With kids · Macau · China
Macau with kids
Family-tested sights, a calm base and the practical details that make travelling with children easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Bahnfrend, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
Macau suits families for two or three days: the resorts have huge pools and indoor entertainment, Coloane has pandas and a beach, and the Science Center and Macau Museum work on rainy days. The Historic Centre's steps and crowds are harder with strollers. Top picks: Giant Panda Pavilion, Macao Science Center and The Venetian Macao. Families usually base themselves in Cotai Strip.
Key facts
- Family picks
- 5
- Best area for families
- Cotai Strip
- Rainy-day options
- 3
- Busiest months
- February and October
Best things to do with kids
Zoo · Coloane Village
1.Giant Panda Pavilion
In Seac Pai Van Park in Coloane, the pavilion houses giant pandas in indoor and outdoor enclosures, with a red panda area and a small zoo of other animals in the surrounding park.
Go in the morning, when the pandas are usually feeding and most active.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Nature
- Outdoors
Museum · Nam Van and the peninsula casinos
2.Macao Science Center
A cone-shaped building by architect Kevin Roche on the Outer Harbour waterfront, with hands-on exhibition galleries and a planetarium showing dome films. It is one of Macau's best rainy-day options for children.
Book a planetarium show in advance at weekends, as sessions fill up with families.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Architecture · Cotai Strip
3.The Venetian Macao
One of the largest buildings in the world, the Venetian holds a mall laid out along indoor canals with gondola rides under a painted sky, a large casino and a 15,000-seat arena. Next door, the Parisian has a half-scale Eiffel Tower with an observation deck.
Walk through the connected malls of the Venetian, the Parisian and the Londoner to stay out of the heat or rain.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- Rainy day
- Kids
- After dark
- Free
Museum · Senado Square and the Historic Centre
4.Monte Fort and Macau Museum
The Jesuit-built Monte Fort, finished in 1626, overlooks the Ruins of St. Paul's with cannons on its ramparts. Inside, the Macau Museum covers the city's history, Chinese and Portuguese traditions and daily life, including a recreated street of old shops.
Take the escalator beside the Ruins of St. Paul's up to the fort and walk the ramparts for views across the peninsula.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Views
- Rainy day
- Kids
Beach · Coloane Village
5.Hác Sá Beach
Macau's largest beach is known for its dark sand. It has lifeguards in summer, a public swimming pool, barbecue pits and a long-running Portuguese restaurant nearby.
The water is murky from the Pearl River; come for a walk, a barbecue or the pool rather than clear-water swimming.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Outdoors
- Free
- Kids
Rainy-day ideas
- Monte Fort and Macau Museum — Take the escalator beside the Ruins of St. Paul's up to the fort and walk the ramparts for views across the peninsula.
- The Venetian Macao — Walk through the connected malls of the Venetian, the Parisian and the Londoner to stay out of the heat or rain.
- Macao Science Center — Book a planetarium show in advance at weekends, as sessions fill up with families.
Where families should stay
$$$$ · Best for luxury, families, nightlife and shopping
Cotai Strip
The reclaimed land between Taipa and Coloane holds the Venetian, the Parisian with its half-size Eiffel Tower, the Londoner, Galaxy, City of Dreams, Studio City, Wynn Palace and MGM Cotai. Most of Macau's large hotel rooms are here, with pools, restaurants and entertainment under one roof.
- Good
- Large modern rooms and big pools; Shows, malls and restaurants on site; Walk to Taipa Village
- Watch out
- Little local character; Weekend room rates rise sharply
- Nearby
- The Venetian Macao, Taipa Village, Hác Sá Beach
Family travel tips
- Stay on Cotai for the pools and indoor walkways, which keep children cool in summer.
- Visit the Ruins of St. Paul's early in the morning to avoid pushing strollers through the crowds.
- Under-18s are not allowed on casino floors, so plan routes through resorts that avoid the gaming areas.
- Bring sun hats and water for summer days; heat and humidity are intense from May to September.
- The Light Rapid Transit is step-free and an easy way to move between Barra, Taipa and Cotai with children.
Day trips for families
- Chimelong Ocean Kingdom (Hengqin) (About 30–45 minutes including the border) — A large marine theme park on Hengqin Island in Zhuhai, with whale sharks, beluga and polar bear exhibits, rides and nightly shows.
When to go with children
The best months overall are October–December. February and October are the busiest, so book the big sights early. Weather by month.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Macau good for kids?
Macau suits families for two or three days: the resorts have huge pools and indoor entertainment, Coloane has pandas and a beach, and the Science Center and Macau Museum work on rainy days. The Historic Centre's steps and crowds are harder with strollers.
+What can kids do in Macau?
Giant Panda Pavilion, Macao Science Center, The Venetian Macao, Monte Fort and Macau Museum and Hác Sá Beach.
+Where should families stay in Macau?
Cotai Strip: Integrated resorts, casinos, malls and shows on reclaimed land.