Bangkok is an electric, chaotic, and endlessly fascinating city, and after spending six days exploring it, we’ve figured out what’s truly worth your time. We did two separate day tours—one to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and another to Ayutthaya—but honestly, these aren’t essential if you only have a few days. So, we decided to write this 4-day itinerary focusing on the absolute best things to do in Bangkok. Get ready for an action-packed adventure filled with temples, street food, night markets, and rooftop bars!
If you wanted to know more about those day tours or just have extra time in Bangkok, you can read all about it in our blog, “How to Spend 6 Days in Bangkok“.
Curious about other destinations on our journey? Check out our blogs on Japan, Indonesia, or the Philippines!
Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase—at no additional cost to you.
TLDR 🫣
Bangkok is a vibrant city where ancient temples, bustling markets, and tantalizing street food come together to create an unforgettable cultural experience.
Itinerary
Day 1: Chatuchak Market, The Grand Palace & Khao San Road Madness
Day 2: Temple-Hopping & a Chinatown Feast (The real Bangkok)
Day 3: Mall Madness & Shopping Spree
Day 4: Relax & Celebrate with Self Care and a Rooftop Bar
Pro Tips:
- Use the Chao Phraya Express Boat instead of taxis—it’s faster and cheaper.
- Try street food —it’s often better and way cheaper than at restaurants!
- Check out all the places we ate at during our Chinatown Foodie tour.
Top Awards:
- Best Experience: Chinatown food tour 🍜
- Best Eats: Khao Soi from a random street stall
- Best "Bang for Your Buck" Hotel: Silom Forest Exclusive Residence, cheap and close to the MRT
- Best e-SIM: Airalo (You can use our referral code “CELINA4205” to save $4.50 CAD OFF your first purchase).
HOW TO GET AROUND
Bangkok’s traffic is legendary, so the key to getting around is to avoid being stuck in it. Here are your best options:
BTS Skytrain & MRT (Subway): The most efficient way to travel. Fares start at 16 THB ($0.50 USD), and an all-day pass costs around 140 THB ($4 USD).
Grab (Southeast Asia’s Uber): Convenient but pricier due to traffic. Short trips cost around 100-200 THB ($3-$6 USD). Pro Tip: Order at least 15 minutes in advance. We found that it took up to 20-25 minutes for our ride to be accepted!
Taxis: Use only metered taxis to avoid getting overcharged.
Tuk-Tuks: Fun but not the cheapest. Always negotiate before hopping in (expect to pay 100-300 THB per ride, depending on the distance).
Boats: The Chao Phraya Express Boat (16 THB) is a great way to get to the temples while avoiding traffic.
Pro Tip: Bangkok is humid, so carry a portable fan and drink plenty of Thai iced tea to stay cool! We name drop the BEST chain store for Thai iced tea below!
WHERE TO STAY
We stayed at Silom Forest Exclusive Residence, and it was the perfect budget-friendly home base. Located in the Silom district, it was close to BTS stations and super easy to get around. The rooms were modern, spacious, and affordable (starting at around 1,200 THB or $35 USD per night). Plus, Silom itself is a great mix of local vibes and city convenience!
ITINERARY
Day 1: Chatuchak Market, The Grand Palace & Khao San Road Madness
Kick things off at Chatuchak Weekend Market, the world’s largest weekend market with over 15,000 stalls. You could spend your entire morning here! It’s a weekend market, so we’d recommend visiting this market on either Saturday or Sunday when it’s liveliest. Pro Tip: If you see something unique you like, bargain and buy it. Chances are, you won’t be able to circle back to get it. Elephant pants anyone?
After shopping just a small section, you’ll likely want something to eat or drink. Believe me, it’s overstimulating and tiring! Fuel up with BBQ pork with rice and a fried egg, plus a classic Pad Thai (170 THB total) and a mango smoothie (80 THB). Pro Tip: Arrive early to avoid the heat and crowds, and bring cash for bargaining!
Next, visit The Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha).
Entry is 500 THB (one of the only temples where you can pay by credit card), and you’ll see the tiny but sacred Emerald Buddha, which only the King of Thailand can dress in its seasonal gold robes.
Heads up: No photos are allowed of this sacred Buddha. But you’ll enjoy spending the rest of your afternoon exploring the Grand Palace.
Besides this temple, the grounds are vast. There’s beautiful landscapes, pagodas, and buildings across every inch of this campus waiting to be explored!
Pro Tip: Wear modest clothing—no shorts or tank tops, or you’ll have to rent a sarong!
If you can’t tell by the photos… The Grand Palace is really GRAND, like HUGE. We recommend spending at least 2-3 hours here!
Afterwards, head to Shewa Spa for a much-needed massage. You’ve just spent the entire day walking the market and the Grand Palace.
We got a Thai massage (both of us), foot scrub (both of us), haircut (Ryan), and eyelash lift (Celina) for around $100 CAD total. We spent 3 hours here! Massages start at 250 THB. I fully expect that prices have increased since 2024, but it’s still a deal compared to Canadian prices.
Wrap up the day at Khao San Road, a legendary backpacker hub lined with street food stalls, bars, and clubs. We went to Nana’s restaurant, a tent with small tables on the side of the street. Grab a Singha beer, Pad Thai, or—if you’re feeling adventurous—a deep-fried scorpion. We opted for a jackfruit smoothie instead of scorpions as we weren’t that adventurous.
There are plenty of bars and clubs open til 3 or 4 am in the morning, so it’s time to dance the night away! Look how packed it is. Every single bar on this road looks like this!
Day 2: Temple-Hopping & a Chinatown Feast
Day 1 gave you a bit of everything—a bustling market, a stunning temple, and a lively tourist street with affordable yet delicious food. If you only had one day in Bangkok, Day 1 gave you a solid taste of the city. But Day 2 is where it’s at. It takes it a step further, fully immersing you in Bangkok’s rich culture with its most iconic temples and incredible Thai food. Ready for it? Start with a refreshing coconut (30 THB) or grab a Thai iced tea from Cha Tra Mue (60 THB). There’s a reason why this place is Thailand’s #1 brand for Thai tea!
First up: Wat Yan Nawa, a unique Chinese junk boat-shaped temple that’s free to enter and often overlooked by tourists. Now, it’s not as popular or as grand as the Grand Palace that you saw yesterday or the other two temples that you will visit today, but we think you need to see smaller temples like these so you can fully appreciate the spectrum of temples that Bangkok has to offer! The contrast between its intricate, spiky roof and the towering modern skyscrapers in the background feels quintessentially Bangkok to us!
Then, travel by boat! Take the Chao Phraya Express Boat – Orange Line (16 THB) to Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn).
Entry is 100 THB, and the steep climb rewards you with epic river views. It’s definitely worth a visit in Bangkok! Just look at the iconic spire covered in colorful porcelain that sparkles in the sunlight.
Hop on a 5 THB ferry (yes, it’s that cheap) across the river towards your next temple, Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha). But before you walk up to Wat Pho, fuel up with some food! For lunch, head to Je Muay Thai food, a small restaurant by the riverside, and order two mains and a Thai iced tea (260 THB). To be honest, this pad thai wasn’t as great as other ones we’ve had in Thailand, but you’re here for the views!
When you’re done eating, walk inland towards Wat Pho. Entry is 300 THB, and this temple houses Thailand’s largest reclining Buddha (46 meters long) and its first-ever massage school. If you weren’t able to get a massage on the previous day, we’d recommend getting one from this massage school!
The rest of the temples grounds are just as beautiful, so don’t forget to take your time and explore!
For dinner, I hope you’re hungry! It’s time to finally experience classic Thai food. Where can you find this? In Chinatown actually!
We joined a Chinatown Food Tour, which is a MUST in Bangkok! We booked our experience through Airbnb but then later learned you could also book it through GetYourGuide. It cost about $44 CAD per person, so Pro Tip: Save your stomach space and come HUNGRY because all food is included in the price of this tour! We met so many fantastic travellers and really got to see the best of Chinatown through the eyes of our two local tour guides. Thankfully, we jotted down most of the store names within this 3 hour tour so you can visit these without having to dish out $$$$.
Highlights are bolded and include:
-Chicken and pork satay from an alleyway set up with plastic tables nearby “I’m Chinatown”
–Michelin-rated shrimp dumplings (this was my favourite thing we ate) from “Jok One Table”
-Yellow curry with some sort of lap cheong (sausage) variation from “Khao Gaeng Jek Pui (Je Chie)”
-Jackfruit (cheapest jackfruit we found in all of Southeast Asia at 40 baht for half a kilo, de-seeded!) from a random cart in the middle of the street (sorry, no name)
-Soup noodles with BBQ pork from “Yaowaraj Restaurant”… or was it noodles with roasted duck from “Mr.Liuw Roasted Duck”…. or did we eventually eat both? We can’t remember as we were getting really full by now
–Coconut ice cream from a place called “Coconut ice cream” and served in a literal coconut
–Mango sticky rice from “ข้าวเหนียวมะม่วงBywilaiwan(ถนนทรงสวัสดิ์)” and
-Deep-fried dough fritters with pandan sauce from “Pa Tong Go Savoey”
I wish I could tell you the exact price of each dish, but since all our food was included in the $44 CAD tour price, we didn’t get individual breakdowns. However, we’re sure it would cost much less than $44 CAD per person if you ordered everything separately! By the end of the tour, you’ll be absolutely stuffed, so go ahead and splurge on a Grab ride home.
Day 3: Mall Madness & Shopping Spree
This day is all about shopping. Let’s be real—you can’t come to Bangkok and not pick up a few things! Bangkok is home to some of the world’s most iconic shopping malls. As long-term travelers, we needed to stock up on some essentials too, so we dedicated a day to seeing and comparing all the malls. Here’s what we bought at MBK Center, Siam Center, and CentralWorld malls:
– Waterproof cell phone case and bag (for Songkran and the southern islands)
– Sunscreen (195 THB for 180 ml, Mizumi—our favorite sunscreen!)
– Motion sickness pills (the ferry to the islands can get choppy)
– Mini lock for laptop zipper
– Maybe another pair of elephant pants because… why not?
– Floss (we ran out)
– Bug spray (Pro tip: North American brands like OFF don’t work well here—get the local stuff!)
– Mangos (fresh and dried—because again, why not?)
Start with MBK Center, a massive mall with everything from clothing to electronics. It also has Watsons (pharmacy) and Tops (grocery store) for essentials. There are also market-style shops outside!
If shopping isn’t your thing or if you finished early, check out Lumpini Park in the morning! Grab a Thai Iced Tea from Cha Tra Mue again (yes, it’s that good and only $2 CAD) and walk over to this huge park!
Relax on a bench while monitor lizards roam around like tiny dinosaurs. You might even spot a cat!
For lunch, visit Jaydang Samyang Red, a Michelin-rated spot known for spicy food. We ordered papaya salad, chicken, BBQ pork, larb, and rice. Can you believe we got all of this Michelin-rate food for only $13 CAD!?
Next, explore Siam Center and Siam Discovery, followed by CentralWorld, where you can pick up a tourist discount card for freebies across Thailand.
End the day at Asiatique The Riverfront, an outdoor shopping area along the Chao Phraya River. We took a boat to get there!
It’s the perfect mix of traditional Thai shopping and a modern riverside experience. Come in the evening, when all the ferris wheels and carousel lights are turned on!
Grab dinner at any of of the fancy restaurants here. We passed a restaurant cooking frog legs and saw a sign that said: “Eat me please.” (Said no frog ever.)
I also bought this elephant tote bag (aka my new beach bag) for $2.50 CAD—and it fits my 13-inch laptop easily!
If you’re still up for more or if you couldn’t shop anymore, check out Patpong Night Market for souvenirs—or head to Soi Cowboy, one of Bangkok’s famous red-light districts.
Even if you’re just there to look, the neon lights and nightlife energy make for an unforgettable experience!
Day 4: Relax & Celebrate
Day 4 is your final day. You’re probably wondering if you could extend your visit. But if you only have 4 days in Bangkok, you want to end it classy. Self-care, fancy rooftop bars, and last minute shopping/gifts!
Start your final day with another facial, foot massage, or street food meal (or all the above)—because trust me, you’ll miss it when you leave. A one-hour facial only cost $33 CAD!
We found an amazing shrimp Pad Thai stall for 60 THB close to our hotel. It’s not on Google Maps, but that’s the beauty of Bangkok—some of the best food is unmarked! So leave this last day to just exploring your neighbourhood.
Do some last-minute shopping at Siam Center and Siam Paragon, which have everything from luxury brands to quirky souvenirs. Look at these dog rings we found! Out of our budget (~$140 CAD per ring), but hilarious.
For lunch, we shared a GIANT plate of Pad Thai (X-Large size for 155 THB) at the mall.
For a celebratory drink and way to end the ULTIMATE 4 days in Bangkok, visit Tichuca Rooftop Bar (aka Jellyfish Sky Bar).
Arrive before sunset to get seats and to enjoy the view. Drinks and fries cost $27 CAD, but you’re paying for unreal skyline views and tropical vibes.
Wrap up your trip with one last bowl of Thai noodles at Bamee Kon Sae Lee (Thonglo)—soup noodles and a drink for 155 THB total from a small, local restaurant. That’s what Bangkok is all about!
Sawadee ka, Bangkok! 🇹🇭
FINAL THOUGHTS
Bangkok is vibrant, chaotic, and endlessly exciting—and in just four days, you can experience the best of what this city has to offer. From awe-inspiring temples and bustling markets to mouthwatering street food and iconic shopping spots, this itinerary packs in all the must-dos without feeling rushed. Whether you’re indulging in a Michelin-rated meal in Chinatown, haggling at Chatuchak Market, or unwinding with a rooftop cocktail, Bangkok will leave you wanting more. So, pack your bags, bring your appetite, and get ready for an unforgettable trip to The Land of Smiles! 🇹🇭
Discover more from Where's Ryan and Celina?
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.