Top things to do in Auckland
Attractions, tours, and activities in Auckland
Auckland: the city's best neighborhoods
Find a great area to stay in Auckland
-
Auckland Central Business District
In downtown
From within, Auckland’s CBD contains a cluster of mini districts. Cool kids head to Britomart and High Street to shop: try Pauanesia for “Kiwiana” and Untouched World for sustainable clothes. Try open-air occidental dining at the family-friendly Eliot Stables, or see Māori and Polynesian art at the Auckland Art Gallery (dazzling after its $90 million upgrade!).
Places to stay from $7 a night
-
Viaduct Harbour
0.4 miles from downtown
This downtown dive has transformed from blah to hurrah! Auckland’s powers-that-be pumped money into developing this former no-go zone, building it up for the 2000 Louis Vuitton Cup yacht race. Today, the Viaduct and adjacent Wynyard Quarter are shrines to dining, bars and clubs. Whip over the lifting bridge to Wynyard Quarter for the same, only newer.
Places to stay from $60 a night
-
Parnell
1.2 miles from downtown
Parnell rising. Having recently shed its old-fashioned feel, this well-off, city-fringe suburb is flooded with techie start-ups and boutiques. Go to Parnell Rise (the main strip) on Friday night to dine and mingle with Auckland’s young movers-and-shakers – try Mink for café cool, Cibo for designer desserts or Non Solo Pizza for the best slice in town!
Places to stay from $17 a night
-
Waitakere
7 miles from downtown
West Auckland is vast, but there are four must-dos: take the easy Omanawanui Track, a half-day adventure through native rain forest; sip on a flat white in the hippie enclave of Titirangi, a tiny township with links to vineyards (try Artisan in Henderson); and enjoy a day at breathtaking Piha Beach – for experienced surfers, runners, hikers and sunbathers.
Places to stay from $62 a night
-
North Shore
5.8 miles from downtown
Say sure to the shore! Each suburb has its own flavor – Albany with its vibrant South African community, Takapuna for beaches and café culture, Devonport for a historic experience (and its haunting WWII barracks), and Greenhithe for solitude amid the evergreens. Hint: head further north to Long Bay, one of the city’s quietest beaches.
Places to stay from $15 a night
-
Manukau
11.5 miles from downtown
Manukau gets some flak for its urban grit – but that’s only half the story. Each suburb is teeming with openness and warmth. For proof, visit Otara Markets on Saturday for Pacific street food and bootleg beats, Botany Town Centre and Westfield Manukau for one-stop shops, or Manurewa’s Botanical Gardens for a walk through NZ’s diverse flora and fauna.
Places to stay from $75 a night
-
Auckland Airport Area
8.8 miles from downtown
Strictly business. Freight forwarders, distribution centers, hotels, motels and “Holiday Inns” surround Auckland’s Airport Oaks. After touchdown, there’s little to compel the casual traveler to stay here – other than teeing off at the 18-hole Aviation Golf Club, or experiencing the medley of languages and Pacific cultures in Mangere Town Centre.
Places to stay from $48 a night
About Auckland
Including tips for the best time to visit Auckland
New Zealand’s most populated city, Auckland is flanked by two harbours and built on a volcanic field, with about 50 volcanoes shaping its landscape. Climb up the grassy slopes of Mount Eden or One Tree Hill for 360-degree views, or stop by Auckland Domain – the city’s oldest park – which sits on the crater of a dormant volcano. Nature lovers can also head to Auckland Botanic Gardens for a peaceful picnic amidst tranquil lakes, exotic flowers and native plants.
Featuring urban skyscrapers set against rolling hills, Auckland’s skyline is dominated by the impressive Sky Tower, a 328-metre-tall structure offering panoramic views of the city. Here, you can dine in a revolving restaurant, take a thrilling walk along the edge of the tower or jump off it to experience a free fall of 11 seconds. Expect more bungee jumping opportunities at the Auckland Harbour Bridge, where you can climb to the top or take a plunge into the water below. If you’re after a more relaxing activity, you can see penguins, sharks and stingrays up close at SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium, or take a sunset cruise for evening views of the ‘City of Sails’ and its yacht-decked harbours.
There are plenty of options for art and history enthusiasts travelling to Auckland. Popular places of interest include the Auckland War Memorial Museum honouring New Zealand’s soldiers, and Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, featuring an extensive collection of traditional and contemporary works – from Maori art to Yayoi Kusama installations.
Tonight
From $104 per night
This weekend
From $195 per night
Next weekend
From $109 per night
| Most popular time to visit | October-December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January-March |
| Local currency | NZD 10 = $5.96 |
| Language | English |
| Average weekend price | $128 per night |
| Average weekday price | $124 per night |
| Average stay | 1 night |
Points of interest in Auckland
Stay near the top sightseeing spots in Auckland
-
Sky Tower
0.2 miles from downtown
-
Viaduct Harbor
0.4 miles from downtown
-
Mangere Bridge (SH20)
6 miles from downtown
-
Mount Smart Stadium
5.5 miles from downtown
-
K Road
0.7 miles from downtown
-
Aotea Centre
0.2 miles from downtown
Latest articles featuring Auckland
Inspiration and insider tips for things to do in Auckland
Destination Inspiration: Auckland, New Zealand
The North Island’s refreshing (and delicious) take on urban living.
7 pet-friendly adventure destinations
Take your pets on a fun, adventure-filled trip.
Auckland reviews
What other travelers say about Auckland
A beautiful city and great Harbour, Auckland is still going...
September 19, 2023
A beautiful city and great Harbour, Auckland is still going through transition with its underground transport but will be great when completed. There is so much to see here, Great Theatres, Superb Art Gallery's, good cafés and restaurants. A modern cosmopolitan city with a colourful Pacific atmosphere. Good friendly helpful people working hard to make your stay a fantastic experience.
Auckland city centre is not what it used to be.
September 17, 2023
Auckland city centre is not what it used to be. The old vibe of queen street is no longer. Venture out of the city centre and it is a much nicer experience. We love visiting the NorthShore. It has lovely cafes, coffee shops, restaurants and lots of shops, malls and boutique type places. There is lots to do and it is supplemented by good road networks to get from one place to another.
Auckland City itself has many things to do and see, but it...
September 14, 2023
Auckland City itself has many things to do and see, but it is also a great gateway to the harbour and gulf islands, as well as the north shore and other tourist attractions o few hours drive south. At least a week would be good, we only had three days so we will have to come back another time. Have a cocktail up the Skytower, Take the ferry to Devonport for ice cream and Waiheke Island for a winery tour. Do the whale and dolphin cruise. Drive down towards Hamilton for many tourist attractions for the kids. Have a drink at Reign and Pour. Sit and watch the ships in the port.
I like Auckland in general as I'm from Auckland.
September 11, 2023
I like Auckland in general as I'm from Auckland. However, the some areas in Auckland are so congested. The streets are very narrow with ofif street parking on both sides of the street. There is only room for one vehicle at a time. The houses are boxed looking and very little sections. So different to my up bringing as we had quarter acre sections with fruit trees. I do enjoy the shopping not the rat race. I appreciate Auckland more since I moved away 20 years ago.
accomadation was very over priced for the conditionn of the...
September 11, 2023
accomadation was very over priced for the conditionn of the rooms bathroom jammed hand trying to shut the door wash basin was was a squeese to shut the door you could quite easily damage your hands very unsafe dangerous.plus looks like these rooms may be used for peranent as what we saw ,definitely not worth $209.00 per night .
Auckland is a bustling metropolitan area with diverse...
September 8, 2023
Auckland is a bustling metropolitan area with diverse population. There are major events happening in this city. Once of which is New Zealand Fashion Week. Highly recommend fashionistas to attend this amazing event. I was able to go to food court each time to purchase meals. It is sort of ok to get around Auckland. It did take one hour to go from CBD to Sylvia Park. I would avoid avoid travelling all the way to Sylvia Park next time as it took out 2 hours of the trip to get to and from there.
Popular places to stay in Auckland
Stay in some of the best accommodations Auckland has to offer
-
Luxury Apart, Seaviews & Balcony, Full Kitchen & Heat Pump Auckland, New Zealand
From $215 per night
-
Halfmoon Bay Apartment Auckland, New Zealand
From $149 per night
-
Self Contained Cottage Pukekohe Auckland, New Zealand
From $89 per night
-
Hotel Fitzroy curated by Fable Ponsonby, Auckland
From $274 per night
-
Sunrise Garden Serviced Apartments Albany North Shore, Auckland
From $134 per night
-
Other accommodations in Auckland
Pick from a wide variety of places to stay in Auckland
-
Apartments
From $37 per night
-
Resorts
From $27 per night
-
Villas
From $110 per night
-
Cabins
From $75 per night
-
Cottages
From $63 per night
-
Serviced Apartments
From $28 per night
-
Vacation Homes
From $63 per night
-
Guest houses
From $31 per night
-
Hostels
From $7 per night
-
Motels
From $59 per night
-
B&Bs
From $57 per night
-
Homestays
From $15 per night
-
Self-catering Accommodations
From $30 per night
