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Is Macau Worth Visiting?
Yes, Macau is totally worth visiting. We loved our time in Macau and think it offers so much more than expected. If you thing a culture fusion is interesting then you will love Macau. While you might think it is just ‘a big casino’ or ‘too similar to Hong Kong’, we respectfully argue that it is the complete opposite! Yes there are casinos here but you could go there and never see them. There are some cultural similarities to Hong Kong but with the unique Portugese & Chinese fusion it stands alone. It feels like it moves at a slower pace and is compact and walkable. If you are visiting Asia for the first time, love foodie destinations or are thinking of taking a day trip from Hong Kong to Macau then you will love it!
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How Many Days in Macau Do You Need?
One day in Macau will be perfect for most travellers. A day trip from Hong Kong to Macau will cover all the must see things in a timely manner. With 2 days in Macau you can relax a little and see Cotai and Taipa. 3 or more days will get you down to the coastline, to casinos and let you slow down to soak up the cool culture of Macau.
Macau Itinerary Overview (Quick Plan)
1 Day in Macau ( or day trip from Hong Kong to Macau)
- Visit Senado Square, Ruins of St. Paul’s, Monte Fort, Taipa Village & eat delicious food.
2 days in Macau
- To the first day you can move at a slower pace and soak up the atmosphere, add in Cotai and maybe get down to coastal Coloane Village or the Macao Giant Panda Pavilion.
Macau Day Trip Itinerary from Hong Kong (Perfect 1 Day Plan)
To visit Macau from Hong Kong on a day trip you can choose to go on an organised day tour or do it yourself.
Macau Day Trip
This organised day tour gives you a taste of Macau and is really well rated. You travel via ferry and bus so you see both options. It includes most of the ‘big’ sights in Macau and is a little easier than DIY.
If you choose the DIY route then you will need to either take the ferry or the bus to Macau from Hong Kong:
DIY Option 1: Take the bus from Hong Kong ot Macau
The bus will travel by the HZMB (Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge) it is generally fast (about 45 minutes), available 24/7, and affordable at HK$65–$75. Pre booking tickets is the best way to make sure you get your chosen day & time.
DIY Option 2: Take the Ferry from Hong Kong to Macau
This is what we did! Head to the ferry terminal in Hong Kong (there are a couple so make sure you are at the right one) and go straight to security as you will have already purchased your ticket online. If not you will need to get there even earlier to buy tickets as they can sell out. It takes about 60 minutes by ferry and we chose to land in the outer harbour ferry terminal (you can choose Taipa instead if you prefer).
Things to do in Macau in 1 day
Explore Senado Square & Historic Centre
Senado Square is the historic, UNESCO-listed area of Macau. Its Portuguese architecture is gorgeous and such a unique contrast to the Chinese culture that is is fused with. This is the absolute heart of Macau and should be your first stop as it is the busiest part as well. To avoid crowds try to get here as early as possible and try to visit on a weekday. There are so many alleys and lanes to discover cute cafes, pretty buildings and unique street scenes. We loved walking around this area, make sure to visit Travessa da Paixāo to see this pretty and romantic spot, perfect for photos. R. da Felicidade is a street with a seedy past that has been turned into a cafe and restaurant hot spot and has been the location of movies. R. dos Ervanarios and Calcada do Amparo are older streets where the colourful and tiled buildings give you a glimpse into the Portugese history of the city.
Visit the Ruins of St. Paul’s
This is another of the iconic places in Macau that you need to see. It is really interesting to see how it is standing but is the last remaining part. There is a room you can walk through with pieces of the ruins and as there are bones there you have to be quiet. It is a worthwhile and free thing to do in Macau.
Walk to Monte Fort for the Best Views
Walk over to Monte Fort to get some of the best views overlooking the city. You can take an escalator to the top and walk out over the top of the museum then walk down through the fort walls to exit.
Macau Tower
The Macau Tower is really popular, you can buy a ticket to go up and check out the amazing views from the top. You can also have a breakfast, lunch or dinner there and soak them up a little longer.
Explore Taipa Village (Hidden Gem Vibes)
Taipa is one of our favourite areas of Macau, you will find colourful streets and buildings and get a sense of the old Macau. Find the Historical Museum of Coloane and Taipa to see the buildings and history, there was a sculpture display there when we visited too. It is less crowded, full of charm and great cafes. There are some really cool shops here and lots of great photo spots. Find Taipa Food Street for its huge array of snack foods and don’t miss our pork chop recommendation here below.
2 Day Macau Itinerary (If You Stay Overnight)
Fishing Village of Coloane
If you want to get out of the city then head to the picturesque, pastel coloured village, its charm and cobblestone streets are always popular and it is a nice place to spend a couple of hours. Make sure you go to Lord Stow’s Bakery for their Portuguese egg tarts and Hon Kee Cafe for their unique hand beaten coffee.
Macao Giant Panda Pavilion
On the way to or from Coloane stop off at the Macao Giant Panda Pavilion. If you haven’t been to Chengdu then you can check out the pandas in their indoor and outdoor enclosures. (skip if you have been to Chengdu!)
Visit Cotai Strip (Macau’s Vegas-Style Casinos)
There are some major casinos in Macau and even if you aren’t into gambling they are interesting to check out. We walked through a couple of them but the ones we liked the most were the The Venetian and the Parisian Macau. You really don’t need to gamble at all, there is so much to see in here that you probably won’t want to. Check out the gondola rides in the Venetian and the Macau Eiffel Tower and Observation Deck at the Parisian! Try to time your visit for the late afternoon so you can see the light show that starts in the evening at the Eiffel Tower viewpoint. The incredible teamLabs experience is also at the Venetian and it is so worth going to. We actually went to teamLabs in Japan and this one was way quieter and easier to get around.
Dinner experiences in Macau
There are a couple of epic dinner experiences in Macau, the Macau Towers 360 degree dinner is stunning There is also Dinner In The Sky Macao in it’s unique capsule and Le Buffet at The Parisian Macao. All are worth booking in for as they can sell out.
After dinner you can head to the Wynn Casino and take a ride in the SkyCab. It is free, you just have to line up, which can take a while. Open from 4pm-10pm most days it would be a very cool (and free) way to end the night!
How to Get to Macau from Hong Kong
There are 3 ways to get from Hong Kong to Macau. The bus and ferry are the most common ways to make the trip. The ferry is what we chose and it was really easy. I have heard that this bus is also simple and uses the new bridge. Both take about an hour with the ferry costing slightly more. The last and very expensive option is helicopter. Yep! You can fly there in style.
Visa considerations – most countries generally won’t need a visa for a visit less than 30 days. This can change so I would confirm this before planning your travel. We did go through immigration at Macau when we came on the ferry. It was really quick and easy.
Try Macau’s Famous Food
There are some excellent must try foods in Macau, these are our top three favourites. Firstly their Portuguese egg tarts! These are so much better than in Hong Kong. The best we found were at a little bakery called Margaret’s Café e Nata. They were light, crispy with the creamiest egg centre. Perfection and warm straight from the oven.
Almond cookies are also a delacacy here. There is a shop close to where we stayed called Pastelaria Chui Heong and it had a huge long line up waiting to buy their almond cookies. They have a bakery next door where you can see them being made as well. You will find the almond cookies sold throughout the city but if you can buy them fresh, it is always a win. They do taste strongly of marzipan so if you like that you’ll love them.
Pork chop buns are another famous snack, sometimes called the Macanese hamburger. We tried a few around the city and they are often a little different but in general they are a crispy and juicy fried pork chop sitting in a bun. Some places crumb the pork, others season it and some have bones and others don’t. Some buns are a little sweet others more like a baguette but regardless they are all good. The best Mike tried was in Taipa Village at Tai Lei Loi Kei, a local cafe. With over 50 years of history it is a must visit, even Anthony Bourdain recommended it. We met the owner who is the daughter of the lady and orgininal owner. There are now two shops and she runs one with her mother still running the other. They are so sweet, this places is a must visit. Also the homemade ice-cream was a delicious creamy treat!
Street food is really popular as well, you will find stalls selling tripe, duck and lots of jerky. Walking down the shopping streets there will be loads of shops giving samples of jerky.
Macau vs Hong Kong: Which Is Better?
Macau vs Hong Kong is very dependant on what you are looking for. There are some obvious differences, Hong Kong is a bigger and more populous city. The atmosphere does feel much busier and bigger, the costs are a little higher and there are loads of things to do. Macau is somewhat smaller and feels less closed in. There is a lot to do but it isn’t as action packed as Hong Kong. Macau is a little cheaper but it also has an interesting cultural fusion pr Portugese/Chinese. To answer which is better, I would say choose Hong Kong if you are looking for a great city to explore or an excellent layover city. It is big, exciting and full of interest. If you are looking for a little slower pace and prefer an interesting cultural fusion then head to Macau. Check out our Hong Kong guide to compare or watch our Hong Kong Vlog to see what we got up to.
Best Things to Do in Macau
These are the things we just loved to do in Macau!
- Exploring Tiapa
- The TeamLabs experience at the Parisian
- Senado Square & St Pauls Ruins
- Eat warm Portugese Tarts
Where to Stay in Macau
- On the Cotai Strip you will find all the luxury options as well as casinos. The Parisian Macao or W Macau – Studio City are popular.
- Or stay in Taipa for a more local feel, this hotel is the best rated.
- For more budget stays then the Peninsula area is best. This is where we stayed in the historical heart of Macau. It was budget friendly and really nice.
Is Macau Expensive?
Macau is a little cheaper than Hong Kong but in all honestly they are pretty similar. You can find cheaper accommodation in good ares more easily in Macau but the food options are quite similar as are attractions pricing.
Best Time to Visit Macau
Travelling in October–December will give you the best weather and avoid peak humidity. Macau can get very hot in summer.
Macau Itinerary FAQ
Can you do a Macau day trip from Hong Kong?
Yes definitely. You can take the ferry or bus over and spend the day exploring the highlights of the city.
Do you need a visa for Macau?
Generally most countries don’t need a visa for under 30 days but this can change and it is best to check.
Is Macau safe for tourists?
Yes, we had no problems and we didn’t see anything concerning at all. It felt quite safe. As always take usual care.
Is Macau just casinos?
No! Macau is a historic city with an interesting mix of Portugese and Chinese culture. There is a lot to do here before you even see a casino.
How long is the ferry from Hong Kong to Macau?
The ferry is about a 60 minute trip from Hong Kong to Macau.
Macau is a city that takes you by surprise, we came with no expectation and left with the fondest memories, Macau is not to be missed!
Plan your trip:
👉 Read next: What to do in Hong Kong
👉 Plan your trip: 2-Week China Itinerary or our 2-Week Japan Itinerary
👉 Don’t miss: The Ultimate Shanghai Itinerary
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