Attraction
Auckland War Memorial Museum
Neoclassical museum and war memorial on Observatory Hill in the Auckland Domain, home to major Māori and Pacific collections, natural history galleries and the Halls of…
The best things to do in Auckland revolve around its harbours and its volcanoes. Known in Māori as Tāmaki Makaurau and nicknamed the City of Sails, New Zealand's largest city sits between the Waitematā and Manukau harbours on a field of more than 50 small volcanic cones, many of them now parks. Visitors can climb Maungawhau / Mount Eden for the view, ferry out to Rangitoto, explore Auckland War Memorial Museum's Māori and Pacific collections or walk the waterfront from Britomart to Wynyard Quarter.
The central city holds most of the museums, hotels and bars, while Ponsonby, Karangahape Road and Mount Eden are where much of the eating and drinking happens. Auckland has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world and a large Asian community, and its food reflects that, from Malaysian and Filipino cooking to Lebanese mezze and contemporary New Zealand menus recognised in the 2026 Michelin Guide. Three or four days covers the city, the museums and a ferry trip; allow five or more to add Waiheke Island's vineyards and the black-sand beaches of the west coast.
Attraction
Neoclassical museum and war memorial on Observatory Hill in the Auckland Domain, home to major Māori and Pacific collections, natural history galleries and the Halls of…
Attraction
The 328-metre telecommunications and observation tower at the heart of the CBD, with glass-floored viewing decks, a revolving restaurant and the SkyWalk and SkyJump.
Attraction
New Zealand's first permanent art gallery, set in an 1887 French Renaissance building with an award-winning 2011 extension, holding over 18,000 works with free general entry.
Attraction
The highest natural point on the Auckland isthmus, a 196-metre volcanic cone with a deep crater, Māori pā terraces and free 360-degree views of the city.
Attraction
Auckland's oldest park, set in an ancient volcanic crater, with the 1920s Wintergardens glasshouses, a fernery in an old quarry and duck ponds below the museum.
Attraction
A 182-metre volcanic cone that was once the largest pā on the isthmus, surrounded by Cornwall Park's farmland, gardens, cafés and the historic Acacia Cottage.
Café
The Freemans Bay home of Allpress Espresso, a light-filled roastery café near Victoria Park Market with its own art studio, pastries and light lunches on weekdays.
Café
Britomart branch of the Auckland sourdough bakery, baking with a long-fermented starter and serving pastries, doughnuts and coffee from 7am every day.
Café
City outpost of Kōkako, the Fairtrade organic coffee roaster founded in 2001 from a cart in Aotea Square, by the air bridge in Commercial Bay.
Café
Gore Street gelato maker and fully gluten-free bakery with Italian roots, churning gelato daily and making its own chocolate, cones, breads and focaccia on site.
Café
Long-popular Ponsonby Road café opening from 6.15am, known for carefully presented breakfast and lunch dishes made with quality ingredients and coffee to go.
Café
Yael Shochat's Middle Eastern and Mediterranean café-restaurant on Fort Street, serving mezze-style plates built on salads, vegetables and legumes for over 20 years.
Hotel
A 99-room hotel of handmade brick and timber in the Britomart precinct, New Zealand's only 5 Green Star hotel, home to the seafood restaurant kingi.
Hotel
Five-star waterfront hotel on Halsey Street with 195 rooms around a light-filled atrium, Māori artwork, a 25-metre harbour-view infinity pool and a spa.
Hotel
Five-star Langham group hotel on Symonds Street with 642 rooms, the 17-storey Pinnacle Tower, Chuan Spa, a pool and afternoon tea in the Chandelier Lounge.
Hotel
Five-star designer hotel on the corner of Customs Street East and Gore Street in Britomart, with a heated indoor pool, rooftop bar and executive lounge.
Hotel
Designer hotel on Viaduct Harbour Avenue with 150 rooms inspired by the harbour, the Michelin-selected restaurant Esther and a rooftop bar with harbour views.
Hotel
Art Deco boutique hotel on High Street with 25 individually styled rooms, sunken baths, New Zealand art and a 1920s-inspired Sunday high tea.
Bar
Intimate basement cocktail bar off Roukai Lane in Britomart, inspired by the golden age of bartending and open until 3am every night.
Bar
Rooftop brewpub above Quay Street with a balcony over Viaduct Harbour, more than 15 taps including in-house beers, giant pizzas, live music and a tenpin lane.
Bar
Brewpub in the old Grafton library building at the top of Mount Eden Road, brewing English-style cask ales on site since 1995 and serving hearty pub…
Bar
Underground live music venue in St Kevin's Arcade on Karangahape Road, expanded in 2024 with the larger Double Whammy room and a community-minded public bar.
Bar
Underground Filipino bar and bistro on Cross Street near Karangahape Road, known for its cocktails, low-intervention wine list and modern Filipino plates.
Bar
Retro-futuristic party bar on Roukai Lane from the team behind Caretaker, with a secret karaoke room, live jazz, cocktails and late opening Wednesday to Saturday.
Restaurant
Ben Bayly's contemporary New Zealand restaurant on the second level of Commercial Bay, awarded a Michelin star in 2026 and cooking with produce from its own…
Restaurant
Long-established Symonds Street fine-dining restaurant run since 2018 by Sid and Chand Sahrawat, serving seasonal tasting menus with an award-winning wine team.
Restaurant
Contemporary Japanese restaurant in an old brick building off Ponsonby Road, led by chef and co-owner Makoto Tokuyama and known for its degustation menus.
Restaurant
Family-run Dominion Road restaurant built around wild and sustainably sourced game, with Middle Eastern and Italian influences and a daily delicatessen.
Restaurant
Family-run Lebanese restaurant in the 1920s St Kevins Arcade on Karangahape Road, led by chef Samir Allen, with leadlight windows over Myers Park.
Restaurant
Chef Al Brown's walk-in eatery on Federal Street, cooking small plates over charcoal and hardwood, with an oyster and raw bar and breakfast on weekdays.
Thing to do
Auckland's youngest volcano, a short ferry ride from the city, with a summit walk over lava fields, lava caves and the world's largest pōhutukawa forest.
Thing to do
Hauraki Gulf island about 40 minutes from the city by ferry, known for its vineyards, Bordeaux-style reds, sandy beaches and the WWII tunnels at Stony Batter.
Thing to do
Black-sand surf beach on the Tasman Sea coast 39 km west of the city, divided by Lion Rock and backed by the forested Waitākere Ranges.
Thing to do
Seaside village 12 minutes by ferry from the city, with heritage streets, two volcanic cones, military tunnels at North Head and sheltered beaches.
Thing to do
Former industrial tank farm on the western waterfront, reopened in 2011 as a precinct of restaurants, the Auckland Fish Market, Silo Park and harbourside walks.
Tour operator
Small family-owned tour company running nature trips to Piha and the west coast rainforest, city highlights and wine country tours, with central hotel pick-ups.
Tour operator
Auckland sailing and cruise operator offering trips aboard an America's Cup yacht, harbour sailing, dinner cruises and whale and dolphin cruises in the Hauraki Gulf.
Tour operator
Adventure operator running guided climbs and a 40-metre bungy from the Auckland Harbour Bridge out of its Westhaven base, plus the SkyWalk and SkyJump at the…
Tour operator
Qualmark Gold guided sea kayaking company offering paddles to Rangitoto and Motukorea, sunset trips with a barbecue dinner and night tours of the city waterfront.
Tour operator
Auckland's main harbour ferry and island tour operator, running services from downtown to Waiheke and Rangitoto plus wine tours, hop-on buses and guided island trips.
Three or four days covers the city centre, the main museums, a volcanic cone or two and a ferry trip to Devonport or Rangitoto; five or more lets you add Waiheke Island and the west coast beaches.
The city centre, Britomart and the Viaduct Harbour put you close to the ferries, museums and restaurants, while Ponsonby suits travellers who want a neighbourhood base with cafés and bars nearby.
Auckland Airport is in Māngere, about 17 km south of the city centre, so allow time for the road journey and check transfer options before you land.
Accommodation and dining can be costly, but many highlights are free, including Auckland Art Gallery's collection, the Auckland Domain and Wintergardens, Maungawhau / Mount Eden and Cornwall Park.
Auckland is generally a relaxed city to visit, but take care at the surf beaches: at Piha and other west coast beaches, swim only between the red and yellow flags while lifeguards are on patrol, as rip currents can be strong.