Oahu in 6 Days: tips, what to see, and much more

In the middle of the Pacific Ocean, Hawaii is an American archipelago known worldwide for its surfing, beaches and culture. Although many don't know it, Oahu is its main and most populated island, where the capital, Honolulu, is located. If you are fortunate enough to be able to visit it, it is natural that you will wonder what to see and do in Oahu during your holidays.

It's not all about the beach: Oahu is full of history, mountains, hiking trails, all-night parties and plenty of surfing. Are you ready to plan your itinerary? Here's a plan for a fantastic six days on the island, touring it from end to end.

I realise that it may sound a little strange to arrive in Hawaii and see the city. But Honolulu, the state capital, has a lot of potential and is well worth a tour of downtown.

This tour is best for the first day, as you'll most likely arrive on a flight to Honolulu airport during the course of the day, so everything will be closer to you. This itinerary passes through historic centres, museums, monuments, gardens and parks of a beautiful city, nestled in the middle of the ocean.

My advice is to hire a car during your stay on the island so you can get around. But if you'll be in Honolulu on your first day, then it's no problem to get around on foot or by bus.

From the airport to downtown

Good morning, Hawaii! If you are coming from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, from the harbour or if you arrived late the night before, my advice is to start your tour of Oahu by visiting downtown Honolulu, which is close by and very accessible.

Here you can start your tour, even at noon, in case your flight or boat arrives in the morning.

Once you're at the airport - or at the port, for that matter - it's best to hire a car to accompany you for the rest of the week: believe me, you'll need it to see the best of this island in comfort.

Otherwise, you can take a bus from the airport on TheBus, the public surface transport company, which will drop you off in the city centre on bus number 20.

The journey will cost around €2.5 and is well worth it for its convenience. In the case of the port, the distance to the city centre will be even less. Another great option is to book a private transfer from the airport to the city.

Stroll around the Capitol

Since the end of the 19th century, Hawaii has been a part of the United States and that shows in its institutions. As a state, it has a congress, a governor's office and many other public buildings. So how about starting your tour of Honolulu by getting to know several of them?

Starting very early in the morning, you can head to the historic downtown area and, specifically, the Hawaii State Capitol, a magnificent building with modern architecture that is not very traditional for such an institution.

The building is open between 7am and 5pm, but it houses the state's congressional chambers and unless you want to chat with your congressman, you can take a self-guided tour between 9am and 3:30pm.

If you get there around 9am, you'll get to see one of the jewels of modern Hawaiian architecture. Although this tour doesn't include entry to the House of Representatives and Senate chambers, I guarantee it's worth it and it's completely free.

Advance to the 'Iolani Palace

Already toured the actual Hawaiian Congress? Well, just walk a few metres and, just behind the statue of Queen Lili'uokalani, you'll find the ancient Hawaiian government: the monarchy.

This is the ʻIolani Palace, the only royal palace in the entire United States. And why royal? Well, because Hawaii was a kingdom before it became a United States, and this was the seat of the monarchs' offices, which later served as the capitol. You're sure to be fascinated by its Hawaiian Renaissance architecture.

The history of this building is exciting because it had a royalist past and a republican present. The building is an example of classic Hawaiian architecture that took Western elements and adapted them to the Pacific.

To enter, you must adhere to a basic dress code, where you must wear shoes and T-shirts, and you must cover your shoes with a shoe cover that you will be given upon entry.

Nowadays, this palace does not function as a government institution, so you can enter with a guided tour which, depending on its characteristics, can vary between €10 and €70.

Once you have passed through the museum, you can stop for lunch nearby. One of your options, about 200 metres from the palace on Beretania St., is Bo's Kitchen, a fantastic Southeast Asian eatery.

Visit the Honolulu Museum of Art

Have you had Asian and Oceanic food for lunch yet? Then you're obviously in Oceania, the world's most remote continent, so why not learn more about the culture of the Oceanic peoples at the Honolulu Museum of Art?

The collections are phenomenal and this museum is a reference in Oceanic art, but also works by Van Gogh, Picasso and Gauguin, a very prominent painter due to his stay in Polynesia.

To get to this museum, you only have to walk a little further along Beretania St. When you come across Thomas Square on your right, you will also see the museum on your left which is a beautiful and exciting construction.

My advice is not to miss a visit to this place, which has a very simple architecture, but the artistic quality is unsurpassed in the region. Admission is around €20 and it is open from 10am.

See all the insects at the Bishop Museum

Another fantastic museum not to be missed is the Bishop Museum, officially called the Hawaii State Museum of Natural and Cultural History, which also retains that fantastic 19th century Hawaiian architecture.

The building was the residence of the last descendant of the royal family and has a huge collection of insects.

It's really worth every second just to see this beautiful building. To get here, you will have to travel a little way into Honolulu. If you choose to take the bus, the best way is to take line 2 which, in 28 minutes and for about €2.5, will take you just a few steps from the museum.

If you're driving, on the other hand, you can be there in about ten minutes using the I-H-1 W.

Traveller Tip

If you plan to buy a lot of tickets for different sites, you might want to check out the Oahu Go Card which offers discounts and easy access

Oahu is an island to be enjoyed to the fullest. If you've been wondering what to do on Oahu's North Shore, the best plan is to embark on a day trip to this part of the island.

If you've already been to Honolulu, the best thing to do is to rent a car (even though we're in the middle of the Pacific, this is still the United States), get up early and drive up the amazing road to the coast, which takes about 40 minutes. There are also bus options, although more limited.

This is one of the most remote areas of all of Oahu and the focus here is on the junction between the beach and the mountains. In summer, you'll find somewhat calm waters, but if you go during the cold, be prepared to surf.

Surfing in ultimate comfort at Hale'iwa

Let's get the tour started! My advice is to leave Honolulu early and head straight to the beach for the best sun. But not just for swimming: the North Shore is the ideal place to surf if you're a beginner and want to give it a try.

Why? Its beaches tend to be less crowded than those in the southeast and in some of them, such as Hale'iwa, you'll be able to take different surfing lessons where you'll have all the time you want to dedicate to learning the basics of surfing.

It's best to focus your trip on Hale'iwa, which you can reach after a drive of about an hour. By bus, you can take a bus line such as the 52 for a very low cost of around €2.5, but the frequency is not the most convenient.

There are several beaches in the area that you can walk along if you want to.

Beyond Hale'iwa beach itself, which has a lot of infrastructure, there is Haleʻiwa Aliʻi, which is more unspoilt and more relaxing. You could even walk to Puaʻena Point which is much more secluded, but in distance it's tremendously close.

Around lunchtime, there are plenty of food trucks available near Hale'iwa beach, so you can refuel and enjoy the afternoon.

Spot all the marine wildlife at the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge

Bored of the beach? There's plenty of wildlife in Hawaii that needs to be protected and that's what the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge, also located on the North Shore, is for.

This area occupies much of the coastline and is usually closed to the general public in order to safeguard nesting turtles and migratory birds. But not too soon, because you can still see it and it's only a ten-minute drive from Hale'iwa.

This wildlife sanctuary receives weekly guided tours that must be booked in advance. If you plan ahead, it's a unique opportunity to spend a few hours learning about all the species preservation efforts.

This place is fantastic for birdwatchers who gather in groups to organise tours on different afternoons and even Saturdays. You can call the refuge to find out about tour availability in a timely manner.

Once your tour is over, it's time to head back and rest. On your way back to Honolulu, if you go along the west coast, you will see a beautiful sunset.

The bus, on the other hand, returns along the east coast of the island and costs around €5 on lines such as the 60, although there are a few transfers to be made.

When your third day dawns, you can leisurely eat your breakfast and then set off for the west coast. If your hotel is in Honolulu, it's the closest coastline the city has and therefore the one you'll be able to make the most of. For many, it's the hidden paradise of all of Oahu, because it has the best scenery and is often overlooked by tourists.

Geographically, the West Coast is just a small coastline surrounded by the Waianae Mountains, another of the mountains that make up the entire volcanic system. As such, it looks like a truly unspoilt place and is not to be missed.

When you go on your tour, don't forget to bring everything you need for the beach, but also comfortable shoes and food.

To Yokohama Bay upon awakening

A bay named after a Japanese city in Hawaii... what could go wrong? Well, nothing, because it's a beautiful beach that you'll enjoy from morning to night.

This piece of coastline, also known as Keawaula Beach, is at the western end, right where Farrington Road ends, so there's no road connection to the rest of the north. You won't need it, because this beach is a little slice of paradise.

My recommendation is to get up very early, have breakfast in Honolulu and drive to this beach along I-H-1 W and HI-93 W roads. The drive won't take more than an hour.

If you don't drive, it's best to take a taxi or Uber, as there are no regular buses to this bay. The infrastructure in this area is sparse, making it one of the most unspoiled regions you'll find anywhere on Oahu.

If you're spending the day here, don't forget to bring food, as your only companions may be the sun and the sea. This will be key for you to be able to settle your lunch without having to travel far. Because of its romantic character, this beach has become popular for couples.

Climb the Waianae Mountains in the afternoon

How about doing some hiking? Oahu is an island full of the best hiking trails and the Waianae Mountains on the west coast are probably your best bet, because they're not as steep and can be hiked in just a few hours.

From Yokohama Beach you can walk to Ka'ena Point State Park at the western end of the island.

After you've had lunch and the sun has lowered its intensity, it's best to leave your car parked and walk north. Here you'll see marked trails that lead to Ka'ena Point State Park, where you can spend the afternoon hiking in close contact with nature.

This is a very interesting hilly route where you can see all kinds of seabirds. This is the most northerly point of all the Waianae and if you stay until late afternoon, you'll see the best part: the sun setting over the sea.

This is also an option if you take one of the best sunset cruises that can run the length of the west coast. When you've finished your hike and watched the sunset, you can return the same way and retire to your hotel in Honolulu to rest.

Kailua is what everyone is looking for on the island of Oahu. If it wasn't, you' ll understand the fascination with this part of Oahu's southeast coast. Kailua is the area where you will find all the resorts, lots and lots of hotels and a large number of golf schools.

You don't have to worry about the distance, because you can be there in 20 minutes from Honolulu by bus or car, via the Pali Highway through the mountains, or via the coastal road.

In Kailua it's not so quiet anymore, so you'll see a lot of commercial and hotel activity in the developments. But the beaches do retain their crystalline charm and also have a huge surfing focus.

This whole area, known in English as Windwardside, is very different from the rest of the island because it's more tropical in appearance due to the constant rainfall, so check the weather forecast before the tour begins.

Head to Kailua Beach Park

When you see postcards of Hawaii, you're probably seeing images of Kailua Beach Park. This beach is among the best beaches on Oahu and it really does look like a painting, as the sea is crystal clear and behind it, there's plenty of vegetation. The sand is very light and the water temperature is warm all year round.

But there is a lot of wind! That shouldn't be a problem for you, but an advantage for windsurfing.

If you are staying in Honolulu and visiting Kailua, my advice is to start with this beach-park. It really is a beautiful and lively place that's only a 25-minute drive down the Pali Highway.

And if you've decided to travel by bus, it's a super-accessible place, which you can reach in 40 minutes using the 67 bus for only about €2.5. You can really do anything you want at this beach: kitesurfing, kayaking, open water swimming and of course, some surfing.

If you like to take pictures, don't forget your equipment, because you'll have a wonderful view of the Moku Nui, Flat and Moku Iki islands, which are three large rock formations off the coast. You'll have a great time and you can spend the whole morning here.

Eating the best

All of Kailua's developments and shopping areas are packed with residents, but also with great businesses, especially restaurants. Are you going to miss them when it's getting close to lunchtime? This is your best chance to sample authentic Hawaiian flavours at Kailua's best restaurants.

Most of the restaurants, especially those serving Hawaiian food such as poke, are located around Kuulei Street and its intersection with Kailua Street. To get there, you can walk up Kalaheo Avenue and then cross over. If you walk uphill, you'll discover this entire food district.

If your budget allows it, you could eat Hawaiian at an upscale restaurant, but if not, there are more international options that will suit your budget.

If you want to try fresh, local fruits and vegetables, then it's best to go to the Kailua Farmers Market, which is 100 metres away. All kinds of food vendors gather at this market on Tuesdays, so you can have lunch and sample all the flavours of Oceania.

To the Nu'uanu Pali lookout point

After lunch, head back to Honolulu, but there's one stop to make along the way. For this final part of the itinerary, it's best to take it easy and admire the mountain sc enery along the Pali Highway. Once you've driven for a few minutes, you can stop at the Un'uanu Pali viewpoint.

From here, you'll have views of all the hills on the south side of Oahu as well as Windwardside, and you'll be able to enjoy the power of the winds. It is also a beautiful place from a natural point of view, as you can appreciate how green the area is and how important it is.

Historically, it's also an important historical landmark because it was part of battles during the monarchical period to maintain the unity of the island.

When you go, you'll only have to pay around €6 for the car, but there are no individual entrance fees. Buses can also drop you off here, but the frequency is quite low and the place is designed for cars.

My advice is to get to know the area, from which there are several hiking tra ils, and then watch the sunset so you can take that image of the Hawaiian sun with you.

Back to Honolulu! You've seen the museums and buildings, but now comes the good stuff: parties, surfing and good food. If you're staying in or near the Waikiki district, then you can probably even walk there. If you're not, it's best to take the bus, because finding cheap parking is tricky.

I recommend you start by simply strolling along the wonderful Waikiki beach or sitting by the sea for a while.

But Waikiki is much more than this, because here the day doesn't end when the sun goes down, but when people ask what to do in Oahu at night, the answer is always Waikiki because there you'll be able to attend the best parties.

Plus, between the big hotels and the beach just down the street, you can discover an area that never goes out and deserves your attention.

Eight sections, eight worlds

Waikiki's beaches are about 25 minutes by bus from Honolulu's historic centre, but it's a shorter drive by car, although I don't recommend it if you can leave it parked at your hotel.

But what do you mean by beaches in the plural? Waikiki is a world-famous beach, but it is not a single beach, but a succession of at least eight beaches, each with its own particularities. These are, from west to east:

• Kahanamoku Beach
• Fort Derussy
• Gray Beach
• Royal Hawaiian Beach
• Kuhio Beach
• Queen Kapiʻolani Beach
• Sans Souci Beach
• Kaimana Beach

So, what to do? My recommendation is to start your tour at Kahanamoku Beach, opposite the Hilton Hotel, where you'll see a lagoon around a jetty, making the waters very calm and perfect for learning to ride a surfboard.

If you go as far as Fort Derussy, the beach is less developed and there are a few bars, while Gray Beach tends to be flooded. But the good stuff starts at the Royal Hawaiian, opposite the hotel of the same name, which is always busy, even with port activity.

Kuhio Beach is much the same and has calmer waters, so it's good for swimming. Queen Kapiʻolani Beach, on the other hand, borders the park of the same name and has very little infrastructure, which is still very different from Sans Souci, where you'll find the best snorkelling.

At the eastern end is Diamond Head, a huge crater just off shore that is Oahu's most urban mountain.

The number of beaches in Waikiki allows you to choose the one you like best. In truth, the best in my opinion are the Royal Hawaiian for its parties and Kuhio Beach for its calm waters.

My suggestion is to walk the beaches of Waikiki from end to end during the morning and, from noon onwards, choose one of them so that you can relax in the afternoon, lying on the sand.

What about the evenings?

No matter what beach you've been to during the day, the night in Waikiki changes everything. Waikiki is the centre of Honolulu's nightlife, so it has something to offer. Many hotels have venues right on the beach that transform into nightclubs in the evenings. All along Waikiki's beaches, there are bars of all kinds where you can get up at dawn.

But where to start? When the sun goes down, it's the start of the fun at the most famous venues like Duke's at the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort which, although it's a bar, lends itself to all kinds of beach parties where you can have a great time all night long.

The other great option I recommend is Rum Fire at the Waikiki Sheraton where there are huge parties and crazy hours.

Whether it's these or any other, the concept of partying all night long, weather permitting, right on the oceanfront, will give you the most fun. Most venues close around midnight, so if you don't have a car nearby, I strongly advise you to take a taxi or Uber or, failing that, find out in advance about the possibility of a night bus. Not up for a night of dancing in Waikiki?

What could be better than a visit to the museums related to Pearl Harbor? If your flight leaves in the afternoon and you've been partying all night in Waikiki, then this is your ideal plan for the last day, as it's close to Honolulu and doesn't require much physical activity.

Besides, these events marked the history of the world and at all the memorials you can choose from the best Pearl Harbor tours, so it's something you can't miss.

The bombing of Pearl Harbor by the Japanese military brought the Americans into World War II. It was not a minor issue. The memory and remembrance remains and not just in one place, but in several. Some can be visited by reservation, while others are more flexible.

From the visitor centre to U.S.S. Arizona

Pearl Harbor is not a single site, but fortunately, all the monuments and institutions to be seen are fairly integrated. Generally, the trip starts at the visitor centre, which provides access to the memorials and museums. Getting there by bus is a bit tricky, but you can't miss it by car: I-H-201 W takes about 15 minutes from downtown Honolulu.

If you go in the morning, you'll be able to make the most of your time here, since it opens at 7 a.m. The visitor centre will guide you to the possible tours you can take.

The first step to take is the U.S.S. Arizona tour which, in addition to the memorial, includes two museums and is free of charge. The only downside is that it requires advance booking, so it's something you need to plan for.

The guided tours are great, free and quick, so don't hesitate to book early. You'll be fascinated, as you'll get on a small boat that will take you to the memorial that was made at the site of the sinking, on a platform over the sea.

This memorial honours the death of 1177 people after the U.S.S. Arizona was sunk and is one of the icons of Pearl Harbor. You can reserve your free admission eight weeks in advance of the tour to avoid any last minute rush.

To the U.S.S. Oklahoma after lunch

Already toured the U.S.S. Arizona memorial? Don't leave too quickly - you still have at least half a day left to take in the history of this place. Also free to visit are the Road to War Museum and the Attack Museum, which are very close to the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial.

There you can learn more about the involvement in World War II and the bombing of Pearl Harbor. My advice is to try to visit all of these before noon and then proceed to the other sites.

It is best to bring a packed lunch and have a quick lunch to follow, but if you want to stop, you can walk for ten minutes to find restaurants.

Once you get back on schedule, I recommend starting a walk to the U.S.S. Oklahoma memorial, which is also free and has been used to survey the remains. You can take a shuttle to Ford Island.

The tour also includes museums such as the Pacific Aviation Museum and the Battleship Missouri Memorial. You can spend the rest of the afternoon on this tour, as it is worth spending as much time as possible learning about the details of the wreck of this ship, as well as the American participation in the war through aviation.

If you have time to spare, you can also visit the U.S.S. Missouri, although there is a fee for this, as well as the Bowfin submarine and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. On the way back, you can take the same route to Honolulu. Remember to arrive in time to pack and drop off your rental car. Prepare everything for your departure flight, which is likely to leave from Daniel Inouye Airport, who, by the way, was a Hawaiian veteran of World War II.

Think being in Hawaii saves you from the American custom of needing a car? Well... no, although there are several waysto get around Oahu.

The first thing you should know is that renting a car in Oahu is not as expensive as in many American cities and that's why it's the most recommended option, as well as allowing you to move around the island without major limitations.

What is the most important limitation? Without a doubt, parking, but especially in Waikiki hotels, as many do not include it in the cost of your stay.

On the other hand, if you decide to use buses, there are options for monthly bonuses of around €40, or weekly bonuses of around €20, but the frequencies are not the best if you're going out of Honolulu.

In addition, there are tour buses on Oahu that can be used for extensive sightseeing in a short amount of time.

My advice is to budget before you travel and take a look at car rental prices. This way you will be able to see if it is what you need, also depending on the visits you want to make and where you are going to stay. The freedom of being able to move around Oahu is something you shouldn't miss out on.