Luang Prabang has stolen my heart. I arrived with hardly any expectations and an intense need for some peace & quiet. I read an article in a magazine about this place and decided to book a ticket. This city, full of butterflies, has a spiritual charm. Monks wander through the streets, everybody smiles at you and even the dogs are your best friends. The French architecture, the Mekong river, stunning waterfalls, the good restaurants, beautiful temples, the laid back vibe & spirituality, make this place one of my favorite Asian destinations so far. It is just over an hour by plane from Hanoi, so it pairs easily with my Hanoi tips.

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This Luang Prabang travel guide covers the things to do that I would not skip, where I loved to eat and drink, a few don’ts and 5 boutique hotels worth booking in this Unesco World Heritage city. Still choosing a base? My guide on where to stay compares the areas and 12 hotels. You can see it all by bike and solo travel feels effortless here. The hardest part is the alarm clock. The monks get up earlier than you. Every single day.

Things to do in old town Luang Prabang

The old town has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995. It sits on a narrow peninsula where the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers meet and you walk from one end to the other in about 20 minutes. Rent a bike and go temple hopping between French villas, traditional Lao houses and more than 30 Buddhist temples.

Of all the amazing temples in Luang Prabang, start with Wat Xieng Thong, at the tip of the peninsula. It dates from 1560 and costs around 20,000 kip. Cover your shoulders and knees.

On Sisavangvong Road, the main street, you find the Royal Palace Museum, built from 1904 for King Sisavang Vong and the royal family. Entrance is around 30,000 kip. The gilded Haw Pha Bang next to it was built for the Phra Bang, the Buddha statue that gave the town its name. At the foot of Mount Phousi, the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre shows over 600 objects from the ethnic minorities of Laos: a crash course in Lao culture.

Climb Mount Phousi for sunset

Mount Phousi is the hill in the middle of town, with a golden stupa on top and a 360 degree view over both rivers and the surrounding landscape. The 300+ steps opposite the Royal Palace are the quickest way up. You pay around 20,000 kip halfway.

At sunset it gets crowded. Come for sunrise instead: same view, a fraction of the people.

French pancake at Le Banneton.

Best restaurants and cafés I loved

Have breakfast/ brunch or lunch at Le Banneton. This French spot serves some tasty dishes and was my favorite place for a bite in the afternoon. Try the salty French pancake with cheese, Lao sausage & egg! There is no WIFI, but you’ll meet a lot of interesting fellow travelers!

Have a fruitshake at Big Tree Café and visit the photo gallery by Dutch photographer Adri Berger upstairs! The cafe is run by Mija Son from South Korea, so try some of the special Korean dishes!

Khaiphaen

Things to do in Luang Prabang for foodies

Focus on responsible tourism. The people in Laos are poor and there are some inspiring initiatives in Luang Prabang that support the locals, like one of my favorite restaurants: Khaiphaen. This was the best dinner I had in this town. Young students work in the restaurant, to learn English. This gives them a better chance at finding a job in the future. There are teachers working there to help them. So be patient when things don’t go smoothly or as quick as you would like.

The meals are delicious! Try the local speciality khaiphaen: fried veggies from the river, served with herbs, sesame seeds & crispy tofu. It looks like Nori seaweed. I loooooved the crispy cinnamon pork belly with pumpkin mash & hibiscus honey too! Save some room for the banana fritters though, prepared with cashew nuts and served with coconut ice cream…

I loved restaurant Dyen Sabai too. A beautiful, multilevel spot, right at the river. It sits on the far bank of the Nam Khan; the bamboo bridge is gone, so a boat takes you across. My favorite place for a Latte & Laptop session (or the homemade Iced Tea) was L’ Etranger Books & Tea. Coffee lovers: Saffron on Khem Kong Road serves beans from northern Laos on a deck over the Mekong. For breakfast on the go, the baguette stalls near the night market sell khao jee pâté, the Lao take on a French sandwich.

A food tour through Lao cuisine

New to Lao cuisine? Order or lam, the Luang Prabang stew with sakhan wood that leaves your tongue tingling. The Mekong Meals food tour packs 15+ tastings of local food into one evening, including catfish steamed in banana leaf, khao piak sen noodles and a cold Beer Lao.

Kuang Si Waterfall

Best things to do in Luang Prabang: workshops and classes

Some of the best things to do in Luang Prabang are hands on: weaving, cooking and making something to take home. Ock Pop Tok is the place to go if you want to learn more about the Hmong culture. You can book a weaving course or just wander around the stunning location and enjoy a great lunch by the river. Visit their shop in Luang Prabang, tell them you would love to visit the weaving centre and a tuk tuk driver will take you to the village, just outside Luang Prabang, for free. They have some lovely rooms for a pleasant stay too.

Prefer bamboo over silk? On this workshop you weave your own mat, then cook 3 dishes with bamboo shoots.

Rainy afternoon? Blend your own scent and skip the elephant pants as a souvenir.

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Cooking classes in Luang Prabang

The cooking class at Tamarind was another highlight. We visited the morning market, where we were the only foreigners! Only women sell the goods. In Laos they believe they bring good luck. Their restaurant menu explains every Lao dish, handy if you are new to the cuisine.

For a more polished setting, this class starts with a bike ride to the market with the chef and ends in the open kitchen of Alamea, at Victoria Xiengthong Palace on the Mekong.

At Big Brother Mouse you can sit down and read an English book to the local kids, to help them learn the language.

Things to do in Luang Prabang at dawn: the alms giving

The alms giving ceremony, tak bat, takes place every morning around sunrise, when the monks walk through the old town to collect sticky rice. At 06:00 in the morning you can see hundreds of monks gathering the alms in the city, but please be respectful. Don’t flash your camera in their face and if you want to give the alms, ask your hotel to prepare some food for you, wear appropriate clothes, wash your hands, sit on your knees. Don’t buy any food from the ladies on the street. This is not a ‘pure’ donation to the monks, so they won’t eat it.

The time shifts with the seasons, so be there around 5:30. Insider tip: the side streets around Wat Xieng Thong are quieter than Sakkaline Road. Afterwards, the morning market near the Royal Palace sells fresh produce, river fish and snacks until mid morning.

Kuang Si Falls: top things to do near Luang Prabang

Kuang Si Falls lies about 30 km south of Luang Prabang and is the day trip almost everybody takes. Visit the Kuang Si waterfall!!! This is the most beautiful waterfall I have EVER seen! There is not a lot of climbing involved. The bottom of the waterfall is the best spot for some photos…I took about a million… Go to the ‘sandwich area’ in Luang Prabang, where the market is every night and share a tuk tuk with some other travelers for around 60,000 kip per person. Don’t pay more than that.

The entrance fee is 60,000 kip, rising to 100,000 kip for foreigners from 15 November 2026, and includes the bear rescue centre. Arrive before 10:00 for the turquoise pools without the tour vans. More of my Laos photos are on my Instagram.

No haggling with drivers? This day tour combines a slow boat to Pak Ou village, its caves with thousands of Buddha statues, Whiskey Village and the falls.

Want fewer tourists? Tat Sae Falls, 15 km from town, offers the same natural beauty without the crowds, reached by boat across the Nam Khan. It only really flows in the rainy season, roughly June to November.

Sunset drinks by the river

Utopia was one of my favorite hangouts. This was a dreamy spot for a late afternoon drink, while gazing over the river. At night this was THE place to be for all the backpackers. When the place closed, everybody went bowling! Sadly, Utopia has since closed for good.
Another great spot for a cocktail is the Icon Klub. This hidden gem serves some creative drinks! Tangor is a French restaurant and bar on the main street and the perfect spot for people watching!

Sunset at Utopia.

Luang Prabang things to do and don’ts

Don’t buy from kids. They should be in school and the money will not end up in their pockets, but in the pockets of the adult that send them out on the streets. The night market is nice to visit one night, and maybe grab a cheap bite, but beware, it is packed with tourists! I did not like it very much. The market isn’t authentic, too busy and completely focused on the tourists. The Luang Prabang night market sets up every evening around 17:00 on Sisavangvong Road, with handicrafts and a food alley.

A Cherry Disaronno Sour at the Icon Klub.
Skip the Pak Ou Caves. This felt like a tourist trap. It used to be a special sacred place, but is now packed with tourists. Instead, I would recommend booking a sunset tour on the Mekong.
Don’t walk around in your bikini. The local people will look at you like you are in your underwear. Be respectful.
Dating a guy from Laos is officially illegal…you should get married first…just so you know…

How to get to Luang Prabang

You reach Luang Prabang by plane, by train from Vientiane or Vang Vieng, or by slow boat from northern Thailand.

Luang Prabang International Airport lies about 4 km from the city center. Bangkok Airways and Lao Airlines fly in from Bangkok, with direct flights from Hanoi, seasonal flights from Chiang Mai and a route from Siem Reap, handy if you combine Laos with Angkor Wat without the crowds.

The Laos China Railway runs from Vientiane in under 2 hours, for roughly 234,000 to 624,000 kip depending on train and class. Tickets go on sale 3 days ahead in the LCR app and morning trains sell out fast.

The slow boat takes 2 days, with the border crossing at Chiang Khong and a night in Pak Beng. The premium version starts in Chiang Rai, lunch on board included.

Café wifi comes and goes, so install an eSIM for Laos before you land. Healthcare is basic, so sort out travel insurance before you go.

Best hotels in Luang Prabang

Where you stay in Luang Prabang shapes your trip: the old town is walkable, the Mekong riverfront upscale and budget hotels sit just outside the centre. Boutique hotels here are small and fill up between November and February. These are the 5 I would book. Want more choice? My full hotel guide covers 12 boutique and luxury hotels, sorted by area.

Maison Dalabua

Breakfast next to a pond full of lotus flowers: that is a regular morning at Maison Dalabua. The ponds are protected as part of the UNESCO site and the restaurant Manda de Laos looks out over them. Bikes, a pool and a spa are part of the deal. Ask for a garden view room with a porch over the water.

The Namkhan, a Small Luxury Hotel of the World

This is the one for a splurge. The Namkhan sits on a bend of the Nam Khan river, 15 minutes by car from town, with an organic farm, an infinity pool, a spa and its own river beach. The glamping is the reason it made this list: canvas tents with air conditioning on wooden decks overlooking the river. Kayak in the morning, massage in the afternoon.

Le Sen Boutique Hotel

Le Sen Boutique Hotel is built around a garden pool, a 15 minute walk from the night market. Ground floor rooms open straight onto the water and every room has a balcony or terrace. Peaceful after dark, fair prices.

The Jam Boutique Hotel

The Jam Boutique Hotel has just 19 rooms and bungalows around a lake, with an outdoor pool, bikes to borrow and garden courtyards. Ask for a courtyard room with an outdoor bathtub.

3 Nagas Luang Prabang, MGallery

Want to sleep in a piece of history? 3 Nagas Luang Prabang fills 3 restored buildings on Sakkaline Road: a late 19th century royal residence that later became a mansion and even an ice cream factory. 15 rooms, four poster beds, dark wood and private terraces. The alms giving passes right outside at dawn.

Luang Prabang is one of those places you should visit now, before it gets too busy and tourists take over. I hope this town stays exactly the way it is now! You can still ride your bike here, there is hardly any traffic, it is safe for a girl alone and the people are friendly. Hope to be back one day!

Luang Prabang things to do: Frequently asked questions

How long should you spend in Luang Prabang?

3 to 4 days is the sweet spot. It slots easily into a Vietnam trip, after a night on Halong Bay or 3 days in Hue.

What is the best time to visit Luang Prabang?

November to February is the best time to visit, with dry days and cool mornings. March and April can top 35°C and get hazy, but Lao New Year on 14 to 16 April turns the town into one big water fight. From May to October it rains more and you share the town with fewer tourists.

Is Luang Prabang safe for solo female travelers?

Yes, Luang Prabang is one of the calmest towns in Southeast Asia for solo female travelers. Traffic is light, people are friendly and bars close around 23:30.

What are the top things to do in Luang Prabang?

The top things to do in Luang Prabang are Kuang Si Falls, sunset on Mount Phousi, the morning alms giving, Wat Xieng Thong, a cooking class and a sunset cruise on the Mekong.

How do you get from Luang Prabang to Kuang Si Falls?

Share a tuk tuk for around 60,000 kip per person, hire your own for about 250,000 kip or join a day tour. Tour agencies on the main street also arrange a private tour.