In a nutshell
- There are 4 neighborhoods we recommend when it comes to where to stay in Chiang Mai. In this guide, we’ll show you the pros and cons of each area and share our best hotel tips for every budget.
- For first-time visitors, the best choice is a hotel in the Old Town. Most of the main sights in Chiang Mai are right here. Our readers often book the Villa Thai Orchid – a charming boutique hotel with a warm atmosphere.
- The area around the Night Bazaar is very central, a bit livelier, and perfect if you like to be in the middle of the action. Our tip here is the Kate and Hasu Boutique – with a pool and a great breakfast.
The Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Chiang Mai
Although Chiang Mai is the largest city in northern Thailand, most of the places that matter for travelers are concentrated in just a few areas.
The main sights are centered around the Old Town, and this is also where you’ll find some of the best neighborhoods. Altogether, we recommend looking at four areas when deciding where to stay in Chiang Mai.
The 4 best neighborhoods to stay in Chiang Mai are:
- Old Town: Perfect for first-time visitors, with most highlights within walking distance ➞ Villa Thai Orchid
- Night Bazaar Area: Very central, close to the sights and nightlife ➞ Kate and Hasu Boutique
- Riverside: Peaceful setting with many hotels offering river views ➞ Buri Sriping Riverside
- Nimman Road Area: Trendy neighborhood, great for longer stays ➞ The Craft Nimman
Good to know
Hotel prices in Chiang Mai start at around 550 Baht which makes them much lower than what you’d pay for a hotel in Bangkok, an accommodation on Koh Phangan, or a resort in Khao Lak. A really great value!
If you’re planning a guided trip to Chiang Rai, especially to the famous White Temple, it’s best to stay in the Old Town of Chiang Mai or near the Night Bazaar. Tours usually start right between these two areas, making them some of the best neighborhoods to stay in Chiang Mai.
The 4 Neighborhoods on a Map at a Glance
To make it easier for you to get oriented, we’ve marked the best neighborhoods to stay in Chiang Mai right on the map. As you can see, most of the action and many of the best places to stay are clustered around the Old Town.
Where to Stay in the Old Town
If it’s your first time in Chiang Mai and you’re only here for a few days, staying in the Old Town is the best choice. You can easily explore many of the highlights on foot.
The Old Town is easy to spot on the map because it’s framed by the almost square city wall.
It’s also very simple to get around, since you can orient yourself by the gates to the north, east, south, and west. Locals often use them as reference points – for example, near the North Gate.
To give you an idea of distances: walking from the West Gate to the East Gate takes about 20 minutes, so everything is quite close together.
Chiang Mai’s Old Town is beautiful to explore, with narrow lanes, colorful temples, and plenty of charm. This is also where you’ll find many of the city’s highlights and some of the best hotels in Chiang Mai.
There are lots of cafés and restaurants, and around the East Gate you’ll find some of the coolest bars in town. Hotels here range across all price levels.
The best places to stay in Chiang Mai’s Old Town
One of the best places to stay in Chiang Mai is the Villa Thai Orchid, a stylish boutique hotel that’s also a long-time favorite with our readers.
Another excellent option is the Thai Akara, which offers spacious rooms and a relaxing pool area.
Nidhra Lana
Villa Thai Orchid Old Town Reader's Favorite!
POR Arak
Where to Stay near Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
The Night Bazaar area is perfect if you like a lively atmosphere and want to be close to Chiang Mai’s nightlife. The market itself and many bars are right here.
Chiang Mai’s famous Night Bazaar lies just east of the Old Town. Its center is around the intersection of Chang Klan Road and Loi Kroh Road, but the market spreads across several streets.
Between 6 and 10 pm, the area is buzzing with stalls selling food, clothes, jewelry, and souvenirs. There’s always something happening here in the evenings.
And even after the market winds down, the nightlife continues. You’ll find plenty of bars, some with live music, and even the chance to watch traditional Thai Boxing.
In terms of convenience, staying near the Night Bazaar is almost as good as staying in the Old Town of Chiang Mai. You can walk to the main sights in just a few minutes, and you’re also closer to the Ping River.
Around the Night Bazaar, you’ll find a mix of budget-friendly mid-range hotels and many of the city’s luxury options. They’re not as extravagant as the hotels in Phuket, but still some of the best places to stay in Chiang Mai.
The best places to stay around the Night Bazaar in Chiang Mai
The Hotel Loy Chiang Mai is a luxurious hotel with a modern design. It offers a great pool and an excellent à la carte breakfast.
A more affordable choice is the Kate and Hasu Boutique Chiangmai, a small hotel with cozy rooms and a pool.
Where to Stay at the Riverside in Chiang Mai
Staying near the Ping River is perfect if you want a quieter base in Chiang Mai and prefer to be a little removed from the busy streets.
The Mae Nam Ping River, often just called the Ping River, runs east of the night bazaar and through the city. Life here along the riverside moves at a slower pace than in the old town or around the night market.
If you’re wondering where to stay in Chiang Mai for a more relaxed vibe, the Riverside is a good option. It’s also home to some of our favorite restaurants in the city.
Depending on the location of your hotel, it’s about a 35 to 40 minute walk to the old town and around 15 to 30 minutes to the night bazaar. Of course, you can also take a cab if you don’t feel like walking.
You’ll find everything from budget guesthouses to high-end resorts along the river. Keep in mind though, that not all hotels have direct river views, so check the details carefully before you book.
The further north or south you stay on the river, the longer it will take to reach the old town. Most of our recommendations are still close enough to easily explore Chiang Mai’s highlights.
The best places to stay at the Riverside in Chiang Mai
The Buri Sriping Riverside is a 5-star hotel right on the river. It has a unique atmosphere and beautifully decorated rooms in an authentic style.
If being directly on the water isn’t essential, we also recommend the Gategaa Village. It’s more affordable and features a modern, welcoming design.
Where to Stay around Nimman Road
Nimman Road is the right spot if you’d rather not stay in the tourist center but want to be surrounded by locals and expats instead.
This neighborhood is one of the best places to stay in Chiang Mai if you’re planning a longer visit. Expats love it here, and the vibe is creative, social, and international. We also lived in this area for a while and felt right at home.
Around Nimman Road you’ll find plenty of Thai eateries alongside international restaurants – from Italian to Japanese and everything in between.
In the side streets between Nimman Road and Siri Mangkalajarn Road, you’ll come across lots of bars where young Thais meet up in the evenings over loud music and cold drinks.
The area offers modern and stylish hotels in every price range, plus lots of apartments with small kitchens, making it especially attractive for longer stays.
For a short trip or your very first visit, however, Nimman might not be the most convenient choice. You’ll usually need a cab to get to the old town or the main sights.
Our Chiang Mai hotel tips around Nimman Road
A reader favorite is The Craft Nimman, which we also really like for its beautiful design and spacious rooms.
If you’re planning a longer stay and want something more affordable, we recommend Like A Local. It has its own kitchen facilities and even a shared pool.
The Craft Nimman Nimman Reader's Favorite!
Zivi Nimman
U Nimman
FAQ About Where to Stay in Chiang Mai
How many days should I stay in Chiang Mai?
We recommend staying in Chiang Mai for at least three full days. This allows you to see the most important sights. You’ll also have time for some cool activities and to enjoy Chiang Mai’s unique atmosphere.
You shouldn’t stay in Chiang Mai for too short a time, as the city is quite far from Bangkok, Thailand’s most popular island, and also from Ayutthaya.
What is the coolest neighborhood in Chiang Mai?
It depends on what you like. Personally, we like the Old Town in Chiang Mai best. Here, you’re close to beautiful temples, can enjoy really good food in authentic restaurants, and are also close to many cool bars.
Where is the most happening place in Chiang Mai?
The area around the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar is definitely the busiest. The night bazaar takes place here every evening and there are plenty of bars.
But the Old Town is also busy during the day.
Is Chiang Mai expensive?
No, Chiang Mai is one of the cheapest cities in Thailand. You can get a good, affordable double room in a Chiang Mai hotel for as little as 550 Baht. Hostels are even cheaper.
Of course, it always depends a bit on the dates you travel. On popular dates like the Festival of Lights (the Loi Krathong Festival takes place annually on the night of the full moon in November, the 12th lunar month), you’ll need to budget a bit more for an overnight stay in Chiang Mai.
Food is also super cheap. You can get street food for as little as 40 Baht to 120 Baht per dish, and a meal in a local restaurant costs 120 Baht to 300 Baht per person.
Public transportation, scooters, and activities are also super affordable in Chiang Mai.
How far in advance should I book?
It depends. The good news is you can always find accommodation, even at short notice. But especially during the popular travel months between November and February, it’s best to book early so you don’t have to settle for leftover rooms.
If you’re planning a trip to Chiang Mai for the following events, you should book your accommodation early.
- Festival of Lights in November (annually on the 12th night of the Thai lunar calendar. In 2022, this is November 8, 2022)
- Christmas and New Year’s Eve
- Around the Chinese New Year, late January to mid-February (in 2022, New Year’s Day is on January 22)
- For the Thai New Year, Songkran (April 13 to 15)
When is the best time to travel to Chiang Mai?
The best time to visit Chiang Mai is from November to early February.
During this time, the sun shines almost all day, it hardly rains, and temperatures in Thailand are around 25 to 30 degrees Celsius. However, it can sometimes drop to 15 degrees Celsius at night.
Although you can also enjoy good weather from mid-February to April, this period is the worst time to visit Chiang Mai. During this time, Chiang Mai is extremely affected by smog and air pollution.
Where to stay in Chiang Mai with family
For a family staying in Chiang Mai, some areas are better suited because they offer safe neighborhoods, easy access to attractions, and family-friendly accommodations.
1. Old Town: This area is central, making it easy to walk to temples and main sights like Wat Chedi Luang. Here you find some family-friendly hotels. Such as Phor Liang Meun Terracotta Arts Hotel, it offers a peaceful retreat with an outdoor pool and garden. Families are warmly welcomed, and children between the ages of 2 to 11 can stay free of charge.
2. Nimman Road Area: A trendy neighborhood with lots of cafés, restaurants, and shopping options. Hotels like U Nimman Chiang Mai provide modern family rooms and are close to Maya Mall.
3. Riverside: A quieter area along the Ping River, ideal for relaxed walks and a calm atmosphere. Buri Sriping Riverside Resort & Spa offers luxurious accommodations with river views.