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8 Best Markets in Samoa 🍍 [2023]
8 Best Markets in Samoa 🍍 [2023]

8 Best Markets in Samoa 🍍 [2024]

© SamoaPocketGuide.com

The Top Markets and Night Markets Across Samoa

The culture and community spirit of Samoa can be felt like nowhere else at the local markets. They’re a treat for all of the senses with opportunities to sample authentic local cuisine and international street food prepared to perfection, as well as browse amazing local crafts. Even if you’re not much of a shopper, the cultural ambience of these gatherings is more than enough reason to experience the markets of Samoa.

So, which market will you try out? We have them all listed here in this guide to the best markets in Samoa!

1. Fugalei Market (Marketi Fou)

Samoa’s largest market is a must-do for all things Samoa! Wind your way through vibrant displays of tropical fruit and vegetables displayed in traditionally woven baskets and stumble upon vendors selling classic Samoan meals like palusami and fai’ai elegi (see 20 Foods to Try in Samoa). Get into the centre of this large undercover venue and you’ll find rows and rows of stalls selling all kinds of handicrafts, from coconut jewellery to handprinted lavalava (sarongs) to carved ‘ava (kava) bowls. Have a wander and mingle at the Fugalei Market, known to the locals are Marketi Fou; if not for the shopping, at least for the cultural experience.

Opening hours: 6 am to 6 pm Monday to Saturday.
Location: Accessible along Fugalei Street and Saleufi Street, Fugalei, Apia.

8 Best Markets in Samoa 🍍 [2023]© SamoaPocketGuide.com

2. Salelologa Market

Savai’i‘s answer to the Fugalei Market, the Salelologa Market is in an equally impressive venue but tends to have way fewer stalls to reflect the island’s much lower population. Nevertheless, the market is well worth perusing the wonderous array of locally crafted carvings, woven bags and fans, handprinted lavalava, coconut jewellery and much more. A sight easy to visit straight off the ferry, Salelologa Market also hosts fruit sellers with their mounds of pineapples, bananas, taro, coconuts, breadfruit, pumpkins and the list goes on. There’s also a small food court section selling cheap baked goods and fried food that won’t send you too far over budget – see The Top Cheap Eats in Samoa.

Opening hours: From 7 am (all day) Monday to Saturday.
Location: Savai’i. Salelologa in the commercial centre to the south of town – turn left off the ferry then right past Lusia’s Lagoon Chalets.

8 Best Markets in Samoa 🍍 [2023]© SamoaPocketGuide.com

3. Savalalo Flea Market

Another popular indoor market in Apia, Savalalo Flea Market is your go-to for all those unique Samoan handicrafts. Browse intricately carved wooden ornaments, woven pandanus mats, beautifully printed lavalava, colourful shirts, both traditional and contemporary jewellery designs, kilikiti (Samoan cricket) bats and much more. It won’t take you as long as the Fugalei Market to wander through, but it’s worth a venture nonetheless.

Opening hours: 6 am to 6 pm Monday to Saturday.
Location: Accessible from Mulinuu Road where it intersects with Fugalei Street or from the waterfront road opposite the Savalalo Bus Station and Fish Market.

8 Best Markets in Samoa 🍍 [2023]© Samoa Tourism Authority

4. Apia Fish Market

Fishing has been a way of life in Samoa for centuries, so another culturally enriching experience is visiting the Apia Fish Market. Located on the waterfront by Apia’s main bus station (and opposite the Flea Market), the Fish Market is a storm of all sorts of colourful tropical fish, octopuses, eels, crayfish (lobster) and sea cucumbers. Although there are usually a few stalls open all day throughout the week, the best time to visit is from 6 am on Sunday morning – Sunday To’onai day (Samoa’s traditional Sunday lunch).

Opening hours: From 5:30 am (all day) Monday to Saturday and 5 am to 9 am Sunday.
Location: On the waterfront road by the Savalalo Bus Station, opposite Savalalo Flea Market, Apia.

8 Best Markets in Samoa 🍍 [2023]© SamoaPocketGuide.com

5. SWAG Market

Brighten up your Saturday morning with the Samoa Women’s Association of Growers (SWAG) Market! Not just a place to admire vibrant displays of tropical flowers, plants and organic produce, but you can also browse handmade jewellery and accessories made by talented local artists and craftswomen. In true Samoan style, there are also locally produced foodie souvenirs to pick up, as well as hot food available to try. All of this is under the shade of the Samoa Tourism Authority’s fale, at the back of the Tourist Information Centre in Central Apia.

Opening hours: 9 am to 12 pm Saturday.
Location: Samoa Tourism Authority fale behind the Tourist Information Centre, Beach Road, Apia.

8 Best Markets in Samoa 🍍 [2023]© SamoaPocketGuide.com

6. Apia Night Market

Another lively event happening behind the Samoa Tourism Information Centre, the Apia Night Market (also known as The Waterfront Night Market) is where Apia’s top food vendors come together for a whirlwind of tastes and treats. Street food is at the fore of the event, with traditional meals like palusami and fai’ai elegi available to more contemporary treats like hot dogs, steak sandwiches, kebabs, burgers, cupcakes, cotton candy, popcorn and much more. There’s a carnival atmosphere with bouncy castles and fairground rides to complete the family-friendly event. For more family-friendly experiences, check out the 20 Best Things to Do in Samoa with Kids.

Opening hours: From 4 pm every last Friday of the month.
Location: Samoa Tourism Authority fale behind the Tourist Information Centre, Beach Road, Apia.

8 Best Markets in Samoa 🍍 [2023]© SamoaPocketGuide.com

7. Taufusi Drive-Thru Market

Forget fast-food drive-thrus; try something much healthier at the Taufusi Market. Samoa’s only drive-thru market, simply pull up to vendor stalls with your car, tell them what you would like to buy, and they’ll hand it right through your car window. Produce for sale is all seasonal and classically Samoan, with many listed in the 10 Exotic Fruits in Samoa You Have to Try.

Opening hours: 6 am to 7 pm Monday to Saturday.
Location: Vaitele Street, Taufusi, Apia.

8 Best Markets in Samoa 🍍 [2023]© SamoaPocketGuide.com

8. Vaitele Market

A small undercover market in the industrial zone of Apia, Vaitele Market is another opportunity to grab fresh local produce in all of its forms, as well as pick up the odd lavalava and baked goods.

Opening hours: 6 am to 7 pm Monday to Saturday.
Location: Vaitele Street (between Burger Bills and Frankie), Apia.

8 Best Markets in Samoa 🍍 [2023]© SamoaPocketGuide.com

More About Markets in Samoa

That’s it for our list of the best markets in Samoa but if you want more market-related content, check these out:

Finally, for an incredible array of items to tick off the bucket list, head over to the 101 Best Things to Do in Samoa: The Ultimate List.

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across Samoa and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Our editorial standards: At Samoa Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

Author

Laura S.

This article was reviewed and published by Laura, editor-in-chief and co-founder of Samoa Pocket Guide. Since arriving solo in the South Pacific over 10 years ago with nothing but a backpack and a background in journalism, her mission has been to show the world how easy (and awesome) it is to explore a paradise such as Samoa. She knows the islands inside out and loves sharing tips on how best to experience Upolu and Savai’i’s must-dos and hidden gems. Laura is also the editor of several other South Pacific travel guides.

Contact Laura via our contact page

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