What to do in Papeete

Activities, attractions and tours

Papeete
Papeete Town Hall which includes a park and heritage architecture
Papeete Market showing interior views and markets as well as a small group of people
Papeete Market showing flowers
Papeete featuring cruising, a bay or harbour and kayaking or canoeing

Places to Visit in Papeete

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Let Expedia.co.nz help you find the most exciting and fun things to do in Papeete, Windward Islands while also allowing you to save a ton on travel arrangements. Regardless of whether you’re an urban explorer or an intrepid outdoor enthusiast, we can help you decide exactly what to do and see during your time in town.

Our thorough travel guides offer you an insider’s perspective on all of the best Papeete attractions from NZ$103, making it easy for you to decide which places to visit and when. And by using Expedia.co.nz to set your sightseeing schedule, you can take in more of the enchanting attractions this area is famous for.

From group Papeete tours and must-see landmarks to personal guides who take you off-the-beaten track, Expedia.co.nz offers you over 53 of the most popular events, activities, and attractions in this corner of the world. So whether you’re travelling alone, alongside a loved one, or with the whole family in tow, be sure to browse through our extensive travel guides prior to your plane touching down in this spectacular Papeete. We even have a massive selection of flights, car hires, and accommodation for you to choose from. So what are you waiting for? Start your search today, and you’ll be having the time of your life before you know it.

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Top places to visit

1. Papeete Market

The oldest attraction on the island, Papeete Market, sits in the heart of French Polynesia’s capital city, just a short walk from the bay. It is a colorful and stimulating place with an array of food and keepsakes. Find hats, necklaces, fruit, vegetables and traditional souvenirs with a Tahitian theme lining the shelves of the modern complex that holds the market. Bright, decorative banners and streamers help to create a festive atmosphere among the inexpensive items for sale.
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Papeete Market featuring food and markets

2. Jardins de Paofai

The Jardins de Paofai are among the most beautiful spots in all of Papeete. Leave behind the hustle and bustle of this Pacific island city and wander through the pretty gardens which stretch all along the waterfront. It is a delightful place to while away a couple of hours and get to know indigenous flora from all over French Polynesia.
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Papeete which includes a river or creek and a park

3. Papeete Town Hall

The standout building in French Polynesia’s capital city is the architectural wonder of Papeete Town Hall. This magnificent structure was built as a replica of a former royal palace. Its bright yellow façade, white columns, red roof and scenic gardens perfectly embody the French colonial style that can be seen throughout Tahiti. Notice its red-and-white clock tower, an iconic symbol that hovers over the city.
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Papeete Town Hall showing an administrative building

4. Robert Wan Pearl Museum

The Black Pearl Museum houses the largest Tahitian pearl in the world and is one of the only institutions in the world entirely devoted to pearls. The rare black pearl remains as exceptional today as in the fabled pirate tales and mythology. Enjoy the air of mysticism surrounding this Tahiti museum, where the cultural importance of pearls is explained through storytelling, history exhibits and works of art.
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Black Pearl Museum showing fashion

5. Notre Dame Cathedral

The Cathédrale de l’Immaculée Conception is a colorful 19th-century church near the waterfront in French Polynesia’s capital city, Papeete. It is the oldest Catholic church on the island and a surviving example of 19th-century French Colonial architecture. Admire its red steeple and yellow façade with maroon arched windows. Visit this landmark in a spacious plaza in the historic center of town.
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Cathedrale de L\'lmmaculee Conception featuring religious elements and a church or cathedral

6. Parc Bougainville

The tranquil and tropical features of Parc Bougainville provide a calm oasis for visitors to Papeete. The park's statues, meandering stream and exotic trees give it an aura of beauty and grandeur.
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Parc Bougainville featuring a park

7. Place Jacques Chirac

Overlooking Papeete harbor is the picturesque park, Place du 2 Juillet (2nd of July Square), a lush green space known for its sculptures, vegetation and political symbolism. The date in the park’s name commemorates the first nuclear tests carried out in the South Pacific and the park acts as a protest against French Polynesia’s nuclear activity. See carvings that pay tribute to Tahiti’s turbulent past and victims of nuclear catastrophes worldwide. Attend official memorial services and enjoy a clear vista of the bay.
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Place Jacques Chirac showing general coastal views and a garden

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Recommended things to do in Papeete

Number of things to do
53
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Papeete Walking Tour - Tahiti: NZ$103
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Papeete

Discover the most popular places to visit in Papeete

Papeete Market featuring food and markets

Papeete Market

Divine aromas, delightful tastes and a sea of color stir the senses in this traditional marketplace full of exotic fruit, tropical fish and handmade artifacts.

Papeete Market
Papeete which includes a river or creek and a park

Jardins de Paofai

Enjoy the serenity and beauty of these botanical gardens in the heart of Papeete as you take advantage of the leisure and sporting facilities.

Jardins de Paofai
Papeete Town Hall showing an administrative building

Papeete Town Hall

This inspiring structure is the city’s preeminent architectural triumph with its bright colonial features, picturesque grounds and iconic clock tower.

Papeete Town Hall
Black Pearl Museum showing fashion

Robert Wan Pearl Museum

One of the largest pearls ever found is displayed in this museum which is entirely dedicated to the mystical gems.

Robert Wan Pearl Museum
Cathedrale de L\'lmmaculee Conception featuring religious elements and a church or cathedral

Notre Dame Cathedral

Explore a red-and-yellow cathedral, which is the oldest Catholic church in Tahiti and serves as a symbol of French colonial presence from the 1800s.

Notre Dame Cathedral
Parc Bougainville featuring a park

Parc Bougainville

This tropical park is home to exotic flora and an historic statue. It is an ideal spot for a picnic in the shade of a banyan tree.

Parc Bougainville
Place Jacques Chirac showing general coastal views and a garden

Place Jacques Chirac

This park conveys a profound political statement in protest and memorial of the nuclear tests carried out over a period of 30 years in French Polynesia.

Place Jacques Chirac

Port de Papeete

Explore the waterfront in Papeete with a trip to Port de Papeete. Wander through the seaside and beautiful beaches in this romantic area.

Port de Papeete

Papeete Ferry Terminal

Explore the waterfront in Papeete with a trip to Papeete Ferry Terminal. Stroll along the waterfront or visit the shops in the area.

Papeete Ferry Terminal

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Papeete

Photo by Life Outside the Box

Faaa

Frequently asked questions

Is Papeete worth visiting?
One of the most popular things to do in Papeete is visit Plage Toaroto. Tick this leading attraction off your list, then discover more of the area's markets and nature.
How do I spend a day in Papeete?
When you've checked off popular attractions like Plage Toaroto and Fautaua Waterfall, spend the rest of your day enjoying the retail and food options in Papeete.
What is the top tourist attraction in Papeete?
The top tourist attraction in Papeete is Plage Toaroto, so don't forget to include it on your sightseeing agenda.
Is three days enough to stay in Papeete?
You can easily tick off top attractions like Fautaua Waterfall, Fautaua Waterfall and Plage Lafayette with a three-day getaway in Papeete. On average, most travellers plan two days here. There's plenty to see and do nearby too, so stick around longer and head to Faaa.
Is Papeete a walkable city?
With top attractions like Jardins de Paofai in the area, Papeete is every bit a place to explore on foot. Want to discover some exciting neighbourhoods within walking distance of the city centre? Pā'ōfa'i is around 2 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Papeete with kids?
If you are after activities and sights for all of your group, take a look at these fantastic ideas for what to do in Papeete with kids.

What to do in Papeete for adults?
Place Vaiete and Musee de la Perle Robert WAN - The Robert WAN Pearl Museum are just a few of the things to do in Papeete. With loads of activities available, there's something here for everyone to explore.
Are there free things to do in Papeete?
One of the simplest ways to discover free things to do in Papeete is to ask a local tour guide. You'll get insider advice on cool neighbourhoods, parks and other attractions you can enjoy without reaching into your pocket. Plage Lafayette is one sight that doesn't have an entrance fee.