The best areas to stay in Chiang Mai Old City, Nimmanhemin, Tha Phae Gate, Night Bazaar, and Riverside.
Alternative areas include Santitham, Mountainside, and Wat Ket.
For many tourists, the Old City is the best area due to its location, culture, and the surrounding temples and other city highlights nearby.
This might be an overwhelming and confusing answer to your question about where to stay in Chiang Mai.
But don’t worry, because, in this article, we cover what we believe are the best areas to stay in Chiang Mai, regarding the type of traveller you are.
If you want to go straight to the recommendations, tap on the following button.
Or simply continue reading if you want to know just a bit more about Chiang Mai.
Nestled in the lush mountains of northern Thailand, Chiang Mai is an ideal travel destination for those seeking a unique blend of cultural richness, natural beauty, and modern amenities.
Known as the “Rose of the North”, Chiang Mai offers a captivating experience that appeals to a wide range of travelers.
It is without a doubt one of the most popular destinations in Southeast Asia.
And that’s for some very good reasons!
Chiang Mai is mostly renowned for its rich cultural heritage.
The city is dotted with awe-inspiring temples, such as Wat Phra Singh and Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, showcasing intricate architecture and exquisite religious art.
You can even partake in traditional ceremonies and learn about Buddhism from local monks, gaining insight into Thai spirituality.
The city is also celebrated for its vibrant festivals, including the Yi Peng Lantern Festival and Songkran, the Thai New Year’s water festival.
These events provide a firsthand glimpse into Thai customs and offer unforgettable memories.
Nature enthusiasts will find Chiang Mai a paradise, surrounded by lush jungles, waterfalls, and the majestic Doi Inthanon, Thailand’s highest peak.
Treks through the pristine forests and interactions with indigenous hill tribes provide a deeper connection to nature and local culture.
Furthermore, Chiang Mai’s thriving food scene is famous for its delectable street food, night markets, and cooking classes.
The city is a culinary haven, offering an array of flavors that cater to all tastes.
Whether you seek spiritual enlightenment, outdoor adventures, or simply a taste of authentic Thai culture, Chiang Mai welcomes you with open arms, promising an unforgettable journey in the heart of northern Thailand.
To make sure that you can optimally enjoy all this awesomeness, we’ve come up with an article with recommendations to pick the right area for you.
Each area comes with its advantages and disadvantages and certain areas are more suitable for a certain type of traveller.
All of this will be explained in the next paragraphs.
At the bottom of this article, you can find a map with all the recommended areas including the city highlights.
With that being said, let’s jump straight to our recommendations.
Where to stay in Chaing Mai first time? Keep reading!
Overview of the best areas to stay in Chiang Mai for the first time:
Below, you find a table with an overview of all the recommended areas along with a short explanation of what makes that area so special.
You can tap on one of the green links to go immediately to that recommended area, or just continue reading the article.
| The best areas to stay in Chiang Mai first time | What’s so special about this area? |
|---|---|
| 1. Old City | Perfect central location with an abundance of affordable hotels, beautiful part of the city with historical significance and many attractions nearby. |
| 2. Nimmanhemin | Trendy part of Chiang Mai with a central location that attract many young travelleres who love to explore Chiang Mai’s nightlife too. |
| 3. Night Bazaar | Area near the popular Night Bazaar that offers amazing street food and a great local nightlife scene, great access to other major city highlights. |
| 4. Riverside | Area that offers beautiful riverside views and a calm ambiance, outstanding food scene with great restaurants that offer riverside views, ideal for couples and families. |
| 5. Tha Phae Gate | Central area with historical significance, good variety of upscale boutique hotels, great food scene, but a pricier area than other central areas. |
| 6. Santitham | Lesser-known area ideal for the budget-minded traveller who don’t want to stay in a hostel but in a decent hotel. |
| 7. Mountainside | An ideal area for those who want to escape the mass tourism of Chiang Mai, great mountainside views, but a far less vibrant area compared to the others. |
| 8. Wat Ket | An alternative area surrounded by nature with budget-friendly hotels but also great resorts, ideal for those who want to enjoy a bit of peacefulness. |
How to get around Chiang Mai?
One of the easiest ways to get around the city is by using the so-called Songthaews.
Songthaews are red trucks that serve as shared taxis.
They follow fixed routes, and you can wave one down to hop on.
They operate both within the city and to surrounding areas.
Alternatively, you can use tuk-tuks which are a convenient and fun way to travel short distances within the city.
However, note that tuk-tuk fares are often negotiable, so be sure to agree on a price before starting the journey. It’s very easy to fall for a scam.
Metered taxis are far more comfortable and less vulnerable to scams, and these are ideal for the somewhat longer distances within the city.
You can use the ride-hailing service Grab if you want to save some money.
Many tourists tend to rent a motorbike.
While we understand many tourists will do that, it’s worth mentioning that many accidents happen in Thailand with motorbikes, and hundreds of foreigners are involved with deadly consequences.
In case you do rent a motorbike, drive extremely carefully and make sure you have all the correct paperwork done.
That includes insurance and an international driver’s license.
What is the best time of the year to visit Chiang Mai?
The best time to visit Chiang Mai depends on your preferences and what you want to experience during your trip.
Chiang Mai experiences three distinct seasons: the cool and dry season, the hot season, and the rainy season. Here’s a breakdown of each season to help you decide when to visit:
Cool and Dry Season (November to February)
This is generally considered the best time to visit Chiang Mai. The weather is cool and comfortable, with daytime temperatures ranging from 20°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F).
The air is relatively dry, and there is little rainfall, making outdoor activities and sightseeing pleasant.
This is also the peak tourist season, so expect larger crowds and higher prices for accommodations and activities, especially around Christmas and New Year’s.
Hot Season (March to May)
Chiang Mai experiences hot and dry weather during these months, with temperatures often exceeding 35°C (95°F) in April.
If you can tolerate the heat, you may find good deals on accommodations, as this is the shoulder season between the cool and rainy seasons.
It’s a good time for indoor activities, and you can still enjoy cultural experiences and the city’s attractions.
Rainy Season (June to October)
The rainy season in Chiang Mai brings frequent, heavy downpours, particularly in July and August.
While the rain can make outdoor activities more challenging, it also brings lush, green landscapes and lower prices for accommodations.
If you don’t mind occasional rain and prefer a quieter and more budget-friendly experience, this could be a good time to visit.
The best areas to stay in Chiang Mai are:
1. Old City (Tourists’ top choice)
Old City is by far the most popular area in Chiang Mai for first-timers.
The Old City is referred to the area inside the city walls, which was built in the thirteenth century.
This area itself is full of history, which attracts tourists in the first place, whether they stay here or outside the city walls.
The local government applied a law that forbids high-rise buildings inside this cultural area.
Places like Hua Hin also have this law applied, which creates a unique vibe.
The Old City is full of Buddhist architecture and here, you can find around three hundred different temples, which makes it ideal for a day of temple-hopping.
The most popular activities and venues of the city are located nearby, so you can walk from point A to B easily.
As said in the introduction, at the Old City, you can find many affordable accommodations often in the form of hostels, but also higher-end hotels.
This area is touristic, meaning that you can easily find day tours, making it an excellent starting point for exploring Chiang Mai and its surroundings.
For who: sightseeing tourists, budget-minded tourists.
Advantages: perfect central location, abundance of affordable hotels, beautiful part of the city.
Disadvantage: extremely touristy.
Some of the best hotels in Chiang Mai for first-timers in this area are visually listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and often offers significantly cheaper options compared to its competitors. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.
2. Nimmanhemin (Trendy area in Chiang Mai)
Where the Old City stands out with rich culture and history, Nimmanhemin, which is a long street, is the exact opposite as it’s full of trendy places that target young people.
Especially if you’re a young traveller and love to go out, stay near Nimmanhemin as it offers a good variety of trendy nightclubs.
Nimmanhemin is situated near the heart of Chiang Mai, making it convenient for exploring the city’s attractions.
It’s just a short distance away from the Old City, where you can find historical temples, the Sunday Walking Street Market, and cultural landmarks.
The area is known for its trendy and cosmopolitan vibe and it is filled with modern coffee shops, boutique stores, art galleries, and stylish restaurants.
It attracts a young and creative crowd, making it an exciting place to stay.
If you enjoy shopping, Nimmanhemin won’t disappoint you.
The area is known for its boutique stores and independent designers.
You can find unique clothing, accessories, and handicrafts, as well as modern shopping malls like Maya Lifestyle Shopping Center.
Nimmanhemin is a haven for coffee lovers and digital nomads.
The area is dotted with trendy cafes and co-working spaces, providing a comfortable environment to work or relax.
Many cafes have a welcoming atmosphere, making them perfect for spending a few hours with a laptop or a book.
For who: younger travellers who appreciate nightlife and trendy restaurants and bars.
Advantages: trendy part of Chiang Mai ideal for younger travellers, great nightlife scene.
Disadvantages: more expensive than other parts of the city.
Some of the best hotels in Chiang Mai for first-timers in this area are visually listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and often offers significantly cheaper options compared to its competitors. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.
3. Night Bazaar (Shopping and local nightlife)
Those keen on shopping and local nightlife and love enjoying a bustling neighbourhood, should pick a hotel near the Night Bazaar.
The Night Bazaar is one of the city’s highlights and as you might expect, it’s known for its bazaar.
This bazaar offers much more than just food and clothes.
Here, you can find all sorts of handicrafts, jewellery, and interesting shops for souvenirs and herbs. You can basically consider the Night Bazaar as a true shopping paradise.
But it’s also one of the best places in Chiang Mai to discover and devour delicious street food.
Because of this, it attracts a wide variety of visitors that are entertained by live music, which makes it a vibrant area.
The Night Bazaar is located close to the Old City but has a more local touch.
You can enjoy the local nightlife here as well, which is different from the trendy nightlife scene at Nimmanhemin.
Overall, this part offers a great variety of accommodations and mainly boutique guesthouses, mid-range hotels but also here and there some luxury hotels.
As you’re located centrally and the fact that the Night Bazaar itself is one of the highlights of the city, it’s super easy to use public transport or find day trips to nearby attractions.
In other words, it’s a tremendously convenient part of Chiang Mai.
For who: street food lovers, local nightlife enthusiasts, shopaholics.
Advantages: street food Walhalla, great local nightlife scene, central location with great access to other highlights.
Disadvantage: during the night, the Night Bazaar gets very crowded.
Some of the best hotels in Chiang Mai for first-timers in this area are visually listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and often offers significantly cheaper options compared to its competitors. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.
4. Riverside (Family-friendly area in Chiang Mai)
The Riverside of Chiang Mai is arguably the best area to stay in Chiang Mai for families.
Here, you can find all sorts of upscale and luxurious hotels with plenty of space and a good view of the Ping River.
Staying in this area allows visitors to enjoy the calming ambiance, lush greenery, and beautiful views.
It provides a peaceful escape from the bustling city center.
The area is also renowned for its riverside restaurants and cafés.
Dining along the riverbank provides a delightful experience, with many establishments offering scenic views, authentic Thai cuisine, and international dishes.
Staying along the Riverside allows easy access to river cruises and boat tours.
Visitors can embark on a relaxing boat ride along the Ping River, exploring the surrounding areas and enjoying the scenic beauty.
There are also options for activities like kayaking and paddleboarding for those seeking adventure.
Because it’s much quieter, it has a bit of a feeling of the Old City, but with the benefits of the river view.
The hotel prices are higher than in other parts of the city, which make it not ideal for those travelling on a stricter budget.
While the Riverside area offers a serene environment, it is still well-connected to the city center and other attractions.
Transportation options like taxis, tuk-tuks, and songthaews are readily available, allowing for easy exploration of other parts of Chiang Mai.
However, those who want to enjoy Chiang Mai’s nightlife or want to stay somewhere more bustling should stay closer to the city center.
For who: families and couples.
Advantages: beautiful riverside views, calm ambience, great restaurants scene that offer stunning views, outstanding hotels and resorts.
Disadvantages: pricier hotels and for nightlife purposes, it’s better to stay somewhere closer to the city center.
Some of the best hotels in Chiang Mai for first-timers in this area are visually listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and often offers significantly cheaper options compared to its competitors. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.
5. Tha Phae Gate (Foodie haven)
The Tha Phae Gate is located on the Eastside of the Old City wall and in this area, you can find higher-end hotels that are located near the old city centre, but definitely budget-friendlier accommodations too.
Tha Phae Gate is one of the most iconic and historically significant landmarks in Chiang Mai.
It was once part of the fortified wall surrounding the Old City and served as the main entrance to the city.
Staying near Tha Phae Gate allows visitors to immerse themselves in the city’s rich history and cultural heritage.
Tha Phae Gate serves as the gateway to the Old City, which is the historic center of Chiang Mai.
By staying in this area, you have easy access to explore the ancient temples, traditional markets, and cultural sites that define the charm of Chiang Mai.
It’s a perfect location for experiencing the city’s cultural treasures.
Aside from the historical significance and the high-quality hotels, you can find amazing food near the gate as well, which makes it a sort of a foodie haven.
You can also find elephant sanctuaries nearby as well as the Tha Phae Walking Street.
In the evening, the area around Tha Phae Gate really comes a live and you can find some decent nightlife here too.
If you have a larger budget and you still want to be located centrally, picking a hotel near the Tha Phae Gate is highly recommended.
Alternatively, you can pick a hotel near the Chiang Mai Gate as well, which is the gate located on the Southside of the Old City wall.
Hotels near this gate are slightly cheaper, yet you still have the benefit of staying centrally.
Near the Chiang Mai Gate are the Saturday Night Market and the Wua Lai Walking Street which both are ideal for shopping.
For who: those with a larger budget and want to stay close to the city center.
Advantages: central location, historical significance, upscale boutique hotels widely available, amazing food scene.
Disadvantage: this area is pricier compared to other central areas.
Some of the best hotels in Chiang Mai for first-timers in this area are visually listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and often offers significantly cheaper options compared to its competitors. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.
6. Santitham (Budget-friendly)
Santitham is the area right next to the trendy Nimmanhemin.
What’s good about Santitham is that you will find tons of amazing (Northern) Thai restaurants along with affordable hotels.
Going to the Old City is a piece of cake as it’s only a few hundred meters from Santitham Road.
The downside of this area is that it’s not that popular, meaning that it’s not a good place to meet up with fellow travellers.
Areas like Old City and Nimmanhemin are more suitable for that.
If you travel on a budget, you can consider staying at Santitham.
Especially when you value privacy.
But if you’re more of a social traveller and want to catch up with fellow globetrotters, staying at a hostel in popular areas is a much smarter decision.
For who: budget-minded traveller who seeks privacy/stay in a hotel rather than a hostel.
Advantages: amazing local restaurants nearby, good variety of affordable hotels in this part of the city.
Disadvantage: not much of a popular area despite its central location.
Some of the best hotels in Chiang Mai for first-timers in this area are visually listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and often offers significantly cheaper options compared to its competitors. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.
7. Mountainside – Su Thep (Away from the mass)
This large area on the west side of the city that’s facing the Doi Suthep is one of the highlights of the city.
It’s located behind the airport and the previously recommended area Nimmanhemin and as you can expect, it’s ideal for those who don’t want to stay in the bustling city centre but can somewhat enjoy a bit of nature and a beautiful mountainside view.
In this area, you can find a walking trail, plenty of coffee shops, and the Angkaew reservoir and for those planning to head to the mountains, you have the best access to reach these mountains.
Especially when you’re not into nightlife and only occasionally want to visit the night markets, the mountainside can be a great option for those who want to avoid mass tourism.
For who: travellers seeking a peaceful stay.
Advantages: easy access to the mountains, beautiful scenic views, ideal for those who want to avoid mass tourism.
Disadvantage: not as bustling as other areas, you have to travel to reach the city center and its main attractions.
Some of the best hotels in Chiang Mai for first-timers in this area are visually listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and often offers significantly cheaper options compared to its competitors. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.
8. Wat Ket (Alternative area and budget-friendly)
Wat Ket is the area on the opposite side of the river, opposite the previously recommended area called Riverside.
As you can expect with areas that are located further away from the city highlights, it’s a more budget-friendly area although you can find higher-end hotels here as well.
Where the previously recommended Mountainside has a nice view, staying at Wat Ket can be a hit or miss when it comes to views.
But many hotels here are beautifully decorated and provided with plenty of greenery.
In order to get to the Old City, you simply have to cross one of the bridges.
You are also located near the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary as well as Chiang Mai’s train station.
Wat Ket, in general, is not discovered by the majority of the tourists, which makes it definitely an authentic Thai experience.
Some of the best hotels in Chiang Mai for first-timers in this area are visually listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and often offers significantly cheaper options compared to its competitors. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.
Areas we don’t recommend staying in Chiang Mai for the first time
When visiting Chiang Mai for the first time, most of us want to see the city’s highlights.
You can combine these highlights with tours that take you up the mountains and see other amazing nature, but mobility is one of the key aspects of picking the best area.
All the recommended areas so far are located near the Old City.
When using popular booking platforms, make sure to avoid Hang Dong and Mae Rim as these areas are far outside the city and not ideal for first-time visitors.
Obviously, there are exceptions for those who want to stay remotely, however, the majority of tourists should pick the recommended areas listed in the first parts of the article.
Map of the best areas to stay in Chiang Mai for the first time
The next image is a map of the best areas in Chiang Mai for the first time including the city highlights.
The image is in high resolution so you can easily zoom in to see all the details.
Conclusion
The most popular area to stay in Chiang Mai among tourists is the Old City, which also includes the Tha Phae Gate (more upscale) and the Chiang Mai Gate (slightly budget-friendly).
Younger, party-minded travellers could stay at either Nimmanhemin (trendy) or the Night Bazaar (more local) if they look for a bustling area with good nightlife in particular.
Families and couples could stay at the Riverside and Mountainside as these areas offer spacious and more luxurious accommodations.
Alternatively, Wat Ket and Santitham offer a healthy mix of both for a better price.
In the end, Chiang Mai offers an amazing variety of hotels and for most tourists, the following rule applies: the closer you are to Old Town and its surrounding neighbourhoods, the better you have access to the city’s highlights.
Relevant articles about travelling in Thailand for the first time
Where to stay in Bangkok first time?
Where to stay in Phuket first time?
Where to stay in Koh Samui first time?
There you have it, our recommendations to your questions about where to stay in Chiang Mai for the first time.
We hope you enjoyed it and hopefully, you can make a good decision and have the time of your life in this amazing, culturally-rich city!