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

Should you visit Da Nang or Napier?

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

Should I visit Da Nang or Napier? 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. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and museums.

Napier

Napier is a relaxed, character-filled, and coastal town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Da Nang and Napier: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Da Nang or Napier?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Napier than Da Nang. While Da Nang is larger than Napier, Napier has more sights and attractions for tourists. Napier is very popular for its museums & sights, beaches, hiking, and shopping, while Da Nang attracts visitors for its resorts. Napier is more touristy than Da Nang and is popular for its many art deco buildings, its beautiful vineyards, and the area's long sandy beaches. It is also well known for the art deco architecture. Da Nang is famous for its traditional pagodas, nearby beaches, and high end resorts.

How is Da Nang different from Napier?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Napier is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Da Nang is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Napier offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Considered an "Art Deco capital", there are many interesting buildings around town and it's worth taking an Art Deco Walk. The National Aquarium of New Zealand is also impressive as is the MTG Hawke's Bay, which is a museum, gallery, and theater in one. For something a little outside the box, you can visit the Napier Prison, which is New Zealand's oldest place of incarceration, dating back to 1862.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Da Nang. 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.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Da Nang and Napier.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Da Nang. 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).

Napier has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. With its many wineries and big mix of fine dining restaurants, there is plenty for a foodie to enjoy around town. You'll find restaurants that serve up New Zealand favorites as well as those that experiment with modern and trendy recipes.

Is Da Nang or Napier Better for Nightlife?

Both Da Nang and Napier are great when it comes to 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.

Napier has a large number of nightlife venues. The nightlife scene is diverse and fun. Whether you're looking for a wild party or just want to relax with a drink and some friends, there are plenty of places where you can hang out.

Is Da Nang or Napier Better for Resorts?

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

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

Napier is not a resort destination.

Is Da Nang or Napier Better for Beaches?

Napier is terrific for the beache. Also, Da Nang is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for the beach.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Napier. It's a popular beach destination and you'll find plenty of beaches for swimming, sunbathing, and playing with the kids. You'll want to head out of town to find the best and most beautiful beaches. For hidden beaches and some of the area's best surf, head to Mahia Peninsula. To escape the tourists and hang out with the locals, go to Waipatiki Beach. And for a picnic, Westshore Beach is a favorite. Waimarama Beach is another favorite in the area as well.

Many people head to Da Nang to enjoy the beach. 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.

Is Da Nang or Napier Better for Hiking?

Napier is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Da Nang is not a hiking destination.

Napier is a popular spot for hiking. Hawke's Bay is filled with wonderful walks and hikes. There are easy coastal paths as well as mult-day treks around Lake Waikaremoana. It's not hard to find somewhere to stretch your legs and explore the scenery.

Da Nang is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Da Nang or Napier?

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

Napier offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find all of the standard New Zealand retail chains as well antique and boutique shops. With its many Art Deco buildings, the city has character and personality.

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 Napier Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Da Nang or Napier.

Da Nang is a very kid-friendly city. 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 family-friendly things to do in Napier. This coastal city has a waterpark, a waterfall walk, and plenty of beaches where the family can hang out. There's also a waterfront promenade that is filled with water features and playgrounds where the kids can run around. You can also check out Hawke's Bay Farmyard Zoo or on a rainy day head to the Faraday Museum of Technology.

Is Da Nang or Napier Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Da Nang and Napier make for a great 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.

Napier makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Surrounded by vineyards and lined with beaches, this is a great place for a romantic getaway or a honeymoon. Hop on a bike and explore the wineries or enjoy a beautiful hike through nature. There are also adrenaline-filled activities for thrill seekers or fine dining restaurants for the foodies.

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

Napier 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.

Napier is a great town to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels around town and plenty of fun activities like mountain biking or white water rafting that you can enjoy.

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 Napier Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Da Nang is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Napier is lacking in good options for its public transit.

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

Public transit is generally limited in Napier. Public transit to most of the beaches is limited or nonexistent, so you really need a car if you want to get around and see everything.

Is Da Nang or Napier a more walkable city?

Napier is a moderate town for its high level of walkability. However, Da Nang is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

Napier is generally not very walkable. If you stay in town you can walk to cafes and restaurants, but you really need a car if you're planning to visit beaches or explore the area in depth.

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 Napier Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Napier or Da Nang?

How long in Da Nang or Napier?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Da Nang and Napier. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Napier than in Da Nang. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Da Nang, and 2-3 days is enough time in Napier.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Napier 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 Napier.

One day in Da Nang or Napier?

Many travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the destination of Da Nang. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Napier, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. 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 Napier?

Da Nang is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Napier, you'll find food and shopping. 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 beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Napier has to offer.

Five days in Da Nang or Napier?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Da Nang. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Napier is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the 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 Napier?

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the accessible destination of Da Nang. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Napier. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Napier. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Hanoi, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ho Chi Minh City, The Best Luxury Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Budget Tours to New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Da Nang and Napier, we can see that Napier 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 Napier 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 Napier would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Napier 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 Napier Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Da Nang or Napier?

Da Nang has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Napier. When comparing the sizes of Da Nang and Napier, 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.