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    Napier

    New Zealand

    Napier

    CityCulture

    Napier is located on Hawke Bay on the east coast of the North Island and is primarily known for its Art Deco centre.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. New Zealand
    7. Hawke's Bay
    9. Napier
    Napier is located on Hawke Bay on the east coast of the North Island and is primarily known for its Art Deco centre. The earthquake of February 3, 1931, destroyed large parts of the city, after which the centre was rebuilt in the style of the era. Today, you can stroll among pastel-coloured facades, walk along the Marine Parade by the sea, and view the harbour from Bluff Hill. The Hawke's Bay wineries are just a short drive away.

    Sights in Napier

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Faraday Museum of Technology

    1Faraday Museum of Technology

    Volunteer-run Technology Museum in Faraday Street. It displays 20th-century everyday technology and machines: from old stoves and irons, to phones, engines, and vehicles. Open only on selected weekdays; check times before visiting.
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    Bluff Hill Lookout
    Historic Landmark

    2Bluff Hill Lookout

    A viewpoint on Bluff Hill, located above a World War II coastal defense gun emplacement. From the top, you look out over Napier Port and Hawke Bay. You can get up there by car via Lighthouse Road or on foot from Marine Parade, with the final section involving steps through a small reserve.
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    Napier Botanical Gardens
    Attraction

    3Napier Botanical Gardens

    Botanical Garden on the slope of Hospital Hill on Spencer Road, west of the city center. Shady paths wind through old trees and flowerbeds, with the city's historic cemetery adjacent.
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    National Aquarium of New Zealand
    Zoo

    4National Aquarium of New Zealand

    Aquarium at the southern end of Marine Parade. Through a tunnel in the 1.5-million-litre Oceanarium, rays, kingfish, and snapper swim above you. You'll also see Little Penguins as well as Tuatara and Kiwis. Dating back to 1957, it adopted its current name after the 2002 renovation.
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    MTG Hawke's Bay
    Museum

    5MTG Hawke's Bay

    MTG Hawke's Bay, known in Māori as Tai Ahuriri, combines a museum, theatre, and art gallery on Marine Parade. After a three-year renovation, the venue reopened in 2013. Its exhibitions focus on the art, history, and Taonga of the region, including the 1931 earthquake.
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    Art Deco Centre (Art Deco Trust)
    Attraction

    6Art Deco Centre (Art Deco Trust)

    Art Deco Trust Visitor Centre at the corner of Tennyson Street and Clive Square. Daily guided walking tours of the centre, rebuilt after 1931, start here, and vintage car tours are also offered. It's a good starting point before you explore the Art Deco Quarter on your own.
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    City walks in Napier

    Curated walking tours through the city's highlights, handpicked by experienced travel journalists.

    Napier's Art Deco Charm: A Coastal and Architectural Discovery Tour

    Discover Napier's unique Art Deco flair on this two-hour walk. From the picturesque Marine Parade to the magnificent buildings in the town centre, immerse yourself in the fascinating story of the rebuilding and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of this coastal town. A treat for lovers of architecture and history.

    ~2 Std.
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    Stops (6)

    Essen & Trinken

    1

    Dajko's Kilim Cafe

    A Turkish cafe-restaurant located on Hastings Street in Napier city centre.
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    2

    Master of India Napier

    Indian Restaurant on Bridge Street in Ahuriri's Harbour Quarter.
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    3

    Raffles St Café

    Cafe with breakfast and lunch on Raffles Street, at the southern edge of the city center.
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    4

    Bangkok House

    Thai Restaurant on Dickens Street in Napier's Art Deco Centre.
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    5

    ILONA pasta

    Italian pasta restaurant on Emerson Street, the pedestrian zone in the Art Deco Center.
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    6

    Vinci's Pizza

    Pizzeria in Hastings Street in Napier's city centre.
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    7

    Central Fire Station Bistro

    Bistro on Tennyson Street in the Art Deco Centre of Napier.
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    8

    Madame Social Eatery & Bar

    Asian-inspired restaurant with a bar on West Quay in Ahuriri's harbour precinct.
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    Eating and Drinking in Napier

    Napier's dining scene reflects the region's diversity, from fresh seafood to international specialties. Discover cozy cafés like Raffles St Café or enjoy authentic Indian cuisine at Master of India Napier, often paired with a local Hawke's Bay wine.

    Wine from Hawke's Bay

    Hawke's Bay is New Zealand's oldest and second-largest wine region. It is known for Chardonnay, Syrah, and Merlot-based red wines, many of which come from the Gimblett Gravels area.

    Fruit from the region

    On the plains around Napier and Hastings, apples, pears, and stone fruit grow. In summer, farm shops and markets sell fresh produce.

    Fish and Chips by the Sea

    Fish and chips is a beloved staple of coastal life in New Zealand. In Napier, you best eat it on a bench on Marine Parade or in Ahuriri.

    Earthquakes and Art Deco

    On February 3, 1931, an earthquake measuring 7.8 magnitude struck Hawke's Bay. Officially, 256 people lost their lives, 161 of them in Napier. The quake lifted the land by up to 2.7 meters, drying out parts of the former lagoon. In the following years, the destroyed city center was rebuilt in the Art Deco style, and this ensemble still defines Napier today.The Art Deco Trust offers guided tours from the Art Deco Centre on Tennyson Street. In February, the city celebrates the 1920s and 1930s at the Art Deco Festival with vintage cars, music, and historical clothing. MTG Hawke's Bay showcases the region's art and history, including an exhibition on the earthquake.Ahuriri is the Māori name for the area and today also the name of the port district. The statue Pania of the Reef on Marine Parade commemorates a figure from Māori tradition.

    Nightlife

    1

    Virasat Wine Bar & Eatery

    Wine bar & kitchen in Herschell Street, steps away from Marine Parade.
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    2

    Rogue Hop

    Bar on Hastings Street in the city center of Napier.
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    3

    The Gintrap Restaurant & Bar

    Restaurant and bar on West Quay in Ahuriri, right on the water of the Inner Harbour.
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    On the Go in Napier

    Napier's centre is compact and flat, so you can reach most sights between the Art Deco Quarter and Marine Parade on foot. Cycling and walking paths run along the coast, which also lead to Ahuriri.Public buses operate under the name goBay. The network is owned by the Hawke's Bay Regional Council and operated by Go Bus. It covers Napier, Hastings, Havelock North and Flaxmere, and since 2026 offers more direct connections between Napier and Hastings. You can pay with cash or use the Bee Card, a top-up card that makes fares cheaper than paying with cash. Current timetables and fares are available at gobay.co.nz.For excursions to the wineries, Te Mata Peak, or the coast towards Cape Kidnappers, a rental car is the most flexible solution.

    Accommodations in Napier

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      • 2Bluff Hill Lookout4 days
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    Nearby

    Hawke's Bay

    Hawke's Bay

    Hawke's Bay on the East Coast of the North Island is both orchard and wine country. Around Napier, Hastings and Havelock North, apple orchards, vineyards, and gravel soils alternate; the coast features long beaches and the gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers. The 1931 earthquake still shapes the cityscape: Napier and Hastings were rebuilt in Art Deco and Spanish Mission styles afterwards.

    Hastings

    Hastings is the heart of the Heretaunga fruit and wine plains in Hawke's Bay. After the 1931 earthquake, which claimed 93 lives here, the city centre was rebuilt in Art Deco and Spanish Mission styles. Today, you can stroll from the Clock Tower through Heretaunga Street, visit the Farmers' Market on Sundays, and head from here to the Gimblett Gravels wineries or up Te Mata Peak near Havelock North.
    Havelock North

    Havelock North

    Havelock North lies southeast of Hastings at the foot of Te Mata Peak. Locals simply call the village centre “the village”: a few streets with cafés, restaurants, and shops, surrounded by orchards and vineyards. From here, drive or hike up Te Mata Peak and visit local wineries.
    Taupō

    Taupō

    Taupō is located on the northeastern shore of Lake Taupō, New Zealand's largest lake. The lake fills a caldera formed by massive volcanic eruptions; the last major eruption occurred around 232 AD.The town is a base for water sports, trout fishing, skydiving, and excursions to Huka Falls, Craters of the Moon, and Tongariro National Park, whose volcanoes you can see from the shore on clear days.
    Gisborne Wine Region

    Gisborne Wine Region

    The Gisborne wine region is on the fertile Poverty Bay Flats, west and south of the city. Few NZ wine regions have such sun and warmth; harvest often starts here first. Chardonnay is dominant, alongside Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, and Merlot.According to New Zealand Winegrowers, all wineries are within 15 minutes of the city or airport. Three sub-regions define the area: Ormond (north, with the Golden Slope), Patutahi (west, known for Gewürztraminer), and Manutuke (south, near the coast). Plan tastings; cellar doors often have limited hours, confirm your driver.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Wikimedia Commons, Unsplash, Google Maps. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI