Think of Honolulu and there’s a good chance Waikiki Beach’s crescent of champagne-hued sand and vibrant oceanfront resorts come to mind.
If O’ahu is the heart of Hawaii, then Honolulu is its racing pulse. In this cosmopolitan capital city, you’ll find everything from historic landmarks to fine dining to world-class shopping. Home to the majority of O’ahu’s population, Honolulu stretches across the southeastern shores of the island, from Pearl Harbor to Makapu’u Point, encompassing world-famous Waikīkī Beach along the way. Oahu blends cosmopolitan luxury and breathtaking scenery more than any other Hawaiian island. The state’s capital city, Honolulu, showcases the island’s urban appeal.
Honolulu delivers on big-city vibes just steps from some of the best nature on the islands (in the world, really). Spend your city days in downtown Waikiki, with its blocks of shops and sky-high hotels, or head to the food haven of Kapahulu to snack on poke bowls and shaved ice. The beaches are always right there—ready for surfing, sunbathing, snorkeling, and swimming with sea turtles and dolphins. There’s also nearby waterfalls and volcanos to check out—from Diamond Head Crater to Waimea Falls.
