Bangkok is like no place I’ve ever been, it is a big city in the “land of a thousand smiles,” and one of the most prosperous places I’ve visited. It is rich with sights, smells, and tastes that will take your breath away. You could easily spend weeks in this city getting to know each of its different neighbourhoods, corners, and quirks. Use this guide to help you plan for what to see in Bangkok in 2 days should you only have a weekend in Bangkok.
The Athenee Hotel; it is a Luxury Collection Hotel in the heart of Bangkok and the perfect place to spend a weekend in Bangkok. Image © Pat Bailey
Planning the Perfect Weekend in Bangkok
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I thought of Hemingway’s words when I spent a weekend in Bangkok, “the story was writing itself and I was having a hard time keeping up with it.”
I will never forget my first Tuk Tuk ride, darting in and out of heavy traffic with a sea of scooters piled high with lovers, passengers and even families to and from. A moving symphony of city dwellers, all in sync somehow – happy and busy.
All of this with the dramatic skyline, dark against the pastel-painted Thai sunset. Among the frenzy, there are beautiful slow-motion snapshots of the city everywhere you look; street vendors carefully tying devotional floral arrangements by hand in the flower markets, uniformed schoolchildren buying snacks on the street, deep bows in the Bangkok temples and monks floating silently along.
A lunch cruise is a must while in Bangkok. We enjoyed a gourmet cruise with Supanniga Cruise. Image © Pat Bailey
When to visit Bangkok
- Mid-November to mid-February is high season for visiting Bangkok when the weather is best which means the flight rates will be premium. Rainy season in Bangkok is from June to September. If you don’t mind the afternoon showers and crave fewer crowds this may be the best time to travel to Bangkok.
- International flights fly directly into Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) in Bangkok which is easy to navigate, and about an hour taxi or shuttle ride into the centre of the city.
- Visitors should have a valid passport with at least 6 months validity, and all visitors should check visa requirements before visiting.
Related: A First Timer’s Guide to Bangkok
The colourful lunch spread during a lunch river cruise in Bangkok, Thailand. Image © Pat Bailey
What to See in Bangkok in 2 Days
When it comes to what to do in Bangkok for 2 days, you will be overwhelmed with options.
It doesn’t take long to realise that the Chao Phraya River is a major thoroughfare in Bangkok, it is busy, busy water highway for both commercial and recreational purposes.
As a result, being on the river in some capacity is a must when you visit this city and the best way to do this is a lunch or dinner cruise or to commute by water taxi.
Related: What to do in Chiang Rai
The gorgeous artful presentation of the mango sticky rice on board the Supanniga Cruise. Image © Pat Bailey
Take a Chao Phraya River Dinner Cruise
If you only have 48 hours in Bangkok, a catered river cruise is the ideal way to see the Chao Phraya River and taste some authentic dishes at the same time.
I enjoyed a beautiful lunch cruise courtesy of Supanniga Cruise. This 40-seat cruise treated my group to a unique lunch experience which included a 6-course meal of artfully created Thai cuisine.
We began with fried Thai Mackerel wrapped with Chaptu leaves. Then, we enjoyed a three-part appetiser including minced pork stir-fry with garlic and peanuts, spicy minced chicken salad served in a crispy cup, and Surat Thani’s crab meat with Thai herbs dressing accompanied with crispy catfish. The soup course followed with Tom Kha Pla Krapong Mapraow-On, a sea bass coconut soup with young coconut meat in it.
This was followed by an abundance of sharing plates that included: stewed, tender pork with Thai herbs and cha muang leaves, crispy leaf fish in a spicy dressing. Then, “Son-In-Law Eggs” which are fried medium-boiled eggs served with three-flavour sauce and fried shallots. Also, jumbo “River” prawn sautéed with Thai sweet and spicy curry and a blend of crabmeat and pork seasoned and steamed inside crab shells.
The dessert was one of the most beautiful, and delicious, mango sticky rice dishes I’ve ever had. The final course was a delicate course of traditional Thai sweets of petits fours and tea.
We floated down the river as we enjoyed our meal and sipped accompanying wine and bubbles, entertained by the Joe Louise Puppet Show, a local puppet troupe, and the too-good-to-be-true scenery of Bangkok’s riverside on both sides of our cruise.
I highly recommend an opportunity or adventure that gives you a river view of the city, and Bangkok takes this very seriously so there are many options.
Related: Planning the Perfect Hong Kong Stopover
The stunning details at the Grand Palace in Bangkok. Image © Pat Bailey
Visit Bangkok’s Top Temples
Bangkok is a temple city, like much of Thailand, the top temples in Bangkok are beloved and no Bangkok weekend would be complete without a visit to some of the most beautiful temples, or “Wats” in and near the city.
Wat Pho and Wat Arun are two popular and incredibly beautiful temples to put on your shortlist. It is important to know that proper attire and temple etiquette is required to visit these monuments.
Shoulders and knees should be covered, and in some cases, close-toed shoes are required, it is proper to remove your shoes when entering the temple and to never show the soles of your bare feet while inside.
Wat Pho
Wat Pho, also known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, or Wat Phra Chetuphon is a must-see for any first-timer to Bangkok. It is the largest temple complex in Bangkok with a golden reclining Buddha that is 46 meters long and covered in gold leaf.
There are many temples, pagodas, stupahs, Buddhas, and even a Thai Massage school in this complex, along with daily yoga classes in one of the adorned courtyards. You can spend a full day here, easily.
Wat Pho or the Temple of the Reclining Buddha is a must-see for any first-timer to Bangkok. Image © Pat Bailey
Wat Arun
Wat Arun, also known as The Temple of Dawn, is an iconic temple in Bangkok to visit. Whether you’ve seen it reflecting the dawn’s light with a pearly iridescence or sparkling in the sunset light just before it lights up, this temple is indeed a jewel in Bangkok’s velvet purse.
This 17th-century Buddhist temple has stood the test of time and reigns and just endured another huge renovation in 2017. The colourful porcelain tiles, seashells, green granite, ceramic and other materials that make up this temple’s appearance blend beautifully and regally into a tribute to Shiva with many deities, gods, and other symbols paying tribute to stories and beliefs in the Buddhist faith.
Related: 5 of the Best Luxury Hotels in Singapore
The Amphawa Floating Market is an iconic spot for visitors to Bangkok, Thailand. Image © Pat Bailey
Where to Shop in Bangkok
Bangkok is a shopping city. But not the typical kind of shopping; the best shopping in Bangkok is market shopping and the markets in and near Bangkok are world-famous.
Many people write about the flower markets in Bangkok, and for good reason. Most of us cannot consume or purchase all that we find, want, and love at the flower markets because they are markets filled with perishables but it is a feast for the eyes and a sign of the prosperity of Thailand and this city.
My favourite thing about visiting the flower market is watching local artisans hand-tie and craft the beloved temple flowers and other varieties that are sent around the world. The care and value of flowers in Thai culture is a beautiful thing to witness.
The abundance of these flowers is staggering; piles of orchids in every colour, bunches of peonies that smell so good you could eat them, more chrysanthemums than you could ever count, and each one gets loving care and a happy home.
The street food and fruits and vegetables at the flower market are worth your attention too, you can sample delicacies not found anywhere else in the world while shopping in the fragrant aisles. Watch your toes because it is a busy, busy place with many bikes, carts and wheeled baskets zipping in and out with piles of goodness for delivery.
Related: Interesting Places to Eat in Singapore
The colourful 24-hour flower market should be top of your list on a visit to Bangkok. Image © Pat Bailey
Chatuchak Weekend Market
Spending a weekend in Bangkok means you must visit the Chatuchak Weekend Market. It is a serious market for real shoppers, covering 27 acres this market has more than 15,000 booths selling everything you could ever imagine and things you couldn’t even imagine.
200,000 visitors visit this market each day, the market is only open on Saturday and Sunday and most of the vendors are locals selling goods from local factories.
I was amazed at the fashion, variety, and abundance at this market and completely overwhelmed in a good way with sensory overload – it was a great place to do holiday shopping and I found many new treasures at a bargain price which is why the locals love this market, and tourists do too.
