Macau: Travel Guide with Map

Located only an hour from Hong Kong, Macau is a gambling heaven often called the Las Vegas of China. With its glitz and glam and activities, it’s designed to get your heart racing. And for trigger-happy tourists - jaw-dropping architecture and endless Instagram photo ops.

If you are reading this then you are probably planning to visit Macau as a day trip from Hong Kong, as part of your China itinerary, or a destination of its own. You may be wondering, what is there to do in Macau beyond casinos?

Macau is a special administrative region of China that operates under the same principle as Hong Kong. But, unlike Hong Kong, it was a Portuguese colony. The first and last European colony in Asia that lasted 442 years until December 1999. Traces of Portuguese rule are everywhere – from colonial buildings, dual language inscriptions, and azulejos, to gastronomy and even the melancholic dirge of fado.

Macau embodies the blend of east and west with a sparkle. That’s exactly what makes it such a unique travel destination.

Let us explain why you should make time to see the famous places in Macau and introduce you to some of the lesser-known Macau attractions.

Things to Know About Macau

Macau is the world’s most densely populated territory as is. If you prefer uncrowded destinations, keep in mind the city swells during fall and winter when tourism peaks and on weekends when mainlanders flock for some weekend fun.

Since most popular sites are located nearby, you can explore on foot. For farther distances, taxis are convenient. Just make sure to always have cash. Alternatively, grab a Macau pass to take advantage of the bus system. And don’t forget to check with your hotel for a free shuttle bus service!

Pro Tip: If you are arriving from Hong Kong, your left-over HK dollars will be accepted in Macau.

Things to Do in Macau

The Cotai Strip

To add to the dichotomy, Macau’s casinos boast all kinds of European landmark replicas. The venues are connected by underground tunnels with moving walkways, teleporting you from Paris to London and Venice. Whether you like it or not, hotel and casino hopping is part of the attraction of Macau.

The Cotai Strip is Las Vegas’ much cleaner counterpart. What began as a land reclamation project to expand the territory resulted in a gambling mecca that fuels Macau’s economy.

A visit to the Venetian is a must. It’s the largest casino in Asia with a mall that gives you an indoor Venice experience replete with gondola rides. With eternal blue skies painted overhead, it’s easy to lose track of daylight. Stay alert and spend that time at teamLab instead, a modern art museum with giant mesmerizing multimedia projections. A popular favorite is the adult-size ball pit and the flower room.

Another property to check out is Morpheus Hotel located at City of Dreams. The ultra-luxury hotel designed by Zaha Hadid Architects stands out with its futuristic exterior and equally impressive interior thanks to the exoskeleton wrapped on the outside. Take a ride on the glass elevators for full effect!

Outside the Parisian and the Londoner, you’ll find replicas of the Eiffel Tower, Buckingham Palace, and a life-size Big Ben, to name a few. Wyn Palace pleases visitors with a thrilling SkyCab ride past giant dragons and over the Performance Lake of dancing fountains.

Finally, the oldest and most iconic building of Macau’s skyline is Grand Lisboa which resembles the lotus flower. Remarkable architecture aside, it's fascinating to see how the amusement ride never ends on the strip.

Macau Tower

Soaring 1,108 feet above the city, Macau Tower offers three ways to take in 360-degree views. Visiting the observation deck on the 61st floor is the obvious choice. But as you take in the spectacular vistas of Macau and mainland China, it will occasionally be interrupted by daredevils plummeting off the tower. If the world’s highest bungee jump is not your cup of tea, you can circle the building on an equally terrifying skywalk instead.

Historic Center of Macau

The center of Macau is a World Heritage Site with 25 historic spots to uncover. The Ministry of Culture created walking routes that allow you to hit the sites according to your interests. Alternatively, use this interactive map to pinpoint the exact site you are after. Here are a few famous places in Macau you cannot miss.

It all started here. Said to be the origin of Macau’s name, A-Ma temple is one of the city’s oldest buildings, dating back to 1488. The complex serves three religions – Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism which is reflected in the architecture and decoration of worship pavilions.

One of the best things to do in Macau is see the 17th-century Ruins of St. Paul. Even though what’s left of the cathedral is only the façade, it remains the most visited place in the city and the constant swarms of tourists on St. Paul’s step attest to that. For a unique perspective and photos head to Travessa da Praixao – a pastel avenue framing the ruins.

Another vantage point is the 17th-century Fortaleza do Monte. After admiring the ruins from the park, head up to the fort’s lookout to admire Macau’s dramatic skyline through crenellations nestling over 30 cannons.

Macau is famous for its picturesque squares. Senado is the main square paved with iconic black and white waves and a large fountain. Flanking one side is the Leal Senado Building, the former seat of the Portuguese government, which is worth visiting for the library and traditional azulejos. Another charming square to make time for is Lilau located in a quieter area providing some respite between Macau’s tourist attractions.

For a glimpse into the world of Macau’s affluent during the mid-1800s, visit the Mandarin House. A traditional Chinese mansion of a prominent author Zheng Guanying, the building has over 60 rooms and features various architectural styles, carved wood fixtures, and our favorite, giant moon entryways.

Make sure to set some time aside to wander around. The historic center is a maze of streets hiding unexpected treasures. For unique photo ops, stroll through Rua da Tercena, Rua da Felicidade, and Rua da Cinco de Outubro. The streets are lined with antique shops and restaurants that transport you back in time.

Coloane Village

To break from the crowds, venture out to Coloane Village, considered a home of Macau hidden gems. This is the place to slow down, take a stroll along the sea, or go on a hike along the Coloane trail. The 6-mile trail takes you to the highest point of Macau (559 feet) topped with a beautiful temple in A-Ma Cultural Village.

Best Food in Macau

Having visited Portugal before, we were surprised just how much Macau resembles it in places and how prevalent Portuguese food is. Wrap-around lines form in front of bakeries selling Portuguese egg tarts on Rua do Cunha, the food street in Taipa. Here side by side you will find pork jerky, a Macau snack, and almond cookies, the most popular Macau souvenir to take home.

Hot Tip: To keep up with demand many bakeries have scaled up their production, taking it to factories. Look out for almond cookies still made the traditional way like this 3rd-generation bakery preserving cultural heritage: Pasteleria Chui Heong.

Start your day at Long Wah Tea House near the Red Market. Operating since 1962, it's one of the three traditional tea houses left in Macau. Come early, secure a window spot, have a dim sum breakfast, and browse the extensive collection of antiques.

Unlike Hong Kong where tea reigns supreme, Macau also has a coffee culture thanks to its colonial roots. There are third-wave coffee shops all over town but we invite you to try clay pot coffee at Sei Kee Café and pair it with the famous pork chop bun. Don’t be surprised if it gets served in a pineapple bun - sweet pastry with a croquelin crust sans pineapple. Blending ingredients is the essence of Macanese cuisine.

A mix of Portugal and China, Macanese food can't be found anywhere else. Meat stir-fry and vegetables seasoned with soy sauce called minchi is the epitome of Macanese cuisine and a national dish. We had ours at APOMAC, a center for the elderly with a family-style restaurant serving the public.

To dive deeper into local culinary influences, head to a Riquexo serving home-style Macanese food, in particular, African chicken. Late Dona Aida de Jesus, the owner, had been an ambassador of her roots until the age of 105. Today, her daughter carries on the legacy of the ‘Godmother of Macanese Cuisine’.

With a big demand for fine dining, Macau is full of options for the refined palate. If you’ve followed our adventures in China, you’ll know about dim sum. To experience a high-end take on the classic, eat at The Eight, Macau's first and only restaurant awarded three Michelin stars located in Grand Lisboa.

So, is Macau overrated…What do you think?