9 Interesting Things to Do in Macau, China

 

Discover 9 of the most interesting things to do in Macau. Also includes cheap accommodation, directions in and around Macau and lots of other useful information on how to survive travel in Macau, China.

9 Interesting Things to Do in Macau

Ok, here it is. My list of 9 interesting things to do in Macau, China.

1. Senado Square

The first thing on my list of interesting things to do in Macau is to go to Senado Square. It’s just cool to walk around and there’s a good street in there somewhere where you can sample Macau’s famous almond cookies and jerky.

Walking around Senoda Square

Getting to Senado Square

Bus 3 or 5 from the ZhuHai border crossing bus station will get you there, and there are others also from other places e.g. the number 10.

2. Hac Sa Beach aka Black Sand Beach

Hac Sa Beach is supposedly one of the best beaches in Macau. I wanted to check it out because I thought seeing a beach just full of black sand would be cool, and it would have, but the beach is not full of black sand. Still nice to go and see though.

Hac Sa Beach. No Black Sand but nice none-the-less

Getting to Hac Sa Beach

Bus number 25 will take you there. There are others. It is the last stop so just look for Hac Sa. Bus fare is 6.25MOP. It’s about a 40 minute bus ride.

3. Villa De Coloane

Villa De Coloane is a quaint little village with a few different things to see including some temples, church, library etc. Nice Portuguese architecture.

Getting to Villa De Coloane

Catch the 25 bus (or others) to stop Villa De Coloane. We accidentally got off one stop too far from Hac Sa beach and ended up outside the local jails.

4. Egg Tarts from Lord Stow’s Bakery

Ok, so Lord Stow’s Bakery is also in Villa De Coloane but I felt it deserved its own number. This is the actual shop that Macau Egg Tarts were invented in! I’m not a huge fan of egg tarts, but these are delicious. They sell good sandwiches too.

Lord Stows Bakery. This is where Macaus world famous egg tart first started!

5. Casinos

One of the big things Macau is known for are the casinos and you could spend a good chunk of time checking them all out. Personally I think the ones in Vegas are better, but the ones in Macau are still very impressive.

One big difference I did notice. No Craps tables and lots of Baccarat.

Three things I feel deserve a special note are;

1. The Venetian shopping area. Roof painted to resemble the sky and a canal running through it with gondola rides on offer. Actually, I wouldn’t be surprised if it is the exact (or very close) to the same design/layout as the one in Vegas.

Inside the Venician

2. The fountain show outside the Wynn. Every 15 minutes during certain hours of the day.. I think like from 12-9 pm… but I can’t be certain. In any case, it is a good 2-3 minute show.

3.Cool tropical aquarium in the MGM grand. Also what I think had the best gaming area of the casinos I went to.

Inside the MGM Grand

Getting to Casinos

Obviously it depends on which ones you want to go to. Many of them have free shuttle buses to/from the borders and ferry terminals. Some are walking distance from the city (Wynn, MGM Grand etc), and others are on Taipa, which is a bus ride away. The #25 among others will land you outside the Venetian/Sands Casinos.

6. Macau Tower

The iconic Macau Tower boasts being the highest bungee jump in the world! Even if you’re not keen to Bungee, it’s worth the look. Nice cafe inside where you can get a pretty good Macau Burger, which I felt was much nicer than the ones on ‘the street’.

Macau Tower boasts being the biggest Bungee jump in the world!

Getting to Macau Tower

The 9a bus will get you there from town. 3.25MOP.

7. Mount Fortress

This was my favorite of my interesting things to do in Macau. Walk up to the Fortress and take a look around. It has some nice views of Macau. Free Entry. Also has the Macau Museum which I did not check out.

Tip: To find the best accommodation, compare Hostelbookers.com and HotelTravel.com and to find the cheapest flights use CheapOair.com

View from the Mount Fortress

Getting to the Mount Fortress

It is walk-able from town. Just follow the signs which are all around the town center.

8. Ruins of St. Paul’s Cathedral

The Ruins of St. Paul’s Cathedral is probably one of the most photographed things in Macau and is definitely worth a look. You can also go into the Crypt and see some sacred art of Jesus type stuff. Everything is free.

ruins of St Paul Cathedral. Probably the most photographed spot in Macau

At the bottom of the stairs you can get a Macau Burger and Egg Tart for 30MOP, and around the corner to the right you can try a J-Stick filled with ice-cream. Also 30MOP.

Getting to the Ruins of St Paul’s Cathedral

It is very close to the Mount Fortress. Follow the sign you see as you walk about town.

9. Red Market

The last thing on my list of interesting things to do in Macau is to go to the Red Market. Unfortunately I didn’t end up going inside, but it looked good.

Getting to the Red Market

It can be found on the corner of Avenida Horta e Costs and Almirante Lacerda.

Other Useful Information About Macau, China

Here’s some other useful information about surviving travel in Macau.

Getting From Mainland China to Macau

Getting from Mainland China to Macau is fairly easy. Other than catching a plane, the easiest way is to cross the border in Zhuhai.

Zhuhai is connected to Guangzhou by fast train, so first get yourself to Guangzhou. I live in Shunde, which is along this train line and from there the ticket to Zhuhai (one way) cost 55rmb. From Guangzhou to Shunde costs 20rmb, so you can do the math. There are many trains every day, but consider booking ahead as just arriving to catch the next one is often sold out.

The journey takes approximately 45 minutes. Make sure you go all the way to Zhuhai. Do not get off at Zhuhai Bei.

Once at the Zhuhai train station walk out of the train station and turn right. Keep walking until you get to the departure hall. Check out of China, then into Zhuhai.

Visa Information for Macau

Many countries can enter visa free from 2 weeks to 3 months depending on what countries passport you hold. Others can easily get a visa on entry. A handful of countries must apply in advance. Being Australian, I was allowed 30 days visa free. Check TravelChinaGuide.com/embassy/visa/macau.htm for details.

Getting From the Border to Macau City Center

You can catch one of the many free shuttle buses to the casino of your choice, or the number 5 from the bus station will take you to Senoda Square.

Cheap Accommodation in Macau

If you need cheap accommodation in Macau, I stayed at the Holiday Hotel.

Macau is definitely not backpacker friendly and there are next to no hostels. The Holiday Hotel was the cheapest hotel I could find, and I had low expectations but I was happy with it. Room came equipped with TV, air-con, shower, twin beds etc. Cost was 70usd per night for the room, which housed 2 people. Location was decent also. Close enough to the city.

Getting to the Holiday Hotel, Macau

To get to the Holiday Hotel from the Zhuhai Border crossing, simply walk out the immigration building, past all the Casino shuttles and down the stairs to the bus station.

Catch the number 5 to the city, then walk or catch the number 7, 7a or 8 to the Holiday Hotel. Get off at the McDonald’s near the roundabout. The hotel is on the street across from the McDonald’s.

Map of area around Holiday Hotel Macau

Getting Around Macau

The bus system in Macau is pretty good. Unless you have one of those transport cards, they only accept exact change, but don’t worry if you don’t cause the drivers don’t keep a good eye on it and I figure it all balances out anyway e.g. if the fare is 3.2 you will may either have 3 or 4, it won’t matter.

Map from OSM Maps of stuff around Macau city centre. From top to bottom – Holiday Hotel – Fort – Ruins – Senado Square – City Center towards the Casinos

Money in Macau

Most places in Macau accept 1:1:1 on MOP/HKD /RMB, but MOP is worth the least and RMB is worth the most. HKD is not far off the MOP. MOP is pretty much useless outside Macau. Most casinos only accept HKD.

Well that’s it. I hope you have enjoyed my list of 9 interesting things to do in Macau, China and please feel free to add more things in the comments.

Tip: To find the best accommodation, compare Hostelbookers.com and HotelTravel.com and to find the cheapest flights use CheapOair.com

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