With another long weekend coming up, I wanted to recap my recent trip to Macau and provide you with a recommended guide to spending two days in the lovely city.
Macau holds a special place in my heart. As my home for six years during my early teenage years, I always cherish the memories of exploring Old Taipa and the Venetian with friends and all the good food.
Macau in a NutShell🥜
Macau is Asia's 🎰 gambling capital 🎰 - often referred to as "Asia's Las Vegas". Macau is known for its unique blend of Chinese and Portuguese cultures, which is reflected in its architecture, food, and way of life.
How To Get There
To get there from Hong Kong, you can either take the ferry, bus, helicopter or private car.
Ferry - If you're visiting for a day and plan to only hit Taipa and/or Coloane - I'd recommend taking the ferry to Macau (Taipa), so you can maximise your time.
Bus - If you're planning to stay for 2+ days, or only plan to visit Macau Peninsula-side, then I'd recommend taking the bus!
Private Car - If you have the permit to drive on the Hong Kong-Macau-Zhuhai bridge, this may be the easiest option for you. You'll have to park your car at the Macau immigration and make your way through Macau via public transport/hotel shuttles though! Tip: Don't forget to book your parking spot before you head over!
Helicopter - If you're looking for an ~EXTRA~ special entrance into Macau, this is for you. Let me know if it's worth it, I've always wanted to try! 😂
MACAU Peninsula
Perfect for those who want to explore the "OG Macau" and experience a tour of Macau's vibrant history.
Ruins of St. Paul's: This iconic landmark is the most popular attraction in Macau and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The ruins of the 16th-century church are all that remain after a fire destroyed the building in 1835. Tip: It gets busy, head over early or be ready to be met with HK-level crowds!
Senado Square: A blend of old and new architecture featuring the iconic wave-patterned mosaic of coloured stones.
A-Ma Temple: The 15th century Taoist Temple of the Goddess dedicated to the Chinese sea goddess Mazu, and is one of the oldest and most important temples in Macau.
Mandarin's House: This 19th-century mansion was the former residence of a prominent Chinese scholar and is an excellent example of traditional Chinese architecture.
Macau Tower: For my fellow thrill-seekers, head to Macau Tower to view the city from a new altitude on their skywalk, or if you're really daring - bungee jump off the 338-meter-high tower! (I truly recommend it, so much fun!)
TAipA
Perfect for those who want the best of both worlds - casinos meets Old Taipa.
Old Taipa Village: My favourite neighborhood known for its traditional Portuguese-style architecture, narrow streets, and colorful buildings. Only a 15-minute walk from the Venetian! Tip: Go hungry to stock up on free snack samples, egg tarts, serradura, and pork buns.
Cotai Strip: Enjoy the Vegas-esque casino district with luxury hotels, casinos, and shopping malls (featuring unlimited WiFi and air conditioning).
Coloane
Perfect for those who want to escape to a quieter side of Macau and EAT!
Coloane Village: Visit the Coloane Village Square, check out the Chapel of St. Francis Xavier, and grab an egg tart from the original Lord Stow's Bakery (or dine in their cafe!)
Hac Sa Beach: My home for six years. Visit the black sand beach, enjoy a stroll through the quiet park with some BBQ skewers, and visit my all time favourite restaurant in the world, Fernando's (new blog coming soon!).
Must eat
Most importantly, Macau has an insane array of flavours for you to taste. And the best part - so many free samples!
STREET FOOD
Whether you're at St. Paul's Ruins or Old Taipa, you'll be guaranteed a handful (or two) of free samples of almond cookies, pork jerky, egg rolls, and more! Tip: visit hungry and sample all the free local snacks!
Don't forget to pick up a custard-y dose of the best Portuguese egg tarts from Lord Stow's!
Must-TRY Dishes
Macau has so much to offer for your tastebuds. Blending the east and west, Macanese cuisine offers a mesh of Chinese and Portuguese cooking. Try Minchi, African Chicken, and the abundance of seafood available. I strongly recommend visiting Fernando's for Portuguese dishes - especially their suckling pig, garlic prawns, cod fish, and most importantly, the Fernando's style clams! For dessert, serradura, flan, and egg tarts are the way to go!
Hot Tip: Take it chill! Macau gets busy with other tourists but take a moment to stray down quieter paths and embrace the slower pace of path. Let Macau give you a break from the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong.
Happy Travelling!