Looking to plan the perfect Chiang Mai Itinerary? If you’ve never been before it can be confusion on the best way to spend your time. You no doubt want to experience as much as possible. I’ve been to Chiang Mai a couple of times now, once on my own for work and another time with my wife and our 8 year old son.
There is so much to experience in this amazing city, 3-5 days should give you plenty of time. You’ll be able to see ancient temples, culinary, and ethical elephant encounters. Chiang Mai is a great place to go to get that authentic Thai experience.
I completely fell in love with Chiang Mai when I went, the blend of local culture, amazing food and laid back feel. Its just amazing.
How Many Days Are Needed To Enjoy Chiang Mai?
When I first came to Thailand and visited Chiang Mai, I went for a full 7 days. This was mostly for work and would be more than the average traveller would need. I would say you need a minimum of 3 days in Chiang Mai. You’d want to spend 4-5 days, anything less and you might feel rushed.
One of the great things about Thailand is just how relaxed and laid back it is, the last thing you want to be doing is rushing around.
You want to give yourself enough time to be able to fully take in the Thai culture. Be able to go an explore the temples, taste the amazing food, explore the lively markets and take part in some of the once in a life time experiences.
I loved the fact that one day I could be in the old city looking around an ancient Buddhist temple and the next in a local market enjoying some amazing street food.
I’ve written this Chiang Mai Itinerary so that it covers all of what we feel are the must-see attractions, hidden gems as well as some practical tips. I would suggest using it as a guide, there are so many other things that I’ve not been able to include. Make sure to check out Viator or GetYourGuide for activities that suite you and your interests.
Top Tip, remember to try and not over fill your days. Some of the best experiences we had as a family was just exploring. One of the best nights we had was finding a random bit of live music outdoors, that also had the Smurfs being projected on the wall. That is a memory we’ll always have and it wasn’t planned.
Planning Your Trip To Chiang Mai
I love planning holidays, it’s so exciting. Whilst doing our research, there were a few things that Rach and I had found that we didn’t think about when planning our trip to Chiang Mai.
These are things that you might want to also think about.
Best Time to Visit Chiang Mai
We had never really considered the best time to travel to Chiang Mai before, in fact we were originally looking at booking our honeymoon in Thailand but one of the reasons we didnt was the time of the year.
Its funny because when most of your holidays have been in europe, you dont really need to think of raining seasons.
The best time to visit Chiang Mai is November to February. You’ll get hot weather with the least amount of rainfall. Although you do need to be prepared that this is the busiest time. Both of the times that I’ve been, I went in November.
Some times that you might want to avoid are;
March to May: This is the burning seasons, the air quality is not great and may impact your holiday.
May to October: This is typically the raining season. Temperature is still decent but you’ll often experience heavy rain, although this can be short. Holiday prices in this period is cheaper, so could be worth trying if looking to save money.
If you can I would recommend including a Sunday in your visit. You’ll then be able to experience the Sunday market, a great experience. Rach loved it!
Book elephant sanctuaries and cooking classes in advance
If you’re going to go in peak season, its I would recommend booking Ethical Elephant Sanctuary experiences and any Thai Cooking Classes. These two get booked up very quickly and the worst thing would be to miss out on these when traveling so far.
We’ve always used GetYourGuide when booking these.
How Long to Stay
Planning a trip to Thailand should include a visit to Chiang Mai, but how long should you visit for? I’d recommend a minimum of 3 days, less than this and you wont be able to see the main attractions.
Each time I’ve stayed here, I’ve been here for 7 days due to work. Although if it was a holiday I would say that this would be too much if you’re trying to visit other parts of Thailand.
I’d recommend you go for 4-5 days in Chiang Mai, this will provide a perfect balance. You’ll be able to do multiple day trips, cooking classes and fully explore the culture without feeling rushed.
Staying for this amount of time means you can visit further out places such as Chiang Rai or explore remote temples and villages.
I’ve written this Chiang Mai Itinerary to give you the perfect 4-5 day experience. It’s been written in a way that even if you’re visiting for less time you can adapt it or at least get some inspiration on some experiences.
Getting to Chiang Mai
It’s pretty straightforward getting to Chiang Mai, with different options depending on your budget and time. I’ve always gone on the plane as it’s the fastest route but going overland would be a great way of seeing some of Thailands countryside.
The 3 options are;
- Fly Directly To Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX)
This is going to be the most convenient way as it only takes roughly 1 hour and 15 minutes, direct from Bangkok to CNX. The most common airlines are Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways, with prices between $50-$100 for a one way trip. - Overnight Train From Bangkok
If you’ve got time to spare or on a tighter budget then a sleeper train might be an option. I’d love to do this at some point as it’ll be amazing to see the scenery. The train journey takes 12 hours from Hua Lamphong station to Chiang Mai Railway Station near the city center.
The sleeper train costs 1500 Baht ($46) for first class and 600 Baht ($18) for second class, so very cost effective. - VIP Buses
If you want to go even lower on budget, you can take a luxury bus which only costs around $15-$20. It does take 10-12 hours from Bangkok but at that price, its worth it. The coaches are comfortable and many even feature reclining seats, air conditioning and onboard entertainment.
Getting Around Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is incredibly easy to get around, it surprised us how many options there are.
The easiest is to download the grab app and get a taxi, this is like Uber and offers fixed pricing. A little more expensive than other methods but you’ll find it safer and easier to know exactly how much the trip will cost.
There are Tuk Tuks, these certainly are an experience. I’d recommend trying them at least once, just make sure you agree on the price beforehand. Some are known to charge to much to tourists.
You can also hire motorbikes to get around, I didnt do this and wouldnt recommend it unless you have experience. Make sure you check insurance and legalities before going.
My recommendation would be to just download the Grab App and get taxis, they’re not overly expensive and much more convenient. When I went the first time on my own, I walked to most places. Took a long time but well worth it. With a 8 year old, less fun so we got more taxi’s.
Where to Stay in Chiang Mai
There are different areas in Chiang Mai and you’ll want to pick the right one, depending on what you’re looking for out of your holiday. If you want to be closer to the temples, nightlife or you might want to be in a more family friendly area.
Old City
This is probably the best place for first timers or families. (although we didnt stay here with our son, more on this in a minute)
Old City is perfect for walkable access to temples and night markets. Its the area within the ancient city walls, so your close to Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh and the famous Sunday street market.
There are some really nice hotels, including Boutique hotels that offer a blend of traditional Lanna architecture and modern facilities.
Nimman
Nimman is the trendy area of Chiang Mai, you’ll find cafes, boutique shops and a decent nightlife. We stayed here with our son and even though you wouldnt think it would be good for families, we loved it.
The area is perfect for digital nomads since it has a wide range of co-working spaces but will appeal to all travellers with great hotels and a wide range of traditional and international restaurants. Nimman is by far my favourite area of Chiang Mai.
Riverside
If you’re after something a bit more relaxed and a bit of an escape then the Riverside would be ideal. You’ll be a bit further out than other areas, so that does need to be taken into consideration. At the same time, you cannot beat the river views and access to some nice spa services and restaurants along the Ping River.
Our Favourite Places To Stay in Chiang Mai
Here are our top picks for hotels in Chiang Mai, my favourite city in northern Thailand.
U Nimman Chiang Mai – This became our favorite hotel for its prime Nimman location, stylish design, spacious suites, rooftop pool, great breakfast, and the kitty café next door our son adored.
Chiang Mai Marriott Hotel – Spacious rooms with mountain views, relaxing baths, great air con, and lively pool and lobby bars make this a top pick for any traveler—despite being slightly out of the way
Amanor Hotel in Chiang Mai – This boutique-style hotel combines modern design, spacious rooms, a rooftop infinity pool, great food, and a prime Nimman location—ideal for both relaxing and exploring.
Click Here To Check Our List Of Best Chiang Mai HotelsMy Chiang Mai Itinerary
Below you’ll find the 5 Day Chiang mai itinerary, even though its for 5 days you’ll be able to use it even if your staying for just a couple of days.
I’ve also broken it down to morning and afternoons, giving you even more flexibility.
Like with any itinerary, you dont need to follow it completely. Use it to inspire your own trip, based on what you enjoy doing.
Day 1 – Temples & Thai Culture
Morning: Old City Temple Hopping
You want to have an early start on your first day in Chiang Mai. The first stop is Wat Phra Singh, getting there for around 8am. This means you’ll be able to avoid most of the crowds and get some impressive photo’s. Here you’ll be able to see the Lanna architecture and check out the golden Buddha.
After spending an hour or two here, you want to take a short walk to Wat Chedi Luang. This is a ruined chedi and city pillar shrine, over the years its been partially destroyed by earthquakes. It still remains impressive to look at.
It was also the home of the emerald buddha, before this was moved to Bangkok.
Now is a perfect time to take a coffee break. Chiang mai is home to some incredible local coffee shops, in fact Rach has still mentions that one of the best coffees she has had was in Chiang Mai.
Now you’re fuelled up on caffeine, its time to check out Wat Chiang Man. This is one of the oldest temples in the city that features ancient Buddha statues and incredible wood carvings. We spent several hours here looking at all the detail.
Although after this temple, our son was certainly ready for some lunch.
Afternoon: Lunch and a traditional massage
Find yourself a local restaurant, I’d recommend going for somewhere that specialises in Khao Soi if you’ve not had much Thai food before. This is Northern Thailand’s Signature dish and is super tasty, its a rich coconut based broth with crispy noodles.
I’d also recommend going for Pad Thai or a Massaman curry.
Rach’s Thoughts
After lunch, time to burn off the food by exploring the Three Kings Monument, learning more about the city’s rich past.
This was really interesting as its all about the founding of the city, which connects really well with the temple visits.
With all the walking, finishing the afternoon off with a traditional thai massage will leave your body thanking you whilst enjoying an authentic thai culture experience.
Thailand has a bad reputation, not all places you’ll go to for a Thai Massage are “seedy”. In fact 99% of them in Chiang Mai are legitimate. Do your research and you’ll find a decent one that has good reviews. Many hotels do have a spa that offers a massage treatment, although these are a little more expensive.
Evening: Night Market Experience
If the day falls on a sunday then you have to check out the Sunday walking street market on Ratchadamnoen. This sunday market is perfect for experiencing street food, stalls selling handmade crafts and a great way to experience the local atmopshere.
You will find night markets on other nights but they’re not as big.
For street food, I’d recommend trying Mango Sticky rice and coconut ice cream. Although the smell of all the food stalls is so amazing. Its a great way of experiencing traditional Thai cuisine.
After exploring the markets, we found a nice little outdoor spot listening to some live music whilst enjoying a couple of drinks.
Day 2: Must Visit Temples & Cultural Immersion
Early Morning: Doi Suthep Sunrise
The first stop of the day and a MUST visit when going to Chiang Mai is Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.
I would suggest trying to get to the temple for when it opens at 6am, I know it sounds super early but its worth it. This buddhist temple is high on the doi suthep mountain, you’ll get panoramic views of the Chiang Mai valley.
Now imagine seeing that as the sun rises, it would be a sight you’ll never forget.
From the base to the top of the mountain, this temple is incredible. Climb the 306 staircase, our son counted every single step as he walked up. There is a cable car that will take you up if you’re not able to take the steps.
If you’re going to see any temple, it has to be this one.
Mid Morning: Hidden Temple Exploration
This is going to depend on your walking ability, the start of the walk is fairly easy but it does get a little harder and a bit steeper. It is however well worth it!
The monk’s trail to Wat Pha Lat is a popular walk through the jungle to a hidden temple, with an amazing atmosphere. The unique Buddhist temple has underground passages and is perfect if you’re looking for a peaceful retreat. Along the way, you’ll be surrounded by lush greenery, the sounds of birds, and the tranquil ambiance of the forest, making the hike as rewarding as the destination itself.
Wat Pha Lat is known for its serene setting and beautiful integration with nature. Unlike the crowded tourist temples, this one offers a quiet space for meditation and reflection. The temple blends with the environment, featuring moss-covered statues, ancient trees, and small waterfalls nearby. Exploring the underground passages adds an element of mystery and adventure, revealing hidden shrines and sacred spaces used by monks for meditation.
Many visitors find the journey along the Monk’s Trail to be a rejuvenating experience, away from the hustle and bustle of Chiang Mai’s busy streets. The path is well-marked but can be slippery after rain, so make sure you have good footwear. Leave those flip flops and sandals back at the hotel.
The trail also passes through small local villages where you might catch a glimpse of traditional northern Thai life.
Afternoon: Hands-On Cultural Experience
One of the most must do experiences when not just in Chiang Mai but Thailand is a Thai cooking class. I would suggest doing it in Chiang Mai, as its so well-known for its great food.
You’ll find a number of different classes available, where you’ll be able to learn how to prepare Pad Thai, Green Curry, Tom Yum soup and even Mango Sticky Rice.
These are a real experience as you start off by visiting the market, learning the secrets behind authentic thai food. Learning what herbs to pick and understanding the flavor balance of local spices.
You’ll be impressive friends and family with your cooking skills when you get home for months!
Day 3: Ethical Elephant Sanctuary
I’ve experienced two different Elephant Sanctuaries and it is a MUST do experience on any Chiang Mai Itinerary. Its also an experience that our son continues to talk about, many months after returning.
There are some great elephant sanctuaries and its really important that you pick the right one.
You should always avoid places that allow you to ride elephants, these are cruel. Make sure that the activity is an ethical elephant sanctuary. I would suggest booking one direct or through GetYourGuide.
One that we recommend is the Elephant nature park.
You’ll start the experience by learning about the different elephants and how they were rescured, as well as the work that goes into caring and protecting the elephants. Seeing the elephants in their natural habitat.
I couldnt believe how gentle these giant animals are, certainly a highlight of our trip.
We then spent sometime in our group feeding the elephants with fruit. Learning how to properly hold a banana so they can pick it up with their truck.
There are different activities depending on the sanctuary.
For us, we got to feed them and then walk them through the woods. At the end of the walk, the elephants went into a large lake. We could go in and join them and give them a wash, which they seemed to fully enjoy.
During the whole day, we got to learn about each individual elephant. Seeing their personalities and learning about their backgrounds.
Understanding the massive amount of food required daily gives you appreciation for the sanctuary’s conservation efforts.
Most of these experiences also include a traditional thai lunch, which we really enjoyed. The food you get is really good quality and tastes very authentic, our son loved his!
Evening: Relaxation and Local Dining
With a busy day both physically and mentally, it wouldnt be a bad idea to have a bit of relaxation. Why not relax with a thai massage or do what we did and spend the late afternoon in the hotel pool. Edwin was certainly ready for a swim in it!
After such a fun day, it’s well worth treating yourself to a nice meal. Whilst in Chiang Mai, you should try and make the most of the authentic northern Thai cuisine as much as possible. Here are some of the best restaurants in Chiang Mai, I’d recommend Nara.
With dinner eaten, time to visit the night bazaar for some evening shopping. Rach went and did a bit of shopping, whilst I found a table outside a bar had a drink and people watched. The perfect end to a great day!
I wanted to provide a detailed Chiang mai itinerary and even though many people come for 3 days, I wanted to add more in case you did what we did and came for over 5 days. There is so much to do, its tough to just put it into 5 days. Therefore for days 4 and 5, I wanted to give you different options. This helping you pick the right activities for you and the interests you have.
Day 4: Adventure and Natural Wonders
Morning Options: Choose Your Adventure
There are three options below, each you’ll typically transportation and professional guides as they’re usually organized through proper tours. Each one does vary on your adventure tolerance and physical ability.
Option A: Are you an adventure seeker? Why not go white water rafting down the Mae Taeng river? It offers class III-IV rapids, giving you a thrilling experience whilst enjoying Chiang Mai’s natural beauty.
Option B: Looking for a little adventure or a family friendly experience? The Bua Thong sticky waterfalls is perfect. You’re able to climb the limestone waterfalls, without slipping. Imagine walking up a waterfall?
Option C: Not one for me but if you’re into cliff jumping and swimming then the Chiang Mai Grand Canyon water park is perfect for you. It used to be a limestone quarry that was developed into an adventure park.
Afternoon: Cultural Exploration
After an adventurous morning, I’d suggest spending whats left of the afternoon with a little relaxation. You could head to Huay Tung Tao lake for some amazing photo opportunities. or head back out into the markets. A nice local one would be the Warorot market, something a little away from the tourist crowds.
Alternatively you could do what we did and simply take a stroll around the city, popping into any of the hidden temples along the way. It’s also a great opportunity to pop into any bars or coffee shops for a drink, as you watch the locals go about their daily lives.
Nimman is a great place for coffee, with many local roasters developing incredible blends. The coffee scene in Chiang Mai is certainly growing quickly.
Evening: Rooftop experience
Sometimes its worth not rushing to a restaurant booking. Why not have a chilled dinner and get something at the hotel?
We often do this on a day that we’ve been out exploring and its such a nice way to recharge ready for going out at night.
If your staying at one of the recommended hotels in Chiang Mai, it should have a pretty decent restaurant.
After dinner, one of the best things to do is to check out the Chiang Mai nightlife.
There are some amazing rooftop bars, where you can enjoy city views, whilst drinking a couple of cocktails.
I’d suggest going to a couple of different rooftop bars, they give you a different view of the city. There’s something magical about looking at the temples all lit up at night.
Perfect for photos or just thinking about your time in Chiang Mai.
Day 5: Epic Day Trip Adventures
Option 1: Chiang Rai and the White Temple
This is a adventure that we’ve yet to do and is at the very top of our Chiang Mai itinerary when we next visit. We just didnt have the time with me working, since its a full day experience.
You’ll want to start early for this one as it is a 3 hour journey to Chiang Rai, it is 100% worth it. It’ll be an experience in itself driving through the scenic mountains and seeing rural thailand.
The first place to visit is Wat Rong Khun or otherwise known as the White Temple. It looks amazing and is one of those places you’ll always remember.
This can then be followed up with exploring Wat Rong Suea Ten, known as the Blue Temple. The combination of the blue and gold details looks incredible.
There are trips that you can do that combines the two temples and even picks you up and drops you off again. I’d recommend doing this as it is going to save you money as well as be professionally organised.
Option 2: Doi Inthanon National Park
One of the best ways to see Thailand and appreciate its beauty is from up high and you cannot get higher than Doi Inthanon national park. Its Thailands highest peak and is even known as the “roof of Thailand”.
Explore king and queen pagodas with stunning mountains. These modern pagodas honor the thai royal family and offer incredible photo opportunities.
Hike nature trails to wachirathan and sirithan waterfalls. The park’s diverse ecosystems showcase thailand’s natural beauty beyond beaches and cities, with opportunities to spot unique wildlife and plants.
Must-Try Northern Thai Dishes
Any visit to Chiang Mai should include trying a wide range of traditional Thai dishes. I wanted to give my recommendations of some Northern Thai dishes to try whilst visiting. This would have helped me so much when I first went, as I had no idea what different dishes where.
If there is one dish to try, it has to be Khao Soi. Its an iconic curry noodle dish from Norther Thailand. I’m not a massive coconut fan but this tastes incredible. Its like a coconut soup or broth and has crispy noodles.
With so many street food options, its tough to know what to go for. If you fancy a bit of street food then I would recommend going for Sai Ua. This is a northern thai sausage that uses a complex mix of herbs and spices to give it incredible flavours that you just wont forget.
Now I like my meat, so I’d have to recommend trying Gaeng Hang Lay. Its a burmese style pork curry that is very popular in Northern Thailand. Made from braised Pork belly and spare ribs, its full of spices and has unique flavours that kept me wanting more.
I’ll be honest I’m a creature of habit and most of the time when I go to a Thai restaurant, ill get a Pad Thai. I know predictable.
When in Thailand you have to try their pad thai, the flavours are just something else. It’s just one of those dishes that fills you up properly. Writing this now, I generally want to go back to Thailand for a pad thai!
Budget Planning for Your Chiang Mai Adventure
The great thing about Chiang Mai and Thailand in general is that you can do a lot on a smaller budget.
You can spend as little as $30-$50 per day and this includes accommodation and food.
Guest houses or hostels are low-cost, basic, but generally very clean and offer good value. There are also plenty of street food vendors, offering great tasting food for a low cost.
If like me you’d prefer a comfortable hotel, eat at a few local restaurants and go on a couple of organized tours. You should budget around $80-$120 per day.
You’d need to budget around $200+ per day for high-end hotels and fine dining.
The amount you need to budget is going to depend completely on you. We managed comfortably on $100 a day and like I said, this does also include the hotel. Your money can go a long way in Chiang Mai.
If you where to just look at trips and experiences, these are going to vary but will cost on average between $25-$100. This will depend on the experience and the amount of people doing it of course.
Food wise, you can spend as little as $1-$3 per meal if you eat street food. A decent restaurant meal would be between $15-$30 per person.
After multiple visits to chiang mai, I can confidently say this 4-5 day itinerary provides the perfect introduction to northern thailand’s cultural capital. The combination of ancient temples, ethical wildlife encounters, incredible thai food, and warm hospitality creates experiences that’ll have you planning your return visit before you’ve even left.
Whether you’re drawn to the spiritual atmosphere of buddhist temples, the excitement of exploring night markets, or the satisfaction of learning to cook authentic pad thai, chiang mai delivers experiences that satisfy every type of traveler. The city’s perfect blend of traditional thai culture and modern amenities makes it an ideal destination for first-time visitors to thailand.
Take your time, embrace the slower pace, and let chiang mai work its magic on you. Trust me, those days in chiang mai will become some of your most treasured travel memories.
As a family we absolutely love Chiang Mai and cannot wait to return. Its honestly one of those places that captures your heart completely.
