3-Day Chiang Mai Itinerary: A Travel Guide For First-Timer

Chiang Mai is a lovely city in mountainous northern Thailand, popular with tourists and digital nomads, with a large expat community as well.  Known for affordability, delicious food, and its many markets, it’s also a chill place perfect for relaxing. Situated on a river, there are many outdoor activities to enjoy, as well as some great day trips for longer stays. Chiang Mai’s history as a cultural and religious center is evidenced by its hundreds of ornate Buddhist temples including 14th-century Wat Phra Singh and 15th-century Wat Chedi Luang. In this 3-day Chiang Mai itinerary, you will learn everything you need to know for your perfect stay in Thailand’s charming city.

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This guest post was written by Monica from Digital Roamads

Best Time to Visit Chiang Mai

The best time to visit Chiang Mai is November through February, as the weather is cooler and dryer, ideal for many outdoor activities. Also, the flowers are in bloom and there are a lot of festivals to enjoy. January is considered to be the busiest month with the largest influx of visitors. The worst time to come to Chiang Mai is March through May. It is hot during this time, but it is also the “burning season,” when farmers in the region burn their leftover crops to fertilize the fields, making the air smoky and foggy. But the famous Songkran Water Festival is in mid-April, so you can choose your priority. Visiting Thailand in July or in the months from June – September allows you to avoid crowds and save money.

Best Areas to Stay in Chiang Mai

Old City – The most central and historic area, with ancient temples, museums, and old city gates and walls. This is the best (and most central) place to stay if it’s your first visit to Chiang Mai.

Nimman – The trendiest area of Chiang Mai. Nimman is popular with expats and digital nomads.  More sophisticated but pricier than other areas.

Night Bazaar – Just east of Old City, this area is dominated by the city’s largest night market and offers lots of restaurants and a vibrant nightlife.

Riverside – This is a quieter area with scenic views of the River Ping, just across the river from Night Bazaar.

Santitham – Northeast of Nimman and more affordable, Santitham is a quiet but more remote neighborhood gaining popularity with visitors.

Find your perfect stay:

Getting Around in Chiang Mai

The two best options for getting around Chiang Mai are:

Grab (rideshare app similar to Uber): These are generally 100-150 baht, ideal for two or more people, and best if you need to get straight to your destination quickly. 

Songthaew (Red Truck): 30 baht per person, this is the best option if you’re traveling solo. Simply flag down the driver and tell them where you’d like to go. If they say yes, hop in the back and you’ll be dropped off in the order that works best with the other customers in the truck.

Best Things to Do for 3 Days in Chiang Mai

Markets:

• Go to a street market. This is a great introduction to the culture, with shopping and often with live music, and the plentiful street food is cheap and delicious.
• Visit the Night Bazaar. Open every night in the Old City, it includes the Kalare Night Bazaar and the covered Anusarn Market (great for when it’s raining.)
• Weekend Walking Street Markets: On Saturdays, the market sets up on Wualai Road, and on Sundays, along Ratchadamnoen Road in the Old City (both are from 4 pm – midnight).
• White Market: A much smaller market at One Nimman, open from 3 pm-10 pm Friday-Sunday, you can avoid the traffic of a commute if you’re staying in Nimman. There are permanent food stalls in the back, open every day.
• Coconut Market: A beautiful location in an old coconut grove in northeast Chiang Mai, open 8 am -2 pm on the weekend. Quiet and peaceful.

More Chiang Mai activities:

• Visit some of the best Buddhist temples in Thailand, such as Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang.  Don’t miss the iconic Doi Suthep on the mountaintop above the city. Be sure to remove your shoes and cover your knees and shoulders before entering any temple. Make sure to read my guide for more information on what to wear in Thailand temples.

• Take a food tour or a Thai cooking class. If it’s your first visit to Thailand, this is an easy and terrific way to be introduced to a vast array of local dishes and ingredients.
• Get a Thai massage. A specialty in Thailand, characterized by compression, acupressure, and passive stretching. An hour-long Thai massage typically costs less than $10.  Available everywhere – check Google ratings to find the best one near you.
• See Asian elephants responsibly has to be on top of your Thailand bucket list. There are many elephant sanctuaries to choose from, but not all are sustainable and ethical.  These are three of the best: Elephant Nature Park, Elephant Jungle Sanctuary, Kindred Spirit Elephant Sanctuary

The Perfect 3-Day Chiang Mai Itinerary

Here’s a comprehensive 3-day Chiang Mai itinerary. This plan includes walking and rideshare options and focuses on food, history, the outdoors, top sites, great scenery, hidden gems, and views while avoiding museums due to time constraints. Adjustments can be made based on preferences and availability. As for the budget, prices for meals and rideshares in Chiang Mai are generally affordable, allowing for a moderate budget allocation.

Day 1: Exploring Old City and Local Cuisine

Morning:

Breakfast at Dash Restaurant & Bar (Hidden Gem): Start your day with a delightful and delicious breakfast at Dash, known for its serene atmosphere and great food.

Walking Tour of Old City Walls and Temples (History & Top Sites): Walk around the Old City walls and moats. Explore the historical temples within the Old City walls, including Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang.  Then just get lost until lunch; on foot is the best way to see this area. Click here to book your guided walking tour.

Lunch:

Khao Soi at Khao Soi Khun Yai (Local Cuisine): Try Chiang Mai’s signature dish, khao soi, a spicy coconutty noodle dish, at this highly-rated and popular spot.

Afternoon:

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep Temple (Views & Great Scenery): Take a rideshare to Doi Suthep (5,499 ft) for breathtaking views of Chiang Mai. Climb the 306 steps or take the funicular to the top, then explore the temple (one of the most beautiful in Thailand) and surroundings. 

Mon Cham (Scenic Stop): Enjoy the scenic beauty and perhaps a cup of tea at Mon Cham, a largely undiscovered mountain village near the town of Mae Rim, 40 minutes from the center of Chiang Mai.

Dinner:

Dinner at The Service 1921 (Historic Dining): Dine at a historic venue, The Service 1921, in the former British Consulate building on the Ping River, featuring delicious Asian and world-inspired dishes and a colonial-era ambiance.  Also, don’t miss the secret bookshelf door that swings open to reveal the private dining room.

Day 2: Outdoor Adventure and Riverside Dining

Morning:

Breakfast at Rustic & Blue (Scenic Breakfast): Start your day with a scenic breakfast at Rustic & Blue.

Mae Sa Waterfall Hike (Outdoors & Scenery): Get out of the city – take a rideshare to Mae Sa and embark on a nature-filled hike to Mae Sa Waterfall, a picturesque multi-level waterfall and plunge pool for swimming.

Lunch:

Riverside Lunch at The Riverside Bar & Restaurant (Scenic Dining): Enjoy a leisurely lunch of northern Thai specialties with a view of the Ping River.

Afternoon:

Wat Umong Suan Puthatham (Hidden Gem & Walking): Explore this unique tunnel temple outside the Old City walls and its serene, forested surroundings.

Dinner:

Take a Thai Cooking Class (Local Experience):

Day 3: Cultural Exploration and Evening Market

Morning:

Breakfast at Akha Ama Coffee (Local Experience). Enjoy breakfast or brunch at this renowned local coffee shop.

Walking Tour of Wualai Road (Walking & Local Crafts). On Saturday nights, Wualai Road becomes a busy walking street market, but in the mornings it is much quieter and you are free to explore the Silver District, known for its traditional silverware, lacquerware and other unique handicrafts.

Lunch:

Street Food at Chiang Mai Gate Market (Food Adventure). Try various local street foods at this bustling market.

Exploring Nimmanhaemin Road (Shopping & Trendy Cafes): Walk around Nimmanhaemin Road, Chiang Mai’s trendiest area, for cafes, boutique shops, and art galleries.  Make sure to also grab a cup of delicious and award-winning latte art at Roast8ry, where you can choose your detailed design.

Afternoon:

Visit Elephant Nature Park. Book an afternoon visit to observe beautiful Asian elephants frolicking in the river and interacting in their natural habitat. This elephant sanctuary is a rescue and rehabilitation center. It is home to over 100 elephants living in a safe, caring, and natural environment.  The center can pick you up around 12:30, and then have you back by 6:00 pm

Dinner:

Dinner at Huen Muan Jai (Local Cuisine): Experience authentic northern Thai cuisine from a Thai celebrity chef at Huen Muan Jai, which has received Michelin recognition.

Night Bazaar (Local Experience): Take a walk through the evening night market, shopping for souvenirs and enjoying the lively ambiance.

Final Thoughts on the 3-Day Chiang Mai Itinerary

Scenic and rich in history, Chiang Mai is a must-visit city when in Thailand. This 3-day Chiang Mai itinerary includes walking and rideshare options and focuses on food, history, the outdoors, walking, top sites, great scenery, photo stops, hidden gems, and also views.

Don’t forget to save this post for your next Chiang Mai adventure!