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

Should you visit Da Nang or Katoomba?

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

Should I visit Da Nang or Katoomba? 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 accessible, authentic, and coastal city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Katoomba

Katoomba is a relaxing, breathtaking , and stunning town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Da Nang and Katoomba: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Da Nang or Katoomba?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Katoomba. Although Da Nang and Katoomba are popular destinations, Katoomba has more sights and attractions for tourists. Katoomba is very popular for its hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Da Nang attracts visitors for its food, nightlife, resorts, and beaches. Katoomba is more touristy than Da Nang and is known for its natural scenery, beautiful hikes, and its location in the Blue Mountains. It is also well known for Scenic World. Da Nang is famous for its traditional pagodas, nearby beaches, and high end resorts.

How is Da Nang different from Katoomba?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Katoomba 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 Katoomba?

Plenty of people visit the nice sights and museums in both Da Nang and Katoomba.

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 Katoomba. For many, the town is used as a base for exploring the Blue Mountains. Scenic World is a great way to take in the highlights. It's also fun to check out the local street art.

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

Da Nang is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Katoomba is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Da Nang makes for a great culinary experience. 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).

Katoomba has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Many of the restaurants work hard to support local farmers and suppliers. You'll find local ingredients and homemade meals. The restaurant scene is growing, but many restaurants are still affiliated with hotels and tourist attractions.

Is Da Nang or Katoomba Better for Nightlife?

Da Nang is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Katoomba is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for nightlife and partying.

Da Nang offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Katoomba. It's not known for its nightlife scene, but there are some relaxed places where you can enjoy craft beer or see a show. Katoomba is the hub of nightlife in the Blue Mountains.

Is Da Nang or Katoomba Better for Resorts?

Da Nang is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Katoomba is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Da Nang to choose from. The city has a good number of luxury, international brand hotels that are along the beaches.

Katoomba is not a resort destination.

Is Da Nang or Katoomba Better for Beaches?

Da Nang is a good destination for its beaches. However, Katoomba is not a beach destination.

Da Nang offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Katoomba is not a beach destination.

Is Da Nang or Katoomba Better for Hiking?

Katoomba is terrific for the nearby hiking options. However, Da Nang is not a hiking destination.

People visit Katoomba specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. Surrounded by the Blue Mountains, this town offers access to some of the area's best hikes. You'll see waterfalls, scenic viewpoints, and lush landscapes.

Da Nang is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Da Nang or Katoomba?

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

Katoomba offers some nice shopping areas. There are local markets and boutiques where you can pick up local items and handicrafts.

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 Katoomba Better for Families?

Katoomba is terrific for its family-friendly activities. Also, Da Nang is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Katoomba is a very family-friendly destination. The surrounding Blue Mountains are filled with activities for the whole family. Scenic World is a highlight with its cable cars and skyway. There are also gardens, hiking trails, and cultural centers. Kids who love trains will enjoy Valley Heights Locomotive Depot Heritage Museum.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Da Nang. 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.

Is Da Nang or Katoomba Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Da Nang and Katoomba make for a superb place to visit.

Da Nang is a very popular place to visit for couples. The surrounding area has luxury resorts and nice beaches that make for a romantic getaway.

Katoomba makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are world class gardens like the Everglades Gardens, restaurants where you can enjoy high tea with a view, as well as hikes that will take your breath away. For the truly adventurous, there are also helicopter tours.

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

Katoomba is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Da Nang is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Katoomba is a great town to visit for backpackers. There are hostels in the area, as well as camping opportunities. Backpackers will appreciate the scenic beauty and natural setting.

Da Nang is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

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

Both Da Nang and Katoomba offer nice public transit options.

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

Katoomba has some public transit options. There are public buses through the Blue Mountains but it's easier to explore in depth if you have your own car.

Is Da Nang or Katoomba a more walkable city?

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

Katoomba is a somewhat walkable place. The town itself is relatively walkable.

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 Katoomba Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Katoomba or Da Nang?

How long in Da Nang or Katoomba?

It's fun to spend time in either Da Nang or Katoomba. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Katoomba due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Da Nang, and 2-4 days is enough time in Katoomba.

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

Couples should spend more time in Da Nang than Katoomba. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Katoomba than Da Nang if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Katoomba.

One day in Da Nang or Katoomba?

The city of Da Nang offers nightlife and food. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Katoomba is a small town with plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Da Nang or Katoomba?

Da Nang is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Da Nang, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Katoomba might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Katoomba has to offer.

Five days in Da Nang or Katoomba?

Da Nang is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Katoomba is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Katoomba?

Da Nang is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Katoomba. Since Katoomba is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Australia, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Da Nang and Katoomba, we can see that Katoomba is more expensive. And not only is Da Nang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Da Nang is in Asia and Katoomba is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Katoomba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Katoomba 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 Katoomba Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Da Nang or Katoomba?

Da Nang has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Katoomba. When comparing the sizes of Da Nang and Katoomba, 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 Katoomba?

Katoomba 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 Katoomba in the Summer?

Both Katoomba and Da Nang are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Da Nang throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Katoomba because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Da Nang is generally a little warmer than Katoombain January. Daily temperatures in Da Nang average around 29°C (85°F), and Katoomba fluctuates around 24°C (74°F).

It's quite sunny in Katoomba. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Da Nang. Da Nang usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Katoomba during summer. Da Nang gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Katoomba receives 236 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Katoomba. In July, Da Nang usually receives less rain than Katoombain January. Da Nang gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the summer. The dry season in Da Nang is January to July. The rainy season in Da Nang is August to December.

Should I visit Da Nang or Katoomba in the Autumn?

Both Katoomba and Da Nang during the autumn 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, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Katoomba this time of year.

Da Nang is a little warmer than Katoomba in the autumn. The daily temperature in Da Nang averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Katoomba fluctuates around 18°C (65°F)in April.

In the autumn, Da Nang often gets less sunshine than Katoombain April. Da Nang gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Katoomba receives 195 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Da Nang. Da Nang usually gets more rain in October than Katoombain April. Da Nang gets 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year. August to December is the rainy season in Da Nang.

Should I visit Da Nang or Katoomba in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Da Nang and Katoomba. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Da Nang year-round. Also, many travelers come to Katoomba for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Da Nang is much warmer than Katoomba. Typically, the winter temperatures in Da Nang in January average around 22°C (71°F), and Katoomba averages at about 11°C (51°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Katoomba this time of the year. Da Nang usually receives less sunshine than Katoomba during winter. Da Nang gets 136 hours of sunny skies, while Katoomba receives 208 hours of full sun in the winter.

Da Nang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Da Nang usually receives more rain than Katoombain July. Da Nang gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter. January to July in Da Nang is the dry season.

Should I visit Da Nang or Katoomba in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Da Nang as well as Katoomba. Da Nang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Katoomba in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Da Nang is generally a little warmer than Katoombain October. Daily temperatures in Da Nang average around 26°C (80°F), and Katoomba fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Katoomba. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Da Nang this time of the year. In the spring, Da Nang often gets less sunshine than Katoombain October. Da Nang gets 210 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Katoomba receives 240 hours of full sun.

Da Nang usually gets less rain in April than Katoombain October. Da Nang gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Katoomba and Da Nang