Things To Do

The Absolute Best Things To Do In Auckland

One of the side effects of becoming the Editor of Urban List is friends and strangers alike are always sliding into my DMs asking for recs (which I dig, by the way—she loves a flex). So I decided I should really be spilling my secrets here, for all of you, too.

Rest Of The Best

Santa sits on the Grinch's knee in Christmassy surrounds.

Things To Do

Where To Get Santa Photos In Auckland In 2025

‘Tis the season for festive frivolities, gloriously subpar Christmas movies and strategic consumption of electrolytes. Plus, the iconic snap with Santa, of course. Here are the best Santa photo locations in Auckland.

Someone decorates a lovely looking Christmas Tree

Features

Here’s Where To Buy The Best Real Christmas Trees In Auckland In 2025

To make things easy for you, we’ve created this list of the best places to buy your Christmas tree this year—now you have no reason to procrastinate!

The Grinch creeps across the window on Franklin Road, one of the best places in Auckland to see Christmas lights.

What's On

The Best Christmas Lights To See In Auckland 2025

Nothing has us feeling more festive than a completely over-the-top display of Christmas lights—this is definitely a case of the more the merrier! Lucky for us Aucklanders, a decent dose of holiday twinkle is never far away.

A bright room looks out onto an impossibly blue sea at Andersons Cove, one of the best romantic getaways from Auckland.

Local Escapes

23 Of The Most Romantic Stays Near Auckland To Book In 2025

Does life feel so hectic right now that you’re missing out on those magical moments with your special someone? Check out these romantic getaways and magical retreats within driving (or ferry) distance from Auckland.

The Hillary Trail is one of Auckland's best walks.

Local Escapes

22 Stunning Walks In Auckland To Take At Least Once

Walking is one of the best ways to make the most of the City of Sails. So grab some sturdy shoes, make use of the kauri dieback wash stations and get amongst the beautiful coastlines, stunning waterfalls, urban strolls and native bush.

Local Escapes

The Best Hotels In Auckland To Check Into Right Now

From boutique to five-star luxury we've scoured town for la crème de la crème, so without further ado, here are the best hotels in Auckland.

Health + Wellness

The Best Nail Salons In Auckland

Pampering yourself doesn’t come much better than a sleek set of nails.

Someone gets a massage at the Luxe Spa at the Pullman, one of the best places in Auckland to get a massage.

Wellness

Where To Get An Earth-Shatteringly Good Massage In Auckland

We’ve taken the hard yards out of scoping out the very best massage places in Auckland, so that you can sit back and slip right into a state of bliss. Toodles, tension.

Things To Do

26 Rad Workshops In Auckland Where You Can Learn A New Skill

A bunch of workshops have popped up all over Auckland with every kind of class imaginable.

Food & Drink

The Best Bottomless Brunch Spots In Auckland Right Now

Ahhh brunch, the perfect blend of breakfast and lunch we just can’t get enough of, which is lucky because the brunch game is strong in Tāmaki Makaurau.

Runners scarper along a street as part of Run4Auckland, one of the best run clubs in Auckland.

Fitness

Auckland’s Best Running Clubs To Join

As the adage goes, if the zombie apocalypse comes after leg day, the ‘fittest’ will be the first ones to go. That said, when your survival odds rest on your ability to head for the hills (and actually make it there), it makes sense to put the leg work in today.

Local Escapes

Auckland’s Best Beaches To Explore Before The Colder Weather Settles In

One of the best things about Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland is the fact that writing a list of the best beaches within a region is absolutely possible.

A group of people sit around a high tea table setting in a garden.

Food & Drink

The Best High Tea In Auckland

Whether it’s Mother’s Day, a special occasion, or you just wanna spoil someone (but also yourself!), high tea is always the answer. Lucky for us, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland has no shortage of spots serving up a swanky high tea with alllll the treats, including tea, cake, and if you're lucky, a cheeky glass of bubbles.

Someone with curly hair looks at the camera.

Health + Wellness

The Best Hairdressers In Auckland For All Types Of Hair

Auckland is a mecca for hair salons and when it comes to choosing “the one”, selecting a hairdresser to entrust with your precious locks is a big freakin’ deal.

A stunning pool and row of deck chairs with stripy towels on them overlooking an incredible view of the Hauraki Gulf.

Local Escapes

10 Airbnbs With Breathtaking Swimming Pools To Book In Auckland

We’ve scoured around for the Airbnbs with the prettiest pools in all the land (Auck-land that is) so you can feel like an absolute water baby.

Someone holds a colourful ice cream from Duck Island Ice Cream, one of the best ice cream shops in Auckland.

Food & Drink

The Best Ice Cream And Gelato Shops In Auckland

I scream, you scream... well, you know how it goes. Whether it's fresh and fruity or rich and chocolatey, in a cone, on a stick or in a cup, we just can't get enough of the cold stuff. So without further ado, here's our pick of the coolest (yes, we did just do that) ice cream and gelato shops in Auckland.

A view of Parnell Baths, one of the best swimming pools in Auckland.

Things To Do

The Best Swimming Pools In Auckland To Have A Dip At This Summer

Summer has officially started which pretty much means three things: ice cream, cocktails and swimming.

A view across the deck at HI-SO, one of the best rooftop bars in Auckland.

Bars & Pubs

Auckland’s Best Rooftop Bars To Watch Day Turn To Night

We’ve said it before but we’ll say it again: rooftop bars are the shiz. What’s not to love about sitting sky-high, sipping on a beverage and taking in an epic view? Auckland’s best rooftop bars are dotted across the city and come in all shapes in sizes.

Woman plays with her gold retriever at the beach

Local Escapes

The Most Dog-Friendly Beaches In Auckland

Who loves the salt, sand and sea more than us humans? Our furry best friends of course. That's why we've got to get them out and about at the most dog-friendly beaches in Auckland.

Two dogs aka Camilla and Apollo sit happily at a cafe, the dog in the background looks particularly happy.

Cafes

The Best Dog-Friendly Cafes In Auckland For The Ultimate Pooch Date

They say that dogs are like their owners—who’s to say your pooch isn’t also partial to a low-fat puppaccino and a catchup with the crew?

Things To Do

50 Of The Best Rainy Day Activities To Do In Auckland When It’s Gnarly Out In 2024

Auckland weather is a true ode to the power of Mother Nature who seems to have a soft spot for constantly dealing us the meteorological middle finger. Luckily, whether you’re prepared for it or not (and you probably won’t be), there’s still plenty of things to do in Auckland when it rains.

People have a good time at the cinema, sitting in plush red seats.

Things To Do