Iolani Palace
8.0Friend Score / 10#3 of 20 Attractions in Honolulu
Known forroyal palacehawaiian historyking kalakauaqueen liliuokalani
The only official royal palace on US soil — home of Hawaii's last monarchs, King Kalakaua and Queen Lili'uokalani, and the site of her imprisonment after the 1893 overthrow. This is the single most important stop for understanding Hawaii. Book online ahead: no walk-up tickets, and it's closed Sundays and Mondays.
Key facts
| Hours | Tue–Sat 09:00–16:00 |
|---|---|
| Price | $$ |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | Downtown Honolulu — dozens of TheBus routes stop within 2 blocks on King and Beretania Sts; Skyline rail's downtown extension area is nearby |
| Time needed | 1.5 to 2 hours |
| Best time to go | Morning tours Tuesday-Friday; Fridays sometimes pair with Royal Hawaiian Band concerts on the grounds |
| Last verified | July 12, 2026 |
Friend Score
8.0/10- Value8.0
- iconic8.0
- Freshness9.1
- Crowd level8.0
- Authenticity9.5
- Accessibility9.0
Frequently asked questions
- Is Iolani Palace good for kids?
- Older kids who can handle a quiet, no-touching museum will get a lot from it; toddlers will struggle. Note you'll wear shoe coverings inside to protect the floors, and strollers can't go upstairs.
- Docent-led or self-led audio tour — which should I pick?
- If a docent slot is available, take it — the guides bring the overthrow history to life in a way the audio can't. The self-led audio tour is still very good and lets you move at your own pace for $6 less.
- How much are Iolani Palace tickets?
- Self-led audio tours run $28 adults, $23 teens (13-17), $13 kids (5-12); docent-led tours are $34/$31/$16. Kids 4 and under are free. Buy online in advance — there are no walk-up or same-day sales.
- How long does an Iolani Palace tour take?
- Plan about 60-90 minutes inside, plus time for the basement galleries with the crown jewels and regalia. Two hours covers it comfortably.
- Can I walk the Iolani Palace grounds for free?
- Yes — the grounds, the coronation pavilion, and the huge banyan trees are free and open during the day. You only pay to go inside the palace itself.
- What else is near Iolani Palace?
- You're in the middle of the Capitol District — the King Kamehameha statue and Ali'iolani Hale are across the street, Kawaiaha'o Church is a block away, and Chinatown's food is a 10-minute walk. Easy to build a half-day downtown.
- Why is Iolani Palace important?
- It's the only official royal residence in the United States, built by King Kalakaua in 1882 — it had electricity before the White House. It's also where Queen Lili'uokalani was imprisoned in an upstairs room after the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1893. It's not just a pretty building; it's the heart of that story.
- What are Iolani Palace's hours?
- Open Tuesday through Saturday, 9am to 4pm; closed Sundays and Mondays. Tours are timed, so book your slot before you show up.
Nearby in Ask Honolulu
- Downtown & Capitol DistrictNeighborhood0.08 km · 1 min walk
- Hawaii State Art MuseumMuseum0.25 km · 3 min walk
- Mission Houses Historic SiteMuseum0.36 km · 5 min walk
- Drip Studio HNL Specialty CoffeeCafé0.43 km · 5 min walk
- Bar Leather ApronBar0.45 km · 6 min walk
Where to stay near Iolani Palace
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