Find places in Laos

Must-Haves

• Pha That Luang (Saysettha)
  The gilded stupa on the national emblem, the most sacred monument in the country.
• Wat Si Saket (Chanthabouly)
  The oldest surviving temple in the city, its cloister lined with thousands of small Buddha images.
• Haw Phra Kaew (Chanthabouly)
  A former royal temple turned museum, with fine bronze Buddhas on its terraces.
• COPE Visitor Centre (Khouvieng Road)
  A moving, free exhibition on unexploded bombs and the people rebuilding their lives after them.

Fun for Everyone

• Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan) (Thanaleng)
  A strange and joyful garden of concrete Hindu and Buddhist statues beside the Mekong.

Fun for Everyone

• Patuxai (Lane Xang Avenue)
  Climb the city's victory monument for views straight down the grand boulevard.

Off the Beaten Path

• Wat Sok Pa Luang Herbal Sauna (Sisattanak)
  A forest temple where you can take a traditional herbal steam bath and massage.

Fun for Everyone

• Vientiane Night Market (Mekong riverside)
  Red tented stalls along the river promenade, best with a sunset stroll first.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Talat Sao Morning Market (Lane Xang Avenue)
  The old market hall for textiles, silver and gold, next to a modern mall.
• Khua Din Market (Chanthabouly)
  A gritty local market for fresh produce, herbs and everyday Lao life.

Must-Haves

• Carol Cassidy Lao Textiles (Nokeo Koummane Road)
  Watch weavers at their looms and see some of the finest silk in the region.

Great for Date Night

• T'Shop Lai Gallery (Vat Inpeng Street)
  Handmade soaps, oils and crafts from social enterprises in a pretty shop.

Fun for Everyone

• Chao Anouvong Park (Mekong riverside)
  Evening aerobics, families and the sunset over Thailand across the river.

Off the Beaten Path

• Phou Khao Khouay National Protected Area (Bolikhamxay)
  Forest, waterfalls and quiet trails within an easy drive of the capital.

Must-Haves

• Kualao Restaurant (Samsenthai Road)
  A classic Lao dinner in an old colonial house, often with traditional music and dance.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Lao Kitchen (Hengboun Road)
  Clear menus of laap, jeow and grilled fish, a friendly first taste of Lao food.

Great for Date Night

• Pimenton (Nokeo Koummane Road)
  Smart Spanish style grill with a buzzy open kitchen for a special night out.

Must-Haves

• Common Grounds (Chao Anou Road)
  A relaxed café and play area loved by families, with good Lao coffee.

Fun for Everyone

• Joma Bakery Café (Setthathirath Road)
  A long running bakery café for breakfast, cakes and air conditioned breaks.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Le Banneton (Nokeo Koummane Road)
  French bakery for croissants and coffee, a reminder of the city's colonial past.

Must-Haves

• Khop Chai Deu (Setthathirath Road)
  A lively bar and restaurant near Nam Phou fountain, good for a first Beerlao.

Great for Date Night

• Bor Pen Nyang (Fa Ngum Road)
  Rooftop bar with views over the Mekong at sunset.

Must-Haves

• That Luang Festival (Pha That Luang)
  Candlelit processions and a huge fair at the great stupa each November.

Fun for Everyone

• Boun Suang Heua Boat Racing (Mekong riverside)
  Long boat races and riverside parties mark the end of Buddhist Lent.

Great for Date Night

• Settha Palace Hotel (Pang Kham Road)
  A restored colonial mansion with a garden pool and old world calm.

Fun for Everyone

• Crowne Plaza Vientiane (Samsenthai Road)
  A reliable international hotel with a big pool, easy for families.

Must-Haves

• Ansara Hotel (Fa Ngum Road)
  Elegant small hotel in quiet lanes a short walk from the river.

Must-Haves

• Wat Xieng Thong (Peninsula)
  The jewel of Luang Prabang, with sweeping roofs and a glittering tree of life mosaic.
• Royal Palace Museum (Haw Kham) (Sisavangvong Road)
  The former royal palace, home to the revered Pha Bang Buddha image.
• Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre (Ban Khamyong)
  The best introduction to the many peoples of northern Laos and their crafts.
• Tak Bat Alms Giving (Sakkaline Road)
  Monks walk the streets at dawn collecting sticky rice: watch quietly and from a distance.

Off the Beaten Path

• UXO Laos Visitor Centre (Ban Visoun)
  A small, sobering exhibit on bomb clearance in the countryside.

Must-Haves

• Mount Phousi (Old town)
  Climb the steps at dusk for sunset views over the river and the temple roofs.
• Pak Ou Caves (Mekong River)
  A slow boat ride to two caves filled with thousands of Buddha images.

Fun for Everyone

• Big Brother Mouse (Old town)
  Join an informal morning session helping young Lao people practise English.

Great for Date Night

• Dyen Sabai (Across the bamboo bridge)
  Cross the river at night for barbecue and drinks in thatched pavilions.

Must-Haves

• Kuang Si Falls (Kuang Si)
  Turquoise pools tumbling through the forest, perfect for a swim.

Fun for Everyone

• Free the Bears Kuang Si Rescue Centre (Kuang Si)
  Rescued Asian black bears and sun bears living in forest enclosures near the falls.
• Mandalao Elephant Conservation (Nam Khan valley)
  Walk with rescued elephants in forest, with no riding.

Off the Beaten Path

• Tad Sae Waterfall (Ban En)
  Gentle tiered cascades that are at their best in the wet season.

Must-Haves

• Luang Prabang Night Market (Sisavangvong Road)
  A long, calm market of textiles, paper lanterns and handicrafts every evening.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Phosi Market (Phosi)
  The big local market for food, fabrics and everything else.
• Morning Market (Peninsula)
  Early morning stalls of river weed, herbs, fish and forest produce.

Must-Haves

• Manda de Laos (Old town)
  Lao dishes served around lily ponds, magical when lit at night.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Khaiphaen (Old town)
  A training restaurant for young people with creative Lao cooking.

Great for Date Night

• Coconut Garden (Sisavangvong Road)
  Garden dining on the main street with Lao set menus for sharing.

Must-Haves

• Saffron Coffee (Riverside)
  Coffee grown by hill tribe farmers, served on the Mekong bank.

Fun for Everyone

• Joma Bakery Café Luang Prabang (Chao Fa Ngum Road)
  Breakfast, smoothies and cakes in a cool, easy spot.

Must-Haves

• Utopia (Nam Khan riverside)
  Lounge on cushions over the Nam Khan with a drink at sunset.

Must-Haves

• Boun Lai Heua Fai (Old town)
  The festival of light boats at the end of Buddhist Lent, with lanterns everywhere.

Fun for Everyone

• Pi Mai Lao in Luang Prabang (Old town)
  Lao New Year with water blessing, sand stupas and street parades.

Great for Date Night

• Amantaka (Kingkitsarath Road)
  A serene luxury hideaway in a former French hospital.
• Rosewood Luang Prabang (Nauea)
  Tented villas beside a waterfall a short ride from town.

Must-Haves

• Satri House (Old town)
  A former royal residence turned boutique hotel with gardens and a pool.

Fun for Everyone

• Sofitel Luang Prabang (Ban Mano)
  A calm garden hotel with villas and a large pool.

Must-Haves

• Tham Chang Cave (Nam Song)
  A cave with views over the river, reached by a short climb.

Fun for Everyone

• Blue Lagoon 1 (Tham Phu Kham) (Ban Na Thong)
  Jump into the blue pool, then climb up to the cave above.

Off the Beaten Path

• Kaeng Nyui Waterfall (Ban Phoxay)
  A quiet forest waterfall with a pool for swimming.

Must-Haves

• Nam Xay Viewpoint (Ban Pak Pok)
  A steep hike to a flag topped viewpoint over limestone peaks.

Off the Beaten Path

• Pha Ngern Viewpoint (Ban Pha Ngern)
  Big views over the valley, especially at sunrise.

Fun for Everyone

• Tham Nam Water Cave (Ban Na Thong)
  Pull yourself through a flooded cave on a rubber ring.
• Kayaking on the Nam Song (Nam Song)
  Paddle past karst cliffs on the river, the classic day out.

Great for Date Night

• Hot air balloon flight (Vang Vieng)
  Drift over the karst peaks at sunrise or sunset.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Vang Vieng Organic Farm (Phoudindaeng)
  Famous mulberry pancakes and smoothies on a riverside farm.

Great for Date Night

• Riverside Boutique Resort restaurant (Nam Song)
  A pretty spot for a quiet dinner with karst views.

Fun for Everyone

• Sakura Bar (Old town)
  A lively backpacker bar with music late into the night.

Great for Date Night

• Riverside Boutique Resort (Nam Song)
  Garden rooms and a pool facing the cliffs across the river.

Must-Haves

• Silver Naga Hotel (Nam Song)
  Central hotel with a pool and river views.

Must-Haves

• Pha Daeng Peak Viewpoint (Nong Khiaw)
  A tough morning hike to watch the mist roll off the Nam Ou valley.
• Nam Ou boat to Muang Ngoi (Nam Ou)
  A beautiful upriver boat ride to a car free village.

Off the Beaten Path

• Nong Khiaw Viewpoint (Nong Khiaw)
  The main hike above town, with views of the bridge and karsts.
• Green Discovery Laos treks (Nong Khiaw)
  Guided kayaking and village treks with a long established operator.

Fun for Everyone

• Nong Khiaw Bridge (Nam Ou)
  The best free view in town, at sunrise and sunset.

Must-Haves

• Tham Pha Tok Caves (Ban Nong Khiaw)
  Caves where villagers sheltered during the war.

Off the Beaten Path

• Muang Ngoi Neua (Muang Ngoi)
  Hammocks, rice fields and walks to villages and caves.

Great for Date Night

• Mandala Ou Resort (Nong Khiaw)
  River view bungalows and a pool under the cliffs.

Must-Haves

• Nong Kiau Riverside (Ban Sop Houn)
  Wooden bungalows with balconies over the river.

Must-Haves

• Wat Phou (Champasak)
  A pre Angkorian Khmer temple climbing a mountainside, listed by UNESCO.

Fun for Everyone

• Wat Luang Pakse (Pakse)
  A colourful riverside temple and monk school.

Must-Haves

• Wat Phou Festival (Champasak)
  A full moon festival with pilgrims, music and boxing each February.

Must-Haves

• Bolaven Plateau Loop (Bolaven Plateau)
  Ride or drive past coffee farms and waterfalls on a cool upland loop.

Must-Haves

• Tad Fane (Bolaven Plateau)
  Twin falls plunging into a deep gorge.

Fun for Everyone

• Tad Yuang (Bolaven Plateau)
  A wide waterfall with a swimming pool at its foot.

Off the Beaten Path

• Tad Lo (Bolaven Plateau)
  A village and waterfall to stay overnight in.
• Don Daeng (Champasak)
  A car free island with sandy beaches and villages.

Must-Haves

• Jhai Coffee House (Pakse)
  Bolaven coffee with profits going to farm communities.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Dao Heuang Market (Pakse)
  One of the biggest markets in the south.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Daolin Restaurant (Pakse)
  A busy, easy place for Lao and Thai food.

Great for Date Night

• Le Panorama Rooftop (Pakse Hotel)
  Sunset drinks over the Mekong and Xe Don.

Must-Haves

• Pakse Hotel (Pakse)
  A comfortable central hotel with a rooftop restaurant.

Must-Haves

• Khone Phapheng Falls (Khone)
  The largest waterfall in Southeast Asia by volume.
• Li Phi Falls (Tad Somphamit) (Don Khone)
  Powerful rapids on Don Khone, a short bike ride away.
• Irrawaddy dolphin viewing (Ban Hang Khone)
  Take a boat out to look for rare river dolphins near the border.

Fun for Everyone

• Sunset side hammocks (Don Det)
  Watch the sun drop over the Mekong from a riverside bungalow.

Fun for Everyone

• French railway bridge (Don Det to Don Khone)
  Cycle over the old colonial railway bridge between the islands.
• Kayaking the 4000 Islands (Si Phan Don)
  Paddle through channels and rapids with a guide.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Cycling Don Det and Don Khone (Si Phan Don)
  Hire a bike and loop rice fields and riverside villages.

Off the Beaten Path

• Old French locomotive (Don Khone)
  A rusting relic of the short colonial railway.

Must-Haves

• Sala Done Khone (Don Khone)
  A riverside hotel in old French buildings.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Little Eden Guesthouse (Don Det)
  A guesthouse with a pool at the tip of the island.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Nakasang Market (Ban Nakasang)
  The mainland market where boats leave for the islands.