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Bangkok has a reputation as an intimidating city. So much so that many travellers decide to give it a miss – or at least short shrift – en route to the islands or up north. But if you've got a day or two to spare, we strongly recommend stopping by to get a taste of Thailand's cosmopolitan capital. Read on for three custom itineraries we've created to help you make the most of your time.

One day in Bangkok

Start your day in ’s oldest district, the artificial island of Ko Rattanakosin. Get up as early as you can to take the Chao Phraya Express Boat to Tha Chang to explore Ko Ratanakosin’s must-see temples, , and . For lunch, take the plunge into authentic Bangkok-style cuisine at decades-old shophouse restaurant , or for the full experience, at open-air street stall .

After lunch, take the Chao Phraya Express Boat to Saphan Taksin, where you can take advantage of Bangkok’s cheap, high-quality massage parlours. Refresh with a spa treatment at , or soothe overworked legs with a traditional Thai massage at . After freshening up, get a new perspective on Bangkok with cocktails at , which, at more than 60 floors up, is one of Bangkok’s best rooftop bars.

For dinner, upscale serves what is arguably some of the best Thai food in Bangkok; try to book at least a week in advance. If you’ve still got it in you, get dancing at , or head over to or any of the other bars in Soi 4 of Th Silom, Bangkok’s gaybourhood. For a night that doesn’t end until the sun comes up, bang on the door at Smalls.

Two days in Bangkok

If you’ve got two days, then you also have the chance to take advantage of the sights, commerce and food of 'new' Bangkok. Take the BTS (Skytrain) to National Stadium and start your day with a visit to the popular and worthwhile museum that is . Afterwards, check out the latest exhibition at the nearby

For lunch, the nearby is a thorough and cheap introduction to Thai food. After eating, walk, or let the BTS escort you, through Bangkok’s ultramodern commercial district, stopping off at linked shopping centres , , , and because, despite what you might thing, malls are an integral part of today’s Bangkok. Throw in a prayer for good luck at the .

Come dinnertime, take the BTS over to Th Sukhumvit and take a temporary break from Thai food at one of this strip’s great international restaurants, such as the Japanese or Middle-Eastern . End the night with a Thai-themed cocktail at a cosy local such as or , or a streetside Singha at . If it’s still too early to head in, extend the night with dancing at or live music at .

Three days in Bangkok

If your visit to Bangkok coincides with a weekend, take the BTS north for a half-day of shopping at the , one of the world’s largest. Otherwise, take the klorng (canal, also spelt khlong) boat to Banglamphu, arguably Bangkok’s most charming neighbourhood, where you’ll spend the first half of your day peeking into low-key but visit-worthy temples such as the and . Swing through artisan village , followed by a visit to the bizarre strip of religious commerce that is . Take lunch at equal parts homey and lauded Thai restaurant, . Spend the afternoon in the famous backpacker melting pot that is Th Khao San, people-watching and picking up souvenirs at .

In the relative cool of the late afternoon, take the MRT (metro) to Chinatown and visit the home of the Golden Buddha, , and the Chinese-style . For dinner, follow your nose on a tour of Chinatown’s famous street stalls.

After dinner, consider heading to Pak Khlong Talat, Bangkok’s nocturnal flower market. Alternatively, cross (or return) to Banglamphu and kick the night off with drinks at , followed by a rowdy live-music show at Brick Bar. If bedtime is irrelevant, head up to upstairs to the dance floor of The Bank.

This article was first published in February 2011, and updated by Austin Bush in December 2014.