One Day In Bangkok - The Ultimate 24 Hour Itinerary

Your next stop is Wat Pho (or Wat Phra Chetuphon) where you will see one of the many famous and impressive effigies of Buddha. Known in English as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, Wat Pho houses an enormous reclining Buddha, 46 metres long and covered head to toe in gold leaf. Along with the impressive statue the temple is also famous for its reputation as a leading Thai massage school, which naturally makes it the perfect place to get a Thai massage! Take some time to admire the peaceful form of the reclining Buddha, and perhaps gain yourself a bit of luck by dropping a few charity-bound coins into the symbolic 108 bronze bowls that line the walls – representing the 108 phases that led Buddha to perfection – before you treat yourself to a blissful Thai specialty massage. The coins make a beautiful sound as they come to stillness inside the bronze bowls, and if that doesn’t do enough to relax you the massage that follows most certainly will – just be sure to specify the intensity and pressure you would prefer, as the Thai style of massage can be a bit much for total newbies.

As the last stop on this cultural and historical circuit head to the Grand Palace, another Bangkok must see! Housed behind regal walls of intricate and impressive masonry is a treasure trove of history central to the development of Bangkok, the monarchy and in fact Thailand as it is today. Learning about the Grand Palace is central to learning about the very creation of Bangkok, which is now home to over 14 million people. It all began within these quite ramshackle wooden walls, symbolic of the metamorphosis this bustling metropolis has undergone in the centuries since the 1700s. In this highly revered space, a conservative dress-code is strictly enforced so your preparation of earlier is going to come in handy! Inside the majestic walls you will discover Wat Phra Kaew and the Emerald Buddha, protector of Thailand. Draped in seasonal costumes of exceptional quality, some of which were made by the very hand of King Rama I, this image of Buddha – of all the statues and effigies dotting the country – is considered the most important, landing it a firm spot on the list of things to do in Bangkok in a day.

Finally, it is time to shed those layers and hit the sidewalks! I hope you’re hungry because a delicious lunch in nearby Chinatown is next on the cards. Every major city in the world has a Chinatown of its own, but Bangkok is a formidable rival being as it is the largest in the world! Passing through the ceremonial Chinese gates you’ll know at once that you have arrived, and will be instantly captivated by streets lined to bursting with stalls, stores, and restaurants. A foodie haven the choices of just what to fill up on are endless, with all manner of Chinese food imaginable on offer. If you feel inclined to stick to Thai cuisine you will be more than satisfied because even in Chinatown the choices for authentic, mouthwatering Thai food are plentiful (and at super low prices)! When hunting for a good place to eat follow the nose and your eyes; if a place has a winding queue of locals, you know it is worth a try! Fikeaw is a particularly popular seafood spot, with widely sought-after dishes like stir-fried crab, and a cook that likes to create his dishes with a dash of theatre. After lunch, be sure to indulge in one of the many exotic dessert specialties; grab a chocolate-filled bun on the go, so that you can snack while you browse the enormous variety of goods for sale.

Once you are feeling rather round and satisfied with a full belly you might want to take a little relaxing time out, so it is time for a lazy canal cruise – the longest one in Thailand. Hop onboard a riverboat and make your leisurely way down Saen Seab canal towards Pratunam market. While a 20-minute canal trip seems like the perfect time to catch a quick nap, this one is full of excitement – a little on the dingy, dirty side, but certainly an exhilarating ride no less and with the bonus of being very convenient and cost-effective! Have your credit card at the ready when you hop off, you’re in for a whirlwind shopping experience. Though the glittering Platinum Fashion Mall is the one you are more likely to find in your travel guide, Pratunam market (just a footbridge away, so you can easily access both) is my preference – a wholesale market full of personal hidden gems, catering more to locals and less towards tourists. For similar offbeat travel tips take a look at my list of Bangkok hidden gems for unusual things to do in Bangkok. Whether you are on the hunt for a newly tailored suit or an armful of toys, or simply want the chance to practice your bargaining skills, this is your chance! Spend the remainder of the afternoon shopping and haggling to your heart’s content!

After your shopping spree you might be in need of well-deserved pitstop. Head back to the hotel to deposit your retail-therapy treasures and refresh in preparation for a night out on the town! Once ready and revitalised, pick your preferred mode of transport – sky train or taxi will work perfectly – and make your way to Victory Monument where a world of street food flavour awaits. If you prefer, you can go directly to Victory Monument from Pratunam as it is situated nearby.

As you might already know, Bangkok is one of the world’s best cities for food, particularly the outstanding quality of the street food which is continually in such high demand as to ensure a quick turnover and consistently fresh food! Victory Monument is a Nirvana for street food as it is a central transport hub in the city, with a constant foot traffic. In the surrounding area you can expect to find a banquet of restaurants, street food stalls, and exciting new nibbles. If you head north of the roundabout you will be treated to the sight of a variety of Thai boat noodle restaurants in the famous boat noodle alley.

After a day of bargains in the transport, shopping and dinner department, you might be ready to splash out a bit! Climb your way up to the Sky Bar at Lebua – one of the highest rooftop bars in the world and the location of filming for the memorable bar scene in the famous Hollywood movie The Hangover. Here you will get to splurge on a little fancy mixology – cocktails that are worth the pretty penny you pay for them! To top off the exceptional quality of the drinks and an iconic experience that truly captures the highlife in Bangkok, you will get to enjoy the spectacular views. If you like this, you will undoubtedly enjoy the sky bar at Sukhumvit Road which is described in more detail in this Bangkok nightlife guide, full of amazing things to do in Bangkok at night. For the picture perfect end to your Bangkok 1 day itinerary pay a visit to Vertigo Grill and Moon Bar, which you can access via a lift from the lobby of the Banyan Tree Hotel. Be sure to try the White Kimono cocktail which is absolutely delicious, and don’t forget to indulge in a few selfies to commemorate your exciting Bangkok adventures!