Wat Arun
Buddhist temple in central Bangkok, Thailand.
Arrive soon after it opens. The central prang's stairs are steep, so go up once and take the view from the river side.
Morning · 45 minDay 1
The royal quarter, river to palace
Wat Pho
Buddhist temple in central Bangkok, Thailand.
Morning · 45 min
Grand Palace
Official residence of the King of Thailand since 1782.
Dress code is enforced at the gate, with shoulders and knees covered. Allow the full two hours.
Afternoon · 2 hr
Wat Phra Kaew
Royal temple complex in Bangkok, Thailand.
Inside the Grand Palace on the same ticket; see it in the same visit rather than returning another day.
Evening · 45 minCross the river to Wat Arun first; from Wat Pho it is a short walk to the Grand Palace, and Wat Phra Kaew shares its grounds.
Day 2
Museums, a square and a palace compound
Bangkok National Museum
Museum in Bangkok, Thailand.
The grounds sit between the galleries, so two hours moves at a gentle pace. Leave large bags at the hotel.
Morning · 2 hr
Sanam Luang
Square in Bangkok, Thailand.
Morning · 45 min
Democracy Monument
Monument in Bangkok, Thailand.
Afternoon · 45 min
Dusit Palace
Thai royal residence compound.
The compound is spread out; pick the buildings that interest you and settle in rather than pacing through all of it.
Evening · 1 hr 30 minGive the Bangkok National Museum the morning; Sanam Luang and the Democracy Monument sit on the way to Dusit Palace.
Day 3
Gold, a shrine, a park and marble
Golden Buddha
5.5 tonnes golden Buddha statue in Bangkok, Thailand.
Morning · 45 min
Erawan Shrine
Shrine Dedicated to Brahma in Bangkok.
A short, busy stop at a large intersection; the incense and flowers are part of how people leave their wishes.
Morning · 45 min
Lumphini Park
Public park in Bangkok.
Carry water; the loop around the lake is the easy afternoon walk, with shade along the way.
Afternoon · 1 hr 15 min
Wat Benchamabophit
Buddhist temple in Bangkok, Thailand.
The marble courtyard reads best in late light, and it is a short ride from the park.
Evening · 45 minThe Erawan Shrine is a brief stop; Lumphini Park is the place to slow the afternoon before Wat Benchamabophit.
Good to know
What to wear to the Grand Palace in Bangkok
Shoulders and knees covered. The rule applies at the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, and Wat Pho asks for the same. A light scarf or sarong in the bag covers the gaps.
Are Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace the same
Wat Phra Kaew sits inside the Grand Palace grounds and shares its ticket, so the two are visited in one go. Plan around two hours for both.
How to cross the river to Wat Arun
A short ferry crosses the Chao Phraya from the Tha Tien pier near Wat Pho to the Wat Arun pier. It takes a few minutes and is part of the morning.
How many days in Bangkok for the temples
Three days at a moderate pace covers Wat Arun, Wat Pho, the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, plus the Golden Buddha, Erawan Shrine and Wat Benchamabophit.
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