There are many interesting places to visit in Dalat, especially in the city center. Even if your time in Dalat is limited, you can easily visit city’s top attractions that are only few meters apart. We have listed the main tourist attractions in Dalat City Center that are usually must-see for first-time travelers to Dalat.
1. Lam Vien Square
Lam Vien Square is always on the list of places in Dalat that must definitely be visited. Lam Vien Square, also known as the City Central Square, is the square in the heart of the city which is covering a total area of about 72,000 square meters and facing the scenic Xuan Huong Lake.
The impressive points of Lam Vien Square are two huge works of art designed with fancy stained glass that present wild anemone and artichoke bud. Both giant structures attract large numbers of tourists to visit and admire the modern architectural works. In particular, at night the square becomes even more crowded as many local people like to hang out here.
Address: Tran Quoc Toan Street, Ward 1, Dalat
Entrance Fee: Free
2. Xuan Huong Lake
Conveniently located in a prime location in the city center, is one of the most beautiful sights in Dalat not to be missed. This scenic artificial lake is considered to be the heart of Dalat. Xuan Huong Lake was originally the upstream of Cam Ly Waterfall, and was also the residence of the ancient Dalat people of the Lach ethnic group. The lake area is about 38 hectares. Xuan Huong Lake is surrounded by flower gardens and pine forests that increase the poetic beauty of the lake.
Xuan Huong Lake is beautiful in all seasons, especially in spring, you can admire the cherry blossoms blooming in pink around the lake.
Opening Hours: 24 Hours
Entrance Fee: Free
Staying at the hotel near the lake is highly recommended as here you can enjoy the magical and charming atmosphere, which is even more special at night.
Some of the best hotels near Xuan Huong Lake:
3. Dalat Night Market
Dalat Night Market, also known as Am Phu Market, is an ideal place to visit in Dalat City Center in the evening. It can be said that this place is the most crowded tourist attraction in Dalat whenever night falls. Dalat Night Market’s vendors sell many typical items of Dalat from clothing, fabrics, unique souvenirs, fine arts to countless agricultural products.
You can come here for a walk, shopping or finding a place just to sit and enjoy the scenery while trying some delicious rustic local dishes such as grilled corn, baked potatoes, and grilled rice paper.
Address: Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Ward 1, Dalat
Opening Hours: 17:00 - 02:00
Entrance Fee: Free
The area around the night market is also the most popular area to stay in Dalat because it is very central and convenient for traveling around the city and its surroundings.
Some of the best rated hotels nearby Dalat Night Market:
For a wider choice of accommodation options in the area check the extended list of the best hotels near Dalat Night Market.
4. Hang Nga Villa (Crazy House)
Recognized as one of the 10 strangest architectural houses in the world, Dalat’s Hang Nga Villa is also known as the "Crazy House". Hang Nga Villa consists of many buildings with different functions such as guest houses, cafes, art galleries designed in different styles. The reason this place is extremely famous and attracts tourists is its unique architecture. From the outside to the inside, all parts of this villa surprise with strange shapes and creative picture possibilities offered to visitors.
You can also rent a room at Crazy House and spend the night in the villa to enjoy the "madness" of this complex and temporarily run away from the hustle and bustle of the city center.
Address: 3 Huynh Thuc Khang Street, Ward 4, Dalat
Entrance Fee: 50,000 VND per adult and 20,000 VND per child
5. Chicken Church
Chicken Church or Con Ga church, also known as the Cathedral of Dalat, is one of the most famous churches in Dalat. Chicken Church is one of the Roman Catholic architectural works of European style. The name of Chicken Church comes from the top of the bell tower which is decorated with the picture of a big chicken. This church with a length of 65 m, width of 14 m and height of 47 m was built in 11 years and completed in 1942. From the bell tower, you can see the panoramic view of the flower city that will surely leave a special memory from your trip to Dalat.
Address: 15 Tran Phu Street, Ward 3, Dalat
6. Domaine de Marie Church
Located on the windy Mai Anh Hill, about 1 km from Dalat city center, Domaine de Marie Church is famous for its unique architectural design. This church is also known as Vinh Son Church because this is the chapel of the Sisters of Bac Ai Vinh Son. Some people call it Mai Anh Church because the church area previously had a lot of cherry blossoms. This place was built in the style of classic European architecture from the 17th century.
The unique feature of the church is that its walls are painted in pink color. Another special thing about Domain de Marie Church is that it was designed without the bell tower like other churches.
From the Church, you can zoom in many directions to see the fascinating beauty of Dalat city.
Address: 1 Ngo Quyen, Ward 6, Dalat
Opening Hours: 06:00 - 17:00
7. Dalat Railway Station
Dalat Railway Station is located on Quang Trung Street in the city center. The railway station has an extremely impressive and unique architecture with the shape of the majestic Lang Biang Mountain imbued with French architecture. At the platform, there are old steam locomotives and carriages parked for exploring.
Dalat Railway Station was built by the French in 1932 as the terminal stop for the railway connecting Phan Rang with Dalat. However, this route is no longer operating. The station now only serves tourists willing to travel on a 7 km long Dalat - Trai Mat route, giving you a chance to take the ancient train from Dalat Railway Station to explore the mountain town and visit Trai Mat and Linh Phuoc Pagoda.
Detailed information about Dalat Railway Station and the train route starting there can be found in our review of Dalat Railway Station.
Address: 1 Quang Trung Street, Ward 10, Dalat
Opening Hours: 8:00 - 16:00
Entrance Fee: 5,000 VND per person
8. Dalat Pedagogy College
Built and founded in 1927 by the French, Dalat Pedagogy College is still one of the most beautiful educational buildings in Vietnam which is also a well-known tourist attraction in Dalat.
The most unique feature of the complex is the 3-storey arc shaped building, built from red bricks with a 54 m high bell tower, standing out amidst the greenery of pine forest in Dalat. Over the years, the college has become a popular tourist attraction, which is also a place where many local couples choose to make romantic wedding photos for themselves. However, the time for visiting Dalat Pedagogy College is very limited because the college is only open for visitors from 11:00 to 13:00 and from 16:00 to 18:00.
Updated 2020: Dalat Pedagogy College is temporarily suspended for sightseeing
Address: 29 Yersin Street, Ward 10, Dalat
Entrance Fee: Free
Dalat has just about everything for a romantic vacation so you can choose to visit the best honeymoon attractions in Dalat for enjoying the special time with your loved one.
9. Dalat Flower Garden
Dalat Flower Garden or the City Flower Garden is located north of Xuan Huong Lake. This place is one of the tourist attractions in Dalat City Center that you should visit, especially in spring. The garden spreads over an area of dozens of hectares, housing many blooming flowers all year round such as roses, daisies, gladiolus, mimosas, and hydrangeas. This place is really suitable for women who love plants and trees. You can freely enjoy the splendid beauty and fragrant scent of the land of flowers.
From the Statue Garden, which located on a low hill to the right of the gate of the flower garden, you can also enjoy the panoramic view of Xuan Huong Lake, Bich Cau Coffee and the flower garden of Dalat city. The most beautiful and crowded time to visit the park is on the Dalat Flower Fair held every 2 years, or the Spring Flower Festival during the Lunar New Year. There are many rare flower collections, and artworks on display.
Address: 2 Tran Nhan Tong Street, Ward 8, Dalat
Opening Hours: 7:30 - 16:00
Entrance Fee: 40,000 VND per adult and 20,000 VND per child
Besides of the City Flower Garden, there are many other flower gardens in Dalat. If you have more time in Dalat, you should visit other famous flower gardens such as Van Thanh flower Village, sunflower field in Me Linh Cafe or lavender field of Cau Dat Tea Hill. Other great places to discover the beauty of Dalat flowers are listed here: Best Places to See Flowers in Dalat.
10. Windmill Bakery Shop
Windmill Bakery Shop is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Dalat City Center, located only 300 m from the night market. Although it is a small bakery shop, the appearance of Windmill Bakery Shop is extremely impressive. The dominant golden wall is painted with many cute and lively patterns so it quickly catches the eye of tourists visiting Dalat. Sometimes people even have to wait in line to be photographed with this wall. The shop not only has nice décor but also very good Dalat cakes that you can buy as gifts for your loved ones. If you just want to take a photo with the yellow wall and not buy bread or cake, it is all fine.
Address: 1A Hoa Binh Street, Ward 1, Dalat
Opening Hours: 8:00 - 22:00
11. Soul & Story Store
In addition to the prominent yellow color of Windmill Bakery Shop, tourists just added Soul & Story clothing store’s wall in the list of photo locations in Dalat. This wall is painted simply with monochrome colors, just white and black. There is Korean inscription helping to create the perfect picture as if you are travelling to Korea.
In addition to this cute wall, the store also sells a lot of beautiful things. After taking photos, you can also come in and buy some pretty clothes.
Address: 7 Hai Thuong, Ward 6, Dalat
If you are looking for something new to do in Dalat, we've prepared the list of the newest attractions in Dalat for your next trip.
12. Nguyet Vong Lau
Nguyet Vong Lau is located on the corner of Truong Dinh and Tang Bat Ho streets. Nguyet Vong Lau is actually a tea shop designed with the elements of an ancient Asian architecture. This shop is painted in dark red, with pale yellow windows and graffiti.
The wall caught the attention of many people, who come here for taking extremely magical photos.
Address: 42 Truong Cong Dinh Street, Ward 1, Dalat
Opening Hours: 7:00 - 22:00
13. An Café
An Café is one of the best cafes in Dalat that you must definitely visit. The café is located halfway up the slope on Phan Dinh Phung Street, not far from Xuan Huong Lake. The shop is designed in the style of a garden house, with many floors like terraced fields. You can see all kinds of vegetables all around the place, from the small garden outside to shelves, tables, and walkways. In spring, you can come to An Café to admire cherry blossom trees as there are old cherry blossom trees that bloom every year nearby.
Cr. An Café Facebook
Address: 63Bis, Ba Thang Hai Street, Ward 1, Dalat
Opening Hours: 07:00 - 22:00
14. Still Café
Still Café is a Japanese style café in Dalat City Center. Many people have been flocking to take photos in front of the café. Still Café is very photogenic and decorated with cozy, light yellow lamps, old wooden tables and chairs. There are many private and open spaces, indoor as well as outdoor. There is a small wooden house with an enchanting garden and some flowers making the place good for relaxing. Still Café serves coffee, smoothies, tea, desserts, Bahn Mi and noodles.
Cr.Still Cafe Facebook
Address: 59 Nguyen Trai, Ward 9, Dalat
Opening Hours: 08:00 - 21:00
Dalat is also popular for its themed cafes with a cool concept. For the most unique and memorable experience you should visit some of the most unique themed cafes in Dalat. If you want to capture some picturesque spots for your feed in Dalat, check out this list of the top Instagrammable cafes in Dalat.
15. Bao Dai Palace
Located right in the dream city of Dalat, there are 3 Bao Dai palaces, respectively called Bao Dai I, Bao Dai II, and Bao Dai III.
These typical ancient buildings are of great significance to Dalat city and the whole country. When coming here, you get a chance to explore the lavish residences and working places of ancient kings of the Nguyen Dynasty and discover the modern architecture of French style in the past.
Here are the addresses of 3 Bao Dai palaces in Dalat for your reference:
- Bao Dai I: No. 01 Tran Quang Khai Street, Ward 10, Dalat
- Bao Dai II: No. 12 Tran Hung Dao Street, Ward 10, Dalat
- Bao Dai III: No. 01 Trieu Viet Vuong, Ward 4, Dalat
Tips
To explore all tourist attractions in Dalat City Center conveniently, you can rent a private car with a driver and plan your own itinerary while enjoying a comfortable ride in a modern air-conditioned car.
Dalat City Center is also the most popular area to stay in Dalat, as the area around Dalat Night Market is usually packed with people. If your visit will be short and traveling out of town is not in your plan, staying there should be the most convenient. However, the most beautiful hotels or resorts of Dalat city are usually located on the outskirts of Dalat, mainly in Tuyen Lam Lake area. You can choose one of the best rated hotels in Dalat to have a memorable vacation.
In Dalat, there are many strawberry gardens for tourists to visit. Some of the most famous strawberry gardens are located not that far from the city center so might also be able to visit them.
Waterfalls are some of the most popular tourist attractions in the hilly area and there are a number of waterfalls in Dalat that can be visited.
