10 of the Best Towns on Maui and How To Visit

Kihei is often named one of the best parts of Maui to stay, and there are good reasons for its popularity: it’s centrally located, it’s close to loads of beaches, and it has a surprisingly great food and drink scene. You can spend your days soaking up the sun at Keawakapu Beach or Kamaole Beach Park I, then head to dine at spots such as Nalu’s South Shore Grill and Maui Brewing Co for an ultra-chill, slow-paced retreat.

Ka'anapali is considered one of the best areas to stay on Maui, and for good reason. The highlight of the area is Ka'anapali Beach and the accompanying Ka'anapali Beach Walk, where it’s easy to spend hours swimming, suntanning, and snorkeling to your heart’s content.

Once you’re ready for a break from the water, head to one of the hotels and eateries lining the oceanfront path to recharge. Local favorites include Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman and Island Vintage Coffee.

Related: 9 of the Top Beaches on Maui For Every Type of Traveler

About 5 miles (8 kilometers) north of Ka’anapali lies the lesser-known Kapalua. Many of this Maui town’s highlights are connected by the 1.8-mile (2.9-kilometer) Kapalua Coastal Trail; along the way, you can enjoy the beach at Kapalua Bay dine at classy Merriman’s Kapalua, or check out the sharp lava rock-covered peninsula of Makaluapuna Point (Dragon’s Teeth). But don't just head to Kapalua for a summery beach trip: If you’re there in the winter season, you can try to spot whales from D.T. Fleming Beach Park—peak whale-watching time is January through March.

If you’re trying to figure out where to stay on Maui for an upscale retreat, look no further than Wailea. It’s so lavish that the first season of The White Lotus was filmed right at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea—and that’s just the first of many high-end hotels in the area. You can indulge in classy accommodations, spas, and restaurants, take it easy with sunny beach days at Wailea Beach, or join a snorkeling tour and try to spot sea turtles.

Nearly every visitor to Maui will fly into Kahului Airport before driving off to other parts of the island for their accommodation; however, it’s worth sticking around in Kahului for a couple of hours to hit some sights. If you arrive hungry, grab a meal at Top Chef alum-owned Tin Roof, followed by a scoop of strawberry sherbet from the Tasaka Guri Guri Shop. Stop by Kahului’s Maui Arts & Cultural Center and, if you’re lucky, it may be hosting a fun event: highlights include the Ki Hoalu Slack Key Guitar Festival in June or the Made in Maui County Festival in November.

Next door to Kahului lies Wailuku, home to the popular ʻIao Valley State Monument, where the most striking feature is the ʻIao Needle—an aptly named, needle-shaped mountain standing out amid many green peaks. More than just a gorgeous natural landmark, ʻIao Valley is a historic site where a monumental battle during the war to unify the Hawaiian Islands took place. Beyond ʻIao Valley, Wailuku is home to the Maui Ocean Center, arguably the best aquarium in the Hawaiian Islands. Prebook your aquarium tickets for seamless sightseeing.

Paia is, without a doubt, one of the top towns to visit on Maui. Located on the North Shore of the island, this laid-back surf town is perfect for just a casual stroll, stopping into the shops and eateries that catch your eye along the way. It’s also home to Ho’okipa Beach Park and overlook, which is fantastic for watching surfers catching competition-worthy waves at one end and spotting lazing honu (turtles) at the other.

If you have the opportunity to explore Maui by car, be sure to venture to Upcountry Maui, where you’ll find a couple of quiet but noteworthy towns, including Makawao. For most of the year, Makawao is great for small-town shopping and eating; sample must-try cream puffs at Komoda Store and Bakery and grab-and-go bento boxes at Pukalani Superette. At the end of June and the beginning of July, the town comes alive with the Makawao Stampede festivities, featuring the best of the islands’ paniolo (cowboy) heritage.

Arguably the most famous town on Maui, thanks to the well-known Road to Hana, the little town of Hana is as sleepy as it comes. You’ll only be able to reach it after driving a winding 64.4 miles (103.6 kilometers) filled with waterfalls, banana bread joints, and black sand beaches.

Once there, be prepared to take things slow; enjoy lazy days soaking up the sun at Koki Beach and savor local-style plate lunches at Braddah Hutts BBQ Grill.

Wondering where to go on Maui for a bit of agritourism? Kula is one of those Maui destinations that most visitors drive through on the way to Haleakalā without pausing, but this little town is more than worth a post-Haleakalā summit stop. There are two main produce farms in the area: Aliʻi Kula Lavender Farm and Kula Country Farms. The former is open year-round and sells what feels like every lavender product under the sun, while the latter is best known for its events, such as its spring strawberry u-pick and its fall pumpkin patch. There’s also Surfing Goat Dairy, where you can snuggle with baby goats and snack on fresh goat cheeses.