Top Things to Do in Nadi: From Markets to Mud Pools

Haggle for pineapples at dawn, wander an orchid jungle, step inside the South Pacific’s largest Hindu temple and dive into a pool of warm, oozy volcanic mud. Hello Nadi, you’re looking good today.

Chances are you’re entering Fiji through Nadi's international airport, and most likely, you’ll grab your island-hopping boat from Nadi, which is the base for Fiji’s tourism industry. But don't do a drive-by on Fiji's best-known town. Within a half-hour radius, you can do markets and mud, temples and tropical rainforests — then hit the poolside loungers at Mercure Nadi before your next Fijian adventure begins.

But first, a few ground rules: don't say 'Nadi', it's actually pronounced ‘Nandi’ (catches first-timers out every time). And it’s not the Fijian capital, that’s Suva, over on the east coast. 

Discover five of the best Nadi tourist attractions. Go on, get your Bula on!

What’s not to love about the Sabeto Hot Springs and Mud Pool? Located 15 minutes north of Nadi, the thick, rich volcanic mud is guaranteed to knock off a decade of wrinkles. Ok, at least a few months. Feel the mud’s warm, welcome embrace as you slide into Fiji’s most natural spa treatment, and sluice it all off afterwards in the nearby thermal pools. Can you feel your skin soaking up all that mineraly goodness? 

And if life’s got your shoulders tied in knots, give in to a post-mud massage from the local ladies waiting by the pools, for one of the best activities to do in Nadi. Bring your thongs and swimmers; you can rent towels at the mud pools. A pro tip: don’t wear white swimmers or use a white towel from the hotel; guaranteed they’ll remain cappuccino-coloured for the rest of their lives. 

For proof you can escape the world’s stresses in Fiji, take a walk through this wild jungle of orchids. Back in the 1960s, Hollywood star Raymond Burr was the unmistakable face of courtroom lawyer Perry Mason, the murder suspect in the Hitchcock thriller Rear Window and even narrated and starred opposite a colossal prehistoric reptile in Godzilla. To evade the harsh spotlight of fame, he’d escape to Fiji to potter around his garden, growing orchids on an industrial scale, in what's now known as the Garden of the Sleeping Giant. 

Burr left his gardens to the people of Fiji. Here, you can see the collection of over 2000 orchids - common or rare, tiny or enormous, all are beautiful. Follow the trails through the jungle estate to its lookouts; don't forget the insect repellent and water. And flip the thongs; runners or walking shoes are a better bet on the walking paths, especially in wet weather.

And the sleeping giant? The estate sits on the flanks of the mountain range whose ridges are said to look like a huge sleeper (and no, it's not Godzilla 2.0). Open daily, the gardens are best visited in the mornings. They're located north of Nadi, past Mercure Nadi, which is set amongst its own tropical gardens. 

See that eye-poppingly bright pyramid of sculptures on the edge of Nadi? That’s the Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami temple, the largest Hindu temple in the southern hemisphere. Here, Fiji’s Hindus purify the mind, body, and soul through prayers and offerings, and if you’re in town on one of the big festivals such as Diwali or the colour-bomb that is Holi, it's guaranteed to get very joyful and very, very loud.

Visiting the temple is no bikini parade: leave your shoes at the gate and cover those thighs before entering. You can borrow a sarong at the entrance, or BYO to wrap over your legs. Time your visit for late morning, then make this your lunch break; the temple is famous for its little pure vegetarian restaurant, serving South Indian and Indian dishes.

One of Nadi's top attractions is also one of its greatest bargains. Entrance to the Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami temple is just a few dollars, and a veg meal and cup of chai at the Saravana Bhavan restaurant beside the temple is one of the cheapest and best meals in town. 

For a snapshot of South Pacific produce, follow the locals down to Nadi Market. Here, you'll join other shoppers stocking up on beautiful tropical fruits including mangoes and papayas, then it’s time to play ‘what’s that fruit?’ Breadfruit, starfruit, soursop or hairy rambutans – could you pick them out of a line-up? 

The covered market also has rows and rows of tables selling kava roots and powders in different grades, and the sellers are usually happy to share preparation tips on Fiji's favourite party drink. 

This is Nadi's main produce market and it draws the crowds, so it gets pretty hot in here – the best thirst-quencher is a fresh coconut, opened in front of you.  

The market operates every day except Sundays, and opens early, at 7am. Bring cash and your own shopping bag to avoid creating more plastic waste.

Shop the souvenirs at Nadi’s Handicraft Market. Haggling is all part of the game here, so name your price and play along for sarongs and straw hats, colourful dresses, and woven bags often cheaper than in the souvenir shops. You'll also find traditional crafts including wooden bowls and carvings, and FIji's renowned tapa cloth in this Nadi market.

Wherever you are, Fiji stops for sunset. Soon, you'll find your sweet spot, maybe at Wailoaloa Beach, Nadi's city beach, with its palm trees and wide curve. Here, you'll find a handful of beachfront bars for the sand-between-the-toes tribe, as well as more urbane beach clubs with international DJs and live music. 

Otherwise, for poetry-inducing views over Nadi Bay and out to the Mamanuca Islands, head to Vudu Lookout, best at dawn or dusk, but dramatic at any time of the day. The beauty stop is on the Nadi-Lautoka road, close by the Vudu Marina, which serves up tasty pub grub and draws the crowds with its live music on weekends. Add the lookout and marina to your visit to the mud pools and the Garden of the Sleeping Giant for a full, fun Nadi day trip. 

If it's poolside that's got you dreaming, hit Mercure Nadi, raise a cool cocktail bristling with umbrellas, and toast the end of another great day in paradise.

Mercure Nadi has 85 rooms, ideal for couples or families. Cool off its tropical, outdoor swimming pool, which is overlooked by the Rokete Restaurant, serving international cuisine.

For a sweet-scented Fijian experience, book a Fijian Bobo massage in the spa, and let yourself be blissed out by coconut oil and long strokes that whisk away all cares, bula-style. The hotel's only 10 minutes from Nadi International Airport, for those prefer to spend their time on holidays, instead of on airport transfers.