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Papeete

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capital
—°10
Papeete (French Polynesia)
ℹ️

Practical info — Papeete

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🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • Visit the Papeete Market (Marché de Papeete) around 6:00 AM on a Sunday for the most spirited experience and freshest produce.
  • Dine at the 'roulettes' (food trucks) at Place Vai'ete in the evening; they offer great, affordable meals in a lively atmosphere.
  • Always buy black pearls from certified shops that provide a certificate of authenticity.
  • Traffic into Papeete can be heavy during morning rush hours; plan your driving accordingly.

🍽 Food

🍽
Poisson Cru au Lait de Coco

The national dish, available fresh at the Papeete Market and Vai'ete food trucks.

🍽
Chao Men

A popular local take on Chinese fried noodles, widely sold by the evening roulettes.

🍽
Tropical Juices

Freshly squeezed pineapple, mango, and papaya juices sold at the central market.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Marché de Papeete

The central hub for everything from fresh fruit and vanilla to Monoi oil and pareos.

🛍
Vaima Shopping Centre

The place to go for upscale boutiques, pearl shops, and air-conditioned browsing.

🛍
Local Boutiques around Notre Dame Cathedral

Good for finding unique Tahitian clothing and swimwear.

🧘
Bougainville Park

A small, lush green park in the city center with a stream and plenty of shade.

🧘
Paofai Gardens

A beautiful waterfront park first-rate for a sunset stroll away from the busy streets.

Papeete serves as the spirited capital of French Polynesia, located on the northwestern coast of Tahiti. Founded in 1818 by missionary William Pascoe Crook, the city has evolved from a small village into a bustling maritime port and the administrative heart of the overseas collectivity. The waterfront area is dominated by the Port of Papeete, which handles nearly all international trade for the surrounding archipelagoes. A central highlight of the city is the Marché de Papeete, a massive two-story market where locals sell everything from tropical fruits and fresh fish to intricate Tahitian handicrafts and black pearls. The city also houses the residence of the High Commissioner and the territorial government buildings. While it acts as the primary entry point for international tourists, Papeete provides its own charms, including the Cathedral of Notre Dame and the lively food trucks (les roulottes) at Place Vai'ete in the evenings.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jul–Sep.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C272727272726252525262627
Rain mm190175134116906952474084113221

Geography

Population
26,050
Coordinates
-17.53330, -149.56670

Facts

  • population: 26,000 (2017)
  • area: 17.6 km²
  • founded: 1818
  • harbour depth: 10 m
  • annual rainfall: 1,700 mm
  • number of cruise ships per year: 200

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Papeete MarketPapeete Market<1 km · EExplore →
Kanti Chinese TempleKanti Chinese Temple2 km · NEExplore →
Tomb of King Pomare VTomb of King Pomare V3 km · NWExplore →
Faa'aFaa'a4 km · SEExplore →
PiraePirae4 km · NExplore →
Fataua Valley Nature AreaFataua Valley Nature Area5 km · NEExplore →
Arue Commercial ZoneArue Commercial Zone6 km · NExplore →
Punaauia Business CenterPunaauia Business Center7 km · SEExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Papeete (10)

Temple de l'Église Sanito Rautahi

Church of the Sanito Rautahi congregation in Papeete, place of worship.

Place de l'Autonomie

Square in Papeete, central location for gatherings and events.

Galerie Winkler

Art gallery in Papeete, displays works by local and international artists.

Chapelle de l'Église de J-C des St des derniers jo

Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Papeete.

Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Papeete

Cathedral in Papeete, seat of the diocese, built in the 19th century.

Synagogue Ahava Ve Ahva

Synagogue in Papeete, center for the Jewish community.

Temple chinois Kanti

Chinese temple in Papeete, venue for prayers and ceremonies.

Papeete Tahiti Temple

Mormon temple in Papeete, Tahiti, dedicated for religious ceremonies.

Temple Etaretia Teretetiano

Church in Papeete, worship place for a Christian community.

Plage Hokule'a

Beach in Papeete, suitable for swimming and sunbathing.

Frequently asked questions

How many days should you plan for Papeete?
1-2 days are plenty to explore the market and the waterfront.
Is the city safe?
Yes, Papeete is considered safe, though you should be cautious at night in remote areas.
What is the local culinary highlight?
Must try 'Poisson Cru', raw fish in coconut milk and lime.
When is the best time to visit?
May to October, as it is drier and pleasantly warm during this time.
How to get from the airport to the city?
By taxi or pre-booked transfers; the trip takes about 10-15 minutes.
Papeete: where is it located?
Papeete is located in French Polynesia.
Papeete: what is there to see?
Highlights include Temple de l'Église Sanito Rautahi, Place de l'Autonomie, Galerie Winkler.
Papeete: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jul, Sep.
Papeete: why is it worth visiting?
Papeete serves as the spirited capital of French Polynesia, located on the northwestern coast of Tahiti.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
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Nearby cities

Faa&#39;a — Papeete (French Polynesia)
Faa'a
Faa'a is the most populous commune in French Polynesia, located directly west of the capital Papeete.
Puna&#39;auia — Papeete (French Polynesia)
Puna'auia
Puna'auia is a major residential commune on the west coast of Tahiti, known for its university and beaches.
Pirae — Papeete (French Polynesia)
Pirae
Pirae is an urban commune east of Papeete that hosts major medical and administrative facilities.
Mahina — Papeete (French Polynesia)
Mahina
Mahina is a coastal commune in northern Tahiti, famous for the historical Point Venus and black sand beaches.
Paea — Papeete (French Polynesia)
Paea
Paea is a commune on the west coast of Tahiti, rich in archaeological sites and coral reefs.
Papara — Papeete (French Polynesia)
Papara
Papara is an extensive commune on the southern coast of Tahiti, known for its agriculture and wide beaches.
Arue — Papeete (French Polynesia)
Arue
Arue is a commune in northeastern Tahiti that offers a mix of industrial areas and exclusive residential neighborhoods.
Taravao — Papeete (French Polynesia)
Taravao
Taravao is a strategically important town located on the isthmus connecting the two peninsulas of Tahiti.
Toahotu — Papeete (French Polynesia)
Toahotu
Toahotu is a commune at the entrance of the Tahiti Iti peninsula, known for its white sand beaches and coconut groves.
Afaahiti — Papeete (French Polynesia)
Afaahiti
Afaahiti is a commune on the Tahiti Iti peninsula, bordering the important commercial center of Taravao.
Mataiea — Papeete (French Polynesia)
Mataiea
Mataiea is a village in southern Tahiti known for its lush vegetation and historical links to Paul Gauguin.
Mataiea — Papeete (French Polynesia)
Mataiea
Mataiea is a picturesque coastal commune on the southern shore of Tahiti, renowned for its lush botanical gardens and serene beaches.
Paopao — Papeete (French Polynesia)
Paopao
Paopao is a village located at the base of the majestic Cook's Bay on the island of Moorea.
Papeari — Papeete (French Polynesia)
Papeari
Papeari is a coastal village on Tahiti famous for its natural beauty and the Paul Gauguin Museum.
Haapiti — Papeete (French Polynesia)
Haapiti
Haapiti is a village on the southwest coast of Moorea, known for its cultural traditions and excellent surf spots.

History & landmarks

Papeete Market — Papeete (French Polynesia)
Papeete Market
The Marche de Papeete is the heart of local commerce.
Vaima Center — Papeete (French Polynesia)
Vaima Center
The best-known shopping and business center in Papeete.

More places

Papeete Town Hall — Papeete (French Polynesia)
Papeete Town Hall
Papeete Town Hall is a magnificent colonial-style building that resembles the former palace of Queen Pomare.
Vaiare — Papeete (French Polynesia)
Vaiare
Vaiare is the primary port of Moorea and the main gateway for travelers arriving by ferry from Tahiti.
Port of Papeete — Papeete (French Polynesia)
Port of Papeete
The Port of Papeete is the main economic hub of the area.
Robert Wan Pearl Museum — Papeete (French Polynesia)
Robert Wan Pearl Museum
The world's only museum dedicated entirely to pearls.
Papeete Cathedral — Papeete (French Polynesia)
Papeete Cathedral
This Roman Catholic cathedral is the oldest church in Tahiti.
War Memorial Papeete — Papeete (French Polynesia)
War Memorial Papeete
A monument honoring the fallen Polynesian soldiers of the two World Wars.
Notre Dame Cathedral Papeete — Papeete (French Polynesia)
Notre Dame Cathedral Papeete
This central cathedral in Papeete was built in the 19th century and is the religious heart of Tahiti.