If Bangkok is Thailand's heartbeat, Chiang Mai is its soul. Tucked into the forested mountains of northern Thailand, this ancient city moves at a different pace entirely. Unhurried, atmospheric and packed with things to see and do that feel genuinely rooted in the culture rather than built for tourist consumption. A Chiang Mai holiday gives you crumbling temple complexes, extraordinary street food, jungle treks, night bazaars and some of the most beautiful traditional craftsmanship in Southeast Asia, often all within the same day. Here are the ten best things to do in Chiang Mai in 2026.
1. Explore the Old City's Temples
The Old City, Chiang Mai
The walled Old City is home to over 30 temples, more than anywhere else in Thailand outside of Bangkok and walking between them is the single best introduction to Chiang Mai. Wat Phra Singh (Thanon Singharat) is the most revered, housing a famous Buddha image and some of the finest Lanna-style architecture in the country. Wat Chedi Luang (Prapokklao Road) features a partly ruined 15th-century chedi that dominates the skyline of the old city. Go early morning to catch the monks receiving alms, a quiet, deeply moving ritual that sets the tone for everything that follows.
2. Visit Doi Suthep Temple
Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, 15km from the city centre
Perched on a mountain above the city at 1,073 metres, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is Chiang Mai's most iconic landmark and the best things to do in Chiang Mai list wouldn't be complete without it. A 309-step naga staircase leads up to the golden chedi and the views over the city and surrounding valley are extraordinary. Songthaew (red truck taxis) run up the mountain from Chiang Mai Zoo throughout the day. Go at sunset for the most dramatic light.
3. Browse the Sunday Walking Street
Wualai Road, Chiang Mai — Sundays only, from 4pm
Wualai Road in the southern part of the Old City transforms every Sunday into one of the best night markets in Thailand. Local artisans sell silver jewellery, hand-painted parasols, woodcarvings, lacquerware and silk textiles alongside food stalls serving khao soi, grilled sausages, and mango sticky rice. It's less crowded than the Saturday Night Bazaar and more authentically focused on local craft. It’s a brilliant evening out whether you're on a family holiday to Chiang Mai or a solo trip.
4. Take a Thai cooking class
Various locations, Chiang Mai
Northern Thai cuisine is one of the most distinctive regional food traditions in all of Southeast Asia and learning to cook it properly is one of the top things to do in Chiang Mai for good reason. Most classes begin with an early morning visit to a local market to choose ingredients, followed by hands-on cooking across four or five dishes. Thai Farm Cooking School (Mae Rim) and Zabb E Lee Cooking School (Old City) are both excellent options with strong reputations.
5. Trek through the Jungle
Various operators depart from Chiang Mai city centre
The mountains and jungle surrounding Chiang Mai are among the most beautiful in Thailand and a day or overnight trek is one of the most rewarding ways to experience them. Trails wind through hill tribe villages, bamboo forests and past waterfalls with options ranging from easy half-day walks to multi-day overnight treks with camping. Look for operators who work directly with local hill tribe communities and have strong responsible tourism credentials.
6. Wander Nimman Road
Nimmanhaemin Road, Chiang Mai
Nimman is Chiang Mai's coolest neighbourhood, a tree-lined street packed with independent coffee shops, boutiques, design studios and restaurants. It's where the city's creative community has made its home and the vibe is unlike anything else in northern Thailand. Grab a specialty coffee, browse the concept stores and stay for dinner at one of the neighbourhood's excellent restaurants. For couples on a honeymoon in Chiang Mai, Nimman makes an ideal base, stylish, intimate and away from the bustle of the Old City.
7. Visit the Elephant Nature Park
Mae Taeng District, approximately 60km north of Chiang Mai
Elephant Nature Park is the gold standard of ethical elephant experiences in Thailand, a sanctuary that rescues elephants from logging and tourism industries and allows them to roam freely across a large, forested reserve. Visitors can walk alongside, feed and bathe with the elephants in a natural river setting. Day trips run daily from Chiang Mai and include transport, meals and a full introduction to the park's conservation work. Book well in advance. It's consistently one of the best things to see in Chiang Mai and sells out weeks ahead.
8. Explore the Saturday Night Bazaar
Chang Khlan Road, Chiang Mai — Saturdays only
The original and largest of Chiang Mai's walking street markets, the Saturday Night Bazaar stretches along Chang Khlan Road and spills into the surrounding lanes. It's bigger and busier than the Sunday market but the range is extraordinary. You’ll find everything from handmade souvenirs and hill tribe textiles to street food, live music and traditional dance performances. Go with a loose plan, no time pressure and an empty stomach.
9. Visit Wat Umong
Suthep Road, Chiang Mai
One of the most atmospheric and least-visited temples in Chiang Mai, Wat Umong dates back to the 14th century and is built around a network of ancient tunnels beneath a wooded hillside. Deer roam freely through the forested grounds, meditation centres operate throughout the day and the whole complex has a serenity that's completely different from the more visited Old City temples. It's a 10-minute drive from the city centre and well worth the detour, one of the most underrated things to do in Chiang Mai.
10. Day trip to Doi Inthanon National Park
Chom Thong District, approximately 80km south of Chiang Mai
Thailand's highest mountain sits just 80km from Chiang Mai and makes for one of the finest day trips in the north. Doi Inthanon National Park combines twin Royal Pagodas set in manicured gardens, misty mountain trails, spectacular waterfalls, including the multi-tiered Wachirathan Falls and extraordinary birdlife. The summit at 2,565 metres can be cool year-round and feels dramatically different from the tropical heat of the valley below. For more inspiration on exploring the wider region, take a look at our guide to things to do in northern Thailand.
Book your Chiang Mai holiday
What to do in Chiang Mai really isn't a short list, this is a city that rewards slow travel and repays return visits with discoveries you missed the first time. Whether you're planning a cultural deep dive, a family adventure or a romantic escape, Away Holidays can build the perfect itinerary around everything the north of Thailand has to offer. Get in touch with our team today and let's start planning your trip.
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