Ruins of St. Paul's
The carved granite facade of a 17th-century Jesuit church is Macau's most famous landmark and part of the UNESCO Historic Centre.
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About Macau
Macau is one of the most densely populated places on earth, yet its historic centre is a walkable maze of pastel colonial buildings, black-and-white wave-patterned pavements, tiny temples and egg-tart bakeries. The Historic Centre of Macau was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005 and groups more than 20 monuments, including the Ruins of St. Paul's, Senado Square and A-Ma Temple. South of the peninsula, Taipa keeps a village of Portuguese-Macanese houses and food streets, Coloane has quiet beaches and chapels, and Cotai between them hosts the large resort casinos, theatre shows and shopping malls. Macau returned from Portuguese to Chinese administration on 20 December 1999 and runs under the 'one country, two systems' principle with its own currency, laws and immigration. Most visitors arrive by ferry or the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge from Hong Kong, or via the Gongbei border gate from Zhuhai.
- Capital
- Macau (Macau Peninsula)
- Largest city
- Macau
- Population
- ~690,000
- Languages
- Cantonese, Portuguese, Mandarin, English
- Currency
- Macanese pataca (MOP)
- Time zone
- China Standard Time (UTC+8), no daylight saving
Explore Macau by topic
Jump straight to the experience you're planning.
Best places to visit in Macau
The 18 destinations our editors recommend — from iconic landmarks to under-the-radar finds.
Senado Square
A pedestrian square paved in black-and-white wave patterns, surrounded by pastel colonial buildings, the Leal Senado and shops selling almond cookies.
A-Ma Temple
A 15th-century Taoist and Buddhist temple complex climbing the hillside above the Inner Harbour, dedicated to the sea goddess Mazu, from whom Macau gets its name.
Mount Fortress and Museum of Macau
A 17th-century hilltop fort with panoramic views, containing the Museum of Macau on Macau's history, folk customs and traditional crafts.
Guia Fortress and Lighthouse
The 17th-century Guia Fort, chapel and 1865 lighthouse, the oldest on the China coast, on the highest point of the peninsula.
Macau Tower
A 338-metre tower with an observation deck, a glass-floor walk, the Skywalk X outdoor walk and a 233-metre commercial bungee jump.
Recommended itineraries
Pick a length, follow the route. Each itinerary balances headline sights with breathing room.
5-Day Macau Explorer
- Day 1Arrive in Macau, explore city center
- Day 2Visit top attractions and museums
- Day 3Day trip to nearby highlights
- Day 4Local markets and hidden gems
- Day 5Final sightseeing, departure
7-Day Classic Macau
- Days 1-2Macau city highlights
- Days 3-4Regional exploration
- Days 5-6Cultural immersion and local experiences
- Day 7Return and departure
14-Day Ultimate Macau
- Days 1-3Macau comprehensive city tour
- Days 4-6Northern region exploration
- Days 7-9Eastern highlights
- Days 10-12Southern attractions
- Days 13-14Return to Macau, departure
Where to stay in Macau
Three tiers, every traveller covered — from cost-conscious to flagship hotels.
Budget MOP 480 (approx $60)
Hostels, budget hotels, and guesthouses offer affordable stays without sacrificing experience.
Mid-range MOP 1,360 (approx $170)
Boutique hotels and well-located accommodations provide comfort and convenience at reasonable prices.
Luxury MOP 3,600+ (approx $450+)
World-class resorts and premium hotels deliver unforgettable experiences.
Grand Lisboa
Bulb-shaped, gold-lit 5-star tower beside Hotel Lisboa with a casino and several Michelin-recognised restaurants. Walkable to Senado Square and the Ruins of St Paul's.
Check rates on Booking.comHotel Lisboa
The 1970 Macau landmark with a distinctive honeycomb facade and casino, the older and cheaper sibling of Grand Lisboa; a short walk to the old town.
Check rates on Booking.comWynn Macau
Five-star resort tower on the Peninsula with free Performance Lake-style shows in the atrium, fine dining and a spa; the Peninsula alternative to Cotai.
Check rates on Booking.comMGM Macau
Five-star resort on the NAPE waterfront with a glass-roofed Grande Praca plaza, art-led interiors and a pool; next to Wynn Macau.
Check rates on Booking.comWhere to eat in Macau
Cafés, neighbourhood gems, and tasting menus worth the table reservation.
Margaret's Cafe e Nata
Small bakery-cafe near Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro known for warm Portuguese egg tarts, quiche and coffee. Open mornings to late afternoon only and closed Wednesdays.
Lord Stow's Bakery (Coloane)
The original bakery of the famous Macau egg tart, set on a small square in Coloane Village. Tarts are baked fresh through the day and sell out on weekends.
Restaurante Litoral
Long-running Macanese restaurant in the old harbour district, serving the cuisine of Macau's Portuguese-Chinese families. Popular for baked dishes and curry crab.
A Lorcha
Traditional Portuguese restaurant facing the Inner Harbour, serving roast suckling pig, bacalhau and seafood rice in a rustic dining room.
Clube Militar de Macau
Historic colonial-era club building on Avenida da Praia Grande, open to the public for lunch and dinner. Serves Portuguese and Macanese dishes in a grand dining hall.
Fernando
Beachside Portuguese restaurant on Hac Sa Beach, a Coloane institution known for grilled seafood, clams and buckets of sangria and vinho verde.
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Getting around Macau
Macau is small and well connected: ferries and the 55 km Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge bring most visitors; free casino shuttles, public buses, taxis and a growing LRT handle local travel. The Border Gate and Hengqin Port link Macau to mainland China. A car is rarely needed.
Budget breakdown
Daily spend by tier in MOP (1 USD = 8.0 MOP approx), broken out by category.
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | MOP 240 (approx $30) | MOP 800 (approx $100) | MOP 2,400 (approx $300) |
| Food (per day) | MOP 120 (approx $15) | MOP 320 (approx $40) | MOP 800 (approx $100) |
| Transportation | MOP 40 (approx $5) | MOP 80 (approx $10) | MOP 160 (approx $20) |
| Activities | MOP 80 (approx $10) | MOP 160 (approx $20) | MOP 240 (approx $30) |
| Daily total | MOP 480 (approx $60) | MOP 1,360 (approx $170) | MOP 3,600+ (approx $450+) |
Best time to visit Macau
Weather through the year in Macau
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Macau.
Visit in October-November for the best weather; December for the lights; avoid June-September if heat, humidity and typhoons are a concern.
Essential travel tips
- Carry some MOP; Hong Kong dollars are accepted almost everywhere at 1:1 (HKD is worth slightly more), but change is given in patacas
- Use the free hotel shuttle buses between the Border Gate, ferry terminals and Cotai to save transport costs
- Visit Ruins of St. Paul's and Senado Square early in the morning or after 8 PM to avoid tour groups
- Government museums often offer free entry on the 15th of the month; check icm.gov.mo
- Buy a Macau Pass card for cheaper bus fares and top up at convenience stores
- Download Alipay, WeChat Pay or MPay for payments; many small shops are cash or mobile pay only
- Look for green-and-white public holiday closures during Chinese New Year; many small restaurants shut for several days
Safety information
Macau is one of the safest destinations in Asia for visitors; violent crime against tourists is rare, and the main risks are petty theft, gambling-related scams and heat or typhoon weather
Pickpockets and bag snatchers work the crowds at the Ruins of St. Paul's, Senado Square, the Border Gate (Portas do Cerco) and casino entrances; keep bags zipped and worn in front
Persons under 21 may not enter casino gaming floors; carry a passport or a photo ID, as staff check age at the door, and children may not stand or linger on the gaming floor
Typhoon season runs from June to October; when Signal No. 8 or higher is hoisted, buses, ferries and most shops stop and visitors must stay indoors. Check smg.gov.mo and the Macao Civil Protection Info app
Do not accept money lenders' offers near casinos; unlicensed loan sharks operate outside gaming areas, and borrowing from them can lead to threats and violence
Agree on the fare or insist on the meter in taxis; use the Macau Taxi app or ride from official ranks, and check that the meter is running from the start
Do not photograph or film on the gaming floor; casino security can detain visitors who ignore this rule
Tap water is safe to drink in most areas but often tastes of chlorine; bottled water is cheap and widely available. Carry a rain jacket and sun protection year round
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit Macau?
Most Western travellers can enter Macau visa-free for roughly 30 to 90 days depending on nationality. Check the current list on the Public Security Police Force immigration website (www.fsm.gov.mo). Macau has its own border controls, so a Hong Kong or mainland China visa does not carry over automatically. Mainland Chinese residents need an exit-entry permit with a Macau endorsement.
What currency is used in Macau?
The official currency is the Macanese pataca (MOP), pegged to the Hong Kong dollar (HKD 1 = MOP 1.03). Hong Kong dollars are widely accepted. For planning, this guide uses 1 USD = 8.0 MOP. Alipay, WeChat Pay and MPay are common.
How many days do I need in Macau?
Two to three days suit most visitors. One day covers the UNESCO old town (Ruins of St. Paul's, Senado Square, A-Ma Temple); another covers Taipa and Coloane; a third suits Cotai resorts and shows.
How do I get from Hong Kong to Macau?
Take a TurboJET or Cotai Water Jet ferry (about one hour) from the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal in Sheung Wan or Tsim Sha Tsui, or ride the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge shuttle bus. Check current schedules and fares on the operators' websites before travel.
Is Macau safe for tourists?
Macau is very safe, with low violent crime. Pickpocketing in crowded areas and casino-area moneylending scams are the main concerns. Dial 999 for police, fire and ambulance.
Explore Macau by city
The cities below have their own guides — hotels, attractions and where to eat, in depth.