Travel guide · China
Macau travel guide
Portuguese squares, Macanese cooking and the resorts of the Cotai Strip
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
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 walkable in a day, while Taipa Village and Coloane keep colonial lanes and egg-tart bakeries. Across the Cotai Strip, giant integrated resorts hold casinos, malls, shows and most of the hotel rooms. Two or three days is enough for most visitors. Plan 3 days for a first visit; the best months are October–December.
Key facts
- Country
- China
- Best time to visit
- October–December
- Ideal stay
- 3 days
- Main airports
- MFM, HKG
- Mid-range daily budget
- $150–$300 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Ruins of St. Paul's, Portuguese egg tarts, Casinos and Macanese cuisine
Why visit Macau
- The Historic Centre of Macao, a UNESCO World Heritage site, links 22 buildings and squares from the A-Ma Temple to the Ruins of St. Paul's within a 2 km walk.
- Macanese cuisine, a blend of Portuguese, Chinese, Indian and Malay cooking, survives in dishes such as African chicken and minchi, served almost nowhere else.
- Portuguese egg tarts from Coloane and Taipa bakeries and pork chop buns are some of the best-value snacks in the region.
- Cotai's resorts offer free-to-enter malls, canals and light shows, and luxury hotel rooms that can be good value midweek.
- Coloane's black-sand Hác Sá Beach, hillside trails and quiet village give an easy escape from the casinos.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 17 things to do.
Historic site · Senado Square and the Historic Centre
Ruins of St. Paul's
The carved stone façade of the 17th-century Church of Mater Dei is all that survived a fire in 1835.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- After dark
Landmark · Senado Square and the Historic Centre
Senado Square
Macau's main square is paved with black-and-white Portuguese calçada in a wave pattern and lined with pastel neo-classical buildings, including the Leal Senado building and the Holy House of Mercy.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Architecture
- Photo spot
Religious site · Barra and the Inner Harbour
A-Ma Temple
Dedicated to Mazu, goddess of seafarers, this hillside temple predates the Portuguese and gave Macau its name.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Free
- Iconic
- Photo spot
Viewpoint · Nam Van and the peninsula casinos
Macau Tower
The 338-metre tower has indoor and outdoor observation decks with views over the peninsula, the bridges to Taipa and the Pearl River Delta.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Views
- Active
- After dark
- Iconic
Museum · Senado Square and the Historic Centre
Monte Fort and Macau Museum
The Jesuit-built Monte Fort, finished in 1626, overlooks the Ruins of St.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Views
- Rainy day
- Kids
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Historic site · Guia Hill
Guia Fortress and Lighthouse
On the peninsula's highest point, the 17th-century fort shelters a small chapel with restored frescoes and the Guia Lighthouse of 1865, the oldest modern lighthouse on the Chinese coast.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Views
- Free
- Off the beaten path
Where to stay
Senado Square and the Historic Centre is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 6 areas.
$$ · Best for first-timers, culture, budget and couples
Senado Square and the Historic Centre
Wave-patterned Portuguese paving, baroque churches and old shophouses
$$$$ · Best for luxury, families, nightlife and shopping
Cotai Strip
Integrated resorts, casinos, malls and shows on reclaimed land
$$$ · Best for first-timers, nightlife and luxury
Nam Van and the peninsula casinos
Older casino hotels along Avenida da Praia Grande and the Nam Van lakes
$$$ · Best for food lovers, couples and culture
Taipa Village
Pastel shophouses, snack streets and the Taipa Houses on the old waterfront
What to eat
- Portuguese-style egg tart — A flaky pastry shell filled with a creamy custard caramelised on top, adapted from the Portuguese pastel de nata by an English baker in Coloane in 1989 and now Macau's best-known snack.
- Pork chop bun — A bone-in, marinated and fried pork chop in a crusty Portuguese-style bun.
- African chicken — Grilled chicken in a spicy, rich sauce of peanuts, coconut, chilli and paprika, a Macanese creation that draws on Portuguese Africa and Asian spices.
- Minchi — Minced beef or pork stir-fried with diced fried potato, onion and soy sauce, usually topped with a fried egg and served with rice.
- Serradura — A chilled 'sawdust pudding' of whipped sweetened cream layered with finely crushed Marie biscuits, served in a glass or cup.
- Almond cookies — Crumbly round biscuits made from mung bean or almond flour, sometimes with a piece of pork fat inside, pressed in wooden moulds and baked over charcoal.
When to go
The best time to visit Macau is October to December, when the weather is dry, sunny and warm without the summer humidity, though the first week of October and Grand Prix week are very busy. January is cool and quiet. From May to September it is hot and wet, and typhoons can suspend ferries. Avoid Lunar New Year and Golden Week if you want lower prices.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March–May | Warm and humid with fog, drizzle and rising rainfall; temple festivals honour A-Ma and Tin Hau. |
| Summer | June–August | Hot, humid and wet with thunderstorms and typhoon risk; resorts and indoor malls are the main draw. |
| Autumn | September–November | Still hot in September, then dry and sunny; fireworks, the music festival and the Grand Prix fill the calendar. |
| Winter | December–February | Cool, dry and mostly sunny with festive lights, but Lunar New Year brings peak crowds and prices. |
Getting there and around
Macau International Airport on Taipa is about 10 minutes from Cotai by taxi and on the Light Rapid Transit line. Travellers flying into Hong Kong International Airport can take buses across the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge, a journey of about an hour including border formalities.
Macau is compact: the Historic Centre is best on foot, while buses, the Light Rapid Transit and taxis link the peninsula with Taipa, Cotai and Coloane. Many big resorts run free shuttle buses from the border crossings and ferry terminals.
Plan your days
A full day covers the Historic Centre and Taipa Village, which is why many visitors come from Hong Kong. Three days allows Coloane, the Macau Tower, a resort show and an unhurried Macanese dinner or two.
Practical information
- Currency
- MOP
- Language
- Cantonese, Portuguese and Mandarin Chinese
- Plugs
- Type G (UK-style) sockets mostly, some Type D and M, 220 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water meets treatment standards, but most locals boil it or drink bottled water.
- Emergency number
- 999 (police, fire, ambulance)
- Tipping
- Restaurants and hotels usually add a 10% service charge, so extra tipping is optional.
Macau is generally safe for visitors. Watch for pickpockets in the Historic Centre crowds and avoid unofficial money lenders around casinos. In typhoon season, follow the official warning signals, when ferries and outdoor attractions may close.
Flights to Macau
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Macau?
A full day covers the Historic Centre and Taipa Village, which is why many visitors come from Hong Kong. Three days allows Coloane, the Macau Tower, a resort show and an unhurried Macanese dinner or two. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Macau?
The best time to visit Macau is October to December, when the weather is dry, sunny and warm without the summer humidity, though the first week of October and Grand Prix week are very busy. January is cool and quiet. From May to September it is hot and wet, and typhoons can suspend ferries. Avoid Lunar New Year and Golden Week if you want lower prices.
+What is Macau known for?
Ruins of St. Paul's, Portuguese egg tarts, Casinos, Macanese cuisine, Senado Square, Cotai Strip and Macau Grand Prix. The Historic Centre of Macao, a UNESCO World Heritage site, links 22 buildings and squares from the A-Ma Temple to the Ruins of St. Paul's within a 2 km walk.
+Is Macau expensive?
Macau is moderately priced for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $150–$300 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Macau?
No. Macau is small, parking is scarce and driving is on the left with dense traffic; walk, use buses and taxis, and take the resort shuttles.