Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Honolulu?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 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 3, 4, or 5 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 3 days enough time in Honolulu?
Honolulu holds a significant allure for tourists because of its many sights and attractions. Three days 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 vibrant city. Nevertheless, if time is of the essence, we have some nice suggestions for your visit.
How to spend 3 days 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.
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.
Honolulu is home to renowned museums and iconic landmarks, so dive into the city's famous attractions. The city's historical sites rank among the most awe-inspiring globally. For many visitors, a trip to Pearl Harbor is one of the most memorable experiences while they're in Hawaii. It's still an active naval base, but it's also a National Historic Landmark that memorializes that historic day in 1941. There are many sights that reflect on the past and you can also pick up tours to the USS Arizona at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. Other cultural sights around Honolulu include the Polynesian Cultural Center, the Shangri-La Museum, and Iolani Palace.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Bishop Museum General Admission Ticket ($34)
- Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum Ticket with Audio Tour and Shuttle ($26)
Honolulu is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. It's beautiful beaches and scenic viewpoints make this a beautiful city. It also has a mix of cultures and dynamic neighborhoods.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Honolulu Sea-Cliff with Sunset Photo Adventure ($95)
- Oahu's Majestic Cliffside Sunset Tour: Breathtaking Ocean Views ($59)
- Honolulu Sunset & Light Painting Experience ($95)
Is 4 days enough time in Honolulu?
Four days is usually not enough time to experience the vibrant city of Honolulu, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the chance to lounge on the beach, spend time at the museums, get out into nature, and explore the underwater world. You'll likely want more than four days, as many tourists set aside around five to seven days for their visit. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey.
Honolulu, Hawaii
How to spend 4 days in Honolulu
If you have more than 4 days in Honolulu, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.
Known for it's hiking, Honolulu sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. Both in the city and nearby you'll find world famous hiking trails that offer spectacular views and breathtaking landscapes. There are many natural landmarks and dramatic mountains. Moanalua Valley Trail, also known as the Stairway to Heaven, is one of the top hiking trails in the area. Other popular options include Kuliouou Ridge Trail and Diamond Head Crater Hike.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Sunrise Hike at Makapu'u Lighthouse Trail ($50)
- Waterfall Hike , Sightseeing & East Side Beach Day ($150)
- Oahu Hidden Waterfall Hike: A Tropical Paradise Adventure ($92)
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Is 5 days enough time in Honolulu?
Honolulu offers plenty of activities and attractions and remains a top choice for tourists. So with five days, you'll probably feel rushed to see the main attractions. You really need more time to appreciate everything that the vibrant city has to offer. Many visitors prefer to have at least 5 or as many as 7 days to fully enjoy the city. If you have five days or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're in town.
Honolulu, Hawaii
How to spend 5 days in Honolulu
Having 5 days in Honolulu will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.
Scuba diving and snorkeling around Honolulu is very popular. Spend the day exploring the beauty of the surrounding underwater world. There are great beaches around the island and near the city where you can enjoy diving and snorkeling. You'll find coral and tropical fish that make for a wonderful experience.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Oahu Circle Island: Snorkel with Turtles & Explore in Small Group ($139)
- Grand Tour Around Island 16 Locations plus Snorkeling ($109)
- Oahu's Ultimate Grand Circle Island Tour with Snorkeling and More ($100)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Honolulu.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Honolulu, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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