Iolani Palace

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4.6(852)yelp

Adult $34·Special(13-17y) $31·Youth(5-12y) $16·Child(under 4) Free·Resident $19.95·Military $26USD(Rates are for premium Docent-Led itineraries. Self-paced Audio Tours are available at a reduced rate ($27.00 for non-resident adults, $24.00 for teens, $12.00 for youth), while basement Galleries-Only access stands at $12.00.)

Historic BuildingHistoryPhoto SpotCity Landmark

Overview

The ʻIolani Palace (Hawaiian pronunciation: [ʔi.oˈla.ni]; Hawaiian: Hale Aliʻi ʻIolani) was the royal residence of the rulers of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi beginning with Kamehameha III under the Kamehameha Dynasty (1845) and ending with Queen Liliʻuokalani (1893) under the Kalākaua Dynasty. It is located in the capitol district of downtown Honolulu in the U.S. state of Hawaiʻi. It is now a National Historic Landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Practical Info

364 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA

MonClosed

Tue9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Wed9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Thu9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Fri9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Sat9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

SunClosed

Suggested Duration1.5-2.5 hours

Best TimeAutumn (October) and spring (May) offer lovely weather for this downtown historic walk. Tour the interior between 9:30 AM and 12:00 PM; this morning window lets clear sunlight project through the grand Florentine-style arched verandas, illuminating the majestic native Koa wood grand staircase and royal throne rooms.

Getting ThereCommanding downtown Honolulu at 364 S King St. Drivers can park easily in the metered public stalls lined right across the palace palace grounds or use the nearby state building multi-level garages. The site is a premier transit crossroads: Oahu's TheBus Routes 2, 13, 20, and 42 drop passengers off directly at the King Street gates.

(808) 522-0822

iolanipalace.org/

Travel Tips

As America's only royal palace, the interior features delicate centuries-old native koa flooring, requiring all guests to wear complimentary fabric shoe covers; sharp stiletto heels or metal-studded footwear are strictly banned from entry.
Public palace room exploration is restricted to fixed time-slots booked via their official hub; arriving over 10 minutes late results in forfeiture without refund, and all ticketholders must clear airport-style security metal detectors.

Photo Tips

Photo Rules

To shield royal textiles and oil paintings from UV degradation, flash photography, tactical speedlights, selfie sticks, and stabilization tripods are prohibited inside the palace; cameras must be kept on a short neck-strap at all times.

Reviews

Positive

As the only royal palace in the US, its unique 'American Florentine' architecture is grand, offering massive historic value and impact.
The premium audio guide (in multiple languages) provides a captivating history of the Hawaiian monarchy, enhancing educational interest.
The interior is kept spotless with excellent accessible elevators; exhibits are tidy, and staff offer polite, professional management.
Ticket prices are fair; the royal artifact collections and exquisite interiors are well worth the cost, making it a must-visit landmark.

Heads up

The surrounding downtown area has heavy traffic; the official parking lot is tiny and pricey, making it tough for driving tourists.
Internal rules are strict: shoe covers are mandatory, large bags/drinks are banned, and photos are restricted in select rooms.
During weekend tour peaks, narrow palace corridors get saturated with high crowd density, making the audio-guided movement tight.
Without booking a specific time slot online, walk-in guests face high sold-out risks or hours of waiting to enter.