--- title: "Top 10 Things To Do in Apia, Samoa | Wimup" description: "The 10 best things to do in Apia, ranked. Stevenson's house and grave at Vailima, the Palolo Deep reef, the markets, the swimming holes of Upolu and how to reach Faleolo." url: https://wimup.com/city/apia type: City guide updated: 2026-10-06 publisher: Wimup (https://wimup.com) --- # Top 10 Things To Do in Apia Apia, Samoa · Oceania · By Wimup Editorial, 12 min read Apia is a small capital on the north coast of Upolu, and the base for seeing the island. The harbour town holds the national museum, the markets and the seat of government; Stevenson's house, a reef reserve and the best swimming holes in Samoa are a short drive out. ## Quick answer Give Apia two or three days. Start at Vailima: tour Robert Louis Stevenson's house, then climb Mount Vaea to his grave. Snorkel the Palolo Deep drop-off at high tide, walk Maketi Fou and the Museum of Samoa, and end at Mulinu'u for sunset. Use the last day for Papaseea Sliding Rocks or a drive south to To Sua. Plan Sunday around church and lunch. ## Quick facts - **Best months:** Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep - **Ideal length:** 2–3 days - **Budget per day:** $70–160 - **Language:** Samoan and English - **Getting around:** Taxis, buses & rental car - **Tourism board:** [Official site](https://www.samoa.travel/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) ## The 10 best things to do in Apia ### 1. Robert Louis Stevenson Museum Museum · Vailima, Cross Island Road, Apia Villa Vailima, the house Stevenson built above the town and died in in 1894, restored and furnished with the family's belongings. Entry is by guided tour, and the guides are the best part. Combine it with the climb to his grave. - **Time:** 1 hr - **Cost:** WST 20 adult, with tour - **Best at:** Morning - **Tip:** Start the Mount Vaea trail straight after, before the midday heat Links: [Website](https://www.rlsmuseum.org/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) ### 2. Mount Vaea and Stevenson's tomb Hike · Vailima National Reserve, Cross Island Road, Apia The Road of Loving Hearts climbs from the Vailima grounds to Stevenson's grave on the summit, the path Samoans cut to carry his coffin up in 1894. The trail is steep and short, and the view runs over Apia to the reef. - **Time:** 1–2 hr return - **Cost:** Free - **Best at:** Early morning - **Tip:** Wear shoes with grip; the clay turns slick after rain ### 3. Palolo Deep Marine Reserve Snorkelling · Vaiala, Apia A reef reserve on the edge of town where the shallow flat drops into a deep blue hole full of fish and coral. Swim out at high tide, when the reef is easy to cross. Masks and snorkels are for hire at the entrance. - **Time:** 2 hr - **Cost:** WST 5, gear extra - **Best at:** High tide - **Tip:** The best coral is past the drop-off, so it suits confident swimmers ### 4. Museum of Samoa Museum · Malifa compound, Apia The national museum, small and air-conditioned, in the Malifa government compound. Six galleries run from Lapita pottery around 3,000 years old through Pacific collections to the colonial era. Entry is free. - **Time:** 1 hr - **Cost:** Free, donations welcome - **Best at:** A hot afternoon - **Tip:** Ask for the free guided tour Links: [Website](https://www.samoa.travel/plan-book/activities/museum-of-samoa/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) ### 5. Maketi Fou Market · Fugalei Street, Apia Apia's main produce market, the New Market, and the best read on what the island eats: taro, breadfruit, bananas and cooked food from the stalls. Village buses leave from beside it. - **Time:** 45 min - **Cost:** Free - **Best at:** Early morning - **Tip:** Carry small tala notes for the stalls ### 6. Samoa Cultural Village Culture · Samoa Tourism Authority, Beach Road, Apia The fastest introduction to fa'a Samoa: tattooing explained, carving, weaving, coconut husking and an umu, staged behind the tourism authority's visitor centre. It runs on set weekday mornings, so confirm the schedule a few days ahead. - **Time:** 2–3 hr - **Cost:** Ask at the visitor centre - **Best at:** A weekday morning - **Tip:** Book through the visitor centre on Beach Road Links: [Website](https://www.samoa.travel/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) ### 7. Immaculate Conception Cathedral Landmark · Beach Road, Mulivai, Apia The white Catholic cathedral on the waterfront, rebuilt on its 1857 site after the 2009 earthquake and reopened in 2014. Step inside for the stained glass; it seats more than 2,000. - **Time:** 20 min - **Cost:** Free - **Best at:** Outside service times - **Tip:** Cover shoulders and knees ### 8. Mulinu'u Peninsula Landmark · Mulinu'u Road, Apia The low spit west of the harbour has been the seat of government since the 1870s. Walk past the parliament, the 1962 independence memorial and the Malietoa tombs, then stay for sunset over Vaiusu Bay. - **Time:** 1 hr - **Cost:** Free - **Best at:** Late afternoon - **Tip:** End with a drink on the deck at Sails ### 9. Papaseea Sliding Rocks Swimming · Se'ese'e, Apia A river pours over smooth volcanic rock in a gorge on the edge of town, and the rock is the slide. Steps lead down to the pools. A taxi from the centre takes about 15 minutes. - **Time:** 1–2 hr - **Cost:** Small entry fee - **Best at:** A dry weekday - **Tip:** Wear old swimwear; the rock is rough ### 10. Baha'i House of Worship Landmark · Tiapapata, Cross Island Road, Apia A domed temple in the hills at Tiapapata, designed by Hossein Amanat and dedicated in 1984 by Malietoa Tanumafili II. The 30-metre dome sits in kept gardens, open to visitors of any faith, and the air is cooler up here. - **Time:** 45 min - **Cost:** Free - **Best at:** Morning - **Tip:** Pair it with the Tiapapata Art Centre nearby Links: [Website](https://www.bahai.ws/bahai-house-of-worship?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) ## Best restaurants in Apia Six kitchens that carry the capital, from the seafront to a garden in Moto'otua. 1. **Paddles Restaurant** (Samoan and Italian · Beach Road · Waterfront): Family-run on the seafront: Samoan dishes from one side of the kitchen, Italian from the other. 2. **Sails Restaurant** (Waterfront · Mulinu'u · Mulinu'u): Deck tables over the harbour at Mulinu'u, from light plates to full mains. 3. **Amanaki Restaurant** (Seafood · Amanaki Hotel · Apia): Strong on seafood, with poke and fresh fish, plus proper vegetarian plates. 4. **Bistro Tatau** (Modern · Apia · Apia): The fine-dining room, with Asian and European plates. The sticky toffee pudding has never left the menu. 5. **Scalini's** (Italian · Apia · Apia): The town's reliable Italian: pasta, wine and an unhurried room. 6. **Giordano's Pizzeria** (Pizza · Falealili Street · Moto'otua): Pizza on a garden patio, and the benchmark for it in town. ## Best bars & cafes in Apia Two cafes for the morning, two seafront rooms for the evening. 1. **Nourish Cafe** (Cafe · Mulivai Street · City centre): Local and organic produce, with vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free plates. 2. **Milani Caffe** (Cafe · Apia · City centre): Italian-style coffee with Samoan baking: cakes, loaves and pastries. 3. **Cocktails on the Rocks** (Bar · Beach Road · Waterfront): On the seawall, with something on most nights and five-litre towers of Taula beer. 4. **The Edge Marina** (Bar and restaurant · Marina · Waterfront): Drinks and dinner at the marina, timed for the sunset. ## Best markets & crafts in Apia Where to buy a lavalava, a fish for Sunday and a print from a local studio. 1. **Savalalo Flea Market** (Crafts · Beach Road · Savalalo): Carvings, pandanus mats, printed lavalava, siapo cloth and kilikiti bats, with a food court. 2. **Apia Fish Market** (Seafood · Waterfront · Savalalo): Reef fish, octopus and crayfish by the bus station. Busiest early on Sunday, before the to'ona'i. 3. **Tiapapata Art Centre** (Art centre · Tiapapata · Tiapapata): Painting, printmaking and ceramics in the hills, with drop-in craft workshops. [Website](https://www.creativesamoa.com/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) ## Best swimming holes near Apia Three of Upolu's fresh and sea pools, each within a drive of the capital. 1. **To Sua Ocean Trench** (Sea pool · Lotofaga · South coast): A collapsed lava tube on the south coast, entered by a long wooden ladder. WST 20 adult. 2. **Piula Cave Pool** (Cave pool · Piula · North coast): A spring-fed pool in a cave under the Methodist chapel at Piula Theological College. 3. **Togitogiga Waterfall** (Waterfall · Saleilua · South coast): Cascades and two swimming holes in O Le Pupu-Pu'e National Park. Free. ## Best parks & nature near Apia Rainforest, a crater lake and a garden lookout, all off the cross-island roads. 1. **Vailima National Reserve** (Gardens · Vailima · Vailima): Botanical gardens below Stevenson's house, with a pool and waterfall on the Loimata o Apaula stream. 2. **Lake Lanoto'o National Park** (Crater lake · Cross Island Road · Central Upolu): A crater lake in the highland rainforest south of town, home to goldfish from the German era. Go with a guide. 3. **Sopoaga Falls** (Waterfall · Lotofaga · South coast): A 54-metre plunge seen from a lookout garden planted with labelled Samoan species. ## Best neighbourhoods in Apia Apia is small: the waterfront, the market streets and the cooler hills. 1. **Beach Road waterfront** (Seafront · Hotels · Waterfront): The seawall from the main wharf to Mulinu'u, with the cathedral, bars and hotels. 2. **Fugalei and Savalalo** (Markets · Buses · City centre): The market quarter: Maketi Fou, the flea market, the fish market and the bus stands. 3. **Vailima and Tiapapata** (Hills · Gardens · Vailima): Up Cross Island Road, cooler and greener, with Stevenson's house and the Baha'i temple. ## Best day trips from Apia Beaches, a car-free island and the ferry to Savai'i, each a full day from Apia. 1. **Lalomanu Beach** (Beach · Aleipata · Southeast Upolu): White sand and open beach fales on the southeast tip of Upolu, facing Nu'utele island. 2. **Namua Island** (Island · Aleipata · Southeast Upolu): A small island inside the reef off the east tip, reached by boat from Mutiatele. No boats on Sundays. 3. **Manono Island** (Island · Manono · West Upolu): A car-free island off the west tip of Upolu, best seen with a local guide. 4. **Savai'i** (Island · Ferry · Savai'i): The bigger, wilder island by ferry from Mulifanua: the Alofaaga blowholes, Afu Aau falls and the Saleaula lava fields. [Website](https://www.samoa.travel/plan-book/getting-around-samoa/ferry-information/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) ## Festivals & annual events in Apia (2026) - **Easter** (Apr): Good Friday and Easter Monday are public holidays, and the churches overflow. - **Mother's Day** (May): A family Sunday, with the Monday after it a public holiday. - **Independence Day** (Jun): Celebrated on 1 June with parades in Apia, though independence came on 1 January 1962. - **Father's Day** (Aug): A public holiday on the Monday after the second Sunday in August. - **Teuila Festival** (Sep): The national culture week: dance, longboat races and kilikiti. In 2026 it ran as the Measina Festival. - **White Sunday** (Oct): Lotu a Tamaiti: children lead the second Sunday of October in church. The Monday is a holiday. - **Palolo rising** (Oct–Nov): Reef worms surface for a night or two after the full moon and are sold by the bucket in town. - **Christmas** (Dec): Christmas Day and Boxing Day are holidays, and choirs fill the churches. ## Must-try dishes in Apia, Samoa - **Palusami**: Young taro leaves wrapped around coconut cream and baked in the umu. - **Oka**: Raw fish cured in citrus and finished with coconut cream. - **Sapasui**: Samoan chop suey: vermicelli with pork or chicken, served with rice or taro. - **Pani popo**: Soft buns baked in a sweet coconut sauce. - **Koko Samoa**: Thick drinking chocolate made from cocoa grown on the island. - **Koko alaisa**: Rice cooked with koko Samoa and coconut milk, eaten at breakfast. - **Umu pork**: Pork roasted for hours over hot stones in the earth oven. - **Fa'ausi**: Taro dumplings in caramelised coconut cream. ## Apia transport & airports - **Faleolo International Airport** (APW): Samoa's international gateway, about 35 km west of Apia and 45 to 60 minutes by road. Taxis are unmetered, so agree the fare first. [Website](https://www.samoaairports.com/airports/faleolo-international-airport?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - **Local buses** (Cash): Open-sided wooden buses leave Maketi Fou and the Savalalo stands for villages across Upolu. No fixed timetable; pay the driver in tala. - **Taxis** (Unmetered): Plentiful in town and the easiest way to Vailima or Papaseea. There are no meters, so settle the price before you get in. [Website](https://www.samoa.travel/plan-book/getting-around-samoa/taxis/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - **Ferry to Savai'i** (Mulifanua): Samoa Shipping Corporation ferries leave Mulifanua wharf, near the airport, for Salelologa. The crossing takes 60 to 90 minutes; tickets are cash only. [Website](https://www.samoa.travel/plan-book/getting-around-samoa/ferry-information/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) ## Apia at a glance - **Country:** Samoa - **Region:** Tuamasaga, north coast of Upolu - **Population:** 35,974 in the Apia urban area (2021 census) - **Founded:** Capital of independent Samoa since 1962 - **Seat of government:** Mulinu'u peninsula - **Language:** Samoan and English - **Currency:** Samoan tala (WST) - **Time zone:** UTC+13 · no daylight saving - **Calling code:** +685 - **Airports:** APW (Faleolo) - **Power:** 230V · Type I - **Emergency:** 911 ## Interesting facts - Samoa skipped 30 December 2011, moving west of the date line to share a working week with Australia and New Zealand. - In March 1889 a cyclone wrecked or beached six German and American warships in Apia harbour. Only HMS Calliope steamed clear. - Samoa switched from driving on the right to driving on the left in September 2009. - Stevenson's tomb on Mount Vaea carries his poem Requiem: "Home is the sailor, home from sea." - Samoa was the first Pacific island nation to win independence, from New Zealand, on 1 January 1962. ## Apia travel FAQ ### How many days do you need in Apia? Two or three. One day covers Vailima and Mount Vaea, a second the Museum of Samoa, Maketi Fou, Palolo Deep and Mulinu'u at sunset. Use a third for Papaseea or a drive to To Sua, then move on to the beaches or Savai'i. ### When is the best time to visit Apia? The dry season runs from May to October, and June to September is the driest and sunniest stretch, with the clearest water for snorkelling. November to April is the wet season and carries a cyclone risk. ### How do you get from Faleolo Airport to Apia? Faleolo is about 35 km west, 45 to 60 minutes by road. Taxis are unmetered, so agree the fare before leaving. Hotel shuttles can be booked ahead, and a local bus runs to town in daylight for cash. ### Is Apia open on Sundays? Sunday belongs to church and the to'ona'i lunch. Most shops close and some villages ask visitors not to swim. Go to the fish market early, attend a service for the singing, and book lunch at your hotel. ### What should you wear in Apia? Cover shoulders and knees in town, in villages and in church. Swimwear belongs at the beach or the pool. A lavalava from the Savalalo Flea Market covers both and costs little. ## Nearby guides - [Nuku'alofa](https://wimup.com/city/nukualofa.md): Tonga · 10 picks - [Suva](https://wimup.com/city/suva.md): Fiji · 10 picks - [Nadi](https://wimup.com/city/nadi.md): Fiji · 10 picks - [All of Oceania →](https://wimup.com/oceania): 19 cities Part of the [Samoa guide](https://wimup.com/country/samoa.md) · [Oceania](https://wimup.com/oceania.md) ## Sources - [Apia tourism board](https://www.samoa.travel/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - [Robert Louis Stevenson Museum (official site)](https://www.rlsmuseum.org/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - [Museum of Samoa (official site)](https://www.samoa.travel/plan-book/activities/museum-of-samoa/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - [Baha'i House of Worship (official site)](https://www.bahai.ws/bahai-house-of-worship?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - [Tiapapata Art Centre (official site)](https://www.creativesamoa.com/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - [Savai'i (official site)](https://www.samoa.travel/plan-book/getting-around-samoa/ferry-information/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - [Faleolo International Airport (official site)](https://www.samoaairports.com/airports/faleolo-international-airport?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - [Taxis (official site)](https://www.samoa.travel/plan-book/getting-around-samoa/taxis/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - Rankings are Wimup editorial picks. Prices, durations and budgets are editorial estimates, not live quotes; check the official site before you go.