Jamie & Zosia

Part café, part cultural centre. Kalm Village is one of our favourite places to wander in the Old Town, with beautiful architecture, art exhibitions and a lovely coffee shop set amongst peaceful gardens.

Located in the Old Town, Weave combines coffee, craftsmanship and design in a beautifully curated space.

A beautiful Japanese-inspired garden café that's worth visiting for the setting alone. There is a small entrance fee, but this is deducted from the cost of your drink, making it well worth the visit for the peaceful atmosphere and stunning surroundings.

If you're looking for authentic Northern Thai food, this is our number one recommendation. Run by one of the sweetest ladies you'll ever meet, their Khao Soi (Chiang Mai's famous coconut curry noodle soup) is an absolute must-try while you're here.

One of the most popular Thai restaurants in the city, set inside a beautiful traditional teak house. We'd definitely recommend booking ahead as it gets busy.

Simple, authentic Thai food at very affordable prices. A great option if you're looking for delicious local food without spending much.

Probably the best pork skewers we've ever had. A traditional Thai breakfast that's incredibly popular with locals and well worth trying.

A fantastic choice if you're looking for a slightly more special evening out, with a modern take on Thai cuisine in the heart of the Old Town. If you can, reserve a table on the rooftop for beautiful sunset views overlooking the Old Town.

Our pick for the best burger in Chiang Mai.

Worth the short drive outside the city. Easily our favourite pizza in Chiang Mai.

Authentic Texan barbecue run by a Texan. If you're craving smoked brisket or ribs, this is the place.

One of our favourite places to spend an evening. When the market is on, you'll find a fantastic selection of high-quality street food, live music and a great atmosphere. It's the perfect place to try a little bit of everything while soaking up the lively atmosphere.

Fresh, healthy lunches and smoothie bowls in Nimman.

Great healthy food without feeling overly “healthy”. A perfect lunch option.

One of the best vegetarian and vegan cafés in Chiang Mai, with fantastic food and a great mission behind the business.

If you have a sweet tooth, don't miss this one. Their cinnamon buns are genuinely some of the best we've ever had.

A self-serve frozen yoghurt spot with a huge selection of toppings. Perfect if you're after something refreshing while exploring the city.

One of our favourite cocktail bars in Chiang Mai. Creative drinks, an artsy atmosphere and a brilliant place to spend an evening in Nimman.

Located in One Nimman, Puravida has a great atmosphere with excellent cocktails and a lively yet relaxed vibe. It's a perfect place to start or finish an evening out.

Located at the InterContinental Chiang Mai Mae Ping. If you're looking for the best rooftop views in Chiang Mai, this is our top recommendation. We'd suggest booking online in advance and arriving around sunset to enjoy panoramic views across the city.

Located at Meliá Chiang Mai. Another fantastic rooftop bar with beautiful sunset views across the city. A great alternative if Hong's is fully booked.

A great choice if you're looking for a relaxed beer garden atmosphere. It's a popular local spot that's perfect for a casual evening with friends.

A rustic pub overlooking the Old Town from its rooftop terrace. This also happens to be Jamie's rugby club clubhouse, so don't be surprised if you spot a few familiar faces—or even Jamie himself—in some of the photos on the walls!

One of our favourite things to do in Chiang Mai. Just a 15-minute drive from Nimman, this beautiful jungle hike takes around 30 minutes and leads to a hidden temple nestled amongst the trees. It genuinely feels like something straight out of Tomb Raider. As this is an active temple, please remember to wear or bring something to cover your shoulders and knees if you'd like to enter.

Located within Chiang Mai University, just 10 minutes from Nimman. A peaceful 2km walk around two reservoirs surrounded by mountains. It's one of our favourite places for a morning or sunset stroll.

If you only visit one market during your stay, make it this one. Chiang Mai is famous for its incredible arts, crafts and local makers, and Jing Jai perfectly captures that creative spirit. Expect beautiful handmade goods, fantastic food and a brilliant atmosphere.

A beautiful courtyard filled with boutique shops, cafés, restaurants and regular markets, often accompanied by live music.

If you're in Chiang Mai on a Sunday, don't miss it. Stretching through the Old Town, it's one of Thailand's best night markets, with fantastic street food, local crafts and live entertainment.

A charming market set amongst rice fields, with a relaxed atmosphere, local food stalls and handmade arts and crafts.

Part cultural centre, part art village. A wonderful place to wander through galleries, workshops and beautifully designed spaces before stopping for a coffee.

Located right in Nimman, this is a lovely place to spend a relaxed afternoon.

Even if you're not staying at the hotel, you can purchase a day pass and enjoy the beautiful pool area for a small fee.

A more social wellness space featuring a pool, sauna and ice bath. Great if you're after a lively atmosphere close to town.

Around 20 minutes from the city, this peaceful wellness retreat offers a fantastic day out with beautiful surroundings. Day passes are typically around £10.

Another beautiful wellness space approximately 20 minutes from Chiang Mai, offering pools, saunas and a tranquil environment. Day passes are usually around £10.

One of the most memorable experiences you can have while visiting Northern Thailand. This ethical elephant sanctuary allows you to feed, walk alongside and bathe rescued elephants in their natural environment. We'd recommend the half-day experience, which gives you plenty of time with the elephants and includes transport from Chiang Mai along with lunch. For something extra special, they also offer accommodation, allowing you to wake up with elephants quite literally on your doorstep.

Thailand's highest mountain and one of the country's most beautiful national parks. You can either drive to the summit or choose from several hiking trails through cloud forests and waterfalls.

One of our favourite places in Northern Thailand, located around 1.5 hours from Chiang Mai. Surrounded by dramatic limestone mountains, it's an incredibly peaceful place with some of the best scenery in the region. If you're staying overnight, we'd highly recommend Dara Dao, where you'll wake up to breathtaking mountain views and unforgettable sunsets.

A laid-back mountain town known for its relaxed, bohemian atmosphere. The drive itself is incredibly scenic and is a favourite amongst motorbike riders, although we'd only recommend riding there if you're confident on winding mountain roads.

Spend a morning wandering through independent coffee shops, boutiques and quiet side streets before stopping for lunch or a drink.

The best way to experience the city's historic heart is simply by wandering. Explore the ancient walls, hidden alleyways, temples, cafés and local shops at your own pace.