• placement: fullWidthHero
  • path: destinations/hero
  • containerId: gpt-ad-571820399770
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "new-zealand/north-island/auckland-region/auckland",
  "destination": "Auckland",
  "title": "auckland",
  "type": "City",
  "city": "Auckland",
  "country": "New-Zealand",
  "continent": "Australia-&-Pacific",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}
Add us on

Auckland

Paris may be the city of love, but Auckland is the city of many lovers, according to its Māori name, Tāmaki Makaurau. Those lovers so desired this place that they fought over it for centuries.
View of the Sky Tower and waterfront in Auckland, New Zealand, at night.

ArDanMe/Shutterstock

Latest Stories
Book
New Zealand Travel Guide
Book

New Zealand

Shop $28.99 USD
App
World Nomads travel insurance
Trusted Partner

Dreaming of Auckland? Protect your trip

Travel with confidence. Protect your trip and your wallet.

We don’t represent World Nomads, we receive a fee from quotes using this link. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

Book your New Zealand trip with Lonely Planet Journeys

See New Zealand how it's meant to be seen

Planned by local experts and tailored to you, Lonely Planet Journeys handles the logistics so you can just enjoy the trip. Tell us what you want and we'll build your New Zealand itinerary from scratch, or browse our bookable trips to get inspired.

Start planning Browse itineraries

Top places to visit in Auckland

Discover the best attractions in Auckland from must-see sights to unexpected hidden gems.

Explore all
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/top
  • containerId: gpt-ad-952671940811
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "new-zealand/north-island/auckland-region/auckland",
  "destination": "Auckland",
  "title": "auckland",
  "type": "City",
  "city": "Auckland",
  "country": "New-Zealand",
  "continent": "Australia-&-Pacific",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}

Travel Guides

Auckland travel tips from Lonely Planet experts

Find practical guidance from our team of contributors around the world who bring their decades of first-hand travel experience to your next trip.

Best Things to Do

With a thriving social scene alongside beaches and literal volcanoes, Auckland is quite the destination. Here are the best things to do when you arrive.

Read full article

Best Time to Visit

New Zealand's biggest city is a year-round destination with a regular schedule of events. Plan your visit with this seasonal guide.

Read full article

Things to Know

Follow these tips on health, safety, etiquette and the local language with this first-timer's guide to visiting Auckland.

Read full article

Transportation

Auckland is New Zealand’s biggest and most cosmopolitan city, with a jigsaw of different forms of transport. Here are the best ways to get around Auckland.

Read full article

Day Trips

Experience local history, Māori culture, outdoor adventure, quality food and drink, and plenty more on these amazing day trips from Auckland.

Read full article

Money and Costs

How to visit Auckland, New Zealand when you haven't got an awful lot to spend.

Read full article

Traveling with Kids

New Zealand’s biggest city feels suburban and offers active, affordable family days out by the bucket load. Here's how to visit with kids.

Read full article
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/middle
  • containerId: gpt-ad-143240722180
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "new-zealand/north-island/auckland-region/auckland",
  "destination": "Auckland",
  "title": "auckland",
  "type": "City",
  "city": "Auckland",
  "country": "New-Zealand",
  "continent": "Australia-&-Pacific",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}

Get a book. Get inspired. Get exploring.

Explore all books

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Auckland

Lonely Planet may earn a commission from affiliate links on our site. All recommendations and reviews reflect our own independent opinions.

Auckland and beyond

View all
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/bottom
  • containerId: gpt-ad-417323260532
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "new-zealand/north-island/auckland-region/auckland",
  "destination": "Auckland",
  "title": "auckland",
  "type": "City",
  "city": "Auckland",
  "country": "New-Zealand",
  "continent": "Australia-&-Pacific",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}