Where To Stay In Auckland (& Areas You Should Avoid)

A local’s guide to Auckland’s best neighbourhoods.

Love it or hate it, you’re probably going to start your New Zealand trip in Auckland.

Auckland is New Zealand’s biggest city and a gateway to the country. It’s also a hub of excellent food and shopping, and close to epic beaches and islands for day trips.

But there are also some parts of the city that really aren’t that great (including parts of the city centre).

It’s worth spending one or two nights in Auckland to get your bearings and see some of the city.

Where should you stay in Auckland to get the most out of the city? As an Aucklander, these are my recommendations on the best places to stay in Auckland.

A heads up: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you).

Tips for choosing where to stay

Don’t stay near the airport unless you plan on just sleeping and leaving early the next day. It’s an industrial area with nothing to do.
Britomart and central neighbourhoods like Ponsonby are ideal areas to stay, with lots of places to eat and shop nearby.
In the centre of Auckland, you will need to pay for parking around the clock — recent changes mean there is no free overnight or on weekends, so pick up your rental car when you’re ready to leave the city.
You’ll find all hotels and hostels on Booking.com.
Airbnb is great for more residential areas like Ponsonby and further afield.
Public buses are a good way to get around the city centre if you get a HOP card, or Uber also works well.

The best areas to stay in Auckland, New Zealand

New Zealand’s largest city is stretched across a narrow strip of land sandwiched between two harbours. The very heart of the city is located on the waterfront.

The best areas in Auckland are close to the city centre — neighbourhoods like Ponsonby, Herne Bay, Mount Eden, and Parnell are all safe and clean, with streets lined with mature trees and historical villas.

In these central suburbs you’re more likely to find good bars, restaurants, and shops.

The further out from the centre you go, the fewer options you’ll have. So, it makes sense to stick close to the centre — but the CBD has its own drawbacks (more on that below).

But you’re not limited to the city centre — in fact, while central Auckland is perfect for a quick stay, if you’re spending more time in Auckland I would recommend branching out to other areas.

Here’s my insider take on which areas are the best in Auckland for tourists.

jump ahead:

Map of Auckland neighbourhoods

This map is just a rough sketch of where the main central areas are, to help orient you. Click each coloured block for more information.

Auckland Central Business District (CBD)

+ Good for one night stays before or after a cruise or flight
+ Close to top restaurants
- Busier and less interesting than other areas

The Auckland Central Business District, which you’ll hear people refer to as simply the CBD, is a bit of a mixed bag.

Queen Street runs straight through the heart of the CBD.

The area around Queen Street is where you can find fancy hotels and restaurants, but also grey, characterless streets that are busy with traffic and people.

Queen Street itself is a mish mash of large chain stores and banks, with many people here office workers scuttling to and from their jobs in the big towers.

At night time, Queen Street can devolve into a messy scene of drunken brawls and broken bottles. I recommend avoiding Queen Street at night to be safe.

Even before dark, Queen Street can be a really weird place. The last time I walked down there on a Friday evening, there were a lot of religious people shouting their message to people over microphones and handing out flyers about salvation.

I don’t love having people yelling at me about accepting God when I’m on my way to a bar for drink (The Churchill gin bar — I highly recommend for great drinks and amazing views from the 20th floor of the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel).

However, the Auckland CBD does have a few gems. There’s the Sky Tower lording over everything, and in the Sky City precinct you can find top restaurants like Cassia and Masu.

The Auckland Art Gallery is a must-see (it’s currently free entry), and close to the gallery, Albert Park is a beautiful and serene spot to walk and admire views of the city. And High Street offers a little more character than the parallel Queen Street.

It makes sense to stay in the CBD if you’re just spending one night in Auckland before a cruise.

You’ll be close to the cruise ship port and have lots of shops and restaurants close by, which is what you need for the night.

To be completely frank though, if you don’t mind getting an Uber, I would recommend staying outside of the CBD. It’s ugly and uninspiring, and I would hate for you to leave Auckland thinking that this is the best we have to offer.

Britomart (see below) is the most interesting part of Central Auckland, but nearby Ponsonby is a much nicer area.

The top hotels in Auckland Central

Hotel DeBrett is a central boutique hotel with Art Deco charm.

It's known for its stylish rooms, award-winning restaurant, and a funky, retro bar on the corner of the street. Corner Bar — aptly named — has a great vibe and makes for excellent people watching.

I’ve never stayed here myself but I love dropping in for a drink.

Much of the other accommodation options in Auckland centre are large hotel chains.

The Sudima Hotel on Nelson Street is my pick of these. It's new and modern, and has a delicious vegan restaurant, East. Nelson Street itself is pretty characterless, but you’ll be situated close to the Sky Tower.

City Works Depot is also right across the road. Head to Odette’s for a decadent breakfast — it’s one of the best cafes in the whole city.

Budget accommodation in Auckland Central

The Attic Hostel is the nicest of the inner city hostels, and right in the middle of all the action next to Aotea Square.

Britomart

+ A central location that will appeal to design lovers
+ Close to excellent restaurants and the train station

The best area to stay in central Auckland is Britomart.

It might technically still be in Auckland CBD, but it deserves a mention as a separate area as it’s a lot nicer than the area around Queen Street.

Britomart is a precinct close to the waterfront, which has transformed in recent years into one of the city’s best shopping and dining destinations.

The glittering Commercial Bay is a reimagined mall, with a giant foodcourt and many upscale boutiques.

Meanwhile, Takutai Square in the heart of Britomart is lined with beautifully restored heritage buildings that coexist with sleek, contemporary architecture.

These buildings house luxury brands like Tiffany’s, as well as some of Auckland’s best restaurants, like Mr Morris, Cafe Hanoi, and Ortolana.

You can also find the sustainable seafood restaurant kingi in the Hotel Britomart, and there are a cluster of other fantastic restaurants here as well.

Try Ghost Street, Cafe Hanoi, and Xuxu’s dumplings for great cocktails.

Many of these restaurants have uniquely New Zealand dishes for you to try, so it’s a great place to be based if you’re interested in exploring local cuisine.

If exploring restaurants is one of your main reasons for visiting Auckland, staying in Britomart is a good choice.

Britomart is more polished than other parts of Auckland central — just a few blocks over, Fort Street is a grim, grimy street without much appeal to visitors.

Britomart is the nicest area of central Auckland and it’s a good area to stay if you want to be close to transport links and restaurants.

It’s close to the ferry terminal, so you can head over to Waiheke for a day out or Devonport, or other islands in the gulf.

Britomart hotels

The Hotel Britomart is an outstanding place to stay in Britomart, with solid green credentials and stunning design.

It’s probably the best hotel in Auckland, with timber-lined rooms and flourishes of locally-sourced art and materials.

The Viaduct

+ Packed with bars and restaurants
- Less character than other areas

The Viaduct in is the name of Auckland’s main waterfront precinct, close to the central business district.

The Viaduct is a lively and modern area known for its beautiful harbour views, upscale dining options, and vibrant nightlife.

The bars and restaurants surrounding the marina offer views across luxury yachts and turquoise water. Subtle the Viaduct is not, but it is one of the best places in Auckland to enjoy a sunset over a drink.

The Viaduct does have a tendency toward the garish and showy, with many of the venues descending into drunken chaos later in the evening.

I also find most of the restaurants here to be overrated. They are more about drinking than eating, and to be fair Saint Alice is a great spot to have a sunset drink.

But it does have some stand out places to eat — you can’t miss Hello Beasty — and it is a safe and well connected area.

Viaduct hotels

QT Hotel is a top pick among Viaduct Hotels, with sleek design and a great rooftop bar which is great for sunset drinks.

QT is a boutique hotel chain and they also have a beautiful hotel in central Wellington, and another in Queenstown.

It’s also pretty new, so the rooms are slick.

I haven’t stayed here myself, but I’ve stayed at the Wellington QT and loved it. One of my colleagues would stay at the Auckland QT when she came to town and really liked it — but she didn’t have good things to say about Esther, the QT restaurant.

The Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour has well-appointed rooms, and a luxurious spa. It's within walking distance of the waterfront, dining, and entertainment options.

Karangahape Road

Karangahape Road is one of Auckland's most iconic and eclectic streets.

Located just west of the central business district, Karangahape Road is known for its unique and bohemian atmosphere.

The road follows a ridgeline that borders the central city, so this area is close to Auckland CBD while still retaining an individual spirit.

I love Karangahape Road (a lot of people call it K Road, which you won’t find on Google Maps). It actually has a personality, which you can’t really say about Queen Street.

There are almost no chain stores on Karangahape Road. Instead, you’ll find vintage shops, independent boutiques stocking New Zealand. made goods, and book stores piled high with second hand tomes.

This is a great shopping street for New Zealand souvenirs.

Karangahape Road is also one of Auckland’s best areas for dining.

Go to Cotto, Pici, and Coco’s Cantina for variations on Italian food. Candela and East Street Hall are other local favourites, and Madame George does incredible cocktails.

Whammy Bar or Neck of the Woods are two good live music venues, and the Wine Cellar sometimes has great music too.

Bestie Cafe in St Kevins Arcade is my favourite coffee shop in the morning, and Fort Greene bakery is my go to for almond croissants - it’s one of the best bakeries in Auckland.

Ponsonby

+ Stay in Ponsonby for the restaurants, nightlife and shopping
+ A safe, central area which is much quieter than the CBD
- It’s a little further away from key attractions

Ponsonby is a vibrant inner-city neighbourhood. It is known for its unique blend of heritage charm, contemporary style, and a lively atmosphere.

Ponsonby is close to the city centre (about 30 minutes walking), but it’s quieter, cleaner, and has a much nicer vibe than the CBD.

Stay in Ponsonby if you want to be walking distance to great restaurants, and want to stroll down a buzzing, sunny street to get your morning coffee from a local cafe.

Ponsonby Road is a long stretch of some of the best bars, restaurants, great cafes, and independent boutiques in Auckland.

Shop for perfume at the richly atmospheric Curionoir, browse for antiques at the aesthetic jumble that is Flotsam and Jetsam, or find your next holiday read at the Women’s Bookshop.

Orphan’s Kitchen is one of Ponsonby Road’s best places to get a decadent brunch, or Daily Bread is an excellent spot to get a pastry to go alongside your coffee.

I’d recommend staying in Ponsonby if you plan on staying in Auckland for longer than one night.

If you have 3 days or more, staying in Ponsonby will give you more of a taste of local life than staying right in the city centre.

Luxury hotels in Ponsonby

Hotel Fitzroy is the best stay for a splurge. It’s an exclusive 10 room boutique hotel in a historic villa. It’s located just off the main Ponsonby road, but still close to some of the best bars and restaurants in the city.

Franklin38 is another beautiful boutique accommodation option in Ponsonby. It’s a gorgeous villa in a heritage area between Ponsonby and the central city.

Ponsonby Airbnbs

You can also find nice Airbnbs in Ponsonby that make the most of the lovely old historic villas characteristic of this area.

Ponsonby budget accommodation

There are also some nice backpacker hostels in Ponsonby, which I recommend for budget travellers who still want creature comforts (and don’t want to end up in the ghetto that is Fort Street).

Parnell

Parnell is a charming and historic suburb located just a stone's throw away from the heart of Auckland.

Known for its rich heritage, tree-lined streets, and serene gardens, Parnell is a great area if you’re seeking tranquility.

The heart of Parnell is Parnell Village, a picturesque and pedestrian-friendly area filled with boutique shops, galleries, cafes, and restaurants.

Adjacent to Parnell, the Auckland Domain is a large public park with walking trails, lush gardens, and the Wintergardens. This is also where you can find the Auckland War Memorial Musuem, one of New Zealand's most significant cultural institutions.

Take a leisurely walk through the Parnell Rose Gardens in Dove-Myer Robinson Park. The gardens feature a stunning array of roses and provide a peaceful escape in a beautiful setting. For panoramic views of Auckland's skyline and Waitematā Harbour, follow the walking trail to the Parnell Rose Gardens Lookout.

There’s even a small beach near Parnell — Judges Bay is a small beach for swimming, sunbathing, or simply enjoying the sea views.

Waiheke Island

Waiheke Island makes a great day trip from Auckland, but it’s also a beautiful place to spend a night or two.

Although it’s an island, Waiheke is technically a suburb of Auckland city.

You can stay out here if you want to explore a unique part of Auckland and be closer to wineries, pristine beaches, and a delicious laid back pace of life.

Stay in at Waiheke Backpackers Hostel for incredible views on a budget, or go for a higher end stay in a luxurious Airbnb.

It’s easy to get to Waiheke Island from downtown Auckland via the Fullers passenger ferry, which runs at least once an hour.

Once you’re on the island, you can get around Waiheke by public pus, walking, or even by renting an e-bicycle.

West Auckland - Titirangi and Piha

If you don’t mind staying a little further away from the city centre — which isn’t a problem if you have a car — west Auckland is a beautiful place to be closer to nature.

The Waitakere Ranges are characterised by lush native bush and proximity to black sand beaches.

From out West, you’ll be close to famous beaches like Piha, and many of the awesome walking tracks that run through the ranges.

Where to stay in West Auckland

There are some absolutely stunning Airbnbs here. I stayed in this mountain hut once as a birthday treat and couldn’t get enough of the outdoor bathtub. This romantic kauri bush chalet Airbnb is also famous for it’s beautiful interiors.

Matakana

Matakana is a gorgeous little market town about an hour north of Auckland. Some of the best things to do in Auckland are in or around Matakana.

It’s a nice place to be based if you want to explore walks in Tawharanui, white sand beaches in the area, and wineries. Tawharanui is also a great spot for bird watching — go at night for a chance of seeing kiwis in the wild.

The Matakana Village Farmers' Market, held every Saturday morning, is a highlight. This market offers a wide variety of locally sourced and crafted products, including fresh produce, artisanal cheeses, baked goods, and handcrafted goods.

Where to stay in Matakana

Matakana is one of Auckland’s best glamping destinations, thanks to the lush hills in the area.

Check out Matakana Teepee for a sophisticated glamping escape.

Where to stay in Auckland for one night?

If you only have one night in Auckland, stay near Karangahape Road or Britomart. Both of these areas have great restaurants for dining out in the evening, and cafes for your morning coffee. They are also centrally located if you plan on seeing some of Auckland’s sights before you leave the city.

Where to stay in Auckland for two nights?

If you have more time in Auckland, stay in Ponsonby or Grey Lynn. These residential neighbourhoods have excellent bars, restaurants, and cafes, and will introduce you to a more local side of Auckland. At the same time, these areas are close to the central city and Auckland’s main attractions.

Where to stay in Auckland for beaches?

To be close to beaches, stay in Herne Bay, Mission Bay, or Takapuna. Staying in Titirangi means you will be close to the black sand beaches of Auckland’s West Coast. For the best beaches in Auckland, stay on Waiheke Island.

Where to stay in Auckland for one night before a cruise?

If you’re going on a cruise from Auckland, it makes sense to stay in Britomart or the Viaduct, Auckland’s waterfront areas.

Where should you stay the first time you visit Auckland?

If you’re visiting Auckland for the first time, stay in central Auckland areas like the Viaduct, Britomart, or Auckland CBD. These areas mean you can easily explore top attractions like Auckland Art Gallery, the Sky Tower, and the outstanding restaurants serving up modern takes on New Zealand cuisine.

The very best places to stay in Auckland

Out of all the places to stay in Auckland, these are the top five:

Hotel Britomart in Britomart
Hotel Fitzroy in Ponsonby
West Auckland Airbnb
Mudbrick Luxury Cottages on Waiheke
Verandahs Parkside Hostel in Ponsonby

Thanks for reading this far! I hope this article helped you decide where you should stay in Auckland.

If you’re planning on visiting the North Island, you might find these articles helpful as well: