As the political and cultural capital of Hawaii, Honolulu is home to a number of historic sites amongst its white-sand beaches and swaying palm trees. Here you’ll find the Pearl Harbour National Memorial, one of the United States’ older Chinatowns, and ‘Iolani Palace, which served as the official residence of the Hawaiian royal family. Located on the island of Oahu, Honolulu offers an incredible array of cultural activities, allowing visitors to learn more about Hawaiian cuisines, customs, and traditional dances.

Waikiki Beach blends beautiful white sand, cerulean water, high-rise buildings, and the dramatic presence of Diamond Head volcano to create one of America’s most famous beach resorts, just a 15-minute drive from the city centre. Honolulu also serves as a gateway for the natural attractions of Oahu, including Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, where more than 400 species of tropical fish can be seen, and the island’s North Shore, a surfing mecca in the winter and a tranquil swimming spot in the summer.

Thanks to the year-round pleasant weather and plethora of things to do across Oahu, there is no bad time to secure your vacation rental in Honolulu. The shoulder seasons of spring and autumn are typically quieter, as the summer and winter crowds have thinned out a bit. The city also hosts several festivals, including the Honolulu Festival, a three-day celebration in March of Asian, Pacific, and Hawaiian cultures featuring local art, music, and dance performances, and the Aloha Festival in September, which is the largest cultural festival in the state and showcases Hawaiian heritage, dance, and music. Oahu doesn’t generally get hit by hurricanes, and during the rainy season, rain showers are normally short and hard, leaving you plenty of hours of sunshine.

Diamond Head

Located at the end of Waikiki Beach is the iconic Diamond Head, a volcanic mountain topped by a 300,000-year-old crater. You can hike up it through lush green forests, catching frequent sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean along the way.

‘Iolani Palace

Built in 1882, ‘Iolani Palace was the residence of Queen Lili‘uokalani, Hawaii’s last queen, and is the only royal palace on American soil. Now a museum, the palace has been meticulously restored; take a guided tour to explore the grand hall, state dining room, and residential suites to get a glimpse of what life was like for Hawaiian royalty before Hawaii became part of the United States.

Pearl Harbor National Memorial

The attacks on Pearl Harbor in December 1941 brought the United States military into World War II. Visitors can pay their respects at the USS Arizona Memorial, a floating platform that sits above the sunken battleship in the harbour and serves as an open-air shrine for the lives that were lost.