15 Best New Zealand Cities I Think Are Worth Visiting

Snow-capped peaks, crystal beaches, fish-filled rivers, and rainforests are some of the treasures found in New Zealand.

New Zealand, nestled at the bottom of the southern hemisphere, is one of the few destinations in the world that boasts of surreal beauty and elegance, and I would know because I’m a Kiwi born and raised on the North Island!

Its landscapes are fascinating and make it one of the few places where you can indulge yourself in several adrenaline-fueled sports such as jet boating, skydiving, hiking, and skiing.

Not only do these must-visit cities in New Zealand have various attraction sites, but they also offer excellent accommodation and a range of incredible restaurants, cafes and bars.

Settling in one of the best New Zealand cities during your vacation also allows you to gather momentum for exploration.

I prefer travelling slowly and basing myself in one place whilst exploring the local area deeper. And it also means you don’t have to lug your luggage from place to place.

This is exactly why I have decided to compile a list of the best New Zealand cities to make your trip planning even easier.

As a local, I know that there are so many varied and exciting cities in New Zealand to visit, but I’ve narrowed it down to the 15 best cities in NZ shown on this list.

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Depending on the length of your vacation in New Zealand, and how many cities in New Zealand you plan to see, you can decide to visit a few or all of them.

But what is the best city in New Zealand for you? Is it one of the major cities in New Zealand? Or perhaps one of the less well-travelled places?

It’s now up to you to pick your favourite cities in New Zealand and add them to your ‘must-visit’ list.

15 Best New Zealand Cities to visit

1. Wellington – The capital city

Despite not being the biggest city in New Zealand, it is the country’s capital. There are lots of activities that happen in Wellington as it’s such a vibrant city with many events and fun things to do.

It is surrounded by nature and it’s rich in culture, history, and cuisine.

There are a lot of action-packed adventures in Wellington, such as mountain biking, kayaking, checking out the coffee culture, visiting weta workshop and marvelling at art galleries.

To get a beautiful view of the city, make sure you ride a cable car up to Kelburn hill.

Don’t forget to visit the Te Papa Tongarewa Museum to learn more history about the country.

This is absolutely one of the best museums in the country and one of my favourites (make sure you check out the earthquake house!)

The city is also famous for its amazing restaurants, cafes, and bars.

If you want to enjoy New Zealand’s cuisine, then head down to Cuba Street, one of the most liveliest places in the city during the evening.

Wellington is truly one of the best places to go in New Zealand, and is many people’s first stop.

It is also one of the safest cities in New Zealand, which makes it one of the best places in New Zealand to live!

2. Auckland – New Zealand’s largest city

No list of cities in NZ would be complete without Auckland, New Zealand’s biggest city, yes even though it’s not the capital it still is the biggest in the country!

Did you know that Auckland has a larger population than the whole of South Island? This makes it the biggest city located in North Island, New Zealand, with a population of 1.6 million.

There are a thousand things you can do in Auckland. One of the best ways to start your trip would be to fly into Auckland and start your trip from there.

I would stay a few nights here and then go up north to the Bay of Islands. Then continue by travelling back down to explore the rest of the North Island and then end in the South Island.

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One of the top walks I recommend doing is the walk to the top of Mount Eden. This is an ideal way of spending an afternoon in Auckland. Mount Eden is a dormant volcano and boasts an incredible view of the city.

In fact, Auckland has 48 volcanic cones making it such a unique city built upon old geothermal activity!

3. Dunedin

Dunedin is one of the best New Zealand cities, though it’s relatively small in size. But that doesn’t stop it from being one of the most popular cities in New Zealand, socially with students.

The first thing you must do when you are in Dunedin is to explore the city’s vibrant art scene. Dunedin is one of the top cities in New Zealand for street art.

As it so happens, Ed Sheeran is a popular art subject here. Gain inspiration from these unique street paintings and take lots of pictures.

You could also visit the Royal Albatross Centre and get to see blue penguins popularly known as ‘Korora’.

While hiking through Dunedin, you could make time to enjoy Speight’s beer at the Dunedin Brewery. You could also learn a thing or two on how to make beer.

For those who like culture in all its forms, Dunedin is the best city in New Zealand to live.

4. Christchurch – Also known as the garden city

You might have heard more about Christchurch because of the two major earthquakes that hit the city back in 2010 and 2011.

Nowadays, Christchurch has rebuilt itself to be one of the best New Zealand Cities, and one of the top places to visit in New Zealand for tourists.

Whenever you are in Christchurch, you should visit the Botanic Gardens which have been a top attraction site since 1863. It is the perfect honeymoon getaway.

You can also take a boat ride along the Avon River. Don’t leave without taking a picture of yourself at the Bridge of Remembrance, one of the must see things in New Zealand.

Towards the southwest part of the city, you can spend a hot afternoon at Sumner Beach. There are lots of restaurants in Christchurch where you can taste the New Zealand food.

5. Tauranga – prime location for surfing

You must include Tauranga in your New Zealand travel diaries.

It is one of the fastest-growing cities in North Island and considered by many to be the best city to live in New Zealand.

Tauranga is within the Bay of Plenty region.

I would highly recommend getting a car rental so you can explore the many beautiful beaches, natural parks other notable locations in this region because it is SO stunning.

This is one of my favourite parts of the country and I was lucky enough to explore a lot of it when I was younger with my Mum, Dad and caravan! Some of my best memories were made in this region.

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What makes Tauranga one of the best areas to live in New Zealand is the variety of landscape nearby.

It’s home to pristine, white sandy beaches such as the Waihi and Ohope Beach. Perfect for surfing and diving.

You could also climb Mt Maunganui and enjoy a picturesque view from the top which takes around 45 minutes to walk to the top.

If you have the courage, you could swim with wild dolphins just off the coast of the city!

And there’s some stunning walks and waterfalls to visit too called like Omanawa Falls.

If we were to vote on the best New Zealand’s cities, I would rank Tauranga in the top 3!

6. Napier

There is no doubt that New Zealand is popular for its landscapes.

Located a 4 hours drive from Wellington, Napier is a charming place, and another of the top New Zealand cities which many tourists actually miss seeing.

Considered one of the best places to live in New Zealand for fans of design, Napier boasts of an art deco architecture which is embraced all over the city.

You can enjoy and learn more about the art culture here by taking a tour in a VW Kombi!

Napier will completely take you back in time since the locals there create an enticing old-fashioned atmosphere.

It’s the top city in New Zealand for anyone who enjoys nostalgia – even the cars in Napier are mostly vintage!

While visiting, make sure to join a wine and food tour to learn more about Napier’s history through cuisine.

This region has some of the best and most popular wine in the country so it’s definitely not to be missed!

7. Queenstown – the adventure capital of new zealand

If you know anything about New Zealand you’ve probably come across the name Queenstown before.

This is where all the fun happens in New Zealand. It’s practically a paradise for thrill seekers and adventure lovers.

Queenstown is the birthplace of bungy jumping. A visit there can give you access to this extreme sport at the Kawarau Bridge. Click here to book your tickets at the place I recommend (which is the original bungee jump at the bridge)

There are several ski resorts such as the Coronet Peak and Cardrona. Don’t worry about how to get there since most packages include transport.

Another great thing to do in Queenstown is to visit Lake Wakatipu, this is New Zealand’s longest lake and one of the most beautiful!

Nearby is the famous Milford Sound so if you’re in the area make sure you visit the Milford Sound before or after you get to Queenstown.

Queenstown is also very near to the beautiful West coast of the South Island which has some of the best views and natural wildlife in the whole of New Zealand.

Queenstown is a great springboard to see some of the other great things to do in the South Island.

If you lead an active lifestyle and enjoy some adrenaline, Queenstown is a fabulous place to visit as there’s just SO much to do in this area and in the city itself.

8. Nelson – close to the famous marlborough sounds

If you want to embrace your inner hipster, Nelson is one of the best cities to visit in New Zealand.

This place has some of the most gorgeous beaches I’ve seen in the country!

That’s because out of all these places in New Zealand to visit, Nelson is well-known for hosting the best festivals.

A good example is Art Explo Nelson, which showcases a different kind of art. One of the best ways to learn about the history of this quaint place is by doing a walking tour.

Before planning your trip, make sure you check the calendar of Nelson festivals. There is also the Nelson Winter Music Festival which has been held yearly for the last two decades.

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Nelson is a historic gem where you can get yourself an antique souvenir, but it also might be the best city in NZ for caffeine lovers.

Make sure when you visit Nelson that you visit one of New Zealand’s best national parks – Nelson Lakes National Park.

This National park is home to the clearest lake in the World, Rotomairewhenua, also known as ‘Blue Lake’.

There’s also the Abel Tasman National Park which is a MUST visit if you’re staying in Nelson, it’s one of the most beautiful places in the country.

The locals here are in love with coffee. You can try and find out why by visiting the Coffee Factory Café and Pomeroy’s.

9. Palmerston North

A little fun fact, I lived in Palmerston North, also known as ‘Palmy’ for nearly 2 years while I was studying Interior Design. It’s a popular places for students and young professionals as it’s home to some of the biggest universities in the country.

It’s the kind of city that offers the diversity of a major town as well as a gateway to popular attraction sites.

As I said, Palmerston North is a student city so you can generally find cheap restaurants and bars around.

This also makes it one of the top cities to visit in New Zealand if you’re on a budget.

Inside the city, there is an internationally recognized theatre scene, which is a must-see. There are a variety of art galleries and dining options.

While you are in Palmerston North, one of the best things to do is go for a walk on the Manawatu Gorge Track. Here, you can get spectacular views of the nearby rivers, roads and wind turbines.

The weather changes quickly so make sure you carry warm clothing.

10. Rotorua – home to the most geothermal activity

Since the 1800’s, Rotorua’s geothermal wonderland has been one of the leading attraction sites in New Zealand.

But as soon as you get into this city you will notice the smell of, well, farts. It’s not farts of course, it’s sulfar but this smell is a distinct feature of Rotorua!

The city boasts several geothermal features such as spouting geysers, volcanic crater lakes, natural hot springs, bubbling mud pools and colourful sinter terraces. YES, all in this ONE city!

If you wish to marvel at these geothermal wonders then you can visit Wai-O-Tapu Park as well as Kuirau Park.

I personally LOVE Wai-O-Tapu especially because it’s so unique and one of the most interesting places I’ve ever visited.

When exploring geysers and mud pools, ensure that you keep a safe distance and take note of warning signs. DO NOT put your fingers or go close to the bubbling pools as you will literally burn your skin off, they are that hot.

There are a couple of sightseeing operators in Rotorua that provide educational tours all over the geothermal parks in Rotorua, like this one here.

11. Hastings

Known for its Mediterranean climate, Hastings is one of the best New Zealand Cities. It’s a great place to visit at any time of the year.

There are a lot of wineries; the region of Hawkes Bay produces more than 80% of the wine in New Zealand. To taste them all and learn more about the local history you can take a private wine tasting tour of the city.

In Hawkes Bay, you can also try out the Pacific Rim cuisine which entails seafood such as oysters.

The city is well decorated, neat and the locals are super friendly. You could go golfing at the Cape Kidnappers as you enjoy the marvellous scenery.

To get the best experience from the area, you should taste the wine and dine at the Elephant Hill which is located just outside of the city.

This luxurious winery and restaurant prepares lots of delicacies and provides world-class wine from the local region.

12. Taupo

You will definitely fall in love with the relaxed and small-town vibe of Taupo.

It’s the ideal sanctuary if you are looking to spend some quiet time then you should visit Taupo – it’s considered by many to be the best town in New Zealand, especially if you want to unwind.

The scenic backdrops, mountains, and lakes all contribute to the peaceful nature of the town.

You will get the opportunity to explore the largest freshwater lake in New Zealand and marvel at the Huka Falls. If you’re confident enough, you can even do the Huka Falls jet which takes you on a very bumpy ride down the Waikato River.

One of the best things to do here is to see the traditional Maori carvings which can only be accessed by a boat trip or kayak tour. This is one of the most beautiful and historic things to see in this city,

13. Whangarei – Near the most beautiful beaches

Looking for the best city in New Zealand to visit for outdoor adventure activities? Many people point to Whangarei as that city.

A single day isn’t sufficient enough for you to tour Whangarei. This is why you need to book accommodation for at least a few days!

You can kick off your adventure at the Tutukaka forest, which is packed with lots of high thrill activities. The Poor Knights Island is also a suitable diving spot.

Additionally, you could explore the Kiwi House and Heritage Park and see live geckos, kiwis, and tuataras. This is possibly the best city to visit in New Zealand for animal lovers.

About an hour and a half away from Whangarei is a place called the Bay of Islands – one of my FAVOURITE places in the country to visit.

Some of the most stunning beaches in New Zealand are found here and also some of the richest history in the country. My two favourite places to visit are Paihia (Do the ‘Hole in the Rock’ boat tour if you come here, it’s fantastic!) and Russell.

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14. Invercargill

Located in the South Island of New Zealand, Invercargill is usually not tagged as one of the most beautiful cities in New Zealand.

It’s the southernmost city in the country and I’ve gotta be honest, you won’t see a lot of people recommending this place.

I have even watched YouTube videos stating that Invercargill is the ‘Worst city in New Zealand’ but I do have to defend Invercargill a bit.

Being the southernmost tip of New Zealand there is actually a lot of nature sites to see here and the people are incredibly friendly and some of the most genuine locals in the country.

From a visitor’s point of view, Invercargill is the ideal destination spot for lovers of small towns. Now yes, Invercargill is a city however it almost feels like a small town because it isn’t that big

In terms of things to do, you need to visit the tip of the South Island in Bluff which is only a 20-minute drive away.

In fact this area of the country has some of the most scenic drives. If you follow the Southern Scenic Route, you’ll often see natural attractions that are out of nowhere!

You can also take a private helicopter flight to Stewart Island, New Zealands third island!

15. New Plymouth – stunning natural beauty

Just because it is at the bottom of the list, it doesn’t mean that it is a dull place to visit, in fact one of the best reasons to visit New Plymouth is because of its lovely beaches.

Unlike the main cities in New Zealand, most tourists tend to overlook New Plymouth without knowing how much it has to offer.

But it’s one of the best places to visit in New Zealand for nature lovers.

According to Lonely Planet, the Tanaraki region (in which New Plymouth is included in) was ranked the second-best region to visit in the world in 2016.

Not only do you get the opportunity to climb Mt Egmont you could also go for a swim in the aquamarine pools at the Goblin Forest.

As you take a drive along the Surf Highway 45, you can admire the pristine sandy beaches. Not to mention, there are lots of restaurants within the city that prepare amazing food.

Frequently Asked Questions

When looking for the perfect destination spots, most people tend to overlook cities since it’s where a significant number of tourists come from.

However, New Zealand cities bring a whole new meaning to urban living. Other than being economic hubs, these cities have dedicated efforts to creating the perfect environment for vacation.

The best cities in New Zealand have lots of incredible outdoor activities lined up for you.

Not only do they offer splendid accommodation and dining, but they are also home to plenty of attraction sites such as museums, parks, beaches, and much more.

Let the above guide on the top 15 best New Zealand Cities help you choose your must-visit places.

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