On wrapping up our fascinating trip through the length and breadth of Myanmar, the two of us decided to spend a couple of days in Bangkok on a complete whim. Why Bangkok? It was the first city both of us visited together (over 10 years ago!). 65 countries and over 500 cities later, we wanted to go back to it and celebrate love, life, happiness, travel and all that comes with it 🙂
While people visit Bangkok for everything ranging from entertainment to sport, we chose Bangkok for an indulgent romantic weekend away. This is no way a definitive guide to Bangkok. I’m pretty sure you’ll find dozens of those on the internet! Instead it’s a list of some of our favourite things to see, do, and eat on a romantic weekend away in Bangkok
ACCOMMODATION
If you’re in Bangkok for a short weekend away then we’d strongly suggest staying in either Sukhumvit or Silom . That way you will be close to everything – street food, night markets, malls, and cultural sites.
We stayed at Marriott Executive Apartments at Sukhumvit Park. We’ve stayed with Marriott several times, but it was our first time staying in Marriott’s serviced apartments and we loved it! The apartments have all the amenities of a traditional hotel – breakfast, room service, gym, pool etc – but they are much more affordable than a comparable hotel room. They also have a fully functional kitchen kitted out with utensils, wine glasses, a large refrigerator, microwave, and stove. I haven’t had access to a kitchen in ages, so this made me uber happy 🙂 Our apartment was on the 25th floor and the large living room looked out to Bangkok’s glittering skyline. This view ensured we spent a large chunk of the weekend locked in our li’l lovenest :-). You can compare prices here and book.
Booking an executive apartment was a last-minute decision because the neighbouring JW Marriott (our first choice!) was all sold out on the dates we were in Bangkok, but we’d highly recommend checking it out before you book a hotel in Bangkok.
GETTING AROUND
Cabs are the easiest way of getting around in Bangkok. They are affordable and plentiful. Always make sure you hop into a cab which has a functional meter. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could also try commuting in Bangkok’s signature yellow tuk-tuks. You could also hop onto the metro aka BTS Skytrain, which conveniently links large parts of the city. On weekends, the city’s infamous traffic jams can make cabs inconvenient.
SHOPPING
Bangkok is shopping mecca. We rarely shop while travelling but even we ended up picking up quite a few bits and bobs in Bangkok. From night markets to luxury malls, Bangkok has it all. Here are some of our favourite places to shop in the city:
- Chatuchak and Patpong night markets: The sprawling night market has something for everyone. You could pick up sunglasses, unique jewellery, trendy clothes and tees emblazoned with quirky slogans at affordable prices. It’s also a great place to sample Thai street food
- MBK Mall: If you do enjoy affordable prices but night markets get you all hot and bothered, head to MBK Mall. Think of it as an air-conditioned night market. MBK Mall is a bit of a legend in Bangkok and understandably so! From camera gear and electronics to clothes and makeup, there’s nothing you won’t find here. Just make sure you visit with loads of time at hand!
- Terminal 21: If you want to visit Thai drugstores, Japanese dollar stores like Daiso, and high street shops such as Vero Moda, H&M and Boots, then head to the relatively new Terminal 21. It’s a huge mall and there is no dearth of options!
- Emporium mall: If you want authentic high-end and designer goods, then Emporium Mall is probably your best bet. Some of the popular stores include Sephora, Zara, Louis Vuitton, Fendi, and Chanel.
SIGHTSEEING
The highlight of a weekend getaway to Bangkok might be the shopping or dining opportunities but there is no dearth of cultural things to do and historical things to see in the city. Some of our favourite things to see and do include:
- Wat Pho: The huge temple is famous for its large reclining Buddha. It’s definitely recommended, especially for a first time visitor.
- Sunset at Chao Phraya River: Combine your trip to Wat Pho with a stroll along the Chao Phraya River. It is especially entrancing at sunset.
- Wat Arun: The legendary temple of dawn is a must visit in Bangkok. Its intricate architecture and colourful spires will leave you spellbound. Devote at least an hour or two to exploring the temple complex.
- The Grand Palace: A large complex of buildings, The Grand Palace is recommended for the first time visitor. We skipped it on our visit to Bangkok because we’d been there before!
- Walk down the chaotic Khaosan Road: It is home to colourful bars, affordable restaurants, and street-food vendors. Khaosan Road is the epitome of Bangkok’s crazy nightlife!
- If you enjoy going off-the-beaten-path, then head to the unusual Chao Mae Tuptim shrine in Bangkok. The temple is a phallic shrine (yep you heard that right!) devoted to the goddess of fertility. Find it in the grounds of Swissotel in Chitlom.
EATING
- The food court called Food island on the sixth floor of the sprawling MBK mall offers an extensive range of Thai delicacies at extremely affordable prices. Try some mango sticky rice, thai curries, and fresh fruit smoothies – nom!
- Another pocket-friendly option is the thai food court on the top floor of Terminal 21 shopping mall. Think of it as an airconditioned night market, with clean tables, cutlery, and dozens of stalls including a lil stall that sells scrumptious Thai curry for 50 baht
- For a panoramic 360 degree view of the city of Bangkok, head to Octave Rooftop Lounge and Bar at Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit. The relaxed vibe is perfect for sundowners (or 5!)
- The most popular bar in Bangkok is definitely Sky Bar at Lebua. Drinks and views are top notch. However do beware that some scenes of the movie Hangover II were shot here – as a result the bar tends to get overcrowded, which definitely dampens the experience.
- If you’re in the mood to splurge on a decadent meal or you’re celebrating a special ocassion in Bangkok, try the excellent dégustation menu at Sra Bua by Kiin Kiin at Siam Kempinsky Hotel. The restaurant has won several awards for its exquisite take on Thai food. A reader suggested this to us on Instagram (thanks Nidhi!) and it sure lived up to the hype. Reserve in advance.
What’s your favourite bit about Bangkok? 🙂
Love Asia as much as we do? Read more about all our adventures from Asia
bangkok is nice city , i love food , people and music , i hope in near future i can go there
It’s a great city indeed 🙂 Hope you make it there soon
Heya, this is Avni!
Me with my husband are traveling Thailand end of Feb 2018. Can you please share me the best itenary for Phuket and Pattaya as well like this of Bangkok.
Hey Avni – unfortunately we haven’t been to Phuket and Pattaya in over a dozen years and it’s changed a lot since then, so don’t have too much by way of suggestions. So sorry about that. Hope you guys have an amazing trip 🙂
This reminds me of our epic Bangkok trip in 2014. A very nice post.
You guys should visit Southern India, if possible!
South India is on the list Anu- Bangkok is truly great for an extended weekend getaway 🙂
U guys are amazing! I truly admire u both. God bless and keep u happy always
Thanks a ton for all the love Nidha 😀
Your posts are really great.
I was just wondering, in almost every post of yours you have the same Wine Bottle, and 2 glasses.
Is it by chance, or you carry it just for photography 🙂
Hehe Gorav – cutest comment EVER. It brought a smile to my face 🙂
The answer is no, we don’t carry the bottle or glasses. We couldn’t ever fit that into our limited luggage. I’d never noticed that till you pointed it out but Moët & Chandon Champagnes seem to be the default welcome drink in most luxury hotels, so they always seem to be hovering around us 😉
Ohh … Never thought bangkok was so much fun !!! Shopping seems super interesting … The pool view is simply gawjus !!!! It seems better than people percieve it to be though !!! Thanks guys !!
Hehe yeah Bangkok is crowded and chaotic but it’s perfect for a relaxed shopping break or some such 🙂
We planning to go to Thailand this December. Any inputs on Phuket, Krabi? How many days are good for Bangkok? I already got your pointers on Bangkok, will keep all of them on our list. Thanks a bunch
Hey Lavanya – unfortunately we haven’t been to Krabi or Phuket in almost a decade, so no tips on that front. Sorry 🙁 Have fun in Thailand – do send us photos from Bangkok if you make it to any of the places on our list. We’d love to share your photos with our readers
Hey awesome work you people are doing 🙂 very inspirational! You should definitely give a try to KERALA (Alapuzha, Muannr, thekkady, etc) in South India. Eagerly looking forward for your Kerala blog 🙂
Hey Kavitha – we’d love to visit Kerala. Hope to do it this year or next 🙂
Thailand is the most amazing and economical foreign country to travel from India..on jan 15 I have visited tiger temple, safari world, dinner cruise on chao phraya river, city tour, world war II museum and malls in bangkok…underwater world, parasailing, under sea walk and alcazar show in pattaya…it was great fun…i will be travelling to phuket in Jan 16 for a week with complete adventure activities like scuba diving and flying hanuman…
Hey Aditya,
Looks like you had an amazing time in Thailand 🙂
Cheers
Stunning images as always.
I’d love to go to a night market and I’ve always wanted to go in an infinity pool. Such a good thing to see people taking the opportunity to travel and have these experiences for a lifetime xo
Thanks a ton – yes this break that we took from working full time was the best decision ever. We got to see so much of the world at a relaxed pace 🙂
It looks amazing, we were looking at booking to go to Thailand last week for my birthday next year but our friends did not want to go, I was gutted. So we are going to hopefully go for our anniversary next year x
That’s awesome. Hope you make it to Thailand soon. It can be quite touristy but it’s fun nevertheless 🙂
I’ve never been to Thailand despite living in various Asian countries when I was younger. I’m a big fan of Latin American travel and North Africa, and so tend to gravitate there, but someday – maybe when our baby is older – we’ll go to Thailand.
Latin America is incredible Kelly, so I don’t blame you 🙂 But do give South East Asia a try – it’s energy is similar yet v.different from Latin America and North Africa.
I spent four days in Bangkok about three years ago and loved the city! Your apartment looks amazing by the way! x
That’s awesome Stephanie. We keep going to Bangkok all the time coz it’s nice for a quick weekend away 🙂
I’ve never made it to Bangkok yet (was planned but got cancelled) but it’s definitely on my must do list – even more so now, those photos look amazing 🙂
Thanks Laurne – a getaway in Bangkok is like a rite of passage. You should definitely make a trip there 🙂
I’d love to visit Bangkok! The apartment looks lovely, and that infinity pool. LOVE!
Thanks Milly – we got really lucky with Marriott’s apartment – loved it. Will definitely be going back 🙂
500 cities?! Wow! I’ve seen so much about Khaosan Road on TV. I’d love to visit one day. Jo x
Yep – probably more now 🙂 Hehe Khaosan Road is quite the carnival
I have always wanted to go to Bangkok it is so beautiful and the subject of so many of my favourite films.
Ana Bangkok is a crazy crazy city but I do love it nevertheless 🙂
Romantic getaways are the best!! I’m dying to go on one again soon
Hope you make it to Asia soon Tara 🙂
Wow the view from that infinity pool at Marriott Sukhumvit is stunning x
That infinity pool is incredible indeed – right in the middle of Bangkok’s urban landscape 🙂
I loved the Grand Palace and was inspired to buy some beautiful gold material while I was there to upholster a bench.
The Grand Palace is indeed gorgeous Christine 🙂
It is somewhere I have never been, but the Tuk Tuk looks so much fun! I think I would love to walk around the markets and especially the food hall, I bet they have some really unusual foods! Xx
That food hall has some amazing local specialities Kathryn 🙂
I would love to visit one day and go sight seeing x
You must visit Bangkok Hannah – think you’ll enjoy it 🙂
Bamgkok looks an amazing place to visit! I’ll definitely need to go here one day!
Hope you make it to Bangkok super soon Sarah 🙂
Gosh Bangkok sounds like such a fun place for some time away. I’d want to spend a lot of time shopping there!
Hehe I’m not much of a shopper while travelling but Bangkok gets to me – I just can’t resist the malls and markets 🙂
The colours in that last photo are amazing. The hotel and pool look great.
Thanks a ton Melanie 🙂
That’s so nice that you went back to the first place you visited together, must hold lovely memories x
It does indeed – Bangkok isn’t a particularly romantic city but it really works for us because it has a bit of everything – shopping, culture, food, and history 🙂
Wow this looks like an absolutely incredible place to visit. I’d need to go for at least a week though as its a bit far for me for a long weekend xxx
Hey Laura – you’re right. If you’re flying from UK, then just combine a couple of days in Bangkok with a few days on a Thai island (Phuket, Krabi, or Chiang Mai are all great) 🙂
This looks like a fantastic trip a I’ve always wanted to go!
Hey Milli – you must visit Bangkok when you get a chance 🙂
Wow amazing right!? I love going to places full of culture!! The view from the pool looks stunning and love the photo of you both in your hotel room!
Thanks a ton Francesca – we really loved the pool too 🙂
Fair play for going for a long weekend, we’d be more inclined to go for longer. My folks visited a couple of years back and loved Bangkok. It makes a good stop-over destination too.
Bangkok is the perfect stop-over destination 🙂 Would definitely recommend hopping over to an island if you’re in Thailand for longer
Bangkok looks like an amazing place to visit. Loving the photos especially the one of the two of you!
Thanks a million Sarah – always LOVE hearing from you 🙂
I’ve never been to Bangkok before but I’ve always wanted to go! Brilliant photos
Thanks Melissa – it’s a crazy, chaotic, and colourful city 🙂
We loved Bangkok. It was nice to spend a couple of days there as a stopover, but I couldn’t spend any longer there.
I agree – Bangkok is perfect for a couple of days but any longer is excessive 🙂
What a fabulous travel history you have! Now my children are grown, travel is a huge part of my future plans, and so one day I will get to Bangkok. Your pictures just make me want to go now!
Thanks Tanya – travelling is our passion, so we do get around 🙂 So happy to hear you intend to travel tons in the years to come
Bangkok looks amazing! I’ve never been but it’s on my “places to visit” bucket list. The apartment looks lovely and that food, oh the food!! That last picture of the food court at MBK mall is just intensely colourful!
Hey Georgia – the food is incredible. You should definitely visit Bangkok 🙂
Bangkok seems to be full of vibrant colours and people. Thanks for the lovely tour guide, dear xx
Glad you found it useful Lubka 🙂
Wow, very beautiful place
May you so couples are always happy
Yes Gudang Musik, Bangkok is ctually a very beautiful place.We just love going there to spend a special weekend.
bangkok is very beutiful, i love bangkok
Sure Dimas, we love Bangkok too-it is such a lively place , so much fun!
Great post thank you for your information.
very very beautiful pict 🙂
Thanks 🙂
I’d love to visit Bangkok! The apartment looks lovely, and that infinity pool. LOVE!
Hey Hakim,
You must 🙂 It’s a great city!
bangkok is nice city, i hope in near future i can go there 🙂
It really is – hope you make it there soon 🙂
woww amazing pict !
Hi guys,
All your blogs come really handy to plan any vacation. Just wanted to know if you guys did any visit to the floating markets in Bangkok?
Hey Bhagyashree,
Thanks a lot 🙂 No we didn’t visit the floating markets.
Cheers
Thanks Sir
I’ve been always reading your posts and it’s amazing! Each time before I travel somewhere, I would google *bruisedpassports* to find your blog in a big hope that you’ve covered that particular area and read up about the place I’m visiting. This time, it’s Bangkok! Thank you so much for sharing your lovely journeys with all of us. Truly grateful!
Aww Rekha, thank you so much for your kind words-they really mean a lot to us. We are happy to know that our posts help you in planning your trips- happy travels!
Now im confused… Bali or Bangkok @_@
They’re both great- Bangkok for a city break, Bali for a laidback country break
We have been to bangkok and phuket for our honeymoon. this blog made us rewind our trip. We especially love the street food and shopping. And now after reading this we booked our flight once again to bangkok. ?
you must also cover phuket once . They have quite few amazing islands to cover .
Hey we’ve been there but almost 10 years ago – it’s changed a lot since then so don’t want to write about it till we revisit 🙂
hey that is so good to hear – have an amazing time on your honeymoon and send us photos 🙂
Me and my husband are planning our anniversary trip to Thailand and as always i check ur blog for suggestions for everything.. you both are LOVE.. just saying hello 🙂
Thank you so much Urvashi 🙂 Hope you had a great trip 🙂
Hey! Love the article. Do you have any recommendations for local restaurants with good Thai food in Bangkok? We’re just there for a day and looking for a decently priced place for lunch.
Hey Bhavika,
Don’t really have a specific restaurant in mind – we just walked around and tried some different places that looked authentic and busy with locals 😉 you’ll find plenty such places in Bangkok 🙂
Hi
I am a hard core follower of you guys and it really makes me happy seeing your all posts
Kindly advise if I am planning a trip to Bangkok how many days is a good option
Hey Anna,
Thank you 🙂 4 days in Bangkok should be nice 🙂
jUST came across your amazing Insta page and then the website “BruisedPassports”, I must say the page name is self defining and Refreshing.
So we went to Bangkok, Phuket and Krabi islands for our honeymoon this year, feb2019 and I must say the islands are a must must experience, I have trip pics over my insta page “anushree__chowdhury”
And the reason the first country i checked on your website is Thailand because wanted to make sure I didn’t miss out on any amazing place during our trip.
Now this will be my goto website before any place we plan to travel next 🙂
Thank you so much Anushree 🙂 Glad you had a great time in Thailand !!
Hi ! I’ve got my Bangkok itinerary sorted thanks to this article. Any recommendations for Koh Samui ?
Here you go for Koh Samui: https://www.bruisedpassports.com/wheres/a-romantic-island-getaway-in-koh-samui
Heyy. You guys are just amazing. I usually look up to your website before travelling. But this time i was planning an all boys trip for my brother. Any advice/ recommendations for that?
Hey Akanchha – we wrote all our suggestions for Bangkok in the article above. You can pick and choose the ones ideal for your brother 🙂
Hi, both of you,
Great post, as it covers all bases from shopping to culture. Would you recommend anything specific that is great to shop from Bangkok?
Hey we’d say souvenirs from the night markets – everything from sunglasses to local Thai sauces and curry pastes 🙂