Must-see landmarks in Palau

Palau's landscape features a blend of ancient engineering and 20th-century history. This collection highlights the traditional bai (meeting houses) of Airai and Melekeok, adorned with intricate storyboard carvings. It includes the ancient earthwork terraces of Aimelik and the megalithic stones of Meteu 'L Klechem. The list also covers significant World War II sites on Peleliu, including coastal defense guns and memorials, alongside natural landmarks like the Ngardmau Waterfall and the mineral-rich waters of the Milky Way.

Palau's Must-See Landmarks — Map

A

Meteu 'L Klechem

A massive stone monolith in Melekeok State, historically used as a resting place for the body of a high chief during funeral rites.

B

Airai Bai

The oldest traditional meeting house in Palau, dating back over a century. It features a steep thatched roof and hand-painted storyboards depicting local legends.

C

Ngardmau Waterfall

The tallest waterfall in Palau, cascading 30 meters down the slopes of Mount Ngerchelchuus on Babeldaob island.

D

Milky Way

A shallow cove in the Rock Islands where the seabed is covered in white limestone mud, traditionally used for skin treatments.

E

Melekeok Bai

A reconstructed traditional meeting house featuring intricate gable carvings and paintings that record the history and social structure of the Melekeok community.

F

US Marine Corps Memorial

A monument on Peleliu island dedicated to the 1st Marine Division who fought in the 1944 Battle of Peleliu.

G

Etpison Museum

Museum showcasing Palauan culture through traditional money, beadwork, fishing artifacts, and a collection of historical photography and natural history displays.

H

Peliliu World War II Memorial Museum

Located in a former Japanese communications center, this museum houses artifacts, weaponry, and photographs from the 1944 Battle of Peleliu.

I

Aimelik Terraces

Ancient man-made earthworks carved into the hillsides of Babeldaob, believed to have served agricultural, defensive, or ceremonial purposes.

J

Japanese WWII 200mm Gun

A well-preserved Japanese coastal defense gun located on Peleliu, illustrating the heavy fortification of the island during World War II.

Other Lists

Palau Essentials Palau's Hidden Lakes & Ruins Best Diving and Beaches Cultural Heritage of Palau