Photo: chrisada, CC BY 2.0 on Wikimedia Commons
Eleven days that follow the food: street stalls and temples in Bangkok, a day among the ruins of Ayutthaya, four slower days in Chiang Mai, then boats and beaches on the Andaman coast near Krabi. Short flights link the three stops.
From average weather, 2021 to 2025: days that are warm but not hot, with few rainy days, score highest. Crowds and prices change through the year, so check them before you book.
The old royal district, where the great temples stand side by side along the river. Start early, dress for the temples and take the small ferry across the water at the end.
The former royal residence, a walled compound of gold roofs, halls and courtyards beside the river. Dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered. Parts of it close for ceremonies, so check ahead.
Go when First thing in the morning, before the heat and the crowds.
Local tip Cover your shoulders and knees. If a stranger tells you the palace is closed today, check at the gate yourself, because it is a common trick.
The Temple of the Emerald Buddha, inside the Grand Palace grounds. The small green statue sits high on a golden altar, and the walls around the courtyard are painted with scenes from a long epic.
Go when Morning, as soon as you are through the gate.
Local tip Take off your shoes before you go into the hall and sit with your feet pointed away from the Buddha. Check the rules on photographs before you take out a camera.
A large temple a short walk south, home to a giant reclining Buddha covered in gold. The grounds are full of quiet courtyards and rows of decorated stupas.
Go when Midday, once the palace crowds have thinned.
Local tip Walk to the far end of the reclining Buddha to see the soles of its feet, and drop small coins in the bowls along the wall as many visitors do.
A bowl of noodles in a clear or spicy broth, with pork, fish balls or beef, is a standard Bangkok lunch. Shops near the river serve it in minutes.
Local tip Season it at the table from the little jars: fish sauce, sugar, dried chili and vinegar.
The Temple of Dawn, across the river, with a tall tower covered in porcelain and shell. Cross by the small ferry, then climb the steep steps for a view over the water.
Go when Late afternoon, with the light on the tower.
Local tip The steps up the tower are steep and narrow, so take them slowly. For the view of the tower itself, look back from the riverside on the Wat Pho side.
Poached chicken on rice cooked in the broth, with a bowl of soup and a spicy dipping sauce. A simple, comforting dinner after a day of walking.
Local tip Ask for the chicken with a little of the dark sauce on the side.
A day that ends in Chinatown after dark. Take the boat in the middle of the afternoon, when a breeze on the water is welcome.
A temple on an artificial hill, topped with a golden chedi. Climb the long spiral of steps for a view across the roofs of the old city.
Go when Morning, when the stairs are cool.
Local tip Stop on the way up and ring a few of the bells. The view at the top covers the old city roofs and the river.
A group of traditional Thai houses joined into one home and filled with art, in a small garden beside a canal. Check how visits are run before you go.
Go when Midday, when the heat sends you indoors.
Local tip Take the guided tour, which is the usual way to see the house, and then sit in the garden by the water.
Minced pork or chicken stir-fried with holy basil and chilies, served on rice with a fried egg. One of the most common dishes in the country.
Local tip Say "mai phet" if you want it not spicy.
A big green park in the middle of the city, with a lake and shade. Look for the large monitor lizards that live by the water.
Go when Early morning or late afternoon, when the city exercises.
Local tip Walk the loop around the lake and keep a safe distance from the monitor lizards, which are harmless if left alone.
Sweet sticky rice with slices of ripe mango and a spoon of coconut cream. A classic treat in the warm months.
Local tip Eat it fresh, in the shade, with a cold drink.
The river is the old road of the city. Ride a public river boat upstream from the pier by the Saphan Taksin station toward Chinatown, past temples, old warehouses and tall towers. Boats also run into the canals on the Thonburi side.
Go when Mid afternoon, when the river breeze is welcome.
Local tip Ask at the pier which boat goes your way and how to pay, then sit by the rail. It is an easy way to see the river bank from the water.
The heart of Chinatown, which comes alive after dark with street stalls, neon signs and the smell of grilling. Walk the main road and the lanes off it, and eat as you go.
Go when Evening, once the stalls have lit up.
Local tip Walk the whole road first, then choose. A busy stall with locals in line is a safer bet than an empty one with a big sign.
Dishes to look for are grilled seafood, roast duck, oyster omelet, noodles and sweet soups. Eat a little at several stalls instead of a lot at one.
Local tip Pick stalls with a line of locals, where the food is cooked in front of you, and carry small notes and a pack of tissues.
The old capital, north of Bangkok. Take the train from the city in the morning, then hire a bicycle, a tuk-tuk or a driver for the ruins. Check which Bangkok station your train leaves from.
A big temple with a tall bell-shaped chedi and rows of seated Buddha statues wrapped in saffron cloth. Walk around the base and look at the calm faces.
Go when Morning, before the heat.
Local tip Look at the line of seated Buddhas wrapped in saffron cloth, and do not touch them.
The temple ruins where a stone Buddha head sits in the roots of a fig tree. Walk among the old brick towers, and keep your own head lower than the Buddha head when you stop to look.
Go when Midday, with a drink to hand.
Local tip The Buddha head in the tree roots is a famous sight. Crouch or kneel for a photograph, so your head is lower than the Buddha, as local people do.
Ayutthaya is known for large prawns from the river, grilled over charcoal and served with a spicy seafood sauce. A messy, happy lunch.
Local tip Wash your hands at the table and ask for the sauce on the side.
Three tall chedis in a row, once the grandest temple on the grounds of the royal palace. A good place to stand and picture the city at its height.
Go when Afternoon, when the stone turns gold.
Local tip Stand back to see all three chedis in one frame, then walk closer to look at the brick.
Thin strands of sugar, spun like cotton candy, wrapped in a soft little roti. A sweet snack that the old capital is known for.
Local tip Buy it from a street vendor and eat it at once, while the roti is soft.
A temple of tall towers on the west bank of the river, a quiet ruin that glows in the late light. Come late in the day if you can.
Go when Late afternoon, around sunset (about 5:52 PM).
Local tip Stay for the light on the towers, then plan your ride back to the train in good time.
A last Bangkok day. Chatuchak runs on weekends, so check the day before you go and swap this day with another if it does not fit.
One of the biggest markets in the world, with a maze of stalls for clothes, plants, crafts, antiques and food. Open on weekends only, so check ahead. Go early, take a map and let yourself wander.
Go when Early morning on a weekend, before the crowds.
Local tip It is a maze, so pick a corner as a meeting place and keep your bag in front of you. Stop for a cold coconut drink when you tire.
Pork marinated in coconut milk and spices and grilled over charcoal, served with sticky rice. A snack that doubles as a lunch at a market.
Local tip Order a few skewers and a bag of sticky rice, and find a shady corner.
The Marble Temple, built of white stone with curved roofs and a courtyard lined with Buddha statues. A calm, tidy contrast to the market.
Go when Midday, after the market.
Local tip Walk around the courtyard and look at the rows of Buddha statues. Feed the fish in the pond only if the signs allow it.
A modern gallery in the middle of the city, with changing art shows and a bright central hall. A cool, quiet stop when the heat builds.
Go when Afternoon, when the heat builds.
Local tip Go up through the bright central hall and look at whatever show is on. It is a cool and quiet break from the street.
The Temple of the Golden Buddha, at the edge of Chinatown, with a giant seated Buddha of solid gold. Check ahead for when it closes.
Go when Late afternoon, before the evening stalls open.
Local tip Look at the statue and read the sign about how it was found, then walk into Chinatown for dinner.
The famous hot and sour soup, with lemongrass, galangal, lime leaf and chili, often with shrimp. Order it with rice and share.
Local tip Ask for it clear or creamy, depending on your taste, and say how spicy you want it.
A short flight takes you north to a smaller, slower city inside old walls and a moat. Drop your bags and walk the old city, where the temples sit close together.
The most important temple in the old city, with a graceful hall in the northern style and a much-loved Buddha image. Walk the grounds and look at the carved wood and the painted walls.
Go when Morning, before the tour groups.
Local tip Take off your shoes at the hall door, and sit quietly for a minute to look at the painted walls.
The ruined tower of a very tall chedi, damaged long ago, with stone elephants on its base. Sit in the shade and watch the monks go by.
Go when Late morning, ahead of the midday heat.
Local tip Walk around the tower and look at the stone elephants on its base. Monks often chat with visitors in the afternoon, so ask a question.
Egg noodles in a rich coconut curry broth, topped with crispy noodles and served with lime and pickled greens. The dish of Chiang Mai.
Local tip Squeeze the lime and add the pickles and shallots on the side as you eat.
The gate in the old brick city walls, with the moat running along them. Walk a stretch of the moat road and see how the old square plan still shapes the city.
Go when Afternoon, when the walls throw some shade.
Local tip Follow the moat road for a few minutes, and look at how the old walls were built.
A night market of stalls selling crafts, clothes and snacks, with places to eat close by. Go for a stroll, not a big shop, and bargain with a smile.
Go when Evening, with a snack.
Local tip Look first, buy second, and do not rush. Bargain in a friendly way and walk on if the price does not suit you.
Sai oua is a grilled sausage of pork, herbs and chili, a northern specialty, eaten with sticky rice and a chili dip.
Local tip Eat the sticky rice with your fingers, by rolling a small ball, as local people do.
A day out of the old city, west into the hills. Songthaews, the red shared trucks, run to the mountain temple. A cooking class fits the start of the day, since many begin in the morning.
A cooking class is a Chiang Mai custom. Many start at a morning market, where you learn the ingredients, then cook several dishes and eat what you made. Choose a small class that includes the market visit.
Local tip Tell the teacher about any food allergies before you start, and ask for the recipes.
A temple west of the old city with a field of white chedis that hold the ashes of local royals. A restful place to start.
Go when Morning, when the field of white chedis is quiet.
Local tip Walk among the white chedis and look at the different shapes. It is a calm place, so keep your voice low.
A forest temple with old tunnels, a pond and shady paths, where monks still live and study. A cool place for the middle of the day.
Go when Midday, in the shade of the trees.
Local tip Walk the shady paths to the tunnels and the pond, and take your time in the cool of the trees.
The mountain temple on the hill above the city, with a long staircase, a golden chedi and a view over the plain. Dress modestly, and expect crowds around the golden chedi.
Go when Late afternoon, when the light is soft.
Local tip Climb the staircase on foot if you can, and then walk once around the golden chedi in the direction the other visitors go.
A northern pork curry, rich and sweet and sour, with ginger and tamarind, shaped by the nearby cooking of Myanmar. Eat it with sticky rice.
Local tip Ask for it with a side of steamed vegetables and a cool drink.
A gentler day in the old city: an old temple, a statue, a small museum and the busy market where northern snacks are sold.
Said to be the oldest temple in the city, with elephants carved around its base and a quiet courtyard.
Go when Morning, before the day-trippers.
Local tip Look at the row of elephants around the chedi base. The courtyard is a quiet place to sit.
A bronze statue of the three kings who founded the city, in the square in front of the old town hall. A good place to start a walk.
Go when Midday, on the walk to the museum.
Local tip Read the sign beside the statue, since it explains who the three kings were.
A museum in the old town hall, with rooms about the history of the city and its people. A cool, quiet stop in the middle of the day.
Go when Midday, out of the heat.
Local tip Choose the rooms on the history of the city and skip the rest if you are tired.
Fresh rice noodles served with a choice of curry sauces and a bowl of raw herbs and pickles. A lighter northern lunch.
Local tip Help yourself to the herbs on the side and add them to the bowl.
The big local market near the river, where Chiang Mai shops for food: northern sausages, chili dips, dried fruit and flowers. Wander slowly and taste a little.
Go when Afternoon, with an appetite.
Local tip Walk the food aisles and buy a little at a time. The stalls near the front sell northern snacks to eat as you go.
Look for fried pork skin, chili dips, northern sausage and sweets wrapped in banana leaf. Buy a little of each and share.
Local tip Taste at the stall before you buy, and ask what each one is.
A relaxed day of quiet temples on the edge of the old city. If you would like to see elephants, choose a sanctuary that does not offer rides, and ask how the animals live and are cared for.
A small temple south of the old city, known for the silver on its prayer hall. Look at the fine metalwork of the walls.
Go when Morning, when the light is soft.
Local tip Look at the detail of the silver metalwork, which is made by hand in the neighborhood. Dress modestly.
An old temple on the north side of the old city, with a tall brick chedi. A quiet corner, away from the crowds.
Go when Midday, then lunch nearby.
Local tip Look at the tall brick chedi and stay a few minutes in the quiet.
Nam prik noom is a smoky green chili dip, eaten with sticky rice, fried pork skin and raw or steamed vegetables. A northern classic.
Local tip Start with a little, since it can be hot.
A temple with seven spires on one base, built long ago in the style of a famous temple in India. Quiet and shady.
Go when Afternoon, in the shade of the old trees.
Local tip Walk around the seven spires and look at the stucco figures on the walls.
Chicken marinated and grilled over charcoal, with sticky rice and a papaya salad pounded to order. A northeastern pairing found across the country.
Local tip Tell the cook how many chilies you want in the salad.
A short flight takes you south to the Andaman coast, and many routes connect through Bangkok, so check the route. Ao Nang is the base. Railay and Phra Nang have no road, so you cross the bay by boat.
A beach town on the Andaman coast and the usual base for the area, with a long sandy bay, shops, cafes and the long-tail boat piers. Come back in the evening for the sunset.
Go when Morning, then come back at sunset (about 5:52 PM).
Local tip Ask about the boat to Railay at the long-tail pier. Boats leave when they have enough passengers and do not run in rough weather.
Fish, squid and shrimp grilled over charcoal and served with a lime and chili dip. The coast eats from the sea.
Local tip Choose from the display of fresh fish, and look for clear eyes and a clean smell.
A peninsula cut off from the mainland by cliffs and reached only by boat. Walk across the narrow neck from one beach to the next, and look up at the climbers on the limestone.
Go when Afternoon, after the boat ride over.
Local tip Walk across the narrow neck to the other beach, since the two sides feel quite different. Bring shoes for the short rocky path.
A small beach at the foot of limestone cliffs, a short walk from Railay, with a shrine at one end. Swim, then stay for the evening light.
Go when Late afternoon, in the evening light.
Local tip Swim, then walk to the end of the beach to see the shrine. Keep an eye out for monkeys and keep food out of sight.
A southern curry of fish or crab with fresh turmeric, thick and fiery. The south of Thailand likes its food hot.
Local tip Eat it with plain rice and cool your mouth with a fresh coconut.
A boat day. Long-tail boats and other boats take visitors out to the islands. The Hong Islands are the farther trip, to the northwest, while Poda and Thap lie close to Railay. Choose one, or split the day, and check the sea and the weather with the boat crew first.
A group of limestone islands with a hidden lagoon, white sand and clear water. A good place to swim and float. Boats do not run in rough seas, so check ahead.
Go when Morning, when the water is calm.
Local tip Ask the boat crew how rough the sea is before you set out, and bring a hat and sun cream. Boats do not run in rough weather.
BoatGroup speedboat or longtail tours from Ao Nang or Krabi town visit these islands.
CheckThe time between islands depends on the tour. The park fee is usually separate.
A small island off the coast with a long, soft beach and limestone cliffs behind it. A favorite stop on island trips.
Go when Midday, for a swim and a picnic.
Local tip Wear water shoes if you can, and take your rubbish back with you.
Boat trips usually serve lunch, often rice, a curry and fruit, eaten on the boat or on a beach. Ask what is included, and tell the crew about any allergies.
Local tip Bring your own water and a snack, in case lunch is late.
BoatThe same speedboat or longtail tour, a short hop between the islands.
CheckThe time depends on the tour. The park fee is usually separate.
A small island with a sand bar that joins it to its neighbors when the tide is low. Walk the sand and look at the water on both sides.
Go when Afternoon, if the tide is low.
Local tip Ask the crew when the sand bar shows, and walk it with sandals on, since the shells can be sharp.
Crab stir-fried with egg, curry powder and celery, a seafood dish found all along the coast. Eat it with a spoon, fork and plenty of napkins.
Local tip Share a crab between two, and ask for the shell to be cracked for you.
A quieter side of the coast, inland from the beaches. Keep the day light, because the way home starts tomorrow.
A forest temple at the foot of a limestone hill, with a very long staircase that climbs to a golden Buddha and a wide view. Only for those who like stairs, and best early in the day.
Go when Early morning, before the stairs heat up.
Local tip It is a very long staircase, so go only if you are comfortable with that. Take water and rest at the landings.
A temple in the old part of Krabi Town, with a calm courtyard. A shaded stop in the heat of the day.
Go when Midday, in the shade.
Local tip Walk the courtyard and sit for a moment out of the sun.
A bowl of noodles, rice porridge or a plate of rice and curry at a small shop in town. Locals eat well and simply here.
Local tip Look for a shop with plenty of locals at the tables.
The small provincial town on the river, with a riverside walk, shops and cafes. A quieter side of the coast.
Go when Afternoon, along the river.
Local tip Walk the riverside and look in at the small shops. It is a calm contrast to the beach towns.
A sweet and spicy green curry of chicken or fish with eggplant and basil, eaten with rice. A fitting dish for a last dinner.
Local tip Share a few dishes, including a vegetable, and finish with fresh fruit.
By average weather from 2021 to 2025, January to February and November to December are the most comfortable months for walking around Bangkok. This plan is built for early December, which is one of the best months. Crowds and prices change through the year, so check them before you book.
It covers 11 days in Bangkok, planned for early December. Each day is built around a small number of stops, with room to rest.
It was planned for most travelers. The pace and the places reflect that, so check it fits how you travel.
No. Places marked "book ahead" need a reservation. Hours, prices and availability change, so confirm before you go.
Yes. Archie drafts a day by day plan for your dates and takes your pace, the weather and who is travelling into account. You can start one from the Archie app.
Yes. It is a starting point you can change to fit your own trip: swap a place, add a day or move the pace.
Each day has about 1.3 to 19.9 kilometers between its stops, and 89.1 kilometers in all across 11 days. A short hop is a walk and a longer one a ride. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.
4 days in Siem Reap and AngkorAbout 470 km away
5 days in Chiang Mai for Loy Krathong and Yi PengAbout 510 km awayOther guides with a page about Bangkok. Each one opens in a new tab.
WikivoyageBangkok, the free travel guideLonely PlanetBangkok travel guideCondé Nast TravelerBangkok travel guideTime OutThings to do in BangkokThe GuardianBangkok travel featuresPhoto: Preecha.MJ, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons · Photo: BerryJ, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons · Photo: Mastertongapollo, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons · Photo: Azreey, CC BY-SA 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons · Photo: This Photo was taken by S…, CC BY 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
Make it yours in a minute, then move days around and add what you want.
A trip idea · Updated October 2026
Want your own days planned like this? Plan your own trip on the web or get the Archie app.
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