Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Chiang Mai?
Should you spend 1 or 2 weeks in Chiang Mai?
Many visitors spend two to seven days in Chiang Mai during their trip. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because your journey calls for making the most of every moment. The city offers the chance to spend time at the museums, get out into nature, sample the delicious cuisine, and find the best deals at the shops.
Chiang Mai is a cultural city that's located in the mountainous part of northern Thailand. The city has many temples, a famous night market, and a unique cuisine that is among the best in the country. Many visitors book treks into the countryside from Chiang Mai and the city has become a popular destination for digital nomads.
Do you have one or two weeks to visit Chiang Mai? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one week enough time in Chiang Mai?
With one week at your disposal, you'll have more than enough time to take in all that Chiang Mai has to offer, giving you the flexibility to unwind in your hotel or use Chiang Mai as a base for day trips to nearby destinations. You can relax while enjoying the famous sights and museums, the hiking, and the food at your own pace. We have some suggestions of things to do below, too.
How to spend a week in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is famous for it's world-class attractions, museums, and landmarks. You'll want to spend at least a day exploring one or more that you're interested in the most. The city is filled with culture and you'll find many beautiful temples in the area. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is a mountain-top temple that is an iconic landmark in the city. Other famous sights include Doi Inthanon and Wat Chedi Luang.
A few tour suggestions include:
- The Venerable Landmarks of Chiang Mai ($52)
- Art in Paradise, Chiang Mai 3D Art Museum ($12)
- Half Day Tour : Wat Doi Suthep & Phu Ping Palace from Chiang Mai ($79)
The culinary scene in Chiang Mai is world famous, and draws visitors from around the globe. Make sure you spend time enjoying breakfast, lunch, and dinner at some of this city's best restaurants. And consider a food tour, too. Many are either a half day or just a few hours, so you can fit one into your schedule easily. For many, this city offers some of the best food in all of Thailand. The cuisine is influenced by nearby Burma and China, with ginger and turmeric often used. Curries tend to be a bit milder and dishes are often served with sticky rice. Famous dishes around town include Khao Soi, Larb Kua, and Sai Oua. Cooking classes are also very popular around town and the courses often include a trip to a market.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Evening Cooking Class in Organic Farm with Local Market Tour ($38)
- Fresh Local Market Tour - Food tour in Chiang Mai ($32)
- Authentic Thai Cooking Class and Farm Visit in Chiang Mai ($37)
The public transit in Chiang Mai is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the city quite easily and affordably. Transportation options include red songthaew (converted pick-up trucks), buses, and tuk-tuks.
Known for it's hiking, Chiang Mai sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. Many people use this city as a base for a trekking excursion into the surrounding countryside. The land is lush and beautiful and many treks also expose you to the welcoming Hilltribe people of Northern Thailand. Treks can be organized at almost any hotel or hostel as well the many tour agencies around town.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Doi Inthanon Private Tour with Trek & Lunch from Chiang Mai ($128)
- 3-Day Chiang Dao Mountain Trek ($236)
- Chiang Dao Cave Trekking Small Group Tour – Full Day ($80)
The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. It is the largest city in Northern Thailand, so it has the most active nightlife scene in the area. Whatever your style, you can find something to do at night here. Many people head to the riverside to drink and listen to music. You'll also find clubs concentrated around Nimmanhaemin Road and Loy Kroh Road. There's also the famous Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, which is packed with stalls and people sampling food and drinks.
Shopping in Chiang Mai is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. The city is famous for its night markets, which run every night of the year until around midnight. You'll find the streets packed with people and vendors, rain or shine. This is a great place to search for local handicrafts and try some of the city's famous street food. Popular items to buy include rice boxes, silk, and Thai sky lanterns.
Chiang Mai is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. It is famous for it's beautiful surrounding countryside where visitors often enjoy trekking and getting out in nature. The city is also filled with historic temples, night markets, and a relaxed atmosphere.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Evening Cooking Class in Organic Garden Chiang Mai ($22)
- Cooking Morning Class Chiang Mai Visit Organic Garden and Market ($11)
- Cooking Evening Class Chiang Mai Visit Organic Garden and Market ($11)
Don't miss Wat Phra That Doi Suthep during your trip to Chiang Mai, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. The old city is about 1.5 square kilometers in size and it has four gates, one on each side. The most famous area is Sunday Walking Street, which comes to life at 4pm every day when it is lined with stalls and filled with people.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Chiang Mai Old City & Temples Guided Walking Tour - 2 Hrs ($15)
- Chiang Mai Michelin Food Walking Tour with Professional Tour Guide ($15)
- Chiang mai History with Tricycle Riding & Walking Private Tour ($44)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Chiang Mai.
In the large and diverse city of Chiang Mai, you'll want to dedicate at least a day to experiencing the unique neighborhoods, exciting attractions, and immersive activities offered around town. Don't miss out on visiting some of the city's famous landmarks as well. It is the largest city in Northern Thailand and it has become known as a city of digital nomads.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Full day car hire with private English speaking driver ($159)
- Lady Driver and Guide ($100)
- Chiang Mai City Tour with Doi Suthep and View Point (SHA Plus) ($55)
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
After you've explored most of Chiang Mai, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Chiang Rai Day Trip from Chiang Mai City with Golden Triangle ($67)
- Chiang Mai ATV White Water Rafting and Elephant Sanctuary Full-Day Trip ($144)
- From Chiang Mai: White and Blue Temple & Golden Triangle Day Trip ($139)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Chiang Mai.
Is 2 weeks enough time in Chiang Mai?
Two weeks is more than sufficient for an in-depth trip to Chiang Mai, giving you the freedom to set your own pace. Enjoy the chance to spend time at the museums, get out into nature, sample the delicious cuisine, and find the best deals at the shops on your own schedule. Then, unwind at your hotel or use Chiang Mai as a hub for some nice day trips in the surrounding area.
Chiang Mai street vendor
How to spend 2 weeks in Chiang Mai
If you have more than 2 weeks in Chiang Mai, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.
Chiang Mai is such a huge city that you can easily spend another day in one of the neighborhoods that you haven't visited. Look for those hidden gems and local spots where most tourists don't go. Or, pick another neighborhood with local charm that you haven't fully explored yet.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Because this is a world-class shopping destination, you'll need yet another day to find the best deals. Each area of Chiang Mai offers a different vibe and atmosphere, and along with it, different styles of shops.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Chiang Mai.
With so much time here, you should absolutely take another day trip to one of the many nearby destinations around Chiang Mai. Plenty of amazing options are available.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Because Chiang Mai offers so many famous sights, landmarks, and museums, you should dedicate at least another day to see the places you haven't seen yet. You can spend multiple days browsing through the city's amazing museums, and some of them are worth a second visit, too.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Chiang Mai.
With plenty of hiking trails and viewpoints around Chiang Mai, you'll need another day to experience the gorgeous hiking trails that you haven't seen yet. Either head out in a different direction, or pick up where you left off before.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Chiang Mai is such a huge city that you can easily spend another day in one of the neighborhoods that you haven't visited. Look for those hidden gems and local spots where most tourists don't go. Or, pick another neighborhood with local charm that you haven't fully explored yet.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Chiang Mai.
Because this is a world-class shopping destination, you'll need yet another day to find the best deals. Each area of Chiang Mai offers a different vibe and atmosphere, and along with it, different styles of shops.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Chiang Mai, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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