Hong Kong is a city of neon and mountains, of incense and stainless steel. Once a fishing village turned British outpost and now a dynamic Special Administrative Region of China, its story is written in both traditional shop signs and glass-clad towers. This 5-day itinerary threads together classic sights—Victoria Peak, Lantau’s Giant Buddha, and Victoria Harbour—with neighborhood discoveries and some of the world’s best street food.

Expect contrasts: quiet Taoist temples just steps from espresso bars, serene coastal monasteries an MTR ride away from high-fashion flagships. Fun facts to warm up: the Mid-Levels Escalator is the world’s longest outdoor covered escalator; the Octopus card all but eliminates ticket lines; and the Star Ferry has carried commuters across the harbor since 1888.

Practical notes: Typhoon season typically runs May–October—check advisories if visiting then. Bring cash for small shops and dai pai dong (open-air food stalls), though contactless payments are widespread. For the smoothest arrival, consider Airport Express and an Octopus card. Below is your detailed, morning-to-night plan for a memorable 5 days.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong rewards wanderers: climb to The Peak for cinematic skyline views, then descend into alleyways perfumed by roast goose and herbs. In Central and Sheung Wan you’ll find antique shops, tea houses, and the revitalized heritage compound Tai Kwun; over in Kowloon, markets buzz and the West Kowloon Cultural District delivers world-class art in a waterfront park.

Top sights include Victoria Peak, Man Mo Temple, PMQ design hub, M+ Museum, Hong Kong Palace Museum, the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade and Clock Tower, and the fishing village of Tai O on Lantau Island. Don’t miss a Victoria Harbour cruise at night when the skyline glows.

• Where to stay: Browse stays across budgets on Hotels.com or apartment-style options via VRBO. Standouts: The Upper House (refined, spacious rooms and harbor views), The Peninsula Hong Kong (iconic service and afternoon tea), Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel and Disney Explorers Lodge for families, value-forward YHA Mei Ho House Youth Hostel (heritage hostel in Sham Shui Po), and design-y budget favorite Hop Inn or Hop Inn on Carnarvon steps from Tsim Sha Tsui station.
• Getting in: Compare flights on Kiwi.com or Trip.com (flights). From HKG, the Airport Express reaches Hong Kong Station in about 24 minutes (approx. HKD 115); taxis to Tsim Sha Tsui typically take 30–40 minutes.
• Arriving overland: If you’re pairing with Shenzhen or Guangzhou, check high-speed rail schedules on Trip.com (trains). West Kowloon Station connects you directly to Mainland China.

Day 1: Arrival, Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, and Victoria Harbour by Junk

Afternoon: Land and take the Airport Express into town, then check in. Shake off jet lag on the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade: see the Clock Tower, the Avenue of Stars handprints, and that unbeatable skyline sweep across to Central. For a quick bite, try Mak Man Kee (wonton noodles, springy shrimp-filled dumplings) or Tai Cheong Bakery for still-warm egg tarts.

Evening: Cross the water on the Star Ferry (a short, nostalgic hop) and wander Central’s Statue Square and the IFC rooftop garden as twilight falls. Then board an antique junk for a harbor sail—wooden hull, crimson sails, and soft spray as the city lights flicker on.

Featured experience: Hong Kong: Dukling , Antique Boat Tour in Victoria Harbour

Dinner & drinks: Back on shore, choose Hutong (fiery Northern Chinese and postcard views), Yat Lok in Central (roast goose with lacquered skin, Michelin-recognized), or Tsui Wah (cha chaan teng comfort: crispy pork cutlet curry, milk tea). For a refined nightcap, try DarkSide at Rosewood (jazz, spirit-forward cocktails) or COA (agave temple; reservations recommended).

Day 2: Classic Hong Kong—Peak Tram, Old Town Central, and Temples (Guided)

Spend today with a savvy local guide: priority boarding for the Peak Tram, atmospheric temples, and snack stops that tell the city’s story. It’s efficient, photogenic, and ideal for first-timers.

Featured experience: Top-Rated Hong Kong Tour: Peak Tram, Dim Sum & Cultural Sights

What you’ll see: Ride the reimagined Peak Tram to The Peak for sweeping harbor views; trace history in Old Town Central; light incense at Man Mo Temple; and snack on dim sum favorites. Between stops, your guide decodes neighborhoods like SoHo and Graham Street Market.

Food ideas before/after: Breakfast at Luk Yu Teahouse (old-school tea house, delicate siu mai and baked char siu buns). Later, grab wonton noodles at Mak’s Noodle or a citrusy “tomato ramen” at Sing Heung Yuen dai pai dong. Coffee pick-me-ups: Elephant Grounds or The Coffee Academics nearby.

Day 3: Lantau Island—Ngong Ping 360, Big Buddha, and Tai O Fishing Village (Day Trip)

Trade city bustle for sea air and monastery bells. This full-day Lantau outing pairs a scenic cable car with spiritual sites and a stilt-house village straight from a sepia postcard.

Featured experience: Lantau Island Day Trip: Giant Buddha & Cable Car with Pickup

Highlights: Glide on the Ngong Ping 360 cable car to the Tian Tan (Big) Buddha and Po Lin Monastery—don’t miss the serene Wisdom Path. Move on to Tai O, where fishermen’s homes perch on stilts and boats nose through narrow waterways. Sample shrimp paste, egg waffles, and tofu pudding from local stalls.

Dining notes: Consider a vegetarian set at Po Lin Monastery (simple, soulful fare). Back in the city, reward yourself with roast meats at Joy Hing (Central/Wan Chai) or silky rice rolls at Cheung Fun Kee.

Day 4: Kowloon Like a Local—Sham Shui Po, West Kowloon Art, and Night Markets

Morning: Start with a classic Hong Kong breakfast at Australian Dairy Company (Jordan)—buttery scrambled eggs, macaroni soup with ham, and steamed milk pudding (cash, quick turnover; closed Thursdays). Wander Sham Shui Po’s utilitarian streets for fabric alleys, gadget shops, and family-run bakeries. Coffee at N1 Coffee & Co. or grab a pineapple bun at Kee Tsui.

Afternoon: Culture break at the West Kowloon Cultural District: M+ Museum’s design and visual culture exhibitions are excellent, and the waterfront Art Park is perfect for a breather. Late lunch nearby at Hing Kee for claypot rice (crispy rice crust, earthy mushrooms) or at DimDimSum (playful takes on classics; baked barbecue pork buns, crispy shrimp cheong fun).

Evening: Explore Temple Street Night Market for bargains and fortune-tellers, then graze your way through Kowloon’s street-food staples: curry fish balls, stinky tofu, skewers from Mong Kok stalls, and mango pomelo sago for dessert. Cap the night with cocktails at DarkSide (live jazz, rare rums) or Argo at the Four Seasons (seasonal, inventive mixology across the harbor).

Day 5: Macau Day Trip—UNESCO Lanes, Egg Tarts, and A-Ma Temple (Depart PM)

Make the most of your final morning with a guided day trip to Macau—Portuguese tiles, Chinese temples, and golden-age casino architecture in one compact peninsula. You’ll be back by early afternoon to catch your onward flight.

Featured experience: Full Day Macau Sightseeing Tour from Hong Kong (OW by HZM Bridge)

What you’ll see: The dramatic Ruins of St. Paul’s, Senado Square’s wavy cobblestones, A-Ma Temple’s incense coils, and the hilltop Fortaleza do Monte. Sample a warm pastel de nata and a pork chop bun between sights. Return to Hong Kong by bridge coach or ferry in time for an afternoon flight.

Departure tips: If flying tonight, pick up luggage at your hotel and use Airport Express in-town check-in (available to select airlines). Prefer a last bite? Swing by Tim Ho Wan (Sham Shui Po or IFC) for baked BBQ pork buns to-go.

Where to Stay (Bookable Links)

• The Upper House — Spacious rooms, serene design, and harbor/hill views above Pacific Place; excellent on-site dining.
• The Peninsula Hong Kong — Grande dame on Salisbury Road; famed afternoon tea and city’s classic fleet of green Rolls-Royces.
• Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel or Disney Explorers Lodge — Best for families near the park; resort pools and character dining.
• YHA Mei Ho House Youth Hostel — Heritage revitalization with museum displays; clean, social, and budget-friendly in Sham Shui Po.
• Hop Inn and Hop Inn on Carnarvon — Artsy, wallet-friendly TST bases near the Promenade and MTR.
• Explore more stays on Hotels.com or apartment options via VRBO.

Getting Around & Practical Tips

• Pick up an Octopus card at the airport for MTR, buses, Star Ferry, and convenience stores. The MTR is fast, clean, and easy to navigate.
• Best city views: Lugard Road loop at The Peak (easy, shady trail) just before sunset; TST Promenade and the rooftop of Harbour City car park for photographers.
• Coffee and breakfast go-tos: N1 Coffee & Co (TST), 18 Grams (multiple), Elephant Grounds (Central), and Kam Wah (Prince Edward) for pineapple buns.
• Dinner short list: Yat Lok (roast goose), Ho Lee Fook (modern Cantonese, SoHo), Samsen (Thai boat noodles, Sheung Wan), Yardbird (yakitori), and Under Bridge Spicy Crab (Wan Chai) for crackling chili crabs.
• Book flights via Kiwi.com or Trip.com (flights). Cross-border trains to/from Mainland China via Trip.com (trains).

In five days, you’ll have tasted Hong Kong’s greatest hits—skyline sunsets, temple hush, island breezes, and night-market snacks—plus a dash of Macau’s Old World charm. Keep this guide close; the city rewards return visits, and every neighborhood holds another story waiting to be tasted and photographed.