What to see in Dalat: 13 places worth visiting

Dalat – the city of eternal spring, coffee and mists. Here the air smells of pine and purity, mornings are periodically enveloped in clouds, and each day seems created for walks.

If you’re visiting Dalat for the first time – this guide will show you where to go to see the very best: from lakes and waterfalls to crazy architecture and underground sculptures.

Xuan Huong Lake

The main showcase of the city and the place where its rhythm is born. In the morning locals run along the lake, during the day people drink coffee here, in the evening restaurant lights come alive. Previously, you could rent swan-shaped catamarans on the lake and sail across the water, but after one of them capsized, the rides were banned. Although the catamarans are still based there. If this is important to you, you can take a ride on the lake in the Love Park. Just enjoy the air filled with the scent of pine. Take a walk around it, enjoy the views.

📍 Located right in the city center, opposite Lam Vien Square. Nearby is a city park and a golf course. Near the lake there is a small channel where you can often meet local residents fishing.

Lam Vien Square

One of the symbols of modern Dalat – a huge glass composition in the shape of an artichoke and sunflower. This is a place of meetings and concerts, next to it are cafes and a shopping center.

In the evening, the square fills with street musicians and the aroma of fried pancakes banh trang nuong. In front of the shopping center are all sorts of scooters that both children and adults ride on. Inside the mall are many cafes, shops and one large supermarket.

📍 Since you can be at Xuan Huong Lake in different places, the travel time to this location can vary.

Dalat Railway Station

An ancient art deco railway station with three roof peaks – a symbol of French colonial past. Here you can take a retro train to the village of Trai Mat – a short but very scenic route through a pine forest. What should you see in the village itself? For example, you can visit the Linh Phuoc Pagoda, clad with fragments of broken glass, porcelain and ceramic items. A hydrangea garden with thousands of these beautiful flowers. This location has a big plus – it has a variety of photo spots.

Now if you’ve already visited everything and want something authentic, welcome to the village of Truong Tho, located just 10 km from Trai Mat. Here you’ll find Cau Dat Tea Hill. It’s renowned for its lush rows of green tea, which create a picturesque scene. At the top of the hill is a small Cau Dat Farm Café where you can survey the entire hill and have coffee, and in the garden there’s the Cau Dat Tea Museum with a collection of all sorts of tea tools and rare tea varieties on display. It’s best to visit in the morning hours – fewer visitors and a better chance of capturing beautiful shots.

📍 Plan your trip in the morning hours, at least in the first half of the day.

Domaine de Marie Church

Pink facade, well-kept garden and a panorama of the city – an ideal place for photography and peace. The church is active, so it’s best to come during non-service hours. The church has other names too – Mai Anh or Cherry Blossom Church. It belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese. Entry is free of charge.

📍 The building receives the best lighting in sunny weather, approximately after 15:00, when the rays softly illuminate the facade.
Masses are held daily at 17:00, on weekends – at 5:45 and 16:30.

Lang Biang Mountain

“The roof of Dalat” – not just a vantage point with the best views of the surroundings, it’s the highest mountain in the south of the country. You can reach the summit on foot or by jeep. People come here for sunrises and paragliding takeoffs.

💡 Most importantly, don’t forget to bring warm clothing or a shawl – it’s quite chilly at the summit.

Datanla Waterfall

The most accessible and popular waterfall within the city.

Here you’ll find not only picturesque cascades but also extreme entertainment – zip-lining, rock climbing and the famous Alpine Coaster descending between pines. You can visit several waterfalls in one trip, but you’ll have to use several paths. There’s also a cafe on the premises.

💡 Located approximately 8 km from the city. Perfect for families and those wanting light thrills. Children descend on electric sleds accompanied by adults.

Dalat Clay Tunnel / Clay Sculpture Tunnel

One of the most unusual attractions outside the city: along a 1.2 km trail are clay sculptures telling the story of Dalat – from the first French houses to modern hotels.
Here you can see a clay “Mini-Dalat” and even a replica of Tuyen Lam Lake. This place is full of incredible photo spots, the most famous composition being “Faces of Love.”

Beyond the trail and mini lake with figures (on the right side from the entrance) is an “improvised Covid garden,” though the figures are a bit weathered. At the end of it lies an airplane. After viewing, without leaving the territory, just beyond the figures with coffee bags across a small pond with figures of galloping horses, is a three-story cafe. Spend some time visiting it. It will be a pleasant addition to the park.

💡 Located 12 km from the center, near Tuyen Lam Lake. Entrance: approximately 90,000 ₫ (about $3.5).
The best time to visit is considered to be between 9 and 11 in the morning, but in reality we arrived closer to noon and got to the territory right after the tour groups left. So it’s a matter of luck.

As for returning to the city when visiting independently, it’s best to agree with the taxi driver in advance about the time of pickup and the amount they’ll charge. Getting to the location is not a problem – you can call a taxi through the Grab app.

Dalat Museums

This museum is located in an old villa from the 1930s and combines city history, military chronicles, and an art gallery. On the grounds is preserved a retro-convertible belonging to Bao Dai – the last emperor of Vietnam, and a collection of old resort photographs. The building is situated in a green area – a small grove.

Lam Dong Museum

One of my favorites. Here you’ll see everything, starting from living nature in museum form, historical reconstructions, the war period, ending with exhibits of products that Dalat is famous for.

Xq Da Lat Art House

Now this is truly an unusual place. And the question is – why is it talked about so little?!!! It’s a sort of exhibition-museum with its own workshop. The theme of this place is embroidery. The excellence and purity of the work makes your heart skip a beat. It’s truly worth seeing with your own eyes.
After viewing, you can use the cafe and, relaxing over a cup of tea, conclude your visit to this establishment.

💡 There’s so much to say about Dalat’s museums – it’s a true personal passion. So whether to visit them and which ones to choose is entirely up to you. And since this theme is unified, the museums are combined into one point.

Robin Hill Cable Car – Tuyen Lam and Truc Lam Monastery

Well, as you understand, there’s no point in elaborating or wasting words on this point. Everything is clear as it is. The cabins pass over the pines and open views of the artificial Tuyen Lam Lake.

Along the way are observation decks and cafes. At the end – Truc Lam Zen Monastery, one of the most peaceful places in the area. Near the monastery you can take a walk. During our visit, wonderful flowers bloomed along the paths and in the flower beds. The image of this place gives satisfaction of cultural, religious, and aesthetic order.

💡 Ticket: ~80,000 ₫ round trip. Operating hours: 8:00-17:00. We were there during mist over the lake, and heavy clouds practically settled on the ground – the views were simply breathtaking. Those who follow us know we don’t skip a single cable car on our travels.

Tuyen Lam Lake (also known as Tien Lam Lake)

A place where Dalat reveals its quiet side. Framed by hills, it lies like a pearl nestled in their folds. Little boats, walking trails, cafes with views of the mist – everything here breathes tranquility. Tours to the Clay Tunnel and farms begin from here. Clean mountain air is also a pleasant addition when visiting the location.

💡 Best photos are at dawn, when mist spreads over the water, or at moments when there is mist at all. See it – you’re lucky.

The most majestic waterfall in southern Vietnam – 40 meters high, 7 cascades and wide stone terraces. Pongour is located approximately one hour’s drive from the city and is perfect for a day trip, or at least you’ll definitely spend half a day visiting it. Around it is greenery, well-maintained paths – everything you need to enjoy its views.

💡 More water – from June to October (rainy season). We visited it in July – it didn’t disappoint.

Crazy House (Hằng Nga Guest House)

Fantasy turned reality: staircases winding like roots, mushroom-shaped rooms, cave-like windows. This surreal house by architect Đặng Việt Nga made it into the top most unusual buildings in Asia. Above the ballroom designed like an underwater world you’ll find a historical corridor that tells and shows the history of this place. Honestly, we read so many negative reviews and hesitated for a long time before visiting. But once we arrived, we didn’t want to leave. Each structure is executed in its own style and form. Just don’t evaluate this place as a whole. It resembles wild jungles that here and there greet you with an exquisite and incomparable world of flora. If you get tired of the rush of sightseeing, you can rest in the local garden under the sprawling branches of jackfruit and plenty of other greenery.

💡 Best time – morning (9-10 AM), while there are no crowds. We really regretted not renting one of the rooms on the right side of the entrance. By the way, if you like this place, you can also check out Crazy Café. Another astounding and photogenic place. This is another spot you can give your heart to.

Love Valley Park (Thung Lũng Tình Yêu)

Romance, nature and whimsical landscape: a park created not just for walks, but for emotions. I suggest dedicating an entire day to visiting it. Located approximately 6 km northeast of central Dalat on Mai Anh Dao Street, District 8. It’s incredibly big, actually huge.

So why go there? Photo spots, incredible compositions, a glass bridge with screen inlays right under your feet and amazing cloud reflections, green love maze, chess square, a lake. By the way, once you reach the lake you can use a free shuttle to travel along the water area to other locations. You’re unlikely to reach them on your own – they’re too far. Next you’ll find observation decks, photo spots, miniatures of world landmarks, and your children will be thrilled to zip-line, walk on a rope course, and ride go-karts. And upon return you can stop by the lake and with tremendous pleasure (based on our own experience) ride swan-shaped catamarans.

💡 Visiting the park doesn’t include a visit to the glass bridge – that must be paid separately. In the afternoon, you can often see performances with musical accompaniment on the park grounds. Remember that the park is open until 18:00. When visiting the bridge, photos for children in miniature are given to you for free; photos in glass frames can be taken after crossing the bridge by paying at the counter.

Note that opposite the park exit, on the opposite side of the road, there is another historical villa mentioned earlier – Xq Da Lat Art House.

🌿 How to Plan Your Perfect Itinerary

🏞 Day 1 – City Center and Atmosphere

Route: Xuan Huong Lake – Lam Vien Square – Domaine de Marie Church – Dalat Railway Station – Linh Phuoc Pagoda (Trai Mat)

• Start your morning at Xuan Huong Lake, walk along the shore and have coffee.
• Then head to Lam Vien Square – glass domes, street food, musicians.
• Next – Domaine de Marie Church: pink facade, quiet and city views.
• Then – Dalat Railway Station and a train to Trai Mat (20-25 minutes).
• In Trai Mat visit Linh Phuoc Pagoda and Cau Dat Tea Hill.

💡 Return near sunset, dinner can be arranged by the lake.

🎨 Day 2 – History and Culture

Route: Palace I (Dalat Museum) – Lam Dong Museum – XQ Art House – Robin Hill Cable Car – Truc Lam Monastery

• Start with Palace I – Bao Dai’s villa and historical exhibits.
• Move to Lam Dong Museum – ethnography and regional history.
• After lunch visit XQ Art House – embroidery museum where you can have tea.
• Toward evening – Robin Hill Cable Car, descent to Truc Lam Monastery.

💡 Best time for photos – around 17:00, when mist descends on the lake.

🌲 Day 3 – Lakes and Sculptures

Route: Tuyen Lam Lake – Clay Tunnel – Waterside Cafe

• Arrive at Tuyen Lam Lake at dawn – mist and mirror-like surface.
• Then – Clay Tunnel, a mini-city of sculptures.
• End your day with coffee at Clay Coffee overlooking the sculptures and water.

💡 Convenient to combine with a coffee farm visit or a small picnic.

🏔 Day 4 – Heights and Adventure

Route: Datanla Waterfall – Datanla Adventure Park – Lang Biang Mountain

• Start your morning with Datanla Waterfall: electric sleds, zip-lining, trails along cascades.
• Then head to Lang Biang Mountain. Reach the summit by jeep or on foot.
• Evening – LangBiang View cafe with sunset panoramas.

💡 At the summit it’s cool – bring a sweater or windbreaker.

💧 Day 5 – Waterfalls and Suburbs

Route: Pongour Waterfall – Elephant Falls – Cau Dat Tea Plantation

• Early departure (7:30 AM) to Pongour Waterfall – powerful and photogenic cascade.
• On the way back – Elephant Falls and nearby pagodas.
• End your day on Cau Dat tea plantations with coffee and valley views.

💡 This is a full day outside the city – it’s better to arrange a Grab driver.

🎭 Day 6 – Architecture and City Emotions

Route: Crazy House – Crazy Café – Dalat Flower Garden – Night Market

• Visit Crazy House in the morning – best time before 10:00 AM, no crowds.
• After – coffee at Crazy Café (across the street).
• Next – Dalat Flower Garden on the north shore of Xuan Huong Lake.
• Evening – night market (Cho Dem Da Lat), banh trang nuong and avocado ice cream.

💡 A great day for photos and relaxed walks.

💖 Day 7 – Love Valley Park and Panoramas

Route: Love Valley Park – Dream Hill – Đà Lạt View Café

• Head out in the morning to Love Valley Park (Thung Lũng Tình Yêu) – bridge, maze, lake.
• After lunch visit nearby Dream Hill.
• End your day with coffee at Đà Lạt View Café overlooking the city.

💡 The park is open until 18:00, the bridge is paid separately.

☕ Day 8 – Atmosphere and Farms

Route: Moka / Lá Phong Coffee Farm – Strawberry Plantations – Kombi Land – Green Hills Café

• Breakfast at a coffee farm, try locally roasted beans.
• Then – strawberry fields with the option to pick berries yourself.
• After lunch – Kombi Land: an orange-sand oasis with retro-buses.
• Evening – Green Hills Café: an observation deck above the clouds.

🌳 Day 9 – Quiet Finale

Route: Dankia Lake – Suoi Vang – Linh An Pagoda – The Wilder-nest Café

• Head north – Dankia Lake, calm and secluded.
• Along the way – Linh An Pagoda with a giant Buddha.
• To conclude – a cup of coffee at The Wilder-nest with mountain views.