Palau · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Palau
These are the places worth your time in Palau, from the cafés, museums and harbour bars of Koror to the jellyfish lake, sandbars and dive walls of the Rock Islands, the stone monoliths of Babeldaob, the battlefields of Peleliu and the quiet atoll of Kayangel. Classics sit beside quiet corners many travellers miss, so every kind of visitor finds something to love.
Places to Visit in Koror
Restaurants
- Drop Off Bar and Grill (Malakal)
A waterfront favourite with divers for fish tacos, burgers and sunset over the harbour. - The Taj (Downtown Koror)
Long-running Indian kitchen with generous curries and plenty for vegetarians. - Elilai (Koror)
Hillside dining with sweeping lagoon views and a menu that mixes Pacific and Asian flavours. - Kramer's Cafe (Koror)
Relaxed local spot for fresh fish, burgers and cold drinks after a day on the water. - Bottom Time Bar and Grill (Malakal)
The deck at Sam's Tours, where divers swap stories over grilled food by the dock. - Mangrove crab and sashimi at local restaurants (Downtown Koror)
Ordering mangrove crab and fresh reef fish sashimi is the classic Palauan feast. - Resort dinner on Arakebesang (Arakebesang)
A beachfront meal at one of the island resorts as the sun sets.
Cafés
- Rock Island Cafe (Downtown Koror)
A Main Street institution for breakfast, coffee and island plates in the centre of town.
Bars and Nightlife
- Sunset drinks on the Malakal waterfront (Malakal)
Watch the Rock Islands turn gold from a harbour-side deck with a cold drink.
Arts and Culture
- Belau National Museum (Koror)
The oldest museum in Micronesia, covering clans, money beads, storyboards and the war years. - Etpison Museum (Koror)
A private museum with fine collections on Palauan culture, money and natural history. - Palau International Coral Reef Center Aquarium (Malakal)
See Palau's reefs, jellyfish and giant clams before you get in the water. - Belau National Museum bai (Koror)
A traditional men's meeting house painted with story panels, on the museum grounds. - Nan'yo Shrine (Koror)
A small reconstructed Shinto shrine recalling the era when Koror was capital of Japan's South Seas.
Shopping and Markets
- Koror Jail storyboard shop (Koror)
Buy hand-carved storyboards, the iconic Palauan craft, made by inmates at the jail. - Surangel's (Koror)
The big local supermarket for snacks, reef-safe sunscreen and picnic supplies. - WCTC Shopping Center (Koror)
A central store for everyday needs, souvenirs and groceries. - Etpison Museum gift shop (Koror)
Well-chosen books, crafts and storyboards to take home.
Nature and Outdoors
- Long Island Park (Koror)
A shady waterfront park with a little beach where local families swim and picnic. - Japan Palau Friendship Bridge (Koror and Airai)
The bridge linking Koror to Babeldaob, lovely at sunset with views across the channel. - Malakal Hill (Malakal)
A short, steep climb for a view over the harbour and the first of the Rock Islands. - Nikko Bay (Koror)
A sheltered bay of mushroom-shaped islets that is ideal for kayaking at sunset. - Ngermid Bay (Ngermid)
Calm green water and mangroves on the edge of town, popular with kayakers. - Meyuns beachfront (Meyuns)
A local waterfront for an evening walk and a sunset view.
Things to Do
- Sam's Tours (Malakal)
A long-established dive and tour operator for Rock Islands trips, Jellyfish Lake and diving. - Fish 'n Fins (Malakal)
Palau's pioneering dive shop, known for Blue Corner and wreck dives. - Neco Marine (Malakal)
Dive and snorkel trips plus a well-stocked shop for gear. - Planet Blue Kayak Tours (Koror)
Guided kayak days through hidden lagoons and caves of the Rock Islands. - Icebox Park (Downtown Koror)
The town's gathering place, with markets and performances on festival days. - Palau Visitors Authority office (Koror)
Pick up maps and ask about permits, events and the Palau Pledge.
Events
- Olechotel Belau Fair (Koror)
Palau's big cultural fair each summer, with traditional food, dance and crafts. - Independence Day (Koror)
On 1 October Palau celebrates independence with parades, games and food stalls. - Constitution Day (Koror)
A July public holiday with canoe races, music and family events.
Stays
- Palau Pacific Resort (Arakebesang)
The classic beach resort with its own white-sand beach and house reef. - Palau Royal Resort (Malakal)
Waterfront resort with a private lagoon beach and easy access to dive boats. - Palasia Hotel (Downtown Koror)
Big central hotel within walking distance of shops, restaurants and the museum. - Cove Resort Palau (Malakal)
Modern resort beside the marina, handy for early boat departures. - Sea Passion Hotel (Koror)
A comfortable waterfront hotel with a pool and harbour views. - Palau Plantation Resort (Arakebesang)
A garden resort of quiet bungalows set among tropical plants. - Carolines Resort (Koror)
Hillside wooden bungalows with a lagoon view and a peaceful feel. - West Plaza Hotel Malakal (Malakal)
Simple, good-value rooms right next to the dive shops.
Places to Visit in Rock Islands
Nature and Outdoors
- Rock Islands Southern Lagoon (Southern Lagoon)
A UNESCO World Heritage site of hundreds of forested limestone islands in turquoise water. - Jellyfish Lake (Ongeim'l Tketau) (Mecherchar)
Swim among golden jellyfish in a marine lake, when numbers allow it to open. - Blue Corner (Ngemelis)
A world-famous dive with sharks, barracuda and turtles riding the current. - German Channel (Ngemelis)
A channel where manta rays visit cleaning stations, good for divers and snorkellers. - Ulong Channel (Ulong)
A drift dive over giant lettuce coral with sharks at the mouth. - Ulong Island (Ulong)
A beach stop with ancient rock paintings and a link to early European sailors. - Big Drop Off (Ngemelis)
A vertical wall of soft coral that snorkellers can see from the surface. - Long Beach sandbar (Ngerchong)
A long white sandbar that appears at low tide, perfect for a picnic stop. - Clam City (Ngermeaus)
Shallow water full of giant clams, a gentle snorkel for families. - Seventy Islands (Ngerukewid)
A protected cluster of islands seen only from the water, closed to landings. - Siaes Tunnel (Siaes)
A huge underwater tunnel for experienced divers, with rare fish inside. - Turtle Cove (Ngemelis)
A wall and cove where green and hawksbill turtles are common. - Blue Holes (Ngemelis)
Four openings in the reef top that lead into a vast cavern lit by blue light. - Ngermeaus Island picnic beach (Ngermeaus)
A shaded beach where tour boats stop for lunch between snorkels. - Ngemelis Wall snorkel (Ngemelis)
Gentle snorkelling along a coral wall that drops into deep blue.
Things to Do
- Milky Way (Ngeruktabel)
A hidden cove of white limestone mud that people smear on as a natural spa treatment. - Chandelier Cave (Malakal)
A cave dive into air-filled chambers of stalactites close to Koror. - Jake Seaplane (Malakal)
A shallow Second World War floatplane wreck that snorkellers can see clearly. - Iro Maru (Urukthapel)
A Japanese navy oiler wreck covered in coral and fish. - Helmet Wreck (Malakal Harbor)
A wartime freighter with helmets, depth charges and coral still aboard. - Rock Islands kayaking day (Nikko Bay)
Paddle through arches and quiet lagoons at your own pace with a guide. - Ngeruktabel island viewpoints (Ngeruktabel)
The largest Rock Island, with hidden coves, mangroves and wartime relics.
Places to Visit in Babeldaob
Arts and Culture
- Belau National Capitol (Melekeok)
The striking white capitol building at Ngerulmud, Palau's seat of government. - Badrulchau Stone Monoliths (Ngarchelong)
Dozens of ancient basalt monoliths on a grassy hill above the sea. - Airai Bai (Airai)
One of the oldest traditional meeting houses still standing, painted with legends.
Nature and Outdoors
- Ngardmau Waterfall (Ngardmau)
The tallest waterfall in Palau, reached by a jungle trail and river walk. - Mount Ngerchelchuus (Ngardmau)
The highest point in Palau, with views over the forest to both coasts. - Lake Ngardok Nature Reserve (Melekeok)
The largest natural freshwater lake in Micronesia, home to rare birds. - Ebiil Channel (Ngarchelong)
A protected channel known for grouper spawning and dolphins. - Ngiwal shoreline (Ngiwal)
A peaceful east coast village with reef flats and seaside picnic huts.
Things to Do
- Round-island drive on the Compact Road (Babeldaob)
The ring road links villages, bai and waterfalls around the big island. - Taro patch visit (Babeldaob)
Taro fields tended by women's groups, at the heart of Palauan culture.
Shopping and Markets
- Roadside fruit and snack stands (Babeldaob)
Buy coconuts, bananas and homemade snacks from village stalls.
Places to Visit in Peleliu
Arts and Culture
- Peleliu WWII Memorial Museum (Peleliu)
Artefacts and photographs from the 1944 battle in an old Japanese building. - Thousand Man Cave (Peleliu)
A vast tunnel complex dug by Japanese forces into the limestone. - Japanese Army Command Post (Peleliu)
A shell-scarred two-storey concrete headquarters in the jungle. - Peleliu Peace Memorial Park (Peleliu)
A memorial to those of all nations who died on the island. - Peleliu Shrine (Peleliu)
A small Japanese shrine and memorial facing the sea.
Nature and Outdoors
- Bloody Nose Ridge (Umurbrogol)
The ridge at the centre of the battle, with memorials and wide views. - Orange Beach (Peleliu)
The landing beach of 1944, now quiet and beautiful with memorial markers. - Peleliu Wall (Peleliu)
A dramatic dive along a wall of coral with strong currents and big fish. - Peleliu Corner (Peleliu)
An advanced dive at the southern tip of the island where the currents meet.
Things to Do
- Peleliu Airfield (Peleliu)
The airfield fought over in 1944, with rusting tanks and aircraft nearby.
Places to Visit in Kayangel
Nature and Outdoors
- Kayangel Atoll (Kayangel)
Palau's northernmost atoll, a ring of white beaches around a turquoise lagoon. - Ngeruangel Reef (Kayangel)
A protected sunken atoll north of Kayangel, rich in coral and fish. - Kayangel lagoon swim (Kayangel)
Clear, shallow water on the lagoon side for gentle swimming.
Things to Do
- Kayangel village walk (Kayangel)
Stroll the sandy paths of the only village and see island life slow down. - Boat from Ngarchelong to Kayangel (Ngarchelong)
The crossing from the north of Babeldaob is the way most visitors arrive.
Places to Visit in Angaur
Nature and Outdoors
- Angaur Island (Angaur)
A remote southern island of beaches, blowholes and wartime history. - Angaur monkeys (Angaur)
Long-tailed macaques, introduced in German times, roam the island.
Arts and Culture
- Angaur wartime relics (Angaur)
Rusting aircraft and memorials from the 1944 landings.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- Palm Bay Bistro (Koror, Koror)
Casual bistro with a sea breeze, good for an easy evening meal. - Carp Restaurant (Malakal, Koror)
Simple Japanese-style plates and fresh sashimi near the harbour. - Dragon Tei (Koror, Koror)
Japanese comfort food like ramen and bento that echoes Palau's long Japanese ties. - Sorabol (Koror, Koror)
Korean barbecue and stews popular with residents on a night out. - Coffee Berry (Koror, Koror)
A small café for an iced coffee and snack between errands. - Red Rooster beer from Palau Brewing Company (Koror, Koror)
Try the local Red Rooster brew, made right here in Koror. - Day Dream Palau (Koror, Koror)
Snorkel and boat tours aimed at relaxed beginners and families. - Koror night market (Downtown Koror, Koror)
Occasional evening markets with local plates, crafts and music. - Belau Arts Festival (Koror, Koror)
Showcases carving, weaving and contemporary Palauan art when it runs. - Palau Central Hotel (Downtown Koror, Koror)
Plain, central rooms for budget travellers. - DW Motel (Koror, Koror)
Basic, budget rooms for travellers who spend all day on the water. - Rock Islands sunset cruise (Southern Lagoon, Rock Islands)
Watch the islands turn gold from a slow boat ride back to Koror. - Mandarinfish Lake (Southern Lagoon, Rock Islands)
A small marine lake known for colourful mandarinfish at dusk. - Melekeok Bai (Melekeok, Babeldaob)
A restored chiefs' meeting house near the old village of Melekeok. - Ngatpang mangroves (Ngatpang, Babeldaob)
Quiet mangrove channels best explored by boat or kayak. - Ngaraard village walk (Ngaraard, Babeldaob)
Traditional stone paths and taro patches in a quiet northern village. - Japanese wartime relics of Airai (Airai, Babeldaob)
Tanks and gun emplacements left from the Second World War near the airport. - Nekken Forest Reserve (Aimeliik, Babeldaob)
A protected forest with streams and native birds. - Airai Water Paradise Hotel and Spa (Airai, Babeldaob)
A quiet hotel near the airport, handy for late or early flights. - State celebrations and village feasts (Babeldaob, Babeldaob)
States hold their own days with food, dance and sports, open to respectful visitors. - Melekeok roadside lunch stops (Melekeok, Babeldaob)
Simple local plates of fish, taro and rice along the east coast. - US 81st Infantry Division memorial (Peleliu, Peleliu)
One of several memorials marking where soldiers fought and fell. - Dolphin Bay Resort (Peleliu, Peleliu)
Simple island rooms for divers and history lovers staying overnight. - Peleliu island bicycle loop (Peleliu, Peleliu)
Quiet roads make it easy to explore beaches and memorials at your own pace. - Ngcheangel beaches (Kayangel, Kayangel)
Empty beaches on the outer islets of the atoll, reached by small boat. - Angaur surf break (Angaur, Angaur)
One of the few places in Palau with surfable waves in season. - Bai ra Ngermid (Ngermid, Koror)
A village meeting house that shows how Palauan communities gather.