City: Macau
Top Things to do in Macau
Top 10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Macau, China
Formerly administered by the Portuguese, this high-energy city on the South China Sea is world-famous as a gaming destination and has also begun attracting visitors with an increasing array of shows, entertainment, and nightlife. The city's historic center, with its rich blend of Chinese and European architecture and culture, has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Restaurants in Macau
1. Our Lady of Penha
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 314 reviews
Reviewed By thobias567 - Singapore, Singapore
An iconic Church which is out of ytourist hotpots. Making it best for taking photos. Sublime view of Macau. Only bad thing is that you need to walk uphill or taxi doesn't passby that place that often.
2. Lou Lim Ieoc Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 215 reviews
Reviewed By OrderintheHouse
For our 40th wedding anniversary my wife and I enjoyed an 18 day Asian tour from 28 December 2019 to 14 January 2020 taking in short stays in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Laos and Singapore. In Macau we had a two night stay in the Hotel Royal (reviewed separately) on Estrada da Vitória in the Macau parish of São Lázaro. For our one full day in Macau it rained on and off. Our program included a good visit in the morning to Guia Fortress (reviewed separately). After Guia Fortress, we decided to call in to see the Lou Lim Ieoc Garden, having no idea what to expect. We were not disappointed as this was a really lovely Chinese garden – an urban oasis in busy Macau and a quiet, peaceful resting place to get away from the hustle and bustle of Macau city life. It was still a great place to visit even in wet weather. The garden is modelled on those of Suzhou, China, the most famous of all Chinese classical gardens. It was the brainchild of local merchant Lou Kau who built the garden in 1906 as part of his residence. In 1973 the Macau government acquired the Garden as a public park and it was opened to the public the next year. There are lots of narrow paths, bamboo groves, rock grottoes and a lotus pond filled with golden carp and lotus flowers. There is also a very interesting nine-turn zig zag bridge to thwart evil spirits (which can travel only in straight lines). As we travelled through the Garden we admired a classic Chinese rich red columned covered walkway with an ornate white painted low side fence and green tiled roof. This was in the shape of a square with the walkway as the perimeter of the square and an open area in the middle with a nice floral display. There are a number of small four or five columned stone covered pavilions throughout the Garden with groups of people on the seats provided, no doubt taking a break from the excesses of the modern world and soaking up the very peaceful surroundings or meeting others for a chat. Taking centre stage is the waterside pavilion, Qingcao Hall, which is a fusion of Chinese and Western cultures with the external wall painted in light pastel yellow or beige, the favourite colour of Portuguese while the barrier close to the pond is painted red, China’s favourite colour. The corridor pillars are Gothic style, with European style engravings of white flower patterns at the top. The Garden offers an enchanting archway entrance with three Chinese tiled motifs above the arch and nice floral displays on both sides of the arch. As you enter you are greeted by an interesting stone sculpture of a lady beside a duck which obviously has some significance. We really enjoyed our surprise 30 minute visit in this lovely place. We saw the Garden on the map and didn’t know what to expect and our visit turned out to be a wonderful experience for both of us. We give it the “thumbs up” as a great place to include on any Macau travel itinerary.
3. Historic Centre of Macau
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,777 reviews
Reviewed By Connector820047 - New York City, United States
Amazing how the Portuguese and Chinese cultures blended so well. The Portuguese did an amazing job in keeping their identity and respecting the Chinese culture at the same time. Great authentic Portuguese architecture and restaurants, on the other side of the world. Forget the casinos and enjoy a nice walk in the historical center of Macau.
4. Mandarin's House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 500 reviews
Reviewed By thobias567 - Singapore, Singapore
Must-see sightseeing during a visit to Macau. A delightful trip to scape the hustle. Constructed about 150 years ago, It has been restored and reopened to the public in 2010.
5. Guia Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 252 reviews
Reviewed By 34vera
A trip to the past, to visit the most ancient western-style beacon in the East. It is surrounded by a beautiful garden, on a hill, and has a spectacular view over Macau. Sadly, it is now very far from the water, because of all the continuous land reclamation. Good to visit with children, they can run around and play safely. One of Macau most popular jogging circuits.
6. Skycab Cable Car (Wynn Palace)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 439 reviews
Reviewed By MugglesNSWAustralia
Enjoyable ride with interesting views of the hotel and surroundings - it would be spectacular at night. Just remember to hold on to something (someone) when the cable car is going round the corners!
7. A-Ma Temple (Ma Kok Miu)
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,464 reviews
Reviewed By santhoshi2018 - Kochi (Cochin), India
A-Ma Temple, dedicated to the Chinese sea goddess Mazu located in Sao Lourenco in the Barra Hill. The name “Macao” is believed to derive from the Chinese “A-Ma-Gau” meaning “Bay of A-Ma”, on which A-Ma Temple is located. It consists of the Gate Pavilion, the Memorial Arch, the Prayer Hall, the Hall of Benevolence, the Hall of Guanyin, and Zhengjiao Chanlin (a Buddhist pavilion),each forming a small part of the well-ordered complex which sits in perfect harmony with the natural environment. The variety of pavilions dedicated to the worship of different deities in a single complex make A-Ma Temple an exemplary representation of Chinese culture inspired by Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism and multiple folk beliefs.
8. Ruins of St. Paul's
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 7,942 reviews
Considered Macau’s most famous landmark, the ruins of this 16th-century cathedral features a spectacular façade with intricate carvings by Japanese monks.
Reviewed By patrickperbkk
One of the iconic landmark in Macau with great history. It's highly suggested to walk from the Senado Square via Macau museum where you get the best view / photo of Macau city and Ruins of St Paul's. The museum underneath the Ruin is worth to visit too.
9. Monte Forte (Fortaleza do Monte)
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 871 reviews
Built in the 16th century by the Jesuits and later used as a military base, this fort today features a public park, an observatory and the Macau Museum.
Reviewed By DickyKnees63 - Adelaide, Australia
The Macau Museum is spread over multiple levels atop the Monte Fort - great city views by the way. Escalators get you to the top for this no fee attraction which contains well curated displays of Macau's colonial and Chinese heritage. Essentially, you work your way from floor to floor to peruse artworks, static display, dioramas & AV prentations covering the history of Macau. Everything from a traditional Chinese bridal bed to memorabilia from the long defunct Macau fireworks factories. Very worth while.
10. Largo do Senado (Senado Square)
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 3,936 reviews
Reviewed By OrderintheHouse
My wife and I were so pleased we decided to include a two night stay in Macau as part of our 18 day Asian adventure to celebrate our 40 anniversary in December 2019 and January 2020. Macau is a delightful fusion of Chinese and Portuguese influences and it is essential in our view to include a visit to its Historic Centre. We had just viewed in awe the famed Ruins of St Paul’s and our next port of call was to experience Largo do Senado, more commonly known as Senado Square. From the Ruins of St Paul’s we embarked on a most interesting walk. During the journey we travelled along one narrow street crowded with tourists and locals with an exciting vibe of food shops and small bakeries selling many Macau culinary delights including the famous Portuguese egg tarts. Acting on impulse we decided to watch our valuables extra carefully, given the closeness of all the tourists to us as we walked the crowded streets. Just before arriving at the Square we walked along Largo de São Domingos with its many trendy clothing shops. What a great sight greeted us when we reached the Square. It is a huge Square covering an area of 3,700 square metres. It is very beautiful and the square is surrounded by magnificent pastel coloured neo-classical buildings, It is a Square for the people with hundreds of locals and tourists simply enjoying the atmosphere and the exciting buzz. There are many shops and cafes to entice. My wife was pleased that there was a Pandora jewellery shop in the Square. She purchased a nice memento to commemorate our anniversary. Our visit here took place on 30 December which was five days after Christmas. As such, the Square had retained its many, magnificent Christmas decorations and displays which really added to the colour and vibrancy of the place. The most impressive Christmas display was the one magnificently decorating the Square’s water fountain. Across the road from the Square is the magnificent Leal Senado building, originally built in 1784, and Macau’s original municipal chamber, a function it maintains to the present. We took time out to go inside this building and we really enjoyed the experience, particularly viewing the Council Chambers and meeting room upstairs. Opposite the Leal Senado building and beside the Square to the right is the very imposing three story General Post Office Building built in 1929. Yet another fabulous building right in the Square is the Holy House of Mercy established by the first Bishop of Macau in 1569. These and many more fine historic buildings are in this vicinity to view and admire forming an impressive treasure trove for the most ardent of history buffs. We really enjoyed this short glimpse of this magnificent Square. Our visit really wasn’t long enough as we could have easily spent more hours here soaking up the history and the atmosphere. Nevertheless, in the time we were here it became very obvious to us from the many people present that the Largo do Senado definitely represents the vibrant heart of the Historic Centre of Macau.
