Glimmering, gilded wats, fluoro-lit night markets, the hauntingly beautiful chants of orange-robed Theravada Buddhist monks echoing through winding alleyways: a visit to Thailand’s contrasting capital is an energy shot for the soul.
A magnet for pleasure-seeking adventurers, in-the-know foodies and travellers seeking authentic immersion, Bangkok draws millions of visitors each year, many stopping for just a night before heading for the islands. Yet the capital is so much more than a pitstop to paradise, as I happily found out this year.
I’ve visited the city twice in recent months, spending time hunting out delicious bites amid the labyrinths of buzzing streets overhung with masses of twisted electrical wires. I’ve explored on foot by day and moto-taxi after dark, hopping between night markets tempting tourists and locals alike with dishes like freshly steamed cho muang (Thai flower dumplings), or charred moo ping (grilled pork skewers).
Compelling, delicious and exhilarating on every level, the city never fails to put on a good show. Here’s how to make the most of 72 hours In Bangkok – just remember to arrive hungry.
Day 1
Before You Land... Download the Grab app, it’ll be your best friend when exploring the city and makes life much simpler. It’s like Uber, but better, IMO – you can order a taxi to whisk you from the airport to your hotel, hail a moped to zip from one night market to the next, or even order delicious street food straight to your lodgings – ideal for when the jet lag is hitting too hard.
Check Into... Siri Sala, a dreamy, one-of-a-kind villa that appeared as a filming location in The White Lotus season three. Housed on the banks of the khaki-coloured Chao Phraya River, where three ramshackle traditional Thai wooden stilt homes once sat, Siri Sala was brought to life by the affable Irma Go and her husband Kirati Thepsoparn, to showcase Bangkok Noi – a local, characterful pocket of Bangkok where life drifts by slowly yet purposefully. While two of the stilt houses were damaged beyond repair, the couple carefully restored the remaining one, giving it a new lease of life as the hotel’s bar, while carefully utilising much of the features from the other two homes to furnish and complete the main villa. Previously only available as a complete entity, Siri Sala now welcomes individual bedroom bookings, ensuring more design-loving travellers can enjoy its charms along with the staff’s warm hospitality and its unmissable food.
Receive A Buddhist Blessing At... Wat Suwannaram Ratchaworawihan, one of Bangkok’s most beautiful, lesser-visited temples. It was quiet on the day I visited, save a few locals bearing offerings, and covered in some of the most exquisitely detailed murals I’ve ever seen. This serene temple organises blessings with the head Buddhist monk, comprising Theravada chanting, prayer and symbolic water pouring, it’s a deeply moving, spiritual way to learn a small part of Thailand’s foremost religion, while remembering those no longer with us, practising gratitude and recognising impermanence.
Snack On... Khanom Bueang, a traditional Thai street snack, which looks a bit like a mini taco. My Thai friend advised me to head over to Thanon Wang Doem Road to try Khanom Buek Wat Arun’s variation of the crispy crepes filled with coconut cream, sesame and golden foi thong (sweet golden egg yolk threads). I ended up eating three in quick succession, and at just 10 baht (around £0.23) a pop, why not?
Grab An Afternoon Pick-Me-Up From... Gunsbake, a cute cafe just a short walk along the same road as the aforementioned Khanom Bueang shop. With a couple of pavement seats, it’s the ideal spot to people-watch while relaxing with a lychee soda, yuzu matcha or coconut Americano. Back to the villa for a quick power nap and a change of clothes, then it’s time to...
Dine At... Nusara, one of the world’s best restaurants, while enjoying sublime views over Wat Pho. Headed up by chef Thitid Tassanakajohn and sommelier Tam Chaisiri Tassanakajohn, Nusara (currently number 35 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list), serves inventive dishes inspired by family-style Thai home cooking in a fine dining setting. I opted for the tasting menu with a drinks pairing, both of which celebrate Thailand’s natural bounty with artistic flair. On the menu: blue swimming crab curry, winged bean relish and pandan layered custard, with one course even served in the kitchen. Be sure to book in advance.
Day 2
Get Lost In The Photographic Lanes Of... Talat Noi. A haven for aspiring street photographers, I adore wandering without a map through this neighbourhood’s maze of lively lanes splashed with vivid murals, including a fierce emerald-green dragon sweeping across apartment walls and a fluffy white cat perched above a doorway. Spend a few hours slipping in and out of the glorious chaos, observing daily life roll by, and grabbing a few snacks along the way.
Opt For A Caffeine Hit At... La Cabra, first Scandinavian coffee roasters in Thailand, where aromatic drip coffee instantly revives after a morning of pavement stomping. Sourcing beans from Panama, Guatemala and Colombia, La Cabra’s coffee bean gift boxes make decent souvenirs, and you’re not going to want to miss the eclectic range of baked goods and pastries on offer, of which the mango sticky rice tarts and egg custard tarts are out of this world.
Pause For Pad Thai In... Open-fronted, Michelin-guide-approved Baan Phadthai, where a secret pad Thai sauce features no less than 18 ingredients. While I absolutely adore grabbing a street-side pad Thai and enjoying it hunched over a plastic table at a night market, for a more refined option, surrounded by retro Thai advertising posters, Baan Phadthai and its intriguing variations, including jumbo mud crab and blue river prawns, make it a solid choice.
Unwind With A Traditional Thai Massage At... Sinee Massage & Spa (+66 64 6282922), a no-frills, woman-owned spa offering truly authentic Thai massage. Located at 38 Soi Itsaraphap, each treatment area is sectioned off with thin boarding and curtains, so don’t arrive expecting luxury or high-end surroundings. But that’s exactly why I love Sinee, since it’s mostly frequented by locals who rate it for its authentic massage. Most of the time, you can stroll right on in without an appointment, but if you’re coming from the other side of town, it’s worth calling ahead.
Hop On A Moto-Taxi To... Talat Phlu Market, my favourite night market in the city. Make a beeline for the low-key crispy pork and rice stands hidden down an array of alleyways snaking out from the main covered market area, where 40-bhat plates (around 94p) are not only filling but incredibly delicious. Then, seek out a stand that’s usually at the intersection of Soi Liap Thang Rotfai and Soi Thoet Thai 25. Its name roughly translates to ‘Crazy’ and it serves something that looks like a fried sandwich, it is, in fact, a coconut dessert. Chewy, not too sweet, crispy on the outside and incredibly moreish, if you try one thing at Talat Phlu, make it this, but expect to queue.
Day 3
Get To Grips With Modern Thai Art At... MOCA Bangkok, Thailand’s leading hub of creativity. The museum’s extraordinary collection, lovingly curated by Boonchai Bencharongkul, forms a permanent gallery that showcases more than 800 contemporary masterpieces by renowned Thai artists, including Alex Face and Atjima Jaroenchit, as well as special solo shows that change almost monthly. The latest, Golden Teardrop by Arin Rungjang, runs until mid-February 2026.
Sip & Savour... A cold cup of cha yen (Thai milk tea) from any of the street-side vendors across the city. Dark orange in colour, this strongly brewed black tea is mingled with condensed and evaporated milk and served over a mountain of ice. Refreshing, sweet and reviving on a hot city day, expect to pay 25-50 Thai baht per cup.
Admire Mosaics & Soaring Spires In... Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), one of my favourite Bangkok temples. Shooting up from the banks of the Chao Phraya River, Wat Arun’s stupa, covered in pastel, candy-coloured ceramics that look almost unreal in the midday sun, is a photographer’s dream. A magnet for everyone, from devoted Buddhists and Hindus to history buffs and travellers who show up serving looks in chut thai (yep, the traditional Thai outfits you can rent from the many shops around the temple), Wat Arun is the ideal place to while away your last afternoon in the city.
Slurp Hot Soy Milk With Ginkgo Beans At... Jae Wan, Thai rapper Lisa Manobal’s fave Bangkok spot. I stumbled across this local-loved cafe during an afternoon exploration near Chinatown and fast became enamoured by the vast array of sweet treats on offer. Think silken hot soy milk with ginkgo beans and sesame-filled jelly balls and bua loy (a dessert of coconut milk and glutinous rice balls) and iced grass jelly.
Round Off The Long Weekend By Exploring... The neighbourhood of Bangkok Yai. It’s an incredible foodie hub, where all manner of exciting bites will leave you dreaming of the city long after you’ve left. Don’t miss the mango and sticky rice from Saleethip, Hainan noodles from the unnamed shop on the corner of Soi Arun Amarin 11, and any of the seafood dishes at riverside restaurant Baan Ploen Dee. The perfect final taste of Thailand.
