Da Lat’s best things to do
Explore the Lake of Sighs
Stroll around Da Lat Flower Park
Visit the Crazy House
Trek to Elephant Falls
Admire the Da Lat Cathedral
Visit Linh Phuoc Pagoda
Check Out Lam Ty Ni Pagoda
Go Paddling at the Ho Xuan Huong Lake
Visit the Valley of Love
Enjoy Nature at Bidoup Nui Ba National Park

Tucked up high in the mountains, Da Lat is a city of awe-inspiring beauty. Located around 1,500 meters above sea level, the locale enjoys temperate weather, which strikes a stark contrast with the overall tropical weather of Vietnam. It has wonderful things to do year round for the visitor.

The weather remains cool, breezy, and pleasant so most valleys of the region are covered in mist all around the year. No wonder Da Lat is known as the “City of Eternal Spring”.

There are numerous hotels and vacation rentals to accommodate all the travelers. This romantic city is the perfect retreat for any budget. Higher budget tourists will enjoy a few five stars hotels in Da Lat to choose from.

Da Lat’s best things to do

Huge Panorama from the mountain Lang Biang in Da Lat. Photo: 4512 Image Hosting – 最高质量的照片

Owing to the abundance of stunning pine trees, Da Lat is also known as the “City of Thousand Pine Trees”. In the summer, the twisting roads through the mountains provide beautiful evergreens and marigold blossoms on the sides that are out of this world. Da Lat has been known as a popular retreat since French colonial times. Many people call it ‘Le Petit Paris’ and it even has a mini-replica of the Eiffel Tower.

The mesmerizing natural beauty and all-year-round cool weather of Da Lat are enough to attract thousands of tourists every year. However, the city has so much more to offer. With its rich traditional and cultural values, the city is the perfect place to explore and get close to the Vietnamese culture.

Despite being a famous tourist city, Da Lat was included in the list of Asia’s overlooked places by CNN in 2017. Make sure you don’t overlook this gem of Vietnam as this is the perfect place to have a memorable vacation that you will remember for years to come. Here’s a list of some things that you can do in this captivating city!

Here are the top tourist attractions in Da Lat, Vietnam, in no particular order:

Explore the Lake of Sighs

Ho Than Tho Da Lat. Photo: nbpham

This lake has a sad yet romantic connotation attached to it. Legend has it that this beautiful lake once stood witness to the tragic end of a love story in which the lovers were unable to be together – hence the name, Lake of Sighs.

Ironically, today the lake is almost always crammed with honeymooners and local couples on a weekend escape.The beautiful landscape and the romantic background of the lake make it the perfect place to express your romance to a loved one. You can enjoy a dreamy horse ride around the edge of the lake to make the most of your visit.

Address: NE of town, along Ho Xuan Huong Rd, Da Lat

Stroll around Da Lat Flower Park

Da Lat Flower Park. Photo: Damian Vo

Since the city enjoys a temperate climate, it’s perfect for flowers and fruits that can’t grow in most other parts of the country. This is why Da Lat is known as the “City of Flowers” and is famous for its flower gardens. When the flowers are in full bloom, the garden seems to be something right out of a fairytale book!

With elaborate floral arrangements and the air filled with the sweet scent of flowers, the Da Lat Flowers Park deserves a spot on the list of your must-visit places in Da Lat.

Address: Trần Quốc Toản, Phường 8, Thành phố Đà Lạt, Lâm Đồng

Visit the Crazy House

The Crazy House. Photo: Trans World Productions

The Crazy House is easily the quirkiest attraction of Da Lat. The unusual cement structure is a mind-boggling feat of architecture. Designed by the Vietnamese architect Đặng Việt Nga, the Crazy House is truly one of the kind. What makes this place even more interesting is that the inside of the building is just as crazy as the outside. So don’t be surprised if you find design features like mushrooms and caves inside the house.

A lot of people visit the place to simply marvel at the unique building set amidst the beautiful landscape. However, you can also book a room in the Crazy House and stay overnight. Staying a night in a place as strange as the Crazy House is surely a unique experience that you shouldn’t miss out on.

Check prices, availability or book Crazy House

Address: Số 3 Đường Huỳnh Thúc Kháng, Phường 4, Thành phố Đà Lạt, Lâm Đồng

Trek to Elephant Falls

Elephant Falls. Photo: Mr & Mrs Backpacker

Reaching the Elephant Fall will involve a bit of a drive out of the city but it is worth it. If you are up for an adventurous trip, get a motorbike and ride it yourself. If you’d rather someone do the driving, you can look for a tour trip. Either way, the winding roads, and stunning views will keep you mesmerized. If you decide to trek down and around the main road that leads off south from Datanla, keep in mind that you are likely to get a little wet on the way. However, it will probably be a welcome treat!

Once you are done admiring the beauty of the Elephant Falls, don’t forget to visit the Happy Buddha and the Linh An Tu Pagoda. Most tourists don’t go out of their way to visit these attractions but if you are already at the Elephant Falls, these spots are literally two doors down so you might as well check them out while you are there.

Address: Gia Lâm, Lâm Hà District, Lâm Đồng

Admire the Da Lat Cathedral

Da Lat Cathedral. Photo: Anh Khoa

If you are one of those people who enjoy looking at different kinds of architecture, make sure you visit Saint Nicholas Cathedral. The building is beautiful with a spire and weathervane in the shape of a cockerel. For a long time, the cathedral served as the place of worship for the French Colonist. Today while you can visit it to admire its centuries-old beauty from the outside, keep in mind that you will probably not get a chance to go inside as the cathedral is closed except for the weekend service.

Address: 15 Đường Trần Phú, Phường 3, Thành phố Đà Lạt, Lâm Đồng 670000

Visit Linh Phuoc Pagoda

Linh Phuoc Pagoda. Photo: Prince Roy

One of the best ways to explore the culture of Vietnam is to visit a pagoda. The good news is that Da Lat is dotted with big and smalls pagodas that you can visit. One pagoda that you simply can’t miss out on is Linh Phuoc Pagoda. It’s one of the famous pagodas not only in the region but in Vietnam.

The architecture is fairly unique and the bell tower stands at a height of 37 meters! In the colorful central hall, you can learn about the life of Buddha by observing a series of murals. Another great thing about this temple is that it is set amidst lush green grounds with lakes nearby. This makes it the perfect place to unwind and relax as you brush up your knowledge about Vietnamese culture and Buddhism.

Address: 120 Tự Phước, Trại Mát, Thành phố Đà Lạt, Lâm Đồng 550000

Check Out Lam Ty Ni Pagoda

Another pagoda that you should check out while in Da Lat is Lam Ty Ni. Also known as the “Mad Monk Temple”, this pagoda has a small monastery that you can visit. The monastery is quite serene and the fact that it is set inside the garden only makes the place more peaceful.

If you are interested in the arts, you’ll be glad to know that there is a small art gallery on grounds. It is run by Vien Thus, who is a resident Zen Buddhist monk. You can roam around the monastery, check out the art gallery, and even buy small items of monastic arts to take home as souvenirs.

Address: 7a Thiện Mỹ, Phường 4, Thành phố Đà Lạt, Lâm Đồng, Vietnam

Go Paddling at the Ho Xuan Huong Lake

The morning at Ho Xuan Huong Lake. Photo: Bem photography:

Whether you take a romantic walk with your partner along the bank or spend a day beside the lake with family and friends, this is the ideal place to unwind. The picturesque beauty of the landscape will only add to the refreshing experience.

You can also indulge in boating to horse riding. Apart from that, you can find a few small cafes where you can enjoy the local foods after spending a relaxing day on the lake.

Address: City Center, Da Lat 61000

Visit the Valley of Love

Visit the Valley of Love. Photo: VanLap Hoàng

Don’t get mislead by the name –the Valley of Love is not really a valley but a theme park. However, it is the perfect place to visit with your partner or family. Situated amidst lush green hills, the park offers awe-inspiring sights. There’s an amusement park as well that you can visit to have some fun on the rides. Apart from that, you can take a swan-shaped paddleboat out on the lake or you can go on a horse or pony ride. In short, this is the ideal place in town to have a fun-filled day and one of the best picnics of your life.

Address: 03 – 05 – 07 Đường Mai Anh Đào, Phường 8, Thành phố Đà Lạt, Lâm Đồng 670000

Enjoy Nature at Bidoup Nui Ba National Park

Are you up for a day trip? If yes, plan a visit to the Bidoup Nui Ba National Park. Located on a plateau above Da Lat, the park is around 32 kilometers away from Da Lat. The place is all about nature and natural beauty. You will find coniferous woodlands, bamboo groves, and even grasslands. You can also check out the visitor center to learn about the history of the tribes of K’Ho hills.

Apart from that, you can take a hiking trail to explore flora and fauna in the park. Whether you trek along the trails, camp overnight huddled around a bonfire, spend your time taking photographs, or simply marvel at the natural beauty of the landscape, the Nui Ba National Park is worth a visit.