Sunny Abu Dhabi and Dubai are the ideal places to escape from the cold winter. Learn here what you can do and eat during a 5-day trip in both cities!

DISCLAIMER: This page contains affiliate links, which means I will get a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through it. If you decide to use my links, I would like to sincerely thank you for your support to my blog! 

The winter temperature has hit a record low in Europe and US lately. So what can be better than escaping it and basking in the sun in Abu Dhabi and Dubai instead?

Both cities need no more introductions. Dubai has been one of the ten most popular tourist destinations in the world, offering a combination of modern skyscrapers, luxurious resorts, shopping malls, and other opulent luxuries.

Abu Dhabi, the capital of the country, is a little smaller than Dubai, but definitely not less ambitious. It has recently been investing heavily to attract more tourism.

Both cities also have amazing and diverse food scene, brought in by immigrants coming from many different countries in Arab, Middle East, and Indian sub-continent.

In this post, I would like to share with you a 5-day itinerary from my trip to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, full of tips for things to do and eat. Hopefully, this serves as an inspiration for your own future itinerary.

As always, I will also provide some HONEST tips and information to help you prepare for your trip, even before you arrive in UAE. So here you go!

Things to Do and Eat in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, UAE: 5-day itinerary

Pre-arrival

To help you prepare your visit before you arrive in UAE, here are few essential tips to keep in mind.

#1 – Combine your visit To both Dubai and Abu Dhabi

I absolutely recommend combining your visit to both Dubai and Abu Dhabi, especially if you plan to stay for about a week or so in UAE. And it is extremely easy and affordable to travel between both cities.

Both Dubai and Abu Dhabi are hubs of two major Middle East carriers, Emirates and Etihad respectively. Both carriers often have fantastic promotion offers (although Emirates has it more often than Etihad, in my observation). Therefore, I would recommend tracking the prices of both carriers and fly with the one with the best offer.

There is an express bus line connecting Dubai and Abu Dhabi. It departs every 30-40 minutes, and the 2-hour journey costs 25 AED (~$6) one-way. When departing Dubai, you can simply use the NOL card to pay (I explain later more about this card). But to return from Abu Dhabi, you have to buy a ticket at the ticket office at Abu Dhabi main bus terminal.

You can take the bus from several bus terminals in Dubai. The first one is Al Ghubaiba bus terminal near Dubai Creek, and the second one is Ibn Battuta terminal near Jebel Ali. Both terminals can be reached easily by metro.

The bus is very comfortable and clean, with wide seats and air conditioning. The bus stops in Abu Dhabi at the main bus terminal near Al Wahda Mall.

#2 – Hotels or Airbnb?

Due to their heavy focus on tourism, it is no wonder that both cities have endless options for accommodation. There are literally tons of excellent hotels in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Hotel prices are generally similar to the price level of big cities in Europe. I myself stayed at this elegant JW Marriott Hotel in Deira, Dubai.

If you choose Airbnb instead, the quality of Airbnb accommodation in both cities is just phenomenal, and with a very reasonable price, which can be cheaper than hotels.

Don’t forget to use this link to get €30 off for your first booking.

#3 – Currency and payment

In terms of money, I would recommend using your credit card whenever possible. All major credit cards (Mastercard, Visa, and Amex) are widely accepted in Dubai and Abu Dhabi (even in souk and public transport).

In case you’d like to exchange some money before your departure, UAE’s currency is called Emirati Dirham (AED). As of today, the exchange rate of USD to AED is around 3.7 AED (1 USD = ~3.7 AED).

As always, instead of exchanging money at home, I would suggest doing so in UAE upon your arrival, as you will tend to get a better rate.

ATM cash withdrawal would cost you around 1% of the withdrawn amount, according to my experience.

#4 – Visa and permit

In case you need a visa to enter UAE, the easiest way to obtain it is to fly with Emirates or Etihad. These airlines can help sponsor and arrange your tourist visa (for 30-day stay) against a fee of 350 AED (~$90).

After booking your airplane ticket from Emirates or Etihad, you can submit your visa application online. In my case, the visa was done within an hour after applying.

Some hotels and travel agencies can also help you to arrange one, but you are either required to stay at those hotels the entire time or take a tour package from those travel agencies. In any case, don’t forget to research carefully and compare the price they offer for this service.

Upon arrival

If you fly to Dubai, you will arrive at Dubai International Airport. To get you from the airport, you can take either taxi or metro. The most economical and recommended option is to take a metro (cost around 5-8 AED, depending on the zones), unless you have a lot of luggage or your destination is difficult to reach by metro.

For that, you will need an NOL card, which you can buy (and top up) at ticket offices at the metro stations in Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. I recommend buying the NOL Silver card (cost 20 AED, incl. 14 AED worth of balance) that can be used for multiple zones. Note: the NOL card can only be used in Dubai.

If you fly to Abu Dhabi, you will arrive at Abu Dhabi International Airport. Unfortunately, the only viable option to get from the airport is to take a taxi. A cab ride to the city will cost around 80 – 100 AED (~$20 – 25). Another less favorable option is to take a bus, but it has an infrequent schedule and it will unlikely get you directly in front of your door.

Uber does not exist in UAE. But in Dubai, there is a local ride-hailing app called Careem. I did not try using it because the price is basically the same as the local taxi.

Itinerary and Food

Day 1 – Abu Dhabi

Things to do:

#1 – Corniche Road

The Corniche Road is an 8 km long road, stretching along the shoreline of Abu Dhabi.

It has a spectacular waterfront, lined with separate pedestrian and cycle pathways, cafés, children’s playground and serene parks. You can go for a morning jog, biking, having a relaxing stroll, or basking in the sun at the Corniche Beach.

Location: Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi

#2 – Emirates Palace

Emirates Palace is the most luxurious and opulent hotel in Abu Dhabi, rivaling its Dubai’s 7-starred counterpart, Burj al Arab.

Located at the southern tip of the Corniche, the hotel has a unique Arabic architecture, quite similar to a sultanate palace. You can visit the hotel freely, admiring the luxurious interior, while sipping a cup of coffee or tea in its restaurant. You can even buy gold from this gold vending machine in the hotel.

Location: Emirates Palace, West Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi

#3 – Marina Mall

Located adjacent to the Emirates Palace, enjoy some shopping spree in this most stylish mall in Abu Dhabi.

In addition to retail stores, Marina Mall also includes a bowling alley, cinema, and an observatory deck.

Location: Marina Mall, Marina Village, Abu Dhabi

Food:

#4 – Shawarma

Shawarma is a quintessential Middle Eastern dish, consisting of a stack of meat (usually chicken or lamb) marinated with a mix of Middle Eastern spices.

Typically served with flat pita bread, the juicy and slightly charred sliced meat will certainly make your mouth watering.

Shawarma is very affordable and can be easily found everywhere, but you can sample one at Shawarma Street in Abu Dhabi.

Location: Shawarma Street, 9th Street, opposite Etisalat, near National Hospital, Najda, Abu Dhabi

#5 – Zaatar

Dubbed as “Arabic pizza”, zaatar is a type of flatbread topped with a Middle-Eastern herb mix (which is called “zaatar”), consisting of dried hyssop leaves, sesame seeds, salt and other spices.

Image courtesy of Maureen Abood

The flatbread is so fragrant, crunchy and delightful. And a little extra topping of cheese will make it even more irresistible!

You can also sample zaatar at Shawarma Street in Abu Dhabi.

Location: Shawarma Street, 9th Street, opposite Etisalat, near National Hospital, Najda, Abu Dhabi

Day 2 – Abu Dhabi

Things to do:

#6 – Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the largest mosque in UAE, with an estimated capacity of more than 40,000 people.

The mosque’s sheer size and architecture are simply breathtaking, dominated by beautiful marble stones and artistic mosaic. In the main prayer hall, you can also admire the world’s largest Persian carpet and the world’s second largest chandeliers that incorporate millions of Swarovski crystals.

To reach the Grand Mosque, you need to take a taxi or take one of a Hop-on, Hop-off buses. It opens every day from 9 AM to 10 PM, except on Friday morning (only for worshippers). There is a complimentary 1-hour guided tour at 10 AM, 11 AM and 5 PM (on Fridays only 5 PM and 7 PM. On Saturdays there is an extra tour slot at 2 PM).

Location: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Street, 5th Street, Abu Dhabi

#7 – Louvre Abu Dhabi

Louvre Abu Dhabi is the most prestigious art museum in Abu Dhabi, located on the Saadiyat Island Cultural District. The museum is opened as a bid of Abu Dhabi’s government to strengthen tourism in the city, in cooperation with Louvre Museum in Paris.

The museum has a quite extensive collection of prehistoric and contemporary arts, which some of them are exchanged with Louvre Museum in Paris. The museum even has the most expensive painting ever sold in its collection, Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci, although it is not yet displayed in the museum.

To reach Louvre Abu Dhabi, you can take either taxi or bus from the city (number 94 to Saadiyat Island, cost 2 AED). Entrance fee is 63 AED (~$15). It opens every day from 10 AM to 8 PM (on Thursdays & Fridays until 10 PM).

Location: Louvre Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island Cultural District, Abu Dhabi

Food:

#8 – Momo

Momo is a type of dumpling originated from Nepal and Tibet.

Usually filled with chicken or buffalo meat, you can order a fried or steamed momo. But my personal favorite is the chili momo. Chili momo is basically fried momo smothered in a thick sweet and sour sauce, accompanied with onion, green pepper, and cilantro. So yummy!

The best place to sample momo in Abu Dhabi is at Green & Black Cafeteria. It’s a small, cozy Nepali eating place, which specializes only in momo. And the owner, Uday, is a really nice and friendly!

Location: Green & Black Cafeteria, Electra Street, Abu Dhabi

#9 – Mandi Rice

Mandi is a popular Yemeni rice dish, accompanied by a big chunk of meat (usually lamb or chicken) marinated in a mix of spices. Mandi rice is quite similar to long-grain basmati rice used for Indian biryani. Mandi is best to be enjoyed communally, with a group of people.

To enhance the flavor, don’t forget to add the tomato-based chutney, which is usually served with it. The best place to sample Mandi is at Al Mandi & Al Madhbi House, an authentic Yemeni restaurant in Abu Dhabi.

Location: Al Mandi & Al Madhbi House, near Zayed The First Street, Abu Dhabi

Day 3 – Abu Dhabi

Things to do:

#10 – Yas Island (Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Mall, and Ferrari World)

Spend the whole entire day in the Yas Island, which is located about 30 km from the city center.

In Yas Island, you can visit Yas Marina Circuit, the venue of Abu Dhabi’s Formula 1 Grand Prix. Every Tuesday afternoon (starting from 6 PM) you can enjoy walking or riding a bike around the track for free. Or if you are a petrol head, you can even rent a supercar from DriveYAS, and experience racing in a Jaguar, Aston Martin or Ferrari. Rental price is starting from 1,850 AED (for Jaguar and Aston Martin) to 4,200 AED (for Ferrari).

Or if you don’t fancy seeing a racetrack, you can go to Yas Mall, the biggest mall in Abu Dhabi and home to Ferrari World.

Ferrari World is a gigantic amusement park, with different kind of attractions and rides related to racing. The most famous ride is Formula Rossa, the world’s fastest roller coaster, which is faster than an F1 car. However, entrance fee to Ferrari World is definitely not cheap. A 1-day pass costs 295 AED (~$80) but it does not even include all rides. A little pro-tip: buy your ticket online in order to save up to 15%. Please check the website for more information and booking.

Location: Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

Food:

#11 – Biryani

You can’t leave Abu Dhabi without tasting some delicious Indian biryani. Thanks to many Indian and Pakistani immigrants, there are a lot of darn good biryanis in Abu Dhabi.

You can sample one of the best biryani at Ritaj Hyderabadi Restaurant. A bountiful portion of chicken or mutton biryani only costs 35 AED (~$8).

Location: Ritaj Hyderabadi Restaurant, Electra Street, beside Alam Supermarket, Abu Dhabi

#12 – Karak Chai

The perfect way to close your Indian meal is to rinse it all down with Karak chai. This sweet, milky and fragrant beverage is a blend of black tea with some Indian spices, such as cardamom and saffron.

Image courtesy of Elham Al Dhaheri

There are many Karak chai joints in Abu Dhabi, such as Real Taste Cafeteria near the Corniche Road. One cup of Karak chai only costs 2 AED (~$0.5).

Location: Real Taste Cafetaria, Abu Dhabi

Day 4 – Dubai

Things to do:

#13 – Dubai Old City (Deira, Bur Dubai, and Dubai Creek)

Spend the entire morning to explore the old city in the northern part of Dubai, which covers Deira, Bur Dubai and Dubai Creek area.

In Deira area, you can visit the famous Dubai Gold Souk, Perfume Souk, and Spice Souk. A little warning, this area is very touristic, and many sellers will try to offer their products to you. So be prepared for that when you are visiting. These souks in Deira area can be reached easily by metro (green line, stop at Al Ras).

From Deira, go cross the Dubai Creek to Bur Dubai area using the popular ancient boat called Abra. You can board the Abra from the station opposite of the Spice Souk, and the best part is that it only costs 1 AED!

Once arriving in Bur Dubai area, you can explore the Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood (or also known as Al Bastakiya), which is the remaining pre-historic part of Dubai. In addition to that, you can also visit the Bur Dubai Grand Mosque and Textile Souk.

#14 – Desert Safari

The best way to spend the entire afternoon is to experience the desert safari adventure in Dubai. During the safari, enjoy the thrill of dune bashing using 4×4 cars, camel riding, and sand boarding.

After the safari in the desert, you can relax and enjoy some shows at one of the Bedouin camps, such as belly dancing and henna painting. A BBQ buffet dinner is usually also included and served during the shows.

There are so many desert safari providers in Dubai, and their prices vary enormously, ranging from 120 AED (~$27) for the basic package to 300 AED (~$65) for the VIP private package (the basic package sometimes does not provide pick-up and drop-off). Therefore, it is certainly worth it to research and look for the best tour providers with the best deals. To do that, I suggest trying to look on Groupon, or just simply browse the internet.

Location: Al Awir desert (note: locations can vary between one safari to another)

Food:

#15 – Persian Kebab

Persian kebab is one of the must-eat food items in Dubai, especially in this legendary kebab restaurant, Al Ustad Special Kabab.

Kebab is various grilled skewered meat, usually chicken, mutton or beef. The meat is often first marinated in a mix of spices before grilled to perfection on top of the charcoal. What makes Persian kebab special is that it is marinated using yogurt, which tenderizes the meat and makes it even juicier.

The best way to sample Persian kebab is to get a mix of different type of kebabs: mutton, chicken, joujeh kebab and shish kebab. The kebabs are often served with flatbread and fries.

Location: Al Ustad Special Kabab, Al Mankhool Road, near Al Fahidi metro station, Dubai

Day 5 – Dubai

Things to do:

#16 – Burj Khalifa

Burj Khalifa is one of the most important landmarks and definitely one of the must-visit sites in Dubai. With a height of 830 meters, it is currently the tallest building in the world.

There are 3 observatory decks available (on the 124th, 125th, and 148th floor), which can be accessed using 1 entrance ticket. But I suggest going only to the one on the 124th and 125th floors because it is way cheaper and you still can get the best 360-degree view of Dubai and beyond.

To avoid standing on the line, you can purchase the ticket online and get a discount compared to the spot price. Entrance fee for the 124th and 125th floor is 135 AED (~$37) for non-prime hours (between 8.30 AM to 3 PM and 6.30 PM to 10 PM).

Burj Khalifa can be reached easily by metro.

Location: Burj Khalifa, 1 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, Dubai

#17 – Dubai Mall and Dubai Fountain

After visiting Burj Khalifa, walk along the Dubai Fountain to Dubai Mall, and shop until you drop in this largest mall in the world!

Dubai Mall does not only have the widest range of retail stores, but also other types of attractions such as Ice Skating Ring and Dubai Aquarium.

Next to your shopping spree, don’t forget to watch the spectacular light and fountain show at Dubai Fountain, which starts at 6 PM and subsequently every half hour until 11 PM.

Location: Dubai Mall, Financial Center Road, Dubai

#18 – Mall of the Emirates

Continue the day with mall hopping to the second largest mall in Dubai, Mall of the Emirates.

Mall of the Emirates is also home to the biggest indoor ski area in the Middle East, Ski Dubai.

The Ski Dubai features 5 slopes with varying steepness and difficulty. You can purchase a day ski pass starting from AED 255 (~$70), or even take a beginner ski course.

Mall of the Emirates can easily be reached by metro.

Location: Mall of the Emirates Al Barsha Road, Dubai

Food:

Due to the mall hopping, I would not provide any particular food suggestion for this day. Instead, I’d suggest choosing from the plentiful food options in the malls.

In fact, I remembered getting myself a double cheeseburger from Five Guy and a slice of cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory at the Dubai Mall, which is absolutely delicious! 🙂

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So there you go! I hope you will find this itinerary and guide useful. If you visit Abu Dhabi and Dubai, I would love to hear your experience and what you think about it. Please do so in the comment below, or send me a message.

Do you like this post and want to receive some more awesome updates regularly? Please make sure that you subscribe to my email updates. And also check out my other blog posts for many more helpful tips for traveling. See you in the next blog post and until we Greet again!

Ho Chi Minh City (or Saigon) is arguably one of the hottest touristic spots in Southeast Asia right now. Learn here what you can do and eat during a 3-day trip in this dynamic city!

DISCLAIMER: This page contains affiliate links, which means I will get a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through it. If you decide to use my links, I would like to sincerely thank you for your support to my blog! 

Located on the south coast of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam by population, and also the country’s commercial capital. Home to around 8 million inhabitants, it is a modern, dynamic and thriving metropolitan, which to some extent outshines the somewhat traditional capital of the country in the north, Hanoi.

Ho Chi Minh City also plays a big part in the history of modern-day Vietnam, as a place where the reunification of North- and South Vietnam took place and ended the war that lasted for 2 decades.

This combination of modern and historic makes the city very unique, and as a result, it offers a lot of fascinating things to discover for visitors. And not to forget, the food scene in this city is amazing!

In this post I would like to share with you a 3-day itinerary from my trip to Ho Chi Minh City last November, full of tips for things to see, do and eat. Hopefully, this serves as an inspiration for your own future itinerary to Ho Chi Minh City.

I will also provide some information to help you get prepared, even before you arrive in Vietnam. I guarantee your travel experience will become an unforgettable one. So here you go!

3-day itinerary in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: Things to Do and Eat

Pre-arrival

To help you prepare your visit before you arrive in Ho Chi Minh, here are few essential things to keep in mind.

#1 – Get familiar with Ho Chi Minh City and its districts

Ho Chi Minh City is split into 19 districts, with Saigon River curling its way across the middle. The city center and many of the major attractions are located in District 1.

If you plan to visit only for 2-3 days, I would recommend staying in District 1. That way all of the major attractions will be easily within your reach in a walking distance.

#2 – Hotels or Airbnb?

Accommodation offering in Ho Chi Minh City is in abundance. There are many affordable hotels ranging from budget to luxurious. However, I observed that the 5-star luxurious hotels (Sheraton, Hilton etc.) are in average more expensive than in other Southeast Asian cities (above $150).

If you’re traveling solo or in a couple, I would suggest taking a mid-range hotel in District 1, which normally costs $50 – $60 per night (breakfast is included). I stayed myself in GK Central Hotel ($60 per night), an excellent 3-star hotel located near Ben Thanh Market in District 1.

If you’re traveling with a family of more than 4 people, Airbnb would be a much better deal for you. There are plenty of apartments to rent for $40 – $60 per night. Use this link to get €30 off for your first booking.

#3 – Currency and payment

In case you’d like to exchange some money before your departure, Vietnam’s currency is called Vietnamese Dong (VND). As of now, the exchange rate of USD to VND is around 22,700 VND (1 USD = ~22,700 VND).

However, instead of exchanging money at home, I would suggest doing so in Ho Chi Minh upon your arrival, as you will tend to get a better rate.

Another alternative is to withdraw cash from ATM. The fee for ATM withdrawal will vary depending on the bank operating the ATM, but it normally costs between 1-2% of the withdrawn amount. And not to forget that credit card is also quite widely accepted at restaurants and shops (Mastercard or Visa).

Upon arrival

If you fly to Ho Chi Minh City, you will arrive at Tan Son Nhat International Airport. The airport is only around 8 km from the city center (District 1) and it takes about 15-20 minutes to get there.

You can take either Uber or taxi to get you from the airport. I would recommend taking Uber, as it is very convenient (you don’t need any cash) and extremely cheap (Uber Black costs around $5 or 110,000 VND to District 1).

You can connect easily to the airport free Wi-Fi, and order your Uber to pick you up on Arrival. Airport Wi-Fi works very well, and it has a strong coverage, even outside the Arrival terminal. By the way, I also recommend using Uber to get around the city as well. Use this link to get $5 off for your first Uber ride.

If you choose to take a cab, always get one at the official taxi stand in the airport, and take Vinasun or Mai Linh taxi. These are the most reliable taxi companies in Ho Chi Minh City. A cab ride to District 1 will cost you between 160,000 to 200,000 VND. What also very important is to have your hotel (or other destination) information ready to show to the taxi driver, as many of them do not speak English very well.

Itinerary and Food

Day 1 – Things to do:

#1 – Củ Chi Tunnels

Located around 50 km outside Ho Chi Minh City, Củ Chi Tunnels are one of the must-visit historical places in Vietnam. The tunnels were a major network of an underground passageway, used by Viet Cong soldiers as hiding spots during Vietnam War.

To visit Củ Chi Tunnels, you can take a group tour for half a day, which costs starting from $20 (depending on whether you’d like to be picked up by car or motorcycle).

At the site, you can also try to experience shooting AK-47 or other machine guns of your choice for 550,000 VND ($20) and it can be paid with credit card (Mastercard or Visa).

#2 – War Remnants Museum

After visiting Củ Chi Tunnels, visit the War Remnants Museum in the afternoon to learn more about the history of Vietnam War. It contains exhibits relating to the Vietnam War and the first Indochina War. The museum is located in District 1, near Independence Museum.

Entrance fee for adult is 40,000 VND ($2).

Location: War Remnants Museum, 28 Võ Văn Tần, phường 6, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

War Remnants Museum, Ho Chi Minh City

#3 – Ben Thanh Market

In the evening, go shop until you drop in this largest market in Ho Chi Minh City. In Ben Thanh Market you can find literally everything, from clothing, souvenirs to food. But always be prepared to haggle!

The market opens daily from 6 am until midnight. Ben Thanh Market is located in District 1.

Location: Ben Thanh Market, Lê Lợi, Bến Thành, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Day 1 – Food:

#4 – Bánh mì

Start the day with this most popular Vietnamese baguette sandwich. There are many places in Ho Chi Minh City selling Bánh Mì, but hands down the best place to get one is at Bánh Mì Huỳnh Hoa.

The crispy baguette overstuffed with a different type of cold cuts, paté and greens are so delicious, satisfying and cheap (32,000 VND = $1.50). A perfect food to start your day!

Location: Bánh Mì Huỳnh Hoa, 26 Lê Thị Riêng, Phường Phạm Ngũ Lão, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Bánh Mì Huỳnh Hoa, Ho Chi Minh City  (courtesy of Tiembanhmihuynhhoa.blogspot.com)

#5 – Phở

For dinner, what could be better to get than a hot delicious bowl of phở. This beef noodle soup does not even need another introduction. Again, there are many places to get a good phở, but arguably the best place to get phở in Ho Chi Minh City is at Phở Le.

Location: Phở Le, 413-415 Nguyễn Trãi, Phường 7, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City

Day 2 – Things to do:

#6 – Independence Palace (Reunification Palace)

Start the day by visiting the Independence Palace. Located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, it is one of the most important landmarks in Ho Chi Minh City.

The palace was the site of the end of the Vietnam War during the Fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975. Currently, the palace is largely turned into a museum, but sometimes it is also still used for government official meetings.

Entrance fee for adult is 20,000 VND ($1).

Location: Independence Palace, 135 Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa, Phường Bến Thành, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Independence Palace, Ho Chi Minh City

#7 – Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral

After visiting the Independence Palace, walk across the street to visit this other important landmark in Ho Chi Minh City. Constructed in 1863, the Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral is the biggest church built by the French in Vietnam.

Unfortunately, the Cathedral is now closed for tourists, as it is under major construction, expected to last until June 2020.  However, regular Masses are still held as usual.

Location: Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral, 01 Công xã Paris, Bến Nghé, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral, Ho Chi Minh City

#8 – Saigon Central Post Office

Walk across the street from the Notre-Dame Cathedral to Saigon Central Post Office.  Built in the late 19th century, this Central Post Office building is a beautifully preserved remnant of French colonial times and supposedly designed by Gustave Eiffel, the designer of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

Just wander around to admire this beautiful colonial architecture, or buy a postcard to send to home.

Location: Saigon Central Post Office, 02 Công xã Paris, Bến Nghé, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Saigon Central Post Office, Ho Chi Minh City

#9 – Ho Chi Minh Museum & Saigon River

After dinner, take a stroll along the embankment of Saigon River during the night, starting from Ho Chi Minh Museum (Bảo tàng Hồ Chí Minh) and heading north along the boulevard Đường Tôn Đức Thắng. I guarantee it is going be a very romantic evening walk!

Location: Ho Chi Minh Museum, 65 Lý Tự Trọng, Bến Nghé, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Day 2 – Food:

#10 – Bún chả

For lunch, I wanted to taste this typical street food from Hanoi. Despite coming from Hanoi, bún chả is also quite well known in Ho Chi Minh.

It is a grilled pork patty and pork belly served over rice noodle and dressed with sweet and sour fish sauce. It is so delicious that former US president, Barack Obama, called this dish a “killer” when tasting it during a visit to Hanoi.

One of the best places to sample this dish in Ho Chi Minh City is at Nhà hàng Ngon, an authentic Vietnamese restaurant in District 1.

Location: Nhà hàng Ngon, 160 Pasteur, Bến Nghé, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

#11 – Bún thịt nướng

For dinner, I got this cold rice noodle dish. Quite similar to bún chả, it is topped with grilled pork, but with an addition of thick slices of crispy spring rolls and roasted peanuts. And it is also dressed with sweet and sour fish sauce.

You can sample this dish also at Nhà hàng Ngon, an authentic Vietnamese restaurant in District 1.

Location: Nhà hàng Ngon, 160 Pasteur, Bến Nghé, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Day 3 – Things to do:

#12 – Bitexco Financial Tower

Start in the morning with a visit to Bitexco Financial Tower, the highest building in Ho Chi Minh City. Get a 360-degree view of Ho Chi Minh City from the Saigon Skydeck, located on the 49th floor of the tower.

Entrance fee for adult is 200,000 VND (around $9).

Location: Bitexco Financial Tower, 2 Hải Triều, Bến Nghé, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

#13 – Saigon Opera House

Located in the upscale shopping street, Đồng Khởi, Saigon Opera House is another beautiful French colonial landmark in Ho Chi Minh City. Aside from the architecture, enjoy some great classical music concerts (see some impression of the building here below, courtesy of City Pass).

You can purchase a ticket to watch a concert, and explore the inside of the building. Or if you’re not into concerts, you can always admire the architecture from outside.

Location: Saigon Opera House, 07 Công Trường Lam Sơn, Bến Nghé, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

#14 – Đồng Khởi & Nguyễn Huệ

Đồng Khởi & Nguyễn Huệ are upscale shopping streets in Ho Chi Minh City. All luxurious brands and boutiques can be found on these streets. So if you have appetite to splurge, this is definitely your place

From time to time you can also enjoy some free public events or concerts at the square of Nguyễn Huệ.

Location: Đồng Khởi, Bến Nghé, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

City Hall, Nguyễn Huệ, Ho Chi Minh City

Day 3 – Food:

What is the best thing to do to spend my last evening in Vietnam? Well, I spent the entire evening with Saigon Food Tour to discover the best Vietnamese food that you can get in Ho Chi Minh City!

#15 – Bún bò Huế

First off, I got to sample this special dish from the ancient city, Huế. It is a rice noodle soup, with spicy citrusy beef broth, and topped with shrimp sausage, and crab meatball. You can get bún bò Huế almost everywhere in Ho Chi Minh, but one of the best places to get is Bún bò Huế Dong Ba.

Location: Bún bò Huế Dong Ba, 110A Nguyen Du, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Bún bò Huế, Ho Chi Minh City (courtesy of Fest.vn)

#16 – Bánh xèo, Bánh căn & Gỏi cuốn

For second stop, we stopped at a street food vendor to sample 3 Vietnamese snacks:

• Bánh xèo: savory fried pancake made from rice flour, stuffed with pork, shrimp, and bean sprouts
• Gỏi cuốn: a fresh spring roll with fish sausage, boiled egg, and vegetables
• Bánh căn: small savory pancake made with rice flour

Accompanying these snacks, there are some fresh herbs such as mustard leaf and Thai basil, as well as 3 kinds of sauces, tomato fish sauce, peanut fish sauce and fermented fish sauce.

Location: Bánh Căn & Bánh Xèo Trúc Bàng, 972/ 6 TP HCM Bánh căn & Bánh Xèo Trúc Bàng 700000, Trường Sa, Phường 13, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City

#17 – Đồ nướng (BBQ)

After some snacks, we headed to the outdoor local BBQ place, where you get to grill your own meat over a small charcoal stove on your table. And the nice thing here is that there is almost no tourist! The BBQ consists of bacon, eggplant, oyster, mushroom, goat breast, and octopus.

Location: Quán BBQ Lúa, 33 Vĩnh Khánh Street, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City

#18 – Chè Khúc Bạch

At last, I got to taste a local dessert called Chè Khúc Bạch. This dessert is actually a mix of jelly with different flavors, shaving ice, and topped with lychee syrup and roasted almonds. Very refreshing!

Location: Chè Khúc Bạch Thanh, 68/154 Trần Quang Khải, Tân Định, Ho Chi Minh City

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So there you go! I hope you will find this itinerary and guide useful. If you visit Ho Chi Minh City, I would love to hear your experience and what you think about it. Please do so in the comment below, or send me a message.

Do you like this post and want to receive some more awesome updates regularly? Please make sure that you subscribe to my email updates. And also check out my other blog posts for many more helpful tips for traveling. See you in the next blog post and until we Greet again!

Jam-packed with SO many hidden gems, Java should be on the top of everyone’s bucket list!

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Java is the main island of Indonesia, and one of the most popular travel destinations in Indonesia. With international airports located in big cities such as Jakarta and Surabaya, Java is also the main international gateway into Indonesia. But in addition to that, it has an abundance of attractive landmarks that make a visit here more than worthwhile. No wonder that millions of tourists make Java as part of their itineraries when visiting Indonesia.

From West to East, there are endless treasures of diverse tropical landscape, cultures, food, and cities to be discovered and adored, ranging from the hustle and bustle of a big metropolitan in Jakarta, the rich cultural histories of Borobudur, to the beauty of nature in Mount Bromo and Kawah Ijen.

As a native of Java, I feel obliged to provide you with these best kept “secrets” and offer you the truly authentic and unforgettable experiences of Java. Despite a vast amount of travel guides available out there, there are in my opinion still lots of “hidden gems” uncovered by those guides. And even locals may never hear about these places.

This time I would like to show you the 9 BEST NATURAL WONDERS of Java, stretching from West to East. I also will try to provide you with information how to get there. This will be a special treat, especially for the nature lovers, as you are about to find out the splendor of barely untouched beaches, marvelous mountains and unknown islands that will blow your mind away. And I can guarantee that you won’t find them elsewhere. So here you go!

9 hidden gems in Java you won’t find in Lonely Planet

West Java

#1 – Biawak Island (Kepulauan Biawak), Indramayu

Biawak Island is located in the Java Sea, 40 km off the coast of Indramayu in West Java. The island is named after the monitor lizard, which is naturally conserved there (similar to dragon lizard or “komodo” found in Komodo Island, Flores). This atoll island is praised for its beautiful, white sandy beaches, clear water, and untouched corals, making it a heaven for snorkelers (see the video below for some impressions – courtesy of Wisata Alam).

To reach the island, take a bus from Jakarta (from Slipi or Kampung Rambutan bus terminal) to Indramayu. The bus trip takes approximately 3 hours. In Indramayu’s Karangsong harbor, there are several boat services ready to get you to the island.

#2 – Citatah Cliff (Tebing Citatah), Padalarang

For adrenaline junkies, the Citatah Cliff is surely a must-go destination. It is located in Padalarang, not far away from Bandung, the capital city of West Java. The cliff is a part of series of limestone hills and caves in the area, where recently some archaeological sites were found (check out some impressions here).

To reach the location, take a bus from Jakarta (from Kampung Rambutan bus terminal) to Padalarang (via Ciawi), and take the bus stop at Pabrik Multi Marmer Alam.

#3 – Green Canyon of Indonesia, Pangandaran

Although not as “Grand” as those in the US, this Green Canyon is a truly spectacular natural beauty. If you don’t believe it, check out the video below (courtesy of World Viewers Stop). Popularly named by locals as “Cukang Taneuh”, this canyon is located in Pangandaran, in the south of West Java. The canyon’s charming sapphire-green water and peaceful rocky caves will make you tempted to take a plunge in the water. It also offers a great adventure for everyone, from rafting to diving.

Unfortunately, it’s not that easy to get to the canyon. But if you’re traveling between Bandung and Yogyakarta, visiting this place will be a perfect fit for your itinerary.

To reach the location, you have to get to Pangandaran, which is about halfway between Bandung and Yogyakarta. From there, it’s best to ask a local guide to get you to the location, including helping you to rent a wooden boat to get to the canyon itself.

Central Java (and Yogyakarta)

#4 – Panjang Island (Pulau Panjang), Jepara

Panjang Island is a small island located in the Java Sea, about 2.5 km off the coast of Jepara, Central Java. The proximate location to the shore makes this island very easily accessible. In spite of that, the island is not that well known and heavily visited yet, and as such still considered as a virgin island. This means: clean white sandy beach, pure green water, and natural untouched corals (see video below for impressions – courtesy of Go! Go! Travelindo!). It’s a heaven for snorkelers and water sports lovers.

To reach the island, go to Kartini Beach (Pantai Kartini) in Jepara, from where you can board a boat that will bring you to Panjang Island.

#5 – Baron Beach (Pantai Baron), Yogyakarta

Baron Beach is located on the south coast of Java at a small town called Tanjungsari, about 60 km south of Yogyakarta. This is one of a group of stunning beaches that can be also found nearby, such as Krakal and Indrayanti beach (check some impressions here).

Wedged between 2 green hills, the beach has gorgeous white sand and green water. In the area, there are plenty of restaurants where you can sample some delicious, freshly caught seafood.

To reach Baron Beach, it’s advisable to rent a car and hire a driver from Yogyakarta. Taking a public transport is also an option, although it’s not as practical. If you choose to do so, take a bus from Yogyakarta to Wonosari. And from there you can take a public van directly to Baron Beach.

#6 – Pagilaran tea field, Pekalongan

Pagilaran tea field is located near Pekalongan, at the foot of Dieng Plateau, one of the gorgeous highlands in Central Java (check some impressions here). Located on 1,000-meter height, this tea field is a piece of historical treasure, being established during the Dutch colonial era in 1840. 

You can walk around the tea field, enjoying the peaceful environment while watching a dozen of hard-working women picking up the tea leaves. You can also visit and take a tour of the tea factory.

To reach Pagilaran tea field, the best way is to rent a car and hire a driver from Semarang. It’s also possible to take a bus from Pekalongan (Grogolan bus terminal) to Pagilaran.

East Java

#7 – Papuma Beach (Pantai Papuma), Jember

Papuma Beach is dubbed as one of the most exotic beaches in Java (check out the video below for impressions – courtesy of WisataRaya). Located 45 km south of Jember in the south of East Java, the beach is small and was relatively unknown.

However, since few years its popularity has started to pick up. Its white sandy beach, clear unpolluted water, and rocky coastal shore are part of the beauties it offers. In the area, you can also sample some of the delicious seafood, freshly caught from the sea.

To get to Papuma Beach, the best way is to rent a car and hire a driver from Surabaya. It’s also possible to take a bus from Surabaya (from Purabaya Bungurasih bus terminal) to Ambulu bus terminal in Jember. From there you can take a local bus (Damri) to Watu Ulo Beach, and walk to Papuma Beach.

#8 – Bawean Island (Pulau Bawean)

Bawean Island is located in the Java Sea, 150 km north off the coast of Surabaya/Gresik. This island is dubbed as “Bali of East Java” (check some impressions here). And because 77% of its population is women, it is also nicknamed as the Island of Women.

Honoring this nickname, the island is almost untouched by tourism and has plenty of beautiful sceneries, such as Lake Kastoba and Laccar Waterfall. The island is also conservation place for the endemic local deer called Bawean deer.

To reach Bawean, there are frequent ferry services from Gresik harbor, near Surabaya.

#9 – Mount Kelud (Gunung Kelud)

This volcano is one of the most famous and majestic mountains in Java (check out the video below for impressions – courtesy of sonni shooting Kediri). With ~1,700 meters of height, the volcano is located between 3 cities in East Java: Malang, Blitar, and Kediri, from where you can access its 3 peaks: Gajah Mungkur (west peak), Sumbing (south peak) and Kelud (east peak).

The volcano is still active and recently erupted in 2014. The eruption left a beautiful, green-colored crater lake, and shaped those unique 3 peaks.

Although it’s still active, the volcano is safe for hiking or trekking. To do that, it is advisable to start from Kediri, where the tourist center is located. Some local guides will be also available to become your “sherpa”. From Surabaya, it will take approximately 3 hours by bus or train to reach Kediri.

So there you go! I hope that you are now convinced to make Java part of your itineraries and go visit one of these places.

If you visit one of the places above, I would love to hear your experience and what you think about it. Please do so in the comment below, or send me a message.

Do you like this post and want to receive some more awesome travel tips regularly? Please make sure that you subscribe to my email newsletter. And also check out my other blog posts for many more helpful tips for traveling.

See you in the next blog post and until we Greet again!