Your Long Weekend in Hong Kong Itinerary

Contributed By Erina Pindar

Photography by Teal Thomsen

There are few cities in the world that hum with the kind of energy that emanates from a Hong Kong itinerary.

This long weekend guide outlining the perfect four-day Hong Kong itinerary blends iconic landmarks with under-the-radar favorites…

Equal parts cosmopolitan and cultural, it’s where mirrored skyscrapers rise over jade-green peaks, Michelin-starred dining sits beside humble noodle shops, and the harbor glows with cinematic allure night after night. For us, this is a destination of discovery—one that rewards curiosity, appetite, and style in equal measure. No matter which hotel you’re checking into, a Hong Kong itinerary reveals itself layer by layer as you ferry across Victoria Harbour at golden hour, sip milk tea at a corner café, and discover the diverse art across this vibrant city. This long weekend guide outlining the perfect four-day Hong Kong itinerary blends iconic landmarks with under-the-radar favorites, curating a journey that captures the pulse of the city through its food, art, and effortless sense of rhythm.

Day One: Friday Evening Arrival and Embracing the City’s Pulse

If you’re arriving from Los Angeles, San Francisco, or New York City, your smooth journey aboard Cathay Pacific will ensure a soft landing, whisking you straight into the city’s rhythm. For the ultimate smooth transition into your Hong Kong itinerary, your SmartFlyer travel advisor has arranged a private transfer to bring you straight to your hotel of choice. And oh, are you spoiled for choice in this dynamic city! With several go-tos on both sides of Victoria Harbour (Hong Kong Island and Kowloon), your advisor will match you with the best-suited property for your needs. In the case of this long weekend itinerary, it works best for those staying on the Kowloon side, with Rosewood Hong Kong and The Peninsula Hong Kong as top options.

As daylight fades, take the ferry across Victoria Harbour to Central for all the feels on your first night embarking on your Hong Kong itinerary.

After settling into your suite, hit the ground running to shake the jetlag. First up is a visit to Sam’s Tailor, a Hong Kong institution since 1957. Here, you can have your made-to-measure shirts fitted to perfection. And as a bonus, if they’re not finished before you fly out, Sam’s will ship them home to you, as well as keep your measurements on file for easy reorders. As daylight fades, take the ferry across Victoria Harbour to Central for all the feels on your first night embarking on your Hong Kong itinerary. Kick off the evening in style with cocktails at Montana, then stroll over to your Ho Lee Fook reservation for bold, modern Cantonese plates where the roast goose is a non-negotiable! End the evening high above the city with a late-night martini at The Aubrey, an izakaya-inspired bar inside Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, layered with texture and old-school glamour. Toast the start of your long weekend Hong Kong itinerary.

Day Two: Saturday Soaking up the City in Layers

After a solid night’s rest, get ready for an exploratory day. Start the morning at an easy pace, taxiing over to Shun Hing, a cha chaan teng for the silkiest scrambled eggs and milk tea so strong it will set you up to breeze through the day. From there, explore Wan Chai on foot to discover the district where hip meets heritage. Here, wander past The Blue House, then west through Starstreet Precinct. If you’re craving some shopping, drop into Kapok for design finds, followed by Elephant Grounds for that requisite second coffee.

Continue on, cutting through Pacific Place and Admiralty toward Hong Kong Park, a lush pocket of banyans, fountains, and glasshouses that hush the skyline. Step inside the Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware, a quiet, beautifully curated ode to craftsmanship. Follow the mid-level escalators upward, drifting through vintage shops, tailors, and temples as you see fit. Don’t miss the chance to pause at PMQ for a hit of design culture or Tai Kwun for art, history, and an espresso in the courtyard. From there, you’ll spill onto Hollywood Road, where antiques, galleries, and cafés converge. Return to your hotel for some downtime before going to your dinner at Jean Pierre, then a nightcap at The Old Man, an award-winning Hemingway-inspired speakeasy.

Day Three: Sunday Embracing The Classic Weekend Ritual

…you can dive into jade-green waters, and spend the late morning swimming and sunning.

Today is all about sinking into a classic local weekend ritual: renting a junk and heading to Sai Kung. This expansive area, dubbed the ‘back garden of Hong Kong’, is known for its fishing villages, beautiful scenery, hiking trails, beaches and islands, geological formations, and low-key lifestyle. Anchor off Kiu Tsui or Sharp Island, where you can dive into jade-green waters, and spend the late morning swimming and sunning. Order seafood straight to your boat from one of Sai Kung’s waterfront restaurants. Think: plastic stools, cold beers, and the freshest catch imaginable.

Return to the city by late afternoon. After a quick reset at the hotel, trade sunset cocktails for a wander through Temple Street Night Market, a neon labyrinth of jade stalls, fortune tellers, and late-night energy that feels like the ideal stop on your Hong Kong itinerary. Enjoy dinner at CHAAT, the one Michelin-starred modern Indian restaurant at Rosewood Hong Kong (freshly voted #1 Hotel in the World by the World’s 50 Best), where harbor views glow just as vibrantly as the spices on your plate.

Day Four: Monday Hitting the Peaks Followed by Art and Reflection

We promise it’s worth the early alarm—there are few better vantage points of the “Pearl of the East.”

On your final morning of your Hong Kong itinerary, we recommend setting out before dawn for a 6:30 a.m. hike up The Peak. If you’re pacing well, continue to High West for sweeping island views. We promise it’s worth the early alarm—there are few better vantage points of the “Pearl of the East.” After breakfast back at the hotel, spend the late morning in the West Kowloon Cultural District. Start at M+, Hong Kong’s museum of visual culture, a bold, architectural landmark showcasing contemporary art, design, and moving image from Asia and beyond. Just next door, offering the perfect counterpoint, the Hong Kong Palace Museum reframes imperial treasures for a modern audience, displaying centuries of craftsmanship once housed in Beijing’s Forbidden City.

For lunch, head to Tim Ho Wan in Sham Shui Po for dim sum at its original outpost, followed by an egg-tart detour to Gold Garden Bakery, a treasured spot where the team makes about 800 egg tarts a day. If time allows, visit Wong Tai Sin Temple, a riot of color and Taoist architecture where worshippers line up for on-site fortune blessings. Nearby, Chi Lin Nunnery feels like its serene sister, elegant, wooden, and architecturally perfect, surrounded by lotus ponds. Return to your hotel for a final spa session before heading to the airport, knowing you’ll be back on your next Hong Kong itinerary soon.

Ready to get planning? Get in touch with a SmartFlyer travel advisor to begin mapping out your Hong Kong adventure.