I traveled to Best Things To Do in Chiang Mai this week for the first time. was super excited. I had formulas and secret Pinterest boards with blog posts about...
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tyl
October 22, 2025
I traveled to Best Things To Do in Chiang Mai this week for the first time. was super excited. I had formulas and secret Pinterest boards with blog posts about things to do and sights to see in and around this crazy Thai city.
Prior to departing on a 14-hour bus ride, I had carefully curated a 3-day itinerary for Chiang Mai. A 4-day itinerary that relied exclusively on my capability to ride a scooter which I had no experience doing, or even riding any two-wheeled contraption before this trip.
Before you go any further in reading this post, I must let you know that I cannot even ride a bike. The last time I was even on something with two wheels was when I was about 4-years old, and a year or two later when I fell off my bike and my balance hasn’t returned since.
Once my bike was delivered to the bus station, I immediately found out that my sense of balance was still on a break. Then the next thing I did was totally derail my plans, and all of my plans went out the window.
1. Saturday and Sunday Night Markets
For me, a 5 km walk is a nice neighborhood walk. So if you aren’t up for a serious glute workout – you can always take a taxi.
The Saturday and Sunday Night Markets were only a 30-40 minute walk from my hostel on Nimman road. I left around 5:30pm both days and there were still lots of cars and people on the street. I felt totally safe.
The markets themselves were incredible; the prices were inexpensive and the selection of products and fantastic street food on offer makes it a destination for everyone. I did like the Saturday market better though, it was not as crowded as Sunday.
The crowd made it take 30 minutes to walk 200 meters, as the majority of people were simply trying to get through the narrow street stalls.
2. Temple Hopping
If you are mobility impaired in Chiang Mai, one of the cheapest activities you can do is take yourself on a street tour and visit the different temples.
I found that the only temple to charge an entrance fee to visit was Wat Chedi – located at the Saturday Night Market. Other than that, all the other temples I went to were free to enter, with a donation to the monks working at the temple as completely optional.
3. Get Your Geek on at a Board Game Cafe
It’s well documented that I am a very much a geek. I have tried my hand writing for an local South African magazine called Geek Node. So once I heard that Chiang Mai had a venue dedicated to one of my newest hobbies – board games – I’d have to check it out.
I dedicated two hours to familiarizing myself to a zombie survival strategy game. There is an employee here that speaks English and would love to help you select a game and have fun with you.
4. Watch Movies and Hang Out with Cats
Going to the Catmosphere Cafe was one of the biggest highlights of being in Chiang Mai. I have wanted to go to a cat café and hang out with adorable fluffy cats for years.
Prices at the café are high with all drinks and food being over 100 baht, but if you go for the movie deal, (yes, you can book a room to watch a sci-fi space movie with cats!) you get two hours here with free popcorn and corn for 250 baht.
5. Catch a Taxi Up to Doi Inthanon National Park
Walking up Huay Kaew Road toward Chiang Mai Zoo, you will find a line of red taxi’s waiting to take you up the hill to Doi Inthanon National Park.
The prices are very reasonable as it isn’t private. You will be sharing your songtaew with travelers. So it is a great way to see beautiful Doi Suthep and Huay Kaew waterfall for dirt cheap.
6. Treat Yourself to an Ultra-Lux Spa Session
On this trip, I opted not to book any tours. Primarily, as I envisioned becoming my own tour guide and was on a restricted budget with a costly bum out of the way from my weekend on Phuket Island. Instead, I decided to indulge and treat myself a little bit.
Depending on your location in Chiang Mai, spending a few hours in a spa could be pricey. However, there are plenty of low-cost, non-sketchy massage parlors the farther you get away from pricey areas like Nimman and towards the cultural hub of Old Town.
A hot oil massage can be had for 2 hours starting around 200 baht and almost all spas will also have a bunch of other luxurious options such as facials, body scrubs, and herbal baths.
7. Explore the Weirdness that is Chiang Mai Nightlife
When I read Adventurous Kate’s post on the nightlife in Chiang Mai for the first time, I was thrilled. I hadn’t been dancing since Road to Ultra, so I was super excited to see how the Thai people partied in this part of northern Thailand.
I arrived at Warm Up Cafe on Nimman road, which had a local rock band performing. When the place was in full swing it should have been amazing, but at that point, everyone was just staring at the band and drinking. There was no party atmosphere at all.
After freshening cruising, the decision defaulted to call it quit. I made one more last stop at a local bar on a side drink for one beer, and ended up meeting a trio of French students, and we decided to check out Mandalay Night Club.
Well, it sucked. Not only were we charge 200 baht for being foreigners, after that we were subjected to our ears blasted off for the next two hours of what was quite possibly some of the worst dance music of our generation.
8. Eat Your Weight in Street Food
During your time spent walking, you will have worked up quite an appetite. Chaing Mai’s street food will not disappoint! That is what I lived off for my entire time there.
In fact, I’m a little proud to say I kept myself out of the pricey western restaurants that is all over town! Though I was super tempted to try the amazing vegan food options.
FAQ
1. Is Chiang Mai a budget-friendly destination?
Yes! Chiang Mai is one of Thailand’s most affordable travel destinations. You can enjoy delicious street food, local markets, temples, and even nature spots without spending much.
2. Are there walkable areas in Chiang Mai?
Yes! The Old City is compact and easy to explore on foot. Most attractions, cafés, and temples are within walking distance, and the streets are pedestrian-friendly.
3. When is the best time to visit Chiang Mai on a budget?
The shoulder seasons — May to October — are ideal for budget travelers. You’ll find cheaper accommodation and fewer crowds while still enjoying great experiences.
4. Can I find budget accommodations easily?
Absolutely! Chiang Mai offers many hostels, guesthouses, and boutique hotels starting from just $10–15 per night with good amenities and locations.
5. What are the best budget food options in Chiang Mai?
Try local markets and street food stalls for authentic Thai dishes like khao soi, pad thai, and mango sticky rice. The Chiang Mai Night Bazaar is also a great spot for cheap eats.
