Peninsula
First-timersThe UNESCO old town, between the two rivers.
Luang Prabang city guide
Things To Do In Luang Prabang
A UNESCO town of gilded temples, saffron-robed monks and French bakeries on a peninsula where the Mekong and Nam Khan meet, with turquoise waterfalls nearby. The highlight of Laos.
28
Hostels in the city
8.7
Average, from 5,434 reviews
1995
Joins UNESCO
30+
Temples
2 days
Slow boat to Thailand
The royal town
Luang Prabang was the royal capital of Laos until 1975, and its old town, on a peninsula between the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site: more than thirty temples, French colonial houses and palm-lined streets.
At dawn, hundreds of monks walk the streets collecting alms, and in the evening the night market fills the main road.
The turquoise Kuang Si Falls are nearby, and the slow boat to Thailand leaves from here. Three or four days is right.
Where to stay
The peninsula, between the Mekong and the Nam Khan rivers, is the UNESCO-listed old town, with the temples, guesthouses and cafés. The streets around the night market, at the base of the peninsula, have cheaper guesthouses and hostels and are still walkable.
Night market
ValueCheaper guesthouses at the base of the peninsula.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 11 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang, the old royal capital, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995 for its blend of Lao temples and French colonial buildings on a peninsula between two rivers.
At dawn, monks in saffron robes walk the streets in single file to receive sticky rice from kneeling townspeople, the tak bat alms-giving ceremony. Watch it quietly from across the street; do not use flash, get in the monks' way or join in unless you do it properly and respectfully, with food bought from a reputable source.
Wat Xieng Thong, built in 1560, is the finest temple in Laos, with sweeping roofs and a glittering mosaic of the tree of life. The Royal Palace Museum, the former palace, holds the Phra Bang, the revered Buddha image the town is named after.
Climb Mount Phousi, about 330 steps from the main street, for sunset over the rivers and temples. The night market, on the main street every evening, sells textiles and crafts.
Kuang Si Falls, about 45 minutes away, is a series of turquoise pools for swimming, with a bear rescue centre near the entrance. Boats go up the Mekong to the Pak Ou caves, filled with thousands of Buddha images.
Free things
Free things to do in Luang Prabang
Watching the alms-giving at dawn is free, and so is walking the peninsula's streets and the riverside paths along the Mekong and Nam Khan.
Most temples are free or charge a small fee, and the night market is free to browse. The bamboo bridge over the Nam Khan, rebuilt each dry season, charges a small toll.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking in Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang has its own dishes: or lam, a herby stew with eggplant and buffalo, khai paen, crispy dried river weed with sesame, and Luang Prabang sausage. Laap and sticky rice are everywhere.
The night market's food alley has a vegetarian buffet where you fill a plate for a couple of euros. The morning market, near the palace, sells fresh produce and breakfast.
A street meal is €1.50 to €3; a restaurant meal €4 to €10.
Nightlife
Going out in Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang has a curfew: bars close around 11.30pm. After that, a bowling alley outside town famously stays open later, the traditional last stop.
Evenings are for riverside bars and restaurants overlooking the Mekong.
A beer is €1 to €2.
Getting around
Getting around Luang Prabang
The old town is walkable, and bicycles are easy to rent. Tuk-tuks run to the station, Kuang Si and the airport.
The Laos–China Railway reaches Vientiane in about two hours and Vang Vieng in about an hour; the station is about 20 minutes from town. Laos–China Railway tickets go on sale a few days ahead and sell out, especially at weekends and holidays; buy them on the LCR Ticket app or at the station with your passport, and arrive early, as there are airport-style security checks. Stations are outside town centres.
The slow boat takes two days up the Mekong to Huay Xai and the Thai border, stopping overnight in Pakbeng. The airport is about ten minutes from town, with flights to Bangkok, Hanoi and other cities.
Costs
What Luang Prabang costs
Luang Prabang is cheap to mid-priced. Dorms start around €6 and a careful day is €18 to €30.
Kuang Si Falls charges a few euros, plus a shared tuk-tuk or minibus there. Temples and the Royal Palace Museum charge small fees. The slow boat to Huay Xai is about €30 to €40.
The currency is the Lao kip (LAK), which loses value quickly; prices here are euro equivalents, and many places also quote in US dollars or Thai baht. Carry cash: cards work only in larger hotels and restaurants, and ATMs have low withdrawal limits and fees.
Safety
Staying safe in Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang is very safe.
At temples, cover shoulders and knees and remove shoes. Women should not touch monks or hand things to them directly. At the alms-giving, keep a respectful distance, use no flash, and do not block the monks' path.
Outside the town, unexploded ordnance remains in rural areas; stay on paths.
Emergency: 1191 police, 1195 ambulance.
Day trips from Luang Prabang
Turquoise falls, Buddha caves and the river north.
Kuang Si Falls
Turquoise pools and a bear rescue centre.
Pak Ou caves
Caves filled with thousands of Buddha images.
Nong Khiaw
A river village among the cliffs.
Slow boat
Up the Mekong to Huay Xai and Thailand.
What's on
What is on while you are there
The Festival of Lights sends illuminated boats down the Mekong in October.
Staff pick
4–8 December
Blue Chair Film Festival
Blue Chair Film Festival in Luang Prabang, Laos, is a celebrated gathering dedicated to showcasing the best of Southeast Asian cinema and fostering cross-cultural…
Staff pick
18 October
Luang Prabang Ultra-Trail
The Luang Prabang Ultra-Trail invites runners to tackle challenging courses through the breathtaking mountains and lush jungles surrounding Luang Prabang, Laos. Participants can choose…
26 October
Boun Ork Phansa
Boun Ork Phansa marks the end of the three-month Buddhist rainy season retreat, when monks who were ordained during this period leave the temple…
26–28 October
Boun Lai Heua Fai: Festival of Light
Luang Prabang transforms into a glowing sanctuary as Buddhist Lent draws to a close during Boun Lai Heua Fai, the Festival of Light. This…
27 October
Festival of the Light Boats
Lhai Heua Fai is a traditional festival celebrated in Luang Prabang Province to honor the Phanang Naga and bring good luck. Villages create and…
9–11 October
Luang Prabang Trail
Luang Prabang Trail 2026 invites runners to challenge themselves on scenic trails in Luang Prabang, Laos. The event includes multiple race distances with special…
24 October
Luang Prabang Half Marathon
A scenic half marathon through Luang Prabang that starts at the Royal Palace, drawing runners who want to combine a meaningful cause with a…
9–11 October
Luang Prabang Trail
Luang Prabang Trail 2026 invites runners to challenge themselves on scenic trails in Luang Prabang, Laos. The event includes multiple race distances with special…
Hostels
Where to stay in Luang Prabang
The top-rated places to stay in Luang Prabang right now, live from Hostelworld.
Mad Monkey Luang Prabang
Dorms from €7 a night
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Downtown Hostel
Dorms from €6 a night
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White Elephant Hostel
Dorms from €9 a night
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Sustainable
Luangprabang Sunset Hostel
Dorms from €7 a night
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Funny Riverside Backpackers
Dorms from €5 a night
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Sustainable
Fan Dee Hotel
Dorms from €4 a night
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City Backpackers Hostel
Dorms from €4 a night
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Sa Sa Lao
Dorms from €6 a night
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Vongprachan Backpackers Hostel
Dorms from €4 a night
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Y-Not Laos Hostel
Dorms from €5 a night
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Sustainable
Aurora Backpackers Hostel
Dorms from €3 a night
See dates and book
When to go
November to February. March and April are hazy with burning-season smoke.
Jan
Cool and dry
Feb
Dry
Mar
Hot, hazy
Apr
Hottest, Pi Mai
May
Rains begin
Jun
Wet
Jul
Wet
Aug
Wet
Sep
Wet
Oct
Boat festivals
Nov
Dry season
Dec
Peak
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs.
What your trip will cost
Pick how you travel. Per person per night, in euros.
Prices are in kip locally; these are euro equivalents.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Luang Prabang travel questions
The ones we get asked most.
How should I watch the alms-giving?
Quietly, from across the street, without flash, and without blocking the monks. Only take part if you do it respectfully, kneeling, with food from a reputable source.
Is there a curfew?
Yes, bars close around 11.30pm.
How do I get to Kuang Si Falls?
By shared tuk-tuk or minibus, about 45 minutes. Go early to avoid the crowds.
How do I get to Thailand?
By the two-day slow boat to Huay Xai, by flight, or by train to Vientiane and over the Friendship Bridge.
How many days do you need?
Three.
When is the best time to visit?
November to February, when it is dry and cooler.
What should I eat?
Or lam, khai paen, Luang Prabang sausage, and the night market vegetarian buffet.
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