Hong Kong and Macau form a glittering gateway to the Pearl River Delta: one part neon skyline and mountain vistas, one part pastel-toned Portuguese lanes and egg tarts. From the 19th-century rise of Victoria Harbour to today’s high-speed ferries and rooftop bars, these cities blend history with head-turning modernity.

Expect contrasts. Ride century-old trams past skyscrapers, glide over the South China Sea to Lantau’s Giant Buddha, and wander Macau’s UNESCO-listed Senado Square. Food is central: dim sum trolleys, wonton noodles in tiny shops, claypot rice sizzling at midnight, then a nightcap overlooking the city lights.

Practical notes: Grab an Octopus card for Hong Kong’s MTR, buses, trams, and ferries. In Macau, MOP is the currency, though HKD is widely accepted. December–January is cool and dry—ideal for strolls and fireworks viewing, with evenings perfect for romantic harbour cruises and rooftop cocktails.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong thrills with cinematic skylines, forested peaks, and street markets that hum late into the night. Ride the Peak Tram for classic views, explore incense-hazed temples in Sheung Wan, and drift across the harbour on the century-old Star Ferry.

Eat your way through town: dim sum at neighborhood favorites, roast goose in Central, claypot rice in Yau Ma Tei, and egg tarts still warm from the oven. Between bites, browse design studios at PMQ, luxe malls at IFC and K11 Musea, or sneaker haunts on Fa Yuen Street.

For coffee, look to Amber Coffee Brewery (Sheung Wan), Knockbox Coffee Company (Mong Kok), % Arabica (Tsim Sha Tsui and Central), and NOC Coffee Co. (various). Nightlife spans world-class cocktail bars—COA (agave temple), DarkSide (jazz and rare spirits), and Ozone (sky-high views).

• Stay (Hotels/VRBO): Search options on Hotels.com or VRBO. Romantic splurge: The Upper House or The Peninsula Hong Kong. Mid-range/value: YHA Mei Ho House Youth Hostel, Hop Inn, or Hop Inn on Carnarvon. Family-friendly resort vibes: Disney Explorers Lodge or Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel.
• Getting in: Fly into HKG—compare fares on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com. Airport Express to Kowloon/Central takes ~24 minutes, taxis ~35–50 minutes depending on traffic.

Macau

Macau is romance with a Lusophone twist: cream-and-azure churches, black-and-white mosaic squares, pastel townhouses, and custard tarts that win hearts at first bite. The Cotai Strip adds glitter with resort promenades and canals, while Taipa Village offers indie cafés and galleries.

Walk from Senado Square to the Ruins of St. Paul’s and Mount Fortress for sweeping views, then slip into Taipa’s narrow lanes for pork chop buns and coffee. After dark, toast the skyline at The St. Regis Bar Macao or Vida Rica Bar.

• Stay (Hotels/VRBO): Browse Hotels.com or VRBO. Choose the Peninsula for heritage ambience or Cotai for resort amenities and easy dining.
• Getting there from Hong Kong: High-speed ferries (Sheung Wan, Tsim Sha Tsui, or HKIA Skypier) take ~55–70 minutes, ~HK$170–215 economy, plus simple immigration. The Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge shuttle bus is another option (~45–60 minutes bus time plus transfers).

Day 1: Arrival, Harbour Glow, and a Skyline Toast (Hong Kong)

Afternoon: Land at HKG and ride the Airport Express to Kowloon or Hong Kong Station. Drop bags and refresh. Ease in with a waterfront stroll along the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade and Avenue of Stars—perfect for first photos with the skyline. Coffee stop: % Arabica at K11 Musea for a flat white with harbour views.

Evening: Classic Hong Kong dinner: try Mak’s Noodle (wonton noodle soup), DimDimSum (Jordan) for made-to-order dumplings, or Yat Lok (Central) for caramelized roast goose (cash-friendly, expect a short wait). At 8 pm, catch the Symphony of Lights from the waterfront. Cap the night with a romantic drink at Ozone (The Ritz-Carlton) or Aqua (H Zentre, Tsim Sha Tsui) to watch the harbour shimmer beneath you.

Day 2: Peak Views, Old Town Central, and SoHo Date Night (Hong Kong)

Morning: Espresso at Amber Coffee Brewery (Sheung Wan), then ride the Peak Tram for an iconic panorama. Wander Lugard Road for a quieter, romantic loop with postcard angles of the harbour.

Afternoon: Dive into Old Town Central: Man Mo Temple’s incense coils, antiques on Hollywood Road, and indie design at PMQ. For a curated, time-saving overview that includes dim sum tasting and priority tram access, book this guided experience: Top-Rated Hong Kong Tour: Peak Tram, Dim Sum & Cultural Sights.

Evening: Dinner in SoHo: Ho Lee Fook (inventive Cantonese, lively), Chôm Chôm (Vietnamese bites), or Neighborhood (seasonal plates, intimate). Nightcap at COA (agave-forward; arrive early) or DarkSide (live jazz, refined service) for an elegant end.

Day 3: Lantau Island Romance—Cable Car, Big Buddha, and Tai O (Hong Kong)

Morning: Grab pastries at Bakehouse (Wan Chai) then MTR to Tung Chung. Float above sea and mountains on the Ngong Ping 360 cable car to the Tian Tan Big Buddha, then visit Po Lin Monastery. Consider this efficient, well-loved option with priority cable car access and Tai O cruising: Best Seller: VIP Lantau Tai O Tour Priority Cable Car, Big Buddha.

Afternoon: Wander Tai O’s stilt-house lanes, sample shrimp paste snacks and tofu pudding, and join a short local boat ride to glimpse the waterways. Return to the city by late afternoon; pause for coffee at NOC Papillons & Bakery (near TST East) to recharge.

Evening: Keep dinner casual after a big day: Kwan Kee Claypot Rice (Yau Ma Tei) for smoky claypot goodness, or Sister Wah (Tin Hau) for brisket noodles. Optional low-key drinks at The Diplomat (Central) or a sunset ferry ride across the harbour for a budget-friendly romantic moment.

Day 4: Temples, Gardens, Markets, and Street Food (Hong Kong)

Morning: Start serene at Chi Lin Nunnery and Nan Lian Garden—Tang-dynasty lines, ponds, and bonsai make a calm counterpoint to the city. Breakfast nearby on a simple vegetarian set at the on-site canteen or head to Australia Dairy Company (Jordan) for Hong Kong–style scrambled eggs and toast (fast-paced, cash only).

Afternoon: Shop Mong Kok’s Flower Market, Goldfish Market, and Sneaker Street (Fa Yuen Street). Coffee at Knockbox Coffee Company (roastery vibes) before browsing Ladies’ Market for souvenirs. Pop into K11 Musea or Harbour City for design-forward shopping if you prefer air-con cruising.

Evening: Explore Kowloon’s eats and neon with a guided tasting that fits a mid-range budget and a love of night markets: Small Group Kowloon Michelin Rated Street Food and Culture Tour.

Day 5: Macau Overnight—UNESCO Lanes and Cotai Canals (Macau)

Morning: Ferry from Hong Kong to Macau (aim for ~9 am; ~55–70 minutes; ~HK$170–215). Drop bags, then walk from Senado Square to St. Dominic’s Church, the Ruins of St. Paul’s, and Mount Fortress for sweeping views. Snack on Portuguese egg tarts at Margaret’s Café e Nata (Peninsula) or Lord Stow’s (Coloane/Taipa).

Afternoon: Lunch at A Lorcha (Macanese and Portuguese classics near A‑Ma Temple) or Albergue 1601 (romantic courtyard). Wander Taipa Village’s galleries and indie cafés—try Blooom Coffee House or Single Origin Macao—then detour to teamLab SuperNature Macao for immersive art (indoor and great on cooler days).

Evening: Embrace Cotai’s spectacle with a gondola ride at The Venetian’s canals (a playful, romantic “boating” nod). Dinner options: António (Taipa; refined Portuguese), Old Taipa Tavern (casual), or The Manor (The St. Regis; modern European). Nightcap at The St. Regis Bar Macao (classic cocktails) or Vida Rica Bar (harbour outlook). Prefer to keep Hong Kong as your base? Consider a curated day trip instead: Private Customized Macau Day Tour from Hong Kong.

Day 6: Back to Hong Kong + New Year’s Eve Fireworks (Hong Kong)

Morning: Ferry back to Hong Kong. Brunch on dim sum at One Dim Sum (Prince Edward) or Tim Ho Wan (various branches) to keep the budget friendly and the romance high—share baskets of har gow, siu mai, and baked BBQ pork buns.

Afternoon: Take it easy before the big night. Stroll Tai Kwun (historic police compound turned arts hub) or slip into cafés like The Coffee Academics (Wan Chai) for a slow pour. Pick up snacks and water for the countdown.

Evening: New Year’s Eve on Victoria Harbour. Best free viewpoints: Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, Tamar Park, or Central Ferry Piers—arrive 2–3 hours early. For a guaranteed, romantic vantage with drinks, book a harbour cruise (reserve well ahead): Aqua Luna: Symphony of Lights Cruise in Hong Kong.

Day 7: Slow Morning, Last Bites, and Departure (Hong Kong)

Morning: Squeeze in final views: a waterfront walk at West Kowloon Cultural District or a quick ride on a vintage Ding Ding tram on Hong Kong Island. Brunch ideas: Kau Kee (beef brisket noodles; go early), or a café set at NOC for something lighter. Last-minute shopping at IFC or Harbour City.

Afternoon: Airport Express to HKG for your flight. If you haven’t booked yet, compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If taking rail during broader Asia travel, browse Trip.com (trains).

Daily Dining and Coffee Shortlist (Handy Recap)

• Breakfast/Coffee: Bakehouse (sourdough pastries), Amber Coffee Brewery, Knockbox Coffee Company, % Arabica, NOC Coffee Co.
• Lunch: Mak’s Noodle (wonton noodles), Yat Lok (roast goose), DimDimSum (dim sum), Po Lin Monastery canteen (vegetarian), A Lorcha (Macau).
• Dinner: Ho Lee Fook (modern Cantonese), Neighborhood (intimate, seasonal), Kwan Kee Claypot Rice (local favorite), António (Macau Portuguese).
• Nightlife: COA (SoHo), DarkSide (Rosewood), Ozone (skyscraper views), The St. Regis Bar Macao, Aqua (TST).

Getting Around & Practical Budget Tips

• Transit: In Hong Kong, the MTR is fast, clean, and inexpensive; taxis are metered and reasonable for short hops. In Macau, free hotel shuttles connect ferry terminals with major resorts; buses and taxis cover everywhere else.
• HK–Macau transfer: Ferries run early–late most days; economy seats suit a mid-range budget. Allow extra time for immigration on both sides.
• Costs (mid-range): Dim sum lunch for two ~HK$150–300; cocktail bars HK$100–180 per drink; cable car ~HK$200+ per adult; harbour cruise from ~HK$200–400+ depending on inclusions and date.

Seven days split between Hong Kong and Macau give you grand harbour views, temple quiet, market energy, and a New Year’s fireworks crescendo. With skyline cruises, intimate coffee stops, and heritage lanes, this plan balances romance and discovery—leaving just enough unscripted time to fall for both cities.