Planning an adventure in Laos? This Luang Prabang itinerary shares how to spend three perfect days in Laos’ northern, ancient capital.
The first thing I noticed in Luang Prabang was the peace and quiet. After spending weeks in Vietnam, the serene atmosphere of this cute little city truly surprised me! I instantly had the feeling that my three days in Luang Prabang was going to be very relaxing.
Luang Prabang is the second-largest city in Laos, and radiates Buddhist spirituality and traditional Lao culture. During my 3-day visit in Luang Prabang, I saw the best cultural sights and indulged in some quality chill time at the city’s cutest restaurants and cafes.
I walked all the way around this charming place and detailed for you how you can do the same in my Luang Prabang itinerary! Come check out my walk the city guide for three days in Luang Prabang.
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, if you click my links and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission. Learn more on my disclosure page. Thank you for your support!
A Walk the City Guide: Three Day Luang Prabang Itinerary
Before you start exploring the best attractions in Luang Prabang, check out some of my best Laos travel tips for a smooth journey.
Day 1 in Luang Prabang
Stop 1: Breakfast at Saffron Coffee
Saffron Coffee is probably one of the most popular cafes in Luang Prabang amongst tourists and expats. This cute little shop serves up a killer cup of joe and yummy goodies and also leads the charge when it comes to sustainable tourism in Luang Prabang.
Saffron Coffee labels itself as a “profit-for-purpose” business and employs local northern Lao farmers to grow and produce its coffee. The local coffee farmers in Lao tend to be minority groups living in poverty. Through employment and education, Saffron has done a lot of good to help ‘grow’ these farmers out of poverty.
You can read more of the good they do on Saffron Coffee’s website and even get involved yourself by buying a coffee tree!
Stop 2: Orange Robe Tours
5 meters | 1 minute walk
After you’ve had your morning cup of coffee, right next door to Saffron is Orange Robe Tours, a community-based tourism agency that provides two local tours, a temple focused tour or meditation focused tour. I had the privilege of taking part in these tours free of charge, and it was such a cool, unique and eye-opening experience. I really loved my time with them!
The tours are led by former monks who have left the temple after years of Buddhist practice. Starting at the young age of ten years old, monks begin their training and education as a novice. Once these novices become adults, it’s not uncommon for them to need to leave the temple in order to help support aging parents or families. Life outside of the temple can be difficult since they don’t have formal education other than their monk training.
Orange Robe Tours prides itself on its responsible tourism initiative and strives to give back to the community. By hiring former monks who may have otherwise had difficulty adjusting back to society, they help these young men earn an income. They work as tour guides, explaining the very way of life they grew up in. What better way to learn about the culture of monkhood, Buddhism, and temple life than directly from someone who has lived it?
You can book your tour with Orange Robe Tours on their website and check out their Instagram here! Be sure to wear temple appropriate clothing on the day of your tour!
Stop 3: Wat Xiengthong Temple
600 meters | 7 minute walk
At the edge of town only about a 7 minute walk from Orange Robe Tours, is Wat Xiengthong Temple. This Buddhist temple remains as one of the most important Lao monasteries in the country and has many large and ornate buildings on the temple grounds.
You’ll already be temple ready after your Orange Robe Tours! Entrance to the temple is 20,000 LAK / $2.25 USD.
Stop 4: Lunch: Tangor
950 meters | 12 minute walk
From Orange Robe Tours, head over to Tangor for a bit of lunch. Tangor Restaurant, Bar and Lounge boasts some stellar reviews and offers a cool vibe with delicious menu items. Be warned, this place is not cheap by Lao standards, but it’s definitely worth the price tag.
Stop 5: The Royal Palace.
250 meters | 3 minute walk
Built in 1904 during the French colonization of Laos, this ornate palace attracts many visitors today. The former palace grounds also house the National Museum of Luang Prabang. The fee to enter is 30,000 LAK / $3.40 USD and be sure to check on the opening hours before you go. The museum and palace close for lunch and open back up around 1 pm.
Stop 6: Mt Phousi Viewpoint.
250 meters | 3 minute walk
From the Royal Palace, the start of the Mount Phousi trail is right across the street. There are two trails to reach the top, but this front one is the shortest. Climb the stairs to get to the top of the mountain for killer views of the city below. Entrance is 20,000 / LAK or $2.25 USD.
Most people recommend doing this hike during sunset to see the city bathed in gold. However, I visited during the rainy season and wanted to take advantage of the good weather I had on the day. That, and the entrance was so conveniently located in front of the palace I couldn’t wait!
It’s up to you for when you’d like to complete the hike, but when I did this during the afternoon, I avoided the crowds that congregate for sunset on the small viewing platform at the top. I basically had the views all to myself! I thought this was one of the best things to do in Luang Prabang.
Stop 7: Walk around the city.
Take some time to chill and wander around the city. You’re probably not hungry yet and have been walking around all day! If you’re feeling a little peckish and are in need of a cafe break, Le Banneton has good coffee and scrumptious French pastries.
Stop 8: Dinner at L’Elephant
I’m a bit of a flashpacker at times so I enjoy a splurge meal every once in a while! L’Elephant has the rep of being one of the best restaurants in Luang Prabang. It’s a bit higher-end and serves up French cuisine so if it fits into your budget, you should def make the trip here for dinner!
Day 2 in Luang Prabang
Stop 1: Kuang Si Falls.
31 km | 50 min drive
Start your second day with a trip to the famed Kuang Si Falls. Probably the most popular tourist attraction in all of Laos, these bright blue and turquoise levels of waterfalls sure are pretty.
Taking a shared van from the city center will be your best option, and my hostel charged 35,000 LAK / $4 USD for the roundtrip journey. I’ve heard that others charge up to 50,000 LAK / $5.70 USD so try to do some bargain hunting.
We left the city at 9 am and arrived at the falls around 10 am. We had 2.5 hours to explore the area, go for a swim and take in the pretty sights. There’s food stalls and snack carts for those who get hungry or thirsty. The entrance fee for Kuang Si is 20,000 LAK / $2.30 USD.
Stop 2: Lunch at Bouang
After you return from the falls, you’ll probably be starving! Your mini-van should drop you off either just on the main road near the Main Street where Bouang is, or back at your hostel. Head to the city center for a cute lunch experience at Bouang. They serve up Lao fusion dishes.
Stop 3: Visit Luang Prabang’s other historic temples
Luang Prabang is home to so much history, culture and tradition that the entire city has been designated as a UNESCO heritage site. Indulge in a bit of culture and visit a few of the more than 30 temples in the area to explore! The city is your Buddhist oyster.
The Culture Trip has a great list of the best temples to see in Luang Prabang.
Stop 4: Pick up some souvenirs at the night market
Once the sun sets, vendors set up stalls in the streets selling everything from locally made clothes, handicrafts, street food and more. Take the time to explore the market and pick up a souvenir or two. The night market is a good place to grab some dinner as well if you’re up for a bit of local food.
Day 3 in Luang Prabang
Stop 1: Wake up early to witness the Alms Ceremony
In Laos, monks eat only two meals every day, breakfast and lunch and they’re not allowed to use or possess money. This means that every morning as the sun rises, typically around 5:30 am, the monks from all the local temples walk the streets in the practice of Almsgiving.
Local Lao people provide the monks with food for them to eat for the day. Everything from candies, to sticky rice and more. Seeing the procession of monks in the early morning hours is a sight to behold. Wake up early and catch them on their route down the main street and onward. Take part in the alms ceremony yourself, but be sure to have enough for all!
Stop 2: Take a river cruise to see the Pak Ou Caves
25 km | 40 min drive
The Pak Ou Caves are a series of two caves that house over 4,000 Buddha statues and date back over a thousand years. The caves rest along the Mekong River inside dramatic limestone cliffs. They can be a bit touristy in peak season, but if you have the time or interest, they’re worth the journey.
There are tours you can take that include a Mekong River cruise or you could rent scooters and drive yourself there, making for a fun road trip. Be cautious of who you book a tour with, many agencies still run elephant riding events in Laos. Let your dollars speak responsibility!
Stop 3: Lunch Along the Mekong.
Sitting along the Mekong River, there are numerous cute and local restaurants to choose from. Take in the pretty river view while munching on some lunch.
Stop 4: And/Or consider going on a Mekong Sunset River Tour
If you didn’t opt to take a river cruise to see the Pak Ou Caves, consider hoping in a boat to check out the sunset views over the Mekong. There are so many boats lined up along the river to choose from, all ranging from 80,000 LAK to 95,000 LAK ($9 – $11 USD) for a one hour, round trip journey.
Some offer cocktails with their service or longer rides, so be sure to ask around before jumping in with the first person who approaches you. You can book directly at the river at nearly any time of day.
Stop 5: Dinner
There are countless amazing dinner restaurants in Luang Prabang to choose from. The fun in visiting a new place is finding the place that’s best for you! Enjoy!
Stop 6: Make time for the viewing of Chang, a historic movie filmed in Laos
Filmed in 1925, Chang is a silent black and white action movie starring local Lao villagers and untrained, wild animals. Created by the original producers of King Kong, this old movie is a beautiful glimpse into Laos’ past. You can catch a viewing of Chang for free at Victoria Xiengthong Hotel at 7:30 pm most evenings. They just request you purchase a courteous drink.
Where to Stay in Luang Prabang
Budget: Downtown Backpacker Hostels 2
A social and budget-friendly dorm, this hostel serves up a hearty free budget breakfast and helps coordinate any travel within the country or the city. Perfect for backpackers looking to sleep somewhere on the cheap during their three days in Luang Prabang. This is where I stayed! (#2)
The Best Flashpacking Choice: Queens Hotel
For those traveling with a significant other or as a flashpacker, Queens Hotel has a wonderful 9.7 rating and is clean, cute and in a great location within walking distance to everything.
Boutique: My Dream Boutique Resort
If you’re interested in staying somewhere a little more elevated, My Dream Boutique Resort is another beautiful place to stay in Luang Prabang. Check them out over at booking.com!
Luxurious: Satri House Secret Retreats
For my luxury travelers out there, Satri House is stunning. This colonial-style building has two pools and a spa on site. This is the place I would’ve loved to stay if I hadn’t been on a budget! It’s extremely expensive, buuuut if you have the coinage, I think it has the potential to make any Luang Prabang three day itinerary magical.
There you have it! An ultimate travel guide for Luang Prabang, a cultural gem in Laos. I hope you enjoy this quiet charming city as much as I did. Safe travels!
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, if you click my links and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission. Learn more on my disclosure page. Thank you for your support!
