From the Peak Tram to Hong Kong Disneyland, here's your complete 2026 guide to the city's best sights, food, hikes, and hidden gems.
Hong Kong is one of those rare cities that refuses to be summed up in a single sentence. It's a place where centuries-old temples sit in the shadow of glass towers, where a five-minute ferry ride delivers postcard-perfect skyline views, and where a bowl of wonton noodles from a hole-in-the-wall can taste just as memorable as a Michelin-starred tasting menu. Whether you're visiting for 48 hours or two weeks, here's a complete, up-to-date guide to the best things to do in Hong Kong - including everything you need to know about visiting Hong Kong Disneyland in 2026.
No first trip to Hong Kong is complete without a visit to Victoria Peak, the highest point on Hong Kong Island and the source of the city's most iconic skyline views. Getting there is part of the experience: the Peak Tram, a funicular railway that has been climbing the mountainside since 1888, makes the steep ten-minute journey feel like a ride through time, with the cityscape tilting dramatically into view as you ascend. At the top, head to the Sky Terrace at The Peak Tower for uninterrupted, 360-degree views across Victoria Harbour and the South China Sea. Arrive in late afternoon if you can, so you catch the city transition from daylight to its dazzling night-time light show.
For a fraction of the cost of a harbour cruise, the Star Ferry delivers one of the best views in the city. This green-and-white vessel has been crisscrossing Victoria Harbour between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon for more than a century, and the short ride between Tsim Sha Tsui and Central remains one of the most charming, low-cost ways to take in the skyline. Time it for sunset or after dark, when the buildings on both shores light up and reflect across the water.
Tucked into Diamond Hill, this Buddhist nunnery is a masterclass in Tang Dynasty-style architecture, built entirely from wood beams and joints without a single nail. Wander through its quiet courtyards and lotus ponds before crossing the footbridge into Nan Lian Garden, where manicured bonsai, a small waterfall, and a golden pavilion create a serene contrast to the high-rises visible just beyond the garden walls.
The Tian Tan Buddha, better known as the Big Buddha, sits on a hilltop on Lantau Island and is reached via the Ngong Ping 360 cable car, a scenic 25-minute ride from Tung Chung that offers sweeping mountain and sea views (opt for a glass-bottomed cabin if you're not afraid of heights). From the cable car terminal, it's a climb of more than 200 steps up to the bronze statue itself, with the nearby Po Lin Monastery and Ngong Ping Village worth exploring afterward.
Hong Kong's financial district holds onto its history more than you might expect. Central Market, Tai Kwun (the former police headquarters and prison complex), and PMQ (once married police quarters) have all been converted into cultural hubs filled with galleries, boutiques, and restaurants, while still preserving their original colonial-era architecture. Link them together via the Central–Mid-Levels Escalator, the longest outdoor covered escalator system in the world, and stop for a Hong Kong-style milk tea at an old-school cha chaan teng along the way.
One of Hong Kong's oldest and most atmospheric temples, Man Mo Temple on Hollywood Road has been a center of worship since the 1800s. Step inside to see enormous incense coils suspended from the ceiling, intricately carved altars, and a steady stream of locals paying respects. It's a quick visit, but an evocative one - and it's just a short stroll from Cat Street Market, a good spot to browse antiques and curios afterward.
Dim sum isn't just a meal in Hong Kong, it's a ritual, and there's a version of it for every budget. Try a no-frills, trolley-service spot for classic steamed dumplings and buns, or treat yourself to an elevated tasting menu at a Michelin-starred restaurant. Either way, don't skip the essentials: har gow (shrimp dumplings), siu mai, char siu bao, and cheung fun should all make an appearance on the table.
Open-air street kitchens known as dai pai dong are a vanishing slice of old Hong Kong, thanks to licensing restrictions that have steadily reduced their numbers. Where you can still find one, expect woks roaring over open flames, plastic stools spilling onto the pavement, and a menu built around bold, smoky, high-heat cooking - think salt-and-pepper squid, stir-fried clams, and black pepper beef.
Hong Kong's outlying islands feel worlds away from the density of the city center, and they're all an easy ferry ride from Central Pier. Lamma Island is known for laid-back seafood restaurants and quiet hiking trails. Tai O, a historic fishing village on Lantau, is famous for its stilt houses and dried shrimp paste. Cheung Chau offers beaches, quirky cafés, and a cave once used by a local pirate legend. Pick one (or several) for a half-day escape from the skyscrapers.
It's easy to forget that the majority of Hong Kong's land is actually countryside, with dozens of well-marked hiking trails winding through its mountains and coastline. Dragon's Back, running from Chai Wan to Shek O, is the most famous, rewarding hikers with views over Big Wave Bay and the South China Sea. For sunset chasers, the Red Incense Burner Summit above Braemar Hill is widely considered one of the best vantage points in the city.
Hong Kong's British colonial history left behind a deep love of afternoon tea, and few places do it better than the grand, century-old hotels along the harbour. Expect tiered trays of finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream, and delicate pastries, served beneath chandeliers and colonnades that make the whole affair feel like a step back in time.
When the heat (or the rain) drives you indoors, Hong Kong's museums are worth the detour. M+ in West Kowloon is Asia's leading museum of contemporary visual culture, with galleries spanning design, architecture, and moving image, including a notable collection of the city's vintage neon signage. The Hong Kong Museum of History offers context on the city's past, while the Hong Kong Science Museum is a hit with kids thanks to its hands-on exhibits.
Hong Kong Disneyland on Lantau Island has had a major glow-up in recent years, and it's now firmly one of the best things to do in Hong Kong for families, Disney fans, and theme park enthusiasts of any age.
What's new and worth seeing in 2026:
Practical tips for visiting in 2026:
The Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui offers one of the best front-row seats to the Hong Kong Island skyline, especially in the evening when the buildings light up. It's a relaxed spot for an evening stroll, and it conveniently connects to the Star Ferry pier if you want to combine it with a harbour crossing.
For a more frenetic, market-driven side of the city, head to Mong Kok's Ladies' Market or the densely packed shopping streets of Causeway Bay. Between the stalls, look for street food vendors selling curry fish balls, egg waffles, and stinky tofu - an essential, if pungent, Hong Kong rite of passage.
What is the best time of year to visit Hong Kong? October through December tends to bring the most comfortable weather, with lower humidity and milder temperatures than the sweltering summer months.
How many days do you need in Hong Kong? Three to four days is enough to cover the highlights, including a day trip to Lantau Island for the Big Buddha or Disneyland, though a week allows for a more relaxed pace with time for hiking and island hopping.
Is Hong Kong Disneyland worth visiting if you're not traveling with kids? Yes - between the Marvel and Star Wars-themed rides, the immersive World of Frozen land, and the nighttime shows, it's become a draw for adult Disney fans and thrill-seekers as well as families.
Do you need cash in Hong Kong? The city is largely card and contactless-friendly, but an Octopus card (a rechargeable transit card) is the easiest way to pay for the MTR, buses, ferries, and many shops and food stalls.
From soaring skyscrapers and ancient temples to island adventures and world-famous food, Hong Kong offers something for every traveler. Whether you're a first-time visitor or returning for another adventure, these top things to do in Hong Kong will help you make the most of your trip in 2026.
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