I stayed for a night in Lopburi when traveling on the way from Khao Yai National Park to Sukhothai. In this article, I will share my itineraries and suggestions for how to spend 1-2 days in Lopburi.
Lopburi is a historic city located in central Thailand, about 150 km north of Bangkok. It was once a key city during the Khmer Empire and later became one of the capitals of the Ayutthaya Kingdom.
Today, Lopburi attracts lots of tourists to come to see monkeys roaming around the old town and explore ancient Khmer and Ayutthaya ruins. It is best known as the Monkey City.
The Monkey Festival, held each year on the last Sunday of November, is the big event of the city. The locals believed that monkeys bring good fortune for them.
The festival is located mainly around Phra Prang Sam Yot temple, within 10 minutes from Lopburi train station. During the festival, tables are set up with large spreads of fruits, vegetables for the monkeys. It also has cultural performances that celebrate the relationship between humans and monkeys.
How many days in Lopburi is enough?
In my opinion one to two days is generally enough to explore major ancient ruins and see the monkey in Lopburi Old City. You can do this by taking a train trip from Bangkok or staying overnight in the city.
Basically, within a day or few hours, you can easily walk around the old town, visiting highlights such as Phra Prang Sam Yot – the Main Monkey temple, King Narai’s Palace, and Wat Phrasi Rattana Mahathat.
If you take a day trip, you can easily do it yourself by train. Otherwise, you can consider taking a guided tour. The tour will take care of all of the transportation options. There are many day tours from Bangkok that include a visit to both Ayutthaya and Lopburi in one day.
If you stay a night or two in Lopburi, I recommend staying somewhere in the old town. This is because most of the attractions are located here, so you’ll be within walking distance from historic temples, monkeys, and restaurants.
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Getting to Lopburi from Bangkok:
You can get to Lopburi by train, bus, or private car rental. It is a 2-3 hour journey either by train or bus. Train departs from Krung Thep Aphiwat station, while Bus departs from Mo Chit Bus Terminal.
Krung Thep Aphiwat station is easily accessible by MRT underground train. You can take the MRT from your hotel to Bang Sue Station. Then from Bang Sue Station, follow the sign to walk to Krung Thep Aphiwat station. You can buy train tickets at the train station.
Getting around Lopburi:
Lopburi old town is quite small, you can easily get around on foot. Lots of ruins and temples are located within walking distance from each other. The train station is located right in the heart of the old town.
You can use songthaew or motorbike taxi to explore the outskirts area. You can also consider renting a motorbike which is only 300 baht a day and allow you freely explore all hidden gems.
See more: How to get to Lopburi and Get Around
Best months to visit Lopburi:
Lopburi is a year-round destination. It has two main seasons, Dry season (November to April) and Rainy Season (May to October). The best month to visit is generally in the cool season from November to February.
If you come to Lopburi to see sunflowers in full bloom, it’s best to visit sometime between November to January. If you visit in the rainy season, you still have plenty of time to explore the city. The rain is often in the form of short-lived showers, only lasting for an hour or two.
This is my suggestion of how to spend 1-2 days in Lopburi:
How to Spend 1-2 days in Lopburi Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and explore Lopburi Old town
I came to Lopburi from Pak Chong by train. I took a train from Pak Chong train station to Ban Phachi Junction Station, then swapped to another train to Lopburi Station. The total journey is 4 hours including wait time at Ban Phachi Junction. I arrived at Lopburi around 2.30pm.
From the train station, I walked to my hotel, located just 10 minutes walk away. There were lots of tuk tuk outside the train station, so you use them if you stay further away.
Phra Prang Sam Yot and Monkeys
After checking into the hotel, I had lunch at a local restaurant, then headed out to explore. My hotel is located just a few steps away from Phra Prang Sam Yot, so I took a look at this temple first. The temple is next to a very busy roundabout with lots of traffic, so it was a bit difficult to cross the street.
Phra Prang Sam Yot, also known as Monkey Temple, is one of the most iconic landmarks in Lopburi. It has Khmer-style architecture and lots of macaques roaming freely around the site. This temple is also the main location of the Monkey Festival, where the monkeys are honored with a grand feast.
The temple is open daily from 8.30am to 6pm. The ticket is 50 baht. It is a small temple with three Prangs (towers), you can easily wander around for 20 minutes.
You can see lots of old abandoned buildings near the Phra Prang Sam Yot and they are surrounded by monkeys. Monkeys on the side street, on the mailbox, on top of the streetlights; they are everywhere.
I recommend you watch them from far away, take photos of them, but don’t feed them. They are very aggressive and can steal your food and belongings. Make sure to secure your stuff.
Prang Khaek
After Phra Prang Sam Yot, I walked along Prang Sam Yot Road to see other popular sites on this road. First, I came across the Prang Khaek ruins, located just 5 minutes walk from the Monkey Temple. It is a small temple and free to look around.
Ban Chaophraya Wichayen
Continue walking on the main road, you’ll see Ban Chaophraya Wichayen. This complex is situated only 800 m from King Narai’s palace, and was used as the residence of foreign ambassadors during the King Narai period.
Ban Chao Phraya Wichayen is open daily from 8.30 am to 4.30pm. The entrance fee is 10 baht for Thai people, and 50 baht for foreigners. Nearby, you can have a look at Wat Puen, its giant tree, and the colorful Chinese Temple.
Wat Sao Thong Thong and King Narai National Museum
I continued walking past Wat Sao Thong Thong and King Narai National Museum. It was around closing time when I reached the museum, I planned to come back the next morning.
King Narai National Museum is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 8.30 am to 4.30pm, it closes on Monday and Tuesday. Tickets are 150 baht for foreigners.
King Narai was the ruler of the Ayutthaya Kingdom in Thailand in the 17 century. He is one of the most renowned monarchs in Thailand. He is remembered for his foreign diplomacy, particularly with France and other European countries.
Wat Phrasi Rattana Mahathat
As the national museum closed, I headed to Wat Phrasi Rattana Mahathat. This temple is located right in front of the train station. It is open daily from 8.30am to 5.30pm. The ticket is 50 baht. You can have good views of the temple and take photos from outside if you don’t want to pay the ticket.
You can look around for several other small ruins and temples around Lopburi train station. I walked along the train track toward the Monkey Temple. There is the night market, several local restaurants, ruins located on this road between the train station and the Monkey temple.
Khao Tom Hor restaurant & the Night Market
In the evening, I had a very nice dinner at Khao Tom Hor restaurant in the old town, then a sweet dessert at the night market.
Day 2: Attractions outside of the old town
You can easily see all major temples in Lopburi old town within a half day or few hours. You can spend the second visiting places that you missed on the first day, or see attractions outside of the old town.
Depending on the time of year (typically November to January), you can visit the sunflower fields outside of Lopburi city. These stunning fields are located in the countryside, around 50 km from the old town. It offers excellent photo opportunities.
My 2nd day in Lopburi was just chill at the hotel. I walked around the Monkey Temple again as I stayed very close to it. Then I headed to the train station for my train to Phitsanulok and Sukhothai.
This is my guide on how to spend a day or two in Lopburi, the monkey city of Thailand. The old town is very small, you can easily see all major attractions within a few hours and on foot.
If you stay in Bangkok, you can take a day trip to Lopburi. If you travel between Central Thailand and North Thailand by road, you can consider staying overnight here.