Macau, China: Things to Know Before You Go

Last Updated on March 8, 2024 by Travelationship

Macau, otherwise known as the “Las Vegas of China,” is located about an hour west of Hong Kong. It is semi-bordered by China on its North and West sides. The Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China comprises the Macau Peninsula and the islands of Taipa, Coloane, and Cotai. Each location provides its own flare & favorite things to do and see, with the Macau Peninsula being the most popular with tourists.

A Little History of Macau, China

Macau was a colony of Portugal before it was returned to China in 1999. The Portuguese influence can be seen heavily via Portuguese tiles, architecture, food, and language throughout Macau. As Macau slowly transitions back to the Chinese reign, the mixture of Chinese and Portuguese effects has created a new blend, each with unique characteristics.

Many people visit Macau solely for gambling and shopping, and there are many lavish places to indulge. We, however, are neither gamblers nor big shoppers. We stopped to learn about the history of this UNESCO-appointed World Heritage site.

Macau is quite small, so we thought we would not have an issue covering the historic area in 1 day. We saw most of the historic center and had no complaints about what we saw, but we left wishing we had experienced more. In hindsight, we recommend scheduling 2-3 days for Macau with at least one day for each peninsula, Taipa & Coloane.

Things to Know Before Arriving

How to Get There

From Hong Kong, your options are a ferry or helicopter.

We are budget travelers. Therefore, the ferry was taken to the Macau Ferry station, the closest port to the historic center. The ferry takes about 90 minutes and leaves about every 15 to 30 minutes from Shun Tak in Kowloon or Hong Kong Island. We took Turbojet from Shun Tak & would recommend their service. Check their website for current prices, which usually start at around HK$220. Ferries do enforce luggage fees. Be sure to read their luggage regulations and plan accordingly.

By Air

Macau International Airport (MFM), located on the island of Taipa, is serviced by over 30 airlines.

How to Get Around

The two main modes of transportation are the bus and a taxi/Uber.

Free Map – Macau’s Government Tourist Office provides an excellent history and information map of 30 different sites to visit. The map booklet is free and obtained at the tourist desk near the port exit.

From the Ferry – We took the bus and found it simple, comfortable & cheap. From the Macau Ferry Station (after you’ve picked up your free map from the tourist desk), head out the front doors and take a right. The bus stop is easy to locate just outside the terminal. Bus numbers are found in the front window and are easy to read. The back of the free map lists destinations by bus #, making it simple to figure out where you want to go and which bus to take.

The pickup location lists prices. Exact change is needed because drivers are unable to provide change. We asked the tourist desk to write a few prices on the back of our map to verify prices. Most locations within the historic center will be under MOP$5. Free buses are available to major casinos and hotels. Exit the terminal and turn left to look for your desired casino or hotel name on the bus. I am unsure if you need to confirm a reservation to board the casino or hotel shuttles.

*Taxi/Uber prices vary depending on pick-up and drop-off points.

What to Bring

• Passport – Macau is its own territory and requires each visitor to be processed through their immigration.
• Comfortable shoes – the historical area is large, with uneven stone steps and walkways.
• Camera and extra batteries – the plan is to be there all day.
• Sunscreen and a hat – lots of shady places & indoor venues, but in between locations, the sun is hot.
• Cash – ATMs are available, but let your bank know you will visit Macau.
• Insect Repellent – I did not have a huge issue with mosquito bites, but I did walk away with a few.

*Check the weather during the rainy season. Best to bring an umbrella just in case.

While in Macau

As soon as we departed the ferry, we grabbed our Macau World Heritage Map, jumped on the 10A bus, and headed to A-Ma Temple. We aimed to visit as many of the 30 heritage sites as possible. In one day, we could see 27 of the 30 and some additional sites in between.

The Macau World Heritage Map was an invaluable tool as we made our way to the historic center. The map provides the location address, hours, and a short site description. Each site is numbered and designated by a number on a city map of Macau. Making it almost foolproof not to get lost or miss one of the places.

What We Did

Here are a few of our favorite places from our day in Macau.

A-Ma Temple – The oldest surviving building in Macau, was built in 1488. The temple is beautiful and provides some insights into the local Buddhist traditions. It is adjacent to Barra Square, decorated with a beautiful water flow pattern of charcoal & ochre tiles, about a 30-minute visit.

Moorish Barracks – Built by an Italian architect, Cassuto, in 1874, the building has a very Islamic look. Originally built to house the Goa, India regiment, it is now used by the Marine and Water Bureau. We spent 5-10 minutes here; the building was not tourable.

“Leal Senado” Building – The highlight for us was the 1st-floor library. The room is stunning (we admit you may have to like libraries or architecture to get on board). We spent about 20 minutes scanning the book spines for texts from as early as the 17th century. Photos are not permitted in the library.

Senado Square – Located just outside the “Leal Senado” Building, this is the area most photographed and seen in photos of Macau. It has a festive Mediterranean feel and is lined with yellow buildings. Many shops, restaurants, and cafés are located in and around Senado Square.

Lou Kau Mansion – Probably our biggest welcomed surprise. The outside of the building is as plain and boring as one could ever imagine, but don’t let that fool you. We almost passed it up because there wasn’t a sign or anything of note to let us know what it was. Luckily, two visitors were exiting, and we confirmed it was the Lou Kau Mansion.

We were in awe of the transformation once we passed through the front door. The tour is limited to the ground floor and will take 10-30 minutes, depending on your interest. The mansion was built in 1889 and was the residence of a wealthy Chinese businessman. The handful of rooms on display are gorgeous and worth the visit.

St. Dominic’s Square and Church – There are a few different churches to visit, but St. Dominic’s was our favorite. The church sits at the end of St. Dominic’s Square, designed in waves of black and crème tiles. The church was built in 1587 and was the first in China. We spent about 30 minutes inside and out of St. Dominic’s.

Ruins of St. Paul’s – Easily the most visited location in Macau. The remains of what was once the Church of Mater Dei were built in 1602-1640. Originally part of St. Paul’s College, the church and school were burned in a fire in 1835. About a 10-15 minute visit unless you have to wait for many tourists to stop taking selfies to enjoy.

Mount Fortress – Go for the view. You can see out over the city from the fort in all directions. The Macau Museum and the Gardens are located in the fortress. We moved so quickly through both that I could not tell you what I saw. We spent 20 minutes checking out the view from different areas of the fortress walls.

Camões Square & Casa Garden – This is where you will find the best local people watching. We enjoyed walking around the square and gardens because there were lots of locals out exercising and playing games. It was fun to see some non-tourists, and the large tile mosaic walkways were beautiful. Take a rest and hang out for at least 30 minutes. Also, this is a good place to end your day and catch the bus back to the ferry terminal.

Diverge from the main streets & spend some time wandering the neighborhoods. We spent a good few hours walking around the neighborhoods and catching glimpses of local life. The apartments looked almost as compact as they do in Hong Kong.

What We Ate

You can find any food you want in Macau, but we recommend choosing the places with Portuguese or Chinese-style menus. We didn’t find any place that we felt was extra special, but we felt certain foods deserve a shout-out.

Portuguese Egg Tart – An absolute must-eat! It’s a sweet little egg custard pie with a caramelized top of deliciousness.

Pork Chop Bun – It’s exactly what it is called. I didn’t have one that completely wowed me, but I can see how, if you find the right place, that might change.

Almond Cookies – I am a sucker for a Chinese almond cookie!

Jerky – By the Ruins of St. Paul’s, you can find vendor after vendor selling jerky. Try a few samples before settling on the one you want to buy.

Portuguese Rice – The common plate served with seafood, but because Matt doesn’t eat seafood, he had pork. Tasty.

Macau Restaurant Recommendations

Here are a few restaurant recommendations for Macau’s historic district, which holds culinary treasures that blend its unique Portuguese and Chinese heritage.

Restaurante Litoral

Why you’ll love it: This Macanese institution serves authentic flavors that have delighted customers for decades. Their signature dishes, like African Chicken and Minchi (a savory minced meat dish), offer a true taste of Macau’s culinary traditions.

Riquexo

Why you’ll love it: Step into a cozy, nostalgic atmosphere and indulge in classic Macanese comfort food. Their flavorful curries and the must-try “tacho” (a hearty stew) will transport you back in time.

A Lorcha

Why you’ll love it: A Lorcha provides a delightful Portuguese dining experience amidst the historic streets. Enjoy fresh seafood dishes with a Portuguese twist and a lovely view of the Inner Harbour.

António

Why you’ll love it: António is the place to be for fine dining with Portuguese flair. Their refined menu skillfully combines Portuguese culinary techniques with fresh local ingredients.

Travel Basics

Visas – Depending on your country of residence, you may require a visa to visit Macau. Most people will need to double-check your re-entry into your departing/origin country from Macau. If you are making a day trip from China and are not a Chinese citizen, you must ensure you have a multiple entry visa for China. If you only have a single entry visa for China, you must reapply for reentry.

Communication – Cantonese & Portuguese are the main Macau languages. English speakers can be found around the touristy historic center and most hotels. SIM cards are available for purchase at entry points, 7-11’s, and some hotel locations. Most Hong Kong SIM cards will work in Macau, but roaming or additional fees will apply. Best to use free Wi-Fi locations or purchase a local SIM card.

WiFiGo is a government-supported free Wi-Fi program that is mostly located in the historic area of Macau. Both the username and password are wifigo. The program exists but doesn’t always seem to work properly. We could not log in during our visit, but I have read that others have used the service without issue.

Weather – Peak Season is October to December and March to April, with pleasant temperatures and little to no rain. Off-season is from May to October and is hot, humid, and wet. Average high temperatures are around 88°F/31°C, and January to February are the coldest months, with average temperatures of 50°F/10°C.

Money Matters

Money – Patacas (MOP) is Macau’s currency, and the symbol is MOP$. ATMs are available at the port locations and around the city. Quite a few Macau vendors will accept Hong Kong dollars (HK$), but keep in mind Hong Kong vendors will not take MOP. The smaller vendors accept cash only, with most medium to large restaurants and shops accepting credit cards.

Tipping – I found tipping to be a bit confusing in Macau. We used the guidelines below, but be that as it may, none of it is set in stone. Most restaurants include a 10% service charge with the bill. However, I was told at two restaurants that the money is not necessarily passed on to the waiter. Tips are not expected, but if you want to leave 5-10%, give the money directly to the person(s) who served you. Taxi fares can be rounded up, and the difference is used as a tip. If the driver (or hotel staff member) moves heavy luggage, consider tipping MOP$5-10 per bag.

*Note: Tipping government employees, government-paid tour guides, and hostel staff is a criminal offense. If you have negotiated a set price for a private tour, an additional tip is unnecessary unless you feel the guide has exceeded what was requested.

Travelationship Rating

3.5 out of 5 Travelationship High Fives. If we had spent more time visiting outside the historic district, we would have rated it higher. For the traveler who likes – adventure, romance, relaxation, partier, historical, bucket lister, food, architecture

See more photos on Flickr. Please look for us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!