Best Attractions in Macau
Macau (also written as Macao) is a special administrative region that used to be under the rule of the Portuguese Empire. Today, the city falls under the sovereignty of the People’s Republic of China. For this reason, it is located on the southern coast of China, just 60 kilometers southwest of its sister special administrative region, Hong Kong. Much like its neighboring city, there are many things to do in Macau and many more reasons that people come to visit the small but colorful city.
If you want to read more on Hong Kong, our article on Macau’s sister city will help you plan your Hong Kong trip.
What is the Best way to go from Hong Kong to Macau?
From Hong Kong to Macau
As Hong Kong and Macau are close to each other and are almost like sister cities, there are several easy ways to travel between them. If you are spending a couple of days or more in either of the two cities, it’s definitely worth your time and your money to visit the other one.
Speed Ferry
Taking the speed ferry between Hong Kong and Macau is the most traditional and popular way to travel. It only takes about an hour to reach one city from the other (two hours if you wanted to take the ferry around the South China Sea). As one would suspect, you will get to view the gorgeous views and surrounding islands and buildings along the way, and the ferries are fully equipped to provide you with the most comfortable voyage possible.
Depending on the ferry company (of which there are two), tickets can range from HK＄160 (US＄20) for an economy class seat to HK＄3,054 (US＄394) for a VIP class seat. Both TurboJET and Cotai Water Jet allow offline and online purchases.
Ferry Terminals in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal | Sheung Wan, HK Island
If you want to go from Hong Kong to Macau, the best option is to take a ferry from Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal in Sheung Wan, the biggest and most popular ferry terminal in Hong Kong. With 24-hour service, Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal sends out a ferry every 15 minutes with the company TurboJET. With Cotai Water Jet, Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal sends out a ferry every 30 minutes.
Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal is located near Exit D of Sheung Wan Station.
China Ferry Terminal | Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
For a terminal that’s closer to the city “center,” look no further than China Ferry Terminal. Located right in the middle of Tsim Sha Tsui, China Ferry Terminal is easily accessible to and from the larger part of Hong Kong, making it convenient for explorers. TurboJET sends out a ferry every hour and Cotai Water Jet sends out six ferries every morning before 1:15 PM.
Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal | New Territories
Although Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal only uses one ferry company, it is at the heart of the downtown New Territories district in Hong Kong. Because of this, Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal is a popular place to go to if you are staying close to New Territories. There are up to nine ferries that leave the terminal every day.
Skypier Terminal | Hong Kong International Airport
If you are in transit and are wanting to visit Macau from Hong Kong, Hong Kong International Airport has the Skypier Terminal inside its very doors, before you even step out into the City of Lights. Both TurboJET and Cotai Water Jet have up to five ferries that sail between Skypier Terminal and Macau each and every day, so as soon as you land, you have the option to travel to Macau.
Be mindful that in order to travel to and from Skypier Terminal, you will need a valid passport and flight ticket, including if you are traveling to Skyper from Macau.
Ferry Terminals in Macau
Macau Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal (TurboJET)
Whether you desire to explore the city of Macau or travel from Macau to its sister city Hong Kong, Macau Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal is the most popular and most recommended place. Its location at the heart of the city gives locals and tourists easy access to all the cultural, historical, and entertainment sites that Macau has to offer. As it is only an hour from Hong Kong, you can also take in the stunning view while you are traveling to and from Macau and Hong Kong.
TurboJET is the only ferry company that services Macau Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal.
Macau Taipa Ferry Terminal (Cotai Water Jet)
TurboJET’s rival ferry company, Cotai Water Jet, serves the other popular ferry terminal in Macau, Macau Taipa Ferry Terminal, located in Cotai. Cotai is where all of the extravagant and modern casinos and hotels are; many people who stay here are here for the excitement of the day and the bustling merriment of the night. Casinos and hotels that grace the Cotai area include The Venetian, City of Dreams, and The Parisian Macau Hotel.
If you’re looking to enjoy the most out of the tourist attractions during the day and Macau’s vivacious nightlife, the Cotai area is the place to say, and Macau Taipa Ferry Terminal is the most convenient and easily accessible ferry terminal.
Best & Unique things to do in Macau
1 – Go to the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge
When the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau (HKZM) Bridge was opened in 2018, the citizens of both Hong Kong and Macau had another means of traveling to and from either city. The 55-kilometer bridge offers a long but scenic view of the South China Sea and islands that lie in between the two port cities. As HKZM Bridge is more public, so to speak, you can travel across the bridge via bus, car, motorcycle, or whatever else.
2 – Macau Helicopter
If you have more money to spend, you can also travel to and from Hong Kong and Macau by air, as a helicopter service is available, thanks to the helicopter company Sky Shuttle. If you travel by helicopter, you’ll see breathtaking and almost unreal views of Hong Kong, Macau, and the South China Sea. Although the journey has a high reward of beautiful visas, the ticket price is going to be at least HK＄3,000. (US＄387)
3 – Visit Macau Casino’s: The Las Vegas of Asia
Of all the things Macau is known for, the biggest thing is the city’s gambling tourism business. There is no doubt that Macau is one of the best–if not the best–place to go if you want to safely bet on a game of cards or test your lock on the slot machine. There is a legitimate reason why Macau is nicknamed “The Las Vegas of Asia.” In fact, as of recently, the gambling business grew more than five times that of Las Vegas.
Things To do: Casinos & Hotels in Macau
4- Visit the most expensive MGM Casino in Macau
Partially owned by Panso Ho, daughter of the Macau tycoon Stanley Ho, MGM Casino offers hundreds of gaming tables and over 1,000 slot machines over a split-level 222,000 square feet away. MGM Casino is one of Macau’s biggest and most expensive properties in all of Macau, having cost ＄1.25 billion to build.
For those who don’t feel like gambling, the property also offers a large nightclub, a high-end spa, luxurious fine dining options, and many shops selling top brand products.
5 – Kids Zone at Venetian Macau Casino
Inside the famed Venetian Hotel, Venetian Macau Casino boasts itself as Macau’s biggest and most glamour casino that offers guests a never-ending gambling experience. With over 550,000 square feet of area, Venetian Macau Casino offers 800 tables and a couple of thousand slot machines. Like the other casinos in the city, Venetian Macau Casino operates on a 24-hour schedule.
The Venetian Hotel in general is impressive from the entrance to the exit. For the kids, there is a Kidz Zone that will keep them entertained for hours on end. The staff will be sure to take care of you if you want to enjoy yourselves at the tables! For the shopaholics, there are over 300 high-end stores that the Venetian has to offer.
6 – City of Dreams Casino
After Venetian Macau Casino, City of Dreams Casino is one of the most popular and extravagant casinos. With a large floor, City of Dreams Casino has an extensive range: more than 1,000 machines and over 350 gaming tables. City of dreams also offers their guests a luxurious visual show in the House of Dancing Water, a 10-minute multimedia visual experience that consists of an HD video, a spectacular musical score, and over 29,000 LED lights, which, combined, promises to leave their guests with an unforgettable night of glitz and glamor.
7 – Grand Lisboa Casino
With its location in the center of Macau, Lesoa Hotels Complex offers guests an experience that’s a mix of old-time atmosphere and a modern, luxurious atmosphere. Grand Lisboa Casino and Hotel is Macau’s oldest entertainment structure and has gone under several renditions over the years. Grand Lisboa Casino offers over 700 slot machines on which guests can begin their bets at as low as 2¢. Along with the gambling experience, Grand Lisboa Hotel offers a peek at Macau’s and China’s art pieces that is scatters all over the lobby and the interior of the hotel, many of which belongs to Stanley Ho, owner of Grand Lisboa Casino and Hotel, and Macau tycoon.
Grand Lisboa Casino is also the host of the biggest and longest-running poker tournament in Asia.
8 – Hard Rock Casino
The Hard Rock Casino, located inside the Hard Rock Hotel, offers guests a Rock N Roll themed experience. Games include “Round The Clock” Texas Hold ‘em Poker and regular poker–in the main area of the casino, there are about seven tables dedicated to the game of poker. The casino also offers 35 other tables and more than 190 machines. Altogether, the Hard Rock Hotel has an area of 35,700 square feet.
The Hard Rock Hotel, Crown Towers, and Grand Hyatt are the three hotels that live together in the mega-sized entertainment resort, City of Dreams.
9 – Pharaoh’s Palace Casino
For a little spice, why not visit and play at Pharaoh’s Palace Casino? As Macau’s first themed casino, Pharaoh’s Palace will take guests on a journey to Ancient Egypt with the numerous paintings, drawings, and carvings that occupy its walls and floors. Pharaoh’s Palace takes up three spacious floors of Macau’s Landmark Hotel.
The Landmark Hotel also offers guests a variety of shops and dining venues, exposing them to high-end international brands and hearty international cuisines.
10 – The Sands Macao
The Sands Macao is owned by the world’s largest casino operator, Las Vegas Sands–yes, they also own Las Vegas Sands. This luxurious and literal world-class casino offers guests 740 tables and 1,254 slot machines. As The Sands Macao is near the Hong Kong ferry pier, the property gets bombarded with people over the weekend.
Fun Fact: the 26-meter-long chandelier that greets guests as they enter the casino weighs well over 100,000 pounds!
11 – Rio Casino
While Ro Casino is far less grand than other casinos Macau has to offer, guests will not be disappointed. Rio Casino has four VIP rooms with a total of 15 gaming tables, as well as 51 tables and 150 in the main area. Rio Casino is perfect for guests who prefer smaller crowds and a more intimate experience.
12 – StarWorld Casino
For a truly luxurious and world-class gaming experience, look no further than StarWorld Casino! Located in the neighborhood of Avenida da Amizade (close to the gaming district of Macau), StarWorld Casino offers guests 249 gaming tables and more than 280 slot machines over an area of 140,000 square feet. The VIP rooms at StarWorld Casino are each on different floors, giving VIP guests as much privacy as possible.
13 – Wynn Palace Casino
Although Macau has had many casinos before and after the inception of Wynn Palace, Wynn Palace boasts that it was the first to open a Las Vegas-style hotel and casino property in Macau. Since 2006, Wynn Palace has offered their guests 600 deluxe hotel rooms and suites, 6 restaurants, and a large retail space with many different brands of products, and a gaming room of over 205,000 square feet. The Wynn Hotel Casino offers its guests over 360 slot machines and over 200 gaming tables. After seeing their raging success, the owners of Wynn Palace decided to build a hotel, Wynn Palace Encore, right next to the original, offering guests even more shopping and opportunities to enjoy a gaming experience.
Things To Do: Sightseeing in Macau
14 – The Ruins of St. Paul’s
You’ll be hard-pressed to find someone who has heard of Macau but not of the ruins of St. Paul, one of the city’s most historic structures, if not the most historic. On a daily, hundreds of people come to visit and take pictures of the ruins, which happen to be a world heritage site! As the ruins stand on top of several stairs next to the famed Senado Square, the ruins overlook the Square, and if you stand at the top of the stairs, you’ll be able to witness a stunning aerial view of the Square and all its shops, restaurants, visitors, and meandering streets and alleyways.
15 – Mount Fortress
Also near Senado Square is Mount Fortress (Fortaleza de Monte), another one of Macau’s world heritage sites. Here, you can explore the historic fortress as you walk through the structure and look at the different cannons that used to work long ago.
16 – Guia Hill
Mount Fortress is one of the two structures on Buia Hill. The other is the Guia Lighthouse. Both of these structures have historic roots, as they were both used during the time that the Portuguese still had control over Macau. Indeed, while you’re climbing up and down Guia Hill, you will catch a glimpse of Portuguese-inspired architecture and design in the fortress and the lighthouse as well as the chapel that has stood on top of the hill for over a century. In fact, on the walls of the chapel, you’ll find murals that reflect Macau’s relationships to both the western and eastern worlds.
17 – Casa Do Mandarim
Casa Do Mandarim (Mandarin’s House) once belonged to Zheng Guanying, a Qing Dynasty reform thinking and scholar, and his family. Because of this, the house serves as a link directly tied to Macau’s historical past. Today, Casa Do Mandarim is a museum free and open to all locals and tourists hoping to learn more about Macau’s storied past.
18 – Dom Pedro V Theatre
Dom Pedo V Theatre is considered one of the first Western-style theatres in all of Eastern Asia and is a popular venue to witness spectacular shows and performances. Built-in 1880, it served as a central structure for the Macau community since its foundation. Dom Pedro V Theatre also has a reading room, a ballroom, and a parlor room. When you’re here, you’ll be connected to the way life was back in the late 19th Century.
19 – Casa Garden
Casa Garden is the headquarters of the Macau branch of the Orient Foundation. It also serves as a cultural and historical site in San Antonio. It once owned by Manuel Pereira, a wealthy Portuguese merchant. Today, it is a cultural site, landing itself the honor of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
20 – St. Lawrence’s Church
For a truly wondrous and breathtaking attraction, you must visit St. Lawrence’s Church. It’s near the main Senado Square but elevated on a hill and hidden away from the bustling crowds. Its inception goes back to the 16th Century and consists of a complete array of simple but elegant architectural design. St. Lawrence’s Church stands as one of the oldest Catholic churches in all of Macau.
21 – St. Domonic’s Church
Another grandiose structure you must visit is St. Dominic’s Church that is located and serves within the Cathedral Parish of Macau. Established back in 1587 by Spanish Dominican priests from Mexico, St. Dominic’s Church has a 16t Century architectural design. Fun fact: the first Portuguese-language newspaper in China, A Abelha da China (The Chinese Bee) was first published at St. Dominic’s Church.
22 – The Moorish Barracks
Built-in 1874, The Moorish Barracks stands on Barra HIll and has remained there ever since its foundation and establishment. When the structure was first built, it was to help accommodate the Indian regimen from Goa. Today, it serves as a reminder of Macau’s close relationship with Goa. The Barracks are made of brick and stone and are painted a bright yellow. The historical site was also done in a neo-classical style that has a lot of Mughal influence.
23 – The Macau Tower
For a full aerial view of the city of Macau, climb to the top of The Macau Tower. The Macau Tower is a structure that stands 338 m (1,106 ft) tall. Built by the architect Gordon Moller, the construction of the Macau Tower was finalized in December 2001. The observation deck is 223 m high and it offers a 360° view of Macau and surrounding islands. You can also see the Pearl River Delta Skyline.
If you’re feeling brave, there is also the Adventure Deck. There, you can walk on the outside of the Observation Deck on the SkyWalk! For an even more daring adventure, you also have the option to climb up to the top of the towel with a guide!
24 – Tapia Village
Taipa Village is an important area that is easily accessible from every other point in Macau. Close to the Cotai Strip, Taipa Village offers tourists a peek into the cultural and historical side of Macau. Through its many historical structures, museums and galleries, restaurants, shops. Taipa Village also possesses a certain old-time character that will send you back into Macau’s past, giving you the most of what the city has to offer, past and present.
25 – Lotus Square
Lotus Square or Golden Lotus Square is one of the most historically important venues in Macau. The bronze statue of the Lotus Flower symbolizes the transfer of sovereignty over Macau from Portugal to China.
26 – Moon Jellyfish Aquarium
The Moon Jellyfish Aquarium is not only stunning and gorgeous. It is breathtaking. The Moon Jellyfish Aquarium is an 11,000-liter tank, the only one of its kind in the whole world. This tank is full to the brim with all kinds of jellyfish, all sourced from Japan and Taiwan. Wynn Macau certainly has reason to be proud of and boast about its established aquarium.
27 – MGM Aquarium
MGM Aquarium offers guests a spectacular view of a wide array of aquatic life including but not limited to the Panther Grouper, Blue Moon Angelfish, Clown Triggerfish, and the Cownose Stingrays. Guests also have the opportunity to watch these fish being fed at set times throughout the day by certified divers and staff of the MGM Aquarium.
Coloane in Macau
Coloane is one of Macau’s islands on the southern side of the city. Like the other regions in Macau, there are many tourist attractions that have significant historical and cultural meaning in Coloane.
28 – Coloane Village
As the name suggests, Coloane Village is the residential and cultural center that is located on Macau’s Coloane Island. Cologne Village is in Eduardo Marques Square, the main public square. From here, tourist attractions are easily reachable.
29 – Sam Seng Temple
Sam Seng Temple is a temple dedicated to Kam Fa, Kun Iam, and Va Kuong. Built-in 1865, the temple still offers locals and tourists an authentic peek at the spiritual side of Macau life.
30 – Kun Iam Temple
Kun Iam Temple, as the name would suggest, is dedicated to the deity Kun Iam.
31 – Old Tin Hau Temple
There are several Tin Hau temples scattered all over Macau and its sister city Hong Kong, all mainly dedicated to tin Hau, goddess of the sea and patron saint of seafarers. While a lot of the altars at Old Tin Hau Temple is dedicated to the goddess Tin Hau, other alters are dedicated to Tsoi San, the god of wealth, and Kwun Yum, the goddess of childbirth. At the back and sides of the temple, there are also altars used to worship and pray for mercy from Pau Kung, the Lenient Judge and God of the Underworld.
32 – Tam Kung Temple
Tam Kung Temple, built-in 1862, reveres the Taoist god of seafarers, Lord Tam. As Macau is in very close proximity to the ocean, the maritime aspect of the city is important to Macau.
33 – Chapel of St. Francis Xavier
As the only biggest chapel in Macau’s Coloane island, the Chapel of St. Francais Xavier was established in 1920. Today, it has a very important role in Macau’s Catholic tradition. Besides being a site of worship for the Catholic residents of Macau, the Chapel of St. Francis Xavier holds a collection of an array of Christian artifacts including the remains of Japanese Christian priests who were crucified in the mid-20th Century.
Temples in Macau
34 – A-Ma Temple
Perhaps the most famous and important temple in all of Macau is A-Ma Temple on Maau Peninsula. People consider the A-ma temple to be the oldest temple in the city. A-Ma Temple was established in dedication to the Chinese goddess of the sea, A-Ma, or Tin Hau, as she was also called.
Today, A-Ma serves as a great example of a harmonious co-existence of several local religions and folk religions, as its many altars are dedicated to deities of the Buddist, Taoist, and Confucian faiths. Many local visitors to A-Ma Temples also subscribe to the folk beliefs that have been in Macau for centuries.
35 – Pao Kong Temple
Dedicated to Lord Pao, a legendary Chinese figure, Pao Kong Temple has had an interesting history: in 1888, a plague had started to spread all across Macau, so the people decided to use an effigy of Lord Pao to try and drive away from the sickness. Afterward, the plague started to die down, and the people had thought that it was all Lord Pao’s doing. Thus, they constructed the Pao Kong Temple to honor him. Another interesting thing is that the walsall that houses Pao Kong Temple also houses two other temples in the same complex.
36 – Lin Fung Temple
Over many years, Lin Fung Temple has overgone many different renovations that have led to the structure to be one of the most popular and unique in Macau. It stands out among the rest due to its dedication to a wide range of religious faiths and believes and its strive to cater to all of Macau’s residence.
When it was first built in 1592, Lin Fung Temple was actually named Tian Fei and it was dedicated only to the Taoist goddess of the sea of the same name. Then, it changed names to Ci Hu Gong (Palace of Mercy and protection), when the Goddess of Mercy was added to the pantheon.
As the temple went through many more renovations, the name changed time and tiem again, until the current name Lin Fung (Lotus Peak) came to be.
Museums in Macau
37 – Macau Museum
At Macau Museum (Macao Museum), you will have the chance to walk through the exhibits, which are carefully curated with text, audio, and visuals, that will inform you about Macau’s history, including its formative years. The exhibits also tell the story of Macau’s historical roots and culture that has always been intertwined with Portuguese and Chinese roots. It’s certainly an excellent trip for anyone who wants a fun way to learn about Macau’s history.
38 – Macau Wine Museum
For tourists who are 18 years old and older, they might enjoy visiting the Macau Wine Museum, an establishment as large as their wine collection is wide. With an area of 1,4000 square meters, the Macau Wine Museum has a varied wine collection of 1,115 wines to choose from, all hailing from different countries and each with its unique modes. The Macau Wine Museum also has a dedicated wine tasting station, where visits can sit and taste however many wines of their choosing.
39 – Macao Museum of Art
As it turns out, Macau Museum of Art is the only art museum in all of Macao, and it offers seven different exhibition galleries full of 2D and #D art displays ranging from Chinese ceramics and calligraphy to Chinese paintings. As the museum has five floors, you will be able to make a full morning or afternoon taking in the visual art of local Macau artists!
40 – Maritime Museum
The Maritime Museum of Macao tells the history of–you guessed it, the maritime side of Macau! With several ships on display, the Maritime Museum is an excellent museum to bring your little ones as they can view the sips as well as ogle at the drawings and designs that tell the history of Macau and its nautical life.
41 – Hac Sa Beach
Literally meaning “black sand” in Cantonese, Hac Sa Beach is the largest and only natural beach in Macau. Located on Coloane Island, Hac Sa Beach indeed used to have black sand once upon a time. However, the government has since filled the beach with yellow sand in order to prevent sand erosion.
Macau, alongside its sister city Hong Kong, is an excellent example of a city of East-meets-West. When you explore Macau, you will be overwhelmed and stunned by the beauty that both Portugal and China has lent the special administrative region.
