Auckland in 3 Days: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit

If you want to immerse yourself in New Zealand's largest city for 3 days, then Auckland is your next stop. This itinerary will allow you to see Auckland from the sky, sea and land, tour iconic Lord of the Rings locations or visit caves on the outskirts of the city. Pack your bags for Auckland!

Spend time touring Auckland's signature tranquil sites such as the Auckland Zoo and Three Kings Volcano, and finish the day with a kayaking tour and night market.

Te Tatua-a-Riukiutasla o Three Kings

Start with a difference by heading to Te Tatua-a-Riukiutasla o Three Kings, a volcano that erupted 28,500 years ago. You can get there by bus in about 17 minutes, by taxi in 10 minutes or walk for an hour.

Its name refers to the three peaks extracted after the eruption of the volcano and the three kings. You can take a family walk along the trails, and pets are welcome.

There is a car park on Duke Street if you have rented a car. At this monument you can also visit Big King Reserve, Mount Roskill, Dominion Road and Pah Homestead.

Auckland Zoo

Here you can meet more than 1,000 animals of 126 different species. The characteristic feature of this zoo is that they avoid using cages, so that the animals can be as close to their natural habitat as possible.

Tickets can be purchased on the official website to avoid queues and cost approximately 32 euros. I recommend visiting during the week, as it tends to be very crowded at weekends.

Access is allowed until 4:15pm and the facilities close at 5:00pm. However, you can book a Safari Night which is available for ages 8+ and consists of an outdoor barbecue with evening activities.

Ice Skating: Paradice Ice Skating

Ice skating is a highly sought after activity in New Zealand. If you want to try it, but your trip doesn't coincide with winter, you can attend Paradice Ice Skating, an indoor rink with locations in Botany and Avondale.

To skate you will receive an introductory skating course where you will learn the basics. At this skating rink, there is never a shortage of entertainment!

Harbour Cruise

If you are going to Auckland I recommend you to take a harbour cruise for an unparalleled experience touring different parts of the city such as the Auckland Bridge, Sky Tower and Westhaven Marina.

Also, the great thing is that you can book an Auckland harbour cruise with dinner to enjoy the sunset and the views while tasting some delicious dishes.

Kayak Tour

If you prefer something a little more adventurous, instead of a harbour cruise you can sign up for a kayak tour and watch the sunset from the sea while admiring the stars.

It's a great way to get some fresh air, but it's important to be accompanied by professionals who can explain how to use the kayaks safely.

Auckland Night Market

Before heading back to your hotel, stop by the Auckland Night Market for a bite to eat. We recommend opting for local food to connect with the city's culture to the fullest. But if you've already had dinner, you can visit it just to get to know it or to buy other types of products.

This market changes its menu and location, so you should check the information on the official website.

All markets are free and in addition to food there are clothes, toys, accessories, perfumes, among others. Activities vary, but there is usually live music, magicians, dance or theatre groups and street performers.

On the second day it's time to walk around the city or hop on a bus tour to see Auckland's most picturesque sites such as Auckland Domain, Queen Street or Mission Bay.

Queen Street

Start your day on Auckland's shopping street, enjoying the food stalls, shops and restaurants. Walk to Aotea Square to see the Auckland Town Hall, where outdoor events such as concerts, festivals and political celebrations are held.

It's also home to The Guardian and St Patrick's and St Joseph's Cathedral.

All of these sites can be explored on your own or by booking a guided tour of Auckland.

Art Gallery and Albert Park

Welcome to the lungs of the city, Albert Park, where events and festivals are held and where tourists, students and families come to spend a different kind of time. Inside you can't miss:

• The University of Auckland and its campus, where you'll find the Clock Tower, which is usually open for tours.
• Toi or Tāmaki or the Art Gallery, with a design that gives priority to nature. There are more than 17,000 pieces of Maori art.

For more art, head to Karangahape Street, a street with a vintage 1960s-inspired style and a gallery based on objects from the 1920s. Right next door you'll come across Myers Park and you can have a picnic lunch.

Auckland Domain

To learn about New Zealand's history, stop at the Auckland Domain. This nature-laden site has a number of walking trails. On its heights is the Auckland Museum which collects important facts about historical moments in the city.

There are also greenhouses and just outside Auckland Domain is the Tamaki Art Gallery which is free and offers free tours at 11:30am and 1:30pm. I recommend arriving early to secure your spot. What's interesting about this gallery is that it houses works by renowned artists such as Picasso.

Mission Bay and other picturesque neighbourhoods

Booking an Auckland bus tour will give you access to Auckland's picturesque neighbourhoods such as Parnell where there is a Rose Garden, Ponsoby which offers restaurants, art galleries and vintage shops, or Mission Bay which offers magnificent beaches where you can watch the sunset at Orakei Wharf.

Food tour

You can book a tuk tuk tour to see Auckland by night and then wander the city streets in search of typical New Zealand dishes, such as:

• Maori Hangi, a barbecue of meat, fish, root vegetables, kumara and vegetables that is prepared on the ground.
• Savoury pies, which you can buy frozen at the supermarket or order from a restaurant. There are so many flavours that you won't have time to try them all.
• Whitebait Fritter, very small fish prepared in the shape of an omelette with egg.
• Hokey Pokey, for those with a sweet tooth, the Aucklanders prepare a kind of caramel toffee that can be served with ice cream.

In addition, there are a variety of guided tours that take you to the best of the city' s gastronomy for sweet tastings, harbour dinners, honey cellars and vineyards, among other things.

Auckland's surrounding area is home to many foodie stories as well as the home of Lord of the Rings. Take a seaplane ride, visit the firefly cave or tour the surrounding vineyards - don't miss out!

Take a seaplane ride

You've already seen Auckland by land and sea, so it's time to see the city from above. You'll be able to see the volcanic area, whether you're flying low or from the highest point. The idea is to book early in the morning so you can enjoy the experience to the fullest.

You will have a panoramic view of the Sky Tower, Harbour Bridge, Rangitoto Island, Hauraki Gulf and Motutapu Island.

Visit Lord of the Rings locations

North of Auckland are the most sought after locations for Lord of the R ings fans and other film sets. I recommend booking in advance and going early because it's clear and you'll be able to take uninterrupted photographs.

This tour will take you on a tour of the Hobbiton film set, a magical place where you can see a sheep farm, hobbit dens and a variety of structures from the film. It was formerly known as Alexander Farm until it was adopted as a film set for The Lord of the Rings.

There are many activities available when you book a trip to Hobbiton and arrive in the area. You can have a beer at the Green Dragon Inn (which is often integrated into the best beer tours in Auckland) or explore the Gandalf carriage and browse the gift shop.

Tour Waitomo Firefly Caves

In Maori culture, great importance is attached to the Firefly Caves, which preserve a species of worms that glow in the darkness of the caves and rivers, simulating the stars.

This activity requires physical preparation, but nearby are also the Craters of Luna with little tourist traffic, as well as the Huka Waterfalls which have a lookout point to admire the falling water.

Tourists often book a tour to the Waitomo Caves to see them, which usually includes a visit to Hobbiton as well, so this is a great way to see two of New Zealand's highlights together.

See the best vineyards

Just outside of Auckland there are many vineyards and wineries that preserve different types of wines from the region. Learn to differentiate New Zealand wines and experience the variety of flavours and grapes made from Croatian, Lebanese and English influences by booking the Kumeu wine tour.

You can also opt to venture to Waiheke Island, better known as Wine Island, where there are wineries you can visit for motorbike tours.

In the north you can sample cabernet, pinot gris and syrah. One option in this area is Matakana, home to exclusive wines that are produced in small quantities from carefully selected grapes.

In case you're looking to replace some activities or add to your itinerary, here are some extra options you can enjoy in Auckland.

Bicycle Tour

One of the best ways to get around Auckland is with a bike tour, ideal for cruising along the waterfront in the afternoon. You can also cycle along Queen Street and Mission Bay and make strategic stops.

To do this, you can hire bikes, take an audio tour or book a tour with a professional guide. This activity can take around three hours, although there are longer tours for the physically able and shorter tours for those who prefer a more leisurely plan.

For the audio tour you will usually need to find your own bikes or transport and you will have a link to the audio and map to follow. It is important to have a stable internet connection or download the files beforehand.

Odyssey Sensory Maze

This sensory maze is one of Auckland's most visited attractions, so there are endless queues. The best way to get in quickly is to book a ticket through their website.

During this sensory journey, you'll explore at least 12 rooms where optical illusions, mysterious smells and sound effects will engage your senses.

Rainbow's End

An ideal attraction for extreme adventure lovers is Rainbow's End, a theme park that has been in operation since 1982 and features the Kidz Kingdom, a special section for children under 8 years old.

There are 20 rides and two water rides, as well as family racecars, roller coasters with intense speeds, twisting and turning rides, bumper boats and special events.

Mount Eden

At the top of Mount Eden is a dormant volcano, from where you can see the entire city. It is one of the most sacred sites in Maori culture, so it is considered disrespectful to go inside the crater. Nearby is Mount Eden Road, a street offering restaurants and vintage shops.

This attraction is fifteen minutes from the city centre.

Every city has its own charm and a different way of doing things. For this reason, I will tell you what else you need to know to have a pleasant stay in Auckland:

• Take out insurance, as the cost of health care in New Zealand is high. For example, an admission to any health centre costs approximately 270 to 3600 euros. It is also a mandatory requirement to enter the country and some local attractions.
• If you're hiring a car, mark on the map the points with petrol stations, as there are areas where you won't find a station for several kilometres.
• The best way to save on entrance fees to attractions is to buy mixed packages or tours, such as booking a trip to Hobbiton and Waitomo Caves.