Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Honolulu?
Should you spend 1 or 2 weeks 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 weeks 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 week enough time in Honolulu?
One week provides ample opportunity to explore the entirety of Honolulu at your own pace to lounge on the beach, spend time at the museums, get out into nature, and explore the underwater world. Then you can use the city as a convenient base for venturing into nearby destinations where you'll discover exciting day trip options.
How to spend a week 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)
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.
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.
Because Honolulu is a fairly large destination, you can spend at least a full day exploring the many neighborhoods, landmarks, and popular attractions found around town. It's the largest city in Hawaii and, with its large airport, it is also the gateway to the islands for many visitors.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Arrival Trasfer: Airport Shuttle Honolulu and Cruise Terminal ($17)
- Honolulu Airport, Cruise Port and Waikiki hotels Private Transfer ($60)
- Pearl Harbor City Tour ($67)
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.
Shopping in Honolulu is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. The city has some of the best shopping opportunities in the Hawaiian islands. There are brand name fashion outlets, large shopping malls, and boutique local vendors. Many of the malls are open air and let you enjoy the Hawaiian climate while you browse. Downtown Honolulu and Waikiki both have many shopping opportunities.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Private Shopping Tour from Honolulu to Waikele Premium Outlets ($140)
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.
Is 2 weeks enough time in Honolulu?
With two weeks at your disposal, you'll have more than enough time to take in all that Honolulu has to offer, giving you the flexibility to unwind in your hotel or use Honolulu as a base for day trips to nearby destinations. You can relax while enjoying the beaches, the famous sights and museums, and the hiking at your own pace. We have some suggestions of things to do below, too.
Honolulu, Hawaii
How to spend 2 weeks in Honolulu
If you have more than 2 weeks in Honolulu, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.
After you've explored most of Honolulu, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
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.
Honolulu is such a huge city that you can easily spend another day in one of the neighborhoods that you haven't visited. Look for those hidden gems and local spots where most tourists don't go. Or, pick another neighborhood with local charm that you haven't fully explored yet.
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.
With so much time here, you should absolutely take another day trip to one of the many nearby destinations around Honolulu. Plenty of amazing options are available.
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.
Another fun day at the beach awaits, so spend more time relaxing and swimming. After all, a beach vacation usually calls for plenty of time to have fun on the sand and in the waves.
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.
Because Honolulu offers so many famous sights, landmarks, and museums, you should dedicate at least another day to see the places you haven't seen yet. You can spend multiple days browsing through the city's amazing museums, and some of them are worth a second visit, too.
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.
With plenty of hiking trails and viewpoints around Honolulu, you'll need another day to experience the gorgeous hiking trails that you haven't seen yet. Either head out in a different direction, or pick up where you left off before.
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.
Honolulu is such a huge city that you can easily spend another day in one of the neighborhoods that you haven't visited. Look for those hidden gems and local spots where most tourists don't go. Or, pick another neighborhood with local charm that you haven't fully explored yet.
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.
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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