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Bangkok, Thailand · Free itinerary
3-Day Bangkok Itinerary: Best Things to Do
Thailand's electric capital fuses gilded royal temples and the lazy curve of the Chao Phraya River with frenetic street markets, world-class street food, and glittering rooftop bars. From the old-city grandeur of Rattanakosin to the neon buzz of Chinatown and the malls of Siam, Bangkok rewards travelers who keep moving.
3 days17 sights + 10 food & drink stopsBangkok, Thailand
✅ Complete your trip to Bangkok
Book the essentials and keep this itinerary handy on the road.
1
Rattanakosin Old City & Riverside Temples
🗺️ Day route — numbered stops in order (static map)
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1hSala Rattanakosin Eatery & Bar 🍴 Food8:00 AM – 9:00 AM📍 Phra Nakhon, BangkokBreakfast on a riverside terrace at Tha Tien facing Wat Arun across the Chao Phraya; opens 07:00.
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9:05 AM – 9:15 AM· Walk to Grand Palace ·0.8 km ·10m
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2hGrand Palace 🏛️ Landmark9:15 AM – 11:15 AM📍 Phra Nakhon, BangkokThe dazzling former royal residence and home of the Emerald Buddha, Bangkok's crown jewel; open daily 08:30-16:30.
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11:24 AM – 11:30 AM· Walk to Wat Pho ·0.4 km ·6m
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1h 15mWat Pho ⛪ Religious site11:30 AM – 12:45 PM📍 Phra Nakhon, BangkokHome of the colossal gold-leaf Reclining Buddha and the birthplace of traditional Thai massage; open daily 08:00-18:30.
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Walk to Krua Apsorn ·1.4 km ·18m
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1h 15mKrua Apsorn 🍴 Food1:00 PM – 2:15 PM📍 Phra Nakhon, BangkokBeloved Bib Gourmand restaurant on Dinso Road famed for its crab in yellow curry and royal-style Thai dishes (closed Sundays).
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2:24 PM – 2:30 PM· Travel to Wat Arun ·1.9 km ·6m
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1h 15mWat Arun ⛪ Religious site2:30 PM – 3:45 PM📍 Bangkok Yai, BangkokThe Temple of Dawn's porcelain-encrusted spire rises dramatically on the Thonburi riverbank; open daily 08:00-18:00.
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3:53 PM – 4:00 PM· Travel to Wat Saket (Golden Mount) ·2.2 km ·7m
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1h 15mWat Saket (Golden Mount) ⛪ Religious site4:00 PM – 5:15 PM📍 Phra Nakhon, BangkokClimb the 300-odd steps of the Golden Mount to a hilltop chedi and a breezy 360-degree panorama over the old city; open daily to ~19:00.
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Walk to Saranrom Park ·1.4 km ·19m
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45mSaranrom Park 🌳 Park5:30 PM – 6:15 PM📍 Phra Nakhon, BangkokA leafy former royal garden with fountains and pavilions, a calm break in the old city.
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6:32 PM – 6:45 PM· Walk to Tha Maharaj Riverside ·1.0 km ·13m
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45mTha Maharaj Riverside 🌄 Viewpoint6:45 PM – 7:30 PM📍 Phra Nakhon, BangkokA breezy riverside community mall with sunset views over the Chao Phraya and Wat Arun; open daily to 21:00.
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7:54 PM – 8:00 PM· Travel to Thipsamai Pad Thai ·2.1 km ·6m
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1h 15mThipsamai Pad Thai 🍴 Food8:00 PM – 9:15 PM📍 Phra Nakhon, BangkokBangkok's most famous pad thai, wrapped in egg and served on Maha Chai Road since 1966 (closed Tuesdays).
2
Chinatown, Markets & the Chao Phraya
🗺️ Day route — numbered stops in order (static map)
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1hOn Lok Yun 🍴 Food8:00 AM – 9:00 AM📍 Phra Nakhon, BangkokA retro 1933 coffee shop on Charoen Krung serving old-school Thai-Western breakfast sets of eggs, ham and kaya toast; opens 06:00.
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9:20 AM – 9:30 AM· Walk to Pak Khlong Talat Flower Market ·0.7 km ·10m
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1hPak Khlong Talat Flower Market 🛍️ Shopping9:30 AM – 10:30 AM📍 Phra Nakhon, BangkokBangkok's 24-hour flower market, a fragrant riot of marigolds, orchids, and jasmine garlands.
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10:39 AM – 10:45 AM· Travel to Wat Traimit ·1.9 km ·6m
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1hWat Traimit ⛪ Religious site10:45 AM – 11:45 AM📍 Chinatown, BangkokHouses the world's largest solid-gold Buddha, a 5.5-tonne treasure at Chinatown's gateway; open daily 08:00-17:00.
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11:51 AM – 12:00 PM· Walk to Hua Seng Hong ·0.7 km ·9m
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1h 15mHua Seng Hong 🍴 Food12:00 PM – 1:15 PM📍 Chinatown, BangkokA bustling Yaowarat institution for dim sum, braised goose, and shark-fin-style soups; open daily.
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1hYaowarat Road 🏛️ Landmark1:30 PM – 2:30 PM📍 Chinatown, BangkokChinatown's pulsing main artery, lined with gold shops, herbal stalls, and neon signage.
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2:40 PM – 2:45 PM· Travel to IconSiam ·1.6 km ·5m
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1h 30mIconSiam 🛍️ Shopping2:45 PM – 4:15 PM📍 Khlong San, BangkokA spectacular riverside mega-mall with an indoor floating market and luxury boutiques; open daily 10:00-22:00.
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4:18 PM – 4:30 PM· Walk to Chao Phraya River Cruise ·0.9 km ·12m
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1h 15mChao Phraya River Cruise 🎭 Entertainment4:30 PM – 5:45 PM📍 Bang Rak, BangkokGlide past temples and skyscrapers on the river that has defined Bangkok for centuries.
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6:06 PM – 6:15 PM· Travel to Asiatique The Riverfront ·3.0 km ·9m
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1h 15mAsiatique The Riverfront 🛍️ Shopping6:15 PM – 7:30 PM📍 Bang Kho Laem, BangkokA riverside night bazaar of shops, a giant Ferris wheel, and breezy waterfront dining; opens late afternoon.
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7:44 PM – 8:00 PM· Travel to T&K Seafood ·5.3 km ·16m
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1h 15mT&K Seafood 🍴 Food8:00 PM – 9:15 PM📍 Chinatown, BangkokThe legendary green-shirted street seafood corner of Yaowarat, grilling prawns and steaming fish into the small hours.
3
Siam, Sukhumvit & Rooftop Views
🗺️ Day route — numbered stops in order (static map)
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1hRoast at The Commons 🍴 Food9:00 AM – 10:00 AM📍 Thonglor, BangkokA hip Thonglor brunch spot serving specialty coffee and all-day breakfast in The Commons; opens 09:00 weekends.
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Travel to Chatuchak Weekend Market ·8.6 km ·25m
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2hChatuchak Weekend Market 🛍️ Shopping10:15 AM – 12:15 PM📍 Chatuchak, BangkokOne of the world's largest markets, a sprawling weekend maze of 15,000 stalls (Saturdays and Sundays, ~09:00-18:00).
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Travel to Jim Thompson House ·6.2 km ·19m
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1h 15mJim Thompson House 🖼️ Museum12:30 PM – 1:45 PM📍 Pathumwan, BangkokThe teak-house museum of the American silk magnate who vanished mysteriously in 1967; open daily 10:00-17:00.
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1:49 PM – 2:00 PM· Walk to Nara Thai Cuisine ·0.8 km ·11m
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1h 15mNara Thai Cuisine 🍴 Food2:00 PM – 3:15 PM📍 Pathumwan, BangkokAward-winning modern Thai restaurant inside Siam Paragon, perfect for a refined lunch.
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1h 15mSiam Paragon 🛍️ Shopping3:30 PM – 4:45 PM📍 Pathumwan, BangkokBangkok's flagship luxury mall with a vast aquarium, gourmet hall, and designer flagships; open daily 10:00-22:00.
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4:51 PM – 5:00 PM· Walk to Erawan Shrine ·0.7 km ·9m
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30mErawan Shrine ⛪ Religious site5:00 PM – 5:30 PM📍 Pathumwan, BangkokA gilded Brahma shrine at Ratchaprasong where dancers perform amid clouds of incense; open daily ~06:00-22:30.
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5:40 PM – 5:45 PM· Travel to Lumpini Park ·1.5 km ·5m
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1hLumpini Park 🌳 Park5:45 PM – 6:45 PM📍 Lumphini, BangkokBangkok's central green lung, with lakes, monitor lizards, and joggers at golden hour.
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7:10 PM – 7:15 PM· Travel to Nahm ·1.7 km ·5m
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1h 45mNahm 🍴 Food7:15 PM – 9:00 PM📍 Sathorn, BangkokAcclaimed fine-dining temple of historic Thai recipes at the COMO Metropolitan; dinner Wed-Sun from 18:00.
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Travel to Octave Rooftop Lounge & Bar ·6.2 km ·18m
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1h 15mOctave Rooftop Lounge & Bar 🍸 Nightlife9:15 PM – 10:30 PM📍 Thonglor, BangkokA 360-degree rooftop bar atop the Marriott Thonglor with panoramic skyline views; open daily from 17:00.
🏨 Where to stay
Real, vetted stays near your route — check the reviews, then book.
Lub d Bangkok Silom
Silom
A stylish social hostel with pods and private rooms steps from the Silom nightlife and BTS.
Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square★★★★
Siam
A comfortable 4-star hotel in the heart of Siam Square's shopping and transit hub.
Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok★★★★★
Charoen Krung
A riverside tower with sweeping Chao Phraya views and a free shuttle boat to the BTS.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Bangkok?
3 days are a great amount of time to explore Bangkok. This itinerary covers 17 sights and 10 food & drink stops across 3 days, giving you a thorough introduction to the city.
What are the best things to do in Bangkok?
Some of the best things to do in Bangkok include Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun. Thailand's electric capital fuses gilded royal temples and the lazy curve of the Chao Phraya River with frenetic street markets, world-class street food, and glittering rooftop bars. From the old-city grandeur of Rattanakosin to the neon buzz of Chinatown and the malls of Siam, Bangkok rewards travelers who keep moving.
Where should I stay in Bangkok?
Popular options in Bangkok include Lub d Bangkok Silom and Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square. The city centre also has a range of hotels for every budget — book in advance for the best rates.
What's the best time to visit Bangkok?
Much of this itinerary is indoors — 7 of its 17 sights are museums, entertainment venues, or shopping stops — so Bangkok holds up outside peak season too. Book the popular indoor attractions ahead in busy months, and check the seasonal climate for Thailand before you go.