Updated: 30 October, 2024
These are the best areas to stay in Chiang Mai, with prices, areas with very cheap, luxury or digital nomad accommodation.
Chiang Mai is the most interesting city in Thailand that can steal your heart. At the same time, it is an area that remains more authentic because tourists prefer to go south, to the beaches.
This also makes it much cheaper than any of the tourist areas. Furthermore, they have a quality hotel offer and good service.
Here is a list of the areas according to what you are going to do in Chiang Mai and your preferences, as well as your budget.
Where should you stay in Chiang Mai?
The area to stay in Chiang Mai depends a little on what you want to do and how you are going to get around.
If for example you go to Chiang Mai to train in Muay Thai, make a thai massage course or yoga instructor which are the most common training courses to do in Chiang Mai, I would tell you to look for accommodation near where you will have the classes.
In addition, generally these types of places tend to have options with accommodation included that are well priced.
In these articles you can read more about:
- What is Muay Thai? – 5 Muay Thai Gyms in Chiang Mai where I include details of the prices, those that give a visa for studies and accommodation.
- The best Yoga Teacher courses in Thailand which includes one in Chiang Mai, as well as other areas of Thailand
On the other hand, if you are looking for tranquility, the mountain area is the best option, although you will need to drive or rely on taxis in most places.
However, if you are going to visit the city and its surroundings for the first time, The best area to stay in Chiang Mai is in the center.
5 areas of Chiang Mai in the center and surroundings
What is the center of Chiang Mai is divided between the central area, which is the old town, and then the nearby areas, especially to the west and east.
Because the northern and southern areas are local areas with little tourist interest and few accommodation options.
1.- Old Town or Old City of Chiang Mai (red)
The old town or old city It is the walled area and without a doubt the most beautiful part to visit the best temples, cafes, restaurants, night markets and charming alleys.
Within the old town you can move easily by walking because it measures 1 km x 1 km, otherwise a Grab (Uber type) will cost you very cheap.
On the other hand, from the wall area of the old city they come out songthaew and excursions to make nearby visits.
In this area you will find many options charming hotels at a good price, I recommend the following:
- Luxury: The Inside House
- Half: Aksara Heritage
- Cheap: BY Thapae Gate
2.- Nimmanhaemin (blue)
Nimmanhaemin or also known as Nimman is on the west side of the old town and is one of the favorite areas of travelers and digital nomads to stay.
It is the hipster area of the city with modern cafes and restaurants, with a varied offer of accommodation and coworking.
Also in the area are some of the most popular shopping centers such as the Maya Shopping Center.
This is not one of my favorite areas because being a more modern area it is not too different from any hipster neighborhood in another city, whether in Spain, Colombia or another country.
In addition, this neighborhood has slightly higher prices in terms of cafes and restaurants, although they have good quality and more international cuisine options.
As for accommodation, as there are quite a few options, there are hotels with very competitive prices.
If you need to work from a coworking while you are in Chiang Mai, in This neighborhood is where you will have more options and is just a few minutes by taxi from the old town.
These are the recommended hotels in Nimman:
- Half: Akyra Manor
- Cheap: Buri Siri Boutique Hotel
👉 The Buri Siri Boutique has a cafe and coworking with access to the outdoor pool, it is called Buristro Bar and Café, it is included in this article about the 15 Best Swimming Pools in Chiang Mai.
3.- Chang Moi (green)
Chang Moi is the neighborhood to the east of the old city that extends to the other side of the river.
After the old town, this is the neighborhood with the most interesting places, the most notable are:
- he Chinatown and Warorot Market that one of the essential visits in Chiang Mai where to eat cheap;
- the flower market;
- the bars and restaurants with views of the river;
- the Hmong market;
- the Iron Bridge;
- he Night Bazaar, a perfect place to buy clothes, souvenirs and eat something from its varied offering;
- Loi Kroh street, the red light district of the city.
⭐ You can read more about 7 Best Day and Night Markets in Chiang Mai which includes Warorot, the flower market, the Hmong and the Night Bazaar.
Although many tourists prefer to stay in other neighborhoods, the area between the wall and the river, above Tha Phae Street, is very good because;
- It is a very short distance from the old town;
- there are many bars and restaurants;
- and the Room prices in some hotels are comparable to many hostels in the city but with better quality.
These are the best cheap hotels in Chiang Mai:
4.- Chang Khlang (yellow)
Chang Khlang is the neighborhood to the southeast, below Chiang Moi, the neighborhood in the previous point.
This area of the city does not have many tourist attractions, but it stands out for the offer of top quality resorts.
If you are looking luxury accommodations in Chiang Mai, this is your area and some of these 5-star hotels have excellent value for money:
5.- Hang Dong – surroundings of Chiang Mai
If you are looking for tranquility in the middle of nature, I recommend the Hang Dong area next to the mountain.
This part of Hang Dong is perfect for relaxing and is only less than 1 hour away by car.
In addition, it is an area with plenty of accommodation for all budgets, these are my favorites:
- Medium high: Veranda High Resort
- Half cheap: Treescape Resort Chiangmai
- Cheap: Foresta Villa
Map of Chiang Mai areas
More about Chiang Mai and Thailand
- 11 Best Day Trips from Chiang Mai
- 15 Scams in Thailand and How to Avoid Them
- 9 Best Beaches in Thailand
- 5 Best Yoga Studios in Chiang Mai – Thailand
- What to see in Chiang Mai: 14 best plans
Hello, I’m Andrea, the creator and writer of Viajeros Activos (Active Travelers). I’m a nomad, so I consider myself a full-time traveler. I’m passionate about good food and always looking for new adventures.
Hello Andrea!
I wanted to thank you for all the valuable information! I'm planning my trip to Thailand and your Chiang Mai guides have been great, you obviously know the area well. I just booked the hotel in the old town.
What I'm a little afraid of is the burning season, I'm going in February. I don't have respiratory problems but I'm a little scared of that subject. Any recommendations?
Thanks again and a hug!
Hello Vicky!
I'm glad it helps you. 🙂
If you don't have respiratory problems you won't notice it too much, just the smell of smoke and less visibility.
In case pollution levels are very high one day, as a precaution you can buy an N99 or N95 mask to use outdoors.
Have a good trip!