What to Do in Bangkok: Food, Markets, Shopping & More
(The Perfect 2–3 Day Bangkok Itinerary!)
Bangkok was such a fun experience and it is definitely what you see on social media. It’s chaotic, exciting, loud and there’s just so much to do!
Whether it’s your first time or you’re going back again (I don’t blame you), here’s how I’d plan a fun weekend in Bangkok from shopping, food, markets and beautiful experiences!
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Where to Stay in Bangkok
On our first visit to Bangkok, we stayed at Hotel Amber Sukhumvit 85, which Is located in the On Nut area.
On Nut is in the Sukhumvit area and it is a little further out in comparison to Asok but feels calmer, more local and way less overwhelming than the busier central districts. We loved how walkable it was and how well connected it was too.
Just a short walk from the hotel, there’s a small shopping centre filled with Western and Thai food spots, nail and hair salons, cafes and even dry cleaners. There’s everything you might need within a few minutes walking distance to the hotel.
Hotel Amber itself was such a lovely stay! The staff were warm and extremely accommodating. The room was spacious, clean and had everything we needed to feel comfortable (the bed was so comfy too!)
On another trip, we stayed at ibis Styles Bangkok Sukhumvit Phra Khanong, which is right near Phra Khanong BTS Station. This made getting around Bangkok incredibly easy using the BTS Skytrain, and it’s also simple to order affordable Grabs from this area.
The ibis Styles was another great choice. Breakfast was included and enjoyed on a high floor overlooking the beautiful city. The rooms were clean, modern and comfortable. You and can’t really go wrong with ibis Styles and It’s one of my go-to hotel brands whenever I travel anywhere in the world.
If you’re visiting Bangkok for a weekend, I would highly recommend staying in the Sukhumvit / Phra Khanong area as it has such a good balance, it’s really well connected but not overwhelming.
Day 1: A full day of shopping and great food
To begin your weekend in Bangkok, hop not he BTS or order a Grab and head to ICONSIAM which is one of the most impressive shopping centres I have ever seen!
On the ground floor, you’ll find a beautifully designed indoor floating market concept with wooden boats, flower arrangements, small food stalls and souvenir stands. You can find everything from authentic Thai dishes to Western foods and if you’re feeling brave, there is a stall selling crocodile meat!
You could easily spend hours here!
There are boutiques selling beautiful clothing, jewellery and handbags, a large performance stage that occasionally hosts shows and endless places to enjoy a snack or two. It does feel like a maze when you visit for the first time!
Once you’ve explored the ground floor, make sure to head upstairs where you’ll be met with some of the most beautiful skyline views over Bangkok. So, even if you’re not planning to shop, ICONSIAM is worth visiting purely for the views and great food.
While you’re there, I would highly recommend eating at Guljak Topokki. The Korean fried chicken was soooo good! Crispy, flavourful and served with mini pockets of rice on the side. Highly recommend if you love this type of food.
If you love thrifting and still have the energy, then head over to Bangsue Junction! This place is incredible, it has three packed floors of vintage clothing, accessories and hidden gems.
It is such a fun experience going around digging through racks and finding unique pieces. Also don’t forget bargaining is a part of it too! I managed to get a pair of jean shorts for a great discount just by asking the seller.
If you want to carry on the shopping trip then continue the evening at the Train Night Market which is absolutely HUGE!
Here you will find rows of vintage stores, boutiques, endless street food, live performances and overall just a great vibe.
I would recommend going later in the evening when it’s slightly cooler, as Bangkok heat during the day can be intense!
Finally, if you still have energy there’s Khao San Road! It’s one of those places you kind of have to tick off at least once. It’s definitely an experience in itself as you have loud music blasting from every direction, neon lights flashing and so many people trying to sell buckets of cheap alcohol to you.
Personally it wasn’t my vibe as it was just too much for me, but I’m still glad I walked through it for the experience. i would say you could be done in 20-30 minutes to experience the atmosphere, have a laugh and then leave!
Day 2: River Views, Rooftop Dinner and Chinatown
For your second day in Bangkok, I would slow things down slightly and book the Chao Phraya River Hop-On Hop-Off Boat along the Chao Phraya River. This beautiful tour will only cost you £3.57 for a ticket.
This was such a relaxing way to see the city from a different perspective, especially after walking in Bangkok’s humid heat (it’s no joke!). It was beautiful to look at all the stunning temples, skyscrapers and local life with the gentle breeze hitting your face and the sun tickling your skin.
What’s great about this boat is that you can hop on and off near temples, markets and the main shopping areas like ICONSIAM, so you could easily turn it into a full day of exploring.
We chose to stay on the boat for a while as it goes back and forth along the river to enjoy the views and soak up some sun. It was a really calm and peaceful experience which felt like the perfect reset from the night before.
In the evening, I highly recommend booking dinner at Spectrum Lounge & Bar, which is located on the top floor of the Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit.
This is one of those places where you instantly feel like you’re in a movie scene! You are spoilt with incredible rooftop views of Bangkok’s skyline, the atmosphere is stylish but chilled and there’s live music earlier in the evening which adds to the whole experience. This was definitely the most luxurious experience we had whilst in Bangkok.
We ordered the Wagyu Rib Eye and the Betong Chicken Piccata with a butter lemon caper cream sauce and both were delicious. The flavours were rich, the portions were great and everything was beautifully presented.
It’s definitely more expensive than your average Bangkok meal, but for the views, service and quality of food I would say it is absolutely worth it.
Chinatown is an absolute must visit when you’re in Bangkok. It’s vibrant, chaotic in the best way and full of energy. Walking through the bust streets, exploring market stalls and discovering new food spots on every corner makes it such a fun experience.
We tried mini pancakes from Honey Bear Pancake and they were absolutely delicious. They were warn, fluffy and there were so many people waiting in line for some too!
Top tip: if you see a small restaurant or street stall packed with locals, that’s your sign to go there. We spotted a restaurant along the street serving duck and small traditional dishes that was so busy so we decided to try and had a great meal!
Chinatown is also very photogenic. The neon signs and constant movement makes it such a beautiful place to capture photos and videos. But don’t forget to put your phone away after and just enjoy the moment.
Where to Eat in Bangkok
Here are some food spots I would highly recommend adding to your Bangkok itinerary:
Princess Café
Princess Café is a true hidden gem. It’s tucked just off the main high street alongside residential houses and is small, cosy and family owned.
The food is incredible, it was so good we went back two days in a row for both breakfast and lunch.
If I can recommend one item off the menu it would be the pancakes. They come piled high with freshly cut fruit and are homemade. The most fluffiest, soft delicious pancakes. The menu is simple, but everything is done so well. The portions are generous, great prices and a lovely welcoming atmosphere.
They also have a really cute cat that roams around the cafe too which is a bonus!
Café Mumbai (Near Khao San Road)
Just off Khao San Road, you’ll find Café Mumbai which was packed when we went to visit. After one bite, we understood why it was.
We ordered the butter chicken with a peshwari naan and it was sooo good! They just executed it perfectly as it was rich, creamy, perfectly spiced and a generous portion size too. Definitely a great place if you’re around the Khao San area!
Coffee Club
You’ll find The Coffee Club dotted all around Thailand, including Bangkok and Phuket. It’s an Australian founded brand and it’s one of those places you know you can rely on.
My top recommendations are the BBQ pulled beef and garlic aioli toasted sandwich and the grilled chicken, avocado and cheese sandwich. If you like smoothies, the Chunky Money is a must try too.
It is not the cheapest cafe option, but you are paying for delicious food, great coffee and they are usually in great locations and have beautifully designed interiors.
Katsuya
Katsuya is a simple but great find that we discovered when travelling. It’s a chain restaurant with great portions and affordable prices, and their chicken katsu curry is great option every time.
I would recommend on a busy travel day, it does the job every time.
Bun Me and More
Attached to a basketball court, Bun Me and More is one of those low-key places you would walk by if you weren’t paying attention. My boyfriend discovered it and it was a total gem of a find! Their banh mi sandwiches are fresh, well priced and a perfect snack when you’ve been exploring the city all day.
You can choose from a range of fillings and it’s always so busy as there are kids playing basketball right next to it!
Final thoughts
Bangkok is intense, chaotic and honestly an unforgettable experience in the best way possible!
I would highly recommend visiting even if it is just for a weekend.
Here are some tips I have for you when travelling to Bangkok:
- Use the BTS Skytrain whenever possible
the BTS train is a great way to explore the city as it’s affordable, air-conditioned (very important) and avoids the heavy traffic. - Plan around the heat
Bangkok is humid pretty much all year round so I would recommend outdoor experiences either very early in the morning or in the evening. Leave the shopping centres or cafes during peak heat hours (11-3) - Stay in a well connected area
we stayed in the On Nut area which is in the Sukhumvit area and is very well connected by the BTS. It is further out than Asok or Nana but still so easy to get to where you need to go.
Enjoy Bangkok! 🙂
