Napier Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Napier featuring a sunset and a square or plaza
Cape Kidnappers which includes general coastal views, tranquil scenes and landscape views
Napier
Napier showing a park
Church Road Winery

Tour this small coastal city, which is known for its array of art deco buildings, New Zealand’s oldest prison and high-quality wineries.

The charming town of Napier sits amongst the rolling hills of Hawke’s Bay on New Zealand’s North Island. The city was nearly levelled by an earthquake in 1931 and was rebuilt in an art deco style, gaining one of the largest collections of art deco buildings in the world. Admire the city’s beautiful architecture, discover its intriguing past and explore the surrounding wine region.

Napier’s best example of art deco architecture is the Municipal Theatre in the city centre. Explore its interior, which has a variety of odd-shaped colourful lamps. Take a guided tour through town to learn about the backstories of the buildings and their unique style. Otherwise, visit Napier in February to attend the popular Art Deco Weekend Summer Festival and enjoy picnics and gatherings throughout the city’s modern buildings.

If you would like to learn more about Napier’s fascinating history, visit the city’s museums and historic sites. Napier Prison is the oldest prison in New Zealand. Join a guided tour by night, when the ghosts of past prisoners are said to appear. The Hawke’s Bay Museum and Art Gallery feature artefacts from Napier’s first indigenous tribes, plus a large collection of local art.

Walk along Marine Parade. Lining this long promenade are fountain-crowned gardens alongside several miles of beach. Here you will find the National Aquarium of New Zealand, where you can view local marine life, such as stingrays and sharks. After your visit, sit at the terrace of a nearby café and look out over Hawke’s Bay.

The hills around Hawke’s Bay are home to several wineries, which produce some of the most popular wines in the country. Take a tasting tour through the beautiful countryside and enjoy some of the area’s finest vintages.

Located on the southeast coast of the North Island of New Zealand, Napier is about 457 kilometres (286 miles) from Auckland. Explore the rich Napier cityscape and enjoy the delights of Hawke’s Bay.

Where to stay in Napier

National Tobacco Company Building

Ahuriri

While visiting Ahuriri, you might make a stop by sights like National Tobacco Company Building and The Urban Winery.

Ahuriri
Napier showing a lake or waterhole

Napier South

If you're spending some time in Napier South, McLean Park and National Aquarium of New Zealand are top sights worth seeing.

Napier South
Church Road Winery

Taradale

You'll enjoy the wineries and churches in Taradale. You might want to make time for a stop at Church Road Winery or Pettigrew Green Arena.

Taradale
Pania of the Reef showing a statue or sculpture and art

Bluff Hill

While visiting Bluff Hill, you might make a stop by sights like Napier Prison and Ocean Spa.

Bluff Hill
Mission Estate Winery

Poraiti

If you're spending some time in Poraiti, Mission Estate Winery and Park Island Sports Complex are top sights worth seeing.

Poraiti
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Hospital Hill

While there might not be top attractions in Hospital Hill, you can explore the larger area and discover places like War Memorial Conference Center and McLean Park.

Hospital Hill
Beach Front Motel Napier

Beach Front Motel Napier

4 out of 5
373 Marine Parade, Napier
The price is NZ$133 per night from 16 July to 17 July
NZ$133
16 July - 17 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach motel in Napier. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and private hot tubs. Popular attractions Marine Parade and National Aquarium of New ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,008 reviews)
"Easy check in/out. Reception was very friendly. Room was quiet. Bed comfortable. Shower excellent. Highly recommend this hotel. And would stay again."

Reviewed on 12 Jul. 2025

Beach Front Motel Napier
Kennedy Park Resort

Kennedy Park Resort

2.5 out of 5
11 Storkey St, Napier, Hawke's Bay
The price is NZ$85 per night from 27 July to 28 July
NZ$85
27 July - 28 July
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this eco-certified holiday park in Napier. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (255 reviews)
"I like that you could walk around the place enjoy the view relaxing and kid friendly"

Reviewed on 8 Jul. 2025

Kennedy Park Resort
Swiss-Belhotel Napier

Swiss-Belhotel Napier

4 out of 5
36 Munroe Street, Napier
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$141 per night from 31 July to 1 Aug
NZ$141
31 July - 1 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Napier. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (295 reviews)
"Love the ambience but would be awesome if there’s a pool or Netflix included"

Reviewed on 12 Jul. 2025

Swiss-Belhotel Napier
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Quest Napier Serviced Apartment

Quest Napier Serviced Apartment

4.5 out of 5
176 Dickens Street, Napier
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Napier. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (947 reviews)
Napier July 2025
"First time back after opening of new road replacing The Gorge. Great improvement! Some excellent new restaurants (Madame Social especially) and some old favs doing well (fish at Mr D's was memorable). The enormous south at the Upper Norwood cafe was absolutely wonderful."

Reviewed on 3 Jul. 2025

Quest Napier Serviced Apartment
The Nautilus Napier

The Nautilus Napier

4 out of 5
387 Marine Parade, Napier
Stay at this 4-star spa aparthotel in Napier. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,917 reviews)
"very friendly staff. Great view very comfort bed and great shower. Good wifi too"

Reviewed on 13 Jul. 2025

The Nautilus Napier
Anchorage Motor Lodge

Anchorage Motor Lodge

4 out of 5
26 West Quay, Napier
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Napier. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and room service. Popular attractions National Tobacco Company Building ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (282 reviews)
"Easy parking in a good area"

Reviewed on 26 Apr. 2025

Anchorage Motor Lodge
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of Napier

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
437
5 - Excellent 58%
4 - Good
296
4 - Good 39%
3 - Okay
25
3 - Okay 3%
2 - Disappointing
2
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

We love Napier very disappointing we didnt get to go this time.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Napier is a unique little city rebuilt in totally Art Deco style after the 1931 earthquake.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

We just stopped overnight on a long journey and didn’t see any more of Napier than the hotel

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Love exploring this part of NZ. Nice people and awesome places to visit. Excellent walking and cycling tracks and of course fabulous wine.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Excellent location to go to other locations such as Hastings, Havelock North etc.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Its getting to be too rough.. too much gang activity.

Cities near Napier