Honolulu
Waikiki, Chinatown and the valleys behind them, on the south shore of Oahu
Browse Honolulu
Honolulu sits on the south shore of Oahu, with Waikiki's hotel strip on one side and the Koolau valleys rising behind. Beyond the beach there is a compact downtown, a Chinatown of century-old buildings now full of bars and galleries, Pearl Harbor to the west and a windward coast half an hour over the pali. The food is its own argument for coming: plate lunch, poke counters, saimin and Vietnamese kitchens. Our local picks run across all of it – filter by category and budget below.
Honolulu at a glance
- Ideal stay: 4 to 7 days
- Best time to visit: April to June and September to October
- Highlights: Waikiki, Pearl Harbor and the windward coast
- Where to stay: Waikiki for the beach and the widest choice of hotels; Kakaako and downtown for restaurants and lower prices; Kahala and Diamond Head for quiet
- Local picks: 32 hand-chosen places across eight categories
- Getting around: Daniel K. Inouye International is 6 km west of Waikiki; TheBus covers the island and a car helps for the North Shore
Where to stay in Honolulu
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Before you go
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Find hotels in HonoluluBook tours and experiencesHonolulu travel FAQ
How many days do you need in Honolulu?
Four to seven days. Waikiki, Pearl Harbor, Chinatown and Diamond Head fill three, and a circle-island drive or a North Shore day needs its own.
Where is the best area to stay in Honolulu?
Waikiki for the beach and the widest choice of hotels; Kakaako and downtown for restaurants and lower prices; Kahala and Diamond Head for quiet.
Do you need a car in Honolulu?
Not for Waikiki and downtown, which TheBus and walking cover well. A car is worth having for the windward coast, the North Shore and the trailheads.
What is the best time of year to visit Honolulu?
Spring and early autumn have the lowest rainfall and the smallest crowds. Winter brings big surf to the North Shore and higher prices over the holidays.