In & Around Suva
Our top 10 things to see and do in & around Suva
- Government Buildings & Parliament house
During your visit, be sure to check out popular government buildings like The Court House, Government House and Parliament, which are all a short drive from the hotel.
The Presidential Palace, re-built in 1928 for the British Governor at the time, is now home to the President of Fiji. It’s also known as Government House. The gates are guarded by a soldier, beautifully dressed in white sulus and red tunics. If you are lucky, you may even see a changing of the guard.
Thurston Gardens is a beautiful garden in the city, and home to the Fiji Museum. The garden is abundant with flora, it includes a mix of European species and tropical Pacific species.
Founded in 1904, the museum boasts an impressive collection of artifacts and precious historic items.
The museum is organised into halls, with the most precious and historic items placed deeper within the halls. In the first hall, sits an impressive ‘Drua’, a traditional Fijian double-hulled canoe. Originally used for Pacific voyages, they are considered one of the most seaworthy vessels of all sea voyaging canoes in Oceania.
The museum also displays historic items from when the first indentured labourers came from India to Fiji.
After a wander through the gardens and the museum, sit and relax on the balcony of the museum and enjoy a coffee and bite to eat at Ginger Kitchen or stroll across the road for a meal at Paradiso.
Suva’s Sea Wall walk starts near the Grand Pacific Hotel (GPH) passes the Suva Lawn Bowling Club and follows the waterfront. It weaves through beautiful old trees, through mangroves and offers an impressive view out across the harbour. It passes through exercise parks with provided equipment, and also via a children’s park, an entertaining bure and an adult's park. The park also has a pay-to-use public toilet.
In the early morning or late afternoons, the sea wall is filled with joggers and walkers getting in some exercise, it also offers pretty views early morning, or can be a great spot to capture a wonderful sunset across Suva’s harbour.
At lunchtime, it’s also a favourite spot for office workers to sit, catch up with friends and share and enjoy their lunch.
Located by the Suva Bus Station, the Suva Market is a bustling market that sells a wide variety of locally grown fruits, vegetables, flowers and other produce, plus spices, seafood and a few craft items.
On the first floor, market sellers display a wide arrange of spices, curry powers, kava, nuts and more. On the lower level the market sellers offer fresh fruits, vegetables, fresh herbs and other produce.
Outside one of the entries, a group of sellers display fresh cut tropical flowers and floral displays. This spot is worth a visit to capture some wonderful photos of the bright beautiful flowers on offer.
The market also has a seafood section where local fisherman and market sellers display their fresh seafood. Early morning is best to pick up the freshest catch.
Produce is usually displayed in bundles with a set price and bargaining is not an accepted practice at this market.
Colo-I-Suva Forest Park and a nature reserve is located a short drive from Five Princes. It offers hiking trails, swimming, and birdwatching. It's a tropical oasis that is a favourite among locals and visitors to the capital.
The Curio Handicraft centre is located on the waterfront in the CBD. Take a wander through and you will see carvings, weaved goods, jewellery, shells, mats and other goodies to take with you to remind you of bustling Suva. Kava bowls, grass skirts and tapa make wonderful souvenirs.
From the Royal Suva Yacht Club (approx. 2 minute drive) or Pacific Harbour (approx. 45 drive from Suva) there are operators that will take you to some wonderful dive sites to explore the underwater world nearby the capital.
You may like to book on a liveaboard boat that can take you to Fiji’s best dive sites or day trips are also available. In Fiji, nearby Suva experienced divers will see fun reef walls and an abundance of sea life. Whitetip reef sharks, turtles, and lots of reef fish usually appear on most diving expeditions. Shark encounters are also very common around this area. Talk to us about organising a Dive.
Situated just off the coast of Suva sits Nukulau Island, a pretty sand island that makes for a perfect day trip from the capital. On the weekends the island is a popular spot for locals, day-trippers and those wanting an easily accessible island picnic spot. You can walk around the whole island, see some of its history. It was used as a prison in the 1900’s, but was officially closed in 2006. A fee is charged to visit the island. You can catch a private boat from the yacht club, or a ferry from the port.
Enjoy your stay in Suva!
