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So I assume you’re planning a trip to northern Thailand and wondering how to spend your days? This Chiang Mai itinerary is based on my own trip, where I had 4 full days in the city and explored it with my 18-month-old in tow. Whether you’re looking for temples, day trips, or just a relaxing holiday surrounded by coffee shops and culture, you’ve come to the right place. Chiang Mai is an incredible part of Thailand.
This itinerary for Chiang Mai will help you make the most of your time without feeling rushed and experience the best of the city.
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Tips for Planning a Chiang Mai Itinerary
One of the most important things I learned is not to cram too much into one day. The midday heat slows you down, and you’ll definitely want time to take it slow in one of the city’s beautiful cafes. Chiang Mai has an easygoing rhythm, so you should give yourself time to just relax and take it all in.
Everything I mention in this Chiang Mai travel itinerary is suitable for young children. I was travelling with my 18-month-old and had no trouble balancing sightseeing with family-friendly downtime.
We visited in March and April, which is Burning Season. The skies were a little hazy, especially in the mountains. It didn’t noticeably affect the air quality or our experience overall, but it did make me decide against certain day trips like Doi Inthanon National Park, since I wasn’t confident there would be much of a view.
Chiang Mai is a large city, and visiting for only a few days won’t allow you to cover every corner. So, I’d say for first-time visitors, staying in the Old City is the way to go. It’s walkable, filled with incredible cafes and restaurants, and home to some of the city’s most important temples. It’s also the historic heart of Chiang Mai, which makes it the best place to base yourself for a first trip.
Getting Around Chiang Mai
One of the biggest perks of staying in the Old City is how walkable it is. The streets aren’t overly busy, and there’s plenty to see as you wander. That said, you’ll want to mix in a few other options:
Tuk-tuks – Fun and easy for short rides.
Bicycle – Rentals are available, but outside of Old City, it might get a bit scary with traffic.
Scooters – A popular choice if you’re confident driving in Thai traffic.
Songthaews (red trucks) – These shared taxis operate like buses on set routes. You’ll also see yellow, white, blue, green, and orange trucks; the colours indicate their routes. To catch one, stand on the side of the road and stick your arm out. If they don’t stop, it usually means they’re full or being privately hired.
Bolt or Grab – These ride-sharing apps are very popular and reliable in Thailand. During my most recent trip to Thailand, I found Bolt to be the cheaper option.
How Long to Spend in Chiang Mai
For this itinerary, I suggest 4 full days (5 nights) in Chiang Mai. This gave us plenty of time to explore without feeling rushed, and we left with a great overview of the city. Honestly, we could have stayed longer, though Chiang Mai has that effect on you.
If you’re short on time, I’d recommend a minimum of three full days. That way you can explore the Old City, visit a few temples, and still fit in a day trip or an elephant sanctuary visit.
5 night / 4 Day Chiang Mai Itinerary
You probably guessed it, but there are a lot of temples in Chiang Mai, and many of them are must-sees. For this Chiang Mai itinerary, I’ve spread the temples across the days so they’re not all back to back. I balanced them with markets, spas, cafes, and a visit to an ethical elephant sanctuary.
Since I was travelling with my 18-month-old, our days often included a break at midday for naps. If you’re not travelling with young kids, this time of day is perfect for a slow lunch at charming cafes like Fern Forest Cafe or Fahtara Coffee. Chiang Mai is also hugely popular with digital nomads, so many cafes are set up for customers to linger with their laptops. You could use these hot hours to catch up on work, social media, or just enjoy a long lunch (with dessert).
Day 1 – Exploring the Old City
Today’s plan: Start your Chiang Mai itinerary with a self-guided walking tour of the Old City and a couple of the best temples, then finish the evening with dinner at a highly rated vegan favourite.
Morning
Begin with a visit to Wat Phra Singh Voramahavihara, one of the most important temples in Chiang Mai. Entry to the main hall costs 50 THB, and as with all temples, shoes need to be removed before entering. When I visited, a special annual ceremony was taking place where boys were admitted to ‘monkhood’. We could only observe from the side, but it was still nice to witness.
The temple complex itself is stunning, with a large golden pagoda behind the main hall and several smaller buildings to explore. What I loved most was how alive the temple felt. This isn’t just an ancient site; it’s also a school and home for many students. You’ll see plenty of monks here, making it a unique mix of history and daily life.
Afterwards, take some time to wander the long street in front of the temple. There are plenty of shops and cafes worth checking out.
Afternoon/Evening
Later, head to Wat Lok Moli, one of the oldest temples in Chiang Mai. It’s open daily from 6am to 6pm and entry is free. This temple has a completely different feel from Wat Phra Singh. The three-tiered wooden roof is beautiful, and behind it stands a massive chedi dating back to 1527, which was my favourite part of the complex. An hour here is plenty of time.
From here, it’s just a five-minute walk to Reform Vegan Kafé. This was one of my favourite meals in Chiang Mai. The menu is huge, the coffee list is just as impressive, and the setting is warm and welcoming. Also, if you’ll be after more plant-based eats during your stay, the back of the menu lists other vegan restaurants in Chiang Mai, so it’s worth taking a photo of it.
Reform is part of Green Tiger House, a plant-based boutique hotel.
Day 2 – Ethical Elephant Sanctuary
Today’s plan: Spend the day at an ethical elephant sanctuary (that actually is ethical) before enjoying a relaxing evening close to your hotel.
Morning
For day 2 of this itinerary for Chiang Mai, I suggest visiting Chang Chill, the only elephant sanctuary I found that felt truly ethical. Unlike many others, there’s no riding, bathing, or feeding. Instead, you walk through the jungle with the elephants and watch them live as naturally as possible.
When I visited, there were three female elephants, the youngest just 11 years old. Our guide, Bee, explained their history and answered every question we had. Each elephant has a mahout who cares for them around the clock, and medical staff visit every couple of months for health checks.
It was amazing to see the elephants up close, watching them strip sugarcane with such precision. Two of them even enjoyed a mud bath at one point, and I felt so lucky I was able to observe from the sideline. The experience felt respectful, and although we didn’t touch them, the elephants sometimes chose to wander right past us.
Chang Chill is supported by World Animal Protection and offers both half-day and full-day tours. We chose the half day at their hillside location, paid 1,900 THB per adult and 1,500 THB for our child. This also included lunch and hotel transfers. Payment was made in cash to the guide.
I made an Instagram Reel if you want to see more!
Afternoon/Evening
Even if you choose the half-day option, you won’t get back to the city until around 3pm. After a rest, I’d recommend keeping dinner simple tonight and eating somewhere near your accommodation. Chiang Mai has no shortage of restaurants, and some of my favourites were: Charmm Bistro & Gallery, Goodsouls Kitchen (Italian), Reform, Rad Rabbit, Air’s Kitchen and cafe, Fahtara Coffee and Fern Forest Cafe.
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Day 3 – Silver Temple and Sunset at Wat Chedi Luang
Today’s plan: Visit the unique Silver Temple in the morning, shopping in the afternoon, then finish with sunset at Wat Chedi Luang and street food at Lanna Square.
Morning
Start with Wat Sri Suphan, also known as the Silver Temple. It’s open daily from 7am to 7pm and costs 50 THB per adult. The temple is covered in intricate silver detail (actually a mix of silver, nickel, and aluminium), and every panel looks like a piece of art.
Unfortunately, only men are allowed inside the main hall; luckily, I was with my husband, so I had him take photos for me. But the outside alone is incredible, so either way is worth the visit.
The temple complex includes a large wooden hall where you can receive a blessing from a monk, and the surrounding neighbourhood has been the centre of Chiang Mai’s silver handicraft industry for centuries.
Afternoon/Evening
After lunch, wander over to the 101 Old Town Tha Phae Market, a small but stylish market filled with handmade jewellery, clothing, and souvenirs. It’s open daily from 10am to 10pm.
Then very close by is Wat Chedi Luang Worawihan, one of the most iconic temples in Chiang Mai. The complex dates back to the 14th century and includes a massive brick chedi, a large temple hall, and the city pillar shrine. We visited just before sunset, which was beautiful; the sun behind the chedi was so pretty, and the atmosphere was peaceful. Entry is 50 THB, and children under 135cm are free.
This was one of my favourite temples in Chiang Mai. I don’t know if it was because of golden hour or the quiet atmosphere, but it felt very ancient and untouched.
End your day at Lanna Square Night Market. Open from 5pm until midnight. The food stalls here are incredible, with a mix of sweet, savoury, plus vegetarian dishes. For eight plates of food and a large beer, we paid just 725 THB (about $34). This would have easily been triple the price back home. The vibe here is lively, with live music and plenty of bars nearby if you feel like staying out.
Day 4 – Markets, Cafes, and a massage
Today’s plan: Shop for handicrafts in the morning, enjoy a famous northern Thai dish for lunch, relax in the afternoon with coffee and spa time, then end with pizza and drinks.
Morning
Head to the Hmong Market (Waroros Market area), open daily from 7am to 5pm. This is a multi-level, indoor market with a mix of food stalls and shops selling cotton clothing, wooden handicrafts, and souvenirs. We actually found the entrance a little difficult to find, and ended up asking a local for directions. It’s not overly obvious!
Also, some of the streets around the market have really good shops too, so take your time exploring.
For breakfast, I recommend Thamel Restaurant, which has a Kathmandu-inspired design upstairs and serves both Thai and Nepalese meals. And, if you happen to love Kathmandu as much as I do, this might make you feel a little “Nepal homesick”.
Afternoon/Evening
For lunch, try Charmm Bistro & Gallery, which makes a delicious vegetarian version of khao soi, northern Thailand’s most famous dish, and they also serve the traditional chicken version.
From there, walk to Chang Phuak City Gate, one of the five main gates of the Old City, and the surrounding gardens are also beautiful.
Afterwards, keep walking to Fern Forest Cafe (the walk is only about 10 minutes) for an afternoon coffee and dessert. Their espresso with passionfruit was my favourite drink in Chiang Mai.It might sound weird, but it was surprisingly delicious. The setting here is beautiful; make sure you grab a seat in the garden, and if you’re travelling with young kids, the staff can provide you with food to feed the fish.
Adjacent to Fern Forrest Cafe is Calm Massage & Spa, where I booked a two-hour massage package for 990 THB. It was the perfect way to start wrapping up my time in Chiang Mai.
Finish with dinner at Rad Rabbit Vegan Pizzeria, about 15 minutes away on foot (or just take a quick Bolt). This laid-back restaurant serves the most delicious pizza and pasta, and there are plenty of bars nearby if you feel like one last drink.
💡 So these 4 days are full days without travelling.
Depending on what time you arrive and leave Chiang Mai, you should also make time to visit Fahtara Coffee. This is another beautiful cafe in Chiang Mai Old Town and has a connected spa (Fah Lanna Spa). There’s seating inside and outside. Outside has a pond and a large wooden water feature surrounded by trees; it all looked so pretty. But we opted for the indoor seating because the mosquitoes weren’t messing around! I recommend ordering ‘Esmaco’, Iced Espresso with Mango and Coconut. So yum!
That’s the 4 day Chiang Mai itinerary I followed, a balance of temples, food, culture, and time to simply enjoy the city. It was the right amount of structure without feeling rushed, and if you have longer, Chiang Mai is the kind of place you’ll be happy to just keep exploring. The roads are never crazy busy, reasonably clean, and I always felt safe. Plus, you don’t get hassled by taxi, tuk-tuk or shops.
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Where to Stay in Chiang Mai
Choosing the right accommodation will make a big difference to how easy and enjoyable your Chiang Mai Itinerary feels. I recommend staying inside or just outside the Old City walls. From here you can walk to many of the main temples, markets, and cafés, and it’s very easy to get a Bolt, Grab or tuk tuk for anything further away.
For a boutique stay, check out Green Tiger House, a plant-based hotel with a lovely vibe and a restaurant you’ll probably end up eating at more than once.
Away Chiang Mai Thapae Resort is a newly built hotel, and everything felt so fresh, and the staff were all very attentive. I spent one night here after being in Pai and absolutely loved it.
For families, large groups or longer stays, there are plenty of modern serviced apartments with pools. I would definitely recommend also looking at Airbnb; this is what we booked for our 5 nights in Chiang Mai. Here’s where we stayed.
And of course, Chiang Mai has no shortage of budget hostels if you’re looking for something simple but central. The Green Sleep Hostel is in a perfect location and has very high reviews.
Other Things to Note About Visiting Chiang Mai
Elephant Sanctuaries: Elephants naturally come from the Northern parts of Thailand, so there are many sanctuaries around Chiang Mai. But unfortunately, not all of them are ethical. As a rule, if you see riding, bathing, or feeding experiences advertised, the elephants are not being put first.
Khao Soi: This northern Thai specialty is a must-try. Traditionally made with chicken, but I found plenty of delicious tofu versions. It’s a rich, spicy coconut curry topped with crispy noodles; you’ll probably want to order it more than once.
Nightlife: With a one-year-old by my side, I didn’t really experience Chiang Mai nightlife, but from what I saw, Lanna Square and the streets around it were buzzing after dark. Near Rad Rabbit Pizzeria, there were also plenty of lively bars.
Cash vs Card: Cash is still king in Chiang Mai, especially at markets. Many restaurants and cafés do take card, but I’d always keep cash on hand.
Temple Etiquette: With so many temples included in this Chiang Mai Itinerary, remember that Thailand is a predominantly Buddhist country. Remember to pack a light scarf or shawl with you, so you can throw it over your shoulders to be respectful when entering.
Markets: If you’re visiting over a weekend, don’t miss Jing Jai Market for local crafts and a farmer’s market. Avoid going during the week, though! This is what we did. So during the week, it’s technically “open” but feels like a ghost town, no vibe at all! There was no outdoor market and only a few shops open.
Also, if you’re in Chiang Mai on a Sunday night, the Sunday Walking Street Market is one of the most famous in Thailand, stretching right through the Old City with endless food, art, and handmade goods.
Is Chiang Mai Worth Visiting Compared to Other Thai Destinations?
Absolutely, yes. Especially since it’s only a short, regular flight from Bangkok or Phuket. The north of Thailand has a completely different feel from the islands and southern cities. Here you’ll discover lush mountains, cooler evenings, and a slower, more creative atmosphere.
The Old City of Chiang Mai has a similar vibe to Thamel in Kathmandu, minus the hectic traffic. Think charming streets, cafés tucked into courtyards, handicraft shops, kind & welcoming locals and a lot of character. Shopping here is excellent too, with high-quality cotton clothing and homewares made locally and sold at much better prices than in the south.
If you’re looking for temples, markets, culture, and a more laid-back pace, then Chiang Mai is the perfect counterpart to Thailand’s busier beach destinations.
How Much Will It Cost to Follow This Itinerary?
Chiang Mai is very affordable compared to many other destinations. Here’s a rough idea of what to expect for this 4 day Chiang Mai Itinerary:
Temples: Most charge around 50 THB per adult, and some are even free to enter.
Elephant sanctuary (Chang Chill): They charge 1,900 THB per adult / 1,500 THB per child, for a half-day tour including transport and lunch.
Meals: A sit-down meal at a local restaurant is usually 60–120 THB. Western cafés or vegan restaurants are a little more, around 250-350 THB. But still excellent value compared to back home.
Accommodation: A boutique hotel is typically $80–120 AUD per night, while luxury hotels are upwards of $150 AUD. Budget hostels, for a shared dorm, can be as little as $10 per night.
Transport: Bolt rides inside the city are usually 60–120 THB. And, the local buses cost 30 THB per person.
4 day Chiang Mai Itinerary ~ In Conclusion
Chiang Mai quickly became one of my favourite places in Thailand. The locals are incredibly kind, always ready to help (and always making a fuss over my daughter). The mix of ancient temples, modern cafés, ethical wildlife encounters, and creative shopping makes this city such a special place.
I hope this 4 day Chiang Mai Itinerary has given you a clear, day-by-day plan, plus practical tips on where to stay, how much to budget, and extra suggestions if you’re lucky enough to stay longer than 5 nights in Chiang Mai.
Thanks for reading,
Happy Travels.
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Elyse is the author & content creator behind A World To Live. After traveling to over 40 countries, she has a passion for discovering new places. Elyse is a money-conscious traveller who loves writing independent travel guides to help her readers get the most out of their travels.
This post came in handy as I’ll be visiting Thailand next year. It will be my first time so I’ll take your recommendation and stay in Old Town. I’m also a coffee lover, so I’ll be sure to stop at Fahtara Cafe!
Thats amazing, I’m so glad you found it helpful. Chiang Mai is such an awesome city. I’ve got heaps of other Thailand guides on southern destinations as well:)
Sigh. Chiang Mai is still on my bucketlist. This is a great itinerary!
Thank you so much Amanda
I visited Chiang Mai years ago and this guide is definitely giving me the itch to go back. Super in-depth so will definitely revisit it when it comes time to go there again. Thank you!
Thanks Casey, hope you make it back one day
What a great itinerary – I’d love to spend a day with the elephants.
Thanks for reading Sharyn. The Elephants was definitely one of my favorite days
Hello! The place looks fantastic. I love those exotic views, warm weather, gentle sea, plus tasty fruit & vegetables & other delicacies!
Amazing city – Thanks for reading Julia