Chit Lom area. The Siam area is known for its shopping centers filled with food options, so you’ll have plenty to choose from all in one place. If you take the BTS, it connects directly to Siam Square, Siam Paragon, and Siam Center, with MBK Center just one stop away. I unfortunately didn’t note the exact restaurant I ate at, but it was a Japanese spot in the area.

• Price Range: $ to $$
• Opening Hours: Most restaurants are open daily, typically from late morning to late evening. Hours vary by restaurant and shopping center.

Here’s the map to Siam Area: