One Day in Bangkok: The Ultimate Itinerary (Temples, Street Food & Hidden Gems)
I love Bangkok. This is a city that knows good food and how to enjoy it. The gastronomy of the city is just unparalleled and the food is affordable too. The locals here are extremely polite and hospitable. Plus this is a city of contrasts where the old mixes with the new, from the awe-inspiring temples of Wat Pho and Wat Arun to the glam and glitter of its grand shopping malls, to the nostalgic quality of the centuries-old neighborhoods of Talat Noi and Chinatown, this city has it all. One day is nowhere near enough to enjoy and make the most of this city but if that is what time permits, then here is my perfect 1-day Bangkok itinerary that I created with the help of HipTraveler, to make the most of your limited time in the city.
1. Visit Wat Pho
One of the best introductions to Bangkok is visiting one of their 400 temples and Wat Pho is one of the most iconic. The highlight of Wat Pho has to be the famous Reclining Buddha, 15 meters high and 46 meters long and covered in gold leaf, it really takes your breath away and is really one of those moments when you realize that you’ve arrived in Bangkok and Asia. A cool and unique ritual here involves dropping a coin in each of 108 bronze bowls (each representing a particular virtue of Buddha) located along the southern wall of the Buddha. It is said to bring you good luck!
Tip: Go early in the morning around 8am while the weather is cool and to avoid the large crowds. The temple is free for Thai people to visit and 300 baht for foreign visitors. Proper attire is a must for visiting any temple in Thailand: shoulders and knees must be covered, and shoes must be removed to enter the main temple hall.
2. Hop across the river to Wat Arun
If time permits, visit the majestic Wat Arun temple, also known as the Temple of Dawn, which is located across the Chao Phraya river. The temple dates back to the 17th century, from the time of Ayutthaya Kingdom when it was called Wat Makok, after the village, Bang Makok (the village of wild plums) which is where Bangkok’s name probably originates from.
3. Photographer’s dream: Pak Khlong Talat Flower Market
Address: สน พระราชวัง ปาก คลองตลาด – วัดกัลยาณมิตร, Khwaeng Wang Burapha Phirom, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200
After visiting Wat Arun, visit the picturesque Pak Khlong Talat (Flower Market), Thailand’s largest wholesale flower market which is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This place overwhelms the senses with thousands of market stalls selling every imaginable type of flower that you might not know the name of. If you love street photography, this place is a dream to photograph and capture.
4. Hop on the Blue Flag Tourist boat to Chinatown
Once you’ve visited Wat Pho and the Flower Market, hop on the hop-on-hop-off Blue Flag Tourist Boat. One of my favorite ways to navigate Bangkok and beat the traffic is by hopping on a boat and floating down the wide expanses of the Chao Phraya River. This is one of the best ways to view the city in my opinion. The hop-on-hop-off Blue Flag Tourist Boat passes by most of the major tourist attractions (Wat Arun, Grand Palace Complex etc.) and for 150 baht, you can purchase an all-day unlimited travel pass.
5. Exploring Bangkok’s hippest neighbourhood, Talat Noi
Hop off at Ratchawongse Pier that is perfect for exploring Chinatown and Talat Noi. One of my favorite walks through Bangkok is exploring the narrow streets of the heritage district of Talat Noi next to Chinatown.
With a ton of cool street art, small coffee shops, traditional buildings and shrines nostalgic of its distant past, Talat Noi is one of Bangkok’s oldest and most fascinating neighborhoods. Situated on the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya River, Talat Noi (“little market”) is the original Chinatown of Bangkok, a historic Chinese community where you will find a lot of historic shrines and traditional houses.
6. So Heng Tai Mansion
Address: 282 Soi Wanit 2, Talat Noi, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100
One of my favorite buildings here is the So Heng Tai Mansion—a 19th century Chinese courtyard house that was home to one of Thailand’s oldest Chinese noble families and one of the few remaining Hokkien style buildings in Bangkok. It was built by Phra Aphaiwanit (1813–1849), a Hokkien Chinese magnate with ancestry from Fujian, China.
The fading beauty has been well preserved, with a modern swimming pool in the middle, a recent addition that makes the place even more dreamy and elegant. Having recently reopened its doors after Covid-19, a small donation of 100 baht is welcomed when visiting the mansion.
Other iconic symbols of Talat Noi include the Antique Turtle Car, a classic rusted Mini car that lies against one of the old walls. https://maps.app.goo.gl/N2ar1GfjSJHGMqDRA
Visit the rustic Mother Roaster Cafe, a repurposed two-story warehouse with a beautiful café helmed by 70-year-old Pim, better known as the grandmother who is also a barista. People call her “Pa Pim” meaning “Auntie Pim”.
7. Pop into Warehouse 30
Also a visit to Warehouse 30 is a must, a beautifully renovated historical building filled with art galleries, shops, and cafes. The original wooden floors and many interior features like exposed beams and steel structures have remained in place, giving it a lot of character.
It’s a mixed-use space that hosts regular events and pop-ups, drawing you back often. Highlights here include hipster cafe Coffee Roaster by li-bra-ry, which is a great place to relax with a cold coffee and take a break from the heat, plus the outstanding Aurum Gallery, an urban street art gallery curated and owned by Goldie, a British DJ and artist.
8. Song Wat Road
Other highlights of Talat Noi include the century-old district of Song Wat filled with rows of Chinese style shophouses which have now been repurposed into galleries, cafes and some of Bangkok’s best bars. While very photogenic, it has also become very touristy in the past few years so keep that in mind when visiting.
Highlights here include the black and white elephant art with two elephants, painted by ROA, the Belgian artist. I love Mischa Cheap, a colorful music bar with a great alternative soundtrack and a wonderful nostalgic charm which transports you to a different time and era of Bangkok.
9. Late lunch at Lim Lao Sa or….
Hungry? No visit to Song Wat is complete without savoring the noodles and fishballs at Lim Lao Sa, which has been feeding locals and tourists for over 80 years. One of the star dishes here to try is the noodles without sauce, which is basically housemade flat egg noodles cooked al dente and seasoned with vinegar soy sauce, topped with deep-fried minced garlic and housemade fishballs—so good.
10. Khao Gaeng Jek Pui
My other favorite local spot to eat is Khao Gaeng Jek Pui (Je Chie) for their delicious and flavorful green curry chicken rice (Yellow curry with pork and Pork Penang is amazing too) which you savor while sitting on one of their iconic red stools—this is Bangkok street food at its finest.+
11. Later afternoon/ sunset beers at River View Residence
After late lunch, as you get closer to sunset, if you are looking for a rooftop bar with one of the best views of Bangkok, I would highly recommend heading to the River View Residence which enjoys a fantastic riverside location with panoramic views of the Chao Phraya River along with well-priced food and drinks.
12. After sunset drinks in Chinatown
Afterwards, I recommend spending some time in Chinatown. Stop by Shanghai Mansion Bangkok on Yaorawat Road for THE iconic shot of Bangkok’s Chinatown, illuminated with the vintage neon lights and signboards. Some of Bangkok’s best partying hot-spots are located in Chinatown and Charoen Krung Road—The Tep Bar, Teens of Thailand, Asia Today, Wallflowers and FooJohn Jazz Club are some of the places to check out.
13. Finish the night at JODD Fairs Night Market
Visiting one of Bangkok’s Night Markets is a must. The very popular Night Train Market Ratchada rebranded as JODD Fairs near Central Plaza Grand Rama 9 is one of my favorite night markets in Bangkok. Although Bangkok hosts flea markets almost every weekend around town, this market stands out for me for its great food (with reasonable prices), tons of local creatives showcasing their work, plus add into the mix a bunch of lively live music bars.
Tip: No night out in Bangkok is complete without sampling the thrills of Khao San Road. Apart from the ultra-modern dance clubs with ear-pounding bass and stalls offering every weird bug and insect snack you can think of, this street is guaranteed to give you a good time, with bars and clubs playing everything from hip-hop to house, acid jazz to rock ballads. This is Asia backpacking 101 and definitely a place you will remember.
Perfect day trip from Bangkok
I highly recommend Bangkrachao, “The Green Lungs of Bangkok,” a little-known jungle area in the middle of the city. Here you can relax in nature, escape the pollution, and feel like you’re not even in a massive metropolis anymore. You can rent a bike and explore the jungle pathways through neighborhoods, floating markets, ornate local temples, and pretty parks.
Where to stay in Bangkok: Yard Hostel, Ari
My go to place whenever I visit Bangkok has to be The Yard Hostel in Ari. The reason I love staying in Ari is that it feels a bit slow-paced and more laidback than other more touristy parts of Bangkok- The area also has a growing reputation for gastronomy and a good cafe scene. Run by the affable duo, Som and Som, the name Yard is a reference both to the yard in which the shipping containers are built, as well as the Thai translation of the word “Yard” which means relative. How would I best describe the vibe? It is a real oasis of calm in Bangkok – a rarity. Lush trees offer a natural shade over the central lawn courtyard where guests congregate at various times of the day, lazing in the hammock with a book, journaling with a cup of coffee from the hostel bar. It is the kind of hostel where you could easily strike up a conversation in the lounge or lawn area or if you needed your space, there is always a cosy corner to seek refuge. The rooms are very comfortable, mattresses you just sink into and where you fall asleep instantly. The rooms are insulated with recycled paper, LED lightbulbs are used to save energy. This hostel reminded me of the reasons I fell in love with travel and backpacking.
