Why waste time on surf lessons and volcano tours when you can shop up a storm in Honolulu? From luxury stalwarts to first-class outlets, here’s where to spend in Hawaii’s capital.

Ala Moana Center

Strapped for time? Looking for last minute gifts? The Ala Moana Center is Honolulu’s ultimate shopping destination. Chanel, Saint Laurent, Louis Vuitton and more have set up shop here, and you can also visit stores that aren’t (yet) on home shores. Start at premier department store Neiman Marcus and then make your way to lifestyle emporium Anthropologie, impossibly cool British retailer AllSaints and, of course, Macy’s.

Royal Hawaiian Center

From The Cheesecake Factory to Cartier, the Royal Hawaiian Center is a mall that covers high-end and high street designers. Pick up something playful at Kate Spade New York and refuel at Wolfgang’s Steakhouse.

Waikele Premium Outlets

Shopaholics the world over share stories of bargains bagged at Simon Premium Outlets, and their Waikele centre is a great place give your credit card a workout. With no premium on brands like Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, Coach and DKNY, you’ll be leaving with more designer brands in hand than on a fashion week roster… and that’s before you get to the Saks Fifth Avenue (Off 5th) outlet and Barneys New York Warehouse. Discounts on Céline, Marni and Helmut Lang await, even if you have to sift through samples and sizes.

Waikiki Beach Walk

Meander through Waikiki Beach Walk’s boutiques, surf shops and resort designers (this is Hawaii, after all) until you find the Peter Lik gallery, Lik Waikiki. This sensory, spellbinding space is worlds away from anything on the strip, with unforgettably vivid, large-scale landscape photographs on offer. Add to your art collection – or simply start one – here.

T Galleria by DFS

Designed for travellers, this luxury mall boasts an impeccable selection of the world’s premier designers – duty free. Splurge on Chloé’s latest “It Bag”, treat yourself to that Hermès something you’ve long coveted, or pick up a stylish statement piece from Marc by Marc Jacobs. This is also a great opportunity to save and stock up on skincare products like Clarins, Clinique and Clarisonic.

Luxury Row

It might be in the centre of Waikiki, at 2100 Kalakaua Avenue, but there are no Hawaiian shirts here. Splurge at the likes of Tiffany & Co., Coach, Gucci, Chanel and Bottega Veneta at Hawaii’s most lavish shopping destination.