Things to do in  Napier

Yes. Napier is known for its art deco architecture, and there’s nowhere like it in New Zealand. After admiring the buildings, you can also visit the gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers, enjoy views from Te Mata Peak, and explore the beaches, wineries, and cycling trails of Hawke’s Bay.

Napier is New Zealand’s art deco capital, so called for its architecture of the period—the city was rebuilt in the distinctive art deco style after an earthquake in the 1930s. It’s mainly known for its wide variety of period architecture, which includes stripped classical, Spanish mission, and Māori-influenced art deco.

No, Napier is New Zealand’s ninth largest city by population and would be considered a large town or a small city. Although the city only has about 60,000 residents, it’s still too big to get around on foot—it’s about a 25-minute drive from the southern reaches to the north.

Napier has one of the world’s most extensive and varied collections of 1930s art deco architecture. Napier’s Pania of the Reef statue on Marine Parade is a photo favorite—the mythological Maori figure resembles Copenhagen’s famous Little Mermaid statue. Napier Prison, now a museum, is the oldest in New Zealand.

While you can admire Napier’s art deco-style downtown on a day trip, it’s worth spending three days to a week in the beachside city. You can visit Cape Kidnappers and Te Mata Peak and use Napier as a basecamp for wine-tasting and cycling tours of the Hawke’s Bay wine region.

Yes. Napier has two main beaches—Napier Beach on the east and Westshore Beach to the north—and both have calm waters ideal for swimming and families. Napier also sits along the south shore of the Hawke’s Bay region, which has 185 miles (300 kilometers) of coastline and around 20 beaches.