The Ultimate 3 Day Chiang Mai Itinerary
A curated 3-day journey through the absolute best of Chiang Mai, Thailand: The only itinerary you need
We may earn a commission from purchases made through some affiliate links on this website
Chiang Mai is the cultural and spiritual heart of Northern Thailand, and no trip to this country is complete without experiencing the temples, markets and cuisine that this corner of the world has to offer. We’ve put together the ultimate 3 day Chiang Mai itinerary, with must-see attractions and off-the-beaten-path experiences to help you make the most of your 72 hours in Chiang Mai.
Table of Contents
Day 1 - Temples & Hidden Gems
Blue Diamond Breakfast Club
Morning
Breakfast at a local cafe
Start your day with a delicious breakfast in the lush gardens of Blue Diamond Breakfast Club in the Old Town. Surrounded by tropical greenery, this is some of the best breakfast food in the entire city. Choose from Thai salads or noodles, to home-made pastries and full English & American breakfasts. Enjoy delicious coffee to fuel you up for a day of exploring Chiang Mai.
Wat Chedi Luang
Ancient Temples & City Walls
After breakfast, spend some time exploring, taking a leisurely stroll north around the Old City walls. The ancient walls and moats are well-preserved and surrounded by the bustle of everyday life, and it’s a great way to soak up the atmosphere before the heat of the day. Walk 20 minutes to Wat Phra Singh, one of Chiang Mai’s most famous temples. Located in the heart of the Old City, this temple is known for its golden chedi and ornate hall. Spend some time exploring the grounds and learning about the temple’s history, before heading to Wat Chedi Luang, an ancient 14th century Buddhist temple that stands as a reminder to Chiang Mai’s grandeur. Its crumbling chedi is an impressive, awe-inspiring sight.
Khao Soi
Afternoon
Local Northern Thai lunch
Walk 20 minutes from Wat Chedi Luang to the famous local eatery Khao Soi Khun Yai, situated at the north end of the Old Town. This spot is a favourite to try Khao Soi – a rich, coconut curry noodle soup that is one of the most famous and beloved dishes of Northern Thai cuisine, particularly in Chiang Mai. Topped with chicken or beef and crunchy noodles, you can garnish your bowl with some of the many herbs and condiments served alongside. Think lime wedges, pickled mustard greens, raw shallots and a dollop of chilli oil or paste for added heat. The restaurant is simple but charming; a truly local experience.
Baan Kang Wat
1:30pm – Visit an Artisan Village
Hop in a Grab taxi and head to Baan Kang Wat, an artisan village just a short 15 minute drive away. This gorgeous artist community consists of small wooden houses, each serving as a gallery, shop or café showcasing local art, handmade crafts, pottery and textiles. Spend some time wandering through the village, browsing the shops and perhaps picking up a souvenir or two. This is the place to get authentic pieces that aren’t mass produced tourist tat. The relaxed, artistic vibe of Baan Kang Wat makes it a perfect place to slow down, grab a coffee and enjoy a slower pace of life from the frenetic city.
Wat Umong
4:00pm – Explore Chiang Mai’s Forest Temple
On your return to Chiang Mai, stop off at Wat Umong, one of the city’s most unique and quiet temples. This 700 year old Buddhist temple is famous for its mysterious underground tunnels, built for monks to meditate in silence. As you walk through them, dimly lit by candles and adorned with ancient murals, you can’t help but feel a deep sense of history and spirituality that permeates the walls here. Above ground, explore the beautiful gardens and feed the fish in the pond, before making your way back to your hotel to rest before the evening.
Cowboy Hat Lady Source: Joel Coblenz
Evening
7:00pm – Experience Chiang Mai’s Famous Night Bazaar
Dive into the organised chaos of the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar. Located along Chang Klan Road, this busy street market is the perfect place to shop for clothing and jewellery, or even just to stroll around and see what you find along the way. The Night Bazaar has a huge array of street food, so come with an empty stomach! See if you can find one of the market’s most famous street food stalls – Cowboy Hat Lady. Wearing her iconic white cowboy hat and usually surrounded by a crowd, she serves up legendary Khao Kha Moo (stewed pork leg). Served with rice, boiled egg, and pickled greens, this dish is a local favourite and a great way to end your night on a delicious note.
Day 2 - Discover the Hill Tribes of Northern Thailand
Hill Tribe Village
Morning
Begin your Hill Tribe adventure
Await a pick up from Thailand Hill Tribe Holidays who will be taking you into the rainforest to see how the indigenous hill tribe villagers live. This is an ethical company who practise responsible tourism, with profits going directly back to the hill tribes themselves. For many of the tribes they visit, you will be the only tourists. Drive into the forested mountains surrounding Chiang Mai, stopping off to explore local markets along the way and see a glimpse into real, rural Thai life.
Karen Long Neck
Arrive at the Lisu Hill Tribe
Arrive at the Lisu hill tribe and learn about this community of refugees who live in the mountainous regions of Northern Thailand. Activities can depend on what the villagers are doing that day, and nothing is pre-prepared for visitors. This is a chance for you to be witness to real, authentic hill tribe living, following the tribe as they go about their day to day life, perhaps having the opportunity to be invited into their homes. You may also be invited to trek into the forest with a local guide to discover how they live in harmony with nature; learn about their herbal medicine, what plants they use to cook and how they farm in the jungle.
Village Man Cooking
Cook lunch with villagers
Immerse yourself even further into the hill tribe experience by cooking with them for your lunch. This is an add-on and the fee is payable directly to the hill tribe themselves, helping to support their fragile community. Learn about how they harvest and prepare food and try your hand at authentic hill tribe cuisine. A once in a lifetime experience. End your day with the Lisu hill tribe by heading to a local terraced waterfall for a chance to cool off in the refreshing waters and soak in the rainforest, before beginning your drive back to Chiang Mai.
Chiang Dao Landscape
Optional: For a longer and more challenging experience, consider a 1 Day Doi Inthanon Hill Tribe Trail with Ethnic Hill Tribe Eco Trails. This includes 6 hours of trekking through the heart of the rainforest to find a local Karen hill tribe village and swim in waterfalls.
Rasik Local Kitchen
Evening
Dine at RASIK Local Kitchen
After a day in the mountains, be prepared for one of the best, intimate dining experiences in Chiang Mai. Acknowledged by the Michelin-guide for their exceptional quality food, RASIK offers beautifully crafted Northern Thai dishes made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The open-air kitchen gives the place a fun, relaxed atmosphere as you watch the chef plate up dishes such as grilled bone marrow with galangal chilli paste and the pork red curry with Damask rose. Booking is essential.
Day 3 - Live Like a Local
Monk’s Trail Chiang Mai
Morning
Walk the Monk’s Trail to Doi Suthep
No visit to Chiang Mai is complete without visiting Wat Phra Doi Suthep, a temple perched on the hilltop on the outskirts of Chiang Mai. One of the best ways to reach it is by hiking the Monk’s Trail, an easy 4km hike through the forested foothills. The trail is marked by strips of orange cloth tied to trees, similar to the robes worn by Buddhist monks, guiding hikers along the path. About halfway up the trail, you’ll reach a quiet and mystical temple complex nestled in the forest, featuring ancient pagodas, statues and meditation spots. The temple is surrounded by natural beauty, with a waterfall and a small stream running through the grounds.
Wat Phra Doi Suthep
Reach Doi Suthep Temple
Once you reach Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of Chiang Mai and the surrounding countryside. The temple is home to a huge golden chedi that gleams in the sunlight, surrounded by ornate carvings and statues. Ring the bells that line the temple’s walkways for good luck and offer prayers at the various shrines. The temple is bustling and filled with visitors and monks. You can take part in rituals, such as offering lotus flowers or lighting incense, or even ask for a blessing from a monk. Afterwards, make your way back to Chiang Mai for lunch by grabbing a taxi, Grab or a songthaew.
Fern Forest Cafe
Lunch
Fern Forest Cafe
Unwind in the lush oasis-like courtyard of Fern Forest Cafe after what’s been a busy few days of hiking and sightseeing. The food here is as beautiful as the cafe. Sip on delicious coffee as you fuel up on flower & berry pancakes, tropical acai bowls, or the decadent Fern Forest big breakfast, complete with omelette, smoked bacon, salad and toasted sourdough. Make sure you leave room for their mango & blueberry tart, or something else from their almost sinful list of desserts.
Fah Lanna Spa
Afternoon
Fah Lanna Spa
You’ve thoroughly earned yourself a spa afternoon and nowhere does luxurious, soul-soothing spa experiences quite like Chiang Mai. The city has too many spas to count, but one of our favourites is Fah Lanna Spa. Featuring beautifully designed treatment rooms surrounded by lush gardens and koi ponds, this is the place to lose yourself a while and forget the outside world exists. Try their signature Tok Sen massage, a traditional Northern Thai massage that uses a wooden hammer and stick to create rhythmic vibrations, stimulating energy lines and easing muscle tension. Soak in a herbal steam bath surrounded by natural wood, bamboo and soft linens, candlelight flickering around you. You’d be forgiven for never wanting to leave. But as you must, afterwards, head back to your hotel for your final evening in Chiang Mai.
Ekachan Restauran
Evening
Riverside dinner at Ekachan
Head over to the riverside for some of the best food in the city at Ekachan. This is seasonal, farm-to-table cooking at its best with delicious, authentic Thai cuisine. The beautiful old teakwood mansion overlooks the Ping River, while platters of spicy salads and jungle curries waft past you. Try their signature chicken curry with star anise & cinnamon and you’ll want to book another 3 days in the city. This was recently awarded a Bib-Gourmand from Michelin for their exceptional quality at great value, putting this firmly on the map. Booking is essential.
Sunday Walking Market
Sunday Walking Market
From Ekachan restaurant, it’s only a 10 minute drive to the Old City to witness the iconic Sunday Walking Market. Only open on Sunday night, the streets here transform into a maze of stalls, selling everything from crafts and souvenirs to sizzling street food. The roads are closed as masses of people walk down Ratchadamnoen Road to witness one of the best markets in the country. If you’re still hungry, sample some of the many Thai desserts and snacks while you browse for some final souvenirs. This is an iconic Chiang Mai experience not to be missed.
OR:
Kalare Night Market
If your final day doesn’t fall on a Sunday, make your way over to Kalare Night Market instead, one of the best night markets in the city with a focus on handicrafts and art. Its location in a beautiful domed building sets the scene for rows of textiles, paintings and sculptures. Speak to the artists themselves and get to know the stories behind many of Thailand’s traditional crafts.
Thai Farm Cooking School
Optional Extras:
If you have more time, consider adding these to your list:
- Take part in a Thai cooking class for a deep immersion into Northern Thai food and culture. We particularly love Thai Farm Cooking School
- Visit the Sticky Waterfall, located in the jungle 60km from Chiang Mai. A curious natural phenomenon makes the rocks of the waterfall extremely grippy, so you can experience walking up the face of the cascades! Read our Full Guide to Visiting Bua Tong Sticky Waterfall here.
- For more ideas, read about the Top 10 Things to do in Chiang Mai, or to get off the beaten path, discover 7 Hidden Gems in Chiang Mai.
where to stay
