As the capital city of New Caledonia, there is no shortage of activities awaiting visitors to Noumea. Whether it's relaxing on the beach, working up a sweat as you climb the 'Last Hill', dining on French cuisine or simply wandering around town, travelers will have their hands – and bellies – full.

Tjibaou Cultural Centre

Located 10 minutes from the city center, the Tjibaou is named after the legendary pro-independence Kanak leader, and emphasizes Melanesian culture. Featuring traditional and contemporary art, along with a number of documentary items, the Tjibaou Culture Centre should not be missed on a visit to Noumea.

Anse Vata and Baie des Citrons

The most popular beaches in Noumea, these stretches of sand are more for sunning, scoping and being seen than frolicking in the water. Regular winds make these beaches ideal destinations for kite-and-wind surfers, with rental kiosks along the water's edge. Ringing the beach is a main road lined with restaurants, shops, hotels and other places to relax.

Aquarium des Lagons

Reopened in late 2007, the Aquarium des Lagons is a fantastic introduction to life underwater. Visit after you SCUBA dive to identify the beautiful fish you spotted on the nearby reef. There are also extensive exhibits on mangroves, deep-sea florescent coral and underwater wildlife commonly seen in other parts of the country

The Place des Cocotiers

With a nod to its European roots, Noumea has a popular main square, located in the center of the city. With four different areas, each showcases a different theme, from the music kiosk to the open market to the café terrace to the Celeste fountain. This 'Lemon Square', the name's translation into English, is where you will find the popular Thursday night markets that feature a different theme – and different vendors – each week from 5-8 p.m.

Morning Market

This daily market is starts with the sun and ends in the early afternoon along Baie de la Moselle, near the boat docks. Before a day tour out to Duck Island or a trip to the Coral Palms, stop here for fresh fruits, vegetables, fish and pastries. You can also do some souvenir shopping here as well for miniature chief huts, shell jewelry and a limited selection of artisan crafts.

Indulging in Local Cuisine

Not surprisingly, the food in Noumea is heavy on fresh-caught seafood, local produce and French influences. For restaurant summaries, check out our Noumea Restaurants article.

Working off the Local Cuisine

After all those big meals, you might want to explore all the active options the country has to offer. Read up with our New Caledonia Activities article.