ApiaCapital
Samoa · Country profile
Apia is the small, sleepy capital of Samoa, a harbour town of the north coast of the island of Upolu that gathers the country around a single bay and a handful of bright, low-rise streets. It is one of the world’s rare capitals without a single traffic light, the seat of the independent Polynesian state, and its civic life turns on the Sunday church parades, the market mornings and the quiet rhythm of the lagoon. The old town mixes the colonial churches, the government buildings of the nation and the tree-lined waterfront, while the great beaches, the waterfalls and the village fales of the surrounding coast sit barely a short drive away. Friendly, green and unhurried, Apia makes the perfect gentle gateway to the whole of Samoa.
About Apia
Apia is the capital of Samoa. The city's documented population is around 36,000 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the Samoan Tālā (WST) and Samoan and English are spoken; the dialling code is +685.
The Harbour Capital and the Beaches of the Cross Island Drive
Apia is a compact, walkable capital where a relaxed harbour, the Friday market and the Sunday church services set the gentle tempo of the day. The classic stops are the clock tower of the centre, the old government buildings, the fish and craft markets and the museum of the country, with the coconut plantations and the beaches of the north coast within a short drive. The city is easy to cross on foot and the buses of the island leave from the central waterfront. It is the natural base for the circuits of Upolu, and its unhurried, deeply friendly atmosphere is the first and lasting taste of the Polynesian way of life.
The Trade Winds, the Cyclone Season and the Sunday Churches
The trade winds bring the warm wet season from November to April and the drier, cooler months of the southern winter, which are the kindest for travel. The tala is the currency, the Samoan the language, with the English widely spoken and the villages of the coast observe the quiet of the evenings and the Sundays. The market of the town, the museum and the beaches of the lagoon fill the short days, while the waterfalls and the villages of the interior and the anti-clockwise road of the island complete the circuit. The respect of the local customs, modest dress in the villages and a light, tropical wardrobe are the practical essentials of the capital.
The Clock Tower, the Markets and the Fales of the Coast
The architectural remnant of the old government building, the clock tower of the centre and the Catholic cathedral anchor the main stroll, while the evening food stalls and the handicraft market of the waterfront hold the everyday trade. The Sunday morning brings the country’s famous church parades, the islands’ best-loved spectacle, and the nearby village beaches of the north coast offer the classic fale overnight stays. The ferry of the port links the capital to the island of Savai’i, and the museum to the south of the town, with its artifacts and its festival costumes, completes the picture of the little wooden capital of Samoa.
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- Country
- Samoa
- Population
- 36,000
- Capital
- Apia
- Region
- Oceania
- Currency
- Samoan Tālā (WST)
- Languages
- Samoan, English
- Calling code
- +685
- Country code
- WS
Entry requirements for Samoa
Visa status for travellers from common origins visiting Samoa for tourism.
Frequently asked questions
Is Apia the capital of Samoa?
Yes — Apia is the capital of Samoa.
What currency do I need in Apia?
The local currency is the Samoan Tālā (WST). Languages spoken in Samoa include Samoan and English.
What is the dialling code for Samoa?
The international dialling code for Samoa is +685.
Do I need a visa to visit Samoa?
It depends on your passport. For the origins we track, the current tourism visa status is Australia (visa on arrival), Canada (visa on arrival), France (visa on arrival), Germany (visa on arrival) and India (visa required). Check the entry requirements tool for your own nationality.
Flying out of Apia? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.