Fiji’s Largest Cities by Population
As bustling centres of culture, activities and city life, Fiji’s cities are well worth stopping by when on a road trip around the main islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. Most cities in Fiji are on Viti Levu, which is Fiji’s largest island. With a wealth of shops, services and tours, some cities make a great base for exploring the real Fiji and its mix of cultures. In cities, you’ll meet Fijian and Indo-Fijians selling their wares in the commercial centres or using the city as their base for agricultural work (mainly in the sugar trade). Check out the largest towns and cities in the list below and learn what these Fiji cities are famous for.
Before we dive into this list of the largest towns and cities in Fiji, check out The Guide to the Fiji Culture for Travellers to learn even more about the Fijian culture and how you can experience it.
1. Suva
Unsurprisingly, the largest city in Fiji (and the South Pacific) is also the capital city of Fiji. Located on the largest island, Viti Levu, Suva holds almost half the population of Fiji. Suva is a harbour city with a melting pot of cultures, and with that, a huge array of stores and eateries – so head to Guide to the Best Eats & Restaurants in Suva for more information. As for things to do in the city, Suva is famous for holding the national museum, the Fiji Museum, and being in close proximity to the Colo-i-Suva Forest Park.
Population: 77,000+
Check out the 10 Best Things to Do in Suva.
© Maksym Kozlenko on Wikipedia2. Lautoka
On the eastern side of Viti Levu, and only a 35-minute drive from Nadi, Lautoka is often seen as Nadi’s better-looking sister. The wide streets decorated in foliage and have the ever-visible Evans Mountain Range as a backdrop. The city has a large Indo-Fijian presence so the streets have a lively Indian flare. The shops and large market give visitors a great city-shopping alternative to Nadi. Lautoka’s history is mainly built around the Lautoka Sugar Mill, where you can still watch sugar trains chugging through the city in the latter months of the year.
Population: 52,000+
Check out the 10 Things to Do in Lautoka.
© Maksym Kozlenko on Wikipedia3. Nadi
Most international visitors who come to Fiji see the third-largest city, Nadi. Home to the Nadi International Airport, this is where around 95% of internationals start their holiday in Fiji. The city is spread across several different urban areas along the Queens Road, where there’s a mix of shops, temples, markets, eateries and nightlife to experience. As a tourist hub, there are plenty of resorts, tours and island excursions to keep visitors entertained.
Population: 42,000+
Check out the 12 Awesome Things to Do in Nadi.
© FijiPocketGuide.com4. Labasa
Moving away from the mainland, Labasa is located in the north of Fiji’s second-largest island, Vanua Levu. Labasa is predominantly an Indo-Fijian city, which was built on the sugar trade and is still much alive with the industry. The hub for northern Vanua Levu feels like stepping into India with curry houses and stores selling Indian attire and trinkets. The city is built along the Labasa River.
Population: 28,000+
Check out the 6 Things to Do in Labasa.
© VMFoliaki on Flickr5. Ba
Ba in Viti Levu is situated along the Kings Road, 63km / 40 miles north of Nadi. Named after the Ba River, Ba is the central hub for the Ba Province, which is the largest province of Fiji. The district celebrates this fact and its lively social history with the Ba Civic Museum. The majority of the population are Indo-Fijian, with the main industry being agriculture and the sugar cane industry in particular.
Population: 14,000+
Check out the 5 Things to Do in Ba.
© Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Australia on FlickrMore About the Biggest Towns and Cities in Fiji
