The smog-filled city of Saigon and the tropical heat had got me craving for the cool highlands. Dalat is the complete opposite of how you’d imagine Vietnam to be.

The city is nestled amidst towering mountains, wrapped in a cloak of mist that seems to dance in the breeze.

The air is crisp and cool, filled with the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers and the scent of pine trees.

As you walk through the forests, you'll feel as though you've entered a world straight out of a fairytale. The pine trees stand tall and proud, their branches reaching up towards the sky like the outstretched arms of a welcoming friend.

I might be exaggerating here but I was dying for temperatures that hover between 15 degrees and 25 degrees, and that’s exactly what I got.

The forest is alive with the sounds of birds singing, and the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze.

The coffee plantations are really how you’d imagine spending your afternoons in. With their lush green fields stretching out as far as the eye can see. The plants seem to sway in unison, dancing to a tune only they can hear.

If you had three days to spare, it would be worth spending all your time in Dalat — here’s a cool itinerary of Dalat and the 13 best things to do that’s steeped in coffee, culture and nature.

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But first, where should you stay?

La Fleur 2 Luxury Garden Hotel: A luxury stay and garden themed-hotel that’s tucked away from hustle and bustle of the city.
La Em Boutique Villa: Near the French quarters, this was a charming place to stay with little french touches in quiet place in Dalat.
Moc Thach Hostel Dalat: For a budget stay, this was a great little hotel to meet people and still have your privacy!

Some of the epic tours worth doing in Dalat

From Dalat: Private Countryside and Waterfalls Tour: You get to see the countryside of Dalat such as Pongour Waterfall, Elephant Waterfall, Thai Duong Bee Garden, Linh An Pagoda, and I felt it was really worth it!\

Easy Rider - Motorbike Tour - Exploring Dalat Countryside: This tour offer an epic ride of Dalat's culture, history, food, and the most scenic routes in Southeast Asia.
Da Lat: Vietnamese Cooking Class with Local Market Visit: Explore Vietnamese culture and cuisine with a cooking class in Da Lat. You get to enhance your culinary skills in a cooking class that teaches you make classic dishes using fresh ingredients.

20 Best Things To Do in Dalat That’s Different From The Usual

1. Walk Around Xuan Hong Lake

walking around xuan hong lake, among the trees in dalat

This is not just any lake, but there’s a lot of history to this manmade lake in Vietnam.

Xuan Huong Lake is a man-made lake that was built in 1919 by the French during their occupation of Vietnam. The lake was originally named "Grand Lac" or "Big Lake" by the French, but it was later renamed after the Vietnamese poetess Xuan Huong, who lived during the 18th century.

During the French colonial period, Xuan Huong Lake was a popular destination for French officials and their families. They would often come here to relax, fish, and enjoy the beautiful scenery. The lake also served as a source of drinking water for the local population.

We took the opportunity to circle the entire lake and just take in the views. The lake is surrounded by a paved promenade which offers stunning views of the water and the surrounding hills.

You can also rent a boat and take a leisurely ride around the lake, visit the flower garden (or choose not to since Dalat is naturally surrounded by so many hydrangeas!)

The Dalat market is also located near the lake and is a great place to buy souvenirs and local handicrafts.

After making your rounds around the lake, chill out at this cute A-frame yellow cafe called Vuon Chan Vang. We had an amazing set and meal for a really good price, and took in the surroundings and beautiful flowers in their yard.

2. Enjoy Dalat ice cream at Dalato

If the heat is getting a little too much, take a break and enjoy this gelato ice cream with different flavours from avocado to durian at this amazing shop called ‘Dalato Ice Cream’.

It’s a nice cosy restaurant and dare I say ‘Instagrammable’ at certain points. You can chill upstairs or next to the counter before moving on to the next stop.

3. Visit the Dalat Railway Station

Along the way you’ll come across the Dalat Railway station — if you’re interested in history, culture and architecture, this is a cool spot.

The station's architectural design is a blend of Western and Eastern styles, with a distinctive roof resembling the shape of an upside-down boat.

It is considered to be one of the most beautiful train stations in Vietnam and is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in architecture.

The station played an important role in the development of Dalat during the French colonial period.

It was the starting point of the famous "Thousand Miles of Mountain and Forest" railway line, which connected Dalat to other cities in Vietnam and helped to promote trade and tourism in the region.

You can take a scenic train ride from Dalat Railway Station to Trai Mat Station, which is located about 7 kilometers away. The train ride takes approximately 30 minutes and offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside

4. Get lost in the French Quarter

outside a boutique hotel in the french quarter

I really love wandering around streets and laneways and observing the architecture. The french quarter is lovely for what it is.

As you meander through lanes perched on a hill, you’ll see the beautiful French colonial architecture, which is a blend of European and Asian styles. The buildings are characterized by their sloping roofs, decorative ironwork, and intricate details.

The French Quarter played an important role in the development of Dalat during the French colonial period. Many of the buildings were built as summer residences for French officials and their families.

You can also spot panoramic views of the city, as well as the nearby mountains and valleys.

5. Take the Cable Car and Walk down to Tuyền Lâm Lake

bird’s eye view of dalat from the cable car station

The cable car offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside, with the lush greenery and towering pine trees stretching out as far as the eye can see.

We wanted to get away from Dalat city and found the cable car a really nice change to get over to the other side instead of taking a grab. For 100,000 VND, the trip takes 15 minute giving you a sweeping bird’s eye view of Dalat as well as the countless coffees and farms down below.

Once you reach the other side, explore Truc Lam Monastery. The temple complex consists of several buildings, including a main hall, meditation hall, and library, as well as a stunning garden filled with cherry blossoms and pine trees.

The flowers here are gorgeously stunning and the walk here made for a nice change as you could walk all the way down until you see Tuyen Lam Lake. A lot of tour groups turn back at this time, but you can just continue exploring, sit at the wooden bench and listen to the morning bird song.

At the lake, there are several boating activities but we skipped that and went for a coffee break at The Seen House to charge our batteries. The view was stunningly beautiful — and it was nice to walk around. If they had bicycles here, maybe it would have been better instead of motorized options.

6. Alpine Coaster at Datanla Waterfalls

We decided to walk from Tuyen Lam Lake to Datanla waterfalls — it was about a 20 minute walk. You could get a grab rider if you wish but the weather was beautiful and we really didn’t mind it!

Located in the middle of Prenn Pass, Datanla waterfall has about seven majestic waterfalls. The alpine coaster which is 2400 meters long takes you to the bottom of the waterfall and allows you to take the coaster back.

We trekked through the stairs to visit the other end as well and see the various streams and waterfalls that cascades through the rocky slope.

For around 200,000 VND, it was worth it — the best time to go is during lunchtime when the crowds and tour groups are busy with their lunches!

Once we reached the base, we explored the wooden steps that was a mini hike alongside these cascading streams. We reached the other end and walked back to take the luge.

7. Explore various coffee farms

some of the best and greenest cafes are in dalat due to its amazing coffee culture

The coffee farms of Dalat are a hidden gem, tucked away in the rolling hills of the Central Highlands of Vietnam.

These farms offer visitors a unique opportunity to learn about the process of coffee cultivation, from seed to cup, and to sample some of the world's finest coffee beans.

You can also learn about the different types of coffee beans, including Robusta and Arabica, and see how they are grown and harvested. Coffee farmers will demonstrate the various stages of coffee processing, from picking and sorting the beans to roasting and grinding them.

I found that K’ho coffee and Em Ta Nung Coffee farm didn’t feel like a tourist trap and were one of the few hidden gems.

8. Read a book and savour the coffee scene of Dalat

so many cafes — from the still house in dalat

I found the best coffees and cafes in Dalat to be right here! There was something to do, take in and pause! Here are some of the best finds:

Kong Coffee: If you are looking for stunning vistas and a quiet space, Kong Coffee might just be it. It is more like an old house than a coffee shop which makes it really charming.
Thong Oi Coffee: The cafe is situated in a beautifully restored French colonial villa, which provides a cozy and intimate atmosphere for visitors.
In The Forest Dalat: One of the unique features of In The Forest Dalat Cafe is its location, which is surrounded by towering pine trees and beautiful natural scenery. It is truly immersive and the the cafe serves high-quality coffee drinks, made with locally sourced bean.
Anne’s Coffee House: If you’re going to the cable car or staying in this area, don’t forget to have your breakfast here. The scenery, books, quaint shop and amazing breakfast is one of the best I’ve had! The cafe also features a collection of antique items and vintage decor, giving it a nostalgic and homely feel.
Now coffee-bistro: Near to Crazy House, this was such a lovely find to rest in a quiet place and just pause for a bit. They have amazing cakes, food and coffee!
Still cafe: If you love all things ghibli and totoro, you’ll love this cafe! It has several eateries in this area with some nice mellow Japanese music and amazing vibe.

9. Get lost in the labyrinths of Crazy House

the crazy house? Maybe you’d wanna stay here.

A culmination of life and creativity, the architect wanted to build this labyrinth of walkways as a hotel to explore her zany side.

Designed by Vietnamese architect Dang Viet Nga, the Crazy House is a unique and whimsical structure that resembles a treehouse, with its organic and surreal shapes and forms.

This was a nice walk to explore different viewpoints of Dalat, take crazy pictures and try to wonder how did the architect build this structure.

The Crazy House also serves as a hotel, offering some the opportunity to spend a night in one of its uniquely designed rooms. The hotel rooms are inspired by nature, with tree-like structures and organic shapes, providing guests with a truly memorable and one-of-a-kind experience.

10. Hike Lang Biang Mountain

If you are keen on walking even more and climbing a peak, Lang Biang mountain could be a nice change from all that eating!

Liang Biang is the highest mountain in the region, with an elevation of 2,169 meters (7,116 feet) above sea level, and offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

You can hike independently and see Dalat from a different perspective!

11. Explore the countryside and waterfalls of Dalat.

cabbage farms and unique vietnamese houses

Just 25 km out of Dalat, the Elephant Waterfalls is named after its unique shape, which resembles the head of an elephant.

The waterfall drops approximately 30 meters (98 feet) and creates a misty spray, adding to the magical atmosphere of the area.

There’s more to that such as Pongour waterfall, also known as the "seven-layer waterfall”. This natural countryside tour covers all of that on a daytrip making it easy to visit various parts of Dalat by car!

12. Feast all you can in Dalat

curry chaaa in dalat with garlic chips, herbs and hot baguette

The cool air makes some of their local food a real delight — from pho, to coconut curries and even bun cha!

One of the yummiest curries I had was the Penang curry and chicken curry with a bed of herbs and banh mi baguette at Curry Chaaa. It was so delicious that I came here twice in two days.

The Dalat Night Market is one place to try a lot of Dalat cuisine and local food. It opens from 5pm onwards. It’s also a good place to try grilled rice paper with egg (Bánh tráng kẹp).

If you want to splurge on fine dining and have some good food then the Biang Dalat Garden might just be the spot!

Another great spot for a romantic night out with reasonable prices and western cuisine was Peace Bistro Dalat — the wooden interiors, camp fires and garden setting was romantic, and so beautiful!

13. Ride a motorbike via EasyRider

I am leaving the last for the best — there’s no town completed without taking a motorbike tour and what better way than to ride through Dalat’s pine trees and hop from one coffee plantation to the next.

You get to explore the agricultural area around Dalat and visit a coffee plantation, ride to a silk village and observe the process from silkworm to factory and see how the local people make rice wine.

It’s the perfect opportunity to get wind in your hair, be a bit adventurous as a pillion rider and learn a bit more about the other side of Dalat.

The best way is to end the night with a great massage like Clover Spa and a drink at the 100 roof bar!

Also Read: Trekking in Vietnam: 12 Best Hikes in Vietnam For Culture & Nature

Did you go to Dalat recently or are planning to? Let me know your experiences in the comments below.

Vietnam

Best Things To Do in Dalat (Itinerary): Coffee, Culture & Nature