The Best Luang Prabang Itinerary (1-3 Days)

While strolling through the streets of Luang Prabang, I couldn’t help but break into a smile.  This charming city, nestled on a peninsula formed by the merging of the Mekong River and the Nam Khan River, surrounded by the PhouThao and PhouNang mountain ranges, appears to have remained untouched by the hordes of tourists that I’ve seen throughout Southeast Asia.  I found myself grinning, sensing that there was something unique about Luang Prabang, setting it apart from any other place I had previously visited.  This feeling was so compelling that I ended up extending my stay in this small town to a total of nine days; I just couldn’t bring myself to pack my bags and depart.  (This seems to be a recurring theme in Luang Prabang, with backpackers initially planning to stay for a few days but ending up remaining for years).  If you’re planning a trip to Laos, you can’t miss the opportunity to explore Luang Prabang for yourself.  Here, you’ll find comprehensive information about the city, along with the best Luang Prabang itinerary, whether you have just one day or three.

 

IF YOU’RE TRAVELING TO LAOS, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND PURCHASING TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR YOUR TRIP!

 

Are you planning a trip to Laos?  Don’t miss…

• The Best Packing List for Laos
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• The Best 1 Week Laos Itinerary

 

How to Get to Luang Prabang

Because Laos – and Luang Prabang – is a lesser known destination compared to other countries throughout Southeast Asia, it can be challenging to get to the country especially if you’re traveling to the United States.  But don’t let this deter you from visiting!  I promise, Luang Prabang is worth the long journey.

 

Traveling by Airplane/Visa Information

If you’re flying to Luang Prabang, the airport you’ll fly into is the Luang Prabang International Airport.  You will need a visa to visit Laos, and you can get an e-visa online or apply for a visa in-person.  I got a visa in person and while it wasn’t too bad, I’ve heard many scams happen depending on where you’re getting your visa.  The cost for an in-person visa is $40 and you need to have cash with you.  You also need to bring your own passport photo and if you don’t, the charge is an extra $5.

To book a flight to Luang Prabang, I suggest using Skyscanner or Expedia to compare flight options and prices.

Once you land in Luang Prabang, the airport is only a 10-minute drive to the town and you can get a taxi at the airport for 100,000 LAK (about $5).

 

BOOK A FLIGHT TO LUANG PRABANG HERE!

 

Traveling by Bus/Visa Information

If you’re coming from somewhere else in Laos or you’re crossing by land border, a bus will be the cheapest option.  I prefer to use Bookaway or 12Go to compare options and prices.

If you cross into Laos by land, you will still need to have a visa.  Because of the scams that occur at the land-crossing borders, I would recommend getting an e-visa to make life easier.  However, depending on where you’re entering from – double check to ensure that the crossing accepts arrival by e-visa.  Some land crossings don’t accept e-visa and you might have to bring a visa with you from the embassy.

 

BOOK A BUS TO LUANG PRABANG HERE!

 

How to Get Around Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang is a small town and easily walkable.  If you aren’t up for walking, consider renting a bike as rentals are available throughout the city and your hotel might offer free bike rentals too.  Lastly, if you need a ride somewhere there are a number of taxi’s on the streets you’ll be able to waive down.

If you want to travel around the Luang Prabang province, you can hire a tuk-tuk off the street, or rent a motorbike.  Motorbike rentals should be available at any hotel or guesthouse you stay at, or you can book a motorbike from Anousay Motorbike Rental.  The good thing about renting from Anousay is that they offer a variety of prices based on how old the motorbike is, plus you’re not required to fill up the motorbike with gas before returning it; but in my experience, the rental was more expensive than just renting from my hotel.  No matter where you rent from, ensure that the bike will come with a lock.  Motorbike theft in Laos is an issue.

 

Where to Stay in Luang Prabang

There are tons of places to stay in Luang Prabang from hostels to luxury hotels.  Below you’ll find my favorite options across a variety of budgets!

• Avani+ – A luxurious five-star hotel with an incredible pool for those hot Laos days
• Maison Vongprachan Hotel – Perfect option if you’re looking for a quiet stay, more off the beaten path
• The Belle Rive Boutique Hotel – A boutique hotel in the historic downtown area
• 3 Nagas Luang Prabang – A luxury, four-star hotel in the historic downtown area

If none of these hotels suite you, I recommend using Booking.com to search for options.  I recommend staying as near to the historic old town as you can!

 

BOOK YOUR STAY IN LUANG PRABANG HERE!

 

The Best Time to Visit Luang Prabang

The best time to visit Luang Prabang is during dry season from November-April.  Monsoon season comes to Laos from May-October so it’s best to avoid traveling the country at this time.  January is a busy season, especially for Luang Prabang, because of the many festivals that take place in January.

The coldest months in Laos are December and January with temperatures around 60+ F (depending where you are in the country).  The hottest months in Laos are March-June when temperatures hover around 90+ F.  Because Laos is a “long” country (from north to south) temperatures can vary between the north and the south.  Take this into account when planning your travels.

I visited Luang Prabang in October and while I experienced scattered rain showers, it was nothing that deterred my travel plans.

 

The Best Bars & Restaurants in Luang Prabang

When I visited Luang Prabang it was my first time in Laos and not only was I thoroughly impressed with all of the international food options, I was even more impressed with Laotian food!  Laotian food is commonly made up of eggplant, meat, seaweed, bamboo, pumpkin, and sticky rice (this is not an exhaustive list); and I was delighted when I visited my first Laotian restaurant and loved the food!  Food is such a big part of travel to me that when I don’t like a specific cuisine, it seems to affect the way I view a country or destination.

Below you’ll find my favorite bars and restaurants in Luang Prabang.

 

 

BAMBOO GARDEN RESTAURANT

Bamboo Garden Restaurant was one of the best (and cheapest) restaurants that I ate at in Luang Prabang.  I loved it so much that I returned three times!  The restaurant is family owned and all of the dishes are Laotian or Asian.  All seating is on a small patio outside so at times there may be a wait, but I promise, it’s worth it!

 

COFFEE EXPRESS

I accidentally stumbled upon Coffee Express (when I was lost), and it was such an amazing find!  This coffee shop is so quaint and has a beautiful outdoor seating area overlooking a lily pond.  Plus, the pastries and desserts were some of the best I had in Luang Prabang!

 

DYEN SABAI RESTAURANT

Dyen Sabai is such a cozy, Laotian restaurant.  With beautiful decor and seating that overlooks the river it’s the perfect spot for a cozy (and romantic) dinner.  Because the restaurant is located across the river you’ll need to cross the bamboo bridge (during dry season) or take the free boat (during rainy season when the bamboo bridge is covered) to and from the restaurant.

 

LA BANNETON CAFE

If you’re craving a French pastry, look no further than La Banneton Cafe.  La Banneton is the perfect spot for a morning coffee or afternoon glass of wine.  Plus their pastries and viennoiseries are out of this world delicious.

 

MANDA DE LAOS

If you’re looking for an upscale restaurant to try Laotian food, Manda de Laos is it.  Not only is this restaurant incredibly beautiful, overlooking an UNESCO classified lily pond with a tropical ambiance; but it also features typical Laos dishes from all over the country.

When I visited I tried the tasting menu and it was incredible.  Plus it was a great way to taste many different types of Laotian food!

If you plan to visit, I highly recommend making a reservation ahead of time.

 

TANGOR RESTAURANT BAR & LOUNGE

If you’re craving western food, Tangor is where to go.  Owned by a French guy who moved to Laos 15 years ago, Tangor blends your typical western food with a French twist.  Plus its great location is the perfect spot for a night out or if you want to sit outside and people watch.

 

TASTE OF CEYLON

Taste of Ceylon is a Sri Lankan restaurant located right off the main street in Luang Prabang.  This restaurant is run by a father and son duo who moved to Laos from Sri Lanka years ago.  Not only are the portions large and affordable, but the food is absolutely divine.  This was my first time ever trying Sri Lankan food and now I’m on a mission to travel to Sri Lanka!

 

YUNI YUPOUN

The same person – Nathalie – who owns Dyen Sabai also owns Yuni Yupoun.  Nathalie was backpacking the world when she arrived to Luang Prabang and decided to stay.  Yuni Yupoun is an ode to her favorite foods across the world featuring both international and Laotian cuisine.  I loved this restaurant so much that I visited on four separate occasions.  The peanut butter sauce that comes with the chicken satay is just on another level.

 

EAT LIKE A LOCAL!  BOOK A COOKING CLASS HERE!

 

The Best Things to See & do in Luang Prabang

The thing about Luang Prabang is that while it’s small – there are tons of things to see and do.  Below you’ll find my favorite things to do when you visit Luang Prabang.

 

 

GARAVEK STORYTELLING

If you’re staying in Luang Prabang for a few days, I suggest visit Gravek Storytelling for a unique insight into the folks and tales of Laos.  This one hour show consists of one storyteller and one musician who are portraying the most famous folklores of Laos to a captivating audience.  The show is in English, runs every night from 6:30-7:30 pm, and costs $5/person.

 

KUANG SI WATERFALL

Perhaps the most famous waterfall in the Luang Prabang province is Kuang Si Waterfall located about an hour drive southwest of Luang Prabang.  This three tiered waterfall is absolutely stunning and has swimming pools for those who want to swim in the waterfall.

To get to Kuang Si Waterfall you can either hire a tuk-tuk driver in town or rent a motorbike for the day.  If you’re comfortable on a motorbike, this is what I’d suggest as you can also stop along the way for lunch.  The Mekong Cafe is a great place to stop for lunch and incredible views of the Mekong River.  The third option would be to join a group to Kuang Si Waterfall.  This tour will take you to the waterfall and give you a tour of the city of Luang Prabang.

 

For a complete guide to visiting Kuang Si Falls, don’t miss:

• From Luang Prabang:  What You Need to Know About Visiting Kuang Si Waterfall

 

MASSAGE

Something that really surprised me in Luang Prabang was just how cheap the massages were!  I got a 1.5 hour traditional Lao massage for only $8.  Because the massages were so cheap, I got more than one – it was a real treat!  In my opinion, the best massage in Luang Prabang is at the no frills massage parlor – Silver Naga Spa & Beauty.

 

NIGHT MARKET

The Luang Prabang night market is open every night from 5 pm-10 pm.  Not only is it a great place to grab cheap dinner (there are a variety of restaurants here), but it’s also a fun place to grab a beer, walk around, and people watch!  The market is completely outdoors so I’d avoid it if its raining.

 

PHOUSI HILL

When you visit Luang Prabang, you can’t miss climbing up Phousi Hill to watch the sunset.  And while this is an incredibly touristy attraction – I thought it was worth it.  Just make show to show up early because it gets pretty packed and there aren’t a lot of great spots to view the sun setting.

This is a “sacred hill” with statues of Buddha and temples along the way up.  The cost to climb to the top is 20,000 LAK which you’ll pay just before summiting the top.

 

TRADITIONAL ARTS & ETHNOLOGY CENTRE

At the Traditional Arts & Ethnology Centre (or TAEC), you can see different displays of clothing, craft tools, and objects related to different ethnic groups throughout Laos.  The centre was built in 2006 to honor and appreciate Laos’ ethnic cultural heritage and livelihoods based on traditional skills.

The cost to enter is 25,000 LAK.

 

UXO LAO VISITOR CENTER

UXO stands for “unexploded ordnance” and the UXO Lao Visitor Center is a free museum bringing awareness to the UXO situation the Laotian people face.  Did you know, Lao is the most bombed country in the world per capita?  A large number of these bombs were dropped during the Vietnam war and still affect the people of Lao today.

 

WAT XIENGTHONG

There are 33 temples in Luang Prabang, but Wat Xiengthong has to be one of the best.  Wat Xiengthong is a Buddhist temple built on the tip of the peninsula by King Setthathirath from 1559-1560.  Wat Xiengthong is special for its glass mosaics throughout the temple; it’s truly a sight to see!  The cost to enter is 20,000 LAK.

When you visit a temple in Laos you will be asked to cover your knees and shoulders and you can generally buy or rent clothing at the entrance.

 

IF YOU’RE SHORT ON TIME AND WANT A GUIDED TOUR OF LUANG PRABANG, CHECK OUT THIS TOUR

 

Luang Prabang Itinerary (1-3 Days)

Below you’ll find a few different itinerary options whether you’re spending one day or three days in Laos.  While you might be inclined to stay longer than three days (I sure was), you can surely see all that Laos offers in three days.  And even if you only have one day to spend, visiting Luang Prabang is still worth it.

 

1 Day Luang Prabang Itinerary

If you only have one day to spend in Luang Prabang, this one-day itinerary will cover all of the highlights of this UNESCO World Heritage city!

 

SPENDING THE MORNING IN LUANG PRABANG

Start your morning with coffee and pastries from La Banneton Cafe.  From La Banneton, visit Wat Xiengthong, just a five-minute walk from the bakery.  (Remember to cover your shoulders and knees to visit!).

After Wat Xiengthong, make the walk through the historic district to the Royal Palace.  The Royal Palace was built in 1904 for King Sisavang.  The Royal Palace closes at 11:30 am each day but opens back up at 1:30 pm.

 

SPENDING THE AFTERNOON IN LUANG PRABANG

Once the afternoon hits, have lunch in the historic district of Luang Prabang.  My favorite lunch spot in Luang Prabang (seriously, I went four times) is Yuni Yupoun.  You can get both traditional Laotian food here or international food.

For the rest of the afternoon, make your way to both the UXO Lao Visitor Center and the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre to learn more about the history of Laos.

 

SPENDING THE EVENING IN LUANG PRABANG

Before sunset, start making your way up Phousi Hill to watch the sunset behind the Mekong.  Make sure to give yourself plenty of time as the hill fills up fast and there isn’t a ton of spots to view the sunset from.

After the sunsets, grab the free boat or walk across the bamboo bridge (this depends on whether or not you’re visiting in dry or rainy season) to get dinner at Dyen Sabai.  This is an absolutely fabulous restaurant to try Laos cuisine!

 

2 Day Luang Prabang Itinerary

If you have two days to spend in Luang Prabang, see “1 day itinerary” and we’ll add on from there!  On your first day you’ll explore the highlights of Luang Prabang and on your second day you’ll venture outside Luang Prabang to Kuang Si Waterfall.

 

SPENDING THE MORNING IN LUANG PRABANG

Get up early to visit the sacred Alms Giving Ceremony.  Depending on the time of sunrise, this ceremony runs everyday between 5 am-7 am and locals (and tourists) sit outside to give food to monks.  Lay people believe that they will gain merit by giving food to sustain the monks, thereby generating “good” in their future.

Once you’ve experienced this tradition, head to Coffee Express for a coffee and pastry before heading to Kuang Si Falls.

 

SPENDING THE AFTERNOON IN LUANG PRABANG

If you feel comfortable, I highly recommend hiring your own motorbike and driving yourself to Kuang Si Falls.  If possible, try to leave Luang Prabang by 8:30 am at the latest, as its an hour drive and tour buses begin showing up at 10 am.  This will give you a few minutes to enjoy the waterfall with relatively few visitors.

If you’ve driven all the way to Kuang Si Falls, I would recommend staying to swim!  The water is cold but once you’re in, it’s not too bad.  Also, I would only do this if you’re a strong swimmer.  The falls create a strong current that can be difficult to swim against at times.

Before heading back to Luang Prabang, grab lunch at the Mekong Cafe.

 

SPENDING THE EVENING IN LUANG PRABANG

Once evening falls, catch a folklore show at Garavek Storytelling before heading to the Luang Prabang night market for dinner.  If you’re interested in going out for drinks, Redbul Sport Bar has a great outdoor patio!

 

3 Day Luang Prabang Itinerary

If you have three days to spend in Luang Prabang, you’ll follow the “2 day itinerary” and add on from there!  On your third day you’ll explore more of the hidden gems found in Luang Prabang.

 

SPENDING THE MORNING IN LUANG PRABANG

For your morning in Luang Prabang, visit more of the temples found scattered throughout the city.  You really can’t go far without spotting one so take your time to pop in and check it out!  Remember, you’ll need to have your shoulders and knees covered to visit the temples.

I would also recommend going for a traditional Lao massage.  I really enjoyed Silver Naga Spa & Beauty – a no frills massage parlor that was incredibly affordable.

 

SPENDING THE AFTERNOON IN LUANG PRABANG

For lunch, head to the family owned restaurant Bamboo Garden Restaurant.  This is an incredible restaurant serving traditional Laos dishes plus other Asian cuisine.  I ate here three times and loved it each and every time!

For a more off the beaten path activity, visit the Ock Pop Tok Living Craft Centre.  “Ock Pop Tok” means “east meets west” which is the perfect name for this craft centre.  Since its inception in 2000, the two co-founders have merged traditions from the east with innovation from the west working to elevate the the profile of Lao textiles and contribute to its preservation.

 

SPENDING THE EVENING IN LUANG PRABANG

For dinner, treat yourself with an incredible meal at Manda de Laos.  You’ll need a reservation if you want a table by the lily pond!

 

FAQ

Below are the most frequently asked questions when visiting Luang Prabang, Laos.

 

Q:  “How many days do you need in Luang Prabang?”

• A:  I would recommend 2-3 days to see the highlights of Luang Prabang and the surrounding area.

Q:  “Are there ATMs in Luang Prabang?”

• A:  Yes!  There are ATMs everywhere in Luang Prabang.  You can expect to pay around a $1 fee to take money out of the ATMs.

Q:  “Is Luang Prabang safe?”

• A:  I did not feel unsafe one time in Luang Prabang.  The locals are so kind, quiet, and not-pushy.  Traveling from both Vietnam and Cambodia, this was such a pleasant change!

Q:  “What is the language in Luang Prabang?”

• The main language in Luang Prabang is Lao, but English and French are both widely used.  Everyone working in the tourism industry will know enough English to get by.

 

Essential Laos – What You Need & Need to Know About Visiting Laos

 

If you’ve read this post – I sincerely hope that it’s because you’re actively planning (or seriously considering) a trip to Luang Prabang.  It’s hands down, one of the most incredible places I’ve been to in Southeast Asia.  If you have any other questions about this Luang Prabang itinerary or questions about visiting the city, let me know in a comment below!

 

IF YOU’RE PLANNING ON TRAVELING THROUGH LAOS, DON’T MISS:

• A Complete Guide to Nong Khiaw, Laos

 

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For more information on things to see and do in Luang Prabang, make sure to check out my Instagram page/highlight reel by searching “#ppinlaos” or under my highlights for “Laos”; alternatively, head to my TikTok and search for the saved “Laos” highlight

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