A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nha Trang vs. Atami for Nightlife, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Nha Trang or Atami?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Nha Trang and Atami. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Nha Trang

Nha Trang is a high energy, coastal, and resort-filled city. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Atami

Atami is a nostalgic, authentic, and overlooked town. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and shopping.

Nha Trang and Atami: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nha Trang or Atami?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Nha Trang than Atami, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Nha Trang is more touristy than Atami and is known for its backpacker-heavy nightlife scene, its long sandy beaches, and its beachside resorts. Also, Nha Trang is famous for Long Son Pagoda. Atami is well known for its onsen (hot springs) and sandy beaches.

How is Nha Trang different from Atami?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Nha Trang or Atami?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Nha Trang and Atami.

Nha Trang offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. While most people visit for the beaches and nightlife in the area, there are also several cultural sights worth visiting. Ponagar Tower, Long Son Pagoda, and XQ Historical Village are all interesting to visit. If you're looking for a thrill, also nearby is Vinpearl Land.

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 Nha Trang or Atami? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Nha Trang and Atami offer notable local cuisine and restaurants.

Nha Trang has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Seafood is the most common option in many restaurants. You'll find local curries and spring rolls on many menus. Fish sauce is often served with dishes and many recipes have a sweet flavor. If you need a break from Vietnamese food, there are also restaurants that serve pizza, burgers, and other common international dishes.

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 Nha Trang or Atami Better for Nightlife?

Nha Trang is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Nha Trang is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. The nightlife scene is varied and caters to all types of travelers. There are glamorous rooftop bars and lounges, beachside parties, and booze cruises that cater to the backpacker crowd. The city is big enough to have options for everyone.

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 Nha Trang or Atami Better for Resorts?

Nha Trang is a city with good options for its luxury resorts. However, Atami is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, Nha Trang makes a nice vacation spot. There's a mix of budget guesthouses and hostels, luxury beachfront resorts, and everything in between.

Atami is not a resort destination.

Is Nha Trang or Atami Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Nha Trang is a decent place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Atami is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's possible to go snorkeling in Nha Trang. Snorkeling is a bit tricky here, because you need to visit during the right season and you'll need to hop on a tour to get to the best spots. If you're lucky you'll have good visibility and see some interesting marine life.

Atami is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Nha Trang or Atami Better for Beaches?

Nha Trang and Atami both offer notable beaches.

Nha Trang offers a nice beach destination. The accessible beaches are very developed and filled with vacationers who are looking for fun activities. The sands are white and soft and the water is comfortable and fun to splash around in.

Atami is a good option for a beach vacation. 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 Nha Trang or Atami?

If you're looking to go shopping, Nha Trang and Atami both offer plenty of notable spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Nha Trang. There are some local street markets that are fun to explore. There are also the typical shops and supermarkets that sell local produce, souvenirs, and any other essentials that you may have forgotten.

Many visitors go to Atami to go shopping. 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.

Is Nha Trang or Atami Better for Families?

Nha Trang 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, Nha Trang is very family-friendly. While it is known among the backpacker crowds for its party scene, there are also great beaches and many activities for families. Vinpearl Land is an amusement park in the area that has rides and shows. There's also Po Nagar Cham Towers and Long Son Pagoda, which are both interesting to visit. The beaches also make a great playground for kids who enjoy building sand castles and playing in the shallow water.

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 Nha Trang or Atami Better for Couples?

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

Nha Trang makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are several romantic hotels near the beach as well as some interesting cultural activities and beautiful beaches with water activities.

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 Nha Trang or Atami Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nha Trang is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Nha Trang. Backpackers looking for a party head to the streets around Biệt Thự Street. There are many cheap hostels and guesthouses in the area, and you won't be far from the area's best nightlife.

Plenty of backpackers visit Atami. 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 Nha Trang or Atami Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Nha Trang and Atami both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Nha Trang offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are six city bus routes. There are also many taxis and motorbike taxes available for reasonable rates.

Atami has a few 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 Nha Trang or Atami a more walkable city?

Nha Trang is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

Nha Trang is a very walkable city. The city is compact enough that you can explore many parts on foot. Most of the attractions are near the intersection of Tran Phu and Biet Thu.

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

For even more information, also check out Is Nha Trang Worth Visiting? and Is Atami Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Atami or Nha Trang?

How long in Nha Trang or Atami?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Nha Trang or Atami to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Nha Trang than Atami because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Nha Trang, and 1-2 days is enough time in Atami.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Nha Trang than Atami 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 Nha Trang.

One day in Nha Trang or Atami?

In Nha Trang, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this resort-filled destination offers. Lots of people come for the nightlife. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Atami. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Atami has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Nha Trang or Atami?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nha Trang. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the authentic destination of Atami. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Nha Trang or Atami?

Nha Trang is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Nha Trang. Lots of people come for the nightlife. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the nostalgic town of Atami. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Nha Trang or Atami?

You'll find food and shopping around the resort-filled destination of Nha Trang. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the nightlife. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Atami is a popular choice for travelers. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ho Chi Minh City, The Best 10-Day Tours from Hanoi, 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 Nha Trang and Atami, we can see that Atami is more expensive. And not only is Nha Trang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nha Trang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nha Trang 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 Nha Trang.

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

Which is Bigger, Nha Trang or Atami?

Nha Trang has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Atami. When comparing the sizes of Nha Trang 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 Nha Trang or Atami?

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

Should I visit Nha Trang or Atami in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nha Trang and Atami. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Nha Trang year-round. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Atami because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Nha Trang is around the same temperature as Atami in the summer. The daily temperature in Nha Trang averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Atami fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

Atami receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Nha Trang usually receives less rain than Atami. Nha Trang gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Atami receives 202 mm (8 in) of rain each month for the summer. January to August in Nha Trang is the dry season. Also, September to December is the rainy season in Nha Trang.

Should I visit Nha Trang or Atami in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Nha Trang is a little warmer than Atami. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nha Trang in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Atami averages at about 18°C (64°F).

It's quite rainy in Atami. Nha Trang receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nha Trang usually gets more rain in October than Atami. Nha Trang gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Atami receives 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year. September to December in Nha Trang is the rainy season.

Should I visit Nha Trang or Atami in the Winter?

Both Atami and Nha Trang are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Nha Trang throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Atami for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Nha Trang is generally much warmer than Atami. Daily temperatures in Nha Trang average around 24°C (75°F), and Atami fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).

In January, Nha Trang usually receives less rain than Atami. Nha Trang gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Atami receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Nha Trang is January to August.

Should I visit Nha Trang or Atami in the Spring?

Both Atami and Nha Trang during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Nha Trang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many visitors come to Atami in the spring for the beaches.

Nha Trang is much warmer than Atami in the spring. The daily temperature in Nha Trang averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Atami fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

Atami gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Nha Trang usually gets less rain in April than Atami. Nha Trang gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Atami receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Atami and Nha Trang