Are you wondering where to stay in Chiang Mai Thailand? The city boasts several areas which are within or close to the Old City and other Chiang Mai attractions. Which area you choose will depend on your interests and preferred proximity to the activities you enjoy.
We have stayed in many locations across the city over the last ten years and we are happy to share our list of where to stay in Chiang Mai for the first time traveller.
Are you planning your trip to Chiang Mai last minute?
Be sure to book your tours in Chiang Mai ahead of time to ensure availability!
Here are our top recommendations for tours in Chiang Mai:
The Old City
The Old City would have to be one of the most popular areas to stay in Chiang Mai. The square shaped Old City is enclosed by ancient walls and surrounded by a moat. Entry into the city is through a series of gates with the main entrance being Thapae Gate.
Chiang Mai’s historical heart is the Old City, a place filled with ancient Buddhist temples and museums dedicated to preserving the local Lanna culture.
If you love nightlife, there are a huge selection of pubs and entertainment venues. If pampering is more your style, you can relax with a manicure and pedicure or unwind with a therapeutic Thai massage at one of the many salons and spas scattered throughout the city.
Of course, you can’t miss taste testing the local Thai cuisine. The Old City has a seemingly endless selection of restaurants that range from casual dining to fine dining experiences at some of the worlds classiest restaurants.
Old City Accommodation
If you are looking for accommodation in the Old City you will be spoilt for choice. You will find a fabulous range of accommodation styles that range from cheap and cheerful hostels to 5-star luxury accommodation.
Check map below for Chiang Mai Old City accommodation ⬇️
Old City Entertainment
You will find that many of the pubs feature live music especially on the weekend. Of course, two of the Old City’s most famous entertainment venues are the lively Zoe In Yellow and the super cool North Gate Jazz Co Op.
Old City Attractions
The Old City is filled with a stunning assortment of Buddhist temples. Each have their own intricate beauty and history. Most small temples are free to enter but you will find some such as Wat Chedi Luang charge a small fee to enter.
Be respectful to worshipers and dress appropriately with your knees and shoulders covered when visiting a Buddhist temple.
Here is our selection of the must-see Buddhist Temples in the Old City.
- Wat Chedi Luang (Varaviharn)
- Wat Phra Singh (Woramahawihan)
- Wat Chiang Man
If you want to learn more about local Lanna culture, you will find two museums located near the Three Kings Monument which tell the story of the history and culture of Chiang Mai and the surrounding region.
- Lanna Folklife Centre
- Chiang Mai Arts & Cultural Centre
Old City Shopping
The Old City also has some of the best shopping and is the venue for the famous Sunday Night Walking Street Market. The Old City is home to a wide variety of boutiques, Thai arts and craft shops, jewellery and clothing stores.
Where to Eat in the Old City
Foodies will be in for a treat when they sample Northern Thai delicacies from a choice of street carts, small local eateries or fine dining restaurants. When visiting the city, make sure to try Khao Soi, Chiang Mai’s signature chicken noodle dish.
Here are a few of our favourite must try Old City restaurants.
- The HOUSE by Ginger
- Dash
- Fern Forest Cafe
- Goodsouls Kitchen for Vegan food
Of course, some people may find Thai food to be incredibly spicy. Thankfully, the Old City is full of restaurants selling both Thai and International dishes.
Join Our Chiang Mai Travel Planning Facebook Group
Check out our free Chiang Mai Travel Planning Facebook Group. You are welcome to join and it’s a great resource to ask any questions about visiting the city. Many experts are on hand to help.
The Chiang Mai Night Market Area
Though quiet during the day, each afternoon the sidewalks of Chang Klan Road get busy as the stalls of the Chiang Mai Night Market are assembled.
In the evening the street stalls are abuzz as they lead you to the larger, Kalare Night Bazaar, Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, Anusarn Market and Ploen Ruedee Night Market.
Chiang Mai Night Market Accommodation
The Night Market area has a good blend of luxury and midrange accommodation. In fact, you will find more 5-star luxury hotels in this area than the Old City. Being a short 10-minute walk to the attractions of the Old City, it is a popular location to stay.
The area is home to several condo apartment buildings, making it a firm favourite with Expats. Renting a condo for a longer stay is ideal for anyone wanting to take advantage of Thailand’s sixty-day visa waver.
Check map below for Night Market area accommodation ⬇️
Chiang Mai Night Market Shopping
If you love shopping, you are in for a real treat as the Night Markets are chock full of Thai handicrafts and artworks, jewellery, souvenirs and clothing made with traditional Northern Thai fabrics.
There is a small Big C Supermarket inside Pantip Plaza. Here you can pick up daily essentials, precooked meals, international snacks, fresh produce and groceries.
Chiang Mai Night Market Dining
When you visit the Night Market you have a choice of dining options. You can pull up a seat and enjoy a massive range of street food dishes within the Kalare Night Bazaar, Anusarn Market, Ploen Ruedee Night Market, or choose from the small restaurants along the street and surrounding alleyways.
Night Market Restaurants
You will find a good selection of restaurants selling both Thai and International cuisines within the Night Market area. Here are a few of our favourites.
- Lemongrass Thai Cuisine
- Red Lion English Pub
- O’Malley’s Irish Pub and Sports Bar
- Rajdarbar Indian Restaurant
- Gulf Restaurant (Middle Eastern & Vegetarian Food)
Night Market Fine Dining Restaurants
Being home to many 5-star hotels, the Night Market boasts a choice of fine dining restaurants.
- Favola (Chiang Mai Marriot Hotel)
- Bodhi Terrace (Anantara Chiang Mai Resort)
Chiang Mai Night Market Entertainment
You will find that the larger markets often feature live music, especially on the weekends. Two of the Night Markets most famous live music venues are the Boy Blues Bar and Hard Rock Cafe Chiang Mai.
If you are visiting the city don’t miss the fun and talented artists of Chiang Mai.
If you are looking for a place to enjoy a cocktail with spectacular views of the city, make sure to visit the Mai The Sky Bar at the Melia Chiang Mai Hotel.
Thapae Road
Thapae Road stretches from Thaphae Gate to the Narawat Bridge which crosses the River Ping. Along the road you will find Buddhist temples, restaurants and coffee shops, banks and small boutiques.
Thaphae Gate is the main entrance into Chiang Mai Old City, a place that draws tourists from all over the world. Thaphae Gate is the focal point for most of Chiang Mai’s festivals and holiday celebrations. The Loy Krathong Parade, Chiang Mai Flower Festival, New Years and other local festivities either begin or pass by Thaphae Gate.
Near Narawat Bridge you will find Warorot Market, a rabbit warren of shops selling traditional artefacts and clothing, fresh produce and flowers, the perfect place to pick up a bargain.
Accommodation Near Thapae Road
The beauty of staying in and around Thapae Road is that you are within easy walking distance to the Old City, the Night Market area and Warorot Market which allows you to enjoy a combination of Chiang Mai locations.
Check map below for accommodation in and around Thapae Road ⬇️
Thapae Road Shopping
You will find a variety of boutiques along Thapae Road and within the alleyways that surround it. Along with Thai antiques and curiosities, are stores dedicated to artisan silver and hilltribe jewellery. If you love bohemian style clothing this area is for you.
Warorot Market is filled with an extensive range of homewares and traditional Thai clothing and Buddhist religious items. Here you can buy souvenirs, local arts & craft or shop for fresh fruit, vegetables and spices.
The streets surrounding Warorot Market are a treasure trove of small fashion boutiques which showcase traditional Northern Thai embroidery and fabrics.
- The Chiang Mai Night Markets
The Night Markets are held each evening and stretch the length of Chang Klan Road, which runs off Thapae Road. Here you can enjoy shopping and dining at the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, Kalare Night Bazaar and Anusarn Market, as well as the street stalls that line Chang Klan Road.
Haiya
Haiya is a residential area below the southern end of the Old City moat. This quiet subdistrict offers easy access to Old City attractions without paying Old City prices.
The area is dotted with small restaurants, traditional wooden houses and a collection of Buddhist temples. The area is perfect for anyone wanting to experience local life within the small alleyways of Haiya.
Haiya Accommodation
You will find a range of accommodation options in the area which include hostels, hotels and apartments. Some of the most sort after includes the following.
Check map below for accommodation in and around Haiya area ⬇️
Haiya Attractions
Haiya is famous for the Silver Temple, an impressive Buddhist temple which is decorated in silver, a tribute to the traditional silversmiths of the area. When you explore Haiya, you will find many more interesting Buddhist temples and ancient stupas.
Buddhist Temples
- The Silver Temple (Wat Sri Suphan)
- Wat Yang Kuang Buddhist Temple
Nearby Markets
- Saturday Night Walking Street Market
- Chiang Mai Gate Market
Wua Lai Walking Street or Saturday Night Walking Street Market as it is more commonly known, is held every Saturday Night near the Chiang Mai Gate Market at the bottom of the moat.
Chiang Mai Gate Market is a street food and fresh produce market which is open in the morning. Of an evening the street outside fills with outdoor food vendors serving a delicious array of Thai dishes.
Nimman
Nimman refers to the neighbourhood around Nimmanhaemin Road. The area is renowned for its coffee culture and up market shopping. Nimman is a favourite place to stay for digital nomads and expats.
If you are visiting for the first time Nimman may not be the ideal area to stay as it is a long way from the attractions of the Old City.
Nimman Accommodation
Nimman has a good selection of luxury and mid-range accommodation. You will also find that there are heaps of apartment complexes which is perfect for anyone wanting a long stay.
Check map below for Nimman area accommodation ⬇️
Nimman Entertainment
The streets of Nimman are home to a variety of bars featuring a wide range of music. If you want to relax with a cocktail and a view, make sure to visit Rise Rooftop Bar at Akyra Manor and Splash Pool Bar at U Nimman.
Nimman Shopping
Nimman is filled with lots of interesting boutiques selling fashionable clothing with a Northern Thai twist. The area is also home to art and craft galleries that showcase the works of the talented artisans of the region.
Maya Mall has all your shopping needs including banking, mobile phone stores and Rimping Super Market. There is also a choice of food courts, restaurants and a movie theatre which features movies in English.
Across from Maya Mall is One Nimman a small shopping mall which sells an exquisite range of quality merchandise.
Where to Eat at Nimman
In Nimman you will find a wide variety of restaurants serving Thai and International cuisines. You can try authentic Thai dishes from a local restaurant or enjoy buffet dining at Eat@ Rincome, try the tastes of India at Accha Indian Restaurant or relax with red wine and Italian cuisine at Why Not?
- Eat@Rincome
- Accha Indian Restaurant
- Why Not?
Last Words on Where to Stay in Chiang Mai
We hope our article on where to stay in Chiang Mai has helped you choose your preferred locality in this charming city. Each has its own vibe, and I am sure your chosen area will allow you to get the most out of your trip.
Have you visited Chiang Mai? Where do you stay on a trip to Chiang Mai? We would love to hear from you so feel free to leave a comment.
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