We recently spent an unforgettable week in Luang Prabang, Laos, with our family. This charming town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, filled with ancient temples, vibrant markets, and delicious French inspired food. Here's our daily itinerary, packed with tips and recommendations for families.
Day 1: Arrival and Exploration
We arrived in Luang Prabang on Sunday and checked into the lovely Phanya Residences, a family-run boutique hotel in the heart of the city. After settling in, we strolled around the town, discovering hidden gems like Cafe Rosetta, where we enjoyed coffee and lunch and Gelato Del Lao for their delicious ice cream.
We then walked along the Mekong River and found the stunning Mekong Viewpoint, perfect for a late-afternoon drink and dessert with an unforgettable view. For dinner, we headed to the famous 3 Nagas, a lovely spot that I highly recommended. The kids loved the unique experience of ringing the bell for ice cream after dinner too!
Day 2: Ferry Ride, Temple Hopping and Night Market
On Monday, we started the day with a delicious breakfast at Le Banneton, a French bakery and had a lovely traditional French breakfast that both us and the kids loved. We then took the public ferry across the Mekong River, an experience in itself! The kids loved the excitement of boarding the ferry with locals, cars, and motorbikes.
On the other side, we visited several temples, including Wat Xieng Muan, and took a private boat back to the city. In the evening, we enjoyed dinner at Tangor, a family-friendly restaurant with a great vibe. After dinner, we headed to the famous Night Market, which was another highlight of our trip! The kids loved browsing the various stalls, and we picked up some cool Laos aprons as souvenirs. The energy of the night market was infectious, and we had a blast exploring the sights and sounds.
Day 3: Coffee, Culture, Crafts and Fine Dining!
Tuesday, began with brunch at Saffron Coffee, a cozy cafe with awesome breakfast bagels. We then explored the town, visiting the Heuan Chan Heritage House, a traditional house-turned-museum, and the Royal Palace National Museum, which offered a glimpse into Laos' rich culture and great space for the kids to run around. The kids loved releasing birds from cages outside the museum, a symbol of good luck. We also visited the Luang Prabang Bakery for lunch and then Porsaa for a fun paper-making workshop. This was brilliant for young kids and the woman who runs it is especially patient and kept the kids thoroughly entertained. They even drop the papers to the hotel the next day once they are dry.
For our final night in the city we went to the fancy and stunning Manda de Laos. A truly beauatiful location, elegant setting and great food, i reccomend going early with young kids for a more enjoyable experience.
Day 4: Cooking, Scenery and Swimming
Before departing the city we had a final breakfast at the Grasshopper café and lounge, a healthy chic café for yoga lovers with great food. Then we headed to The Namkhan for the remainder of our trip, a beautiful resort with stunning views about 15 mins outside of the city.
The kids enjoyed a cooking class and some swim time and we enjoyed having a 2 bedroom river lodge and in room dining on the balcony once the kids had gone to bed.
Day 5: Horse Riding & River Cruising
The kids had a horse riding lesson at The Namkhan Horse Stables which started with them grooming the horses before embarking on a ride through a Laotian village. A lovely set up with wonderful staff and owner, 5 stars!
We headed back to the city early evening to board a private boat for a Mekong sunset cruise booked through our hotel. A wonderful expericne to watch the sunset along the river with canapes and free flow. A definite highlight and unforgettable experience.
Day 6: Waterfalls, Ice Cream and Massages
We hired a driver to take us to the famous Kuang Si Falls which were stunning. About a 45 minute drive then a short easy walk past the bear sanctuary onto the beautiful falls. The kids were completely engaged throughout and even took a freezing dip in the beautiful blue waters. Theres also a nice restaurant there were we stopped for a break and coffee.
On the way back we made a quick pit stop at Buffalo Dairy Farm for their infamous ice cream which was delicious and if we had more time we would have taken one of the tours too. After the long morning we took advantage of the onsite babysitters and had a couples massage back at the hotel whilst the kids were at kids club.
Day 7 & 8: River, Relax, Swim & Sunsets
We spent the last few days taking in the beautiful scenery at The Namkhan, relaxing by the swimming pool, exploring the river and enjoying beautiful sunsets from our balcony. We then bid farewell to Luang Prabang and headed back to the airport for our flight to Singapore.
Top Tips for Visiting Luang Prabang with Kids:
- Stay at a family-friendly hotel like Phanya Residences for a cozy and convenient experience.
- Take a public ferry ride across the Mekong River for a unique and exciting experience.
- Visit the Night Market for a fun and memorable evening of shopping and browsing.
- Try a cooking class or paper-making workshop for a hands-on and educational experience.
- Stay at a hotel or glamp on the river like The Namkhan to soak in the beautiful scenery.
- Don't miss the stunning Kuang Si Falls for a breathtaking natural wonder.
We hope you enjoy your trip to Luang Prabang as much as we did, and that these tips and recommendations help make your family adventure unforgettable!