Christchurch Travel Guide
Posted: 2/10/24 | February 10th, 2024
The second-largest city in New Zealand (and the largest on the South Island), Christchurch is filled with cool markets, funky bars, and lots of new and trendy restaurants. It’s a relaxed destination perfect for a couple of days of exploring and taking in the pace of local life. Having been severely damaged by earthquakes between 2010 and 2012, it is revitalized now. And, while there’s not a whole lot to see and do here (only 380,000 people live here after all), it’s by no means a boring destination. There’s fun nightlife, many museums, and tons of green space where you can lounge away the day or go hiking. To help you decide where to stay in Christchurch, I’ll highlight the best neighborhoods below as well as some of my favorite hotels in each area. (That said, Christchurch is pretty compact and you can easily walk around most of it.)
Where to Stay in Christchurch for First-Time Visitors: Christchurch Central
This is the heart of town, also known as City-Centre or the CBD. You can walk to many of the main sights from here, including the botanical gardens, the Canterbury Museum, the sprawling Hagley Park, and the historic hop-on/hop-off vintage tram. It’s also where you’ll find the most restaurants. While many of Christchurch’s main hotels and much of its shopping is here, the majority of hostels are here too, making it a fun and affordable district in which to stay.
Best places to stay in Central:
- BUDGET: Urbanz Christchurch – This lively, social hostel has a bar with some of the cheapest beer in town, making it a fun place to stay if you want to meet people…
- MIDRANGE: Carnmore Hotel – This is a modern, stylish four-star hotel within walking distance of everything in the neighborhood…
- LUXURY: The Observatory Hotel – This luxe five-star hotel is located in a massive, palatial building once home to an actual observatory…
Where to Stay in Christchurch for Foodies: Merivale
This hip suburb is where you’ll find lots of cool cafés, trendy boutiques, and chic restaurants. It’s primarily a residential area, so there aren’t many hotels here, giving the neighborhood a less bustling and more relaxed feel. It’s just a 30-minute walk to the city center though, so it’s still super easy to explore the city if you base yourself here.
Best places to stay in Merivale:
- BUDGET: Ashford Motor Lodge – This no-frills motel is ideal for road-tripping travelers as it has free (off-street) parking…
- MIDRANGE: Pavilions Hotel – Along with large, clean, and modern rooms, this four-star hotel has two restaurants on-site…
- LUXURY: The Mayfair – Just south of Merivale, near the edge of Hagley Park, this sleek and stylish five-star hotel has a posh feel…
Where to Stay in Christchurch for Nightlife: Riccarton
West of Hagley Park is Riccarton…
Best places to stay in Riccarton:
- BUDGET: Metropolitan Motel – This utilitarian motel is one of the cheapest places to stay in this part of town…
- MIDRANGE: Chateau on the Park – Nestled against Hagley Park on the eastern edge of Riccarton, this four-star hotel is just a five-minute drive from downtown…
Where to Stay in Christchurch for Outdoor Enthusiasts: Cashmere
Cashmere, a 10-minute drive south of City-Centre, is a tranquil suburb on the north side of the Port Hills, offering stunning views over the area as well as lots of green space…
Best places to stay in Cashmere:
- BUDGET: The But n Ben – With apartment-style rooms, this small property is the cheapest you’ll find in the Cashmere area…
- LUXURY: Dyers House – This charming B&B is located in a century-old Edwardian-style home…
Christchurch is a cool small city and a must-visit stop for anyone traveling around New Zealand. It’s come a long way after the earthquake and feels reborn. And, while the city is not huge, where you decide to stay will impact your trip.