3-Day Bangkok Itinerary: Old City Temples, Rooftops & Markets

Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan

★★★★★ 4.7 (45,133)

A attraction rated 4.7 by visitors, included as a stop on this route.

Getting there: Wat Arun sits on the Thonburi (west) side of the Chao Phraya River, at 158 Thanon Wang Doem, opposite the Grand Palace/Wat Pho side. The easiest route: take the BTS to Saphan Taksin, then a Chao Phraya Express Boat (orange or blue flag) north to Tha Tien pier, and cross the river on the small cross-river ferry (a few baht, frequent departures, only a few minutes).

The Reclining Buddha

★★★★★ 4.8 (8,272)

Just south of the Grand Palace, this is a compact, high-impact stop that fits naturally into the same Old City stretch of the day.

Getting there: The temple sits at 2 Thanon Sanam Chai, in the Phra Nakhon district, on Rattanakosin Island (Bangkok's old royal quarter. The easiest current transit option is the MRT Blue Line to Sanam Chai station, which was built specifically to serve this cluster of sights; take Exit 1 and walk about 10 minutes north along Thanon Sanam Chai. If you're coming by river, take the Chao Phraya Express Boat to Tha Tien pier, then walk two minutes inland) this route also sets up a natural add-on, since a cross-river ferry from Tha Tien lands directly at Wat Arun.

The Grand Palace

★★★★★ 4.6 (79,780)

This is the essential starting point in the Old City, and going right as the complex becomes accessible avoids the worst of the crowds and heat noted for this stop.

Getting there: The palace sits in the Phra Nakhon district on Na Phra Lan Road, close to the Chao Phraya River, in the historic core known as Rattanakosin Island. There's no MRT or BTS station right at the door, which is part of why many visitors underestimate the trip time. The most common approach is to take the Chao Phraya Express Boat to Tha Chang Pier (N9), then walk about 5-10 minutes east to the palace walls.

Saladaeng in Bangkok

A rooftop social club with skyline views over multiple themed zones, this is the evening capstone in Si Lom after a day spent among historic sites.

Getting there: Dusit Central Park sits at the corner of Silom Road and Rama IV Road, on the former Dusit Thani Bangkok hotel site, directly across from Lumpini Park. The nearest mass transit is Lumpini or Sala Daeng stations, Sala Daeng on the BTS Silom Line and Lumpini on the MRT Blue Line sit within a short walk of the site, making this one of the more transit-convenient rooftop venues in the city.

Treehouse Cafe & Bar

★★★★★ 4.9 (2,714)

A jungle-themed cafe tucked down a Sukhumvit soi, this is a relaxed, photogenic way to open the day before the crowds arrive.

Getting there: The address is 20 Sukhumvit 31, in Khwaeng Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana district, one of Bangkok's most walkable, expat-friendly pockets, sandwiched between the Sukhumvit and Ploenchit corridors. The easiest approach is via Phrom Phong BTS station (Sukhumvit Line), from which it's roughly a 10–15 minute walk north into the Soi 31 network of smaller lanes. If you'd rather skip the walk in Bangkok's heat, a metered taxi or Grab from the station takes just a few minutes.

View Rooftop

★★★★★ 4.8 (2,103)

A low-key rooftop perch over the Pratunam garment district, this offers skyline views and a pool-bar setting without the scale of the city's tallest towers.

Getting there: The bar sits inside the Novotel Bangkok Platinum Pratunam at 220 Thanon Phetchaburi, in Ratchathewi district. The closest transit link is BTS Chit Lom or Phaya Thai, both a short taxi or tuk-tuk ride away, but honestly the easiest approach for most visitors is a Grab (Thailand's ride-hailing app) straight to the hotel lobby, traffic on Phetchaburi Road can be slow, so budget extra time in the late afternoon rush.

Chatuchak Weekend Market

★★★★☆ 4.4 (56,313)

With thousands of stalls across dozens of sections, this sprawling market is worth a lengthy, dedicated visit and makes a fitting big finish to the day.

Getting there: The market sits at 587, 10 Kamphaeng Phet 2 Rd, Chatuchak district, and it's built for public transit. The easiest route is the MRT (subway) to Kamphaeng Phet station, whose Exit 1 opens directly onto the market's northern edge near the plant and pet sections. Alternatively, take the BTS Skytrain to Mo Chit station and walk through Chatuchak Park, or exit at BTS Mo Chit / MRT Chatuchak Park for the main southern gates.

Suan Luang Rama IX

★★★★★ 4.7 (19,441)

One of the city's biggest and most landscaped public parks, this is a calm, green start to the day with room to walk the gardens and rent a paddle boat.

Getting there: If you're coming via the BTS, the closest stations are on the Sukhumvit line out towards On Nut and Bang Na, followed by a short taxi or motorbike-taxi ride the rest of the way. There's no station right at the gate, so budget extra time for the last mile. Because the park is enormous, it also helps to know which entrance you're heading for before you set off; the main gate on Chaloem Phrakiat Ratchakan Thi 9 Road is the most straightforward drop-off point.

Earth House

★★★★★ 4.8 (435)

A plant-forward restaurant and wine bar a short walk from Thong Lo BTS, this is a fitting midday pause between the park and the evening's plans.

Getting there: The closest station is Thong Lo BTS on the Sukhumvit Line, about a 10–15 minute walk down Soi 53. Alternatively, grab a short taxi or motorbike ride from the station mouth, cheap, fast, and the standard move for locals navigating these long sois.

Somsak in Bangkok

★★★★★ 4.8 (771)

A high-concept Isaan restaurant in Ekkamai with theatrical decor and celebratory energy, this closes out the trip on a lively note.

Getting there: Somsak is located in Ekkamai, one of Bangkok's trendiest districts for nightlife and dining, sitting alongside Thonglor as the epicenter of the city's after-dark scene. Ekkamai is best reached via the BTS Sukhumvit Line, getting off at Ekkamai Station and taking a short taxi, motorbike taxi, or ride-share from there, since much of the neighborhood's best dining is tucked along Sukhumvit Soi 63 (Ekkamai Road) and its side sois rather than directly on the main strip.