I had a full circle moment when I returned to Thailand, my first ever solo international trip that I took back in 2016. Nearly ten years and 90+ countries later, I stepped foot in Bangkok, once again.
My first trip to Thailand was a clueless meandering one. I simply booked a roundtrip out of Bangkok with 16 days and zero plans in between. That led me to spontaneously jumping down to Indonesia when Thailand was about to get hit with monsoon-like rains, and randomly going up to Chiang Mai just to eat like Bourdain (a habit that would later follow me in places like the Philippines and Lyon, France).
This time, however, while there was still plenty of wiggle room in my schedule a.k.a. my preferred way to travel, I saw a more luxurious side of Bangkok than the one I saw when sleeping in hostels with 16 people to a room. Many choose to get out of Bangkok quickly, which is fair since Thailand has much more to offer than the bustling capital. But if you want to see the highlights of the city in one day, here’s what to do.
Grab breakfast at 711
This might sound like a silly way to start your day, but 711 in Asia is a cultural experience. It’s very fun to simply scroll through the items offered, especially the wide variety of chip flavors. However, if you’re looking for your first meal of the day, head to the refrigerated section and grab anything from congee to chicken and rice bowls to a premade sandwich. Of course, coffee is an option here, too.
Take a floating market tour
One of my favorite things I’ve done between both of my visits to Thailand was a floating market tour. It’s common to visit a train market first, as most organized tours offer a two-for-one type of deal (often as low as $20 for a full day). Many mistakenly believe you have to go to Hanoi to see the infamous “train street,” but Bangkok has a few, too! The biggest difference is the train here goes much slower. There will be plenty of places to buy souvenirs, drinks, and bites, but note that the prices are often jacked up since this is a touristy thing to do.
The floating market is where the real action as it. Simply get on a canoe, and ride around a river market, where you can pull up to vendors to buy whatever your heart desires. The vendors here don’t typically haggle too much, and they’re generally fine with you simply admiring the shops. I highly recommend grabbing a bowl of spicy noodles!
Visit the Grand Temple
My story of visiting the Grand Temple is one of my biggest travel lores to date. It was my very first day ever solo traveling internationally, and I woke up with horrid food poisoning, the worst I’ve ever had (though, my award for my sickest time abroad goes to Mauritius where I wound up getting a parasite!). I wrote one of my very first blog posts about my food poisoning in Thailand experience, and yet, because I only had one FULL day in Bangkok, migraine, vomiting, and all, I pushed through and still went to the Grand Temple.
While I would highly advise you against going anywhere other than the hospital or doctor if you’re feeling ill, the Grand Temple is absolutely worth seeing. It’s massive, full of golden mosaics, intricate detail, and history dating back to 1782. Though it’s massive, a few hours will do to get a good feel.
Grab lunch in Sukhumvit
Sukhumvit is an incredible, lively neighborhood, with a nice mix of luxury high-rise buildings and hotels, and fun, gritty street life. You can find anything from karaoke bars to dives, to street noodles to Michelin-star meals. There are a lot of good lunch options in the area, but one of my favorites is Mr. Green Thai, where a good-sized portion of chicken pad Thai will only run you 50 baht (roughly $1.50). Emsphere, a newer mall, is also over here, and their food court is massive. You can find all types of cuisine there, but one of my favorite meals I’ve eaten in Thailand was from a spot on the second floor called “Street Food,” where I got a Spicy Papaya Salad with Chicken.
There’s also KROMO Bangkok in this area, a new hotel, with a fantastic French restaurant, Colette. Their labneh and kale dish at brunch is a refreshing break from all of the oily, spicy Thai food, and their duck, while an unexpected bite in Thailand, is some of the best I’ve had.
Ride a TukTuk to one of the world’s best cocktail bars
No trip to Thailand, or Southeast Asia in general, is complete without a trip in a TukTuk. In this case, you’re going to head over to the Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok. I’ve had the honor of staying at and visiting plenty of Four Seasons properties throughout my life, and the one in Bangkok is only one of two (the other being splurge-worthy Orlando) that made my jaw drop due to its impeccable design.
The design was only the starting point, though. Once inside, you’re going to head to BKK Social Club, voted the world’s 49th best cocktail bar in The World’s 50 Best Bars for 2025. The service is top-notch, and the menu is playful with Mexican-inspired cocktails. I personally loved the Frida Kahlo, a colorful and citrus-forward concoction, but the Gimlet Picante, made with Hendrick’s Gin, citrus cordial, and pickled jalapeƱo juice, simply might be my favorite cocktail I’ve ever had. I highly recommend grabbing a bite, too, like their charcoal-grilled boneless chicken wings.
Pro-Tip: To hail a TukTuk, make sure you have cash for starters. TukTuk drivers will often charge you an inflated price, so to ensure you’re getting the closest thing to a fair deal, ask a hotel concierge to help you.
Go to Mezzaluna for dinner
You’ve had some street food and casual food, but now it’s time to see a more pristine side of Bangkok: at Mezzaluna, a two-Michelin star restaurant, located inside lebua at State Tower.
Lebua, a dazzling hotel that’s a destination within itself, is home to plenty of restaurants and bars. But Mezzaluna is one for the books. The meal is focused on French dining with Japanese precision, so expect a night with highlights like ample Champagne pairings and wagyu beef. You might be exhausted from jet lag, running low on your one sole day in Bangkok, but Mezzaluna is when you’ll finally take a minute to slow down, savor every moment, and enjoy the city. The views certainly don’t hurt.
End the night at Sky Bar, the world’s tallest rooftop bar
If you’ve seen the Hangover II, the views here might look familiar. But even if you haven’t, you’re bound to be swept off your feet. Sky Bar, also inside lebua at State Tower, is the world’s tallest rooftop bar, and is absolutely worth popping in for a drink or three. With panoramic views of the city, and that unbeatable warm Bangkok air (Bangkok is one of the most humid cities in the world year-round!), you will quite literally be on top of the world. Take it all in, babe.
Optional: Visit a night market
If you’re looking for a night market to hit, the most popular option amongst locals is Chinatown, and a popular tourist hub is Soi Cowboy. I’d highly recommend Chinatown if you’re interested in late night street food, and Soi Cowboy if you’re interested in partying.
Optional (and encouraged): Spend the night
Need a place to crash? KROMO Bangkok is one of the newest hotels in the city located in the bustling Sukhumvit neighborhood. The rooms are spacious, and their 28th floor infinity pool does not hurt the cause.
DISCLAIMER: I might make a small commission from some of the links throughout this article, but the price is the same for you. This helps keep my business running so I can continue to provide free travel tips!
DISCLAIMER II: My first trip to Thailand was entirely on my own dime, but Hilton hosted my most recent trip to Thailand.