Thailand is undeniably one of the most popular holiday destinations in Southeast Asia. It’s safe to say that it is the gateway to the region welcoming tourists with its fine white-sand beaches. Thailand is also known for being an affordable vacation place compared to Europe and North America.
To spend 3-weeks in Thailand is not a problem. There are so many places to see from hiking mountains, diving for the corals, and most importantly, tasting authentic Thai dishes. You can do all these in just 21-days in Thailand without rushing yourself.
In this article, I will show you the must-see places in Thailand and how many days to spend on each. You don’t have to follow this itinerary day-by-day, you can make your own travel itinerary that is more suitable for you. Use this as a guide instead. To help you with packing smartly, download our free packing list for a 3-week trip which you can find on our sidebar or scroll at the bottom if you are on mobile.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE GOING TO THAILAND
But before you pack your bags and book the flights, take a quick look at these things you should know about taking a vacation in Thailand. This will help visualise and organise your trip better.
When is the best time to go to
Southeast Asia has long months of typhoon season. For Thailand, it’s from June to December, which means the best time to visit Thailand is from December to April when there’s very little chance of rain. The month of May is very hot.
You should remember that December to February is the busiest time in Thailand. This means that hotels get booked up quickly the prices are a little higher. The crowds are also much larger.
What to pack
Aside from your best swimsuits and sunglasses, don’t forget to pack some good walking shoes or sandals. This 3-weeks in Thailand itinerary includes visiting Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai where you can do some fun hiking.
Thailand is also filled with temples and pagodas, this means that you should carry lightweight and long trousers or shirts for covering your legs and shoulders (both sexes). A lightweight big scarf or sarong will do the job as well.
Animal abuse
Thailand was a known place for riding elephants and tigers photo opportunities for over a decade. Elephants were trained to be friendly around people, make the ride on their bike “safe”, and perform circus-like shows. During this training, elephants get tied, beaten, and abused. On the other hand, tigers were drugged so tourists can take a picture “safely”.
Today, although the government has distanced itself and condemned these businesses offering this kind of experience, there’s yet to be a law to prevent these businesses from existing.
There are now many “sanctuaries” for elephants claiming to be ethical and working towards rescuing and taking care of them. Instead of riding, tourists will get to feed and bathe the elephants. Although many of them do a lot of good, not all of them are completely ethical.
Be cautious of places labelling themselves as elephant sanctuaries, tiger/kingdom sanctuaries, and dolphin shows/aquariums. I recommend you read reviews from different sites and Youtube Channels to filter places out.
How to get around
You probably know that tuk-tuks are the main transportation in Thailand both in cities and rural areas. Getting from one city to another, you can either take a domestic flight or a bus. Plane tickets are quite cheap, so to save you some time and travel hassle-free it’s better to get on a plane if possible.
In metropolitan cities, you can also use ride-hailing apps such as Grab and inDriver. While you can rent a motorbike in small towns or islands to get around if you feel comfortable driving it. You must have your international driver’s license or IDP to legally drive in Thailand.
Visa and COVID-19 protocol
Thailand has quite a friendly visa policy. Visitors with passports from most of Europe, North America, Southeast Asia, East Asia, Oceania, and some Latin America, Gulf Countries, Africa, and South Asia can enter Thailand and enjoy visa-free or visa on arrival for 14 to 90 days.
Thailand is open to tourists, however, travellers must apply for a “Thailand Pass” beforehand. The list of documents to prepare differs depending on if you are fully vaccinated or not. Those who are not vaccinated don’t need to do a quarantine upon arrival. It also required to present a negative RT-PCR test and travel insurance covering COVID-19 with a minimum of US$20,000 coverage.
Other travel tips
If you need help in finding trusted sites for travel services, these are the tools and websites I always use:
MUST-SEE PLACES IN THAILAND (pinned map)
Click the enlarge button on the top right corner. Credit: map data: Google
3-WEEKS IN THAILAND ITINERARY
This itinerary will take you to one of the world’s most famous cities- Bangkok where you can warm up for your vacation. Then you will head to the north for some hiking, before you fly down to the south for some beach time and water activities.
Bangkok for 4 days
Bangkok is known for many things but one of those is how street food here is amazing. If you are worried about sanitation, these local dishes can also be found in restaurants. Thai food is well-liked everywhere in the world. So, don’t let this chance of trying authentic Thai food slip away.
Bangkok also has a very vibrant party scene and it’s definitely one of the must-do for a lit of visitors to Thailand. Below you will a list of places to see and things to do in Bangkok.
What to do in Bangkok
- The Royal Grand Palace – check this tour that includes Wat Pho and Wat Arun
- Wat Arun
- Wat Phra Chetuphon (Wat Pho)
- Victory Monument
- Damnoen Saduak Market (floating market) – join a market and city package tour
- Democracy Monument
- Equestrian Statue of King Rama V
- Wat Benchamabophit Dusitwanaram
- Join an authentic Thai cooking class
- Jim Thompson House Museum
- White Orchid River Cruise – book a cruise
- Asiatique
- Food tour – check what’s included
- Join the Bangkok Instagram tour
Day trips from Bangkok:
- Death Railway Museum – there’s a tour to ride the train
- City Pillar Shrine or San Lak Mueang
- Wat Thewa Sangkharam
- Kanchanaburi War Cemetery
- Ayutthaya Temples – check the tour price
Accommodations in Bangkok
- Affordable: Bed Station Hostel or The Spades Hostel
- Mid-range: Nuovo City Hotel or Citrus Suites Sukhumvit
- Luxury: Shanghai Mansion or Centre Point Sukhumvit
Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai/Pai for 7 days
After your adventure in Bangkok and its surrounding areas, it’s time to spend time with nature and get away from busy areas. Thailand’s northern part has five national parks that you have to hike during your 3-week vacation.
You can reach Chiang Mai via a direct flight from Bangkok, alternatively, you can also take a 9-hour bus ride. Apart from hiking, there are many places to see in Chiang Mai and tours that you can get on. If you love yoga and meditation, this is also the spot you want to be.
Since you have a week in Chiang Mai, you can also head to Chiang Rai or Pai which is about a 2 to 3-hour drive. In those locations are more hiking trails and adventures waiting for you.
What to do in Chiang Mai
- Wat Rong Khun (White Temple, located near Chiang Rai) – visit all the temples in a full-day guided tour, pick up from Chaing Mai
- Wat Phrathat Doi Kham
- Hmong Village and Doi Suthep – book a half-day trip
- Grand Canyon
- Ginger Farm
- Doi Inthanon National Park – check the tour price
- Wiang Kum Kam
- Mae Sa Waterfall
- Doi Pui National Park hike – get on a 6-hour trek
- Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden
- Chiang Dao Cave, Den Sali Temple, and Bautong Sticky Waterfall – book a tour
- Huay Tung Tao Reservoir
- Tha Phae Gate
- Wat Chiang Man
- Srilanna National Park
- Book a lunch food tasting tour or Authentic Thai cooking class
What to do in Pai
- Kho Kuu So Bamboo Bridge
- Yun Lai Viewpoint
- Pai Canyon
- Santichon Village
- Doi Kiew Lom Viewpoint And Rest Stop
- Sai Ngam Hot Spring
- Nam Lod Cave
What to do in Chiang Rai
- Wat Rong Khun (White Temple) and Golden Triangle – join a guided tour
- Garden Of Reeds
- Singha Park Chiang Rai
- Pong Phrabat Hot Springs
- Baan Dam Museum
- Long Neck Village
- Huay Mark Liam Hot Spring
Accommodations in Chiang Mai
- Affordable: i-smile or The Newnormal House
- Mid-range: El Barrio Lanna or De Chai Colonial Hotel & SPa
- Luxury: Viangluang Resort or The Empress Premier
Phuket and Krabi for 6 days
Even though hiking the mountains of Thailand give such inner peace and complete serenity, you probably can’t wait to see Thailand’s famous beaches and see for yourself why they are very sought-after. 3-weeks in Thailand have to include these two famous and stunning beach destinations.
From the north of Thailand, you can get on a direct flight to Phuket which is about two hours. Phuket is an island in the south of Thailand, just hours from the border with Malaysia. It’s well-loved for very clear blue waters, lots of spots for diving and snorkelling, and many many areas for water activities or simply beach bumming.
Krabi is not very far from Phuket. You can get there by land which is about a 3-hour drive or a 3.5-hour ferry ride. Krabi is another spot for great water adventures such as diving, snorkelling, and exploring mangroves and caves.
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Things to see in Phuket
- Freedom Beach
- Kata Noi Beach
- Phi Phi Islands – get on a boat tour
- Kamala Beach
- Kathu Waterfall
- Maya Beach – you can combine this with the Phi Phi Islands tour
- Hanuman World
- James Bond Island – enjoy a luxury sunset cruise
- Saphan Hin
- Similan Islands – the best snorkelling spot
- Khao Rang Viewpoint
- Kao Khad Views Tower
- Monkey Cave – where you can do white rafting and zipline
- Khao Sok
- Khai Nai Island
- Join a food tasting tour or Thai cooking class
Accommodations in Phuket
- Affordable: Phuket Sunny Hostel or Baan Baan Hostel
- Mid-range: The Arbern Hotel or The Memory at On On Hotel
- Luxury: The Village Coconut Island Beach Resort or The Westin Siray Bay Resort and Spa
What to do in Krabi
- Phi Phi Islands – pick up from Krabi
- Railay Beach – try rock climbing
- Shell Cemetery
- Island hopping – visit the 7 Islands on a sunset tour with barbeque and snorkelling
- Monkey Trail in Ao Nang
- Emerald Pool – check tour price for Tiger Temple, hot spring and crystal pool
- Ao Nang Beach
- Ao Thalane – book a kayaking tour
- Klong Root (Clear Water Canal)
- Dragon Crest (Khuan Sai) – mountain hike, ATV, and kayaking
- Hat Nappharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park
- Blue Lagoon – where you do some kayaking and ATV ride
Accommodations in Krabi
- Affordable: Pak-Up Hostel or Krabi P.N Boutique House
- Mid-range: The Seens Hotel or Sita Krabi Hotel
- Luxury: The Pavilions Anana Krabi or Krabi SeaBass Hotel
Koh Samui and Koh Pha Ngan for 3 days
Your last stop is Koh Samui, another island off the coast of Thailand. You can get there by taking a direct flight or a 7-hour bus ride. Although Koh Samui is an island, the places you can explore are not only about off the coast. There are many things you can do inland such as waterfall hopping and hiking.
On this island though, I highly recommend you book a luxury resort. Not only do you deserve to simply be lazy at the end of your trip but also because has the best 5-star resorts in Thailand. It also has the best spots for sunset and sunrise.
There’s another island next to it – Koh Pha Ngan which you can reach by boat tour or a ferry (if you wish to change islands). On your last day, make sure to arrange your airport transfer.
What to do in Koh Samui and Koh Pha Ngan
- Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park – book a sunset cruise
- Tan Rua Waterfall
- Lat Wanon Waterfall
- Khun Si Waterfall
- Na Mueang Waterfall
- Namtok Tar Nim & Magic Garden
- Lamai Beach & Viewpoint
- Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks (Hin Ta Hin Yai) – go on a wild 4WD Jungle Safari trip
- Lipa Noi Beach
- Laem Yai
- Maenam Beach
- Fisherman’s Village
- Big Buddha
- Lad Koh View Point
Koh Pha Ngan:
- Namtok Than Sadet National Park
- Salad Beach
- Chaloklum Beach
- Mae Haad Beach
- Namtok Wang Sai
- Malibu Beach
- Haad Khom
- Bottle Beach and Viewpoint
- Thong Nai Pan Beach
- Haad Sadet Beach
- Haad Wai Nam
- Haad Rin
Accommodations in Koh Samui
- Affordable: Us Samui or P & T Hostel
- Mid-range: The Hive Hotel or Long N Joy Samui
- Luxury: Banana Fan Sea Resort or Samui Resotel
SUMMARY OF 3-WEEKS IN THAILAND ITINERARY
It’s so easy to spend 3-weeks in Thailand. During this time, you can visit and do so much; from hiking, city exploration, to island hopping. Towards that end, you can even do nothing for 2 to 3 days and instead go for massages and read your book.
I hope that you found this itinerary for 3-weeks in Thailand helpful in your upcoming vacation. Remember to make the most out of your holiday because you deserve it.
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