Auckland has been our gateway to New Zealand and, really, we arrived with very few expectations: according to most travelers it is a bland, ugly city, with nothing to do. Perhaps it is not the most impressive city in the world, okay, but for us it was a surprise: the 3 weeks we spent here flew and we would not mind staying longer ... or coming back in the future. We found it a lively, cosmopolitan city with many interesting visits. Here are some ideas of things to see and do in Auckland:
SCALE A VOLCANO
In the immediate vicinity of Auckland there are about 48 volcanoes, which said so may be cuddly, but do not worry because they are not active! The most famous (and beautiful) is undoubtedly Mt Eden from which you can get sublime (and 360th) views of the city.
PASS FOR QUEEN STREET
Queen Street is the main artery of the city, an always lively street, full of shops, restaurants and atmosphere. In it you can shop, eat, relax or visit an emblematic site like the Aotea Place or reach the Britomart station, one of the oldest buildings in New Zealand.
DO YOU MAKE A COFFEE?
Make a stop at any of the cafes that are scattered throughout the city. There are some that have a lot of charm! Although if you have a backpacking budget, you prefer to make your own coffee at the hostel ...
EXPLORE GASTRONOMY
It is true that New Zealand is not known for its extensive and exquisite cuisine, but the fusion of styles found in the city of Auckland is interesting. You can find from European, American, Asian flavors ... and all a few meters from each other! Here we recommend a few places and restaurants where to eat in Auckland well and cheaply.
DISCOVER THE PORT
Part of the reason why Auckland is known as "the city of sails" is found here ... the port area is our favorite, especially at sunset when boats and water are illuminated by the last rays of sun.
CROSS THE HARBOR BRIDGE
Some say that this bridge is a mere copy of Sydney's and it may be true! But this does not take away its charm: crossing the Harbor Bridge is an experience and the views of the city from here are stunning.
RELAX IN GREEN AREAS
What to have, there are many! The parks we liked the most were Victoria Park (always full of people who play rugby or football) and the Albert Park we had next to "home". The largest is the Auckland Domain.
EXPLORE THE OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS
Parnell, Ponsonby and Britonmart (which we discovered on a tour with our friend Louise) are the most fashionable and cool of the moment: full of trendy shops, bars and restaurants. Luckily looking doesn't cost!
WATCH OR PLAY A RUGBY PARTY
If the All Blacks are in “town” you cannot miss them and if not… there are always the parks where you can sign up for the occasional rugby match, the national sport most loved by kiwis. Of course, make sure it is "touch rugby" in which you do not need to block the beast the rival, just touch him.
UPLOAD THE SKYTOWER
We have to say it: we don't go up! If we are pringaos ... we left it for the next day ... day after day ... and finally look: we left without climbing. From there up the views have to be very cool and there are even those who do bungy jumping. You have to be crazy!
LOVE THE SKYTOWER
This we did and from several angles! The Skytower is the symbol of the city and wherever you go it will be watching you. We thought it was very cool!
CLOSE TO THE MAORI CULTURE
Before arriving in New Zealand we knew that the Kiwis (people, not the fruit!) Live with the Maoris, but we had no idea of their incredibly fascinating culture. A good place to start learning something else is the Auckland Museum.
EXPERIENCE THE 4 SEASONS IN ONE DAY
It is said that in Auckland you can go from summer to autumn, spring and winter in one day. And it is true: we experience it a few times! The clouds of New Zealand run faster than Ussain Bolt and the fact of being an island placed there "in the middle of nowhere" (we go in the ass of the world) makes the weather change constantly!
EAT FISH & CHIPS AND MEAT FOOT
They may be the two most beloved fast foods by New Zealanders ... and the truth is that they are riquiñas riquiñas. In Auckland there is a great offer of “street” food, we leave this post where we give you advice on where to eat for less than $ 5
EXCURSION VETE
Auckland is located on the north island of New Zealand (did you know that it is made up of two islands, right ?!) and in its surroundings there are many things to see and do: you can take an excursion through the vineyards of the area and finish Piripi like us, feel Hobbit for a day, visit some caves where luminous worms live and much more!
STUDY ENGLISH
We became "students" again in a 2-week English course that made us improve (a little, uh, 15 days go by very fast), gave us new friends and an incredible experience.
Come on, we were delighted by this city, which is something that is the most famous in New Zealand?
Have you visited it? What do you think about it? You have more ideas of things to see and do in Auckland?
