Hong Kong Itinerary w/ Macau Day Trip: DIY 1-5 Days or More (Travel Guide)

by Itineraries, Hong Kong, Macau203 comments

Hong Kong is the first place abroad that I have traveled to; but on that particular trip, what I mainly did was just eat and shop as I accompanied a friend of mine back in university. So when I was able to finally come back again to do a more proper ‘tour’ of the city, I did my best to cover as many activities and attractions as possible! And today, I am sharing with you my 5-day Hong Kong itinerary, which also includes a day trip to the nearby city of Macau. Plus, it includes an array of other must-dos that you can consider doing in case you have more days to spare or if you have a different travel style.

But before I go on, I think it’s best that I give you a bit of background about the geographical area of Hong Kong because a lot of people actually have this misconception that there’s not much to do there, or that there’s not much green at all — two things that are absolutely NOT true.

First things first, there’s more to the well-known urbanized center because 2/3 of the country is actually made up of the countryside which is full of countless small mountains and several islands.

What are the top tours to do in Hong Kong?

Check out these activities and tours to do: [click]

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» About Hong Kong

As shown below, Hong Kong is made up of Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon Peninsula, the New Territories, and over 200 offshore or outlying islands (the largest of which is Lantau Island).

Hong Kong Map

The area that most tourists tend to only explore is that of the center: Kowloon Peninsula, and the northern edge of Hong Kong Island.

Rest assured, everything is well-connected by bus and train (MTR – Mass Transit Railway), so going from point A to point B wouldn’t be a big problem at all. If in case you get lost or you get confused about public transportation, Google Mapsdirections feature is your best friend — this nifty piece of technology has helped me numerous times whenever I’m traveling to foreign countries.

RELATED READ: Best Travel Apps for Travelers

…Now, with all that said and done, let me present to you the things to do in Hong Kong when you’re traveling there for 5 days (or even more!)

Top photo by: Shutterstock

Hong Kong Travel Guide

» Quick Travel Planning

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» Best Time to Visit

It is said that the best time to visit Hong Kong is around late September to late December due to better weather conditions.

  • Spring: This is usually referred to as the ‘low season’ primarily because of unpredictable weather in which the city gets a bit warm and humid with fog — with chances of significant rain. Nevertheless, there are some key celebrations such as the Hong Kong International Film Festival.
  • Summer: It can get very hot and humid with temperatures ranging from 26 to 32°C.
  • ★ Autumn: This is the best time to visit with more ideal temperatures and plenty of sunshine that doesn’t bring too much humidity. You can also participate in the Mid-Autumn Festival which is the second biggest Chinese holiday next to the Chinese New Year.
  • Winter: Next to autumn, this is also a great time to visit as the temperature dips between 14 to 19°C. There’s no snow but it can get quite chilly, so make sure to pack a jacket. With Chinese New Year celebrations on the way, you’ll even be rewarded with spectacular fireworks and parades too — but of course, this also means that there will be more crowds.
  • WINTER:
    Dec to Feb
  • SPRING:
    March to May
  • SUMMER:
    June to Aug
  • AUTUMN:
    Sept to Nov

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» Getting in to Hong Kong

Hong Kong International Airport (IATA: HKG) is Hong Kong’s main airport — from there, you can ride an airport shuttle bus that has key drop-off locations in the city (see details here). Otherwise, you can ride the Airport Express train and you can buy discounted tickets for this online.

If however you are coming with a group of people and want a more hassle-free experience, you can save on transportation costs by simply booking a private transfer.

To get to these points, I recommend browsing through Skyscanner to find the best flight deals from your point of origin. If you’re from the Philippines like me, Skyscanner also scans through the budget airlines such as Air Asia and Cebu Pacific in order to find which of the 2 has the cheapest rate on the dates you choose.

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» Visa for Hong Kong

If you’re NOT a citizen of any of Hong Kong’s exempted countries, you are then required to avail of a visa beforehand. (If you’re from the Philippines, you don’t need to apply for a visa if it’s a stay of no more than 14 days.)

  • Check full visa requirements here as per your nationality.

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» Where to Stay (Hongkong Accommodations)

To search for the best hotel accommodation in Hong Kong at the best prices, I suggest cross-checking hotel prices between Agoda and Booking.com. But if you’re rather interested in renting comfortable houses or apartments, you should search through AirBnB.

For a more comprehensive list, see this post of the top ‘Best Hotels in Hong Kong‘ or ‘Best Hotels in Macau‘.

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» Hong Kong Currency

Hong Kong Dollar (HKD / HK$) wherein HK$8 is equal to about USD $1~ / €0.85~ / Php 52~ (this is as of June 2022). In the event that you want to exchange your money for HKD, I highly advise that you do NOT exchange your money at the airport since the rates there are not competitive.

  • How to best exchange your currency? Either exchange it at a bank or at a money exchanger in your home country or in HK’s city center. Better yet, just withdraw from an ATM with your debit/credit card — however, you must do one big withdrawal to minimize fees with your bank. Speaking of cards, a lot of Hong Kong’s establishments accept credit cards but it’s always advisable to have cash on hand because a lot of smaller shops do not accept international credit cards.

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» Cost of Travel in Hong Kong

To give you an idea, you should expect to travel to HK with an average daily cost of about USD $55~ per person on a budget, or at least $130~ if you want to experience more comfort in activities, tours, hotels, and more. (Values below show low budget to medium budget ranges).

  • Hotels: $25 to $60 USD / day
  • Food: $11 to $25 USD / day
  • Fun: $25 to $70 USD / day
  • Transport: $20 on average per day

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» How to Get Around Hong Kong

It’s always best to avail yourself an Octopus Card — a prepaid contactless debit card that can be used to pay for all kinds of public transport (except taxis and some red minibusses; and if I may add, this can even be used to pay at convenience stores, supermarkets, restaurants, museums, and more). After all, Hong Kong is best explored by train (MTR) as it is the fastest mode of transportation (not to mention the efficient Airport Express train).

The only time that I can recommend using a taxi is if you’re in a hurry, if you get lost, or if you have 3 other people with you to share the cost (the meter starts at HKD $22).

NOTE: Another alternative is to buy an MTR Tourist Day Pass.

To better navigate yourself within Hong Kong, use Google Maps‘ directions feature (signified by a blue icon with an arrow inside it) — I really find it a very helpful tool if I want to reach a certain place from a particular location. However, Google Maps doesn’t work offline if you want routes or transportation schedules, so I recommend that you get a pocket WiFi or a SIM card to stay connected; or better yet, get an eSIM for a hassle-free experience (use code AILEEN684 to get $3 off).

You can avail an Octopus Card online, at the airport or at any MTR station, and it can also be reloaded at any MTR station or merchant stores that accept Octopus (7-Eleven, McDonalds, etc.). A basic Octopus Card costs HKD $150 in which $100 can be used as credit and the remaining $50 serves as refundable deposit. You can load it to a maximum of HKD $1,000 but you can only refund remaining credit if it’s less than $500.
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It stays valid for 1,000 days after your last top-up or ‘load’ and can be reactivated anytime afterwards. Rest assured, your card can go negative (for as low as HKD $-35 but this isn’t really negative since your $50 deposit secures it). However, it can only go negative once and you can only use the card again after you reload.

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» Staying Connected in Hong Kong

Hong Kong has one of the fastest internet connections in the world so you’re assured of great connections wherever you go. Hotels and most shops (even convenience stores) offer FREE WiFi connections — but in order to stay connected online at all times during your Hongkong trip, I recommend getting your own pocket WiFi or a SIM Card; or better yet, get an eSIM for a hassle-free experience (use code AILEEN684 to get $3 off)

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» Safety in Hong Kong

Hongkong is one of the densest cities in the world and serious crimes are rare — but petty crimes like pickpocketing can still occur. As such, it helps to stay street smart at all times. Rest assured, it’s one of the safest countries to travel in even as a solo traveler; just stay vigilant and you’ll be fine.

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» Helpful Cantonese Phrases

Hello: Néih hóu
Thank you: M̀h’gōi
Please: Chíng
Goodbye: Joigin

Excuse me (to get attention): M̀h’hóu yisi
I’m sorry: Deui-m̀h-jyuh
How much: Géidō chín a?
Is there someone here who speaks English?: nī douh yáuh móuh yàhn sīk góng Yīngmán a?
Help!: Gau mehng ā!
Cheers!: Yámbūi!

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Other F.A.Q.

What is the tipping policy in Hong Kong?

To date, Hong Kong is not particularly conscious of tipping, and there is even NO obligation to tip. Though if you’re feeling generous, you can extend a 10% tip if there is no service charge (but most HK hotels and restaurants already set a 10% service charge on your bill).

What is the power socket used in Hong Kong?

Hongkong typically uses two plug types: type D (three round pins in a triangular pattern) and type G (three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern). The country operates on a 220V supply voltage and 50Hz.

What are the current travel restrictions and quarantine policies in Hong Kong?

 Please check their latest travel advisories page, or visit the Hong Kong Government COVID-19 thematic website for more details.

My passport will expire within a month. Can I still travel to Hong Kong?

All visitors to Hong Kong must have a passport that is valid for at least 1 month after the period of their intended stay in Hong Kong.

Is there any sales tax in Hong Kong?

In general, no. All goods, apart from alcohol and tobacco, are tax-free.

• • •

Hong Kong Itinerary Guide

Before I begin with the itinerary guide, if in case you’re more of a visual person, you can already watch my video below to get a ‘peek’ into the adventures that I did during my recent trip to Hong Kong and Macau!

Take note that the 5-day Hong Kong itinerary (with a stopover to Macau) below does not take into account your arrival day in Hong Kong.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

  • The following Hong Kong itinerary section is in a tabbed format; so, in order to see the next day’s contents, just click the headings below.
  • if you’re staying longer in the city, you can make use of the last tab called ‘Extra Days‘ to see the other activities or trips you can do for filling up the rest of your vacation days both in Hong Kong and Macau.

Explore Tsim Sha Tsui area in Kowloon

During my stay, I got a hotel in Hong Kong Island — but you can also opt to get your accommodation in Kowloon as it is more in the ‘middle’ of everything.

That being said, you might find it odd that I explored the Kowloon area during my first day instead of Hong Kong Island itself… well, the thing is, I wanted to see the harbor during the day as well, so it made more sense to sail to Kowloon and explore it and then sail back at night to see the evening cityscape too.

To add, it was a Wednesday when I arrived, and it was timely that the Symphony of Lights had English narration for that day.

RELATED READ:
Top Fun Things to Do in Hong Kong

Victoria Harbour: Sampan Boat

Photo by: Shutterstock

  • Go through Victoria Harbour via Star Ferry towards Kowloon Island. (Tsim Sha Tsu area: HKD $2.20) From Hong Kong Island, you can ride the Star Ferry from either Wan Chai pier or Central pier and it only takes about 10 minutes to reach Tsim Sha Tsui pier. Tickets can be bought on the spot and the ferries leave every 10 minutes.
  • Walk around Kowloon Park. (Nearest MTR: Tsim Sha Tsui Station) This is a large public park smacked in the middle of the bustling area of Tsim Sha Tsui but it offers tranquility for its guests what with its Chinese garden, lotus ponds, aviaries, and more. If you come here on a Sunday from around 2PM to 5PM, you can even witness a kung fu and lion dance performance.
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  • LUNCH: Eat at One Dim Sum Chinese Restaurant. (Nearest MTR: Prince Edward Station; Around HKD $25 per meal) If you want to taste a One-Michelin star dim sum restaurant that wouldn’t burn your wallet during your Hong Kong Itinerary, then this is the right place for you! During peak hours though, be prepared to wait for about 30 minutes until you get seated; otherwise, it’s best to visit during low peak hours from 3PM to 5PM and 9PM to midnight.
    • TIP: For more food options, book online and score special deals!
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Wanna see a complete list of the top Hong Kong food and drinks that you MUST try? — Check out this blog post to find out: Top 20 Hong Kong Food Dishes to Try

  • Head to Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade. If you’ve got time, the promenade is a charming place to stroll in. Around this area you can find the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, the Hong Kong Space Museum, the Clock Tower, and the Avenue of Stars where you can see exhibits dedicated to film stars like Bruce Lee, etc.
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  • Watch the Symphony of Lights from Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade. This is a free nightly multimedia show involving lights, lasers, and buildings. In fact, the Guinness World Records named this as the world’s largest permanent light and sound show. The best spot to watch it would be by the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade waterfront so that you can see the picturesque Hong Kong Island and Victoria Peak on the other side.
    • Live narration in English is available on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays (the rest of the days are in Mandarin and Cantonese) — it starts at 8PM daily and lasts for about 13 minutes.
    • TIP: You can also ride a cruise while you watch this show of lights!
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  • Shop till you drop at Mong Kok. (Nearest MRT: Mong Kok Station)
    • Temple Street Night Market: This is basically a flea market bazaar where you can find tons of affordable trinkets, souvenirs, electronics, jade, antiques, etc. Officially, it is open from 2PM until midnight each day between Jordan Road and Kansu street; but most stalls usually open at 4PM, and its lively atmosphere starts at about 9PM.
    • Ladies Market: As the name goes, this is a haven for the ladies given all the cheap clothing and accessories that adorn this place. There are also branded stores speckled across the area that is relatively inexpensive.
      • MRT: board the train going to Tsuen Wan and get off at Mongkok Station, exiting at Bank Centre signed E ad then E2.
    • Mongkok Computer Centre: For all the techies, this is where you must head off for all your computer-related needs; after all, it houses more than 70 computer shops!
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  • DINNER: Dine at any of the food stalls lined along Temple Street. (Nearest MRT: Jordan Station; Starts at HKD $30 per dish) To really be with the locals, this is a must-do! Try out the fresh seafood dishes or look for a stall that offers claypot rice — a Hong Kong classic.
    • TIP: For more food options, book online and score special deals!
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  • Go back to Hong Kong Island via Star Ferry. (HKD $2.20) I suggest taking the Tsim Sha Tsui to Central route since it has a more picturesque view of the harbor with the beautiful Victoria Peak in view. If you want, Star Ferry also offers a harbor cruise that is timed together with the Symphony of Lights (see here).
    • Or if you want to ride a more iconic Hong Kong boat while viewing the Symphony of Lights, check out Aqualuna sampan boats.

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◘◘ Substitute Activities

Hong Kong Itinerary: Museum of History

Photo by: Shutterstock

  • Rent a traditional Chinese outfit for a day and do a fun photoshoot!(Nearest MRT: Central Station; HKD $286) Feel the true essence of old Hong Kong as you explore the city wearing a traditional Chinese outfit. With this, you can choose from a variety of designs and sizes and can even do a photoshoot package with it!
    • TIP: Book online to get the best rate
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  • Visit the Hong Kong Museum of History. Come here for your Hong Kong Itinerary if you want to learn more about the country’s historical and cultural heritage. There are audio guides for HKD $10 and you can get in for free if you come on a Wednesday (a majority of Hong Kong’s museums have FREE admittance on Wednesdays actually).
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  • Go up the Sky100 Hong Kong Observation Deck.(Nearest MRT: Kowloon Station; HKD $120) This is located on the 100th floor of Hong Kong’s tallest building, the International Commerce Centre (ICC). Here, you can have a fantastic 360-degree panoramic view of Victoria Harbour.
    • TIP: Book online to get the best rate

Explore Hong Kong Island

Victoria Peak Tram: Hong Kong Itinerary

Photo by: Shutterstock

  • Have breakfast at Kam Kee. (HKD $35) Have a taste of a typical Hong Kong breakfast right here! One of their branches is located near Exit A of Causeway Bay MTR Station.
    • TIP: For more food options, book online and score special deals!
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  • Take the Hong Kong Tramway (Dingding). (As low as HKD $2.30, payable with Octopus Card) This 1920s-style tram is the best way to discover Hong Kong Island. Just head over to this site to decipher the route you want to take and to map out your stops. If you rather want a planned route prepared for you, well then for only HKD $95, you can already be a part of their signature 1-hour TramOramic tour.
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  • LUNCH: Try the famous Din Tai Fung Restaurant (Yee Wo Branch). (Nearest MTR: Causeway Bay Station; HKD $70) This is yet another affordable Michelin-star-awarded franchise restaurant and it rather specializes in xiao long bao — a type of steamed soup dumpling that I guarantee you will love!
    • TIP: For more food options, book online and score special deals!
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  • Go up via the Peak Tram to reach the Sky Terrace and see Victoria Peak and/or Madam Tussauds. (Nearest MTR: Central Station) Under this combo, what will happen is that a guide will help you navigate your way through the hustle at Peak Tram, after which this tram will take you up to Victoria Peak to see the Sky Terrace — the place where you get to see with your own eyes that iconic view of the Hong Kong skyline which is an absolutely breathtaking sight! After this, depending on the package you choose, you can also get to explore Madame Tussauds and the Observation Wheel.
    • I highly recommend going there late in the afternoon for your Hong Kong Itinerary so that you can see both the HK skyline during daylight and nighttime (NOTE: Madame Tussauds is located in the same building as Sky Terrace).
    • TIP: Book online because not only is it cheaper than the normal price, but it also helped me steer clear of the long line at the ticket counter for the Peak Tram (it’s Fast Track).
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  • DINNER: Dine and drink at Lan Kwai Fong. (Nearest MTR: Central Station) This small square street is one of Hong Kong’s most popular nightlife hot spots with over a hundred of restaurants and bars. Certainly, if you’re up for partying afterward, you’ll have no shortage of options here.
    • TIP: For more food options, book online and score special deals!
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◘◘ Substitute Activities

Hong Kong Itinerary: Causeway Bay

Photo by: Shutterstock

  • Go bar-hopping. (Nearest MTR: Central Station) Explore Hong Kong’s awesome nightlife with experienced pub crawl guides complete with free drinks and a free photographer!
  • Ride a sampan or ‘junk boat’. Those flashy red wooden boats that you see on Victoria Harbour are no other than the traditional sampans or junk boats that were typically used in the olden times. There are not a lot of providers available today, but you can enjoy a ride that even provides the option of riding sampan boats during the Symphony of Lights.
    • TIP: To book a spot, go here.
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  • Shop around Causeway Bay. (Nearest MTR: Causeway Bay Station) If you’re up for a high-end shopping spree during your Hong Kong Itinerary, go to the big shopping malls like Time Square, IFC, and Landmark among others. For gadgets and computers, there’s the Wan Chai Computer Centre.

Visit Disneyland Hongkong

Disneyland Hong Kong

(MRT: Disneyland Resort Station) This is perfect for families, or simply for those who are kids-at-heart!

Starts from HKD $500~ for adultsYou can purchase day tickets online for Disneyland through Klook given that it’s cheaper than buying from the official website and also cheaper than paying the walk-in price.

Since I already visited OceanPark before, I opted to put Disneyland on my 5-day Hong Kong Itinerary and it was fun!

Naturally, there are various attractions and themed areas here for you to choose from — furthermore, there are even parades and stage shows that happen daily. My favorites are the ‘Festival of the Lion King‘ at Adventureland and ‘Mickey and the Wondrous Book‘ at Fantasyland. You can go to this link for an accurate schedule of activities during your day of visit.

Be sure not to miss out on the 4D attraction that they have, as well as the 8PM fireworks display!

TIP: Grab discounted Disneyland meal coupons in advance here!

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◘◘ Substitute Activities

Ocean Park

Photo by: Shutterstock

…or go to OceanPark. (Starts from HKD $370) Disneyland is best explored if you just want some ‘calm fun’ for your Hong Kong Itinerary; hence, if you want crazier rides, I suggest going to OceanPark instead!

They have varied attractions that let you take a closer look at marine life. To purchase tickets, you can buy them online here which is set at a cheaper price

(Transportation: Ride the Citybus’s Ocean Park Express bus service Route 629 located just outside the Star Ferry Terminal on Hong Kong Island side or from Admiralty West Bus Terminal outside Admiralty MTR station)

Explore the New Territories

It’s time to explore the other top areas outside of Hong Kong’s city center!

Hong Kong Itinerary: Lion Rock Hike

Photo by: Shutterstock

Do you rather want to do a guided tour?

You can join a New Territories guided day tour if you want a more hassle-free experience. To reserve your spot, go here.

It helps to note that NOT everything listed below for both can be done in a day. Therefore, what I suggest is that you do half a day per area as you pick just one or a few activities for each (or just explore one area that you like best for the whole day).

  • Go through a heritage trail. There are two of these that you can choose from: the Ping Shan Heritage Trail links up a number of traditional Chinese buildings that are within walking distance to one another as it gives you the chance to learn more about the traditional life in the New Territories. Meanwhile, Lung Yeuk Tau Heritage Trail will take you through the history of the Tang clan, one of the 5 largest clans in the New Territories.
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  • Go hiking. Hiking is slowly becoming a favorite pastime of the people in Hong Kong and with the vast green terrain that surrounds the country, there are surely various hiking trails that you can choose from (such as Lion Rock Peak Hill among many others). This website perfectly sums up all of those places and they’re even labeled accordingly with difficulty, time, etc.
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  • Visit some temples. The most notable ones that you should include in your Hong Kong Itinerary are…
    • Chi Lin Nunnery(Nearest MTR: Diamond Hill Station) A large temple complex that has been established as a retreat for Buddhist nuns. You can find here statues of the Sakyamuni Buddha, Guanyin, and other bodhisattvas made from gold, clay, wood, and stone.
    • Che Kung Temple: (Nearest MTR: Tai Wai Station) This honors Che Kung, a military commander of the Southern Song dynasty. Naturally, you will find a giant statue of Che Kung at the main worship hall’s altar.
    • Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery: (Nearest MTR: Sha Tin Station) There are actually no resident monks in this Buddhist temple as it is now managed by laypersons. However, the beauty of this place’s temples, pavilions, and pagodas are not to be missed; plus, the journey up to this monastery is an attraction itself due to the golden Buddhas that line up the path.
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Explore Lantau Island

Hong Kong Itinerary: Tian Tan Buddha Ngong Ping Cable Car

Photo by: Shutterstock

  • Ride 360 Ngong Ping. This 25-minute cable car ride is the best way to explore Lantau Island. It starts from Tung Chung (MTR) and if you have some HKD to spare from your travel budget, I suggest that you try the Crystal Cabin — it has a glass bottom so that you can see everything around and below you in clear view. Truly a great thing to include in your Hong Kong Itinerary.
    • TIP: Purchase your tickets online here.
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  • See the Po Lin Monastery and the Tian Tan Buddha (Big Buddha). Po Lin Monastery is one of Hong Kong’s most important Buddhist places and has been called the ‘Buddhist World in the South’. Opposite this is the famous bronze Big Buddha statue that sits 34 meters high and faces north to look towards Mainland China (it is open from 10AM to 5:30PM).
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  • Go around Ngong Ping Village. This is a 1.5-hectare place where you can find an array of shops and eateries. If you have HKD $40 to spare, you can also watch the multimedia show ‘Walking with Buddha’.
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  • Head out to Tai O. A lot of photographers find this an interesting spot to picture — a community of fishermen who have their houses built on traditional stilts (a common feature of old Chinese fishing villages). You could also explore the local fish market that the locals flock into as part of your Hong Kong Itinerary. Take note that this is a short bus or taxi ride away, approximately 15 minutes from the Big Buddha.

Explore Macau

Macau is just a 1-hour boat ride away, so why not take this opportunity to come and visit as part of your Hong Kong Itinerary? Besides, your main expenses here will only be for food and the boat tickets (unless of course, you want to do shopping here too and some casino playing). I say this because once you’re inside the city, you wouldn’t need to pay for transportation at all due to the number of FREE casino shuttle buses that go all over. It can even be used by literally anyone; you really don’t have to be a casino guest to use it.

CURRENCY: Macau has its own called Macanese Patacas (MOP). But don’t worry about exchanging your HKD to MOP because HKD is already widely accepted in Macau.
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Otherwise, if you want to stay in the city for some few nights, you can check out these top hotels in Macau. .

Things to Do in Macau: Ruins of St. Paul's

Photo by: Shutterstock

Do you rather want to do a guided tour in Macau?

Reserve your spot on a day tour of Macau so you don’t miss out on anything! It even includes lunch at a 4-star hotel. To book, go here.

  • 8AM:Take the TurboJET ferry to get to Macau (Outer Harbour) ferry terminal. Ride the TurboJet ferry from Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal which is located at Shun Tak Centre in Sheung Wan (MTR Sheung Wan Station).
    • It helps to note that this is the one that lands in Macau Outer Harbour and NOT Macau Taipa. Also, the ferry operates every 15 minutes between 7AM to 12PM, and every 30 or 120 minutes between 12:30AM to 6:30AM.
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  • Get on the FREE shuttle bus at the terminal that leads to Grand Lisboa, and then explore the nearby attractions in the historic center.
    • Senado Square: This is a paved town center of Macau and it is part of the UNESCO Historic Centre of the Macau World Heritage Site. As per history, this used to be a meeting place for the Chinese and Portuguese people. Many large events were also hosted here and it still continues up to today.
    • St. Dominic’s Church: Located near the Leal Senado Building, this Baroque-style church is noted for its mixture of European and Macanese design features.
    • Ruins of St. Paul’s: This was originally the St. Paul’s College and the Church of St. Paul; today, however, what remains of it after a fire back in 1835 is only that of the southern stone facade and some other parts of the ruins that are now turned into a museum.
    • Monte Forte (Fortaleza do Monte): This is the historical military center of Macau, located just beside the Ruins of St. Paul’s. Originally, this was built to protect the properties of Jesuits from pirates, but later on, seized by the governor for defending the city.
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  • Visit Macau Tower From Senado Square, walk over to Praca Jorge Alvares and take Bus 32. At 338 meters, this tower is inspired by Auckland’s Sky Tower. Today, it holds the highest commercial sky jump (bungee jump) activity in the world at 233 meters! There are a number of entry tickets or activities that you can do here, namely:
  • Have a look at the famous casino hotels of Macau on Taipa island. A FREE shuttle bus that stops at City of Dreams can be taken at the lobby of Macau Tower. Once you get off, you’re pretty much at the center of Taipa, and every casino nearby can be reached by walking or by riding the free shuttle buses. Now of course, unless you’re here for gambling, I suggest that you simply visit a select few of the hotels (like the ones I’m listing below); besides, you can see ALL the hotels later on at night with an activity that I’ll be suggesting at the latter part of this section.
    • City of Dreams: Bring your kids here to Kids’ City, or party at Club Cubic — better yet, come witness the world’s largest breathtaking water show that is directed by Franco Dragone (known for his work with Cirque du Soleil): the House of Dancing Water! (Ticket starts at about HKD $480~ or Php 3,250 for adults).
    • Galaxy Macau: Smacked right in the main lobby of Galaxy Macau is the Fortune Diamond which is a huge 3-meter gem that serves as a backdrop for a waterfall. You can also watch a movie here in their big 10-screen 3D cineplex or just shop at The Promenade.
    • Venetian: Apart from the luxury shopping experience, a sight to be seen here is their Venice-inspired interiors. You will see here an actual network of canals and you can even rent a gondola in order to be serenaded by a gondolier. One of Lord Stow’s Bakery’s food stalls can also be found here, so make sure you buy yourself some of those famous egg tarts!
    • Studio City: Apart from witnessing its amazing architecture, it’s a MUST to ride the Golden Reel Ferris Wheel to capture breathtaking views of Macau from 130 meters up in the air and to also get the amazing chance of riding the world’s highest 8-figure Ferris wheel! The ticket is priced at HKD $80 or Php 535; you can purchase your tickets online. Otherwise, for those who want some fun, come and experience the 4D ride: Batman Dark Flight.
    • Sands: Come here to watch the world’s largest indoor stage performance: Monkey King! You will definitely experience a high-class show here; after all, the performance team spent 8 years mastering this exquisite show!
    • Wynn Casino: If you’ve got some time, pass by Wynn casino to watch their spectacular water show. It happens every 15 minutes and runs until midnight.
      .

TIP: Book these Macau restaurants online to score special meal deals!

  • Walk over to Taipa Village Old Taipa Houses. This complex contains 5 houses that depict the old colonial residences that used to be owned by well-off Portuguese families in Macau.
    .
  • Rua do Cunha. This is a narrow but well-lit street in Vila di Taipa that’s known for its restaurants and shops. Some of the well-known stores here where you can buy great Chinese fares to take back home and give away as gifts (or eat for yourself, of course) are Choi Heong Yuen and Koi Kei.
    .
  • Ride a shuttle bus and ogle at the casinos’ colorful facades. Macau becomes even more of a beauty at night and if you’re pressed on time but still want to see the rest of the casinos in Taipa that you can’t easily reach by foot, just ride any of the free shuttle buses that pass by the casinos you want to see, and then stay there until it reaches its starting point again. (Personally, I love the ostentatious buildings of Studio City, Galaxy, and the Parisian.)
    .
  • Catch a ferry of TurboJet back to Hong Kong. The free shuttle buses go directly back to Macau ferry terminal (I took the shuttle bus at the Venetian that was marked ‘Macau Ferry’). Again, just make sure that you pick a bus that goes to the Macau ferry terminal at the Outer Harbour or in the Macau Peninsula (not the one in Taipa). Take note that the ferry operates every 15 minutes between 7AM to 12PM, and every 30 or 120 minutes between 12:30AM to 6:30AM.
    • TIP: It’s best to purchase your tickets online.
      .

– – –

◘◘ Substitute Activities

Macau Itinerary

Photo by: Shutterstock

  • Club & Bar Hopping. Book online to party like a boss in Macau whilst a fancy van or stretch limo takes you to the best clubs and bars in town!
    .
  • Mandarin’s House. This residential complex depicts the typical characteristics of traditional residences and also used to be the home of late Qing theoretician, Zheng Guanying.
    .
  • Guia Fortress. This is a military fort, chapel, and lighthouse complex that is also part of the historic center of Macau.
    .
  • A-Ma Temple (Ma Kok Miu). One of the oldest Taoist temples in the country and it is said that the name ‘Macau’ was derived from the name of this temple when natives replied to Portuguese sailors with “A-Ma-Gau” (when asked what the name of the place was).

Other Hong Kong Activities

TIP: For a complete list of amazing tours and activities to do for your Hong Kong itinerary, see here!

◘◘ Family Fun

Hong Kong Itinerary: Hong Kong Disneyland

Hong Kong Disneyland
Discover the magical world of Disney.

Hong Kong Itinerary: Ocean Park Hong Kong

Ocean Park Hong Kong
Theme park and a zoo.

Hong Kong Itinerary: Noah's Ark

Noah’s Ark
World’s first full-size Ark replica!

Hong Kong Itinerary: Madame Tussauds

Madame Tussauds
Meet the world’s most famous faces.

Hong Kong Itinerary: Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

Princess Transformation
Dress your kids as Disney princesses.

– – –

◘◘ City Activities

Hong Kong Itinerary: Hop-On Hop-Off

Hop-On Hop-Off
See Hong Kong’s main sights from your seat.

Hong Kong Itinerary: Crystal Bus Tour

Crystal Bus Tour
See landmarks from a double decker luxury bus!

Hong Kong Itinerary: Shopping and Sightseeing Tour

Sightseeing Tour
Perfect for the shopaholics!

Sky100

Sky100
See spectacular 360° views of the Victoria Harbor.

AquaLuna Evening Sail

AquaLuna Evening Sail
See the city in traditional junk boats.

Symphony of Lights Cruise

Symphony Lights Cruise
The iconic light and sound show.

Star Ferry Harbour Tour

Star Ferry Harbour Tour
Sail along Victoria Harbour.

Helicopter Tours

Helicopter Tours
See famous sights from up high.

Hong Kong Itinerary: Guided Walking Tour

Guided Walking Tour
Discover Hong Kong in 3 hours with a guide.

Central and Victoria Peak Tour

Central and Victoria Peak Tour
Explore and experience Hong Kong culture.

Street Art Tour

Street Art Tour
See famous sights from up high.

Hong Kong Itinerary: Qipao Rental and Photoshoot

Qipao Rental & Photoshoot
Wear a traditional Qipao outfit.

Taichi with a Master

Taichi with a Master
Learn entry-level Taichi and Qigong.

Street Art Tour

Chinese Painting Class
Discover the traditions of Chinese painting.

Pub Crawl

Pub Crawl
Party it up at HK’s best nightspots!

– – –

◘◘ Day Trips

Cliff Ziplining & Abseiling

Cliff Ziplining & Abseiling
Experience Hong Kong in a whole different way!

Hong Kong Itinerary: Dragon's Back Trail

Dragon’s Back Trail
Adventurous hiking on Hong Kong Island.

Rock Climbing

Rock Climbing
Try your hand at rock climbing at Black Crag.

Biking and Kayaking

Biking and Kayaking
Explore Hong Kong’s natural reserves in Sai Kung.

Tai Mo Shan Waterfalls Hike

Tai Mo Shan Waterfalls Hike
Hike to waterfalls and secluded villages.

Pink Dolphin Sighting

Pink Dolphin Sighting
Hike to waterfalls and secluded villages.

Lantau Heritage Tour

Lantau Heritage Tour
Full tour of Lantau Island’s most famous attractions.

Hong Kong Itinerary: Ngong Ping 360 Crystal Cabin

Ngong Ping 360 Crystal Cabin
360 crystal views all around!

– – –

◘◘ Food & Restaurants

Hong Kong Itinerary: Tai Cheong Bakery

Tai Cheong Bakery
Enjoy traditional Hong Kong baked goods.

Emack & Bolio's

Emack & Bolio’s
A specialty ice cream shop.

Hong Kong Itinerary: Ding Dim 1968

Ding Dim 1968
Holding 50 years of history

Victoria Harbour Restaurant

Victoria Harbour Restaurant
Indulge in authentic Chinese cuisine.

Jumbo Kingdom Floating Restaurant

Jumbo Kingdom
Famous seafood restaurant.

Nam Kee Noodles

Nam Kee Noodles
Enjoy a steaming hot bowl of noodles.

Under Bridge Spicy Crab

Under Bridge Spicy Crab
HK’s famous crab restaurant!

Hong Kong Itinerary: Wing Wah Cake Shop

Wing Wah Cake Shop
A must-try Hong Kong cake.

Hee Wan Roasted Kitchen

Hee Wan Roasted Kitchen
Local delicacy.

Block 18 Doggie's Noodle

Block 18 Doggie’s Noodle
Try popular street snacks since 1950s!

Chinese Pastry Baking

Chinese Pastry Baking
Learn to make sweet Chinese treats.

Dumpling Yuan

Dumpling Yuan
Tasty Northern China dumplings.

– – –

Other Macau Activities

◘◘ Family Fun

Batman Dark Flight

Batman Dark Flight
4D adventure with Gotham’s hero.

Warner Bros. Fun Zone

Warner Bros. Fun Zone
Let kids loose in Warner Bros.

Macau Science Center

Macau Science Center
A day of hands-on science!

Planet J Role Play Theme Park

Planet J Role Play
World’s 1st live-action role-play theme park.

Chimelong Ocean Kingdom

Chimelong Ocean Kingdom
See whale sharks and manta rays up close.

– – –

◘◘ City Activities

Open Top Bus Tour

Open Top Bus Tour
hop-on-hop-off sightseeing pass.

Sightseeing Day Tour

Sightseeing Day Tour
Get the best of Macau in a day!

Gondola Ride

Gondola Ride
A romantic serenade.

Golden Reel Ferris Wheel

Golden Reel Ferris Wheel
The world’s first figure 8 ferris wheel.

QiPao Rental and Photoshoot

QiPao Rental & Photoshoot
Wear traditional Chinese clothing.

Luxury TRIA Spa Package

Luxury TRIA Spa Package
The 1st Macau spa to utilize sound therapy.

– – –

◘◘ Up High Fun

Macau Tower Skywalk X

Macau Tower Skywalk X
Walk around the outer rim of Macau Tower.

Macau Tower Climb

Macau Tower Climb
Scale the 338 meters to the top.

Hong Kong Itinerary: Macau Tower Skyjump

Macau Tower Skyjump
Descend feet-first from a height of 233m!

Macau Tower Bungy Jump

Macau Tower Bungy Jump
Plunge from a height of 233m!

Macau Eiffel Tower Observation Deck

Macau Eiffel Tower Observation Deck
Feel like you’re in Paris at Macau’s newest landmark.

– – –

◘◘ Shows

The House of Dancing Water

The House of Dancing Water
World’s largest water extravaganza show.

ELEKRON Show

ELEKRON Show
Parkour, wild pyrotechnics and more!

Zhuhai Chimelong Circus

Zhuhai Chimelong Circus
Visit Zhuhai’s theater, theme park & aquarium!

– – –

◘◘ Food & Restaurants

Walking Food Tour

Walking Food Tour
Enjoy the best of Macau’s delicacies.

Hong Kong Itinerary: Putajanai in San Ma Lo

Putajanai in San Ma Lo
First Baumkuchen cake shop in Macau.

JW Marriott Macau Buffet

JW Marriott Macau Buffet
‘Macau’s Best Restaurant’!

Lunch Buffet at Macau Tower

Lunch Buffet at Macau Tower
View-gazing and dining 223m up!

Hong Kong Itinerary: Chinese Restaurant

Chinese Restaurant
Enjoy sophisticated Chinese cuisine.

Hong Kong Itinerary: Dim Sum Set Lunch

Dim Sum Set Lunch
Traditional and modern Chinese Dim Sum.

• • •

Booking Essentials

Book an AirBnB
Booking.com

TIP: It’s a good idea to crosscheck the prices with other popular travel insurance providers like World Nomads and HeyMondo (as my reader, you get 5% off)!

.

However, take note that a travel insurance’s affordability typically means lesser coverage; so please always ensure that you read the fine print in order to decipher which travel insurance company is the right fit for you and your trip!

The Best Tours in Hong Kong?

Come and check out this list of the top things to do in Hong Kong which features the best activities and tours to do!

• • •

Hong Kong Itinerary and Travel Guide

Overall

Hong Kong may be a small destination, but it has more than enough activities and attractions to keep you occupied.

I tried my very best to be as detailed as I could with this guide so that you won’t be missing any of Hong Kong’s (and Macau’s) highlights! That being said, feel free to tweak this itinerary as well as my suggestions to make your trip shorter or longer and better fitting for your travel style. Enjoy and do let me know how your trip goes!

• • •

Have you seen my latest vlog?

How I Afford to Travel the World (Vlog)

About Me

About Aileen : Sidebar

Hey there! I am Aileen Adalid.
At 21, I quit my corporate job in the Philippines to pursue my dreams. Today, I am a successful digital nomad (online entrepreneur, travel writer, & vlogger) living a sustainable travel lifestyle.

My mission? To show you how it is absolutely possible to create a life of travel no matter the odds — and I will help you achieve that through my detailed travel hacks, guides, resources, tips, and MORE!

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CURRENTLY BASED IN: The Philippines

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203 Comments

  1. Kristalyn Cabardo

    Hi! Thank you for your blog. It is very informative. I just would like to ask if it is advisable to explore the new territories even if I’m with my mother (around 57 yrs. old already). Or should we skip this one? Thank you!

    Reply
    • Aileen Adalid

      It’s fine to do it :) There are great transportation choices in the area, or if you book a tour like this one, it becomes easier too :)

      Reply
  2. Katrina

    Hi, Aileen!

    I just wanna say you really did a good job here.
    It really impressed me how organized and creative you present everything. Not to mention that you have created a video to capture all the audience.

    I’m so not of a leave a comment person, actually this is my first. I just so appreciate your work and you that I know you have to know too.

    Anyway, thanks a lot for these.

    Will surely look forward to your other work.

    Reply
    • Aileen Adalid

      Hey Katrina, I’m very happy to hear this! I used to find it frustrating when I find articles that are all jumbled up so I tried my best in this article to be as organized as possible. Thank you so much for taking the time to leave this comment. :D

      Reply
  3. Jacob

    Hi! In Macau, which hotel would you recommend to stay. I prefer mid range hotel (etc. mei ho hostel). I want to be under my Budget . Thanks

    Reply
  4. L

    Hi Aileen- Thank you for the most detailed trip plan, I have seen on the web on HKG so far. Our Family(2 adults,a 5 yr old and 11 yr old) are going there in a couple of weeks. There is only one hurdle left for me in finalizing my itinerary..You have mentioned Honk Kong Island to Macau is only an hour away..what is the mode of transportation? As on Google maps ..it shows 2-3hrs via Ferry? looking forward to your reply as the number of hours makes a big difference in planning to go there or missing it.

    Reply
    • Aileen Adalid

      Hey L, yes, from HK, you just need to take a Ferry which will take about an hour (just add about 20 minutes to clear immigration at Macau).If you look at tab ‘Day 5’ above, I have included links as to where you can buy your ferry tickets. :) Hope that helps!

      Reply
  5. Jen

    Hi Aileen,

    Your article is really helpful. However, I think you didn’t mention the time when you left Macau and get back to Hongkong. Would you know when is the first and last trip of the ferry from Macau? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Aileen Adalid

      Thanks for pointing this out. I’ve updated it :) Basically the ferry operates every 15 minutes between 7:00am-11:59pm, and every 30/120 minutes between 12:30am-6:30am.

      Reply
      • Gemlan

        so basically the macau ferry is 24hr?

        Reply

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