We visited the UNESCO heritage city of Luang Prabang for the first time in 2023. This city offers a plethora of charming cafes, art galleries and attractions, surrounded by well preserved French colonial architecture, as well as some of the most impressive waterfalls in all South East Asia. We spent a total of 1 week here soaking up everything the city has to offer.
In this guide we’ll cover the top 8 things to do in Luang Prabang, as well as where to stay and when to visit. Read on for our top things to do and start planning your own trip to Luang Prabang today.
- Top 8 things to do in Luang Prabang
- 1. Visit the Kuang Si waterfalls
- 2. Explore the UNESCO heritage site old quarter
- 3. Climb Phousi Hill for sunset
- 4. Eat and shop at the Luang Prabang night market
- 5. Have a croissant and a coffee at one of the French Boulangeries
- 6. Experience the traditional Alms Giving ceremony
- 7. Take a cruise on the Mekong River
- 8. Rent a motorbike and explore the local area
- How to get to Luang Prabang
- Where to stay in Luang Prabang
- Best time to visit Luang Prabang
- Where to visit after Luang Prabang
Top 8 things to do in Luang Prabang
1. Visit the Kuang Si waterfalls
The Kuang Si waterfalls were some of the nicest ones we saw throughout our whole 8 month trip around South East Asia. These waterfalls are situated about a 30 minute drive from central Luang Prabang, and are not to be missed as part of your Laos itinerary. Take your swimsuit and a towel to take a swim and escape the heat once you arrive.
Compared to similar waterfalls in neighbouring Thailand, the Kuang Si waterfalls are considerably more impressive, and very cheap to visit. A ticket will only cost you 20,000 kip, roughly 1 euro. Compared to waterfalls in Thailand that can cost between 5 and 7 euros!
The local area is dotted with stalls and cafes, and there is even a Sun Bear sanctuary within the waterfall park for no extra cost.
On the drive back to Luang Prabang we stopped off at Nakhoun Cafe for a drink and to watch the sunset over the rice fields.
2. Explore the UNESCO heritage site old quarter
The old town of Luang Prabang is one of the best preserved examples of 19th and 20th century colonial architecture in South East Asia. Walking around the cobbled streets of the old quarter really feels like you are in a small slice of Europe, with traditional colonial buildings, French style cafes and art galleries dotting the streets. You can spend hours just wandering the area and soaking in the culture and history.
For a deeper dive into Luang Prabang and its history, you can visit the Royal Palace and Heritage Museum. This building was built in 1904 and blends traditional Laos style with the more modern colonial style. Not to be missed for history buffs.
3. Climb Phousi Hill for sunset
Phousi Hill is the tallest point of the city. Situated in the centre of the city surrounded by the temples and mekong river, it offers 360 degree views of the city and surrounding area. There is a small fee of 20,000 kip, roughly 1 euro, to climb the hill, but the views and temples dotted across the top are worth it. We recommend hiking up to watch the sunset over the city, but make sure you allow 20 minutes to reach the top as it’s quite a few steps to reach it.
Once you arrive at the top it is likely to be busy, so if you want the best spot it might be worth getting to the top around 30 minutes before the sun is due to set.
4. Eat and shop at the Luang Prabang night market
The night market in Luang Prabang is open every day from 5pm to 11pm, and features a number of street food vendors and local crafts and souvenirs. Whether it’s Pad Laos, fried rice or a coconut smoothie, you’ll find something delicious (and cheap) to eat here. This was our favourite place to eat in Luang Prabang, and we tried something new every night we visited.
There are also a number of stalls that fill up the streets of the old quarter selling everything from local art to bracelets and gifts for your loved ones back home. Don’t forget to haggle for the best deal!
5. Have a croissant and a coffee at one of the French Boulangeries
Due to the French colonial history of Laos, Luang Prabang is not short of great places to have a great coffee. The old quarter is littered with traditional style French Boulangeries with pastries on par with France. Coffee culture in the city is a big thing and there is no shortage of places to try. Why not try a new one each morning!
Some of our favourites include:
- Le Banneton for croissants and a cappuccino
- Saffron Coffee for coffee connoisseurs with a riverside view
- Joma Bakery Cafe for delicious iced drinks (and fast free wifi!)
6. Experience the traditional Alms Giving ceremony
Every morning at sunrise, the local buddhist monks walk down Sakkaline Road in the centre of Luang Prabang collecting food offerings. This iconic scene is one you will have likely seen in pictures when researching Laos, but seeing it in person is not to be missed.
Single file and wearing the traditional buddhist robes, the monks walk down the street and accept the offerings of food into their baskets. As they aren’t allowed to cook for themselves as part of their faith, the only food they are permitted to eat is the food offered to them. As a tourist you can participate in this offering, but be quiet and respectful. Turn off your camera flash and don’t try to speak to the monks. You can purchase sticky rice from the locals to offer to the monks yourself.
7. Take a cruise on the Mekong River
There are a number of sunset boat tours offered along the Mekong in the centre of town. These range from simple boats with tables and chairs, to luxury sunset cruises with dinner and drinks included. Depending on your budget you can choose which type you prefer, but this experience is not to be missed.
8. Rent a motorbike and explore the local area
For us this was the best way to explore the city and surrounding area. There are a number of motorbike and e-scooter rental shops around the old quarter of Luang Prabang. It is worth shopping around for the best price to fit your budget, and we paid around 8 euros for a full day with a 125cc Honda Scoopy and helmets. You will have to purchase your own fuel, but this is only around 1 euro a litre.
With the bike you can get out of the city and explore the surrounding countryside, waterfalls and caves, experiencing a slice of local life in Laos.
Note: If you choose an electric scooter, be aware you might not have the range required to get to Kuang Si waterfalls and back. And as with all motorbike rentals in South East Asia, travel insurance is a must. We use SafteyWing and recommend it for anyone backpacking around Asia or the world!
How to get to Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang is well connected by air, land and river with the rest of Laos, and the surrounding countries.
By Air
In recent years there has been an increase in the number of international flights landing at Luang Prabang airport. Direct flights are available from Bangkok, Hanoi, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, with more routes opening up every day. Domestic flights from the capital of Vientiane also operate a few times a day. Check out domestic and international flight prices here.
By Bus
Luang Prabang has a number of bus stations that connect it to the rest of the country, as well as some neighbouring countries. Buses are available from all major towns and cities, such as Vientiane, Nong Khiaw and Vang Vieng. Sleeper buses from China, Vietnam and Thailand are also available. You can check out prices for bus tickets to and from Luang Prabang here on 12go.asia.
By Boat
Many travellers opt to take the slow boat down the Mekong river from the Thai – Laos border town of Huay Xai in the north. This option takes 2 days with an overnight stop in the middle, and is by far the most scenic and adventurous way to reach Luang Prabang. We took the slow boat in 2023, and wrote a full guide on crossing the border and what to expect here.
Where to stay in Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang has accommodation options to satisfy all tastes and budgets. We stayed in a variety of accommodations during our almost 2 weeks in the city, and these are our top recommendations depending on your budget.
Solo Travellers / Budget Travellers
Mid Range
Luxury
Best time to visit Luang Prabang
The best time to plan your visit to Luang Prabang is between November and March. The weather is mostly dry with pleasant temperatures during the period. During January and around festival times the city can get very busy, so be sure to book hotels in advance.
The south west monsoon season is between June and September, and brings the largest amount of rainfall for the year. In general August is the wettest month but downpours usually only last for a short while, so visiting during this time isn’t completely discouraged.
The hottest part of the year to visit Luang Prabang is between March and May. Expect high temperatures and humidity if you visit during this period.
Visiting in the off season has the benefit of fewer tourists, and cheaper hotel prices, so you can weigh up the pros and cons of each option for yourself.
Where to visit after Luang Prabang
Heading north you can reach the beautiful, mountainous countryside of Nong Khiaw. Buses take around 3-4 hours and only cost a few euros. Check bus times and prices here on 12go.asia.
Travelling south you can reach the backpacker hotspot of Vang Vieng or the capital of Vientiane in 5-7 hours by bus. Check bus times and prices here on 12go.asia.
Planning a trip to Laos? Check out our Ultimate Laos travel guide for more information. This guide covers everything you need to know from places and attractions, saving money and staying safe.
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