At only 11,000 square kilometres, Macao seems to have it all – glitzy casinos, cobblestone roads, Portuguese ruins and even ancient Chinese temples. Although the city might be dubbed as the “Las Vegas of Asia” – it’s an interesting mix of old and new. From its neon lights and over-the-top casinos to its rich Portuguese heritage and Chinese roots dating back to the Ming Dynasty – Macao is simply mind-blowing. Which is why I simply couldn’t resist putting this guide on the most Instagram-worthy places in Macao together.
With this melding of its rich past and exciting future, it should come as no surprise that the city punches way above its weight in the monument and landmark department. On track to becoming the wealthiest place in the world by 2020, new landmarks in Macao keep on popping up each year.
So let's get on with it:
1. Bungee jumping
This will appeal to adrenaline junkies, who should flock to Macao because it is home to the world’s highest commercial bungee jump at a height of 233 metres! Situated at the top of Macao Tower, it lets jumpers experience the ultimate free-fall from the top of the city, quite literally! For those looking for a thrill, this is the ultimate experience.
2. Macao Tower
Macao Tower is an important landmark of Macao with an impressive height. Also known as Macao Tower Convention and Entertainment Center. It has an observation deck for panoramic views, theaters, shopping malls, restaurants and also the famous bungee jumping spot we talked about above. Charges are variable depending on the activities. If possible, try its observation desk for an impressive night view of Macao. It is definitely an item one needs to tick of the bucket list. Just imagining about it gives me a little bit of rush!!!!
3. PENHA HILL
This hill has it all. The view, the historic sites, the local twists, the greenery and the relaxing environment. Why not head there for an after lunch and stroll through Penha area, relax for a bit and take some photos until sunset? Enjoy the view while it lasts because it is one of Macao’s few spots free from gentrification. This area features several houses with colonial architecture and some green areas. Looking south, you’ll see the Macao Tower, the harbour and Cotai Island.
4. The Leal Senado
People who love to read can go and discover the secret library at Leal Senado. The Leal Senado is at Senado Square and is considered the best representation of Portuguese architecture in the city. On your way out, pop into the three-room gallery on the ground floor. There are regular free exhibitions here, with local and international artworks or visiting exhibitions from regions within China showcasing artifacts, calligraphy and other precious items.
5. Discover the treasures of St. Dominic’s Church
One of the most famous churches in Macao, St. Dominic’s Church dates back to the early 17th-century. The church is a classic icon of the colonial era and one of Macao’s famous photo stops. The interior of the church is worth visiting, as is the free Treasure of Sacred Art Museum. You can get to the museum through the church tower. Over 300 Macanese religious artifacts are showcased in this dandy little attraction.
6. Explore the Ruins of St. Paul’s
Initially built in the early 17th-century and named Mater Dei, the church and the adjacent St Paul’s College was burnt down by a fire in 1835. What remains is the standing facade and church ruins which is the most popular free thing to see in Macau. Make sure to head to the back of the Ruins to visit the Sacred Art Museum and Crypt. The Ruins of St. Paul’s is a key location during Chinese New Year and is where the annual eye-dotting ceremony s held. It is also where the famous 238m long dragon parade makes its start before winding its way through the city centre.
7. Travessa Da Paixao
Right beside the Ruins of St. Paul’s, you will find one of the most picturesque little streets in Macau. Travessa da Paixao, also known as the ‘The Romantic Lane’ is only about 50 meters long. But the beautiful pastel coloured buildings make for awesome Instagram pics! The lane has become quite an Instagram hot spot, so it’s best to time your visit here. Come in the early morning hours if you want to miss the crowds. Foodie tip – just a stone’s throw from here, you can grabMacau’s famous pork chop bun at Tai Lei Loi Kei.
8. A-Ma Temple
One of Macao’s oldest buildings and is the most popular Chinese temple in Macao. The temple is named after the legendary appearance of a lost girl name Matzo (A-Ma). It’s also associated with the original Portuguese name of the island – A Ma Gau – that was shortened to Macao. At A-Ma Temple, you can appreciate traditional Chinese temple structures spread upon a hillside. There is a delightful archway entrance flanked by stone lions, decorative halls and prayer rooms, open pavilions and photogenic moon gate. You’ll see lots of burning incense and other traditional temple activities within A-Ma Temple.
9. Performance Lake (Wynn Macao)
Enjoying the show at Performance Lakes is a top free thing to do in Macao. Here you can watch free water fountain performances in front of the Wynn Macao property in the Peninsula. Shows are around three minutes in length and are held every 15 minutes during the majority of the day. They are set to Western and Chinese musical scores and are more impressive to watch after dark when lights and fire jets are used to enhance the performances. Note that a second and much larger Performance Lake can be found in front of the Wynn Palace on the Cotai Strip. It is several times larger than what you will find here at Wynn Macao.
10. Our Lady of Carmel Church
Visiting Our Lady of Carmel is another free thing to do in Macao. Our Lady of Carmel (1885) is a charming colonial-style church located at Avenida de Carlos de Maia in Taipa Village. Like the Taipa Houses Museum, the church once overlooked the sea. However, after 20thcentury land reclamations, it now overlooks the lake and designated wetlands.
11. Tap Seac Gallery
There are a number of galleries and museums in Macao. Tap Seac Gallery is at the northeast end of Tap Seac Square and is an excellent free art venue. It features a single large gallery that exhibits works mostly by international artists throughout the year.
12. Eiffel Tower at The Parisian Macao
Visitors to the Cotai Strip will find it impossible to miss seeing the replica Eiffel Tower situated at the front of Parisian Macao. You can ride up to the viewing platform (entry fee required) or simply enjoy viewing the tower and other Paris landmark replicas such as the Fontaine des Mers in the Rotunda while visiting Parisian Macao. The tower forms part of one of the most famous casino resorts in the city – The Parisian. Head to the Observation Deck for fantastic views of the city and watch the city come alive at night. The Eiffel Tower has two observation decks – a large deck on the 7th floor, where most people tend to go. But, if you really want an amazing view of the cityscape, be sure to head to the small deck on the 37th floor.
13. Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge
The Hong Kong Macao Bridge is one of the most impressive Macao landmarks to be built in recent times. The 55km (34 miles) bridge is an engineering feat and the longest sea bridge in the world. The bridge is an engineering landmark that connects three Pearl River Delta cities – Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macao – reducing travel time between the cities from three hours to 30 minutes. this bridge can withstand a super typhoon or a magnitude 8 earthquake. A unique feature is the 6.7km (4-mile) submerged tunnel connecting two artificial islands.
14. Kun Ian Statue
Kun Ian Statue is a beautiful landmark in Macao on the harbour. The beautiful Goddess of Mercy, Kun Iam, is a 20m bronze statue with a base that resembles a lotus flower. Inside the domed base is a centre where you can obtain information about the region’s main ideologies: Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism.
15. COLOANE VILLAGE
After looking at the pictures I can say it is one of my favourite Instagram-worthy places in Macao. The area is not very big, but it’s a great place to have a leisurely stroll along the water towards the church. There are tons of cute pastel-coloured buildings and wall murals dotted around, offering endless photo ops. Further along the riverside you’ll also find the local library and the Tam Kong Temple – a small Taoist Temple dedicated to the seafarer god, Tam Kong. Coloane is also where the first Lord Stow Bakery came to life. There are also some great restaurants serving both Portuguese and Chinese food if your tummy starts to rumble.
16. Macao Science Centre
Macao Science Centre is a space-age landmark that Macao can be proud of. The Macao Science Centre is a space-age landmark of Macao, with a conical-shaped Exhibition Centre, Convention Centre and Planetarium (it holds the Guinness World Record as the highest resolution 3D planetarium). There are interactive displays, galleries, workshops and shows.
17. Fortaleza do Monte
Mount Fortress is a historic landmark in Macao you will love exploring. Built in the 17th Century, Mount Fortress was originally the city’s main military defense structure. As it sits on Mount Hill, there are fabulous views of the city from the fortress. The Macao Museum is built into the Fortress and has impressive displays of the city’s fascinating past. Mount Fortress along with the Ruins of St Paul’s are significant historical landmarks of Macao’s listing as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
18. MGM Cotai
With its glittering jewel-like façade towering over the Cotai Strip, MGM COTAI is Macau’s icon of innovation. Step inside a cutting-edge, multi-sensory realm where you can discover Asia’s first truly adaptive and dynamic Theater, or immerse yourself in the mesmerizing Spectacle, an atrium as large as a football pitch where one of the world’s largest collections of sensory digital art is on display. Experience nine unique restaurants and bars, sophisticated retail, and engaging family-friendly offerings.
19. Better than Vegas ( Casino guide )
Bigger than Vegas. That’s what they say about Macao these days. More is gambled in this former Portuguese colony than anywhere else in the world. There are now more than 40 casinos in Macao, from the gondolas and canals at the Venetian Macao to the world’s best water show at the City of Dreams. The city even has its version of the Vegas Strip – the Cotai Strip.
a. Venetian Casino Resort
This is the biggest casino resort in the world (bigger than anything in Vegas). Inside the Venetian Macao, you'll find the regions' premier shopping mall, a 3000 room hotel and gondoliers roaming canals along mock, Italian streets. Many of the visitors are just here to pretend they're in Venice. It's the complete package as a resort; there are shows by night, excellent restaurants and the Venetian hotel is one of the best places to visit in Macao. Even if you don’t like to gamble, it still has so much to offer. Utterly over the top and completely fun, this is the best of Las Vegas transported to Asia.
b. City of Dreams Macao
Macao’s first destination for grown-up gamblers, the City of Dreams forgo the gondoliers and gladiators of its competitors to offer a more stylish experience. The gaming floor is one of the biggest and best designed in the city, where you can expect to stand elbow to elbow with high rollers. Michelin-starred restaurants, luxury hotels and the best house show in town are just some of the reasons that the City of Dreams is considered one of the most exclusive casinos in Macao. If you’re looking for the James Bond experience, the City of Dreams is the place to sip your martini.
c. Wynn Macao
Smaller, but smarter than most of its rivals, the Wynn Macao is where the big rollers go to splash their cash. Million-dollar tapestries are stapled to the wall and Qing era vases grace the hotel lobbies, while the designer curves make it one of the most attractive casinos in Macao. Inside you'll find tables with pricey minimum bets and a high rollers room that is said to be one of the most exclusive in the city. It's a casino worth seeing but perhaps stick to the slot machines.
d. Grand Lisboa Macao
This is a Macao original. Before the Las Vegas imports arrived, the Grand Lisboa was the biggest deal in town. Its Michelin star restaurant and five-star hotel rooms are a testament to its success. Yet, the Grand Lisboa remains most attractive because the casino offers less glitz and more gambling. The warren of rooms hide hundreds of tables and plenty of big rollers. The focus is on showing your cards rather than catching a show. This is the best place in town to enjoy the more classical Macao casino experience.
20. Yum Yum ( Food )
Snacking in Macau’s popular local eateries is budget friendly and a selfguided food tour around the Historic Centre of Macao is a great way to end your visit.
a. Koi Kei Bakery (Macanese specialty snacks)
Koi Kei is the most famous pastelaria in Macau. They have several shops along Rua de São Paulo, including the large outlet directly on Largo Comphania de Jesus in front of the Ruins of St. Paul’s. You can try most of the foods at Koi Kei for free and purchase whatever you like best.
b. Estabelecimento de Comidas Ka Lei Weng (Curry bowls)
Interested in something more Chinese when it comes to street food? You’ll find quite a few places serving up fish ball sticks and curry bowls throughout the city centre. It is recommend to select at least four to five ingredients.
c. LemonCello Gelato
LemonCello is a long standing favourite for sweet tooth in Macau. This little shop offers 30 different gelato flavours.
At the end I just want to say that Macao’s street-food, monuments and buildings are up there with some of the best landmarks in China. So go ahead and tick these fantastic places off your bucket list. With so many new and impressive monuments, now is the best time to visit Macao.