Comparison · Macau vs Taipei · China / Taiwan
Macau vs Taipei
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Choose Macau for Ruins of St. Paul's, Portuguese egg tarts, beaches and free sights; choose Taipei for Taipei 101, Night markets, lower day-to-day costs and day trips. Taipei is generally less expensive, and the two are about 876 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 876 km
- Less expensive
- Taipei
- Best time for Macau
- October–December
- Best time for Taipei
- March–April and October–December
Side by side
| Macau | Taipei | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | China | Taiwan |
| Known for | Ruins of St. Paul's, Portuguese egg tarts and Casinos | Taipei 101, Night markets and National Palace Museum |
| Best time to visit | October–December | March–April and October–December |
| Ideal stay | 3 days | 5 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $150–$300 | $100–$200 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | July, 32°C (90°F) | July, 34°C (93°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 18°C (64°F) | January, 19°C (66°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 13 | 9 |
| Day trips in our guide | 3 | 7 |
| Beaches | Hác Sá Beach | — |
| Airports | MFM, HKG | TPE, TSA |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Macau for…
Ruins of St. Paul's, Portuguese egg tarts, beaches and free sights. Macau packs four centuries of Portuguese and Chinese history into a peninsula and two linked islands about an hour by ferry from Hong Kong. The UNESCO-listed Historic Centre runs from the A-Ma Temple through Senado Square to the Ruins of St. Paul's, all…
Choose Taipei for…
Taipei 101, Night markets, lower day-to-day costs and day trips. Taipei is Taiwan's capital, a compact city of about 2.5 million people in a basin ringed by green mountains. The 508-metre Taipei 101 dominates the Xinyi skyline, the National Palace Museum holds one of the world's largest collections of Chinese imperial…
Top sights compared
| # | Macau | Taipei |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ruins of St. Paul's | Taipei 101 Observatory |
| 2 | Senado Square | National Palace Museum |
| 3 | Monte Fort and Macau Museum | Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall |
| 4 | A-Ma Temple | Longshan Temple |
| 5 | Macau Tower | Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan) |
Food compared
| Macau | Taipei |
|---|---|
| Portuguese-style egg tart | Beef noodle soup |
| Pork chop bun | Xiaolongbao |
| African chicken | Braised pork rice |
| Minchi | Pepper bun |
Which is cheaper?
Taipei is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $100–$200 per person there, against $150–$300 in Macau (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Taipei on a budget.
Can you visit both?
They are about 876 km apart, so combining them means a flight. With 9 days or more it works; otherwise pick one.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Macau or Taipei cheaper?
Taipei is usually less expensive: about $100–$200 a day mid-range against $150–$300 (estimates).
+Is Macau or Taipei better for a first trip?
Pick Macau for Ruins of St. Paul's, Portuguese egg tarts, beaches and free sights, or Taipei for Taipei 101, Night markets, lower day-to-day costs and day trips.
+How far is Macau from Taipei?
About 876 km in a straight line.