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Apia Travel Guide: Where to Stay and What to Do

Pace: relaxed Laid-back Scenic Authentic Tropical
Ideal trip length
5–10 days
Busiest
May-Oct

Updated September 2026

Apia

About Apia

Apia is Samoa’s relaxed capital, set on Upolu’s north coast beside the South Pacific, with cultural landmarks, tropical scenery and inviting swimming spots.

Low-key waterfront scenes, tropical greenery and Samoan village traditions shape daily life, with a friendly atmosphere that suits couples. The Apia Waterfront leads to the Immaculate Conception Cathedral and Apia Fish Market, while Palolo Deep Marine Reserve offers clear water for swimming and snorkeling.

Robert Louis Stevenson Museum and Papase'ea Sliding Rocks add inland outings, and local tables serve oka and pani popo. Accommodation around Apia Waterfront keeps the harbor, markets and dining close.

Where to stay

Hotels in Apia

Book direct on our own Apia hotel pages — no booking fee.

Stay like a local in Apia

Places to stay in Apia

Best for

Ranked by verified guest score, then stars. Based on 64 of 71 hotels with verified data.

Best for families

Family rooms listed · 5 hotels qualify

  1. Samoana Boutique Hotel8.2/10 · 215 reviews · 3-star
  2. The White House Hotel8.0/10 · 432 reviews
  3. Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey's Hotel & Bungalows7.6/10 · 390 reviews · 5-star
  4. Moatoga Hotel7.4/10 · 227 reviews · 3-star
  5. Alec's Hotel6.9/10 · 111 reviews · 3-star

Best for drivers

Free parking · 13 hotels qualify

  1. Taumeasina Island Resort8.6/10 · 331 reviews
  2. Vaea Hotel Apia8.6/10 · 144 reviews
  3. The Samoan Outrigger Hotel8.5/10 · 298 reviews · 2-star
  4. Kuinis Guesthouse8.4/10 · 69 reviews · 4-star
  5. Lava Hotel8.3/10 · 357 reviews · 4-star

Best for a pool

Swimming pool listed · 10 hotels qualify

  1. Dave Parker Eco Lodge Hotel8.8/10 · 311 reviews · 3-star
  2. Tanoa Tusitala Hotel8.0/10 · 844 reviews · 4-star
  3. Hotel Millenia Samoa6.0/10 · 396 reviews · 3-star

Apia at a glance

Check-in / check-out
2:00 PM / 11:00 AM
Free parking
58 of 59 hotels (98%)
Pool
18 of 64 hotels
Climate
Tropical
Languages
Samoan and English
Local currency
WST (WST)
Local time
(GMT+13)
Ideal trip length
5–10 days
Cost level
3 of 5 · our research
Suggested area to stay
Apia Waterfront
Tap water
Bottled water recommended
Tipping
Not customary

History, culture and food in Apia

History

95 · Outstanding

Culture

90 · Outstanding

Food

90 · Outstanding

Family 80 · Very good

Our own 0–100 ratings for this one destination. They describe a city; they are not a league table of cities.

Food to try

Oka Palusami Fa'alifu Kalo Pani Popo

Hotel facts in Apia

Based on 64 of 71 hotels with verified data.

Hotels that listHotelsShare
Free parkingof hotels with verified parking58 of 5998%
Swimming pool18 of 6428%
24-hour front desk15 of 6423%
Facilities for disabled guests7 of 6411%
Family rooms9 of 6414%
Breakfast availablefree or paid depends on the rate1 of 642%
Kitchen or kitchenette9 of 6414%
Airport shuttle1 free21 of 6433%

Pools and room sizes by star rating

StarsPoolStandard room
3-star7 of 2334 m²usually 20 m²–35 m² · 11 hotels

When to visit Apia

How good each month is here, on this destination's own scale. It compares months within this city, never one city against another.

Best months: July, August and September Busiest: May-Oct
  1. Jan
    0

    Often avoided: Heavy rain

  2. Feb
    0

    Often avoided: Heavy rain

  3. Mar
    0

    Often avoided: Heavy rain

  4. Apr
    20

    Rainy (213 mm)

  5. May
    27

    Rainy (246 mm)

  6. Jun
    53

    Samoa Independence Day

  7. Jul
    56

    Pleasant weather (avg high 30°C)

  8. Aug
    56

    Pleasant weather (avg high 30°C)

  9. Sep
    59

    Teuila Festival

  10. Oct
    31

    Warm, less rain

  11. Nov
    14

    Very wet (253 mm rain)

  12. Dec
    1

    Often avoided: Heavy rain

Things to do in Apia

7 places worth your time, grouped by when they are at their best.

Best in the morning

3 places

Palolo Deep Marine Reserve

Apia 2.5 hours

Outdoors Good for children

Samoa Cultural Village

Apia 3 hours

Outdoors Good for children

Apia Fish Market

Apia 1.5 hours

Outdoors Good for children

Best in the afternoon

2 places

Papase'ea Sliding Rocks

Apia 3 hours

Outdoors Good for children

To Sua Ocean Trench

Lotofaga 2 hours

Outdoors Good for children

Any time of day

2 places

Immaculate Conception Cathedral

Apia 1 hour

Indoors Good for children

Robert Louis Stevenson Museum

Vailima 2 hours

Indoors Good for children

Apia itineraries, day by day

View all itineraries
3 Days in Apia — First-Timer Highlights
First-timer highlights

3 Days in Apia — First-Timer Highlights

3 days14 stops

Discover the vibrant culture and stunning natural beauty of Samoa's capital and its surrounds.

Things to book

Tours and activities in Apia

Guided tours, day trips and tickets to book alongside your stay.

Before you go to Apia

Our own ratings and notes on eating out, signature experiences, who the city suits and planning ahead.

Eating out

Oka 95 · Outstanding
Palusami 87 · Outstanding
Fa'alifu Kalo 78 · Very good
Pani Popo 70 · Good

Signature experiences

Immaculate Conception Cathedral 95 · Outstanding
Robert Louis Stevenson Museum 91 · Outstanding
Palolo Deep Marine Reserve 87 · Outstanding
Papase'ea Sliding Rocks 83 · Very good
Samoa Cultural Village 78 · Very good
Apia Fish Market 74 · Good
To Sua Ocean Trench 70 · Good

Who it suits

Couples 95 · Outstanding
Families 89 · Outstanding
Adventure 83 · Very good
Nature 76 · Very good
Budget 70 · Good

Planning tips

Respect local customs and dress modestly outside resorts. 95 · Outstanding
Carry cash for smaller vendors and local buses. 83 · Very good
Stay hydrated and use strong sun protection. 70 · Good

Ratings and recommendations are curated from local travel data.

Getaways from Apia

Places people from Apia travel to, from our own travel research.

Frequently asked questions about Apia

How many places to stay are there in Apia?

There are 71 hotels, apartments and other places to stay in Apia. They include 20 hotels and 13 apartments.

When is the peak season in Apia?

The peak season in Apia is May-Oct.

Which area is a good base in Apia?

The travel guide suggests staying in Apia Waterfront when visiting Apia.

How many hotels in Apia have free parking?

58 of the 59 hotels in Apia with verified parking details list free parking (98%). 0 charge for parking.

What is the usual check-in time at hotels in Apia?

2:00 PM at 32 of the 63 hotels with a verified check-in time. The next most common time is 3:00 PM (11 hotels).

What time is check-out at hotels in Apia?

11:00 AM at 26 of 59 hotels with a verified check-out time; 10:00 AM at 20.

How many hotels in Apia have a pool?

18 of 64 hotels with verified data list a swimming pool.