City Guide: 10 days in Bangkok
General Information
Bangkok is the capital of Thailand and it’s one of the most populated cities in the world - over 11 million people. It's located on the Chao Phraya River and covers 1,568.7km2. Often it is visited as a transit point when people travel to one of the Thai islands or other Asian countries and people usually spend an average of 4 days exploring the capital.
Airports: two international airports Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and Don Mueang Airport (DMK). BKK is the main international airport and DMK serves low-cost airlines and operates internal flights.
Immigration: your passport must be valid for at least six months after your arrival in Thailand and to have 2 blank pages. No visa required for many European countries such as Bulgaria when the purpose of travel is tourism and the stay is under 60 days.
Currency: Thai Baht (THB); €1=THB 35
Time Zone: Indochina Time (GMT+7)
Country Code: +66
Climate: tropical; there are two seasons: wet (May-October) and hot (November-February).
Best time to visit: December-February
Transportation
Taxis 🚕
The safest and most comfortable option to travel is by taxi although in case of traffic, you will be moving very slowly. You could either catch a taxi from the street - they charge by the meter or order a car through the Grab taxi hire app. I preferred ordering a car via Grab as it takes ~ 10-15mins for the car to arrive, the price is displayed in advance and your payment card is charged directly.
Public transport 🚇
Many options for a public transport. It will depend on your destination which method you’ll choose. Bangkok has the BTS (Skytrain) - often considered the best and fastest as it has two lines and trains run every 5 mins. The MRT which is the subway - also a great option to reach places which are not covered by the BTS.
A fun and fast thing to try are the river boat networks if you are staying close to Chaopraya river or one of the canals. These are public boats which have stops across the piers on the canals. One of the canals you’ll probably end up using the Klong Boat on the Saen Saep Canal. There is one line with two routes - from A to B with stops in between and then B to C. Initially, it might sound confusing but it was super easy to find and follow.
The boats are a bit loud, busy and you need to be super fast getting in and out but it’s definitely an experience. Also, you need to know your final stop as you’ll need to give your destination when buying a ticket on board. Bring change.
Use Google maps to check your route or the Klong Boat route website.
🎟️ Cost of subway/train ticket: THB 50.000 (€1.50), distance: 10km (fares depend on the distance)
🎟️ Cost of the Khlong Boat - prices vary between 8-20THB
Tuk Tuks 🛺
A traditional mode of transportation in Thailand, there are over 35,000 tuk-tuks in Bangkok. It is definitely super fun although some tuk tuks are super loud and you might get dizzy from all the fumes.
🎟️ Fares are typically between 150-300 Baht per ride.
Scooter taxi 🛵
The Grab app also offers scooter taxi hires. They are cheap and fast but definitely not for everyone as the rides might be a bit extreme. Have a mind that traffic in Bangkok is heavy and the roads are very wide. So if you want a bit of an adrenaline rush, then scooters might be an option for you.
ten days itinerary
Day 1: Arrival, check in
We arrived at the Don Mueang Airport (DMK) in the afternoon and we took one of the local taxis from the taxi stand at the airport which charges by the meter. The distance to our hotel was 20km and although it wasn’t far, the traffic was very heavy and it took us around 1hr to get there.
🎟️ Cost of the taxi ride: THB 1000
Airbnb and location
We booked an Airbnb accommodation in the Sukhumvit area. Sukhumvit area is considered one of the best areas to stay as there is a lot going on and the area itself is huge. You will find many shopping centers, reastauarants, cafes, stations of the MRT and the BTS, and so on.
For accommodation, I booked an apartment on Airbnb as we were 3 people and we wanted to have a spacious place along with a kitchen as we all like cooking homemade meals. The flat was located in one of the quiet streets of Sukhumvit, around 10-15 mins walk to the main road and train stations. We were happy to find out that a free shuttle to the main road, stations, and nearby mall was at our disposal daily until 5pm.
🏠 Link to the Sukhumvit apartment: AirBnB Apartment. | Average price per night - €80
Have in mind that lower Sukhumvit is home to several famous red light districts such as NANA - the world's largest adult playground. It’s the part of Thailand I do not like however on my birthday I took a walk exactly in this neighbourhood at night as I was quite intrigued on what’s going on there.
Day 2: shopping in the sukhumvit area
Literally on our first full day, we decided to go shopping straight away. Previously, I’ve been to MBK which is massive eight storeys center that has around 2,000 shops, restaurants and service outlets. It is best for souvenirs, electronics, and affordable clothes. There are a lot of replicas and you can really negotiate on the prices as there are no set prices or labels. On level 5 there is a food court where you can try some local food but do not expect very high quality.
The place is huge and you could literally spend a full day exploring. We left in the afternoon and headed to another shopping center in the area - Central World which offers a more upscale experience. It has luxury brands, great restaurants, and entertainment options.
Day 3: My 30th b-day, SPA and rooftop bar
On Day 3 (December 14, 2024), I celebrated my 30th birthday. I didn’t have a plan for the day, but I knew a thing for sure—I wanted to visit one of Bangkok’s iconic rooftop bars. The city is filled with towering skyscrapers, luxury hotels, and incredible rooftop spots offering breathtaking views especially when the bars are open-air. You feel like you are in another universe especially if it’s your first time standing on such a high building.
Eight years ago, my boyfriend and I stayed at the Lebua Hotel and visited its famous rooftop bar, where The Hangover was filmed. I remember it being an amazing experience, but also quite touristy and pricey. During that trip, we also discovered Above Eleven, another rooftop bar with a great atmosphere. Since it was just a 10-minute walk from our accommodation this time, I decided to celebrate there instead.
spa 💆
Thai massages are a must-try experience in Thailand, known for being both affordable and deeply rejuvenating. We started our day with a traditional Thai massage at a local spa, and I highly recommend it. Unlike other types of massages, Thai massage doesn’t use oil but instead focuses on stretching and pressure techniques to relieve tension and improve flexibility.
When choosing a spa, it's important to look for reputable places with good reviews. Not all establishments advertising massages are legitimate wellness centres. To ensure a quality experience, I suggest searching for highly-rated spas on Google Maps or booking directly through your hotel.
🎟️ Cost of a Thai massage for 1 hour = €10
rooftop bar: above eleven 🍸
In the evening, we visited Above Eleven , it is a hidden gem and it is not one of the famous places advertised on Instagram therefore the environment is way more private and intimate.
Above Eleven is a rooftop restaurant & bar on the 33rd floor of the Fraser Suites Sukhumvit offering amazing views of Bangkok's skyline. It is the first restaurant in Bangkok serving Japanese Peruvian cuisine.
LIke many other restaurants and bars, Above Eleven has a dress code and I advise you to book a table in advance especially if you want to be sitting next to the glass railing.
We had dinner and drinks there and it was not only tasty but it was also very special. The presentation was amazing and the staff brought us a dessert to celebrate my birthaday. It is not cheap but definitely worth it. You can check their menu on their website.
🎟️ Cost of dinner and a drink ~ €40pp
Day 4: chatuchak weekend market & ICON SIAM
Chatuchak Weekend Market
On day 4, we explored a place I discovered on Instagram - the Chatuchak Weekend Market, one of the biggest outdoor markets in the world, covering over 35 acres with more than 15,000 stalls - which range from food and art to antiques and fashion, and much more! Bargaining is expected—start at half the price and negotiate!
When to visit? It’s best visited on weekends when all sections are open as during the week only certain shops operate. Visit early in the morning as it gets super hot and busy around noon.
How to get there? take the BTS Skytrain to Mo Chit Station or MRT to Chatuchak Park Station or it it’s easier just book a taxi
🕒 Opening times: Saturday & Sunday, 9 AM – 6 PM /
🎟️ Admission: free
ICONSIAM
By lunchtime, we were already feeling exhausted from the heat, but we were in a shopping mood, so we decided to take a taxi across the river to ICONSIAM.
ICONSIAM is a luxury riverside mall that offers a blend of high-end shopping and cultural experiences. I was excited to discover that, alongside international brands, there were also many unique local Thai brands. The mall also features several dining halls where you can enjoy both international and local cuisine.
If you're a coffee lover, I highly recommend visiting %Arabica, a minimalist, Kyoto-born coffee specialist. The café's sleek, futuristic design immediately caught my eye, making it the perfect first stop to relax a bit from the heat. A must-try here is their coffee-flavoured soft-serve ice cream—it’s very smooth and delicious!
Now, let me share my absolute gem with you! ICONSIAM has several balconies with panoramic views of Bangkok and the Chao Phraya River. We visited one of the bars with a terrace and watched the sunset from there. While the sun actually sets behind the mall, it beautifully illuminates the skyscrapers across the river, creating a breathtaking scene.
By the way, on certain days, ICONSIAM also hosts a free light show on the pier. Unfortunately, when we visited, it was temporarily unavailable due to renovations.
🕒 Opening times: Daily, 10 AM – 10 PM
🎟️ Cost of taxi in rush hour for 15 km ride from the market to the mall = 10Euro
Day 5: Relaxing brunch and rest day
After an intensive shopping day on day 4 and loads of emotions before that, we decided to take it easy on Day 5.
We had a slow morning with brunch at Bartels ASOK, a popular café known for its sourdough bread and specialty coffee. It is also a popular place for digital nomads and business meetings as it is laptop friendly. The rest of the day was spent relaxing. We shopped for groceries, cooked dinner at home and enjoyed the evening at a slower pace. Taking a break in Bangkok is essential—it’s a busy and fast-paced city!
📍 Location: Sukhumvit 23 | 🕒 Open: Daily, 7 AM – 6 PM
☕ Must-try: Scrambled egg toast, Onion soup sandwich, freshly squeezed juices; buy sourdough bread for home
Day 6: Buddhist Temples & Chinatown
On Day 6, we were well rested and we were ready to be tourists again. We had a long list with temples to visit but I already knew how easily you get exhausted from the heat, therefore we decided to get out and see how much we can do.
Wat Pho
We visited Wat Pho, home to the famous Reclining Buddha. There is no subway station in the area, so in our case the easiest way to get from Sukhumvit to there was by taxi. The temple complex is one of the oldest in Bangkok and also serves as a traditional Thai massage school. You can have a traditional Thai massage there in a big hall with other people.
🕒 Open: Daily, 8 AM – 6:30 PM; 🎟️ Entry Fee: 200 THB per person (€5.50)
Wat Arun
My advice is to take a walk in the area - there are many narrow streets with little coffee shops, local sellers, warehouses and alleys revealing a view of the Chaopraya river and the Wat Arun temple, one of Bangkok’s most iconic temples located on the opposite side of the river. We didn’t visit Wat Arun as it was lunchtime and it was really hot and the best time to actually see the temple is around sunset.
How to get to Wat Arun? Take a boat from Tha Tien Pier to Wat Arun. The boat trip takes less than 10mins but have in mind that most likely it will be packed with tourists.
🕒 Open: Daily, 8 AM – 6 PM; 🎟️ Entry Fee: 100 THB per person
📸 Best time to visit: Late afternoon for stunning sunset views
Chinatown
For me this was one of the Highlights of this trip. In the afternoon, we walked to Chinatown, also referred to as Yaowarat and it is one of the largest Chinatowns in the world as Chinese are the city's dominant ethnic group.
I would split my Chinatown impressions in two parts: by day and at night.
Chinatown by day: visit some of the temples in the area and explore the Sampeng Market – tens if not hundrts of narrow alleys filled with souvenirs, accessories, and fabric shops. The prices are super competitive, basically you have all the chinese items at a super low price.
Chinatown at night: Yaowarat transforms into a lively street food paradise, glowing with neon lights and buzzing with tourists. The main boulevard is packed with vendors, restaurants, and loads of things happening at once—it's chaotic in the best way possible.
🕒 Best time to visit: After 6 PM for the full street food experience
🍜 Must-try: Grilled seafood and mango sticky rice
💡 My Tip: While many food stalls look tempting, be mindful of hygiene standards, especially if you have a sensitive stomach. Avoid anything that seems questionable to you.
Day 7: Louis Vuitton Experience & Khao San Road
The LV Experience
We started the day with an experience I discovered on Instagram—something quite unusual for Bangkok—the Louis Vuitton Experience. This interactive exhibition showcases LV’s heritage while reimagining the Maison’s legacy. The journey through the space is immersive, with a series of unique rooms and visually captivating displays that make you feel like you’re on a voyage through time and craftsmanship.
The entry is free, but you must reserve tickets in advance. You can do so here: Louis Vuitton Experience Bangkok.
At the end of the exhibition, visitors are invited to explore the LV store inside the Gaysorn Amarin shopping center, which is worth a visit on its own for its luxurious interior.
📍 Location: Gaysorn Amarin Mall | 🕒 Opening hours: Vary by day (check availability online)
🎟️ Admission: Free
Khao San Road
In the evening, we headed to Khao San Road, Bangkok’s legendary backpacker hub, famous for its vibrant nightlife, drinks, and busy street scene. As soon as you step onto the street, you’re met with neon lights, the lound music from bars, and street vendors selling everything from Mango sticky rice to scorpions on skewers.
There are loads of stalls selling street food and typical clothing for the tourists. It’s the place to get a tattoo if it’s your thing as there are many tattoo parlours.
For me, the highlight of Khao San Road was something much more relaxing—a foot massage after a long day of exploring. What makes it special? Many of the street-side spas offer cold beers while you get your massage, so you can relax, watch the crowds, and soak in the atmosphere at the same time. Quite a unique experience.
📍 Location: Banglamphu District | 🕒 Best time to visit: late afternoon/evening
Day 8: Benchakitti Park & Asok Area
Benchakitti Park
In Bangkok, there are two main well-known parks: Lumpini Park and Benchakitti Park. We chose to visit Benchakitti Park, a peaceful escape in the middle of the bustling business district.
This park is a fantastic place for exercise, featuring a 10km jogging trail surrounding a massive lake. You’ll see locals and expats jogging, cycling, stretching, and enjoying the fresh air—a rare find in busy Bangkok.
> If you like pedalling, you can get a free hour of duck boat ride or canoeing on the lake or a canoe which is something we did and it was quite fun for the first 10 mins.
One thing we forgot to do (but I’d recommend) is visiting the other side of the park—Benchakitti Forest Park. This area was built on the site of an old Thai Tobacco Factory and was transformed into an urban forest park designed to promote biodiversity within the city. It features elevated walkways surrounded by greenery, with views of Bangkok’s skyscrapers in the background. I assume that the best time to visit it at sunset as you avoid the heat but you get some panoramic views from there.
🕒 Best time to visit: Early morning or late afternoon
ASOK Area
After a long walk in the park, I was dreaming of another Thai massage, so I found a spot near the park in Asok, one of Bangkok’s busiest intersections. Walking around, I noticed how many foreigners were in this area, and I later learned that Asok is a major hub for expats and professionals working in the city. It was interesting to see them dressed in office attire, seamlessly blending into the Bangkok lifestyle.
Before heading back, we made a quick stop at Terminal 21, a popular shopping mall in the area. What makes it interesting is its airport-themed design, where each floor represents a different world city, such as Tokyo, Paris, or London. There is a good supermarket at ground level and a food court on the top floor serving authentic Thai food at local street prices.
📍 Terminal 21: Sukhumvit Road, Asok | 🕒 Opening hours: Daily, 10 AM – 10 PM
Day 9: Chinatown Shopping & Talat Noi
Chinatown
For our final day in Bangkok, we decided to return to Chinatown to pick up some last-minute gifts and soak in the atmosphere one more time plus visit some of the Chinese temples around.
Where to eat?
We had lunch at NAAM 1608, which is 5 mins walk from the Chinatown gate, built in 1999 and marks the entrance to Chinatown.
We loved Naam 1608 because of its riverside location - right on the Chao Phraya River. Sitting there, you can watch the boats passing by, giving you a unique and peaceful perspective of Bangkok’s waterway life.
For food, I had Khao Soi, a traditional Northern Thai curry noodle dish, and I completely fell in love with it. If you haven’t tried it yet, 100% recommended—the flavours are rich, creamy, crispy, and slightly spicy, making it an unforgettable dish. You can see it below in the images.
Exploring Talat Noi
In the afternoon, we toured Talat Noi, one of Bangkok’s oldest neighborhoods and one of the city’s first Chinese-Thai communities, dating back over 200 years. This area was historically a major trading hub, home to Hokkien Chinese settlers, and you can still see remnants of its past in the antique shops, old garages, and traditional houses scattered throughout the neighbourhood.
Here’s what makes Talat Noi special:
Street art & vintage buildings – You’ll instantly know when you’ve arrived because of the murals, graffiti-covered walls, and traditional houses converted into cafes
Unique coffee shops – Many cafes are built into unusual spaces such as old buildings and garages, giving them a distinct, vintage charm
Antique & auto repair shops – The area is full of old garages filled with vintage cars, spare parts, and rusty motors, which give it a very industrial character
Walking tours – If you want to learn more about its history, consider booking a walking tour. A guide can help you understand the cultural significance of the area and take you to hidden gems you might otherwise miss
🕒 Best time to visit: In the afternoon to avoid the heat and catch the golden sunset light
Day 10: going back home
Whilst planning this trip, I thought that 10 days in Bangkok would be too much.
Most people visit it just for 1-2 days and it is used as a transit points to one of the Thai islands. For us 10 days was just enough as we managed to mix up the tourist activities with loads of relaxing time and exploring the hidden alleys without rushing or checking google maps constantly.
If you’re planning a trip to Bangkok, I hope this itinerary gives you inspiration! ✈️
Looking for an alternative?
You can fit these activities into a full 5-day trip:
I rarely hear people visiting Bangkok for 10 days, so if you want to spend less time but still visit some of the highlights of my trip, I suggest the following full 5-day itinerary:
Day 1: Shopping in the Sukhumvit area - MBK, Siam Paragon, Rooftop bar at night (starting strong on Day 1)
Day 2: Temples (morning) + Chinatown (afternoon to catch both day and night markets)
Day 3: Chatuchak weekend market (weekend morning); Khao San road (evening)
Day 4: LV Experience or Thai massage (morning) + Talat Noi (afternoon)
Day 5: Benchakitti or Lumpini park (morning) + final shopping (afternoon)
I am excited for your first visit of Bangkok! It is a place you’ll remember forever!
Let me know if you visit any of these locations! 🌆 ✨
