This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links. All opinions are my own.
You’re in Hong Kong. It’s your first (or 10th!) trip and you want to indulge in admiring the stunning Victoria Harbour skyline. But you want to know where are the best views of Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong? You may be short on time; city hopping across Asia. Or doing a layover. Or maybe you’re overwhelmed with all the possible ways to admire the cinematic Victoria Harbour skyline.
I’ve been visiting Hong Kong for over a decade now. And Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour impresses me every time. It’s a view I hope everyone gets to admire on their journeys.
In this post, I’ll tell you exactly which free, but awesome, spots you should hunt for to enjoy the view. I’ll also list the best restaurants that are worth splurging on to see the skyline (and where the food is actually good too!). You’ll also get tips on which tourist attractions are worth spending your time and money to see Victoria Harbour. And you’ll also get a quick list of which luxury hotels on Tsim Sha Tsui give the most splendid view of Victoria Harbour that you’ll want to pamper yourself in.
By the end, you’ll know exactly all the best places to view Victoria Harbour. And you’ll be ready to get on that plane and admire the glittering skyline in person.
How to get around Hong Kong with the Octopus Card
The MTR subway is fast, efficient, and easy to navigate. It’s the best and cheapest way to get around the city. Tsim Sha Tsui is the main viewing point for Victoria Harbour, but you’ll want to travel around to get the best views.
Arm yourself with the reloadable Octopus Card. It’s a travel transit card you can get at any 7/11 convenience store. Or you can download it onto your phone for even easier access. Load it with funds anytime and you’re set. You can use the card on subways, double decker buses, trams, even the Star Ferry.
Check out my guide for first timers to Hong Kong for everything you need to know about going to Hong Kong.
Best Hong Kong Hotels near Victoria Harbour
Staying in central locations is the key to maximizing your time on any trip. But if you want to fill up on views of Victoria Harbour, then here are the best hotels to stay at.
The Peninsula Hotel: The Grande Dame of the East
The Peninsula is Hong Kong’s most iconic luxury hotel (think spa tubs, skyline views, and impeccable service) housed in a historic 1928 building.
The hotel is right in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui and just steps from the Star Ferry and the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Request a high-floor room for the best harbour views. Ever wanted to ride in a Rolls-Royce? Consider splurging on a Rolls-Royce airport transfer from their fleet.
👉 Rooms sell out quickly. Book now for the best rates.
Rosewood Hotel Hong Kong
Rosewood Hong Kong is an immaculately opulent hotel. I was extremely fortunate to get to stay here when visiting family. The picture window looks out onto the harbour with decadent views of the skyscrapers. The room is sumptuous with velvet sofas and warm wood furniture.
The real centre piece is the octagonal bathroom that makes you want to take baths several times a day for the hell of it. The hotel even sewed my initials into the pillow covers and wrapped it up in a gift box when I checked out. It was truly a luxury experience with personal touches.
I’d highly recommend this hotel for the service and view if you’re searching for that premium, decadent hospitality experience that Hong Kong is famous for.
👉Reserve now. This place sells out fast.
Looking for a bit more hotel options at mid-range prices? See my post on how to spend 3 days in Hong Kong for more hotel options.
Best Free Places To View Victoria Harbour Hong Kong
Some of the best free (or almost free!) places to get stunning views of Victoria Harbour at Tsim Sha Tsui. The places listed below are either free or will cost you the price of a cheap coffee (literally!).
Second floor balcony at Starbucks on Tsim Sha Tsui
Address: 24 Salisbury Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
Buy a cold latte and sit on the second floor of this Starbucks to admire the splendour that is Victoria Harbour. For the price of a cup of coffee, you can actually sit and enjoy the view with some air conditioning.
From personal experience, this particular Starbucks isn’t that busy but, of course, it depends on when you go. Head straight over here if you need a caffeine break from all the walking you’ve done on the Avenue of Stars.
The harbour walk by the Avenue of Stars
Pay homage to Bruce Lee’s statue on the Avenue of Stars along with handprints of other famous celebrities. The best times to stroll along the harbour walk are during mornings and evenings. The crowd is usually thin around these times. Admire Victoria Harbour during the evening when the towers are all lit.
Around 8 PM is when the Symphony of Lights starts. The skyscrapers on the harbour light up in synchronized choreography to music and it’s a fun sight to enjoy. It’s basically a simple laser light show, but it’s free and makes for a fun 30 minutes. The skyscrapers also double as the largest billboards, ever. You’re constantly bombarded by advertising in Hong Kong, but that’s part of the thrill of being there.
Multi-floor landings at the Museum of Art (MOA)
Address: Hong Kong Museum Of Art, 10 Salisbury Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
As of April 2024, the Museum of Art offers free admission. Walk up to the second floor landing and you’ll be graced with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out onto Victoria Harbour. There are some benches scattered around where you can take a seat and enjoy the view at your pace.
Don’t forget to admire all the wonderful collections of ancient treasures. There are Chinese paintings depicting majestic tigers, city life, and other historic events. You’ll also see antique collections of jewellery and pottery from different cultures. Relish the AC as well if you’re in Hong Kong for the hotter months, or escape here if it’s pouring rain. Hong Kong’s weather is known to change drastically, so pack smart!
View Victoria Harbour from the water on the Star Ferry
Board the Star Ferry at Tsim Sha Tsui to cross the harbour over to Hong Kong Island. Remember that Octopus card of yours? Yep, you can tap it to pass the barrier entries. Get the Octopus card at any 7/11 or download it onto your phone. Reload it with funds whenever you need to.
This iconic ferry has been crossing the channel to and fro since the British colonized Hong Kong. There’s even a great shot of it in the movie The World of Suzie Wong with the actor Nancy Kwan. It’s a beautiful movie to see if you want to get a feel for what Hong Kong was like in the ’60s. The ferry ride costs about 4 to 6 HKD for a single ride. It only takes about 15 minutes to cross the harbour, but you’ll get one of the best views of Victoria Harbour Hong Kong from the water.
Rooftop patio bar at Harbour City
The Star Ferry lands you right near the Harbour City (a.k.a Ocean Terminal mall). You can shop for some designer goods here. The coolest thing about this mall is that there are open terraces you can walk out onto and admire the views of both harbours. It’s a nice, free way to enjoy the views. And if you walk up to the rooftop patio, you get a decent view of the harbour while also being able to enjoy a cold beer.
Best Restaurants with a view of the Victoria Harbour Skyline
Going to free spots to admire Victoria Harbour is a wonderful way to see one of the world’s most iconic skylines while saving a few bucks.
But you know what? Sometimes you need to pamper yourself a little. Go after some splurge-worthy experiences and treat yourself to some premium views of Victoria Harbour.
Hue restaurant at the Museum of Art (MOA)
The Museum of Art (MOA) itself is free. You can walk to one of the landings and get stunning views of the harbour through floor to ceiling windows. But for a slightly more premium experience, you can get a drink at Hue Modern Mediterranean restaurant.
I recommend walking all the way to the end of the restaurant where the bar is. Get yourself a table set in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows. The nook is cozy and you can enjoy the view with a drink. And yes, you can order coffee of course, but the price of the coffee here will be a bit pricier. But the view—worth it.
Aqua Japanese and Italian dining with Views of Hong Kong
Ride the elevator up to the 17th floor of the restaurant. Ask for a table by the enormous, slanted windows. And enjoy a panoramic view of the stunning Victoria Harbour skyline. I recommend coming here for lunch for a day time view of the place.
Their lunch menu prices are quite reasonable. The food is delicious and, when compounded with the views, amplifies the whole experience. Definitely reserve a table if you want to come here. Spots fill up fast especially during the hotter months.
Tin Lung Heen for fine Chinese cuisine at The Ritz-Carlton
Get skyhigh views of both sides of Hong Kong harbour by heading to 102nd floor of the Ritz-Carlton. Dine on Michelin-starred dim sum dishes while you gape at the views of Victoria Harbour below. The passing cargo ships, harbours, and skyscrapers look like Lego toys when you view them from 100 stories high.
Make sure to order the Iberico char siu! It is the most divine roast barbecue park you’ll ever taste. Oh, and the view of the harbours from the washrooms are quite stunning as well. Walk down their mirrored corridor too for epic selfies.
The Lobby Lounge café at The Regent Hotel
Most of the above restaurant suggestions will give you a high, birds-eye view of the harbours. But the Lobby Lounge at the Regent gives you a straight-on, eye-level, almost up-close view of the skyline. It’s quite a relaxing atmosphere in the hotel.
The wood furniture provides a warm and welcoming ambiance with the most natural view of Victoria Harbour. And yes, order a luxury cup of coffee here and it’ll probably be the most expensive coffee you’ll sip for the view. But, as I say again, some things are worth splurging on.
Qura Bar at the Regent Hotel
Nearer to the back of the Regent Hotel, you’ll find Quara Bar. They serve mostly Italian-inspired dishes and, in my opinion, the food isn’t worth it.
But the view definitely is.
I recommend ordering a nice glass of chilled wine, or beer, and lounging in their sumptuous lounge. The view there is quite spectacular. There’s also a cigar room inside somewhere at the back of the restaurant if that’s your thing to splurge on while you’re there.
Felix rooftop restaurant at the Peninsula Hotel
The restaurant Felix at The Peninsula hotel offers a magnificent view of Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour from the 28th floor. It’s been recently renovated, but the view is still fabulous. Saunter over to the bar to get a drink for the view.
Best Victoria Harbour Tourist Attractions for the View
Some tourist attractions are non-negotiables. Yes, they’re touristy, but there’s a reason why they’re still worth doing, especially when they’ll give you an awesome view of Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour skyline.
Ride the Peak Tram to the Sky Terrace
The classic tram (it’s been renovated and updated as of 2024) takes residents up and down the mountain. You’ll get angular, slanted views of the city going up. It’s quite the sight to see the city at a 45 degree angle.
Once at the Peak, take the escalators all the way up to the open Sky Terrace roof and (don’t let your stuff get blown away!). Admire the most famously photographed view of Kowloon and Victoria Harbour. It’s a truly classic, postcard view of Hong Kong that every visitor to Hong Kong should see once on their trip.
Take the Ngong Ping 360 cable cars to Lantau Island
Lantau Island is home to the famous Buddha on the mountain top. The area where the buddha is doesn’t actually give you a view of the harbours. But the cable car ride up there gives you a fantastic view of the harbours, the mountains, the airport, and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge. A day trip to Macau for this bridge alone is epic. The Ngong Ping 360 cable cars rise over the water and cross over mountains giving you one the most wondrous views of Hong Kong.
Ride the Dukling across Victoria Harbour
Sail on the original red junk of Hong Kong. This iconic red-sail junk has been transporting passengers between the harbours since 1955. It’s more of a tourist boat ride that can be really fun. Book a tour in advance to save a spot and get drinks once you’re on board.
Soak in the best views of Victoria Harbour and plan your return trip to Hong Kong
The Victoria Harbour skyline is iconic. And since you could be travelling up to 14 hours on a single flight to get here, definitely maximize your chances of enjoying the harbour views. And the best part of Hong Kong is that you can admire Victoria Harbour by going to free and leisurely places (like walking down Avenue of Stars). Or you can also pamper yourself with premium and deluxe experiences (like enjoying a cappuccino inside the Regent Hotel Lobby Lounge).
Easily plan your trip by jotting down your favourite places with my 7-day travel planner. It’ll help you prioritize what you want to see and do most.
And now that you’ve got a list of the best places to view Victoria Harbour, see my one day guide to Hong Kong if you’re city hopping and only have 24 hours to see Hong Kong. Got a bit more time? Then check out my guide on how to spend 5 days in Hong Kong where I cover the must-visit sights and hidden gems along the way.
Hong Kong is a wondrous city. You’ll be planning your next trip while you’re still there.
Wishing you happy travels,
Chloe
