Lopburi Travel

Best time to visit

Even if Lopburi can be visited all year round (try to avoid September if rain really bothers you), the best time of the year is the dry and cool season from November till March.

Late November and beginning of December are also an ideal time of the year for a quick escape out of town to admire hundreds of thousands of rais of sunflower fields in full bloom, what is indeed an amazing experience even if you are not much of a flowers’ lover.

The last weekend of November the most important and characteristic of Lopburi festivals is held – the Monkeys Buffet Festival. You’ll see hordes of Lopburi invaders being praised, enjoying a royal vegetarian banquet all day long and receiving gifts like mirrors and toys from the locals.

Check the below table for the general idea of Lopburi weather throughout the year.

Lopburi’s current weather and 7-day forecast

LOPBURI WEATHER

The monkey town

Lopburi is often dubbed by many as the monkey city – and that’s not without a reason: in some parts of the old town, especially around the Prang Sam Yod Temple lots of cheeky monkeys are up to mischief. Estimated more than 1000 monkeys have their home right in the old town. At first glance, these long-tailed macaques seem to be very cute. But beware, these little ones are far away from innocent. They hang on the power lines, jump over cars, nibble on windscreen wipers and are constantly on the lookout for troubles. Just to watch this monkey theatre is a great fun and one of the best things to do while you are in town! Especially along the Ratchadamnoen Alley you have the chance to see lots of monkeys playing around.

Monkey Temple

The Prang Sam Yot, better known as the Monkey Temple, is the city’s ultimate landmark and the most famous tourist attraction. Here at the “3 holy Prangs” and at the opposite situated San Phra Kann Shrine lives the majority of the monkey horde. The former Hindu temple is dated back to the 13th century and you can enter the temple complex for an entrance fee of 50, – Baht. In this area the feeding of monkeys is allowed, which we would not necessarily recommend. Some of these little rascals are very naughty, so you should always take care while sightseeing. Sometimes they just jump on your head and can also steal something quickly (food, glasses, mobile phone …)! Inside the ruins is a small Buddha Statue and it can be entered on request.

Tip: Take no food and no drinks to temple, then the monkeys won`t pay you any attention at all.

Monkey Festival: This festival takes place each year in November. Then a huge party for the monkeys of Lopburi will be held as an offering. At this monkey buffet, things really get down to business and the little monkeys can fill their bellies with lots fruit and sweets.

National Museum and King Naria Palace

The National Museum and the King Naria Palace are located in a beautiful park located in the old town of Lopburi. In the palace of King Naria exhibit an interesting collection of statues and magnificent treasures from various eras. In addition, the palace of Lopburi includes several ruins that can be explored on a short walk. A visit to the National Museum and the beautiful park are definitely one of the best attractions of Lopburi and should not be missed. The National Museum is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm and entrance fee is 150 baht per person.

Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat

Absolutely recommended is the visit of the imposing temple Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat, which is actually in its architecture much more spectacular than the Monkey Temple. Located with a short distance from the train station in Lopburi and the ruins are really easy to reach. The park is partly comparable with the magnificent historical park of Ayutthaya and for sure you will get some great photo opportunities. So it is almost surprising that you will have the most of the time the entire complex for yourself. You can visit this historic parc of Lopburi daily from 7:00 to 17:00. The entrance fee is currently 50 baht.

Sunflower fields

A visit to the Sunflower Fields is an absolute highlight of the things to do around Lopburi, especially among thai tourists. The sunflowers are approximately 40 kilometres from the city away and tours are offered from Lop Buri town. Before you go on a day trip you should make sure to inform yourself about the inflorescence. Most of the Sunflower Fields bloom from November to January. 

Night Market

Another awesome activity is to visit the traditional night market. Daily a night market takes place directly in the old part of town starting from approx. 16:00 o’clock along the Na Sanprakan road. Also, if you have any chance, we highly recommend you check out the Walking Street Market, which is only once a week at Wednesday. This night market offers a huge choice of typical thai clothes and lot of exotic foods can be tried there!

Old Town

Hotels in the Old Town offer generally similar medium scale standards for 140-500 baht. The monkeys run around freely, but usually stay in just one small area. Depending on your preference you can choose a place with lots of monkeys running (and hanging) around, or opt for somewhere with low or no monkey presence.

Places with lots of monkeys

Lopburi City Hotel

Probably the best of the hotels within the monkey area, and enclosed in a big "cage" that keeps the monkeys out, so you can open the windows. All rooms are air-con. 

Muang Tong Hotel

The least likable hotel in the monkey area. It's not enclosed in a "cage", so opening the windows isn't a good idea. However, it does have the best view of the monkey area and the Phra Prang Sam Yot temple. Rooms have Thai-style bathrooms with squat toilets. 

Sri Indra Hotel

Enclosed in a big "cage" that keeps the monkeys out, so you can open the windows. The rooms are neat and clean, but don't expect more. 

Places with few monkeys

Nett Hotel

Good location, with a small food market in front, and no monkeys running around. Rooms range from medium standard to a decent standard.

Noom Guesthouse

Has fan rooms, also offers motorcycle rentals and rock climbing, and is close to an Internet café. Serves English breakfast, 08:00-11:30. 

New Town

Lopburi Inn

Holds a dinner party each November for the monkeys. The hotel has a shuttle and may be willing to pick you up from the train station. 

Lopburi Inn Resort

The only hotel in town with a swimming pool.

O2 Hotel

Clean and spacious rooms. Seventy-five superior rooms and four deluxe rooms. Each room has a private balcony. It is about eight kilometres to Somdet Phra Narai National Museum and Phra Prang Sam Yot Khmer sanctuary. Room price includes a (modest) breakfast for two. Free Wi-Fi.

Street Eats

Old Town - Evenings, a lot of street food stalls are set up on a road in front of railway station. The street vendors in the Old Town are very nice and have all kinds of tasty things. Don't be afraid to stop and check them out.

New Town - there is an entire street of these in the evening up a circle street to the right just beyond the New Town roundabout towards the Old City. Many different dishes, some written in English, with tables and chairs. Also within the New Town, are street eat stalls in scattered locations both morning and evening with both tables and chairs. If you want alcohol, buy it at a 711 and drink at the stall table.

Louis Steakhouse

Add: On Phahon Yothin east of the large traffic circle 1/2 km or so from Big C under the pedestrian overpass. A great restaurant owned by a fellow from Belgium. 

A great change if you are looking for something a little different from normal Thai food.

New World Steak House 

Add: This spot is just west of Sakal (the huge centre of town with the fountains) just to your left before you cross a bridge, at the lights (look for a rather large hotel next to it). 

Great if you like good English cuisine. Run by Barry and Noi, an Englishman and his Thai wife. The prices are higher than typical Thai food, but the steaks are huge, the Shepherd's pie is awesome.

School Milk

Add: Located next door to Noom Guesthouse. 

Large variety of Thai/Western food, snacks, shakes and coffees. Excellent quality and huge portions for low prices. Caters to mostly students and young people. 

White House 

Add: It is located just behind (north of) the tourism office (TAT). 

Romantic western architecture with a beautiful yard and second floor, offers nice food. Crab meat, fried rice and red curry is very good. The owner, Mr Piak, speaks English and gives good advice.

Get in

By bus

From Ayutthaya, local buses run every 20 mins, take around 2 hours and cost 35 baht.
There is a minibus service from Mo Chit to Lopburi.

From Kanchanaburi it's necessary to take a local bus to Suphanburi taking 2 hours and costing 50 baht, then another from there to Lopburi taking 3 hours and costing 52 baht.

From Sukhothai take a bus to Phitsanulok and then to Nakhon Sawan first.

We recommend you check the latest bus schedule and price via rome2rio.com

By minibus

From Bangkok, air conditioned minivans leave from the main Mo Chit (northern) bus station, take about 2 hours and cost 110 baht. There are several van services in the area, so if the timing for one service does not work, try another. The last minivan departs around 18:00.

By train

Trains from/to Bangkok's main Hualamphong station take about 3 hours. Take the Northern Line from Hua Lamphong Railway Station everyday, many rounds per day.

Trains from/to Ayutthaya take about one hour and cost 13 baht for third class.

By car

From Bangkok, take Hwy 1 (Phahonyothin Rd) passing Phra Phutthabat District, Saraburi, onto Lopburi. The total distance is 153 km.

From Bangkok, take Hwy 32 which separates from Hwy 1, passing Ayutthaya. There are three routes as follows:

Enter Bang Pahan District, passing Nakhon Luang District into Rte 3196. Then, pass Ban Phraek District onto Lopburi.

Enter at the Ang Thong Interchange to Tha Ruea District and turn left onto Rte 3196, passing Ban Phraek District onto Lopburi.

Pass Ang Thong, Singburi, and take Rte 311 (Singburi–Lopburi), passing Tha Wung District onto Lopburi.

Get around

The blue local bus (8 baht) circles constantly between the bus station about 2 km from the town centre, passing Phra Kahn Shrine, going south on Sorasak Rd, and ending up in front of the TAT office on Phraya Kamuad Rd.

Contact us for more information