Start your first morning with a relaxed riverside stroll and breakfast at The Deck by Arun Residence, enjoying views of the river and the iconic silhouette of Wat Arun across the water. Afterward, hop on a local Chao Phraya Express Boat to explore the bustling pier scene, disembark at Tha Tien Pier for a quick walk through the flower and food stalls, and soak in the pulse of Bangkok while acclimating to the pace and sounds of the city.
Wander through the leafy grounds of Lumpini Park for a peaceful contrast to the riverfront bustle, rent a paddleboat on the lake, and watch local life unfold with joggers and tai chi groups. Later, head to nearby ICONSIAM for riverside shopping and a riverside food court tasting pad thai and fresh mango sticky rice while catching sunset views over the Chao Phraya.
As twilight falls, stroll along the revitalized riverfront at Asiatique The Riverfront, browse boutique stalls and take in live street performances before boarding the nostalgic Asiatique Sky Ferris Wheel for glittering city views. Afterwards, settle in for dinner at Baan Khanitha by the River or sample riverside seafood stalls, then enjoy a nightcap at the cozy rooftop bar Sala Rattanakosin's rooftop to admire the illuminated skyline and set the tone for the week ahead.
Begin the morning with an early visit to the dazzling Grand Palace, arriving as it opens to admire the ornate murals and the sacred Emerald Buddha with fewer crowds, then stroll to the nearby jewel-like Wat Pho to see the reclining Buddha and enjoy a traditional Thai massage at the temple's respected school. Afterward, wander through the leafy Sanam Luang grounds toward the charming bookshops and cafés along Rama I-Rattanakosin side streets, stopping for coffee and roti while soaking in the historic atmosphere before lunch.
After the morning's temple highlights, wander through the atmospheric lanes toward Bangkok National Museum to dive deeper into Thai history and admire its royal regalia and artifacts; follow that with a relaxed tuk-tuk ride to Pak Khlong Talat to experience the riotous colors of Bangkok's largest flower market and sample sweet roadside desserts. As late afternoon approaches, head to the riverside courtyard at Royal Barges Museum to see the ornate ceremonial boats and then pause for riverside iced tea at a nearby café while watching longtail boats drift past, setting up a calm transition into your evening plans.
As dusk settles, wander the atmospheric lanes toward Khao San Road for lively street food stalls and people-watching, then step aside into quieter sois to sample local pad thai and mango sticky rice at Thip Samai (Pratu Phi branch). Finish the night with a mellow drink and panoramic views from the riverside terrace of The Deck by Arun Residence (without redoing the riverside stroll), or take a short ferry to Riverside Bar at The Sala Rattanakosin to admire the illuminated silhouette of the old city and reflect on the day's temple discoveries.
Rise early and head west to the lively Taling Chan Floating Market, where you can glide between wooden stalls selling grilled seafood and coconut pancakes, sip sweet Thai coffee, and sample boat-served noodle soups while watching locals trade from longtail boats. Afterward, take a private longtail from the market down Thonburi's narrow klongs to explore traditional canal-side houses and stop at Wat Kalayanamit and a family-run fruit orchard for fresh tropical tastes, linking the riverside orientation of previous days with a quieter, village-like side of Bangkok.
Slip into a slower rhythm after the floating market with a guided longtail boat tour that threads deeper into Thonburi's hidden khlongs, stopping to visit the riverside community gallery at Artist's House (Baan Silapin) for puppet shows and local art demonstrations. Continue with a riverside lunch at Kudetaan by the Canal, sample grilled river prawns and spicy som tam, then bike through the nearby residential lanes to discover the serene Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen and its towering stupa-an intimate, local-side contrast that naturally follows your morning waterway explorations.
As the light softens, drift back toward the riverfront for dinner at The Deck by Arun Residence's sister restaurant on Phra Athit, savoring spicy river fish dishes while watching longtails slip by, then take a twilight longtail to the quiet pier near Taksin Bridge for a stroll under the illuminated bridge. Finish with a visit to Talad Noi's hidden street-art alleys and tiny craft bars, sampling a locally brewed beer or a Thai-style cocktail as musicians play-an intimate, artsy close to a day of waterways and village life that gently reconnects you with Bangkok's livelier riverbank scenes from earlier in the trip.
Start with a peaceful museum morning at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC) to browse contemporary Thai exhibitions and pop-up craft stalls, then walk to the nearby Jim Thompson House to tour the lush teak bungalow and learn the fascinating story of Thai silk through guided displays. Finish your morning with a light riverside brunch at The Jam Factory café while watching longtails glide past, smoothly transitioning from the old-city temples and canal villages you've explored earlier in the trip.
After a morning of contemporary and traditional homes, spend the afternoon diving into history at the Museum of Siam with its interactive exhibits that illuminate Thai identity, then cross to the nearby National Gallery to admire classical and modern Thai painting collections. Late afternoon, board a leisurely Chao Phraya cruise from Sathorn Pier (Taksin)-choose a small-group heritage cruise that stops at Royal Barges Museum viewpoint and offers riverside commentary-so you glide past illuminated temple facades and bustling piers, linking your museum discoveries to the riverfront scenes you've explored earlier in the trip.
As dusk deepens, wander to the leafy courtyard of Pak Khlong Talat Riverside Terrace for a relaxed riverside dinner of grilled seafood and som tum while watching ferries glide past. Afterward, take a short walk to The Jam Factory Bookshop & Bar for a craft cocktail or Thai tea in its atmospheric warehouse setting, then finish the night with live jazz at Brown Sugar Jazz Boutique, a beloved local venue where mellow music and late-night Bangkok energy close the day on a cultured, convivial note.
Start early at Chatuchak Weekend Market's quieter aisles to hunt for vintage Thai textiles and quirky antiques, then head to the nearby leafy Chatuchak Park for a relaxed coffee at The Junction Café while watching locals exercise. Afterward, take the BTS one stop to Mo Chit and wander into the colorful Or Tor Kor Market to sample pristine tropical fruit, grilled seafood snacks and fresh coconut ice cream-perfectly bridging your market discoveries with the street-food immersion planned for the afternoon.
Drift from the market bustle into a curated street-food crawl along Soi Ari, starting with crispy pork belly and chili dips at a beloved local stall before sampling handcrafted coconut ice cream at Kaylee Ice Cream; pause at The Commons Saladaeng for a refreshing coconut latte and people-watching in its leafy courtyard. As the light softens, take the BTS toward Sukhumvit and explore the vibrant food alleys around Sukhumvit Soi 38, where you can tuck into charcoal-grilled satay, boat noodles, and mango sticky rice from famed vendors, tying your morning market finds to an evening of convivial, neighborhood eating.
As night falls, head to Talad Rot Fai Ratchada (Ratchada Train Night Market) to wander its neon-lit lanes of vintage stalls, sample smoky grilled skewers and sip local craft beer while browsing retro finds. Afterward, make your way to Thonglor's Ekamai district for late-night eats at Teddy's Burgers or a modern izakaya, then finish with inventive cocktails at the speakeasy-style Iron Fairies-a lively, creative close that builds from your daytime market hunts into Sukhumvit's stylish nightlife.
Catch an early train or private minivan to Ayutthaya and begin your morning with a bike ride through the historic island, arriving first at Wat Phra Si Sanphet to admire its royal chedis and sense of scale, then pedal to the nearby Wat Mahathat to see the famous Buddha head entwined in tree roots. Pause at Bang Pa-In Royal Palace for a riverside stroll through its ornate pavilions and shaded gardens, and enjoy a riverside café breakfast of Thai omelette and fresh fruit while watching longtail boats glide past-this calm, scenic start connects naturally from your Bangkok river explorations earlier in the trip and sets a reflective tone for the day's archaeological discoveries.
After a morning of temples, continue exploring Ayutthaya by boat along the Chao Phraya to visit Wat Chaiwatthanaram, where you can climb the lower terraces for sweeping river views, then stroll to the riverside Ayutthaya Historical Study Centre for context-rich exhibits and shaded galleries. Follow up with a relaxed late-afternoon stop at Chao Phrom Market to sample boat noodles and sweet roti from family stalls, and finish with a golden-hour bicycle ride past riverside orchards toward Wat Niwet Thammaprawat, a Gothic-style temple set in a tranquil bend of the river that nicely bridges your museum morning with a peaceful return to Bangkok.
As the afternoon light softens, settle in for a riverside dinner at Baan Kao Nhom, sampling grilled river fish and banana blossom salad while watching longtail boats slip by; afterward, stroll through the atmospheric lanes to Chao Sam Phraya Museum for a brief, evening-lit look at recovered Ayutthaya treasures and ceramics. Finish with a twilight boat cruise from Wat Phanan Choeng Pier, sipping Thai iced tea as the temple silhouettes pass, before returning to Bangkok feeling the gentle, historic hush that contrasts the city's earlier bustle.
Ease into your final day with a calm breakfast at The House on Sathorn, then drift into a spa morning with a signature Thai aromatherapy treatment at CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La to unwind after temple-hopping and market explorations earlier in the week. After your treatment, take a gentle stroll through the nearby greenery of Benjakitti Park, rent a pedal boat to glide around the lake and enjoy skyline views that subtly preview the rooftop scenes planned for tonight.
Spend a leisurely afternoon wandering the leafy lanes of Chulalongkorn University Centenary Park, then cross to explore the elegant galleries and artisan stalls at House of Sathorn's adjacent creative courtyard for light bites and design finds. Later, climb to the sky for pre-sunset cocktails at Vertigo TOO to watch the city shift from warm gold to glittering night, a relaxed build from your spa morning that primes you for an evening of markets and skyline views.
As dusk deepens, head to Maggie Choo's for a theatrical start to the night-sip a signature cocktail beneath low arches while live jazz sets a sultry mood that contrasts the day's calm spa and park walks. Afterwards, wander over to Patpong Night Market to hunt for unique souvenirs and sample late-night street bites like spicy grilled squid and coconut pancakes, then finish with sweeping skyline views and dessert at Sky Bar at Lebua for a glittering send-off that ties your rooftop theme to the lively market energy of central Bangkok.
| Place / Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| The Deck by Arun Residence (breakfast) | ฿400 |
| Chao Phraya Express Boat | ฿40 |
| Tha Tien Pier (market stroll) | Free |
| Lumpini Park (entry / paddleboat) | ฿50 |
| ICONSIAM (shopping / food court meal) | ฿300 |
| Asiatique The Riverfront (shopping / performances) | Free |
| Asiatique Sky Ferris Wheel | ฿240 |
| Baan Khanitha by the River (dinner) | ฿900 |
| Sala Rattanakosin Rooftop / bar (drinks) | ฿400 |
| Grand Palace (including Emerald Buddha) | ฿500 |
| Wat Pho (temple + massage school session) | ฿500 |
| Sanam Luang / Rama I-Rattanakosin side streets (stroll) | Free |
| Bangkok National Museum | ฿200 |
| Pak Khlong Talat (flower market visit / snacks) | ฿150 |
| Royal Barges Museum | ฿100 |
| Khao San Road (street food / evening) | ฿300 |
| Thip Samai (Pratu Phi) (pad thai meal) | ฿200 |
| Taling Chan Floating Market (visit + boat snacks) | ฿200 |
| Private longtail boat from Taling Chan (short tour) | ฿800 |
| Wat Kalayanamit (temple visit) | Free |
| Family-run fruit orchard (tasting) | ฿150 |
| Guided Thonburi longtail canal tour (Artist's House stop) | ฿600 |
| Artist's House (Baan Silapin) (entry / puppet show donation) | ฿100 |
| Kudetaan by the Canal (lunch) | ฿500 |
| Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen (visit) | Free |
| Talad Noi (street art / craft bars - drink) | ฿300 |
| Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC) | Free |
| Jim Thompson House (guided tour) | ฿200 |
| The Jam Factory (brunch / café) | ฿350 |
| Museum of Siam | ฿200 |
| National Gallery (Thailand) | Free |
| Chao Phraya small-group heritage cruise (Sathorn/Taksin departure) | ฿900 |
| Pak Khlong Talat Riverside Terrace (dinner) | ฿400 |
| Brown Sugar Jazz Boutique (live jazz cover / drink) | ฿500 |
| Chatuchak Weekend Market (shopping / snacks) | ฿300 |
| Chatuchak Park / The Junction Café (coffee) | ฿120 |
| Or Tor Kor Market (tasting / fruit) | ฿200 |
| Soi Ari street food crawl (food) | ฿400 |
| Kaylee Ice Cream (dessert) | ฿80 |
| The Commons Saladaeng (coffee / snack) | ฿200 |
| Sukhumvit Soi 38 (street food dinner) | ฿300 |
| Talad Rot Fai Ratchada (night market snacks / vintage shopping) | ฿300 |
| Teddy's Burgers (late-night eat) | ฿350 |
| Iron Fairies (cocktail) | ฿450 |
| Ayutthaya day trip (train return - economy) | ฿50 |
| Ayutthaya bike rental | ฿50 |
| Wat Phra Si Sanphet (visit) | ฿50 |
| Wat Mahathat (visit) | ฿50 |
| Bang Pa-In Royal Palace | ฿100 |
| Wat Chaiwatthanaram | ฿50 |
| Ayutthaya Historical Study Centre | ฿50 |
| Chao Phrom Market (food) | ฿150 |
| Wat Niwet Thammaprawat (visit) | ฿50 |
| Baan Kao Nhom (riverside dinner) | ฿400 |
| Chao Sam Phraya Museum | ฿30 |
| Wat Phanan Choeng Pier boat cruise (evening) | ฿200 |
| The House on Sathorn (breakfast) | ฿450 |
| CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La (signature aromatherapy treatment) | ฿2,500 |
| Benjakitti Park (pedal boat) | ฿100 |
| Chulalongkorn University Centenary Park (visit) | Free |
| House of Sathorn (galleries / bites) | ฿300 |
| Vertigo TOO (pre-sunset cocktails) | ฿700 |
| Maggie Choo's (cocktail + cover) | ฿600 |
| Patpong Night Market (shopping / street bites) | ฿300 |
| Sky Bar at Lebua (drink / dessert) | ฿1,200 |
| Estimated Total (per person) | ฿20,350 |