2 DAYS IN BANGKOK

Bangkok is the stopover destination for many travellers heading to South East Asia but what can you do in just 2 days in Bangkok? We have got three different itineraries for you to choose from! 

Day 1 in Bangkok

Morning – Grand Palace

Start the day off earlier and head straight to the Grand Palace, you will want to get here for the opening and follow our tips for visiting the Grand Palace to make sure you are well prepared. The Grand Palace is perhaps the most popular tourist attraction in Bangkok and one of the most famous landmarks in Thailand, so it can get busy but is definitely worth visiting – you will spend around 2-3 hours here. Whilst on the grounds, make sure you head to Wat Phra Kaew, home to the emerald buddha. 

Lunch options in Bangkok

After spending a few hours in the Palace, you will have worked up an appetite so next up is lunch. There are a few good options for food from here. 

Firstly, you could head to one of the restaurants along the riverfront – The Deck at the Arun Residence is a great choice or the AMA Thai restaurant; both are good choices if you are looking for a nice, relaxing sit-down meal. 

Alternatively, you can head to Tha Tian Market, this is a dried seafood market and an interesting place to visit but you will also find street vendors and food stalls dotted around the market too.

Another option is Wang Lang Market. We love Wang Lang Market, it is probably our favourite local market in the city. You can catch the ferry from Thai Tian Market across to Prannok Pier and explore the streets. Here, you will find all types of local food predominantly sold by street vendors but you will also find small cafes dotted around here too. This is our favourite option because the market is an attraction in itself too – you can even visit the local temple; Wat Rakhang Khositaram, for stunning pictures and a quieter experience of a temple in Thailand. 

Afternoon in the temples

We suggest you visit Wat Pho or Wat Arun in the afternoon. Both temples are near the Grand Palace and offer something different to your Bangkok experience. 

Wat Pho is a gorgeous temple complex and is home to the Reclining Buddha; a gigantic Buddha in the leaning position that spans from one side of a large room to the other.

Wat Arun is a slightly different temple with a distinctive prang (spire) that protrudes the skyline. You can climb up this prang, taking in the detail of the temple whilst enjoying the views of the area. 

Evening at a sky bar

Spend the evening at a sky bar – you can’t miss this in Bangkok! Check which sky bar is nearest to your hotel and head over. We love Cielo in Phra Khanong; it is quieter, less touristy and offers great cocktails. Lebua Sky Bar is the most iconic sky bar after making a name for itself in the Hangover 2 movie whereas RedSquare Rooftop Bar is a vodka bar with a great vibe. Enjoy live entertainment at Above Eleven or visit the fairly new Vanilla Sky with a great party atmosphere.

Day 2 in Bangkok

Morning at a market

Start your second day off early and head to a floating market. There are several around Bangkok but the closest is Khlong Lat Mayom (around 15 minutes drive from Khao San Road). There are other markets further from the city but this one is the easiest to get to and from, especially if you are only in Bangkok for two days.

Explore the riverways, try some local food and shop for souvenirs and spices. Jump on a canal boat and explore via boat; a wonderful experience to enjoy in Thailand. 

Head here early and enjoy breakfast here or, if you have had a heavy night at the sky bars, head here later in the morning and enjoy lunch. 

Lunch options – Chinatown or shopping malls in Bangkok?

After a morning at the floating market, it is time to head to Yaowarat Road, a.k.a Chinatown. Chinatown in Bangkok is busy and fun; visiting the cafes, trying the local food and see local temples Wat Traimit and Wat Mangkon Kamalawat.

Alternatively, if you are feeling the heat, skip Chinatown and head to Sukhumvit to visit the shopping malls. Central World is our favourite but Terminal 21 is a unique mall to visit (especially with children), the Siam malls are high-end whilst MBK is full of small, local vendors selling all sorts of items – from clothing to phones, camera equipment to games; there is a bit of everything here.

After exploring your mall of choice, you have a few options for lunch. You could eat in one of the many restaurants in the mall, or head to the top floor of many of these malls and enjoy the large food courts available. If you are looking for something special, why not try a buffet meal at a nearby hotel? Use the Eatigo app to get discounted prices and visit restaurants such as Amaya Food Gallery or Citi Bistro for delicious food at cheaper prices. 

Afternoon to relax

Head back to your hotel to freshen up and enjoy a dip in the pool – save your energy for the evening activities. Alternatively, you can enjoy a massage at one of the many massage parlours in the city; they are on every street and are super cheap. 

Evening at a night market in Bangkok

Spend your evening visiting a night market. There are lots of options in the city that all offer something a little different;

• Chatuchak Market – This market is only open Friday – Sunday but is the biggest market in Bangkok offering everything you could possibly imagine. 

• Asiatique – This is a touristy spot of the riverfront but still trendy and interesting. The market is perfect for couples and families, with lots of vendors and stalls as well as restaurants, gondolas and even a ferris wheel. 

• Rot Fai Srinakarin Market – A great choice for those looking for a taste of local food whilst browsing vintage items.

• ChangChui Night Market – Unlike any other market, you can shop under the wings of an old plane here! There are some great craft beer choices and a specialist bug restaurant too! Plus lots of second-hand items and eco-focused stores. 

• Neon Market – This is a foodies heaven! With tents of all types of food, this is the perfect place to get a taste of local food (and just downright weird food) whilst enjoying the fun, lively vibe. 

So that is how we would spend two days in Bangkok if that is all we had! We hope you found this helpful, if you did, make sure you let us know in the comments below and check out our other guides here too.