What to Do in Luang Prabang in 2025: From Activities to Eateries
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When I first traveled to Luang Prabang in 2012, I was a bit lukewarm about the city. Full disclosure: I was very sick during my week-long visit. That’s why I decided to give the city another chance, and I’m so glad I did!
What I discovered on my most recent week-long visit absolutely blew my mind. From the colonial and Laotian architecture to the riverside setting and the unique attractions, it didn’t take me long to realize just how magical Luang Prabang really is.
If you’re planning a trip to Luang Prabang, I hope this travel guide will give you some insight into what to expect and how to make the most of your trip. This guide will go over the essential things to do in Luang Prabang, as well as some of the best restaurants, activities, attractions and hotels. Finally, I’m going to give a bunch of practical tips based on my personal experience.
I hope this guide helps you out!
Things to Do in Luang Prabang Recommendations
Splash Around in Kuang Si Falls
When it comes to the best Luang Prabang attractions, Kuang Si Falls is the best of the best. These beautiful falls and blue pools truly are a sight to be seen.
But do note that the best time to visit Kuang Si Falls is during the dry season, from December to April. The falls are at their strongest and can become a chocolatey-brown color during the summer rainy season, making swimming and photo ops a no-go. That’s not to say they’re not worth visiting, but you should be prepared for the possibility of missing out on those picture-perfect blue pools.
To reach the falls on your own, you can opt to rent a motorbike, haggle with a tuk-tuk driver, or arrange to join a group in a minivan for just a few dollars (the cafe Two Little Birds has this service, as should your hotel). Entrance to Kuang Si Falls is 60,000 kip ($3) and includes a shuttle and a free visit to the on-site Kuang Si Bear Rescue Sanctuary.
There are a few attractions that you will have to pay for, if you choose, at Kuang Si Falls, including the Kuang Si Butterfly Park and The View cafe and zipline course located at the very top of the falls.
After walking up the 550+ steps, you will have to pay a 30,000 kip ($1.40) entrance fee to go into The View cafe. The fee gives you gorgeous countryside views as well as a free drink. You can also get tickets to go ziplining over Kuang Si Falls for $25 per person.
For something a bit more unique and hassle-free, you can opt to join one of many cool tours to Kuang Si Falls. From kayaking to caves and waterfalls to setting sail on the Mekong, there are tons of fun organized tours.
Get Off the Beaten Path at Tat Sae Falls
If Kuang Si Falls is on your Luang Prabang bucket list, then so should a visit to the lesser-visited Tat Sae Falls. This one was a new discovery for me during my recent visit to Luang Prabang, but I absolutely loved making the journey to see these falls.
The prime time to see Tat Sae Falls is from September to around January. The water actually dries up from February to the start of the rainy season. I visited in August and the water was in full flow, meaning it was too dangerous to swim in the pools and the water was brownish instead of that gorgeous pale blue I was hoping for.
That being said, getting there was half the fun. The falls are hidden away along the Nam Khan River, which means you need to take a “ferry” (a longtail fishing boat; picture above) to reach the falls. The 10-minute boat ride costs 20,000 kip ($1) and the scenery is absolutely stunning. Once you reach the falls, you’ll pay a 30,000 kip ($1.40) entrance fee.
If you’re curious about visiting these falls, you might want to check out my full guide to visiting Tat Sae Falls.
Wander around Wats in the Old Quarter
Located at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, Luang Prabang’s Old Quarter is the perfect place to meander around and go wat-hopping.
The French colonial and traditional Laotian buildings of this UNESCO World Heritage Site are beautifully preserved. But the Old Quarter is also dotted with impressive wats (Buddhist temples) that should definitely be on your Luang Prabang bucket list, including Wat Xieng Thong, Wat Sibounheuang and Wat Sensoukharam, as well as the Royal Palace Museum.
Take a Guided City Tour
Because Luang Prabang’s architecture and riverside setting are so beguiling, it’s easy to get distracted from the city’s rich history and culture. With this in mind, I highly recommend taking a walking tour of Luang Prabang to ensure that you really get a sense of what this city is all about.
This small group walking tour takes you to many of Luang Prabang’s top attractions – the Alms Giving Ceremony, the Morning Market, Wat Xiengthong, Wat Sensoukharam, and Mount Phousi – all the while being led by a knowledgeable guide who will tell you all about everything you’re seeing.
With a guided tour, you’re bound to walk away with a much better understanding and appreciation of this one-of-a-kind city.
Meet Furry Friends at Luangprabang Cat Café
If you’re a cat lover and you’re wondering what to do in Luang Prabang, then you’ll want to pay a visit to the Luangprabang Cat Café. I visited this cute little café on a rainy day and it was the perfect place to while the hours away.
I love this place because they’re all about helping the local street cats, of which there are many. The kitties who live here are free to roam as they please, so the number of cats in the café will vary. Any purchases from the store go to help local cats, and you can even donate to help them cover the cost of simple medical procedures like vaccinations and spaying/neutering.
But this place is more than just cute kitties. They also serve up excellent vegetarian and vegan dishes, from sandwiches to Dutch pancakes. The coffee drinks here are out of this world too!
Hike to the Top of Phousi Hill
Making the journey to the top of Phousi Hill is easily one of the most magical things to do in Luang Prabang. The 1801 Wat That Chomsi at the top of the 100-meter hill, not to mention the views, is absolutely magical.
With over 300 steps and a steep ascent, the trek to the top of Phousi Hill is bound to be a sweaty one. But trust me, it’s worth it to glimpse the golden Buddhas, elaborate snake staircases, incense-filled shrines, and Mekong and Nam Khan river views on the way to the top. All this makes it more than worth the 30,000 kip ($1.40) entrance fee.
That Chomsi is one of the most sacred places in Luang Prabang. Because this is a religious site, you should be mindful to dress modestly while walking to the top of Phousi Hill, even if it is hot. For women, this means covering your shoulders and knees.
I made the journey for sunset during a hot and rainy summer day. The rain offered a little reprieve from the heat, and the clouds just made the views from the top that much more moody and beautiful.
Walk Across the Nam Khan River Bridge
While the infamous Bamboo Bridge is now permanently closed, it is still well worth heading to the edge of town to walk across the Nam Khan River Bridge (Google Maps location). Trust me: the river views are absolutely stunning from here.
While the bridge is open to vehicles, it does have narrow pedestrian-only passageways on either side. Old reviews will tell you how dangerous it is to walk along the dilapidated wooden planks of the Nam Khan River Bridge. But rest assured, the bridge has been upgraded from wood to steel, making the journey much safer than it used to be.
This truly is a prime spot to get beautiful sunrise or sunset views over the river, and photography enthusiasts will want to bring their cameras.
Eat & Shop at the Night Market
I love a good night market and the Luang Prabang Night Market doesn’t disappoint. The Night Market takes place every evening from 5-11pm and it’s a great place to grab dinner and shop for clothes and trinkets to take back home. If you’ve got a long travel day coming up, this is also a fun place to pick up local snacks to munch on during your journey.
Luang Prabang Restaurant & Cafe Recommendations
For such a small city, there are a surprising number of excellent restaurants and cafes in Luang Prabang. These are just a few of the places that I visited during my trip that I highly recommend:
Bamboo Garden Restaurant: If you want to try some traditional Lao food, I highly recommend Bamboo Garden Restaurant. I ate here on multiple occasions and loved everything I tried. As a vegetarian, I loved that they had plenty of offerings, including a delicious variation of larb. They also have excellent Thai dishes as well.
Two Little Birds: Two Little Birds is an adorable family-run cafe that serves up healthy Loas dishes, like veggie curries and tofu bowls, as well as hearty smoothie bowls and addictive coffee drinks. They have lots of vegan options too.
Viva Pasta: It might sound odd to recommend an Italian restaurant in Laos, but Viva Pasta is something special. This place is a tiny hole-in-wall located down an unassuming alley in the Old Quarter. Every evening, the friendly owner whips up a small menu of handmade pasta dishes with homemade sauces that are seriously out of this world. Order the pesto; it’s divine! The cocktails are splendid too.
Popolo: For a festive ambiance and excellent woodfired pizzas, Popolo is a super popular spot for expats and tourists alike. This is a great place to go for dinner and drinks. The cocktails are stiff and the outdoor patio is always buzzing when the weather is nice.
Lu La Lao Coffee: If you need a pick-me-up while temple-hopping in the Old Quarter, Lu La Lao Coffee slings out some quality specialty coffee drinks, with all beans sourced from Loas. This place is minimalist, but it gets the job done.
Where to Stay in Luang Prabang Recommendations
Muenna Boutique Hotel (budget-friendly guesthouse): I stayed at Muenna Boutique Hotel, which I highly recommend. Rooms at this small guesthouse start around $50 and you’ll get an excellent complimentary breakfast, access to the large pool and a modern room with AC and either a patio or terrace. The customer service here is also amazing and the manager is eager to help with anything you might need. Plus, the Old Quarter and Night Market are an easy 10-minute walk away.
Le Sen Boutique Hotel (chic boutique hotel): For a dash of luxury that won’t break the bank, Le Sen Boutique Hotel gets rave reviews for a reason. From the elegant wood-trimmed rooms to the friendly staff, the tropical pool area and the lavish breakfast spreads, there’s a lot to love about this boutique hotel. And with rates starting at around $100 per night, the value is excellent.
Rosewood Luang Prabang (luxury 5-star hotel): If you want to go all out on your Luang Prabang vacation, you really can’t do any better than a stay at Rosewood Luang Prabang. With rates starting at $800, expect to be treated like royalty with all of the epic amenities at this 5-star hotel. VIP amenities and service aside, accommodation options range from luxury Riverside Rooms to dreamy Waterfall Pool Villas to unique Hilltop Tents with huge furnished balconies and insane mountain views.
I hope this guide to what to do in Luang Prabang helped you out. Please let me know if you have any LP questions in the comments below!
