2 Days in Dalat, Vietnam: Travel Guide & Things To Do

Aerial view of Dalat, a mountain town in Vietnam

Discover the magical mountain landscapes, natural wonders and fusion culture of Dalat, with this complete travel guide on how to spend two days in Dalat!

By the time we reached Dalat during our month-long trip in Vietnam, I’d become a little road-weary. Sure, I’d ticked off a bucket list dream of spending the night at Ha Long Bay and completed a terrifying yet incredible motorbike ride across the Hai Van Pass. But by this point, I was ready for something a little more laid back. And Dalat absolutely delivered.

Da Lat is the capital of the Lâm Đồng Province, located 1500m above sea level in the Central Highlands. In the 1900s, French colonists developed Dalat as a resort area, incorporating French and Swiss architectural styles. As a result, the town has the feel of an alpine resort in Europe, surrounded by dramatic mountain vistas.

In contrast to the tropical climates of the rest of Vietnam, Dalat’s location offers more temperate weather, with warm days and much cooler evenings. It was certainly a welcome break from the humidity, and I had a wonderful time exploring the unique things to do in this charming Vietnamese city.

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Explore the highlights of Dalat on a small group guided tour, with a private driver, or on an the back of a scooter with an easy rider motorbike tour.

Dalat Travel Guide

How many days do you need in Dalat?

2-3 days in Dalat is an ideal amount of time to explore the highlights at a relaxed pace. We visited for two days, and although we didn’t reach every single attraction in the Dalat area, we managed to fit in lots of activities, with time to wander the city.

When’s the best time to visit Dalat?

Known as ‘the city of Eternal Spring’ for its year-round moderate climate, Dalat offers comfortable temperatures at any time of the year.

However, the best time to visit is during the dry season, which runs from November-May. During this time, you can expect average daytime temperatures between 18°C-24°C. Night time temperatures can drop to 12°C-15°C, so make sure you bring a jacket! From January-April, expect to see flowers in bloom.

May to October is Dalat’s rainy season, with August being the rainiest month to visit.

We visited in November, and experienced sunny days, with colder evenings and no rain. (I was definitely grateful for the jacket I’d picked up from a thrift shop in Hue earlier on my trip for the chilly nights!)

How to get to Dalat

With no domestic train services serving Dalat, your options for getting there are to fly, drive, or to take a sleeper bus.

By air travel

Lien Khuong International Airport is the closest airport to Dalat, located 30km south of the city.

We flew to Dalat from Da Nang International Airport, but you can also fly from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Hue in Vietnam. The majority of flights to Lien Khuong International Airport are from within Vietnam, but a small number of flights also operate from: Bangkok, Thailand; Seoul, South Korea; and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

To get from the airport to Da Lat, there are shuttle buses and pre-booked taxi options available. We pre-booked our taxi transfer in advance, and the journey took around 40 minutes.

By bus

The most affordable way to get to Dalat is by taking a Vietnam sleeper bus. There are a variety of different sleeper bus types. For optimum comfort, the VIP sleeper buses offer more spacious ‘cabins’ with curtains than standard sleeper buses.

Heading further south, we took the sleeper bus to Mui Ne following our time in Dalat, and the views en route were spectacular!

Read more: What to Expect on a Vietnam Sleeper Bus

By car or motorbike

Another option is to rent a car or motorbike and drive from Ho Chi Minh City (around 6 hours) or Nha Trang (around 3 hours). I’d only recommend this is you have previous experience driving or riding a bike on Vietnam’s roads.

Getting around Dalat

Although the centre of Dalat is small and relatively walkable, you’ll find many things to do in Dalat that are further away. One way to get around Dalat is to hire a scooter – however, city traffic can be busy so I’d only recommend this if you have experience riding a bike in Vietnam.

The cost of hiring a scooter in Dalat is around 150,000 VND per day (£4.60/$5.80)

As we’d spent a lot of time riding scooters already in Dalat, we decided to give ourselves a bit of a rest and have someone else do the driving. Getting around Dalat and the surrounding area by taxi is very easy. We used the Grab app, and most rides cost between 40,000-80,000 VND (£1.30-£2.50/$1.50-$3.10).

Alternatively, you can book a shared or private guided tour to see the highlights of Dalat.

Where to stay in Dalat

We spent two nights at Dalat Eco Hotel, which was comfortable, cosy and offered everything we needed. We booked the Deluxe Double Room with Balcony, which cost 963,560 VND (£30) for the two night stay.

A short walk from town, it’s a great budget hotel option as a base for exploring Dalat. The only major downside was the noisy karaoke bar next door, which gets LOUD if you have the windows open.

More hotels in Dalat:

TTR Midtown Hotel (££) – affordable hotel close to Xuan Huong Lake and downtown Dalat.
Le Macaron City Center (£££) – centrally located boutique hotel with calming, modern decor.
Ana Mandara Resort & Spa (££££) – peaceful and stylish small resort with luxurious features & outdoor pool.

Where to eat in Dalat

Dalat’s restaurants offer a variety of cuisines, from traditional Vietnamese cuisine to French, Swiss and Italian dishes. We enjoyed a mixture of both, and these were our favourite spots:

  • Artist Alley: A charming and cosy central restaurant displaying local art on the walls. The service was wonderful, and the French Onion soup was delicious!
  • Now Coffee – Bistro: So good, we ate here twice. Great for breakfast, lunch or brunch and the breakfast skillet comes highly recommended.
  • Nhà Hàng Thuần Chay Vegan Heaven: All-vegan menu for plant-based dishes in Dalat. I had an amazing vegan beef pho here!
  • Steak NGON: For meat-eaters, enjoy an affordable steak dinner in this underground restaurant.
  • The Bean Bakery: We found this gem of a bakery next to our hotel, great for a quick pastry on the go.

Bars in Dalat

Like the city itself, Dalat’s nightlife scene is laid-back, but there are plenty of bars to spend an evening in. These are our top picks:

  • The J Hidden Arcade Cocktail Bar was our favourite – a speakeasy-style spot hidden behind a retro toy shop front. Inside, expect retro video games and delicious pop-culture inspired cocktails.
  • One of the most unique bars I’ve ever experienced, muddle your way through multiple floors of surrealist art at Maze Bar to get to the roof garden. Trust me, it’s worth it
  • For a more traditional pub vibe, we had a great time at The Classic Pub, where the staff were super friendly.
  • Craft beer fans shouldn’t miss Hoa Thông Brewing, Dalat’s microbrewery. Expect a lively local atmosphere and great beers!

Things To Do in Dalat

Walk around Xuan Huong Lake

The perfect way to get acquainted with Dalat, one of the first things we did was take a walk around the central Xuan Huong Lake. Pass by Lam Vien Square to see the modernist glass buildings – there’s also an underground shopping centre here.

Dalat Flower Garden

Dalat is well-regarded for its diverse floral collections, and in Dalat Flower Garden, you can explore 7000 square metres of striking blooms. The perfectly maintained flowerbeds contain a wealth of floral species in a vibrant display of colour, from roses and orchids to more exotic specimens.

Opening Times: 9am-5pm
Admission Fee: 50,000 VND

Crazy House

One of Dalat’s most iconic sights is the eclectic ‘Crazy House’, designed by the artist Dang Viet Nga. A sprawling, eccentric guesthouse and tourist attraction amongst Dalat’s colonial buildings, the Crazy House is a truly unique spot and a must-visit in Dalat!

The guesthouse buildings are connected by branch-like bridges which lead all the way to a rooftop viewpoint the top of the central house. (If you’re like my partner, who doesn’t like heights, don’t worry – there’s a shortcut through the house!). I felt like I’d been immersed into a twisted fairytale village, with plenty of nooks and crannies to explore as we made our way through this mind-bending space.

Want to stay the night? Rooms at Crazy House Dalat start from around 680,000 VND (around £21/$27) per night -book in as much advance as possible.

03 Đ. Huỳnh Thúc Kháng, Phường 4, Đà Lạt, Lâm Đồng 66115
Opening Times: 8.30am-6.30pm
Admission Fee: 80,000 VND

Maze Bar

If you love the aesthetic of Dalat’s Crazy House, Maze Bar is one of Vietnam’s most unique bars and a really fun experience. Buy a drink (alcohol or soft) at the entrance, and work your way through the surrealist maze of floors to the rooftop gardens. Head right to the top for one of the best views of Dalat and the mountains, amongst the eccentric sculptures and shapes.

Opening Hours: 8am – 12am (arrive at least half an hour before the sun goes down to experience an incredible sunset!)
Admission Fee: The cost of one drink
(we paid 45,000 VND each for one beer)

Datanla Waterfalls, Alpine Coaster & Zipline

One of the most popular tourist attractions in Dalat, and a personal highlight of my visit! If you’re looking to combine natural beauty with some pulse-raising action, Datanla Waterfalls is a must!

There are multiple ways to get to the waterfalls – choose between two different alpine coaster, adrenaline-filled zipline course or making your way on foot. We took the Alpine Coaster route, for thrills at a more affordable price than the Zipline Course.

Datanla Alpine Coaster

There are actually two alpine coaster routes to reach the waterfalls – Ashley previously tried the original, and had it top of the list for things to do in Dalat on our visit.

However, the original Alpine Coaster was closed on the day we arrived, so after a bit of confusion, we were directed to their newer coaster. We actually lucked out, as the Datanla New Alpine Coaster is a huge upgrade from the first coaster.

At 2400m long, Datanla New Alpine Coaster is one of Asia’s longest coasters, with an alpine-style run that swoops through the lush pine forest landscape. I absolutely LOVED this ride! Thrilling but not overly intense, and absolutely worth the admission fee.

Forest Zipline

Another, even faster way to reach Datanla Waterfalls is to take the 1500m zipline course to the bottom! Soar over the pine forest for incredible views, then ride the alpine coaster back to the starting point.

Datanla Waterfalls

However you choose to get there, you’ll arrive at the Datanla Waterfalls, a small area surrounding the falls itself. Here, you can soak up the scenery and try your hand at some folk games (I was TERRIBLE at the archery).

Once you’re done, you can jump back on the alpine coaster to head back (additional fee applies if you’ve walked down) or walk back up. There’s a cafe at the entrance, where we stopped for some spring rolls and a drink to cool down!

Opening Hours: 7.15am-5pm
Admission Fee: Entrance only – 50,000 VND; Alpine Coaster 1 – 130,000 VND; High Ropes & Zipline Course – 1,000,000 VND


Book your High Ropes and Zipline Course in advance – includes return from waterfalls on the alpine coaster!

Tuyen Lam Lake

After whizzing around on the Alpine Coaster, we took a walk to Tuyen Lam Lake, an alpine-style reservoir surrounded by pine forest. We hired a pedalo from Tuyen Lam Lake Boating and enjoyed 360-degree views of the shore while giving our legs a bit of a workout.

If paddleboarding is more your style, you can rent these at Chèo Sup Hồ Tuyền Lâm.

Ride the Dalat Cable Car

For an alternative way to get to the Tuyen Lam Lake area, the Dalat Cable Car connects Dalat City with Truc Lam Buddhist Monastery. Designed by a Swiss company, the 2200m cable car route gives riders panoramic views over the Dalat hills and city.

Da Lat Cable Car Station is around 10 minutes’ drive from Xuan Huong Lake,

Opening Hours: 7.15am-5pm
Admission Fee: One-way 60,000 VND; Round trip 150,000 VND
book your ticket here.

If you’re planning on visiting multiple attractions in Dalat, the Dalat Klook Pass could save you money! Attractions available include the cable car ride, with optional add-ons for the Datanla Zipline or Alpine Coaster.

Truc Lam Buddhist Monastery

The Truc Lam Zen Monastery was built in the early 1990s, and is now a popular tourist attraction alongside an active site for Buddhist practice and education. With traditional Vietnamese architecture and Buddhist statues and artwork, it’s a peaceful and relaxing place to visit.

Opening Times: 5am-9pm
Admission Fee: Free

The Clay Tunnel

On the other side of Tuyen Lam Lake, you’ll also find The Sculpture Tunnel, an open-air art installation in a red-clay site. The installation features an impressive collection of sculptures depicting important cultural and natural parts of Dalat and Vietnam’s highlands.

One of the Sculpture Tunnel’s highlights is the ‘Infinity Lake’, where two sculptures of folklore figures K’lang and H’Biang stare each other down.

Opening Times: 7.30am-5.30pm
Admission Fee: 90,000 VND

Dalat Railway Station

Vietnam’s oldest railway station was built between 1932-1938, to connect Dalat with the city of Phan Rang-Tháp Chàm. In the 1970s, the line was destroyed, rebuilt and later abandoned. No longer a part of the national railway system, the yellow-fronted colonial building of Dalat Railway Station is now a tourist attraction, with antique steam locomotive and vintage train carriages.

However, the station does still run a tourist train service to the nearby village of Trai Mat. Which leads nicely on to the section below…

Opening Hours: 7am-5pm
Admission Fee: 60,000 VND (entrance fee is included if you’re buying tourist train tickets)

Take The Tourist Train to Trai Mat Village

We both love anything featuring retro train travel, so when we found out Dalat has its own historic railway, we had to give it a go.

Dalat station is no longer used for regular transportation, but the tourist train to Trai Mat Village is a fun step back in time! We rode in old-fashioned train wagons along the 7km route, and while the views may not be as spectacular as other scenic railways, the journey itself is a lot of fun.

Once you arrive in Trai Mat, there’s time to walk over to the Linh Phuoc Pagoda, one of the most impressive and unique temples in the area.

Trains are scheduled at 7.50am, 9.55am, 12noon, 2.05pm, 4.10pm, 6.15pm and 8.20pm – but be aware that not all trains run every day due to minimum passenger numbers! The DL3 at 9.55am and the DL11 at 6.15pm are guaranteed to run every day, so I’d recommend aiming for one of those! Make sure you arrive in advance to purchase your ticket at the box office.

Prices range from 120,000 VND – 226,000 VND depending on seat type. We paid 144,000 VND (£4.50) each for VIP bench seats on the round trip.

For the full lowdown including ticket prices, read my comprehensive guide to the Dalat Tourist Railway!

Still Cafe

Fans of Studio Ghibli and Japanese cafe culture won’t want to miss this adorable spot close to Dalat Railway. Grab a drink, snack or ice cream, and take photos with statues of iconic Ghibli characters. Keep an eye out for the adorable resident cats too!

Opening Hours: 8am-10pm

Lang Biang Mountain

On the northern side of Dalat, Lang Biang Mountain is one of the region’s best-loved and most iconic natural sites. Standing tall at over 2100m above sea level, the peak offers panoramic views over Dalat. Keen hikers can make their way up through pine forests, or you can choose to take a jeep ride to the top.

At the foot of the mountain, visit the K’ho coffee farms to learn more about the production of Vietnam’s most essential beverage. (and if you’re feeling really brave, you could even paraglide from the summit!)

Opening Hours: 7am-9pm
Admission Fee: 30,000 VND (motorcycle parking costs 5000 VND; jeep rental costs 300,000 VND per vehicle for up to six people)

Valley of Love

Feeling romantic? Head to the Valley of Love, a park area on the outskirts of Dalat with a central lake and vibrant flower displays. We didn’t actually visit as we thought the entrance price is quite expensive for something that’s not really up our street. However, the park is vast and there are plenty of opportunities to take some adorable holiday photos with your beloved on a cute little date day.

Opening Hours: 8.30am-5pm
Admission Fee: 250,000 VND – includes buffet lunch

Elephant Waterfalls & Linh An Pagoda

Elephant Waterfalls is around 30km from Dalat, and is considered one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the area. If you’re spending more than two days in Dalat or have a vehicle to get there, it’s worth visiting for a refreshing burst of nature. The nearby Linh An Pagoda has a variety of religious statues among well-maintained green gardens, including a giant white Buddha.

Canyoning in Dalat

For adventure lovers, Dalat’s canyons offer exhilarating canyoning opportunities via licensed local tours. This six-hour Dalat Canyoning Day Tour offers trekking, cliff jumping, abseiling and swimming.

Vietnamese Cooking Class

If you’ve got a taste for Vietnamese cuisine, take some recipes home with you from a hands-on Vietnamese cooking class! This small group class includes a visit to a local market to pick up ingredients, and a small group lesson on how to make your choice of some of the country’s favourite dishes.


Dalat 2-Day Itinerary

This two-day Dalat itinerary covers the city’s best things to do, including some of our personal favourite spots! This one works best if you spend two nights in Dalat, staying centrally. You can hire a scooter to get around, or use taxis to get between some of the further away destinations.

Day 1: City Highlights

Start your day off with a walk around Xuan Huong Lake and drop by Dalat Flower Garden to take in the beautiful blooming displays.

Head up to Crazy House to tick off one of my favourite things to do in Dalat, before grabbing lunch at NOW COFFEE – BISTRO.

In the afternoon, ride or take a taxi over to Datanla Waterfalls, where you can choose to walk, zipline or ride the alpine coaster (I recommend taking Alpine Coaster 3!).

Make your way back into town and explore Maze Bar – the sunset from the upper roof garden is a stunning sight! For dinner, head to Artists Alley for some delicious European-inspired cuisine, then visit The J Cocktail Bar to play retro video games and enjoy pop culture inspired cocktails.

Day 2

In the morning, choose between hiking in nature at Lang Biang Mountain, or taking the 9.55am tourist train from Dalat Station to Trai Mat to see the Linh Phuoc Pagoda. If you take the second option, you can grab lunch at Still Cafe, a Japanese-inspired cafe complex close to Dalat Railway Station.

In the afternoon, you can choose to enjoy a walk around town for some shopping and sightseeing; head out to Valley of Love or Elephant Waterfalls; or take the opportunity to ride the cable car to Truc Lam Monastery and Tuyen Lam Lake for some much-needed zen!

For your final evening in Dalat, visit Hoa Thông Brewing to try some local craft beers in a lively local atmosphere.


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