Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Honolulu?

Q: Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Honolulu?

Since it's a large city, you'll probably need more than a weekend to take advantage of everything to do in Honolulu. Two or three days still gives you a good amount of time to explore, though, as you'll have a chance to experience at least some of the major attractions. In addition to the great beaches and fun museums and landmarks, visitors can enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling, big city activities, and food by staying for a weekend.

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Honolulu?

Many visitors spend at least 5 or as many as 7 days in Honolulu during their trip. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because your journey calls for making the most of every moment. The city offers the chance to lounge on the beach, spend time at the museums, get out into nature, and explore the underwater world.

Honolulu is the largest city and the capital of the state of Hawaii. Many visitors pass through enroute to other islands. Its most famous beach is Waikiki, which has a high concentration of hotels, restaurants, and shopping opportunities. Other highlights near the city include Diamond Head crater and the USS Arizona Memorial.

Do you have one or two days to visit Honolulu? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Honolulu?

Honolulu holds a significant allure for tourists because of its many sights and attractions. One day is probably not enough time here. You might feel rushed to see the main attractions of Honolulu such as the beaches, the famous sights and museums, the hiking, and scuba diving and snorkeling. To thoroughly enjoy all that the city has to offer, you'll probably want more time. Most travelers schedule at least 5 or as many as 7 days to fully experience the multi-cultural city. Nevertheless, if time is of the essence, we have some nice suggestions for your visit.

How to spend a day in Honolulu

When visiting Honolulu, you absolutely can't miss Pearl Harbor as it's one of the most famous places in the world. Make sure you allow yourself enough time to fully experience it.

The restaurant and food scene here is top notch, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine. The city offers a mix of internationally recognized chain restaurants as well as local mom and pop shops. You'll find a mix of cuisines that reflect the city's multicultural personality. There is plenty of Japanese food around town as well as local Hawaiian dishes. Spam is incorporated into many dishes, but you'll also find seafood and tropical fruits.

A few tour suggestions include:

Da Local's Food Tour of Oahu ($150)
Lanai Tabura curated Aloha Plate Hawaii Food Tour from Honolulu ($208)
Lanai Tabura Curated Private Aloha Plate Food Tour from Honolulu ($239)

Honolulu is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. The most walkable areas are around downtown Honolulu and in Waikiki.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Honolulu?

Since it's a large city, you'll probably need more than a weekend to take advantage of everything to do in Honolulu. Two or three days still gives you a good amount of time to explore, though, as you'll have a chance to experience at least some of the major attractions. In addition to the great beaches and fun museums and landmarks, visitors can enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling, big city activities, and food by staying for a weekend.

Honolulu, Hawaii

How to spend 2 days in Honolulu

If you have more than a weekend (two to three days) in Honolulu, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.

The beautiful beaches await you in Honolulu, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. Nearby there are countless beach destinations such as the famed Waikiki Beach. There are also more local and lesser known stretches of sand where you can escape the tourist crowds. Other great beaches in the area include Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, Magic Island, and Lanikai Beach.

A few tour suggestions include:

Waterfall Hike , Sightseeing & East Side Beach Day ($150)
The Magical Mystery Show! at Hilton Waikiki Beach Hotel ($78)
Arrival Trasfer: Airport Shuttle Honolulu and Cruise Terminal ($17)

The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. The city has the most active nightlife scene on all of the Hawaiian islands. If you're looking for a party, then this is the place to stay. You'll find many bars, clubs, and entertainment options around town, as well as beach parties and festivals. For tourists, the highest concentration of nightlife venues is around Waikiki, which is also where you'll find the most hotels.

The public transit in Honolulu is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the city quite easily and affordably. TheBus is the public bus system through the city and elsewhere on Oahu.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Honolulu, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.