How many days · Honolulu · United States
How many days do you need in Honolulu?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Joel Bradshaw, Public domain
Quick answer
6 days is the sweet spot for Honolulu, and 4 days is the minimum to see the main sights. Four days covers Waikīkī, Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor and Hanauma Bay. Six days or more lets you add a North Shore day, the windward beaches at Kailua and Lanikai, Chinatown and the Bishop Museum, with time left for simply being on the beach.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 6 days
- Minimum
- 4 days
- Day trips available
- 5
- Daylight
- 10.8 h (Dec) to 13.4 h (Jun)
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | Waikīkī Beach, Diamond Head (Lēʻahi), Pearl Harbor National Memorial and USS Arizona Memorial and Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve |
| 2 days | Rushed | Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, ʻIolani Palace and Surf lesson at Waikīkī |
| 3 days | Rushed | Battleship Missouri Memorial, Bishop Museum and Chinatown |
| 5 days | Good | The highlights plus a day trip to North Shore and Haleʻiwa |
| 7 days | Relaxed | A slow trip with day trips such as North Shore and Haleʻiwa and Kailua and Lanikai |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Honolulu add up to roughly 27–31 hours of visiting time — about 4 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are Waikīkī Beach (Half a day), Pearl Harbor National Memorial and USS Arizona Memorial (Half a day with other Pearl Harbor sites) and Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve (Half a day).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Waikīkī Beach | Half a day | Waikīkī |
| Diamond Head (Lēʻahi) | 2 hours | Diamond Head |
| Pearl Harbor National Memorial and USS Arizona Memorial | Half a day with other Pearl Harbor sites | Pearl Harbor |
| Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve | Half a day | East Honolulu |
| ʻIolani Palace | 1.5 hours | Downtown |
| Surf lesson at Waikīkī | 2 hours | Waikīkī |
| Battleship Missouri Memorial | 2 hours | Pearl Harbor |
| Bishop Museum | 3 hours | Kalihi |
| Chinatown | 2 hours | Chinatown |
| Honolulu Museum of Art | 2 hours | Makiki |
| Kakaʻako street murals | 1.5 hours | Kakaʻako |
| Ala Moana Beach Park and Magic Island | 2–3 hours | Ala Moana |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 6 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 4 days | Focus on Waikīkī Beach and Diamond Head (Lēʻahi) |
| With children | 7 days | Slower days and time for Waikīkī Beach |
| With day trips | 8 days | Add North Shore and Haleʻiwa and Kailua and Lanikai |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in December (about 10.8 hours of daylight) than in June (about 13.4 hours). Daylight varies little through the year, so plan by weather instead.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Honolulu with other destinations
| Destination | Distance | Suggested stay |
|---|---|---|
| Maui | About 168 km | 7 days |
| San Francisco | About 3,854 km | 4 days |
| Los Angeles | About 4,120 km | 6 days |
Questions travellers ask
+Is 4 days enough in Honolulu?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 6 days is more comfortable. Four days covers Waikīkī, Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor and Hanauma Bay. Six days or more lets you add a North Shore day, the windward beaches at Kailua and Lanikai, Chinatown and the Bishop Museum, with time left for simply being on the beach.
+Is a week too long in Honolulu?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as North Shore and Haleʻiwa and Kailua and Lanikai.