Lop Buri, Thailand: travel guide
Old Khmer ruins and crowds of macaques in the centre of town
The Monkey City — a quirky town overrun with mischievous primates, ancient temples, and monkey buffets.
About Lop Buri
Lop Buri is a historic town in central Thailand, about two and a half hours north of Bangkok, with a history that stretches back to the Khmer era. Old shrines and palace buildings sit beside modern streets, giving the town an unusual blend of ancient and everyday life.
The main attraction is the long-tailed macaques that live around Phra Prang Sam Yot, a Khmer-era shrine, and the San Phra Kan temple. They are bold and quick, so visitors keep food and bags close. King Narai's palace and a museum add a historical layer to the visit.
Lop Buri suits day trippers and history fans. The cooler months from November to February are the most comfortable.
- Country
- Thailand
- Currency
- THB
- Time zone
- Asia/Bangkok
- Typical trip
- 1 day
Last updated
Top places to visit in Lop Buri
Lopburi Monkey Festival Site
Wildlife · 4.2 rating · about 1 h · entry ฿50 (≈ ₹140)
Lopburi hosts a famous annual monkey banquet festival. Year-round the monkeys roam freely through town.
Prang Sam Yot (Monkey Temple)
temple · 4.4 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
13th-century Khmer temple with three lotus-bud prangs and hundreds of free-roaming macaque monkeys.
Lopburi Night Market
Market · 4.0 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
Evening market near the train station with affordable Thai food, fresh fruit and local snacks.
Phra Narai National Museum
Museum · 4.3 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
Inside the palace complex — collections of Lopburi-style Buddha images and artefacts from the Narai era.
Narai Raja Niwet Palace
historical_landmark · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Extensive 17th-century palace complex built by King Narai with a blend of Thai and European architecture.
Ban Wichayen (Chevalier de Chaumont House)
Heritage · 4.2 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Ruins of the Versailles-influenced residence of the French ambassador to King Narai's court.
Prang Khaek (Brahmin Shrine)
temple · 4.1 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Three brick Hindu towers dating to the 11th century — the oldest religious monument in Lopburi.
Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat Lop Buri
temple · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Lopburi's oldest temple with a 12th-century Khmer prang and impressive laterite towers.
Wat Sao Thong Thong
Temple · 4.4 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
17th-century temple built during King Narai's reign, with a mix of Thai and European architectural details.
Wat Nakhon Kosa
Heritage · 4.6 rating · about 0.5 h · free entry
Ancient Khmer-Ayutthaya era ruins in the old city, one of Lop Buri's oldest temple sites.
Lopburi Zoo
Wildlife · 4.0 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Small provincial zoo on the edge of town, popular with families.
Wat Manee Chonlakhan
Temple · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Old town temple near the Monkey Temple, with a large reclining Buddha image.
Things to do
- King Narai's Palace & Lop Buri Museum Tour Cultural · 2.5 h · from THB 120 per person
- Prang Sam Yot Monkey Temple Cultural · 1.5 h · from THB 79 per person
- Lop Buri Khmer Ruins Heritage Walk Cultural · 3 h · from THB 200 per person
- Sunflower Fields Cycling Tour Nature · 3 h · from THB 320 per person
- Lop Buri Monkey Temple Photography Walk Activity · 1.5 h
Day trips and tours
- Lopburi Ancient City & Monkey Temple Tour 5 h · from THB 450
- Lopburi & Ayutthaya Twin Heritage Day Trip 10 h · from THB 1,000
Where to stay in Lop Buri
- City Center about THB 1,500 per night
Historical city with temples and monkey sanctuary
Hotels
- The Little Lopburi Village 4-star · THB 2,200 to THB 4,200 per night
- Windsor Resort 3-star · THB 1,100 to THB 2,200 per night
- Lopburi Inn Resort 3-star · THB 1,100 to THB 2,200 per night
- Nett Hotel 2-star · THB 650 to THB 1,400 per night
Where to eat
- Bua Luang Restaurant Thai · about THB 90 per person
- MadMeee Thai, International · about THB 500 per person
- Natural Life Thai, Cafe · about THB 500 per person
- Chat-Na-Ra Thai · about THB 500 per person
- Tasala Bar & Eatery Tapas, International, Thai · about THB 500 per person
- Krua Mai Hom Thai · about THB 90 per person
- Khao Tom Hor Thai, Chinese · about THB 90 per person
- Noom Guest House & Restaurant Thai, Western · about THB 90 per person
Getting to Lop Buri
Nearest airport: Bangkok (Don Mueang International Airport) (DMK), about 98 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
How visitors arrive in Lop Buri
- Minivan from Mo Chit, Bangkok By road from Bangkok · common · unconfirmed
Air-conditioned minivans run from Bangkok's Mo Chit bus station to Lopburi. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- State Railway of Thailand train from Bangkok By train from Bangkok · common · unconfirmed
Long-distance trains now call at Lopburi 2 (Tha Wung) station rather than the old-town station; commuter trains still reach the old town. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the railway station to the centre
- Local transport from Lopburi 2 (Tha Wung) station unconfirmed
The page gives no specific link from Tha Wung; arrange a taxi or local transport to the old town. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the bus terminal to the centre
- Blue local bus from the bus station unconfirmed
A local blue bus links the bus station, about 2 km out, with the TAT office on Phraya Kamuad Rd in the old town. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
Getting around
- Motorbike Rental
Some guesthouses in Lop Buri's old town, such as Noom Guesthouse, also rent out motorcycles.
- Tuktuk
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Generic tourist overcharge
Major tourist zones
Tourists are quoted significantly above local price.
How to avoid it: Verify prices upfront. Use registered taxis/apps.
Best time to visit Lop Buri
- Jan 33°C
- Feb 36°C
- Mar 38°C
- Apr 38°C
- May 35°C
- Jun 33°C
- Jul 32°C
- Aug 34°C
- Sep 33°C
- Oct 30°C
- Nov 31°C
- Dec 31°C
More in Thailand
Frequently asked questions about Lop Buri
- How many days do you need in Lop Buri?
- A typical trip to Lop Buri is 1 day.
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Lop Buri?
- The highest-rated places in our Lop Buri guide are Narai Raja Niwet Palace, Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat Lop Buri, Wat Nakhon Kosa, Wat Manee Chonlakhan, Prang Sam Yot (Monkey Temple).
- Where should I stay in Lop Buri?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Lop Buri: City Center.
- How do I get around Lop Buri?
- Ways to get around Lop Buri covered in our guide: Motorbike rental, Tuk-tuk, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Lop Buri?
- Scams reported to us for Lop Buri include Generic tourist overcharge. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Lop Buri?
- Average daytime highs in Lop Buri run from 30°C in Oct to 38°C in Mar.