Bangkok is a destination famed for its rad party vibe, and amazing shopping opportunities. While the rest of Thailand is famed for its natural beauty, Bangkok is much loved due to its many temples, street food stalls, floating markets, and of course, night markets where picking up bargain after bargain is what keeps most people occupied! Spending only 2 Days in Bangkok will seriously cut down on your souvenir hunting expedition, but if that is all you can manage, before or after touring the rest of the country, then this too can be worked out!
The best part about touring Bangkok is their impeccable transport system. Not only is the metro line world-class, but even the buses and water taxis operating on the backwaters are an absolute blessing for commuters. The directions and names of the locations are also given in English, so there isn’t likely to be any major problem while commuting.
Try to plan your 2 days in Bangkok in a way that leaves you with at least half a day of leisure time, for some shopping and trying out the more off-beat attractions.
Day 1 in Bangkok
On the first day, try to cover the popular tourist attractions, provided they are open.
- Visit the Grand Palace, which is home to an opulent museum and ornate architecture.
- Wat Phra Kaew, home to the reclining Buddha, is within the palace walls, so make sure to visit it as well!
- When in Bangkok, visiting the Golden Buddha is imperative. Weighing 5.5 ton, this gold statue is in Wat Traimit, which is right in the city centre, making it pretty easy to get to.
- Wat Pho, also close to the Grand Palace, is another temple worth checking out in Bangkok.
- The Wat Arun Temple in Thonburi is also worth a visit, if you can spare time for the sole reason of it being one of the most peaceful places in the city!
- If you want to give Wat Arun Temple a miss, make sure you visit one of the oldest temples in Bangkok – Wat Saket, to soak in sweeping panoramic views of the city. Wat Saket is located on a steep man-made hill known as the “Golden Mountain“. With 300 steps, the climb will be tough, but the sprawling views of the city you’ll be gifted with once you reach the top, makes this a must-visit place in Bangkok.
- For communing with nature within your 2 days in Bangkok, visiting the Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World or Safari World can be considered. However, both these places require that you spend the best part of the day here, and on limited time, this won’t be a great idea.
Nightlife in Bangkok
- On the night of your first day in Bangkok, plan to visit one of the most famous nightlife districts of the city, Soi Cowboy. With plenty of bars and pubs, it might be a good place to let your hair down and simply relax.
- For the same reason, Pratunam Market of Bangkok is a great find, even though there aren’t bars and pubs here as such, the food options will certainly make it worth your while!
- For fans of vintage and antique items, a visit to the Rod Fai Train Night Market on the Ratchadaphisek Road would be the best idea! The entire place buzzes with energy and full of arty vibes. There are stalls for street good and local treats as well as bars.
Day 2 in Bangkok
The second day, which is your leisure day from your 2 days in Bangkok, can be spent visiting the markets, street food stalls, and of course, the pubs and clubs of the city.
- Khao San Road is a great starter for your leisure day. This delightful road is strewn with shopping and fast food stalls, as well as a few quirky pubs and bars.
- The Chatuchak Weekend market, one of the most famous street markets in the country, is home to nearly 15,500 stalls, and can be the best place to visit if you are considering some serious shopping. The market offers apparels, footwear, accessories, souvenirs, handicrafts, jewelry and so much more – in short, a paradise for shopaholics! Let’s just hope your visit to Bangkok coincides with a weekend.
- For the foodies out there, visiting the food hotspot of the city, Yaowarat Road, is a must-do. There are plenty of food stalls here, selling anything from pig ears to deep fried crickets; definitely something to take a look at, even if you don’t feel like eating it! Try not to take photos. The vendors don’t appreciate it, unless you buy something as well.
All said and done, if you can, spend more than 2 Days in Bangkok, go for it; but even within the short span of these 2 days, you can uncover some of the most magical experiences that the city has to offer.
