2 Days in Da Nang: The Ultimate First-Time itinerary for Vietnam’s ‘Miami’.
For a second, I thought I was in Miami…
Palm trees, sleek skyscraper hotels, locals exercising at sunset — but no, this is Da Nang!
Planning a trip to Vietnam’s central coast and wondering if 2 days in Da Nang is enough?
Or maybe you’re struggling trying to figure out how to fit all the beaches, temples, awesome bridges, and day trips into just a short stay?
You’re not alone. Most travellers rush through, focused on Hoi An or Hue, but Da Nang is Vietnam’s vibrant coastal gem, blending laid-back beach vibes with buzzing city life.
Known as the “Miami of Vietnam,” Da Nang surprises at every turn: neon-lit bridges, golden sands, marble cave pagodas, and some of the country’s best street food.
It’s safe, clean, affordable — and the perfect spot to slow down without missing out.
On my last trip here, I soaked up all the highlights (and found a few secret spots too).
So I’ve pulled together this epic 2-day Da Nang itinerary, covering where to stay, what to eat, and the best tours to book ahead — to help you make the absolute most of a short stay.
The Dragon Bridge in Da Nang.
Disclosure: I sometimes use affiliate marketing. This will not cost you anything, but helps with my travel costs. I only recommend companies I use myself.
My Quick Mini Guide to Da Nang.
Where to Stay:
I visited Da Nang twice on my 3 month South East Asia trip as I love the city. I stayed by My Khe Beach on my first trip, and then by Han River overlooking the Dragon Bridge on my second trip.
I highly recommend both hotels:
Mandila Beach Hotel Danang — I loved the Ocean view from my balcony - check it out.
New Orient Hotel Da Nang — Watching the Dragon Bridge show from the hotel was awesome - Book here.
👉 Compare Da Nang hotels with free cancellation here.
When to Visit:
February – May: dry season, sunny & pleasant (My Pick).
June – August: HOT & humid, beach totally in swing.
September – November: more rain, fewer crowds, still lovely.
Don’t Forget:
Grab an eSIM here - Essential so you can use Grab rides & Google Maps. I activated mine in the airport and saved money on my grab journey to the beach area immediately.
Book an airport shuttle here — Booking transport in advance in Vietnam is always a good idea. It saves a lot of hassle… and chaos.
My recommended tours & tickets: What to Book Ahead.
There’s no city-wide attraction pass here, but pre-booking top sights saves you time & hassle (especially Ba Na Hills).
I personally recommend these three tours for a first timer short itinerary:
Ba Na Hills + Golden Bridge day tour here (includes cable car & lunch) - Saves time buying a cable car ticket.
👉 Book Here 👈
Small group Marble Mountains + Linh Ung Pagoda tour here - Saves some hassle with traversing Da Nang on your short itinerary. 👉 Check Dates 👈
Da Nang: Poseidon Cruise with Dinner and Dragon Bridge Show - By far the best way to see the iconic Dragon Bridge Show. 👉 Secure your cruise spot 👈
Is 2 Days in Da Nang enough?
Totally. In my opinion, two days in Da Nang is actually the sweet spot for first-time visitors.
It gives you enough time to see the main highlights…
From climbing through mystical caves at the Marble Mountains to chilling on My Khe Beach, watching sunsets at the Dragon Bridge, and even taking a day trip up to the famous Golden Bridge at Ba Na Hills (which I 100% recommend).
Of course, you could easily stay longer….
On my second trip, I spent an entire week here — which meant more lazy beach mornings, café hopping, fitting in a little fitness routine, and a day trip to Hoi An.
But if you’re on a tight schedule, this 2-day itinerary 100% packs in the best of Da Nang without feeling rushed.
It’s the perfect quick taste of Vietnam’s coastal gem.
Miami vibes in the coastal city.
What you’ll see in 48 hours in the coastal city.
In just 48 hours in Da Nang you can see so much! Booking one of the popular day trips is a very efficient way of stacking some highlights with less stress.
Here is a brief overview of the best attractions in Da Nang:
Marble Mountains: mystical caves, temples & epic viewpoints.
My Khe Beach: sunrise swims, local life, chilled cafés.
Lady Buddha on Son Tra Peninsula: giant statue + sweeping coastal views.
Da Nang’s neon-lit bridges: perfect for evening walks.
Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge: hands holding up the sky, lush gardens, French village fun.
Street food feasts: Mi Quang, Banh Xeo & local seafood by the river.
You will get a strong feel for Central Vietnam, which is very different from Hanoi’s chaos and Ho Chi Minh’s cosmopolitan buzz — it’s more laid-back, coastal, and effortlessly charming….A must for any Vietnam travel itinerary!
Da Nang is a very active city.
Day 1: Marble Mountains, My Khe Beach & Lady Buddha Before Sunset.
Let’s kickstart your Da Nang adventure!
Get ready… Your first day in Da Nang is going to be busy, but in the best possible way.
I found the coastal city to be very chilled to explore, with many highlights located close together.
One of the reasons I spent a full week here on my last South East Asia trip, is the variety of activities to enjoy, especially if you visit in the peak tourist months.
On your first day you’ll pack in temples hidden in marble caves, lazy hours on a gorgeous beach, epic coastal views from a giant Lady Buddha…
And a beautiful riverside dinner to end the day in true Vietnamese fashion.
If you’re comfortable on two wheels, renting a scooter is a brilliant way to explore Da Nang on your own schedule.
But if you’d rather skip navigating Vietnamese traffic, consider booking a guided day tour — it’s surprisingly affordable, saves you time, and means you can just relax and enjoy.
👉 Compare top-rated Da Nang day tours here to see which suits your style.
An up and coming city.
Morning: Marble Mountains exploration.
I recommend that you start your day at the Marble Mountains, a cluster of marble and limestone hills dotted with caves, Buddhist sanctuaries, and panoramic viewpoints that spill out over Da Nang’s coastline.
An early morning visit avoids the heat and hottest time of the day, which is essential to enjoy the site, with plenty of walking required to see it all.
The place is very surreal, with the mixture of beautiful nature and Vietnamese culture creating a movie-like setting.
Nearly at the top of Marble Mountain.
As I explored, I climbed to the highest viewpoint, which has incredible views of the South China Sea.
I also headed downwards into the famous ‘Huyen Khong cave’, which is completely pitch black, other than a few rays of sunshine sneaking into the small gaps.
The dramatic marble rocks have created a fascinating site.
A very religious site.
It’s not just a tourist spot — the Marble Mountains are still an active place of worship.
I actually saw monks inside one of the pagodas, just casually praying while tourists wandered around. It’s pretty cool to see it’s not just for show.
Personal tips:
Buy the combo ticket with the elevator, it’ll save your legs for the real climbing inside.
If you want the history and hidden stories, 👉 book a small-group Marble Mountains tour here so a local guide can show you details you’d totally miss alone.
A local worshipping.
A very picturesque city.
A lunchtime wander.
If you’re exploring around lunchtime, take a little wander over to Ho Han River Park by the riverside, or even walk around Ho Pham Van Dong Lake, a pretty spot popular with locals for walks and casual fishing.
It’s not far from the heart of town and makes a chill detour between your other Day 1 activities.
You’ll also find plenty of small cafés and local joints nearby where you can grab a banh mi or iced coffee.
Local life in Da Nang.
Afternoon: Chill time on My Khe Beach.
Next up, slow it right down…
You want to enjoy the midday sunshine, and My Khe Beach is the perfect spot to do so.
The ‘Miami’ like beach stretches for miles, and is often ranked among the best city beaches in Asia.
I enjoyed a daily walk up and down the promenade to hit my step count in style.
Surfing is very popular in Da Nang.
You should grab a lounger for a couple quid, get yourself a fresh coconut, and just watch the world go by.
Seeing how active the locals are is fun…
There are groups of locals of all ages training together on the pull up bars, beach volleyball nets, and even surfing together.
If you’re up for it, 👉 book a beginner surf lesson here.
The waves are mellow, the water’s warm, and the local instructors are awesome.
The perfect way to enjoy your first afternoon.
Beach life.
Late Afternoon: Lady Buddha on Monkey Mountain (Son Tra Peninsula).
Next, make your way up Son Tra Peninsula (locals call it Monkey Mountain) to see the huge Lady Buddha statue at Linh Ung Pagoda.
It felt like a unique experience for me after visiting many traditional Buddha statues in the different Thailand destinations on my South East Asia trip.
At 67 meters tall, she’s the tallest statue in Vietnam, and she looks out over the sea, supposedly protecting local fishermen.
It was a pleasant surprise when I pulled into the car park on my scooter and I was greeted by loads of playful monkeys… Hence the name ‘Monkey Mountain’.
Arriving at the iconic statue.
As you walk up to the iconic statue you will see many cool angles of the white statue, along with the fairly recently built pagoda.
It’s not just a stunning temple site either, the whole region is super picturesque, with lush gardens, bonsai trees, and sweeping views over Da Nang’s coastline.
I highly recommend that you hire a scooter to ride the famous mountain roads.
From up here you can see the curve of My Khe Beach stretching for miles and the tiny fishing boats dotted around the sea.
Enjoying the site.
There are plenty of monkeys in the area.
The monkeys are everywhere because the peninsula is actually covered in dense forest, which is part of a protected nature reserve, so they basically have free rein.
You’ll spot them hanging out by the temple walls or darting across the paths, hoping for snacks (watch your bags).
Linh Ung Pagoda.
Overall, it was a totally different feel from the Buddha sites I’d seen in Thailand — more coastal, open, and surrounded by nature, with cool sea breezes…
And that huge white statue standing guard over it all!
Opening hours:
Linh Ung Pagoda and the Lady Buddha grounds are open daily from around 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. No official ticket needed — it’s free to visit.
How to get there:
Ride a scooter up the winding coastal road (about 9 km from Da Nang centre), or take a Grab car.
Prefer no hassle? 👉 Book a quick Monkey Mountain & Lady Buddha tour here, and they’ll handle the driving.
Entering the gardens.
Exploring the area.
Evening: Dinner by the Han River.
If you’ve only got 2 days in Da Nang, grabbing dinner by the Han River is the smartest way to cap off your day.
It puts you right in the middle of the city’s evening action, where you can soak up Da Nang’s laid-back nightlife without trekking all over town.
The riverfront comes alive after dark…
The iconic Dragon Bridge breathes fire on weekend nights, while nearby bridges glow in constantly changing neon colours.
I also noticed the Vietnam flag being digitally displayed across one of the famous riverside hotels.
The area is ideal for an evening stroll after your dinner, or if you prefer to relax, there are several rooftop bars along the riverfront.
It is a lively spot at night, but it maintains a very relaxed vibe, especially compared to the backpacker street in Ho Chi Minh City, or the Old Quarter of Hanoi.
Han River glowing.
Da Nang is one of the best places I visited in Vietnam in terms of cuisine.
There is so much variety in terms of local and international restaurants, which is one of the key factors why the city is ranked as one of the best spots for digital nomads.
Lives up to its reputation.
Let me recommend a Local Michelin Selected Restaurant…
I met a local on a tour, who I also explored with one afternoon/evening, and he recommended this awesome local restaurant by the river.
Co Sau is one of Da Nang’s Michelin-rated local restaurants.
The open faced restaurant has awesome views of the river, which makes for a great environment to try some local delicacies.
Perfect views.
My friend Han recommended Co Sau’s incredible version of Frog Quang Noodles — a twist on Da Nang’s signature Mi Quang, but richer and a bit more adventurous.
You should definitely try it if you’re up for something beyond the usual seafood.
It tasted super healthy, and very flavoursome, as with all of the beautiful Vietnamese dishes I tried on my Vietnam trip.
✅ Ready to start planning your day?
👈 Book your Marble Mountains tickets or tour here so you skip the morning lines.
👈 Compare top Da Nang hotels with free cancellation here so you have the perfect base to explore.
Frog Quang Noodles.
Plenty of local choices.
Day 2: Ba Na Hills & Da Nang’s Café Scene.
Ready for day two?
This one’s got a bit of everything — a fairytale mountaintop village, one of Vietnam’s most Instagram-famous landmarks, and then a slow afternoon exploring Da Nang’s surprisingly awesome café scene.
If you’re short on time, combining Ba Na Hills in the morning with café hopping in the afternoon is the perfect way to squeeze in big highlights while still keeping it chill.
Plus, it leaves your evening free for one last memorable dinner.
Let’s start with one of Vietnam’s best day trips at Ba Na Hills… I advise you to start early with this one!
The famous bridge.
Morning: Ba Na Hills & The Instagram-Famous Golden Bridge.
Start early and head up to Ba Na Hills, about 45 minutes outside Da Nang.
Originally built by the French as a hill station to escape the heat, today it’s a full-on mountaintop resort, complete with cobblestone streets, flower gardens, pagodas, and that surreal Golden Bridge held by giant stone hands.
It may not have the history of the Cu Chi Tunnels, or the beauty of Ha Long Bay, Ba Na Hills has its own quirky, over-the-top charm that makes it worth the trip.
It’s kind of like stepping into a weird blend of European village, theme park, and Buddhist retreat - all perched on a lush mountaintop with unreal views.
The real highlight is the Golden Bridge, held up by two massive stone hands that look like they’re reaching straight out of the mountain.
The Instagram famous bridge attracts many international tourists, however, if you catch it on a bad weather day, it doesn’t quite have the same aesthetics.
The weather changed very quickly on my day over there.
Heading for the cable car up.
Bring a poncho.
Tips that I wish I knew before visiting:
Get there early to beat the crowds and fog.
Wear comfy shoes — there’s lots of walking, and the ground can be slippery.
It can be a bit cooler up there, so pack a light layer (and poncho).
👉 The easiest way is to book a Ba Na Hills day tour here. They’ll handle tickets, shuttles, and getting you up the cable car without a headache. Otherwise, you’ll need to sort out a Grab or private driver plus buy tickets at the base.
Don’t miss a walk across the Golden Bridge. Sure, it gets busy with selfie sticks everywhere, but it’s one of those “yep, I’m really in Vietnam right now” moments that’s totally worth it.
A surreal place.
Afternoon: Da Nang’s Café Scene.
After all that walking, head back to Da Nang and slow it down with a little café hopping.
It might not have the Train Street of Hanoi, however The city’s absolutely full of creative, laid-back coffee spots, which are extremely popular with international tourists and digital nomads.
You’ll find everything from specialty roasters to quirky little cafés with cosy nooks and rooftop views.
Da Nang is a proper coffee city!
After several visits to Da Nang, I can honestly say that enjoying the cafe vibes is the best way to get a feel of the everyday life in the coastal city.
There are so many awesome cafes.
Three cafes I personally love:
Cosmo’s if you’re after a strong espresso and a stylish spot to chill.
The Hideout Cafe — super relaxed, hidden away, with comfy corners perfect for getting lost in a book or people-watching.
Mây Coffee & Bar for a rooftop view with your latte, especially around sunset.
A nice ambiance.
It’s the ideal low-key afternoon: sip a strong Vietnamese iced coffee, or give egg coffee a shot if you haven’t yet.
Although none in Da Nang are quite as tasty as the egg coffee I enjoyed at the famous Cafe Giang in Hanoi, there are still some tasty alternatives.
Another quirky spot.
Evening: Han Markets & beautiful meal.
No trip to Vietnam is complete without a trip to the markets!
Visiting Han Market (Chợ Hàn) in the heart of the city is a great way to start your last evening in Da Nang.
Although the market isn’t as big as the more famous tourist ones in the country, you can still get some good deals.
I managed to get some awesome gym clothes for a very cheap price.
I noticed plenty of fresh produce, dried fruits, and little souvenirs,
This market feels much more local than some of the others I visited in my South East Asia trip.
There are hundreds of International restaurants in Da Nang.
Han Market is only about a 5-minute drive from the Dragon Bridge area, so if you want another evening by the river, that is a good option.
Da Nang is home to over 2000 restaurants, and around 20% are awesome International restaurants, so you are guaranteed a great meal to round off your trip with a little bit of planning.
If you’re in the mood for something different on your last night, I can’t recommend Gyu Sachi enough.
It’s a cosy Japanese spot that does traditional beef, which was unreal!
Meal set 2 has different cuts of beef, and each one was delicious.
The vibe of the place is awesome, and I couldn’t say no to an Asahi or two.
Han Market.
Tips for visiting Da Nang (As a first-timer).
If it’s your first time in Da Nang, here are a few key tips that will make your trip smoother, safer, and way more enjoyable, especially when it comes to transport, sight seeing, and trying the local cuisine.
✅ Use Grab:
Vietnam’s version of Uber — Very reasonable, safe, and saves haggling with taxis.
✅ Get a local SIM or eSIM:
So you can call rides, look up maps, and not get stuck. (Viettel is reliable).
✅ Dress modestly for temples:
Shorts are fine around town, but bring a scarf or light cover-up for pagodas.
✅ Cash is king:
Lots of spots only take cash. Keep small notes handy for street food & parking.
✅ Go early or late for big sights:
Marble Mountains & Ba Na Hills are way less crowded (and cooler) before 10am or after 4pm.
✅ Stay near the river or beach:
Both areas are safe, lively, and close to restaurants & cafés.
✅ Try the local dishes:
Don’t leave without eating Mi Quang, Banh Xeo, and fresh seafood by the water.
Da Nang Cathedral.
Visiting Da Nang FAQs.
Got more questions about planning your trip?
Here’s a quick FAQ to help you sort out the details and feel totally ready for your Da Nang adventure.
How many days do you need in Da Nang?
You can see the highlights of Da Nang in 2 days, making it perfect for a short Vietnam beach itinerary. In 48 hours you’ll easily cover the Marble Mountains, My Khe Beach, Lady Buddha, and even take a day trip to Ba Na Hills.
With more time, stay 4-5 days to add Hoi An, a Cham Island snorkel trip, or just more lazy mornings by the sea.
What’s the best month to visit Da Nang?
The best time to visit Da Nang is February to May, during the dry season when it’s sunny and warm but not overwhelmingly hot.
June to August is still great for beach lovers (just expect higher temps). September to November brings some rain, while December and January are cooler.
How do you get around Da Nang?
Grab car (like Vietnam’s Uber) is the easiest way to get around Da Nang affordably.
For day trips (like Ba Na Hills or the Lady Buddha), either book a small tour or hire a private driver for flexibility.
If you’re confident on two wheels, rent a scooter — just remember Da Nang’s traffic is calmer than Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh, but still busy! I really enjoyed riding along the coast in Da Nang.
Should I stay in Da Nang or Hoi An?
If it’s your first time, base yourself in Da Nang to enjoy beach hotels, neon river views, and easy day trips. Hoi An is just 30 minutes away, so you can visit by car or shuttle.
Many travellers combine both for the best of Vietnam’s coast.
A fun morning.
What should I pack for 2 days in Da Nang?
Lightweight clothing & sandals (it’s hot and humid)
A scarf or cover-up for temples
Comfy shoes for Marble Mountains & Ba Na Hills
A power bank & waterproof pouch for beach or boat days
Local eSIM or Viettel SIM card to use Grab & Maps (essential for short stays!)
Do you need a visa for Vietnam?
Many travellers will need a visa to visit Vietnam. If you’re from countries like the UK, Germany, France, or Japan, you can enjoy 15 days visa-free. For everyone else (or for longer stays), it’s easy to apply for a quick Vietnam e-visa online before you go.
Disclosure: I sometimes use affiliate marketing. This will not cost you anything, but helps with my travel costs. I only recommend companies I use myself.