Enjoy food, culture, or adventure? Bangkok is the perfect place for you to go wild and explore. With its diverse activities that range from temple visiting and shopping to fishing and food trails that would take months to complete, Bangkok is a city that offers something for everyone. The reasonable prices of activities and 5-star hotels mean that you can cram so much into your time in the City of Angels.
Before you start planning your holiday, book one of the Airbnb vacation rentals or a hotel and look at our list of 15 must-sees, eat, and do things in Bangkok. Hit up the best tourist sites, eat like a local, and take on the adventure you’ve always wanted to do in the Land of Smiles by planning an itinerary for three days in Bangkok. Read on for a guide of 72 hours in Bangkok: Must see, eat & do in the land of smiles.
Must eat!
1. Start your culinary journey with a food walking tour (from USD 71.0)
Known for possessing some of most flavourful dishes in South East Asia, Thailand has earned the gold medal as the best place to eat your heart out and not feel totally guilty about it.
Start your culinary journey at Yao Wa Rat Street, known as the heaven of street food. While you will most likely desperately want to eat everything, a great way to fully enjoy this experience is to slowly make your way through the small stalls, eating less-than-normal-sized portions or sharing with friends.
Locals are often welcoming and friendly, so do ask someone along the way to help you pick out some Thai food that is highly recommended and experience culinary feats and heritage all in one evening!
Tip from tour guide
One of the staple Thai dishes is pancakes. Although it's a common breakfast item around the world, you'll especially love the local version available in Thai markets. They're made from coconut milk, flour, sugar, and eggs, but the true deliciousness comes from pairing them with fresh fruits, syrup, or honey.
PRIVATE - STEET FOOD TOUR CHINA TOWN incl. food and drinks
Duration: 3 hours
2. Learn the basics of cooking delicious Thai food (from USD 102.0)
While experimenting with cooking dishes is always a good way to learn, speed up your learning curve by taking a Thai cuisine cooking class with an experienced teacher.
Be confident with the wok technique, try out new flavours in a safe kitchen, and build your knowledge from a solid foundation. What better way to learn about cooking great Thai cuisine than directly from a Thai chef?
With fresh, local produce, you can be sure that a cooking course in Thailand will maximise your potential to cook such amazing dishes for your loved ones. The ideal way to combine a holiday with learning something new every day, take a course on how to cook your way into someone’s heart.
Baipai Thai Cooking School Class in Bangkok
Duration: 4 hours
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3. Find the freshest ingredients at the nearby floating market (from USD 28.15)
Floating markets are a Thai local’s best bet for getting fresh produce at a reasonable price, and you can see some of the best restaurants in Bangkok get their ingredients from here.
So, you’ve walked the streets of Bangkok and eaten your heart out, and taken a cool cooking class to get the basics all set up. All that is left is to find the freshest ingredients and shop for produce like a local.
While you most likely will not be able to bring the produce back to your home country, you can get the first-hand experience at bargaining for it and even getting some food into that belly from the local market.
One of the nearest attractive floating markets to Bangkok city is Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Although it is not the biggest floating market around, there is still plenty to buy along the waterside and in the traditional marketplace.
Bangkok: Damnoen Saduak Market and Maeklong Railway Market
Duration: 6 to 7 hours
Bangkok Tour Guide
Arnon Aramnun
Hello My name is Arnon. I live in Bangkok I love to be guide Traveler and show you where's amazing of Thailand, you will know more about Thailand and get a great memory with new friends. I can guarantee you an outstanding experience with fun activities and knowledge on Thai history. I like to travel very much and i like to find some delicious food to taste, You'll have the chance to enjoy an... Read more
Tours by Arnon
Must see!
4. Take pictures at the Giant Swing
The Giant Swing, also known as Sao Chingcha, is a religious structure and famous tourist attraction in Bangkok. It sits in front of Wat Suthat, 21 meters (68.90 feet) tall, and is made of teak wood. The structure dates back to 1784 when men during the Brahman ceremony used to swing from it to catch a bag of gold tied 50 ft (15.24 m) above ground level. Visit this landmark and take stunning pictures with it for your Thailand tour diaries.
The Giant Swing
Address: 239 Dinso Rd, Bang Khun Phrom, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Price: Free
5. Fun for the children: traditional Thai puppet show
Editor’s Note: This show is currently unavailable. A perfect source of entertainment for kids in the evening, the traditional Thai puppet show in Bangkok is sure to wow the children and intrigue the adults.
Held every night at a local theatre, you can enjoy a traditional Thai dinner while watching the puppeteers work together to perform the harmonious pieces and rock the audience’s hearts. Acting out stories that demonstrate the history of Thailand, heartfelt love stories, and funny comic scenes, it is one of the most interesting ways to spend an evening with the family in Bangkok.
6. Marvel at performed art: Bangkok Siam Niramit Show (from 45 USD)
If you just have 72 hours in Bangkok, this is one of those evening activities you and your children must not miss.
An experience like no other, Siam Niramit is a performance that showcases the arts and culture of Thailand. With more than 100 performers on one stage, this show fuses the culture and arts scene in Thailand with a state of the art technology. A show that continues to amaze spectators, this award-winning performance is not only interesting to watch, it is also entertaining for little kids with its bright colours and catchy storyline.
Bangkok Siam Niramit Show
Price: from 45 USD
Duration: around 4 hours required
7. Temple hunting: the three best temples to see in Bangkok (from USD 58.0)
Discover the heritage of religion in Bangkok with a visit to 3 of the famous temples and sites in the city: Wat Po, Wat Tramit and Wat Benchamabophit. Wat in Thai means temple in English. On this tour, you’ll learn about Thai Buddhism and culture as you visit the temples. Hotel pick up service is available for this tour.
Bangkok Temples Tour, Including Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho
Duration: 3 hours
8. See the River Kwai (from USD 179.0)
A day trip away, Kanchanaburi is a mountainous city rich in natural resources. A must-see for first time visitors to Bangkok is the River Kwai.
The historical black iron bridge that lords over the river was the target of allied bombing during 1945. Nearby, visit the Death Railway and learn about the heritage of the site and how many Thai people were sacrificed to build the technologically-advanced railway for the Japanese.
Offering heritage and views, the River Kwai and the Death Railway are great historical sights that visitors must see at least once in their life.
Full Day River Kwai from Bangkok
Duration: 10 hours
9. 8. Enjoy a traditional Thai dinner and dance (from USD 51.0)
Savour genuine Thai dishes at a local restaurant while classical and folk dancers prance around the stage with their bold, artistic moves.
Get ready to be entertained by the 6-act show of classical dance, which integrates traditional Thai dance moves and short plays that are bound to capture the attention of adults and children alike.
With their shimmery costumes, radiant make-up, and barefooted agility, appreciate the grace and beauty of the dancers with their swan-like moves that perform stories from classical Thai literature and traditions.
Don’t forget to get out the camera to keep these memories saved in film!
Authentic Thai Dinner and Dance at Silom Village
Duration: 2 hours
Must do!
10. Swim with the fish at Safari World
The kids will absolutely love this attraction and any mention of coming back to Bangkok will definitely include visiting Safari World for them.
Safari World is a drive-through zoological park that is divided into the Safari Park (open zoo) and the Marine Park, where there are a variety of marine animals and water shows.
Feed animals such as the lanky giraffe or give fearsome tiger cubs bottle of milk. Get driven around in a safari-equipped vehicle where you will come face-to-face with animals of the wild, including tigers, lions, and deer!
Watch the marine life shows at Marine Park and be amazed at what dolphins can do with good training from professionals. In fact, you may even find that one day at the park might not be enough to enjoy everything, so be prepared to come back!
Safari World
Address: 99 Panyaintra Road, Samwatawantok, Klongsamwa, Bangkok ,10510, Thailand
11. Indulge in self-care at DIORA Luxe Sukhumvit
Indulge in a therapeutic experience by booking one of the spa treatments at the Diora Luxe Sukhumvit spa centre. Choose from their menu of pedicures, manicures, or body treatments for healthy and rejuvenated skin and get one of their signature massages to unwind. Let go of all the stress from exploring this beautiful city and feel pampered with aromatherapy and facial treatments. For a holistic experience of healing, you can check out their Duet Indulge and Temple of Dreams packages.
DIORA Luxe Sukhumvit
Address: 4 Suk Chai Alley, Khwaeng Khlong Toei, Khlong Toei, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Website: DIORA Luxe Sukhumvit
Opening hours: 10am - 11pm (daily)
Price: 17.50 USD onwards
12. Sail along the river with your significant other (from USD 130.0)
If a romantic dinner is what you are after, it cannot get any better than this.
A romantic river cruise with the bright city lights shining on the banks, passing by famed temples and iconic Bangkok skyscrapers, is bound to please your loved one. Enjoy a Thai or seafood dinner, while listening to classical Thai music and watching the city pass by.
Bangkok: Wan Fah Dinner Cruise
Duration: 4 hours
13. Scream away at Dreamworld, Bangkok's most popular theme park (from USD 41.0)
If the kids are screaming for rides and fun things to do, this is the best place to get the adrenaline rush and entertain the children during the day.
Dreamworld is a giant fantasy land and the biggest theme park in Thailand. With more than 15 funny games and interesting playing machines, as well as the rides, shows, and fascinating statues, it is not only a great place for kids but for the entire family.
The Hanging Coaster, Space Mountain, Viking Ship, and Bumper Cars are sure to impress the older children. For a fun day out with the family, impress the kids with a trip to Dreamworld, Bangkok!
Bangkok Dream World Admission Ticket with Transfer and Lunch
Duration: 8 hours
14. Live the Tarzan dream: rainforest canopy zipline experience (from USD 123.0)
Live like Tarzan for a day!
Enjoy a combination of ziplining through the rainforest just an hour away from Bangkok city. Immerse yourself in the lush greenery that surrounds the area. Not only will you be ziplining Thailand’s highest course, you will also get to learn about the animals in the rainforest too.
Don’t only enjoy the traditional side of Thailand but include a thrilling adrenaline rush with the zipline. If you’re lucky, you might even come into contact with rare wildlife just making their way through the forest.
Bordered by the protected Chompoo Wildlife Sanctuary, it is almost a guarantee that you will get to see some animals getting their gym fix as well!
Rain Forest Canopy Zipline Adventure from Bangkok
15. Take a tuk tuk through the bustling city at night (from USD 57.0)
Beautiful in the evening, Bangkok is best explored when the sun has set and the temperature has cooled. For those who love Bangkok but are always fazed by the heat, exploring the city in the evening is your best bet.
Travel by tuk tuk (a small motorised vehicle with open sides) to some of the sites that are open in the evening. Small and fast but safe, the tuk tuk is perfect for exploring sites that are down narrow alleys or just to weave through the headache of Bangkok traffic. Some tuk tuk drivers even decorate their vehicle with neon running lights to attract enthusiastic tourists. Seeing these sites lit up in the darkness brings out the magic and beauty of the city.
Bangkok Tuk Tuk Night Tour Including Dinner
Duration: 4 hours
16. See the city from a bird's eye view at Baiyok Sky Rooftop (from USD 12.0)
Enjoy a bird’s eye view of downtown Bangkok from the Baiyok Sky RoofTop, one of Thailand’s tallest buildings.
With a rooftop bar sitting at the peak of the Baiyok Sky, it is a perfect relaxed outing for those who spent their who day on their feet, walking through the small narrow alleys of market places or even those who walked around shopping malls for the entire day.
Sitting 88 stories above ground level, it offers amazing panoramic views of the City of Angels, Bangkok. Grab a drink and relax on one of the large sofa chairs in the bar, recharge, and get ready for your next outing in style!
Baiyoke Sky Tower Admission Ticket (Observation Deck)
Duration: 3 hours
17. Be a fisherman (woman) for the day (from USD 179.0)
Something completely different to do in Bangkok, spend the day walking in the shoes of a fisherman.
Fish for your dinner and get to know the fishing community of Bangkok as you roam the fisheries like a local for a day. Thai people, being the friendly, welcoming bunch they are, are always hospitable with tourists, willing to show you the best way to catch some fish and make a mean dinner.
Learn how to make crafts and get down and dirty with the locals as you help them pick cockles, and enjoy a home-cooked meal.
Explore! A Day as a Fisherman
Duration: 7 hours 30 minutes
Welcome to the Land of Smiles!
The diverse activities in Bangkok, its varied food choices, and exhilarating local life make this city a must-visit destination for many. With their friendly demeanours and welcoming smiles, the Thais are some of the nicest people to enjoy a great holiday with.
Spend your 72 hours in style, with relaxation and exhilaration at the same time. Go forth, travellers, and enjoy Bangkok, capital of the Land of Smiles!
Frequently asked questions about a guide of 72 hours in Bangkok: Must see, eat & do in the land of smiles
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