Nuku'alofa is the capital of Tonga, sitting on an narrow isthmus facing the Pacific Ocean to the north, and the turquoise but polluted Fanga'uta Lagoon to the south. With a population of just 30,000, it is a quiet, sprawling and functional town with few major attractions.
The most unique attraction is the Royal Palace in the heart of downtown. Although not open to the public, you get a good view from the waterfront of the colonial wooden building which was built in 1867. Another attraction is the Royal Tombs, set in a manicured park which is closed to the public though visible through the fence. If you want to get close to Royalty, attend the Centenary Church on Sunday - this is where the King and Queen worship.
Royal Palace
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Talamahu Market
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Nuku'alofa town itself is unattractive with few architecturally pleasing buildings but the Talamahu market is a good place to visit on Saturdays - a busy place by Tongan standards. A few pleasant cafes and restaurants in the town centre allow you to escape the drone and an internet cafe or bus stand may be the only reason to make a second visit. If you are after handicrafts, Langafonua, a women's co-operative in downtown, is the most reliable source with reasonable prices. The harbour wall along Vuna Road, where most of Nuku'alofa's accommodation is located, is good for a stroll and spotting the offshore islands if nothing else to do but the beach is of coarse coral and often littered but is OK for swimming. On Sunday, everything closes down and Nuku'alofa becomes a true ghost town.
Vuna Road, Nukualofa
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Nukualofa Town
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Readers may also be interested in the following destinations:
Cook Islands Travel Guide
Fiji Travel Guide
Samoa Travel Guide
Tonga Travel Guide
Tahiti Travel Guide
Hawaii Travel Guide
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