Wat Mahathat Yuwaratrangsarit
Buddhist temple in Bangkok, Thailand.
Arrive at opening. The morning session here is short, and the walk to Wat Phra Kaew is easiest before the tour groups arrive.
Morning · 45 minDay 1
The royal quarter
Wat Phra Kaew
Royal temple complex in Bangkok, Thailand.
Shoes come off before the chapel. Pairing it with Grand Palace in one visit works because the two sit inside the same walled complex.
Morning · 45 min
Grand Palace
Official residence of the King of Thailand since 1782.
Covered shoulders and knees for everyone, and the dress code applies at both the palace and the adjoining temple.
Afternoon · 2 hr%20-%20img%2004.jpg?width=800)
Wat Ratchabophit
Buddhist temple in Phra Nakhon district, Bangkok, Thailand.
Afternoon · 45 min
National Art Gallery
Art gallery in Bangkok, Thailand.
Evening · 2 hrStart at Wat Mahathat Yuwaratrangsarit when it opens. The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew sit side by side, so an early start keeps the group ahead of the crowds.
Day 2
Old-town wats and the giant swing
Wat Bowonniwet Vihara
Buddhist temple in Bangkok, Thailand.
Morning · 45 min
Wat Ratchanatdaram
Buddhist temple in Bangkok, Thailand.
Morning · 45 min
Wat Saket
Buddhist temple in Bangkok, Thailand.
The hilltop chedi is reached by a long flight of steps; take it slowly and pause at the bells and openings on the way up.
Afternoon · 45 min
Sao Chingcha
Landmark in Phra Nakhon district, Bangkok, Thailand.
Afternoon · 45 min
Wat Intharawihan
Buddhist temple in Bangkok, Thailand.
Evening · 45 minWat Saket is the climb of the day; give the steps the time they deserve and save energy for the evening temple.
Day 3
The river, the cathedral and the shrine
Wat Arun
Buddhist temple in central Bangkok, Thailand.
Arrive early. The stair up the central prang is steep and narrow, and the morning light shows the porcelain inlay well.
Morning · 45 min.jpg?width=800)
Wat Suthat
Buddhist temple in Bangkok, Thailand.
Morning · 45 min
Assumption Cathedral
Principal Roman Catholic church of Thailand.
Afternoon · 45 min.jpg?width=800)
Wat Yan Nawa
Buddhist temple in Bangkok, Thailand.
Afternoon · 45 min%202019%2003.jpg?width=800)
Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, Bangkok
Amman Temple in Bangkok, Thailand.
Evening · 45 minCross to Wat Arun early, before the river-facing light turns harsh; the afternoon wats and houses of worship are closer than they look on the map.
Day 4
Houses, galleries and the market
Jim Thompson House
Museum in Bangkok.
The rooms are shown on guided visits only, so plan around the tour rather than wandering alone.
Morning · 2 hr
Bangkok Art and Culture Centre
Art museum and cultural center in Bangkok.
Morning · 2 hr
Pratunam Market
Street market in Bangkok.
Come with small notes and a light bag; the lanes are dense and most stalls take cash.
Afternoon · 1 hr 30 min
Suan Pakkad Palace
Museum in Bangkok, Thailand.
Afternoon · 2 hr
Victory Monument
Monument in Bangkok, Thailand.
Evening · 45 minJim Thompson House runs on guided visits, so arrive a little early to join the next tour rather than wait.
Good to know
How many days do you need in Bangkok?
Four full days cover the royal quarter, the old-town wats, the riverside temples and the city's main museums and markets. This plan keeps mornings and late afternoons outdoors and the hottest hours inside.
Which temples sit near the Grand Palace?
Wat Mahathat Yuwaratrangsarit, Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Ratchabophit all sit in the same royal quarter, so one morning covers all three before the palace grounds get busy.
What should you wear to Bangkok's temples?
Covered shoulders and knees for everyone, and shoes come off before entering any temple building. A scarf and long trousers help on hot days.
Is Jim Thompson House worth visiting?
It is a teak house with the owners art collection still in place, seen by guided tour in about two hours. The trip pairs it with Bangkok Art and Culture Centre nearby.
Plan your own Bangkok trip
Tell Triptic your dates and who is going. It starts from this plan and fits it to you, with real flights and a place to stay.
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