Macau
Travel Guide
Macau Travel Guide 2026
How to use my travel guides
My travel guides are organised in two main sections:
Overview
This will help you to decide if this is a location for you, and if so, where you may want to spend your time. For larger countries, I also provide additional overviews of different regions, states and territories.
Specific Recommendations
Here I list specific things to see and do. For each, I provide star ratings so that you can easily see how good, unique and adventurous each place is. This means that you can easily pick out where sounds right for you!
Photos note: All of the photos you see on my website are taken by me or of me!
Overview
Macau is a really interesting place. This city, located on China’s coast, was once a Portuguese colony and is now the biggest gambling city in the world. It is believed to have a gambling revenue double that of Las Vegas!
Macau is located just a boat ride away from Hong Kong, so you can stay here or visit for day trips from Hong Kong if you prefer.
Macau is separated into two main parts:
North (Macau Peninsula)
This is the northern part of the city, which is home to some small remnants of Portuguese history. This is also the more ‘typical’ and picturesque part of the city, in my opinion.
South (Taipa, Coloane and Cotai)
The southern part of the city does have an old town; however, it is dominated by huge casinos on a scale which is mind-blowing. I am not much of a city person or gambler myself, but even I found it fascinating to walk the streets and see the inside of a few of the casinos. The scale and expense required to create this part of the city is impressive. Taipa and Coloane were once separate islands; however, Cotai is land which was reclaimed from the sea in 2005 and which now joins the land together and forms another district. It is also largely Cotai, which is famous for its mega casinos.
You can get buses easily from the north of Macau (the Macau Peninsula) to the south (Taipa, Coloane and Cotai) on buses along the bridges connecting the parts of the city. There are also regular boats from the north and south to Hong Kong.
The Portuguese governed Macau for 442 years. It was returned to China in 1999; however, like Hong Kong, it retains some degree of autonomy in comparison to the rest of China.
Language
Many of the locals speak Cantonese. Signs are present in Portuguese and English, although I am not sure how many of the locals still speak Portuguese.
Economy and Safety
The city is very safe and easy to navigate. As with all cities, however, keep your wits about you; it is generally very safe.
Ease of Travel
Macau is a major city with public transport being convenient and well-maintained.
Beaches
Although Macau does have some beaches, it is not known for its beaches; they are not overly appealing places to swim and relax. If you do want time at a beach, I would advise that you take a ferry to Hong Kong and see the beaches there. This can be done as a day trip.
People
I found the people in Macau to be welcoming, nice and friendly.
History
The Portuguese governed Macau from 1557 to 1999, when it was returned to China, marking an end to 442 years of Portuguese rule. Macau, like Hong Kong, retains some elements of autonomy compared with the rest of China. You can still see some historical Portuguese ruins and buildings. Street signs are also displayed in Portuguese.
Overview Summary
Macau is an interesting city, whether you are visiting for a day from Hong Kong or spending a few days there. From the history to the mega casinos, this city is definitely unique and captivated me. Unless you are a keen gambler, you won’t need long to explore the city and you can get a feel for the place in a day or two, but it’s well worth a detour for.
Best things to do in Macau 2026
I provide star ratings for each of my recommendations so that you can quickly narrow down what appeals to you. Explanations for what these mean can be found here.
I use Google Maps to plan all my trips and it’s a game-changer! I’ve added links to Google Maps for each of the locations below so you can easily add them to your own map. Be sure to copy this web link into the description of each location you save so that you can easily refer back to this guide later. Check out this blog for more tips on how to use Google Maps to enhance your travels!
For your ease of planning, I have separated my recommendations into two main parts:
‘North’ for the Macau Peninsula & ‘South’ for Taipa, Coloane and Cotai.
North
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: District
Recommended Duration: 30 mins+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
This area of the harbourfront has been redeveloped to appear like famous areas of Europe, be it Amsterdam or ancient Rome. It is a tourist gimmick, but interesting to see all the same. It’s also close to where the ferry from Hong Kong arrives.
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: History and viewpoint
Recommended Duration: 20 mins+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
This is a small, stumpy colonial lighthouse, but where it stands offers nice views of the Macau Peninsula.
Senado Square
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: City square
Recommended Duration: 10 mins+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
An attractive and historic city square.
Monte Fort
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: History and viewpoint
Recommended Duration: 1 hour
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
A historic fort originally built in the 1600’s with views of the city.
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: History
Recommended Duration: 20 mins+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
This is the classic tourist photo opportunity to show you have visited Macau, as a result its pretty busy with tourists in the area. It’s still nice, though. The church burned down; however, the attractive front remains. You can also see some of the historic walls of Macau just around the corner.
Walls of Macau
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: History
Recommended Duration: 10 mins
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
Just around the corner from the Ruins of Saint Paul’s, you can see what’s left of the historic walls of Macau.
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Building
Recommended Duration: 10 minutes
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
You can’t not notice this imposing building on the city skyline. As you walk around this part of Macau, you will see it constantly given its size and iconic look.
Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Center
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Viewpoint
Recommended Duration: 20 mins+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
I save one of the best things to do until last. I am a big history and geography nerd, so this place really excited me. If you are not that way inclined, it will still be good, but it will hold less significance for you. The tower offers a beautiful view of the city of Macau, but I love it because you can also see just how close mainland China is, with buildings just across the water to the west.
South
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Casino
Recommended Duration: 15 mins+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
Whether you gamble or not, you have to admit the scale and architecture of many casinos is impressive, especially in Macau. Around this area, you will find loads of Casinos which are worth seeing from the inside and out to get a scale for the place. Bear in mind that Macau is said to have a gambling industry 7x larger than Vegas!
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Casino
Recommended Duration: 15 mins+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
Yet another incredible casino, you can’t miss it if you’re walking by, it’s got the Eiffel Tower outside it!
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Casino
Recommended Duration: 15 mins+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
Yet another incredible casino, you can’t miss it if you’re walking by, as it is an imitation of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament in London. As I had been on the road for years at this point without being back home to the UK, this was a nice taste of home away from home.
Other
Trip to Hong Kong
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Transport
Recommended Duration: 1 day+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
If you are based in Macau, then you can visit Hong Kong for a day or stay overnight and return easily by boat. You can catch a ferry easily from either the north of Macau (Macau Peninsula) or from the south in Taipa. I have attached the location for both departure locations for your ease.
I hope that you have found this free Travel Guide useful. It took a lot of time and travel for me to make this, so if you would like to show your thanks by sending a small donation, I would be very grateful. This can be done on my Support Me page. Thank you!
Happy travels!
Andy Argo
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Title image: View of the Macau Peninsula skyline from across Nam Van Lake.