Where to stay in Chiang Mai First TIme 2024 - 10 best areas

In this article, we dive deeper into your question about where to stay in Chiang mai first time.

To make it as simple as possible for you as a reader, we start with an overview of all the recommended areas we cover followed by a short description.

Then, we briefly answer a few commonly asked questions:

Where to stay in Chiang Mai first time?

Where to stay in Chiang Mai with family?

Where to stay in Chiang Mai for nightlife?

Where to stay in Chiang Mai for backpackers?

You can always tap on a purple link to go directly to that part of the article.

This will save you a lot of time and only read what you need to read.

Enjoy!

Overview of the best areas to stay in Chiang Mai first time

Name of the area in Chiang Mai	Description of the recommended area
1. Old City* Go directly to this part of the article for more in-depth information. ↓	The tourist epicenter of Chiang Mai with great access to many major attractions. You’re surrounded by historical buildings, ancient walls, temples, markets, and cultural sites. Keep in mind that many tourists choose this area as their base and that it lacks some modern amenities. *You can click on the purple link to directly navigate to that part of the article to read in-depth information about that specific area.
2. Nimmanhaemin Road Go directly to this part of the article for more in-depth information. ↓	Trendy and modern area with a huge variety of unique restaurants, bars, and shops. It attracts the younger crowds as it also offers a great nightlife scene. But also families tend to stay in this area as it offers all sorts of modern amenities that make your stay more comfortable than elsewhere.
3. Riverside Go directly to this part of the article for more in-depth information. ↓	Chiang Mai’s Riverside is the ideal area for couples and families who love to stay in a quieter and scenic area. It’s considered an upscale area with excellent dining options, but there is not much nightlife and prices are significantly higher compared to Chiang Mai’s Old City. Expect upscale and boutique hotels with beautiful riverside views.
4. Night Bazaar Go directly to this part of the article for more in-depth information. ↓	Great nightlife area tucked between Chiang Mai’s Old City and Riverside. Ideal for those who want to combine sightseeing with a fun night’s out. Mainly attracts younger travellers who love to meet fellow travellers and party until dawn.
5. Tha Phae Gate Go directly to this part of the article for more in-depth information. ↓	An area that offers great transportation, access to major attractions, nightlife, and the Sunday Night Walking Street. For many a great option to stay close to everything, but keep in mind that it’s one of the most crowded areas in the city.
6. Wua Lai Go directly to this part of the article for more in-depth information. ↓	Located south of the Old City, Wua Lai is a more authentic part of Chiang Mai with great access to several historic temples as well as the Saturday Night Walking Street Market. This quieter area offers legendary local eateries as well as a glimpse of the traditional Lanna culture.
7. Chang Moi Go directly to this part of the article for more in-depth information. ↓	Another great area for families and couples as this is a relatively quiet area. You’re located strategically so that you can visit the major highlights without much hassle but you can fall back to an area where it’s peaceful. Just keep in mind that there are less things to do in the evening and that the area, in general, mainly targets locals.
8. Mae Hia Go directly to this part of the article for more in-depth information. ↓	Area near Chiang Mai Airport, so you’re further away from the city center, but you have great access to the mountains and its surrounding nature where you can find resorts that focus on tranquility, relaxation, wellness, and rejuvenation.
9. Mae Rim Go directly to this part of the article for more in-depth information. ↓	Chiang Mai’s mountainside with great access to hiking trails, ATV rides, ethical elephant sanctuaries, traditional Thai villages, upscale resorts, waterfalls, and hot springs. Those seeking a nature-centric or adventurous experience will love this area, but keep in mind that you’re located outside the city.
10. Popular backpack areas Go directly to this part of the article for more in-depth information. ↓	In this part of the article, you’ll find an overview of the most popular backpack areas in Chiang Mai.

Where to stay in Chiang Mai first time

The best areas to stay in Chiang Mai first time are Old City (Inner City), Nimmanhaemin (Nimman) Road, Riverside, The Night Bazaar, Tha Phae Gate, and Wua Lai.

There is quite some difference between these areas.

The Old City is ideal for sightseeing but lacks a proper nightlife scene.

Nimmanhaemin Road, The Night Bazaar, and Tha Phae Gate are ideal for those who want to combine sightseeing with nightlife.

Chiang Mai’s Riverside is ideal for those who absolutely want to avoid a bustling area and prefer serenity and peacefulness.

Wua Lai is ideal for foodies and those seeking a more authentic experience while still remaining in a central location.

In the next three paragraphs, we summarize the best areas to stay in Chiang Mai with family, nightlife, and for backpackers, and then we dive deeper into each recommended area.

Where to stay in Chiang Mai with family

The best areas to stay in Chiang Mai with family are Riverside, Nimmanhaemin (Nimman) Road, Chang Moi, Mae Hia, and Mae Rim.

We believe that you should take advantage of Chiang Mai’s scenic and tranquil parts when visiting Chiang Mai with family.

Chiang Mai’s Riverside and Chang Moi are great options for those who want to combine a tranquil environment with a central location, although you do need to stay as close as possible to the river.

For families who want solely a great base with modern amenities, Nimmanhaemin Road is your best option.

Now, for those who want to stay in a beautiful area away from the bustling city, stay at either Mae Hia or Mae Rim.

The downside is that you’re located much further from the city center, however, resorts that you can find there are incredibly beautiful and worth considering.

Where to stay in Chiang Mai for nightlife

The best areas to stay in Chiang Mai for nightlife are Nimmanhaemin (Nimman) Road, the Night Bazaar, the Tha Phae Gate Area, Loi Kroh Road, and Chang Klan Road.

Basically, you have two options.

Either stay around the trendy Nimman Road or the more local Night Bazaar.

From the Night Bazaar, you can easily reach Tha Phae Gate, Loi Kroh Road and Chang Klan Road, and visa versa.

Those on a stricter budget should stay closer to Chang Klan Road as it’s located further away from the tourist epicenter.

Where to stay in Chiang Mai for backpackers

The best areas to stay in Chiang Mai for backpackers are Old City, Nimmanhaemin (Nimman) Road, Moon Muang Road, Chang Pheak, Chang Moi, Huay Kaew Road, and the Tha Pae Gate Area.

Arguably the best option is Old City, because this is right in the tourist epicenter and surprisingly, it offers plenty of affordable guesthouses, hostels and even three-star hotels.

Nimman Road is a popular area among younger travellers.

But it’s a trendy and upscale area, and finding affordable accommodation is difficult yet not impossible.

Moon Muang Road, Chang Phaek, and Huay Kaew Road are three popular streets with an abundance of hostels, so they automatically attract many backpackers.

Chang Moi is a large area east of the Old City where you can also find affordable accommodations, but don’t stay close to Riverside because it’s impossible to find something affordable there.

1. Old City

For many tourists, the Old City is the ideal area in Chiang Mai to stay at.

The historic center of Chiang Mai is surrounded by ancient walls and a moat and is a great choice if you want to be close to temples, markets, and cultural sites.

The area is mainly focused on tourism but the historical buildings most definitely give this part of the city an authentic vibe.

You can find several important and well-preserved temples here as well, including Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang.

One of the major benefits of staying in the Old City is that you can easily walk from one attraction to the other.

You can find a huge variety of local eateries in this part of the city too and even street food vendors.

Especially around the Sunday Night Walking Street and the Saturday Night Market near Tha Pae Gate, there is an abundance of street food available.

You can even find some cozy bars in this area, although most of the nightlife in Chiang Mai takes place somewhere else.

Surprisingly, for a central location such as Chiang Mai’s Old City, accommodations are considered affordable.

Is there anything not to like? Well, first of all, it’s a touristy area and many backpackers tend to stay in this part of the city.

Secondly, as it’s the tourist epicenter of the city, it does get crowded, especially during peak season.

For partygoers, there are better areas to stay where you can stay closer to the action.

And lastly, it lacks modern amenities compared to the modern areas.

But, for the majority of first-time visitors, who want to stay in a beautiful area with historical and cultural heritage and near several major attractions, Chiang Mai’s Old City is an excellent choice.

Some of the best hotels to stay in Chiang Mai first time in this particular area are listed below:

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2. Nimmanhaemin (Nimman) Road

Where the previously recommended area is an area of historical significance, Nimmanhaemin Road, or simply Nimman Road, is a bit of the opposite.

It’s a trendy and modern area that’s incredibly attractive among young travellers and Thai.

The area is dotted with trendy cafes and restaurants as well as boutique shops and stores.

Many expats and digital nomads tend to stay here as well because of that trendy atmosphere.

You’re located about one kilometer (north)west of Chiang Mai’s Old City, which means that you still have a good central location to explore the city.

But you are surrounded by many modern amenities.

Besides, there are several popular temples located near Nimman Road as well that are considered to be the highlights of the city too, including Wat Suan Dok.

But what sets Nimmanhaemin Road apart from Chiang Mai’s Old City, aside from being modern and trendy, is its nightlife scene.

Many bars and even rooftop bars are located here, so, for a guaranteed fun night out, definitely check out this part of the city.

And because it’s one of the most vibrant parts of the city, many (younger) travellers prefer to stay as close to the action as possible.

But to be fair, you can easily stay in this part of the city and not be bothered by the nightlife scene.

In fact, many families choose this area as their base, simply because of the convenience, modern amenities, and trendy atmosphere.

Keep in mind that, compared to Old Town, Nimman Road is slightly more upscale when it comes to accommodations, but definitely affordable compared to the next recommended area.

Some of the best hotels to stay in Chiang Mai first time in this particular area are listed below:

3. Riverside

Chiang Mai’s Riverside is located on the east side of Old Town around the Nawarat Bridge.

One of the major advantages of staying in this part of Chiang Mai is the serenity.

This part of the city offers a peaceful and scenic atmosphere.

Many accommodations here are considered upscale and even luxurious and offer beautiful views of both the river Ping and the surrounding nature.

Couples and families would highly appreciate this area as their base.

You can find many riverside restaurants here too that offer delicious seafood in combination with candlelight dinners.

There are also river cruises available too.

You’re about one kilometer away from the Old City, so it’s not that you’re completely isolated and Riverside is still a great base to explore the rest of the city.

Just keep in mind that this part of the city is less vibrant and especially if you’re looking for nightlife options, it’s not a great choice.

But most hotels, especially the larger ones, are designed to keep you entertained and offer all the amenities for a pleasant stay with your loved one(s).

The other thing that you should keep in mind, and this is pretty obvious, is that this is a premium area and so are the (hotel) prices.

Some of the best hotels to stay in Chiang Mai first time in this particular area are listed below:

4. Night Bazaar

The Night Bazaar itself is one of the major attractions in Chiang Mai.

Every evening, visitors can go on a shopping spree where they can find all sorts of handicrafts, textiles, jewelry, and souvenirs.

But aside from the shopping extravaganza, the Night Bazaar is mainly known for its nightlife scene.

Compared to Nimman Road, the nightlife scene here is a bit more local and not per se as trendy, but it’s definitely one of the best places for a fun night out. Because of these two major perks, this area mainly attracts younger travellers.

You’re located right between the Old City and the Riverside.

That means that you can easily visit the major attractions the Old City offers, but also can dine at a restaurant with a stunning riverside view.

The Night Bazaar area offers all sorts of hotels, although the closer you stay to the river, the more upscale the hotels are.

So, what most younger travellers do is stay in a 3-star hotel near the Night Bazaar or pick one of the many hostels near the bazaar.

If you want to combine sightseeing with nightlife, this area is one of the best options you have.

LOI KROH ROAD

For those solely looking for nightlife, Loi Kroh Road is the street you want to stay as close as possible to.

Here, you can find most of the nightlife that this area has to offer.

To be clear, this street is located close to the Night Bazaar.

CHANG KLAN ROAD

You can find many bars around Chang Klan Road.

The downside is that you’re located further away from the city center.

Automatically, that means that you can find more affordable hotels here.

Arguably the best solution is to pick an accommodation located between Loi Kroh Road and Chang Klan Road if you want to stay close to this part of the city for nightlife reasons.

Some of the best hotels to stay in Chiang Mai first time in this particular area are listed below:

5. Tha Phae Gate

Tha Pae Gate is one of the most iconic landmarks in Chiang Mai.

It’s located on the east wall of the Old City.

From here, you can easily walk to many temples, markets, and historical sites.

It’s home to the Sunday Night Walking Street.

This weekly event attracts huge crowds.

One of the advantages of staying here instead of in the middle of Chiang Mai’s Old City is that the area around Tha Pae Gate offers a good nightlife scene.

You can find a good variety of bars, cafes, and pubs.

Another advantage is that Tha Pae Gate is a transportation hub with easy access to red songthaews (shared taxis) and tuk-tuks, making it convenient for getting around the city and beyond.

But there is a downside that you should take into consideration.

It’s the most crowded part of the city.

Especially during peak season and during events and festivals, this area gets insanely busy.

If that bothers you, pick an area that’s close to the Tha Pae Gate.

A great option is the next area that we recommend, one that’s more authentic, far less crowded yet still centrally located.

Some of the best hotels to stay in Chiang Mai first time in this particular area are listed below:

6. Wua Lai

Wua Lai, also known as the Silver District, is located south of the Old City.

It’s mainly renowned for its Saturday Night Walking Street Market where they, as you can expect, also sell silverware.

The neighborhood is home to several historic temples, including Wat Sri Suphan, also known as the Silver Temple.

But Wua Lai is an area where you can find the traditional Lanna culture that the Northern Thai region is known for.

It’s a much quieter area, especially during the night, compared to the other popular central areas.

It’s more authentic and traditional too, and this reflects on the food scene as well.

Many somewhat legendary local eateries are located in this part of Chiang Mai.

Just south of Wua Lai, the Chiang Mai Gate Night Market is another popular evening market offering street food, clothing, and handicrafts.

For a more traditional, local, and authentic vibe, staying in Wua Lai is highly recommended.

Just know that for nightlife activities, you do have to travel to other neighborhoods.

Some of the best hotels to stay in Chiang Mai first time in this particular area are listed below:

7. Chang Moi

Chang Moi is a large district northeast of the Old City that also includes parts of Chiang Mai’s Riverside, the Tha Phae Gate, and the Night Bazaar.

But by recommending this large district, we actually recommend the northeast part of the district, away from the bustling nightlife areas like the Tha Phae Gate and the Night Bazaar.

Chang Moi is one of the popular areas to stay in Chiang Mai with family because of its peaceful atmosphere while remaining located close to the Old City and its attractions.

It’s not an area that’s overwhelmed by mass tourism and you can easily notice that by the amount of local markets in this area that caters to the citizens of Chiang Mai.

Visiting the Warorot Market and the nearby Flower Market offers a glimpse of the daily lives of the city.

You can also find a huge variety of local restaurants and cafes that mainly target locals, contrary to the cafes around Nimman Road.

Parts of Chang Moi are situated along the Ping River, offering a pleasant riverside setting and if your budget allows it, we highly recommend doing so.

Eventually, people choose to stay in this part of the city to escape the hustle and bustle of the city center while having a great strategic location to explore the city without much hassle.

Some of the best hotels to stay in Chiang Mai first time in this particular area are listed below:

8. Mae Hia

This area and the next recommended area are both located outside the city center.

Why would you choose to stay in this area then?

It’s a great option for those who do not want to stay in a tourist-centric area, and who want to enjoy an area full of greenery.

Because that’s also what Chiang Mai is known for.

Mae Hia is in proximity to Chiang Mai International Airport. That means those on a tighter schedule or who need to catch an early flight can also hugely benefit from staying here.

But the main reason people choose to stay here is the access to nature.

Mae Hia is located near the foothills of the mountains surrounding Chiang Mai.

And the hotels take full advantage of this and the type of traveller that loves to spend time in nature.

The area is home to some resorts and retreats that focus on wellness and relaxation.

And allthough it’s farther from the city center, Mae Hia is accessible by various transportation options, including taxis and private car services.

This makes it feasible to explore other parts of Chiang Mai when desired.

The disadvantages are pretty obvious and straight-forward.

You don’t have direct access to the city’s highlights, of course.

And don’t expect to find any nightlife here.

But, if you want to stay in a peaceful environment with nature at your doorstep, we highly recommend to have a look at some of the hotels Mae Hia has to offer because you won’t be dissapointed.

Some of the best hotels to stay in Chiang Mai first time in this particular area are listed below:

9. Mae Rim

Mae Rim is located north of Chiang Mai and is known for its natural beauty.

Those who want to explore the mountains of Chiang Mai should definitely consider staying here.

You can find waterfalls, hot springs, and hiking trails as well as the Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden and several orchid farms.

By now, you should think it’s the ideal place for tranquility.

That’s only partly true because there are also plenty of adventurous activities available here, including zip-lining, ATV rides, and mountain biking.

Mae Rim is also known for ethical elephant sanctuaries.

There are also traditional Thai villages to be found in this part of Chiang Mai.

When you combine all of this, we can conclude that families and couples will love this area the most.

Especially when you know that Mae Rim is home to many upscale resorts and spas which often offer stunning views, high-end amenities, and wellness facilities.

What’s not to like?

Well, you’re located away from the city, so visiting the city highlights isn’t as easy as the more central areas.

Also, if you visit Chiang Mai for nightlife and shopping reasons, Mae Rim is not the area you should stay at.

But for those seeking a nature-centric or adventurous experience, you will most definitely love Mae Rim!

Some of the best hotels to stay in Chiang Mai first time in this particular area are listed below:

10. Popular backpack areas

As mentioned in the introduction, Chiang Mai’s Old City is one of the most popular areas among tourists in general as well as backpackers.

However, there are three streets in Chiang Mai that simply deserve a special mention, which are listed below:

Moon Muang Road

Moon Muang Road is located in the right top corner of Chiang Mai’s Old Town close to Wat Chiang Man.

From here, it’s quite easy to reach the Tha Phae Gate and the Night Bazaar, which automatically means that you’re located near one of Chiang Mai’s most popular nightlife areas.

So, if you’re a backpacker who loves to explore the nightlife scene, which most backpackers do, then definitely check out Moon Muang Road.

Chang Pheak

Chang Pheak is an area north of Chiang Mai’s Old City and the tourist epicenter and is an ideal area for those who do not want to party but have good access to Chiang Mai’s nature.

One of the major perks of this part of the city is that you can find affordable hotels too, so those who prefer to stay in a private room rather than in a dorm should definitely check out this part of the city.