where is the best area to stay in chiang mai?

Where is the best area to stay in Chiang Mai?

By Julia Akins. October 17, 2023

Choosing an area to stay seems like it would be difficult, but if you’re new to the city, the answer is absolutely the Old City. Chiang Mai has many unique neighborhoods to try, but the Old City gives you an exciting introduction and easy access to all the must-see sights and activities. This very walkable area is full of historical landmarks, fantastic restaurants and nightlife, endless massage shops, and everything visitors need during their stay. The quaint, colorful streets are decorated with delightful guesthouses and countless coffee shops, and a weekly walking street market that stretches the entire length of the square - voted one of the best markets in Thailand!

Chiang Mai is a vibrant, cultural haven that is not to be missed on any itinerary in Thailand, with a spectacular setting between Doi Suthep mountain and the gentle Ping River. Despite its status as Thailand’s second-largest city, Chiang Mai retains a quaint, small-town ambiance while offering modern amenities. Chiang Mai is quite unique for its access to extraordinary landscapes just minutes outside the city, from sprawling rice fields to superb national parks. Visitors can enjoy endless activity options, including ethical elephant sanctuaries, treks to local villages, traditional handicrafts workshops, yoga and holistic retreats, Thai cooking classes, scenic motorbike routes, and even extreme sports like ziplining, rafting and ATVs.If you are interested in where to stay in Chiang Mai, you can also be interested in where to stay in Bangkok, where to stay in Phuket, where to stay in Krabi and where to stay in Pattaya.

Old City, the best area to stay in Chiang Mai

First-Timers / Backpackers / Families

The Old City, also known as “the square”, is a great option for first-timers, backpackers and even families who want to stay busy and make the most of their time. The Old City is the ancient capital of the Lanna Kingdom and is surrounded by a still-intact moat and the striking remains of the ancient protective wall. This neighborhood is stands out because of the stark contrast between old and new architecture, with modern, funky cafes built right against ancient brick pagodas.

The roads are small and meandering, with delightful shops around each corner and a lush restaurant scene, presenting everything from northern Thai specialty dishes to vegan and international food. If you’re a seasoned traveler, note that it’s more than just a tourist area. Thais often live where they work, making this place very much a functioning Thai neighborhood with schools, local businesses, and friendly people who love to mingle among the visitors.

Hotels in Chiang Mai Old City

Other areas to stay in Chiang Mai

Hai Ya

Shoppers / Culture Lovers / Budget Travelers

Hai Ya is a lively and dated yet beautiful neighborhood just south of the Old City, perfect for shoppers, culture lovers and budget travelers who love vintage vibes and urban spaces. Through the little winding streets you will find traditional teak wood houses, beautiful old trees, artisan silver jewelry shops, mossy brick pagodas and historical relics. There are old charming guesthouses, abundant local food corners, and the famous Saturday night walking street stretching the entire length of Wua Lai Road.

This is a great area to stay because of its proximity to all the lures of the Old City, with a bit more of a local experience, and it’s known for its galleries, art spaces and silver jewelry shops. It’s location between the airport, the Old City and the night bazaar make it a great central neighborhood to get the most out of your time.

Hotels in Hai Ya

Fa Ham

Families / Seasoned Travelers / Digital Nomads

Fa Ham is a lovely local neighborhood in the north of the city just outside the Superhighway and the Ping river, and is ideal for families and seasoned travelers who want to stay a little longer in the city and enjoy a local side of life. Here you will find quaint homes on more spacious properties, a lot of greenery and generally lower prices. It’s a quieter and beautiful area to stay, apart from the main road running north out of the city providing many nice options for long and short-term apartments.

Central Festival Mall, one of the biggest malls in Chiang Mai, has fantastic shopping, dining, an ice rink and an Imax theater. Meechok Plaza is a smaller shopping center with an outdoor night market, and there are many lovely fresh markets dotted throughout the streets. River kayaking and picturesque riverside restaurants are close by, and of course adorable Thai coffee shops and eateries.

Hotels in Fa Ham

Nimmanhaemin

Foodies / Couples / Influencers

Also known as “Nimman” neighborhood, this popular area near Chiang Mai University is lively and trendy with new businesses popping up daily. Nimman is a great area for foodies, couples and influencers who love modern amenities and nightlife options. It is a common choice for longer-staying visitors because of the accessibility to great amenities, such as gyms, yoga and language schools.

There is a wide selection of modern boutique hotels here, not many backpacker hostels, and an abundant selection of well-equipped apartments with great mountain views. Nimman has stunning rooftop bars, instagrammable cafes, co-working spaces, and some of the best restaurants in town. Entertaining hipster bars are open late and busy with more university students than travelers. You will find a lot of events happening here, including salsa classes, pop-up markets and live music. Maya Mall and One Nimman are the two main shopping centers, which are very modern and offer some of the best shopping in town.

Hotels in Nimmanhaemin

Chang Phueak

Nature Lovers / Seasoned Travelers / Digital Nomads

Chang Pueak is a large area in the northwest corner of Chiang Mai, covering many unique sub-neighborhoods each with their own charm. It’s a great option for nature lovers, digital nomads and seasoned travelers curious to see a local side of Chiang Mai. Within Chang Pueak you can surely find an area that suits you, as it stretches from lively central areas to quiet jungle spaces at the base of Doi Suthep. Some highlights include the Chiang Mai National Museum and Rama IX Lanna Park, one of the few city parks with extensive footpaths and exercise equipment.

Santitham is a fun and busy spot that is walkable and full of affordable local shops. It’s popular with younger Thais, offering plenty of cute local bars, great coffee spots and international food. Nearby, Jed Yod is where you will find Maya Mall and the National Museum. Jed Yod is a quieter but popular student area with more space, beautiful tree-lined roads, nice apartment options and local Thai restaurants.

Hotels in Chang Phueak

Chang Khlan

Budget Travelers / Shoppers / Party-Goers

Chang Klan is a bustling and exciting neighborhood just southeast of the Old City, which includes the Ping River and the famous night bazaar. The Night Bazaar is Chiang Mai’s famous shopping hub that runs nightly, offering the best shopping in the city as well as endless affordable Thai and International food options. Chang Klan is perfect for budget travelers, shoppers and party-goers. Throughout Chang Klan (and the night bazaar) you will find plenty of bars offering live music, snooker, muay Thai, Cabaret shows and even Chiang Mai’s “red light district”.

There are hostels and hotels ranging from beg-packer to 5-star with rooftop pools. You can also find some quiet, serene gems just off the main road, so there really is something for everyone in this central area. Chang Klan has a lot of old charm remaining, even with the resurgence of tourism, and there is abundant cultural character and gorgeous riverfront views to make it a memorable place to stay.

Hotels in Chang Khlan

Chang Moi

Culture Lovers / Couples / Honeymooners

Chang Moi is an attractive, historical part of town just east of the Old City with the Ping River running through it. It’s a fabulous choice for culture lovers and honeymooners who love rustic vibes, shopping and historical origins. The riverfront properties have breathtaking sunsets and contemporary hotel options. Chang Moi is very central, easily accessible to the Old City and the night bazaar, but is a slightly quieter and more peaceful option with much of the nightlife across the bridge. Northern Thai culture is strong here and many original buildings have been restored, now housing traditional handicrafts shops, beautiful guesthouses and northern Thai restaurants.

Chang Moi is full of charm at every turn and ancient trees that have grown wide from soaking up the Ping River. A main highlight is Warorot Market in Chinatown, one of the largest markets in Northern Thailand, filled with endless merchandise and a sensory overload. This market is not to be missed!

Hotels in Chang Moi

Wat Ket

Culture Lovers / Couples / Active Travelers

Wat Ket is a busy local area just east of the city, running along the Ping River to the south. It’s a great choice for couples, digital nomads and active travelers who want to get a little off the beaten tracks. Homes and shops are dense and dated, yet hold on to vintage charm and give travelers some great things to see that others might miss. Wat Ket has stunning riverfront views, huge flowering trees, artsy cafes, and beautiful temples and ruins.

There are old teak buildings and many serene guesthouses to choose from. Hipster coffee shops are popping up often and new businesses are brightening the streets. Wat Ket’s highlight is the Chiang Mai-Lamphun road, lined with ancient rubber trees planted in 1911 that now tower higher than most trees in Chiang Mai. These trees are wrapped with orange blessing cloths for protection, making for a gorgeous drive (with an interesting history) that is now buzzing with activity and daily markets.

Hotels in Wat Ket