Bangkok, one of the most visited cities in the world. The city has plenty of attractions for every kind of traveler. From beautiful temples and palaces to vibrant nightlife, versatile shopping malls and bustling night markets, Bangkok has array of activities to offer. If you are going to Bangkok and want to explore the major tourist attractions of Bangkok, a well planned 3-day itinerary is sufficient. So, this blog will provide you with a 3-day itinerary, that caters to and suits every kind of tourist, so let’s start with day 1.
Day 1
Start your day 1 in Bangkok by visiting the most iconic places of Bangkok, its temples and palaces, and all the famous ones are near to each other.
Morning: Temples and Palaces
Begin your day around 8–9 and head towards Wat Pho, one of the most beautiful temples in Bangkok. This temple is also the home of one of the world’s largest reclining Buddha statue, a sight that will leave you mesmerized by its beautiful architecture and pleasant ambience.
From Wat Pho, its just a 5 to 10 minute walk to the Grand Palace, This magnificent building, known for its beautiful buildings and historic significance, is something to watch. Inside the palace, don’t miss seeing Wat Phra Kaew, also known as the temple of the Emerald Buddha.
After exploring the Grand Palace, take a short boat ride across Chao Phraya River and visit Wat Arun, also known as the temple of Dawn. Wat Arun is famous for its architecture and riverside location. You can climb the steep steps to enjoy the beautiful view of the city, and the river.
Visiting these landmarks will take approximately 3 to 4 hours.
Travel Tips:
The best way to reach these places is to take a boat on the Chao Phraya River. You can hop on the ferry from any one of the river’s boat terminals. But I recommend buying a day pass, which will cost 150 Bath and allow unlimited trips in 24 hours. I purchased my hop-on, hop-off ticket from the Saphan Taksin ferry terminal, easily accessible via the BTS sky train. This way, you can enjoy the scenic views of Bangkok from the river.
The entry ticket in the Wat Pho temple is 300 Bath for visitors
Entry ticket to Grand Palace is 500 Bath for visitors
Entry ticket to Wat Arun Temple is 100 Bath for visitors.
Afternoon Lunch & Shopping
After visiting these places, its time to beat the heat and have lunch, For that, head towards Icon Siam. This shopping mall is more than just a mall, and is directly accessible by ferry, the mall offers plenty of dining and several world class shopping options, along with cultural exhibits. Spend 2 to 3 hours to relax, eat and shop in the newly built shopping wonder of Bangkok.
Evening: Rest & Nightlife
Around 5 to 6 PM, head back to your hotel or hostel for some rest. After 9 PM, it’s time to experience Bangkok’s world famous nightlife. head towards the Sukhumvit area, one of the worlds most famous nightlife districts. This place is full of plenty of entertainment options, including pubs, energetic discos, soothing massage parlors, bars and venues with live music, and much more, the nightlife here is actually nightlife for adults and electric, which goes until dawn, offering an unforgettable experience.
This ends your first day in Bangkok, full of city’s most iconic places and the famous nightlife.
Day 2
After a late first night, start your second day around 11 or 12 PM. This day, you will explore some of the best shopping in Bangkok, and enjoy its serene green spaces.
Shopping extravaganza
Start your second day from one of the best shopping district of Bangkok, Siam. Here, you can visit the interconnected shopping malls like Siam Paragon and Siam Discovery, also accessible by BTS skytrain. These beautiful and big shopping malls are home to both international and local brands. Bangkok is famous for its affordable prices, mostly 10 to 20 percent cheaper than similar items found in cities like Dubai. So, you can spend easily 3 to 4 hours here and can eat lunch in one of these malls as there are plenty of eating options in the food court of Siam Paragon.
Relax in Lumphini Park
After shopping, head towards Lumphini Park, one of the most beautiful parks in Thailand, in the heart of Bangkok’s city center. The park is ideal for relax and enjoying nature, offering an escape from the bustling life of the city. You can take a stroll, rent a paddle boat on the lake or simply unwind on the grassy lawns. The park has a lot of recreational facilities, and if you are lucky enough, you can watch monitor lizards here, which adds a touch of wildlife to your visit.
Fun At Asiatique
As the evening comes, head towards the Asiatique, one of the best and my favorite areas of Bangkok, located on the bank of Chao Pharaya River. This place is a unique blend of Night market and shopping mall, which have plenty of restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops and entertainment places. The lively atmosphere and the river make it a lovely place to spend your evening.
The main highlight of Asiatique is the opportunity to take a river cruise. These cruises, which can be booked online or directly at the ticket counters in Asiatique, range from 15 to 50 USD, depending on the company and services. The cruise tours usually operate from 5 to 7 or from 8 to 10 p.m. and offer stunning views of the city skyline at sunset or under the night sky. And this cruise tour is a must-do activity in Bangkok.
So this concludes your second day, which was filled with shopping, relaxation,, and riverside entertainment.
Day 3
Lets start your day 3 with the place, which, if you not visit it your Bangkok’s trip to Bangkok will be incomplete.
Chinatown
The most vibrant place of Bangkok, known for its rich culture, bustling markets and street food, whether you visited it in day or night you’ll be captivated by its charm and energy. These Chinatowns are almost in all famous cities of the world but the Chinatown of Bangkok is just exceptional, which is blend of Chinese culture modern attractions. Wander through its lively streets, enjoy street food and soak into the lively atmosphere.
Evening Rooftop Experience
As the evening sets in make your way to anyone of the rooftop bars and lounges, there is variety of options for you in this regard, but I went to Octave Rooftop lounge and bar, a popular yet economical place to enjoy the skyline of Bangkok, try to go there an hour before sunset so, you can enjoy both day and night views of the city. This place is located on the 45th floor of Marriott Hotel in Sukhumvit, this place offers 360 degree view of the city.
Khaosan Road
If you ask me about the best nightlife place in Bangkok, then my choice will be Khaosan Road /Street. This place stands out for its electric mix of bars, clubs, street food vendors, and bustling atmosphere. You will find no better place then this to enjoy nightlife in Bangkok. From cozy cafes and lively pubs to live street performances to massage parlors, this place offers an unforgettable experience after the sunset.
Relax with a Massage
Before concluding your Bangkok’s trip, treat yourself to the traditional Thai massage. Believe me, you will find no cheaper massage than this city, a good one hour foot massage or Thai body massage will cost you just in 10 to 20 USD, but the prices go up according to the parlors and facilities. So, whether you choose foot massage or traditional Thai body massage, you’ll find no better place for a soothing and inexpensive massage than Bangkok.
This third day in Bangkok is filled with variety and exciting experiences, from cultural explorations to vibrant nightlife.
If you have more time, you should also visit Icon Siam during the night, and also visit Jodd Fairs night market. This night market is not very famous among tourists, but it is surely worth visiting.