How many days · Hong Kong · China
How many days do you need in Hong Kong?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Baycrest, CC BY-SA 2.5
Quick answer
4 days is the sweet spot for Hong Kong, and 3 days is the minimum to see the main sights. Three days covers the Peak, the Star Ferry, Central and Sheung Wan, Kowloon's markets and Lantau's Big Buddha. A fourth day adds a hike or an outlying island; a week lets you add Macau, Sai Kung and a theme park.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 4 days
- Minimum
- 3 days
- Day trips available
- 5
- Daylight
- 10.8 h (Dec) to 13.5 h (Jun)
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | Victoria Peak and the Peak Tram, Star Ferry, Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade and Avenue of Stars and Tian Tan Buddha and Po Lin Monastery |
| 2 days | Rushed | Tian Tan Buddha and Po Lin Monastery, Hollywood Road and Man Mo Temple and Tai Kwun |
| 3 days | Good | Temple Street Night Market, Ladies' Market and Mong Kok street markets and Wong Tai Sin Temple |
| 5 days | Relaxed | The highlights plus a day trip to Macau |
| 7 days | Plenty | A slow trip with day trips such as Macau and Lamma Island |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Hong Kong add up to roughly 18–25 hours of visiting time — about 3–4 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are Tian Tan Buddha and Po Lin Monastery (Half a day), Victoria Peak and the Peak Tram (2–3 hours) and Ladies' Market and Mong Kok street markets (2–3 hours).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Victoria Peak and the Peak Tram | 2–3 hours | The Peak |
| Star Ferry | 10 minutes | Victoria Harbour |
| Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade and Avenue of Stars | 1 hour | Tsim Sha Tsui |
| Tian Tan Buddha and Po Lin Monastery | Half a day | Lantau Island |
| Hollywood Road and Man Mo Temple | 2 hours | Sheung Wan |
| Tai Kwun | 1–2 hours | Central |
| Temple Street Night Market | 1–2 hours | Yau Ma Tei |
| Ladies' Market and Mong Kok street markets | 2–3 hours | Mong Kok |
| Wong Tai Sin Temple | 1 hour | Wong Tai Sin |
| Chi Lin Nunnery and Nan Lian Garden | 1–1.5 hours | Diamond Hill |
| M+ | 2–3 hours | West Kowloon |
| Hong Kong Palace Museum | 2 hours | West Kowloon |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 4 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 3 days | Focus on Victoria Peak and the Peak Tram and Star Ferry |
| With children | 5 days | Slower days and time for Star Ferry |
| With day trips | 6 days | Add Macau and Lamma Island |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in December (about 10.8 hours of daylight) than in June (about 13.5 hours). Daylight varies little through the year, so plan by weather instead.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Hong Kong with other destinations
Questions travellers ask
+Is 3 days enough in Hong Kong?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 4 days is more comfortable. Three days covers the Peak, the Star Ferry, Central and Sheung Wan, Kowloon's markets and Lantau's Big Buddha. A fourth day adds a hike or an outlying island; a week lets you add Macau, Sai Kung and a theme park.
+Is a week too long in Hong Kong?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as Macau and Lamma Island.