Laos holiday
Travel tips, best time to visit & highlights for your Laos holiday in Asia
Laos is Southeast Asia's quiet treasure: The landlocked country along the Mekong has preserved an authenticity that has long been replaced by mass tourism in neighboring countries Thailand and Vietnam. Luang Prabang enchants with monk processions at sunrise, the Kuang Si waterfalls shine turquoise, and life flows here as leisurely as the Mekong itself. Laos is perfect for travelers seeking to slow down.
Capital
Vientiane
Language
Lao
Currency
Kip (LAK)
Time zone
UTC+7
Flight time from DE
approx. 12–14 hours (with layover)
Entry requirements
Passport + Visa (upon entry or eVisa)
Top hotels & accommodations in Laos
Selected hotels and holiday accommodations in Laos — with images, reviews, and direct booking links with our partners.
Burasari Heritage Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang, Laos
La Résidence Phou Vao
Luang Prabang, Laos
Crowne Plaza Vientiane
Vientiane, Laos
Hotel La Folie Lodge
Champasak, Laos
Hotel Green Park Boutique Hotel
Vientiane, Laos
Hotel Salana Boutique
Vientiane, Laos
Homm Souvannaphoum Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang, Laos
Hotel My Dream Boutique Resort & Spa
Luang Prabang, Laos
Top 5 highlights in Laos
The places you absolutely must not miss.
Luang Prabang
UNESCO World Heritage: Golden temples, monks during the alms round, night market, and French colonial flair.
Kuang Si Waterfalls
Multi-tiered turquoise limestone cascades in the jungle – the most photographed natural wonder of Laos.
Mekong Boat Trip
Slow Boat from the Thai border to Luang Prabang – two days of river travel through green karst landscapes.
Vang Vieng
Karst rocks, caves, lagoons, and tubing on the Nam Song – transformed from a party village to an outdoor paradise.
Plain of Jars
Mysterious megalithic stone jars on the Xieng Khouang plateau – Laos' most enigmatic site.
Hotels in Laos
Vergleiche tausende Hotels, Apartments und Resorts auf Expedia – mit Bestpreis-Garantie, kostenloser Stornierung und Bonuspunkten.
* Weiterleitung zu Expedia.de. Es gelten die dortigen Nutzungsbedingungen.
Reise-SIM für Laos
Prepaid-SIM mit Datenvolumen für Laos. Einfach einlegen und sofort lossurfen – keine Roaming-Gebühren.
* Weiterleitung zu travSIM.de. Es gelten die dortigen Nutzungsbedingungen.
Reiseversicherung abschließen
Rundum-Schutz ab 9,90 € auf TravelSecure.de
Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
Best time to visit Laos
Recommended travel time
November–February (dry season, pleasant temperatures)
Summer
28–36°C
Winter
18–28°C
How much does a holiday in Laos cost?
Average cost per person per day (excluding flight)
Budget
15–30€
Hostel, street food, public transport
Mid-range
30–60€
Hotel, restaurant, excursions
Luxury
60–150€
Boutique hotel, fine dining
5 travel tips for Laos
Insider knowledge to make your holiday better.
Respectfully observe the alms round of the monks in Luang Prabang at 5:30 AM
Lao Kip is only useful in the country – best to bring US Dollars or Thai Baht
Choose Slow Boat instead of Speed Boat on the Mekong – safer and worth the experience
Sticky Rice is eaten with hands – learn the technique from the locals
Visit the Sunday night market in Luang Prabang for handicrafts and street food
Food & drink in Laos
These dishes you must try!
Discover Laos
6 regions, cities and highlights in Laos
Cities
Luang Namtha
Luang Namtha in the far north of Laos is the gateway to the Nam Ha National Park and one of the best places in Southeast Asia for authentic jungle trekking. Off the beaten tourist paths, this sleepy provincial capital provides access to some of the last untouched primary forests in the region and to ethnic mountain villages that have hardly been touched by tourism. The Nam Ha National Protected Area is a vast conservation area with monsoon forests, bamboo thickets, and mountain forests, interspersed with rivers and inhabited by tigers, black bears, gibbons, and an amazing variety of birds. The treks — ranging from one day to three days — lead through dense jungle, over mountain ridges with panoramic views, and to villages of the Akha, Hmong, Lanten, and Khmu. What makes Luang Namtha special: Tourism here has been developed from the beginning as a sustainable community-based tourism project. The villagers are directly involved in the tours, acting as guides, cooking local dishes, and offering overnight stays in their homes. The proceeds remain in the communities — a model that has gained international recognition. The night market in the city is small but authentic — here locals eat, and for less than €2, you can get a complete dinner. The surroundings offer kayaking tours on the Nam Ha River, mountain biking routes through rice fields, and visits to villages that still practice traditional crafts such as indigo dyeing and bamboo weaving. Luang Namtha is the perfect counterpoint to touristy Luang Prabang: rural, more authentic, and with the opportunity to experience real Laos away from the backpacker trails.
Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang, the former royal city of Laos, is beautifully situated at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995. The city impresses with a unique blend of traditional Lao architecture and French colonial buildings, lined with golden temples and tropical gardens. Every morning, hundreds of saffron-robed monks walk through the quiet streets for alms collection — a scene of timeless beauty. The Kuang Si waterfalls with their turquoise natural pools are a highlight in the area. The lively night market offers handwoven textiles and local street food. Luang Prabang embodies pure relaxation: boat trips on the Mekong, meditation in ancient monasteries, and the tranquility of a city that has preserved its authentic character.
Pakse
Pakse in southern Laos is the gateway to the mystical Bolaven Plateau and the Four Thousand Islands of the Mekong. The relaxed provincial capital at the confluence of the Mekong and Se Don features French colonial architecture, vibrant markets, and some of the best coffee plantations in Southeast Asia. From Wat Phou, the oldest Khmer temple outside Cambodia, to the roaring waterfalls of the Bolaven Plateau — Pakse combines culture, nature, and enjoyment off the beaten path.
Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng is Laos' most breathtaking natural paradise — a small town on the Nam Song River, nestled in a surreal panorama of towering karst cliffs, emerald lagoons, and lush tropical jungle. Once notorious as a party hotspot, Vang Vieng has transformed in recent years into an outdoor adventure center that attracts climbers, kayakers, and nature lovers from around the world. The karst landscape around Vang Vieng is geologically unique: hundreds of pointed limestone peaks rise vertically from the flat river plain, creating silhouettes at sunrise and sunset that resemble a Chinese ink painting. Hot air balloon rides at dawn over this landscape are among the most spectacular experiences in Southeast Asia. The Blue Lagoons are natural limestone pools with turquoise, crystal-clear water, surrounded by tropical jungle: Blue Lagoon 1 is the most famous (with a tree swing and diving platform), while Blue Lagoons 3 and 4 are quieter and more idyllic. Tham Phu Kham, a cave with a reclining Buddha statue above Blue Lagoon 1, offers an adventurous ascent. Kayaking and tubing on the Nam Song are Vang Vieng's signature experiences: the gentle current carries visitors past karst cliffs, bamboo groves, and water buffalo, while fishermen cast their nets and children jump into the water from bamboo bridges.
Vientiane
Vientiane, the capital of Laos, is arguably the most relaxed capital in Southeast Asia — a charming small town on the banks of the Mekong, surprising visitors accustomed to the hustle and bustle of Bangkok or Hanoi with its French colonial heritage, golden temples, and a laid-back atmosphere. Here, time moves slower, and that's precisely what makes it appealing. Pha That Luang, the golden stupa from the 16th century, is the national symbol of Laos and shines in warm gold, especially at sunset. Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple in the city, houses thousands of tiny Buddha statues in the niches of its walls. The Patuxai, a triumphal arch in the city center, was curiously built from American cement originally intended for airport construction — the Laotians humorously refer to it as the vertical runway. The riverside promenade along the Mekong is the meeting point at sunset when the entire city gathers to stroll, eat, and do aerobics on the embankment. The night market offers Laotian textiles and street food, while the French baguettes in Vientiane are among the best in Southeast Asia — a legacy of the colonial era. Excursions to Buddha Park with its bizarre sculptures or to the Whisky Village Ban Xang Hai complement the program. November to February offers cool, dry weather.
Complete guide for Laos
Regions, attractions, food, routes, costs & practical tips — all in one digital guide.
Open guidePlan a holiday in Laos
Laos is one of the most popular travel destinations in Asia, offering Backpacking, Budget, Temples and much more. The best time to visit Laos is November–February (dry season, pleasant temperatures), when the weather is ideal for exploration and relaxation. With a daily budget starting from 15–30€ (Budget) to 60–150€ (Luxury), Laos is suitable for various travel budgets.
From the capital Vientiane, Laos can be excellently explored. The official language is Lao, and the currency is Kip (LAK). From Germany, you can reach Laos in approx. 12–14 hours (with layover). Whether you want to try culinary highlights like Laap, Sticky Rice, Khao Piak Sen, visit top attractions, or simply enjoy the atmosphere: Laos has something for every type of traveller.
Use our free travel tools to prepare your Laos holiday perfectly. With the holiday finder, you can discover if Laos is the right destination for you. The budget calculator helps you plan costs realistically, and with the packing list, you won't forget anything.
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