5 Best Museums in Samoa 🏛️ [2024]

1. The Museum of Samoa, Falemata’aga

A must-do on your museum bucket list in the South Pacific (if people have such things) is The Museum of Samoa, Falemata’aga. The donation-based museum has an impressive collection of historical artefacts giving an important context of Samoa’s history. If you don’t want to sift through it all yourself, free guided tours are available with passionate guides to show you through the six different galleries (in air-conditioned rooms, might we add) boasting 3,000-year-old Lapita pottery, collections from across the Pacific, colonisation history and even a small art exhibition.

Opening hours: 9:30 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday.
Location: Vaitele Street (look out for the large mural on the building), Apia.

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2. Robert Louis Stevenson Museum

The impeccably maintained grounds and villa of the famous author Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1895), who lived in Samoa for the remaining four years of his life, are preserved for visitors to enjoy today. While “Villa Vailima” has had a few makeovers over the years, the home has been transformed into a museum and filled with replicas to represent how this classic colonial home would have perhaps once looked. That’s not to say there aren’t a few original trinkets, books and personal belongings to admire, as well as stories to immerse in while taking the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum tour with one of the museum’s incredibly knowledgeable guides.

While you’re there, don’t miss the Tomb Trail through the lush forest to the top of Mt Vaea where RLS himself is laid to rest. Learn more about the walk in the 15 Best Walks & Hikes in Samoa.

Opening hours: 9 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday and 9 am to 12 pm Saturday
Location: Signposted along Cross Island Road in the village of Avele, just south of Apia.

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3. EFKS Museum

More of an art gallery than a museum, the EFKS Museum boasts a large glass-walled fale packed with the creations of the talented students of the School of Fine Arts. There is a range of contemporary carvings, sculptures, paintings and more to admire or even purchase should you feel inspired. Don’t leave the grounds after you’ve finished perusing the art gallery too quickly, as the open-air walkways around the lake outside provide a tranquil setting to explore. Discover more galleries worth discovering in the 5 Best Art Galleries in Samoa.

Opening hours: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday or call ahead on Saturday.
Location: Malua (signposted next to the Malua Theological College) along Main West Coast Road on the northwest coast of Upolu.

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4. Samoa Cultural Village

If museums could come alive, they would look a little something like the Samoa Cultural Village. Available behind the Samoa Tourism Information Centre in Apia from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm, Tuesday to Friday, the experience starts with weaving your own plate for the umu. You’ll then be formally welcomed with an ‘ava ceremony before seeing how a traditional umu feast is prepared. While your lunch is cooking, you’ll move between various fale to see how ‘ava bowls are carved and even witness a traditional pain-staking Samoan tatau (tattoo) being “applied”. Finally, sit down with your freshly prepared umu lunch while watching a fiafia performance including fire dancing. Discover more ways to experience “fa’a Samoa” or “the Samoan way” in the 10 Best Cultural Activities in Samoa.

Opening hours: 10:30 am to 12:30 pm Tuesday to Friday.
Location: Behind the Samoa Tourism Information Centre, Beach Road, Apia.

© SamoaPocketGuide.com

5. Tiapapata Art Centre

After having a quick look inside the Baha’i Temple next door, call into the Tiapapata Art Centre with always something interesting to see. The attraction has an ever-changing line-up of art exhibitions following a theme with creations from local artists. The art centre also hosts regular evening events like documentary and arthouse film screenings, as well as astronomy nights complete with telescopes. Call ahead to try their vegan cuisine at the cafe – find out more in our guide, Samoa for Vegans & Vegetarians and learn more about stargazing in The Best Spots for Stargazing in Samoa.

Opening hours: From 9 am, Tuesday to Sunday.
Location: Malololelei village along the Cross Island Road, approximately 8 km (5 mi) south of Apia (just past the Baha’i Temple).

© Tiapapata Art Centre