Macau SAR Travelers Recommend

Although Macau is a often thought of as a day-trip destination, multiple days are needed to properly explore this multifaceted spot. Macau’s history and culture runs deeper than its mega-casinos. Here is a 3-day itinerary for experiencing colonialism’s quirkiest outpost.

Day 1: Historic City

Spend your first day in Macau diving into the city’s history and heritage. Start with a guided tour of the historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where Portuguese and Chinese influences are evident in both art and architecture. Climb the steps to the ruined façade of St. Paul’s Church, duck into the incense-filled A-Ma Temple, or tour the old walls of Monte Fort, built to protect the city from invading Dutch forces. Pay a visit to the Macau Museum inside the fort to learn more about the area’s Chinese and European cultural heritage. Continue the historic theme by booking tickets to a modern retelling of Journey to the West, called Monkey King – China Show, at the Sands Cotai.

Day 2: Modern Macau

You’ve explored Macau’s past. Today is about its present. Start with a visit to Macau Tower, the city’s tallest skyscraper and a popular attraction. Take in the views from the observation deck, or step outside for a Skywalk, tower climb, or the world’s highest commercial bungee jump. Spend some free time in the afternoon visiting Macau’s glitzy casinos, getting hands-on at the Macau Science Center, or escaping the heat in the Underground Amusement Center. Once the sun sets, make your way to the City of Dreams casino for Cirque du Soleil-style show, The House of the Dancing Water.

Day 3: Hong Kong

Visitors to Macau are within day trip distance of two cities. The most popular option is Hong Kong, a short ferry ride away. There’s something for everyone in the giant metropolis, including Hong Kong Disneyland for families. On the mainland China side, visitors can day trip to Shenzhen, popular for its shopping. For either Hong Kong or mainland China, plan for a full day, ending at a local restaurant.

The Macau Historic Centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with historically significant attractions. If you want to take a deep dive into Macau’s long and storied past, these top historical sights have a place on your itinerary.   Guia Fortress Occupying the highest point on the Macau peninsula, this fort was built by the Portuguese between 1622 and 1638 to protect the area from invaders. The views of the coastline from the historic fortress are outstanding. Be sure to duck inside the small Guia Chapel with its Western and Chinese frescoes.   Mandarin’s House This 60-room estate was built in 1869 as the ancestral home of author-merchant Zheng Guanying. A spectacular example of traditional Chinese architecture, Mandarin’s House features quiet courtyards, a moon gate, and a spacious main hall with French windows.   Ruins of St. Paul’s The iconic ruins of the Church of St. Paul are featured on just about every sightseeing tour. All that remain of this 17th-century Jesuit church are the front façade and stairway. A fire in 1835 destroyed much of the structure, leaving only what is seen today.   A-Ma Temple Believed to be Macau’s oldest temple, A-Ma Temple is dedicated to the goddess Mazu, protector of fishermen. The structure was built during the Ming Dynasty with elements borrowed from Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism.   Dom Pedro V Theatre The Dom Pedro V Theatre, with its mint-green neoclassical façade, is one of the oldest Western-style theaters in Asia. Built by Portuguese colonizers in 1860, the theater gets its name from the Portuguese king at that time. It still plays host to classical music and theatrical performances.   Taipa Houses Museum For a better understanding of what life was like for Macau’s affluent merchants in their heyday, pay a visit to the five Porto-Chinese houses that make up the Taipa Houses Museum. These pastel-hued villas were built in the early 1900s to serve as summer homes for Macau’s wealthy elite.

While Macao's shopping malls and casinos have earned the region its reputation as the "Las Vegas of China," there's more to this coastal resort area. From thrilling theme parks to romantic gondola rides, Macao has an abundance of activities to try in addition to checking out the neon lights of the Cotai Strip. Here are a few of our favorites.

Cotai Water Jet Ferry

One of the most popular day trips from Macao is to neighboring Hong Kong, and the Cotai Water Jet ferries take just an hour to zip between the island of Taipa in Macao and Sheung Wan in Hong Kong.

The House of Dancing Water Show

Enjoy thrilling stunts, gravity-defying acrobatics, and spectacular water jet displays at this 90-minute show.

Macao Tower

Take in 360-degree views over the Macao peninsula and Pearl River Delta from the tower's 730-foot-high (223-meter) observation lounge. Thrill-seekers can also tackle the Tower Climb to get to the very top; take on the Skywalk; or brave the ultimate feat: a bungee jump or Skyjump from the top of the tower.

The Venetian Gondola Ride

Get transported to Venice as you glide down the indoor canals at the lavish Venetian Macao resort. Meet your gondolier, hop aboard your gondola, and cruise past Venetian landmark replicas like the Bridge of Sighs.

Golden Reel Ferris Wheel

Take a ride on the star attraction of Macao's Studio City, the world's highest figure-eight Ferris wheel. Climb aboard a steampunk-themed cabin and look out over Cotai Strip from 425 feet (130 meters) up.

Pier 16 Macao 3D World

Ensure some memorable souvenir photos with a day spent posing for photos with dinosaurs, world landmarks, and celebrities in unique 3D scenes.

The House of Magic

Prepare for mind-bending illusions, magic tricks, and plenty of surprises at the three-theater House of Magic, the brainchild of world-famous illusionist Franz Harary.

Batman Dark Flight

A must for budding superheroes, the Batman Dark Flight whisks adventurers on a 20-minute 4D simulation ride through Gotham. Come face-to-face with the Joker, Two-face, and Bane while helping Batman save the city.

Macao Science Center

Combine learning and fun at the popular Macao Science Center, where you can enjoy unlimited full-day access to interactive exhibitions, live demonstrations, and the award-winning planetarium.

Macao Kids' City

Ensure that younger kids enjoy their stay in Macao just as much as the rest of the family with a visit to the inflatable play zones, gigantic slides, adventure climbing course, and dress-up area at Macao Kids' City.

Macau is a study in juxtapositions—part sleepy colonial village and part glitzy gambling center. It’s also a cultural melting pot with influences from China, Portugal, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Here are some tips for how to make the most of your 24 hours in this city of contrasts.

Morning: City Sightseeing

There’s much more to Macau than its casinos. A good place to start is in its historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sightseeing tours typically start with historic points of interest, such as the ruins of St. Paul and the historic A-Ma Temple, before taking you through modern Macau with stops at Guia Circuit (home of Macau Grand Prix) and the 1,109-foot (338-meter) Macau Tower. To explore at your own pace, book tickets for the Macau hop-on hop-off bus, with 16 stops around town and commentary in English on its 70-minute loop.

Afternoon: Thrills or Chills

The Macau Tower ranks among the top attractions in Asia for adrenaline junkies. This afternoon, choose your level of adventure while soaking in the panoramic views of the city. Test your mettle with one of the world’s highest commercial bungee jumps or feel the wind in your face during an outdoor Skywalk some 764 feet (233 meters) above ground. For something more relaxed, opt for a gondola ride through Venetian Macau.

Night: House of Dancing Water

Tonight, treat yourself to a Cirque-style performance at City of Dreams Macau. The House of Dancing Water, created by former Cirque du Soleil director Franco Dragone, is staged in a state-of-the-art theater complete with a 3.7-million-gallon (14,000-cubic-meter) swimming pool and some 80 costumed performers. For something more traditional, head to Sands Cotai Theatre for a performance of Monkey King – China Show, which recreates the story from Journey to the West.

With two days in Macau, you have time to soak up the historic city center, marvel at modern attractions, wander Macau’s Portuguese villages, and see its Vegas-style shows. Here’s how to make the most of your 48 hours in Macau.

Day 1: City Essentials

Morning: Kick off your 2-day trip with a guided tour of Macau’s historic city center. Climb the steps of St. Paul, tour the A-Ma Temple (likely the city’s oldest Buddhist temple), and walk the last remaining section of the Old City Walls, dating back to the 16th century. Opt for the hop-on hop-off bus to tour at your own pace.

Afternoon: After lunch, visit one of Macau’s museums. Dive deep into local history at Macau Museum at Monte Fort, learn about Macau’s seafaring past at the Maritime Museum, get hands-on at the family-friendly Macau Science Center, or soak up the sun at Luis de Camoes Grotto and Garden.

Night: Finish off your day with the popular show, The House of Dancing Water. Created by former Cirque du Soleil director Franco Dragone, this multi-million dollar production features aerial and aquatic stunts above a 3.7-million-gallon (14,000-cubic-meter) pool.

Day 2: Colonial Macau

Morning: While Macau might have the reputation as the Las Vegas of China, it started as a Portuguese colony. This cultural heritage is alive and well on the Cotai strip, particularly in the villages of Coloane and Taipa. Walk the cobbled streets, have lunch in a Portuguese restaurant, or go for a swim at one of two public beaches.

Afternoon: After exploring Macau’s colonial past, step into the present at Macau Tower, the tallest building in Macau. Soak up the 360-degree views from the observation deck or choose a more adventurous option, like an outdoor Skywalk or bungee jump—the highest commercial bungee jump in the world at 764 feet (233 meters).

Night: Wrap up your trip with another popular Vegas-style show, Monkey King – China Show. This performance at the Sands Cotai is based on the Chinese legend Journey to the West about the travels of a famous monk and the Monkey King. It’s subtitled in English.

The Portuguese struck a deal with China in the early 16th century to clear the waters around Macau of pirates, leading to Macau becoming one of the first — and the last — colonial establishment on the Asian continent. These are some of the best colonial sites you won’t want to miss in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

What to See

• Guia Fortress — the highest point on the Macau peninsula and home to the 17th-century Chapel of Our Lady of Guia

• Dom Pedro V Theatre — China’s first Western-style theater, built by a Portuguese architect in 1858

• Ruins of St. Paul’s — the remains of a 16th-century complex, including the Church of St. Paul and St. Paul’s College

• Leal Senado and Senado Square — the seat of Portuguese government in Macau before it’s return to China

How to Visit

• Board a hop-on hop-off bus to explore Macau’s colonial landmarks with 16 convenient stops.

• Join a local guide on a Macau sightseeing tour to learn more about its UNESCO-listed sites.

• See Macau’s colonial highlights on a day trip from Hong Kong.