Bangkok in 5 Days: Temples, Markets and Riverside Life

Start early at the Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha, before the courtyards become hot. Wear clothing that covers shoulders and legs; after the visit, walk south towards Wat Pho and lunch by Tha Tien.

Wat Pho’s reclining Buddha and temple courtyards follow the Grand Palace visit. Have lunch around Tha Tien, then take the cross-river ferry to Wat Arun; this keeps the main temple day beside the river.

Wat Arun finishes the temple circuit on the west bank of the Chao Phraya. Walk around the decorated prang and temple grounds after the ferry crossing, then return by boat or taxi for dinner.

Put this day between Wednesday and Sunday; the museum closes on Mondays and Tuesdays. Make the royal collections and Thai art galleries the main morning visit, then continue past Sanam Luang towards the Giant Swing and Golden Mount.

Walk along the edge of the ceremonial ground for views towards the palace and old city. This is a short link after the National Museum, with the afternoon continuing east.

Pause at the red ceremonial swing beside Wat Suthat. The surrounding streets make a useful lunch or coffee stop before walking north-east to the Golden Mount.

The Golden Mount ends the old-town afternoon with a climb around the hill to the temple terrace. Visit after the Giant Swing, then have dinner around the old-city streets or return to your hotel.

Use the riverside art and antiques complex as an indoor break before Talat Noi. Visit an exhibition that interests you, then continue on foot into the neighbourhood.

Finish in Chinatown in the evening, when the street-food stalls are the main draw. Try a few dishes across the surrounding lanes instead of committing the whole meal to one venue; arrive hungry after Talat Noi.

Bangkok Art and Culture Centre combines galleries with smaller creative shops and cafés. Make a focused afternoon visit after Jim Thompson House; it closes on Mondays, so swap this day with a market or riverside day.

Stop beside the four-faced Brahma shrine at the Ratchaprasong junction. It is a brief outdoor visit on the way from Siam towards Lumpini, with the BTS useful for the longer hot stretches.

End the afternoon among the lake paths and lawns, with dinner around Silom afterwards. This is the main park today; Benjakitti is an alternative for a longer wetland-and-skywalk stroll.

Put this day on Saturday or Sunday for the full Chatuchak Weekend Market. Start in the morning, browse a few sections and stop for snacks; on a weekday, use Museum Siam instead of expecting the full market to be open.

After the northern markets, take the train and river connection south for an afternoon at this riverside complex. The trip crosses the city, so keep the rest of the day to the mall, food hall and waterfront.

Optional alternative to Lumpini for wetland boardwalks and modern skyline views. Visit in the late afternoon and eat around nearby Sukhumvit, replacing the Lumpini and Silom finish.

Optional old-city museum about Thai identity in a former government building. Use it for a weekday morning when the full Chatuchak market is absent, then continue by boat towards ICONSIAM for the afternoon.