A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Da Nang vs. Atami for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Da Nang or Atami?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Da Nang or Atami? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Da Nang

Da Nang is a authentic, coastal, and accessible city. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and museums.

Atami

Atami is a nostalgic, authentic, and overlooked town. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Da Nang and Atami: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Da Nang or Atami?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Da Nang than Atami, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Da Nang is better known for its food, nightlife, and resorts, while Atami is more popular for its shopping. Da Nang is well known for its traditional pagodas, nearby beaches, and high end resorts. Also, Da Nang is famous for the Marble Mountains. Atami is well known for its onsen (hot springs) and sandy beaches.

How is Da Nang different from Atami?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Atami and Da Nang. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Da Nang or Atami?

Plenty of people visit the notable sights and museums in both Da Nang and Atami.

Da Nang offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Some people use this city as a base for exploring other nearby towns. While it has some interesting sights, there aren't nearly as much history as in the surrounding area. The Golden Bridge Hands has become a popular tourist attraction and the nearby Marble Mountains are also a highlight. You can also check out the Museum of Cham Sculpture.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Atami. The onsen, or hot springs, have historically been a big draw to this town. Places to experience them include Oedo Onsen Monogatari Atami, Otsuki Hotel Wafukan, and Myoraku-Yu. Other sights around town include Kaminiya Shrine and the MOA Museum of Art.

Is the Food Better in Da Nang or Atami? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Da Nang is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Da Nang has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The city's local cuisine is authentic and traditional. There are many local dishes to try such as Mi Quang (rice noodles and chicken), Bun Cha Ca (rice noodles and fish cakes), and Banh Trang Cuon Thit Heo (pork belly wrapped in rice paper).

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Atami area. You'll find an authentic Japanese dining experience here, with a lot of seafood due to the city's coastal location. Popular dishes include sushi, dried fish, and fish boiled in broth.

Is Da Nang or Atami Better for Nightlife?

Da Nang is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Da Nang has a large number of nightlife venues. There are rooftop cafes, lounges, and local bars that are cheap and stay open late. You'll find a good number of places along Bach Dang Street, which turns into a walking street at 7 pm.

Atami has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The town was once a place to escape the city and enjoy a fun night out, but these days it's a bit quieter and has more of a nostalgic vibe. Head to Yushima Yugijo Yushima Amusement Center for some of the best nightlife in town.

Is Da Nang or Atami Better for Resorts?

Da Nang is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Atami is not a resort destination.

In Da Nang, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. The city has a good number of luxury, international brand hotels that are along the beaches.

Atami is not a resort destination.

Is Da Nang or Atami Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Da Nang and Atami are notable choices.

Da Nang is a good option for a beach vacation. There are beaches within a 10 minute drive of the city, which can get crowded on weekends and holidays. If you want a more peaceful experience, you'll need to go to Son Tra Peninsula, which is where you'll find most of the luxury resorts.

Many people head to Atami to enjoy the beach. The most popular beach in the city is Atami Sun Beach, which is right in town. It's a place to relax in the sun, and there are sometimes fireworks throughout the year.

Is the Shopping Better in Da Nang or Atami?

Atami is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Da Nang is not a good city for its shopping areas.

Atami offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find a couple of retro shopping streets in town such as Atami Ekimae Shopping Street, Nakamise Shopping Street, and Heiwadori Shopping Street. There are arcades and food stalls where you can sample local dishes.

Da Nang has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. There are some shopping malls and local shops that make for interesting shopping experiences, but nothing compared to some of the more popular cities.

Is Da Nang or Atami Better for Families?

Da Nang is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Da Nang is very family-friendly. There's a surprising number of kid-friendly activities in the area. Amusement parks like Asia Park Da Nang and nearby Ba Na Hills Fantasy Park are fun for everyone. There are also beaches and beachfront resorts that aren't far from town.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Atami. The city is a hot springs area, but you can also head to the nearby beaches and other family-friendly activities.

Is Da Nang or Atami Better for Couples?

Da Nang is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Da Nang makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The surrounding area has luxury resorts and nice beaches that make for a romantic getaway.

Atami is a good city for couples to visit. This is a beach and hot springs resort area, and in historic times it was a honeymoon destination. Today you'll find beaches, hot springs, shopping, and museums to explore, but most visitors use it as a base to explore the nearby areas, as the town itself doesn't have a lot to offer.

Is Da Nang or Atami Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Da Nang and Atami are notable destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Da Nang. It's often skipped by backpackers and other tourists, but those who hang out for a day or two will appreciate an authentic city with genuine Vietnamese culture.

Atami is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. While there aren't a huge number of hostels in the area, and backpackers often skip over this town, prices aren't particularly high so you should be able to find something affordable.

Is Da Nang or Atami Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Da Nang and Atami offer notable public transit options.

Da Nang has a few public transit options. There are 14 bus routes in the city.

Atami has some public transit options. There are public buses, such as the YuYu Bus, which has two routes and passes by many of the town's attractions.

Is Da Nang or Atami a more walkable city?

Atami is a popular place for its high level of walkability. However, Da Nang is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

Atami is a somewhat walkable place. Some parts of the city are more walkable than others.

Da Nang is not a very walkable city. The city is very spread out and very difficult to explore on foot. There are some beachfront promenades that are pedestrian-friendly, but most of the city is not.

For even more information, also check out Is Da Nang Worth Visiting? and Is Atami Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Atami or Da Nang?

How long in Da Nang or Atami?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Da Nang or Atami to fill your time. In our opinion, Da Nang has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Da Nang than Atami. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Da Nang than Atami. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Da Nang, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Da Nang than Atami. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Da Nang that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

One day in Da Nang or Atami?

In Da Nang, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this accessible destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

In Atami, you'll find nightlife and food. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Da Nang or Atami?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Da Nang. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

In Atami, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Atami has to offer.

Five days in Da Nang or Atami?

Da Nang is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Da Nang. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Atami is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Da Nang or Atami?

You'll find nightlife and food around the accessible destination of Da Nang. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Atami. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Atami. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Vietnam, The Best Eco Tours in Vietnam, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Da Nang and Atami, we can see that Atami is more expensive. And not only is Da Nang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Da Nang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Da Nang and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Atami would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Atami than you might in Da Nang.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Da Nang Expensive? and Is Atami Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Da Nang or Atami?

Da Nang has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Atami. When comparing the sizes of Da Nang and Atami, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Da Nang or Atami?

Atami has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Da Nang experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Da Nang or Atami in the Summer?

Both Atami and Da Nang during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Da Nang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Atami for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Da Nang is a little warmer than Atami in the summer. The daily temperature in Da Nang averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Atami fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

It's quite sunny in Da Nang. In the summer, Da Nang often gets more sunshine than Atami. Da Nang gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atami receives 140 hours of full sun.

Atami gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Da Nang usually gets less rain in July than Atami. Da Nang gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Atami receives 202 mm (8 in) of rain this time of the year. January to July is the dry season in Da Nang. August to December is the rainy season in Da Nang.

Should I visit Da Nang or Atami in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Da Nang and Atami. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Da Nang year-round. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Atami because of the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Da Nang is a little warmer than Atami. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Da Nang in October average around 25°C (78°F), and Atami averages at about 18°C (64°F).

Da Nang usually receives more sunshine than Atami during autumn. Da Nang gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Atami receives 130 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Atami receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Da Nang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Da Nang usually receives more rain than Atami. Da Nang gets 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain, while Atami receives 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn. Also, August to December is the rainy season in Da Nang.

Should I visit Da Nang or Atami in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Da Nang as well as Atami. Da Nang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Atami this time of year.

In January, Da Nang is generally much warmer than Atami. Daily temperatures in Da Nang average around 22°C (71°F), and Atami fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).

In the winter, Da Nang often gets less sunshine than Atami. Da Nang gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atami receives 162 hours of full sun.

Da Nang receives a lot of rain in the winter. Da Nang usually gets more rain in January than Atami. Da Nang gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Atami receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, January to July in Da Nang is the dry season.

Should I visit Da Nang or Atami in the Spring?

Both Atami and Da Nang are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Da Nang throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Atami for the beaches.

Da Nang is much warmer than Atami in the spring. The daily temperature in Da Nang averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Atami fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Da Nang. Da Nang usually receives more sunshine than Atami during spring. Da Nang gets 210 hours of sunny skies, while Atami receives 161 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Atami. In April, Da Nang usually receives less rain than Atami. Da Nang gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Atami receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Atami and Da Nang