Luang Prabang, Laos: 3 Day Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

After my time in Thailand, the first country I travelled to next was Laos. I crossed over the Friendship Bridge and, after spending a few days in the capital Vientiane, I took the train north via Vang Vieng all the way to Luang Prabang. In the following, I’ll share what I did during my three days there and hopefully give you a good impression of why this place is worth visiting. When I arrived, the city was still celebrating Songkran, the traditional water festival in Thailand and Laos, so there was a lot going on and the atmosphere was full of life.

Day 1 – Arrival and Night Market

When you arrive by train, head down the station stairs and look for the shuttle service on the right-hand side. Tickets cost 40,000 kip (around €2) and the shuttle takes you directly to your hotel. Just tell the driver the name or show him the location. Don’t bother ordering a Loca taxi because they are about three times the price and often not even available.

I stayed at Visoun Luang Prabang, just a 2-minute walk from Wat Wisunarat Temple and close to the Old French Bridge. From here you can reach the Old Town and the night market in just 10–15 minutes on foot. In the evenings, Luang Prabang comes alive. You’ll find countless restaurants serving both Lao and Western food. The night market, which opens daily at 5 p.m., is a must and perfect for trying local snacks and shopping for souvenirs. There are also plenty of bars where you can either enjoy a quiet beer or have a party night. Around Wat Wisunarat Temple, check out Redbul Bar & Restaurant or Aussie Pub, both are relaxed backpacker spots where you’ll easily meet other travelers.

Day 2 – Temples and Phousi Hill

Start your morning with a traditional Lao full-body massage. They’re everywhere in town, cost around 120,000 kip (€5), and are the perfect way to relax before a day of exploring. Afterwards, head into the Old Town. The main highlight is Phousi Hill – climb to the top, and you’ll be rewarded with stunning views over Luang Prabang and the Mekong. The Old Town is also full of temples worth visiting. Don’t miss Wat Sensoukharam and Wat Xieng Thong, two of the most beautiful examples of Buddhist architecture in the city.

Day 3 – Elephants, Caves and Waterfalls

For the third day I booked a full day tour, and honestly I would recommend doing the same. Most hotels and travel agencies offer both half day and full day options, but the full day experience is worth every dollar and gives you a much better impression of the area.

We got picked up around half past eight and drove about thirty minutes to the elephant resort. There you can get changed, feed the elephants and then take a short ride down to the river. The elephants are treated well here, so take your time, enjoy the moment and just keep your balance while they slowly make their way through the forest. After the ride you stop in a small village where the locals serve homemade whiskey made from sticky rice before getting on a boat to visit the Pak Ou Caves. The caves are filled with thousands of Buddha statues and you have around forty five minutes to walk around, take photos and soak it all in.

Back at the resort lunch is served and you get the chance to learn a bit more about the elephants. If you booked the full day tour the trip continues to the beautiful Tat Sae Waterfalls where you can cool off in some of the pools and take great photos. You are usually back at your hotel at around six in the evening, perfect to end the day with a relaxed dinner or another walk through the night market.

Visiting Luang Prabang is absolutely worth it. This small backpacker town in northern Laos is surrounded by beautiful nature and offers a great mix of culture, history and relaxation. I arrived right when Songkran was still being celebrated, which made the whole experience even better. I had to watch out not to get completely soaked during the day and in the evening the main street turned into a huge party with people dancing and celebrating everywhere. All in all I can fully recommend visiting Luang Prabang. It is a charming little town in the north of Laos, very tourist friendly and with plenty to see and do. After my time there I flew from the small and relaxed airport straight to Hanoi to continue my trip.

My General Tips for Luang Prabang

• Cash is king – ATM fees are low, and you can use Visa and Mastercard.

• Try a traditional Lao full-body massage.

• Don’t miss the waterfalls.

• Visit the night market every evening.

• Book a tour – rafting and other activities are also available.

• Try Beer Lao.

• Visit the Elephant Resort.

• Eat local Lao food.

• Explore the temples.

• Take a tuk-tuk ride.

• Travel by train from Vientiane, with a possible stop in Vang Vieng (flights from Vientiane or Bangkok are also an option).