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Phitsanulok in 2 Days, 1 Night
Wat Yai, Old Town & Evening Market

For a lot of people Phitsanulok is a stopover — you swing by to pay respects to Phra Buddha Chinnarat and then keep moving. But the town itself, set along the Nan River, is an easy place to spend a whole day: the big temple, the old town from King Naresuan's era, riverside parks, and long-running local food stalls that have been part of the city for generations. Here's a no-rush 2-day, 1-night plan that covers the in-town highlights, with the opening hours, entry fees and real prices already checked.

🙏 Phra Buddha Chinnarat🏯 Riverside old town🍜 Dangle-leg noodles
Phitsanulok in 2 Days, 1 Night Wat Yai, Old Town & Evening Market

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

This plan starts where most people do — arriving in Phitsanulok mid-morning. Day one covers the in-town side along the Nan River: start at Wat Yai to pay respects to Phra Buddha Chinnarat, move on to the old town at Chan Palace, then stroll the riverside park in the late afternoon. Cap the day with dinner by the water. Day two is lighter — cross the river to Wat Chulamani and catch a riverside café before you head home. It's paced so you're not worn out from walking, with time built in to sit, rest and eat well.

Getting there

From Bangkok you've got buses and minivans from Mo Chit (around 5–6 hours), northern-line trains to Phitsanulok station, or a direct flight that lands at Phitsanulok airport in just over an hour. Once you're in town, the main sights sit close together along the Nan River — but to cross over to Wat Chulamani, it's easiest to rent a motorbike for around 250–300 THB a day, or just call a ride-hailing car.

Day 1

Wat Yai + Chan Palace Old Town + Riverside Evening Market

10:30
Arrive in Phitsanulok, drop your bags, then head straight to Wat YaiWat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat Woramahawihan (Wat Yai) is the home of Phra Buddha Chinnarat, a Subduing Mara Buddha image many people rate as one of the most beautiful in Thailand. Entry is free, and the assembly hall is open from morning until around 8pm. Dress modestly, and note that inside the hall you can't stand to take photos — you sit down to shoot.
11:30
Walk the temple grounds, drop into the on-site museum if you have timeThe grounds also hold Phra Lue, Phra Atharot, and a small Phra Buddha Chinnarat National Museum (open Wed–Sun, roughly 09:00–16:00, closed Mon–Tue). Out front you'll find stalls selling amulets and Phitsanulok's famous dried bananas to take home.
12:30
Lunch break — dangle-leg noodles by the Nan RiverThis is the town's signature dish: you sit with your legs dangling over the Nan River and slurp noodles. The well-known spot opens around 08:30–16:30, with bowls starting at 45–75 THB, so order a few. If you turn up in the late afternoon it can sell out, so getting there before 2pm is the safer bet.
14:00
Walk the old town — Chan Palace + King Naresuan ShrineChan Palace was the birthplace of King Naresuan the Great, and today it's an open-air historical site with a history center. There's a King Naresuan shrine to pay respects at. Entry is free, open roughly 07:00–17:00, shaded and easy to walk.
16:00
Stroll Chom Nan Park as the sun softensThis is the riverside public park in the middle of town — free, and where locals come out to walk and exercise in the evening. Cool breeze, nice river-and-bridge views, and a good spot to catch the sunset.
18:00
Riverside dinner — flying morning glory + night marketThe flying-morning-glory rice-soup restaurant is a local institution — the trick is they stir-fry the morning glory over high heat and then toss it through the air for someone to catch on a plate, all as a show. It opens in the evening from around 17:00. Along Phutthabucha Road by the river there's a night bazaar where you can keep grazing.
Day 2

Wat Chulamani + a Riverside Café Before Heading Home

08:30
Breakfast, Phitsanulok-styleTown has plenty of early-opening spots — rice-soup joints, old-school coffee shops and congee stalls. Try a hot coffee with patongko (Thai doughnut sticks) to fuel up before you cross the river around midday.
09:30
Cross the river to Wat ChulamaniThis is the oldest temple in Phitsanulok, thought to predate the Sukhothai era. It sits on the east bank of the Nan River, about 5 km from the town center, with an old Khmer-style prang and a replica Buddha footprint. Entry is free, quiet and not crowded.
11:00
Loop back into town and find a riverside café to restPhitsanulok has several cafés along the Nan River and new ones in town. Sip a coffee with a river view and rest your legs before the trip home — an unhurried way to close out the trip.
12:30
Grab souvenirs — Phitsanulok dried bananasBang Krathum dried bananas are the local specialty, in both chocolate-dipped and original styles. You'll find them at souvenir shops around town and out front of Wat Yai.
13:30
Pack up and head homeIf you're taking the train or a bus back, check departure times ahead — afternoons and evenings get busy. Flying out, there are afternoon and evening flights to choose from too.

Rough budget per person

  • 1 night's stay — in-town guesthouses start around 400–700 THB, riverside hotels run 800–1,500 THB
  • Entry fees — Wat Yai, Chan Palace, Chom Nan Park and Wat Chulamani are all free; just set aside a little for merit donations if you wish
  • Getting around town — a motorbike rental is 250–300 THB a day, or a ride-hailing car runs tens to low hundreds of baht per trip
  • Food for 2 days — dangle-leg noodles, flying morning glory and the evening market come to roughly 400–700 THB total
  • Souvenirs — Phitsanulok dried bananas are tens to a hundred-odd baht a bag, depending on how much you carry home

Best time to go

Phitsanulok is at its nicest in the cool season (Nov–Feb), when walking the riverside town is most comfortable. Early February usually brings the Phra Buddha Chinnarat festival at Wat Yai, so it gets especially busy then. In the hot season the sun is strong — avoid walking outdoors between 12:00–15:00 if you can. In the rainy season the Nan River fills its banks and the views are pretty, but pack an umbrella.

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Can you do it as a day trip?

Yes. If you're short on time, trim it down to Wat Yai for Phra Buddha Chinnarat + Chan Palace + dangle-leg noodles for lunch, and you'll still hit the in-town highlights. You'll just miss the riverside dinner and Wat Chulamani. If you'd rather take it slow, staying one night is worth it — you get the riverside evening-market atmosphere and a quiet morning that a day trip can't fit in.

Where to go next

Old town

On to Sukhothai

Just over an hour's drive from Phitsanulok gets you to Sukhothai Historical Park — two old cities in one trip.

Mountains

On to Khao Kho–Phetchabun

If you want mountains and seas of fog, drive on to Khao Kho (about two hours) — great for a 3-day nature trip.

Looking for a well-located place to stay in Phitsanulok? See the options real reviewers rate.

See Top 10 Phitsanulok Hotels →

FAQ

Is 2 days, 1 night enough for Phitsanulok?

It's just right for the in-town sights. Day one covers Phra Buddha Chinnarat at Wat Yai, the old town at Chan Palace, and Chom Nan Park, closing with riverside dinner. Day two crosses to Wat Chulamani and a café before you head home — you get the temples, the history and the food without rushing.

What are Wat Yai's hours and entry fee?

Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat Woramahawihan (Wat Yai) is free to enter. The Phra Buddha Chinnarat hall opens early, around 06:00, until about 8pm. Dress modestly — women should avoid shorts and sleeveless tops — and inside the hall you can't stand to take photos, you sit down to shoot.

What time do the riverside dangle-leg noodles open, and how much are they?

The well-known riverside dangle-leg noodle shop opens around 08:30–16:30 as a lunch spot, with bowls starting at 45–75 THB. The draw is sitting with your legs dangling over the Nan River while you eat. It can sell out in the late afternoon, so aim to get there before 2pm.

What is flying morning glory and where do you eat it?

Flying morning glory is a long-running rice-soup restaurant in Phitsanulok. The signature move: they stir-fry morning glory over a roaring flame, then fling it through the air for someone holding a plate to catch, all as a show. It opens in the evening from around 17:00, in town by the Nan River, and it's an evening dish many people come specifically to try.

What's the easiest way to get around Phitsanulok?

The in-town sights — Wat Yai, Chan Palace and Chom Nan Park — sit close together along the Nan River, so you can walk or call a ride-hailing car. But to cross over to Wat Chulamani, about 5 km away, it's smoother to rent a motorbike for around 250–300 THB a day.

Related

🗺️ Phitsanulok Travel Guide🏨 Top 10 Phitsanulok Hotels🙏 Phra Buddha Chinnarat at Wat Yai

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