Welcome to the most charming town in Southeast Asia! Luang Prabang is a quiet little town nestled along the Mekong River and a must-visit destination on your travels through Laos. It was a French colony until 1954, so it has French influences in its architecture and love for coffee and pastries. I didn’t know what to expect before visiting Laos, but I can honestly say Luang Prabang is at the top of my list of favorite Southeast Asia cities.
Luang Prabang is a city of blooming flowers, sizzling street food, narrow alleyways, peaceful Buddhist monks, and golden temples on every corner. It’s a quiet, slower-paced town, a nice change from Bangkok, Singapore, or Kuala Lumpur, which we had visited recently. From indulging in delicious Laos street food to cruising down the Mekong River, this small city has so much to offer. 3 or 4 days is the perfect length of time to take a leisurely pace in this beautiful city. This guide lists the 15 best things to do in Luang Prabang.
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Where to Stay in Luang Prabang
Avani+ Luang Prabang
We stayed in the Avani Luang Prabang and we loved our stay. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful. The property is right in the middle of the city and is walkable to all the best restaurants and activities. It’s across the street from the night market and you can even wake up and walk downstairs to see the Alms Giving ceremony without having to go anywhere! Seeing as though you have to be up around 5:30AM to observe the ceremony, I’d say that’s a perk!! It has a wonderful pool to relax in the hot afternoons and a lovely restaurant where we had breakfast each morning. The hotel also has a nice gym and spa. The spa is very nice, but I would recommend going elsewhere in town for a more affordable massage.
Here are a few other amazing Luang Prabang hotel recommendations:
- The Belle Rive Boutique Hotel
- Sofitel Luang Prabang
- Angsana Maison Souvannaphoum Hotel
- La Résidence Phou Vao, A Belmond Hotel
- Pullman Luang Prabang
- Rosewood Luang Prabang
How to Get to Luang Prabang
Depending on where you are coming from there are various ways to get to Luang Prabang including flying, or by train, bus, or boat!
Fly
Luang Prabang has an international airport (Luang Prabang International Airport – LPQ) with connections to major cities in Southeast Asia, including Bangkok, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Siem Reap. Once you arrive, it’s about a 15-minute drive to downtown Luang Prabang. You can book a taxi once you arrive or pre-book a transfer so you don’t have to worry about being scammed or bombarded by people trying to sell you a taxi ride. You can also try booking a ride through the LOCA rideshare app. The airport wifi and my cell service weren’t working so that was difficult to do.
Train or Bus
If you’re traveling from neighboring countries like Thailand or Vietnam, you can take a bus to Luang Prabang. There are bus services available from cities like Vientiane, Vang Vieng, and Pakse within Laos as well. There is also a fast train now in Laos that goes between all the main cities. We took the train from Luang Prabang to Vientiane and it was very efficient and clean!
Boat
Luang Prabang is nestled along the Mekong River, which means you can travel there by boat! Slow boat services operate from Huay Xai on the Laos-Thailand border, with stops in Pakbeng before reaching Luang Prabang.
Since I didn’t personally take the boat, I recommend checking out this blog post from Girls Wanderlust. They detail the whole process!
How to Get Around Luang Prabang
It’s super easy to get around Luang Prabang. We found the easiest way is to walk. The main area of town is quite small and there are a few streets where everything is located. Another other option is to download the LOCA app (it’s like Uber or Grab which Laos does not use). You can order a car or Tuk Tuk for only a couple of dollars to go anywhere in the city. It’s honestly much cheaper if you order a ride on LOCA because there is no negotiation or driver trying to overcharge you. Otherwise, just grab one on the street and sure if you get a tuk tuk that you negotiate and agree on a price BEFORE you get in! They will likely try to overcharge you. We paid about 50,000 kip to go from the Avani to the end of the little peninsula near Wat Xiengthong, for reference.
Top 15 Things to Do in Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang really is Laos’ most charming city and it’s relatively small and easy to get around via walking! There is plenty to do even for a few days. I hope you enjoy this list of top 15 things to do in Luang Prabang!
1. Eat all the French Pastries
Because of France’s colonization of Laos, you will find a lot of French bakeries in cafes in Luang Prabang and Vientiane (Laos’ capital). There are many little bakeries lining the streets, and stalls at the markets where you can find delicious baked goods. We thought the best bakes goods were at a stand in front of the Indigo Hotel during the night market. You can also try Formula B, or Le Benneton Cafe French Bakery.
2. Try Lao Coffee at Saffron or Formula B
Either in the morning or for an afternoon break, wander into Saffron Coffee or Formula B Bakery to experience the local coffee culture. Both spots support Lao farmers and exclusively use their coffee beans. The coffee is excellent and they have great pastries too (plus A/C!). Saffron has a lovely view of the Mekong River if you sit upstairs, and Formula B has windows overlooking the main street, where you can watch all the tuk-tuk and motorbikes buzzing by.
3. Try the Famous Mini Coconut Pancakes (Khao nom kok)
We heard about these mini coconut pancakes from a couple we met in Thailand. They said we HAD TO TRY the coconut pancakes, so of course we went on a hunt to find them. Turns out we didn’t have to look very far because they have them everywhere. The pancakes are so delicious!! They are like little pillowy coconut rice cakes, made with coconut cream, sugar, and rice flour, and cooked over a griddle like a pancake. You can find them at the night market or some restaurants in Luang Prabang. Try not to get addicted like I did 🙂
4. Eat at the Local Street Food Night Market
Check out the vibrant night market, where you can try an array of authentic Lao dishes like sticky rice, grilled meats, and spicy salads. The market also has other foods (Korean, Thai, Chinese, etc.). You can eat an entire meal for less than $5 USD. This is like a town-wide event and it gets busy every night. There are lots of tables around the market and it’s a great place to grab a beer and relax.
If you are looking for a great food market tour with recommendations from a local, check out: Luang Prabang Evening Food Tour by Tuk-Tuk
5. Observe the Monks Alms Giving Ceremony at Sunrise
Despite needing to wake up very early, it’s worth experiencing the Alms Giving Ceremony at least one morning while in Luang Prabang. The Almsgiving Ceremony is a Buddhist cultural tradition where monks collect offerings of food from locals along the streets of Luang Prabang at dawn. Because the sun rises at different times every day it’s important to check online or with your hotel what time the event will occur.
Sadly the Almsgiving Ceremony has become a bit of a mess with rude and disrespectful tourists ruining the tradition. You are supposed to observe from a distance, quietly. You can take photos without a flash and without disturbing the monks. If you are not a local I also don’t recommend offering the food/rice even if your hotel offers it. Find a quieter area where there are not a million chairs set up along the road and observe respectfully and peacefully. Note, the monks come out from different temples around the city so there are various spots to see them. Check with your hotel for the best viewing points. This is one of the best activities in Luang Prabang, so wake up early and experience it for yourself!
6. Visit the Local Morning Food Market After Sunrise
After observing the Alms Giving Ceremony it’s easy to walk over to the Luang Prabang Morning Market. This is a unique non-touristy activity because you can experience a market dedicated to locals. Alternatively, the Night Market is very focused on tourists and has a lot of souvenirs.
The morning market is where the locals do their daily food shopping. Be prepared for a variety of smells and unique foods – all kinds of fish, newly slaughtered chickens, fried rats, spices, sauces, etc. It’s through very narrow alleys with a lot of people. It’s fun to walk through and get a sense for the local’s daily lives and to see what sorts of food and products they buy.
7. Wander the Charming Streets & Walk Along the Mekong River
One of our favorite things about Luang Prabang was being able to walk everywhere. It is easy to walk and the streets are filled with beautiful flowers, plants, golden temples, and French colonial architecture. Take a leisurely stroll through the streets of Luang Prabang and just admire all the beauty around you!
8. Take a Sunset Cruise on the Mekong River
One of the best things to do in Luang Prabang is go on a scenic sunset cruise along the Mekong River. I recommend booking a spot on the Khopfa Sunset Cruise for $20/pp. The boat was large and not very crowded. There are comfy bean bags or tables and the servers come around to offer drinks or food. The golden sunset was so peaceful. We also liked seeing all the pretty lights along the river towards the end of the trip.
9. Hike to the Top of Mt. Phousi for Sunrise or Sunset
Take a quick hike up a set up stairs to the summit of Mount Phousi for panoramic views of Luang Prabang. At the top you will also see Wat Pa Huk temple. The entrance is right next to the night market, across the street from the National Museum. The best time to go is either at sunrise or sunset. Note, it gets very crowded at sunset so get up there early if you want to secure a place to sit!
10. Visit all the Beautiful Temples
Luang Prabang has a whopping 33 temples. As you walk through town you will literally see them on every block! Most of the temples feature beautiful golden spires, handpainted murals, and white-washed stupas. I recommend walking down the historic district on the main road Sisavangvong Road, and stopping in each one for a few minutes along the way. Most of the smaller ones have no one there and it’s really quite peaceful. Some of the temples are hundreds of years old. I really loved the handpainted murals, many of which displayed daily life in Laos.
Some of the most beautiful temples are Haw Pha Bang, Wat Xiengthong, and Wat Pa Phai. We found the temples to be relatively empty except Wat Xiengthong which was quite crowded. I recommend trying to go earlier or later to avoid the crowds.
11. Swim in the Turquoise Kuang Si Falls Waterfalls
One of the best things to do in Luang Prabang is swim in the crystal-clear pools of Kuang Si Falls, surrounded by lush greenery and cascading turquoise waters. This is an absolute gem in Laos and a super popular activity to do from Luang Prabang. My recommendation is to go on the same morning you wake up to see the Alms Giving Ceremony and morning market. If you can arrive between 8-9AM (it opens at 8AM), you will pretty much have the whole place to yourself. It starts to get very busy at 10AM. It take’s about an hour to get there from the city.
How to get to Kuang Si Falls:
You can get there by songthaeaw (a few USD$), tuk tuk ($15 USD), motorbike ($10-$15 USD), or taxi ($30 USD). We took a Loca (Uber in Laos) from the airport and our driver offered to take us. The road is pretty bumpy and filled with pollution so I preferred a car!
Once you arrive, the entry fee is only like $3 USD. You hop on a free electric shuttle and it takes you to the falls. Once you are there, follow the path past the “Free the Bears” area (Just a note on the bears, it’s supposed to be a sanctuary to save the bears from illegal trade and abuse but I didn’t think they treated them very well). I would be careful about supporting them.
Every layer of the waterfall is better than the last! There is an extremely long path to the top of the waterfall. We didn’t think it was worth climbing 20 minutes to the top – which is what we had heard from others as well. You can’t see much and it was pretty dried up. The bottom is way prettier! Enjoy being away from the city and go for a swim to cool off. You might notice little fish nipping at you, but they are harmless!
If you’d prefer to book a tour and not worry about transfers, planning etc., I recommend one of these day tours:
- 1 DAY Mekong Cruise to Pak Ou Caves. Kuang Si Waterfalls . Local Villages
- Luang Prabang City Tour & Kuang Si Waterfalls
12. Go to the National Museum
Delve into the history and culture of Laos at the National Museum, housed in the former Royal Palace, where you can admire royal artifacts, religious treasures, and intricate traditional textiles. Note the museum is closed from 11:30AM to 1:30PM, but otherwise open from 8AM to 4PM.
13. Shop at the Night Market
Truthfully the night market is a bit touristy, but I still think it’s worth browsing the shops and experiencing this part of Luang Prabang. Right past the food night market, the locals sell many handmade crafts, textiles, jewelry, and souvenirs. The market gets absolutely packed and it takes time to get through to the end!
14. Get a Budget-Friendly Massage
Luang Prabang is a great place to get a massage at an unbeatable price, and Lao Traditional Massages are incredible! I had never had one before visiting Laos, but it’s like a combination of Thai and deep tissue and honestly one of the most relaxing massages I’ve ever had. Try Green Jungle Massage or Khmu Spa & Massage.
15. Visit the Living Land Company to Learn How Locals’ Harvest Rice
I saved the best for last! Spend half a day learning about traditional rice farming practices at the Living Land Company, where you can participate in hands-on activities like planting and harvesting rice. This is one of the most unique and best things to do in Luang Prabang; we really enjoyed our time there.
It’s about a 15 minute drive to the farm and it cost $36 for a half day tour, $46 with lunch. Our guide Kao was excellent. They demonstrate all 13 steps to planting and harvesting rice, and you get to even walk through the mud and plant some of your own. At the end you get to taste various items made from the rice.
Where to Eat in Luang Prabang
There are many great places to eat in Laos, from traditional Lao food, to Thai, Chinese, Italian and more. We researched all the best spots so you don’t have to!
Our favorites are:
- ($$) Lost in Baan – Asian Fusion
- ($$) Bouang Asian Eatery – Asian Fusion – make sure you try the Green Curry Gnocci!
- ($$) Popolo (Italian) – delicious Italian
- ($$) The Belle Rive Terrace – a variety of cuisines with a view of the Mekong River
- ($) Phonheuang Cafe (Thai)
- ($) Bamboo Garden Restaurant (Thai)
- ($) Lung Krapao (Thai)
- ($$) Saffron (Cafe)
- ($$) Formula B (Cafe)
Other Important Information About Luang Prabang
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Luang Prabang is from November to February when it’s cooler and dryer. It’s better to avoid the hot season from March to May when the temperature and humidity are quite high. Not only will it make being outside more uncomfortable, but a lot of the river and waterfall will be dried up. The rainy season is from June to October and it can rain frequently, sometimes causing flooding. This could potentially disrupt your travel plans, but it also causes more lush landscapes (like vibrant green rice fields!) and fewer crowds.
Tip: There were A LOT of mosquitos in Laos – more than any other Southeast Asia city we visited. Make sure to bring and wear a lot of mosquito repellant.
Currency
Laos uses the Lao Kip but they also often take USD, EURO or THB. It’s very important to have cash as we found many places do not take credit card, or they charge you a 3% fee. It’s also good to have small bills for tips.
Cost to Travel
The cost of traveling in Luang Prabang can vary depending on your travel style, accommodation preferences, dining, and activities. On average, budget travelers can expect to spend around $20 to $40 per day, while mid-range travelers might spend between $40 to $100 per day. This budget typically covers accommodation in guesthouses or budget hotels, meals at local eateries or street food stalls, transportation via tuk tuks or rented bicycles, and entrance fees to attractions.
If you’re looking for a bit more luxury, costs can increase significantly, with upscale hotels, fine dining, guided tours, and additional activities. Overall, Luang Prabang offers a range of options, but in general we found it quite inexpensive.
Visa
Whether you need a visa for Laos depends on your nationality and the length of your visit. Many nationalities are eligible for visa exemption for short visits, typically ranging from 14 to 30 days, depending on the country of origin. However, if you plan to stay longer or your nationality is not eligible for visa exemption, you’ll need to obtain a visa in advance or upon arrival. Most countries can obtain an e-visa or just get a visa on arrival.
Laos offers different types of visas, including tourist visas, business visas, and visas for specific purposes such as volunteer work or study. The requirements and application procedures may vary depending on your nationality and the type of visa you need so make sure you read their website.
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