How to spend 72 hours in Hong Kong

You have three days in Hong Kong. How will you make the most of it? While there’s no wrong way to discover the city, we’re here to help narrow down your must-do list.

We’ve prepared a three-day itinerary in Hong Kong that’ll ensure both first-time and repeat visitors enjoy their visit, whether they’re dining, shopping, hiking, lazing on the beach or hitting up the city’s best cultural hotspots.  

Discover even more itineraries in our 48-hour guide and our under-$500 budget guide. First-time visitors can also check out our beginner’s guide to Hong Kong.

Day 1: the icons

Morning 

Start your trip with a panorama of Hong Kong’s lustrous skyline from Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade. A breezy stroll on the Avenue of Stars offers unobstructed views over Victoria Harbour and access to K11 Musea, an artsy mall you can duck into for a quick retail detour. 

Grab dim sum brunch at One Dim Sum  on nearby Hart Avenue for siu mai dumplings overflowing with shrimp, glossy baked BBQ pork buns, juicy har gow and more beloved classics.  

Afternoon 

Hop on the MTR to Mong Kok for a tour of the hip neighbourhood – often seen as a microcosm of Hong Kong, with its abundance of shops and eateries condensed into a grid of buzzing streets. Let the flow of the crowd guide you through Ladies’ Market, a bazaar brimming with Hong Kong-inspired bags and fashion, toys, electronic gadgets and more. Drift along Dundas Street for street food from stalls selling marinated octopus and offal, curry fish balls and iced coconut milk. Then explore Sneakers Street’s (officially known as Fa Yuen Street) range of footwear, which spans collector’s editions to marked-down models and features brands from all over. For more retail in the area, check out our Mong Kok shopping guide. 

Commute back to Tsim Sha Tsui’s Star Ferry pier, where you’ll ferry across the harbour to Hong Kong Island. Before you board, pick up a gai daan zai (egg waffle) at Mammy Pancake. Try to snag a window seat on the boat for sweeping harbour views as you cross. 

Once you disembark in Central, amble along Wellington Street for a late lunch or afternoon tea. You’ll find wonton and beef brisket noodles at Mak An Kee or Mak’s Noodle, and siu mei (roast meat) at Yung Kee and one Michelin-starred Yat Lok.  

Next, head uphill for viral egg tarts at Bakehouse on Staunton Street, before finding your way back down to Queen’s Road Central via Pottinger Street – a steep stairway also known as “stone slab street” that’s lined with souvenir stalls and is a popular spot for a photo op. 

If you have time, don’t miss Hong Kong Park, a green sanctuary tucked beneath sky-high office towers. 

Evening

Board an eastbound tram and bask in the breeze as the city rattles past outside the open windows. Get off at Causeway Bay, another hotspot for hangouts. Soak in the electric atmosphere before finding a cha chaan teng – Hong Kong’s East-meets-West equivalent of a diner – for dinner. Eateries like Soul Kitchen and Victory A Café offer meal deals consisting of a main like satay beef in soup noodles, a side of scrambled eggs with bread, and a drink.  

Top things off with a dessert; visit Yee Shun Dairy Company for Hong Kong-style milk pudding, Tsui Yuen for traditional sweet soups or Auntie Sweet for icy treats – they’re all just a short walk away.

Day 2: the outdoors 

Hong Kong Island’s Dragon’s Back is a popular hike for its views of the South China Sea and relatively gentle and short trail. Plus, it culminates in a beautiful beach with minimal traces of urbanisation – the perfect representation of Hong Kong’s great outdoors, all in one day. Here’s how to include it in your three-day trip. 

From Shau Kei Wan MTR station, take the bus or minibus to the start of the Dragon’s Back hike. The trail takes you to the top of Shek O Peak where you get a vantage point of Hong Kong’s rolling Eastern coastline petering out into the ocean. Look back at the dirt path you’ve just walked and you’ll see the undulating grassy ridges that give Dragon’s Back its name. 

Your trek ends at Big Wave Bay, a sheltered beach enclosed by lush cliffs, where you can chill by the water and grab a snack. For more stellar food options, however, take a taxi over to Shek O Beach, a five-minute drive away. If you’re eager to get back to the city, hop back on the bus (or in another taxi) to explore Shau Kei Wan’s Tai On Building, a buzzing hub of local stalls selling street food and desserts. 

Day 3: the chill 

Morning 

We’ve ticked off the remote beach experience; it’s time to try the urban beach life. Stanley is a quiet seaside community away from the city, possessing everything you need for a comfortable holiday. If you’re visiting from late spring to early autumn, pack for the beach, where you can sunbathe or rent water sports gear. Beyond Stanley Main Beach, Stanley Market is a treasure trove of garments and trinkets for sale. Along the waterfront, you’ll find buzzy restaurants and bars with scenic views. At the end of the promenade is Blake Pier, a springboard to the secluded Po Toi Island – Hong Kong’s southernmost island.

Afternoon 

Rest up on your commute to West Kowloon Cultural District. Explore the massive art hubs, which include art gallery M+, Palace Museum and performance venue Xiqu Centre. If you need a breather, camp out at one of the park’s airy al fresco eateries or relaxing green spaces until evening. 

As night begins to fall, get comfortable and gaze westwards to see the sun cast warm threads of colour across the sky, bringing your three days in Hong Kong to a close the same way you started – with a splendid vista of the city’s glittering skyline.  

Evening

Trek back to Tsim Sha Tsui for a cocktail and live jazz at DarkSide, a bar inside Rosewood Hong Kong. Can’t get over the magic of Hong Kong’s skyline? Hit up Vesu Pizza Bar for late-night Neapolitan-style pizza; through the high floor-to-ceiling windows, the waterfront unfolds before you. It’s hard to say goodbye to the views, but it’s not farewell. Next time you’re visiting, base your itinerary around the city's best skyline views.