Best Areas to Stay in Auckland, New Zealand

Viaduct Harbour has an excellent location in the heart of Auckland, in a renovated old harbour that currently houses high-end restaurants, pubs and all kinds of leisure options that fill the area with ​​life, both during the day and night.

This lively neighbourhood is located between the CBD and Victoria Park, a popular urban park with areas for skateboarding and cricket. In addition, you can get incredible views of the CBD skyline from the harbour.

The main attractions of Viaduct Harbour include the New Zealand Maritime Museum, with a collection that includes Polynesian and Maori ships, as well as all types of maritime crafts.

Viaduct Harbour is one of the best areas to stay in Auckland, New Zealand, if you want to discover the most touristic side of the city. However, it must be taken into account that the accommodation in this neighbourhood is not the cheapest.

Transportation in the neighbourhood includes the Britomart terminal (from where all rail, ferry and bus lines connect) within a 10-minute walk, making it an area with great connections.

The Central Business District (CBD) of Auckland is, as the name suggests, the epicentre of economic activity in the New Zealand city.

It is in this area that the most important companies in the city are found, giving it a corporate atmosphere that makes the CBD one of the best areas to stay in Auckland for business travellers, with many business-type accommodation options.

This district is home to one of the main attractions of Auckland: The Sky Tower, a 60-story tower that is an architectural landmark and offers panoramic views of the city.

The CBD is also home to Queen Street, one of Auckland’s main commercial arteries, where you will find a large number of restaurants, pubs, cafes and shops.

In addition, south of the CBD, there is Karangahape Road (or “K Road“), a street full of alternative stores especially appealing to hipsters and bohemians. In the vicinity of K Road, you will also find budget-friendly hotels for those travelling with a smaller budget.

The CBD is the most central and best-connected area of ​​Auckland, with the Britomart terminal only a few steps away. Likewise, it is a good place to stay in Auckland to enjoy the nightlife or the cultural scene of the city.

Ponsonby is a suburb of contrasts. On one hand, in the Ponsonby Road street, you can find some of the most exclusive restaurants in Auckland, bars and boutiques for shopping lovers.

On the other, you will run into a residential area, quieter than other districts, despite being located to the west of the CBD and, therefore, enjoying a central and privileged location.

Although it does not have many attractions, Ponsonby is near the Western Park, an urban park with picnic and hiking areas, tennis courts, and playgrounds. In addition, Ponsonby connects with other neighbourhoods by bus and is one of the best areas to stay in Auckland if you are looking for tranquillity during your stay without sacrificing a central location.

Ponsonby can also be considered among the hipster neighbourhoods of Auckland for its shops and bars with alternative options, so it can be said that, in this suburb, there is always something to see and do, no matter what your tastes and interests are.

Newmarket is one of the most exclusive areas in Auckland. It is in this neighbourhood that you will find the most recognized shops in the city, ideal for luxury shopping, as well as restaurants of all kinds.

Located south of Parnell and the Auckland Domain park, this suburb also includes major movie theatres such as the Rialto Cinema and the Event Cinemas Broadway among its many attractions, ensuring that you’ll have something to entertain you with if you stay at Newmarket.

As far as transportation is concerned, the Newmarket rail station connects with lines 1, South and West of the centre, making it easy to move to other central districts of Auckland. In addition, it is also possible to go by bus from Newmarket to the furthest suburbs.

Newmarket is one of the best areas to stay in Auckland for shopping. Similarly, although it is not the most lively area during the night, it has some pubs for those who want to explore the nightlife.

Parnell is located to the east of the CBD and, although it is mostly a residential area of ​​the upper class of the city, it also includes several attractions that are worth knowing when travelling to Auckland, New Zealand.

This suburb is the home of Auckland Domain, one of the most important parks in the city. Inside the park, you will find one of the most iconic buildings in the city: The Auckland War Memorial Museum.

The museum is a must for those visiting Auckland, as its exhibitions take us on a journey through the history of New Zealand. Similarly, the building is, by itself, a tourist attraction, thanks to its neoclassical style.

Parnell is one of the best areas to stay in Auckland if you are looking for tranquillity during your stay, but being in a well located, exclusive suburb with tourist attractions nearby.

In addition, Parnell has its own rail station, so you can connect with other areas of Auckland, through the South and West lines.

North Shore is a huge district that groups, as the translation of its name implies, the entire north end of Auckland. It is a quiet area that stands out especially for its beaches such as Takapuna Beach, which offer spectacular views.

This area is on the other side of the Harbour Bridge and, in the past, it was not considered part of the city. However, nowadays, it is one of the best areas to stay in Auckland for those who visit the city in search of tranquillity or with the intention of enjoying the sun, the sand and the sea.

To get to this area from the centre of Auckland, you can go by ferry from Britomart (part of the CBD) or using a mass transport bus service that departs from different parts of the city.

Because it is a district relatively far from the centre, hotels on the North Shore tend to be cheaper than in other suburbs, making it a good place to stay in Auckland if you have a lower budget.

Another reason to choose North Shore while looking for where to stay in Auckland is Devenport, one of the suburbs within the district that offers entertainment for the whole family and is ideal if you are planning to travel to Auckland with children.

The Manukau area is located to the south of the city and is one of the best areas to stay in Auckland if you are passing through the city or making a stopover, as it is known to host the Auckland International Airport (AKL).

Auckland Airport is the hub of the Air New Zealand, Jetstar and Virgin Australia airlines, making it possible to fly to others destinations in Oceania, Asia, North America and South America.

Despite not having the most central location, it is also possible to move to the main attractions of the city using the rail, thanks to the Manukau station that connects with the East and South lines. However, from the airport, it is necessary to take a bus.