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The best 3-day Chiang Mai itinerary

I’ve been fortunate to visit Chiang Mai three times over the years and no matter how many times I visit I always am drawn to return. It’s just a great city to be in. With amazing food, a rich culture, and incredible views Chiang Mai has something for everyone.

And the more you explore the more I know you’ll fall in love with Chiang Mai, too. Here’s my complete3-day Chiang Mai itinerary to help you get the most out of my favorite Thailand city. 

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Is Chiang Mai worth visiting?

Chiang Mai is absolutely worth visiting. Though you’ll need to make your way north to visit, it’s one of the best parts of Thailand I’ve traveled to.

What to do in Chiang Mai in 3 days

Chiang Mai has so much to offer and after traveling there three times I can tell you that each time you’ll find something new to explore. But for just three days you’ll need to stick to the highlights with some amazing food tours, elephant experiences, and other immersive trips that help you get a good introduction to life in Thailand’s northern regions. 

Spending more time in Thailand? Check out my 7-day Thailand itinerary for a complete trip + helpful travel ideas.

Day 1: Explore the Old Town

Spend the day getting to explore Chiang Mai’s Old Town. This quaint area is full of boutique stores, cafes, and amazing restaurants, too. You can explore on your own or consider joining a guided tour to find the hidden gems.

Don’t miss these highlights in the Old Town:

  • Take a photo at the Pae Gate, the old entrance to the city fortress.
  • There are over 100 temples in the Old Town (and more than 300 around Chiang Mai). Obviously you can’t see them all but do check out some of the most famous ones like Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phan Tao (my personal favorite) and Wat Lok Molee. 
  • Get a Thai massage at the Women’s Massage Center. This center works to reform former inmates with careers as massage therapists and with great prices and quality service it’s worth a visit.
  • Try the upscale coffee shops and restaurants within the Old Town. I love The House by Ginger and CoolMaung Coffee. 

Chiang Mai has no shortage of night markets with some amazing street foods. I recommend booking a guided tour to get to see all the highlights and find some hidden gems to return to over the next few days.

Day 2: Visit an ethical elephant sanctuary

There are many elephant experiences you can choose from in Chiang Mai but not all of them are ethical. I recommend the elephant experience at Chang Chill, known for its unique experience where you trek into the jungle to be among the elephants. 

Here you can’t physically interact with the elephants, looking to be the most elephant-friendly experience (no baths, human feedings, or rides are allowed). 

Book a full–day experience, which is the best way to visit and get to engage with the elephants and sanctuary operations.

Day 3: Join a cooking class (or other cultural immersive experience)

There are so many incredible things to do with your last day in Chiang Mai but I recommend taking in the sights around Chiang Mai with a local cooking class. This is one of my favorite tours because you’ll get a garden experience and class for a super affordable price.

If learning to cook Thai food isn’t on your bucket list consider one of these other amazing experiences:

Where to eat in Chiang Mai

Best coffee shops in Chiang Mai

Ristr8to Coffee
Ombra Cafe
Akha Ama Coffee

Best places to eat on a budget

Khao Soi Mae Sai
By Hand Pizza Cafe
Street food markets

Best upscale places to eat

Raming Tea House
The House by Ginger
Nara Thai

Where to stay in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai has a wide variety of hotels at various price points all worth considering. Budget hotels typically offer clean rooms with few amenities but for around $50+ a night you can seriously transform your experience. 

I stayed at the T-Heritage on my most recent trip to Chiang Mai and paid just $50 a night during off-season.

With only a few days in Chiang Mai I’d recommend staying in the Old Town for convenience but if you’d rather have seclusion there are some great spa options along the river as well. Nimman is also a great neighborhood choice but it is a bit further from the Old Town. 

Places to stay on a budget (Under $25)

Thapae Gate Lodge 
Suan Dok Gate Guesthouse
B House Chiang Mai Thailand

Mid-tier places to stay (Under $75)

T-Heritage Hotel (This is where I stayed!)
Kiri Hotel
Lanna Bonita Boutique Hotel

Splurge and stay here ($100+)

Akyra Manor Chiang Mai
Rarin Jinda Wellness Spa Resort
Hotel Sensai Nimman Chiang Mai – Adults Only

More thailand Tips + Inspiration

I hope you enjoyed your 3-day Chiang Mai itinerary! Chiang Mai is one of my favorite cities in Thailand and it will become yours, too. If you found this travel guide helpful be sure to check out some other guides to visiting Thailand.

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