City: Macau
Top Things to do in Macau
Top 10 Points of Interest & Landmarks 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. St. Lazarus Quarter
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 35 reviews
Reviewed By LetsGoToMacau - Macau, China
The St. Lazarus District is one of the most beautiful areas of Macau with lovely cobblestone streets and a handful of heritage attractions yet it is much less frequented by tourists compared to popular areas within the Macau World Heritage area. Here you find historic churches, colonial buildings, courtyards, art galleries, coffee shops found within lovely Portuguese style buildings. You'll also be able to see some of the finest Portuguese-style cobblestone pavements in Macau. The St. Lazarus District is also a nice area to visit during holiday periods such as Chinese New Year and Mid-Autumn Festival when you find the area decorated nicely and hosting annual holiday performances. The lion dances you can see in front of the Albergue SCM building are very enjoyable to see.
2. 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!
3. The Spectacle (MGM Cotai)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By BradJill - Hong Kong, China
Had dinner at MGM Cotai's Aji restaurant recently and enjoyed watching the Spectacle LED digital programme during our meal. The Spectacle is recognised by the Guiness World Records as the largest free-span gridshell glazed roof and includes a 25 LED screen placed around the atrium at MGM Cotai, showing a series of creative and artistic programmes. They seem to have changed the digital programme from what we remember seeing last. We particularly liked the colourful smoke show (see pictures). This was beautiful. Other science, culture, landscape programmes were nice to see as well. In the end, the Spectacle remains one of the most creative, innovative and interesting free attractions on the Cotai Strip. This is someone I encourage visitors to make time to see even if for only a few minutes.
4. Leal Senado (Municipal Council)
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 273 reviews
Reviewed By OrderintheHouse
My wife and I really enjoyed our 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. The centrepiece of the Historic Centre has to be Largo do Senado or Senado Square and opposite the Square is one of the historical “jewels in the crown” – the Leal Sanado (“Loyal Senate”) Building. Originally built in 1784, this was Macau’s original municipal chamber, a function it maintains to the present. The Leal Senado Building is neoclassical in design and has retained all its original master walls and primary layout, including the courtyard garden in the back. The main façade is 14.5 metres high and 44 metres wide. A nice feature of the main façade is the French windows that open onto balconies with iron railings. The interior of the building is very ornate with impressive staircases to get to the upper floor. After entering the building, to the left was a very impressive art gallery displaying excellent Chinese artworks. This was worth a closer look. There were so many intricate paintings on show here. As our visit occurred on 30 December, just five days out from Christmas, the building inside was adorned with magnificent Christmas decorations throughout, making a really colourful display. We found it so progressive that Macau so grandly celebrated Christmas both here in this building and throughout the Senado Square opposite – it warmed the hearts of western tourists like us immensely. The courtyard at the back was also well worth a look. The very best feature of the building however, was the ceremonial meeting room and Municipal Council Chamber with its beautiful adornments and furnishings on the upper floor. The room has high decorated wooden parquetry ceilings and is divided in two by three very impressive columned archways. There are lovely red curtains throughout. The meeting chairs are black wooden balloon back chairs to a very ornate design and they have comfortable cushioned seats. Most impressive was the long polished black rectangular conference table where no doubt the Councillors conduct their business. The table is in a “Closed U” set up with computer screens and colourful leafy pot plants in the “closed U” or hollow of the table and it has a lamp and microphone for every seating position. Yet another pleasing feature was the beautiful chandeliers hanging from the ceiling to light up the room. I recall talking to the two security guards at the doorway entrance to the room during our visit and remarking to them that they should feel very proud of such an historical and ornate live and working Municipal Council Chamber. There reply was to acknowledge that “ Yes, we are so lucky to have such a beautiful building as this.” Nothing more needs to be said as they simply echoed my sentiments entirely. We were able to view the small chapel next to the meeting room. However, sadly we were unaware that we could have also viewed the elaborate carved library styled after the library of Mafra Convent in Portugal, so we missed seeing that, which was a pity. To Macau’s credit, like many of its attractions, the admission to the Building is free. It is a laudable ideal that Macau adopts to give locals and tourists maximum opportunity to experience its rich heritage through its historical buildings. To this end, the Leal Senado Building is an important national treasure that no visitor to Macau should miss seeing.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Rua da Felicidade
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 247 reviews
Reviewed By eteo232 - Sydney, Australia
Gosh, this is one lane where all your old-charm nostalgic photos can be taken! Come before the shops open (10am), and get the deserted lane feel... so amazing for photography. The shops make a great backdrop! I think it is worth a visit... after your photo-frenzy, and the shops for business, then it is time to spend some $$ haha.
8. St. Dominic's Square
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 190 reviews
Reviewed By Jhud69 - Sydney, Australia
Escape the shopping crowds out in the square and visit this beautiful well kept church. It indeed has the Portuguese influence. Outside on the side as you exit there is a museum / gallery up the stairs, please make the effort if you can climb the stairs. Once there enjoy and rejoice in the religious artefacts which indeed are rare and antiques. See every floor as each are different. We were disappointed there was no water in the holy water fonts but we made a silent prayer whilst in the church to keep us safe on our travels. Miracles do Happen! God indeed protected a member of our family by saving him from a potentially fatal fall later at the top of St. Paul's Ruins. This church has special meaning for us.
9. Cathedral Square
10. St. Lawrence's Church
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