Top 10 Things to See and Do in Macau

Senado Square Macau
Senado Square Macau | © shankar s. / Flickr
Matthew Keegan

Macau is far more than just a casino city, with its rich East meets West history, one of a kind culture, delicious street food, and world record-breaking attractions, there is truly nowhere else quite like it. Here are 10 reasons why Macau needs to be on your top list of places to visit in Asia.

Eat Macau’s Edible Icon

Bakery, Dessert

Eat Macau’s Edible Icon
These days Macau has become something of a pilgrimage for pastry lovers. Based on the Portuguese pastel de nata and adapted for Macau by an English pharmacist turned baker named Andrew Stow, they now sell around 13,000 of these tarts per day at Lord Stow’s Bakery located on Macau’s scenic Coloane Island. With their flaky pastry crusts, delicious egg custard centres and crispy crème brulee tops, they taste twice as nice when piping hot. A must eat food in Macau!

Watch the World’s Largest Water Show

Concert Hall

Watch the World’s Largest Water Show
Photo: Courtesy of Dragone Entertainment
If you’re looking to be entertained in Macau, look no further than its longest running and most successful show, The House of Dancing Water. The production, the world’s largest water extravaganza, has been quite literally making a splash in Macau for over six years and is so good that even locals return to watch it time and time again. Created by renowned theatre producer Franco Dragone, the show is 90 minutes full of high-energy, mind-blowing stunts, stunning scenery and features some of the world’s greatest acrobats, dancers, divers, actors, and motorcyclists. With a stage that frequently converts from a solid floor to a giant performance pool, you’ll be wondering how they pull it all off.

Visit the A-Ma Temple

Buddhist Temple

Visit the A-Ma Temple
© xiquinhosilva / Flickr
Although there are a number of traditional Chinese temples to visit in Macau, perhaps the most famous is the A-Ma Temple, believed to be the temple where Macau’s name is derived from. It’s the oldest temple in the city and is dedicated to the goddess Mazu, protector of seafarers and fishermen. The temple 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). 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.

Try Your Luck in a Casino

Macau is truly a casino city and is often dubbed “the Las Vegas of the East”. The most popular game of choice here is Baccarat and it dominates every single casino, taking up half or more of all the tables. Unlike Vegas where gambling is associated with a more fun element, the Chinese tend to treat it very seriously. There’s very little, if any, banter to be had and it’s rare to see any of them with a drink in their hands while at the tables. For those looking to bet big, there are VIP rooms as well where bets can start at as much 1 million HKD per hand.

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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
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2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
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3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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Try the World’s Highest Bungy Jump

Amusement Park, Building

Try the World’s Highest Bungy Jump
There’s one BIG reason why adrenaline junkies often flock to Macau and that’s because it’s home to the Guinness World Record holder for the Highest Commercial Bungy Jump in the world. Situated at the top of the striking Macau Tower, jumpers leap from a platform 233m (764 ft) above the ground and experience the ultimate free fall experience. This is the ultimate in daredevil thrill-seeking. Macau Tower also offers alternatives like Skywalk and SkyJump activities, that are slightly less terrifying!

Sample Macanese cuisine

Restaurant, Asian

Sample Macanese cuisine
© Krista / Flickr
Macanese cuisine has a history of over 400 years and dates back to when Macau was first colonised by Portuguese invaders. Blending southern Chinese cuisine and Portuguese ingredients, spices and cooking techniques from Macau’s colonial days, they melded into a distinct style that became known as “Macanese”. Classic Macanese dishes include tacho (a fusion stew made with Chinese and Western ingredients) cappela (a baked meatloaf made with cheese, black olives and breadcrumbs, topped with crispy bacon) and Minchi, a delicious combination of minced beef or pork (or a combination of the two), diced potatoes stir-fried with onions, and Worcestershire sauce. A good place to try Macanese cuisine is Restaurant Litoral, possibly “the spiritual home of Macanese cuisine”.

Visit Senado Square

Building

Visit Senado Square
© shankar s. / Flickr
Macau’s famous town square is best visited during the daytime when you can truly appreciate the beauty of the place. A stunning symbol of Macau’s East meets West heritage, the square is surrounded by pastel coloured neo-classical buildings and has Portuguese-style wavy mosaic tiled floors. It’s the perfect spot to sit, rest, relax and take photographs as you watch the world go by. There’s even a saying that “if you haven’t been to Senado Square, you haven’t been to Macau”. So be sure to mark this spot on your list of places to visit.

Take a Selfie at the Ruins of St Paul’s

Cathedral, Museum, Ruins

Take a Selfie at the Ruins of St Paul’s
falco (Public Domain) / Pixabay
Arguably Macau’s most famous landmark, the Ruins of St. Paul’s is an iconic stone façade, the remains of what used to be the greatest of Macau’s churches, the complex of St. Paul’s College and the Cathedral of St. Paul, built in the 16th century, but burned down in 1835 leaving only its very large and beautiful façade and the front stairway. Today it is one of Macau’s must-visit landmarks and an extremely popular backdrop for the countless tourists who visit daily to take photos and explore the nearby bustling side streets.

Explore Taipa Village

Just a stone’s throw away from Macau’s main casino strip (called The Cotai Strip) lies this quaint, historic village. You will find museums and colonial churches juxtaposed against Chinese temples. Taipa Village is home to the stunning Taipa House Museum. Built in 1921, it once served as a residence for the Portuguese governor and other high-level civil servants and their families. Taipa Village is one of the few areas in Macau where you can step back in time and enjoy quiet strolls along pedestrianised alleys and hidden lanes, browse in cosy shops and visit local bakeries selling the city’s famous almond cookies and peanut candies.

Relax and indulge

Restaurant, French

No trip to Macau is complete without a little indulgence. The city is home to numerous acclaimed fine dining restaurants. Among the best is Robuchon au Dôme. Located at the pinnacle of the Grand Lisboa Hotel it boasts a beautiful vaulted glass dome with stunning views across Macau. For a bit of relaxation try the signature Macanese Sangria Ritual at Grand Lapa’s Spa. An indulgent three-part experience, lasting over two hours, the treatment includes a sangria bath in your own private spa garden and an 80 minute intensely relaxing massage. Go on, spoil yourself!
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