Quick answer: For a 4-day trip to Hong Kong, budget about EUR 110 per day (mid-range). Best time: October-December - dry, mild and the clearest skies of the year; March-April is a humid second choice. Visa: Visa-free entry for most EU and US passports up to 90 days and UK passports up to 180 days - always check current rules for your passport.
Hong Kong stacks neon streets, misty peaks and serious food into one compact harbour city. Ride the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour for pocket change, take the tram up Victoria Peak at dusk, and eat dim sum where locals queue in Sham Shui Po. Half the territory is green hiking country, which surprises almost everyone.
Best timeOctober-December - dry, mild and the clearest skies of the year; March-April is a humid second choice
Budget / day~EUR 110
Suggested length4 days
VisaVisa-free entry for most EU and US passports up to 90 days and UK passports up to 180 days - always check current rules for your passport.
4-day Hong Kong itinerary
- Day 1: Central and Sheung Wan on foot, Man Mo Temple, Tai Kwun heritage complex, Peak Tram up Victoria Peak for sunset
- Day 2: Star Ferry to Kowloon, Tsim Sha Tsui promenade and the Museum of Art, Temple Street Night Market, Mong Kok street markets
- Day 3: Ngong Ping cable car on Lantau, Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery, Tai O stilt-house fishing village
- Day 4: Dragon's Back hike to Big Wave Bay (2-3 hours), afternoon in Sham Shui Po for street food and fabric-market browsing
Where to stay: neighborhoods that make sense
- Central / Sheung Wangalleries, escalator streets and rooftop bars; pricey but the classic Hong Kong Island base
- Tsim Sha Tsuiharbour views, museums and every price of hotel; best-value location for first-timers
- Wan Chaiwet markets next to craft beer bars; local feel with easy tram and MTR links
- Sham Shui Pothe cheapest eats and most old-school streets in the city; go for food even if you stay elsewhere
What to eat in Hong Kong
- Dim sum at Tim Ho Wan (Sham Shui Po)the famous baked char siu buns, a full meal for 8-12 EUR
- Wonton noodles at Mak's Noodle or Tsim Chai Keesmall but perfect bowls, about 6 EUR
- Roast goose at Kam's Roast Goose (Wan Chai)a plate with rice around 15 EUR
- Milk tea and a pineapple bun at any cha chaan tengthe local diner experience, about 4 EUR total
- Egg waffles from a street stall in Mong Kokabout 2.50 EUR
Mistakes most first-timers make
- Skipping an Octopus cardit works on every train, tram, bus and ferry and most shops; buy one on arrival
- Going up Victoria Peak at middayhaze and queues; go the last hour before sunset instead
- Staying only on Hong Kong IslandKowloon has the views of the island skyline, plus cheaper food and hotels
- Assuming cards work everywheresmall noodle shops and market stalls are often cash or Octopus only
Worth leaving the city for
- Macau (1h ferry)Portuguese old town, egg tarts and casino excess in one strange afternoon
- Sai Kung (45 min)seafood town and gateway to the territory's best beaches and hikes
- Cheung Chau island (55 min ferry from Central)car-free lanes, fishball stalls and a small beach
Getting around
The Airport Express reaches Central in 24 min for about 13 EUR; bus A21 to Kowloon costs about 4 EUR. In town, the MTR plus the historic ding-ding trams cover everything, with most rides 0.50-1.50 EUR on an Octopus card.
Why this plan won't send you to a closed café
Almawander is an AI travel planner that remembers you across trips - it learns your pace, budget, diet and taste, checks places are still open, and bakes in your passport's visa rules.