Districts · Port Vila
Port Vila by district
Almost everything a first visit needs sits in a strip about 4 km long along the harbour: the market and waterfront at the north, Bougainville Park and the town centre in the middle, the museum and government quarter inland, and Nambatu to the south. Mele Cascades is a 25-minute drive north.Almost everything a first visit needs sits in a strip about 2.5 mi long along the harbour: the market and waterfront at the north, Bougainville Park and the town centre in the middle, the museum and government quarter inland, and Nambatu to the south. Mele Cascades is a 25-minute drive north.
About these names
- Waterfront centresleepeatseeSuits: First-timers, market and harbour by dayThe market, shops and harbour-front road; flat in parts, steep behind. Busy on cruise-ship days.2 sights · 3 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- NambatusleepeatSuits: Evenings, waterfront dinnersThe quieter harbour-front strip south of the centre with restaurants and bars; a short taxi ride to the market.2 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Museum and government quarterseeSuits: A morning of cultureThe National Museum and Cultural Centre and the parliament; go on a weekday morning.2 sightsDistrict guide →
- MeleseeSuits: Waterfall, beach and snorkellingNorth of the town: Mele Cascades, Mele Beach and Hideaway Island; a 25-minute drive.2 sightsDistrict guide →
- Erakor and PangosleepseeSuits: Beach stays, lagoon and shuttle-boat lunchesSouth-east of the centre; resorts, lagoon and Erakor Island; 15–20 minutes by car.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- BlacksandssleepSuits: Budget and long staysInland from the airport; local shops, few sights; taxi to town.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
Hover, tap or tab to an area to see what it is like. Pins are sleep areas; arrows at the edge point to the airport.
Off the map: Bauerfield International Airport (VLI) (12–25 min by the usual route).
Not drawn yet (no coordinates in this guide): Erakor and Pango, Blacksands. See the table above.
Where’s what, as a list:
- Waterfront centre: The market, shops and harbour-front road; flat in parts, steep behind. Busy on cruise-ship days. Suits: First-timers, market and harbour by day. Price band $$.
- Nambatu: The quieter harbour-front strip south of the centre with restaurants and bars; a short taxi ride to the market. Suits: Evenings, waterfront dinners. Price band $$.
- Museum and government quarter: The National Museum and Cultural Centre and the parliament; go on a weekday morning. Suits: A morning of culture.
- Mele: North of the town: Mele Cascades, Mele Beach and Hideaway Island; a 25-minute drive. Suits: Waterfall, beach and snorkelling.
- Erakor and Pango: South-east of the centre; resorts, lagoon and Erakor Island; 15–20 minutes by car. Suits: Beach stays, lagoon and shuttle-boat lunches.
- Blacksands: Inland from the airport; local shops, few sights; taxi to town. Suits: Budget and long stays.
- Sleep area Nambatu: suits Evenings, waterfront dinners, price band $$.
- Sleep area Waterfront centre: suits First-timers, market and harbour by day, price band $$.
- Bauerfield International Airport (VLI), 12–25 min by the usual route.