Suva, Fiji: travel guide
Fiji's capital, a harbour port with markets and rainforest
Fiji's capital and largest city on southeast Viti Levu, a lively colonial-era port with the Fiji Museum, Municipal Market and Colo-i-Suva rainforest.
About Suva
Suva is Fiji's capital, a harbour city on the south-east coast of Viti Levu with colonial-era buildings, a working port and a livelier urban feel than the resort coasts. It is wetter and more cosmopolitan than the west of the island.
Things to do in Suva include the Fiji Museum in Thurston Gardens, the Municipal Market with its produce, kava and spices, and the cafes and shops of the town centre. Colo-i-Suva rainforest park, a short drive away, offers walks and swimming holes under the trees.
Suva suits travellers interested in culture, food and everyday life rather than beaches. The drier months from May to October are generally more comfortable, though showers are common at any time.
- Country
- Fiji
- Currency
- FJD
- Time zone
- Pacific/Fiji
- Nearest airport
- SUV
Last updated
Top places to visit in Suva
Fiji Museum
history museum · 4.2 rating · about 1.5 h · entry $20 (≈ ₹850)
Fiji's national museum in Thurston Gardens, with the double-hulled Ratu Finau canoe, Lapita pottery, cannibal-era artefacts and the rudder of HMS Bounty.
Government Buildings
colonial architecture · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Suva's imposing 1930s colonial administrative complex with a clock tower, set beside Ratu Sukuna Park; a photogenic heritage landmark.
Colo-i-Suva Forest Park
rainforest · 4.2 rating · about 2 h · entry $5 (≈ ₹210)
A cool rainforest reserve just north of Suva with mahogany trees, walking trails and natural freshwater swimming pools fed by the Waisila Creek.
Thurston Gardens
botanical garden · 4.1 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Suva's botanical gardens beside the museum, laid out in 1913 with tropical trees, a lily pond, the old clock tower and shaded lawns.
Sacred Heart Cathedral
cathedral · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Suva's landmark Roman Catholic cathedral (1902) built of sandstone imported from Sydney, a fine colonial-era church in the city centre.
Suva Municipal Market
produce market · 4.0 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
One of the largest produce markets in the South Pacific, sprawling with tropical fruit, root crops, seafood and mounds of kava.
My Suva Picnic Park (Suva Point)
seafront park · 4.3 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A grassy seafront park at Suva Point popular with joggers and families, with views across Laucala Bay and the reef.
Things to do
- Colo-i-Suva Rainforest Guided Walk Hiking · 3 h · from FJD 45 per person
- Suva Heritage & Museum Walking Tour Cultural · 2.5 h · from FJD 60 per person
Where to stay in Suva
- Suva City Centre about FJD 300 per night
Waterfront heart of the capital near the museum, market and government buildings.
Hotels
- Grand Pacific Hotel 5-star · FJD 420 to FJD 900 per night
- Holiday Inn Suva 4-star · FJD 260 to FJD 420 per night
- South Seas Private Hotel 2-star · FJD 60 to FJD 140 per night
Where to eat
- Tiko's Floating Restaurant Seafood, Western · about FJD 60 per person
- Maya Dhaba Indian · about FJD 40 per person
- Old Mill Cottage Cafe Fijian, Local · about FJD 15 per person
- Governors Restaurant International, Western · about FJD 50 per person
- Bad Dog Cafe Bar, Western · about FJD 30 per person
Getting to Suva
Airport: Suva (SUV)
Getting around
- Bus
- Taxi
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Sword-seller scam
Suva streets near the market
Same as Nadi: a stranger carves your name into a wooden souvenir then aggressively demands payment.
How to avoid it: Do not engage or share your name; keep walking.
More in Fiji
Frequently asked questions about Suva
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Suva?
- The highest-rated places in our Suva guide are My Suva Picnic Park (Suva Point), Fiji Museum, Colo-i-Suva Forest Park, Thurston Gardens, Suva Municipal Market.
- Where should I stay in Suva?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Suva: Suva City Centre.
- How do I get around Suva?
- Ways to get around Suva covered in our guide: City bus, Taxi, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Suva?
- Scams reported to us for Suva include Sword-seller scam. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- Which airport is nearest to Suva?
- The nearest airport to Suva has the code SUV.