Ruins of St. Paul's (大三巴牌坊)
The 17th-century stone facade of a Jesuit cathedral — all that survived of a 1580 church that burned in 1835. Free, open 24h. The most-photographed spot in Macau. The Museum of Sacred Art behind it is ¥15.
澳门 · Travel Guide
Macau for foreigners
Portuguese ruins, Cotai Strip casinos, and a 1-hour bridge from Hong Kong.
Macau is the original European colony in China (1557-1999, Portuguese), the only place in China where gambling is legal, and the densest UNESCO World Heritage site per square kilometer on Earth. It's a 30 sq km peninsula-and-islands territory that handles 40+ million visitors a year, mostly from mainland China and Hong Kong. Most foreign travelers do a day trip from Hong Kong (1 hour by ferry or 40 minutes by the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau bridge) or stay 1-2 nights to combine the UNESCO heritage walk (Ruins of St. Paul's, A-Ma Temple, Senado Square) with a night on the Cotai Strip (Venetian, Parisian, City of Dreams, Studio City). The 18+ casino entry means you'll see ID checks at the door — that's the only time your age will be formally verified in China.
Top things to do in Macau
A-Ma Temple (妈阁庙)
A 1488 Taoist temple on the western waterfront — the origin of the name "Macau" (from the Cantonese 媽閣). Free, open 7:00-18:00. The oldest temple in the city and the entry point to the UNESCO heritage walk.
The Venetian Macao + Cotai Strip
The world's largest casino (550,000 sq ft of gaming floor). Even if you don't gamble, the Grand Canal Shoppes (indoor Venice with gondola rides, HK$128) and the Cotai Strip connecting Venetian/Parisian/City of Dreams are a Vegas-scale spectacle. 18+ to enter the gaming floor — bring a passport.
Senado Square (議事亭前地)
A 19th-century Portuguese-paved square surrounded by pastel colonial buildings and the Leal Senado (the old municipal council). Free, open all day. The center of the UNESCO walk; best at sunset.
Coloane Village (路环村)
The southern, least-developed part of Macau — pastel Portuguese village houses, St. Francis Xavier Church, the black-sand Hac Sa Beach. Free to walk. Take bus 26A from the ferry terminal (40 minutes).
Macau Tower
A 338m tower with the world's highest commercial bungee jump (HK$4,488 / MOP 3,888). The observation deck on the 58th floor is MOP 165; the Skywalk around the outside (no harness) is MOP 798. Best city view, day or night.
Where to stay in Macau
We only list hotels that accept foreign guests and accept international credit cards.
Trip.com
The Parisian Macao
Verified accepting foreign guests, English-speaking staff, central location.
from $190/night
Booking.com
Pousada de Mong-Há (Colina de Mong-Há)
Verified accepting foreign guests, English-speaking staff, central location.
from $95/night
Klook
Macau Fu Hua Hotel
Verified accepting foreign guests, English-speaking staff, central location.
from $58/night
Book your Macau trip
Three platforms that work well for foreign visitors to Macau. Prices update in real time; no hidden fees.
Trip.com
Hotels, trains & flights
The best platform for mainland-China hotels and high-speed rail tickets. English interface, accepts foreign Visa/Mastercard.
Hotels from $35/night · HSR from $7
Search Macau on Trip.com →Booking.com
International hotel chains
Best for international chains (Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, IHG) that most foreigners already have loyalty status with.
Free cancellation on most rooms
Search Macau on Booking.com →Klook
Tours, attractions & eSIM
Skip-the-line attraction tickets, day tours, and China eSIM data packages. Instant confirmation, mobile vouchers.
Tours from $12 · eSIM from $3
Search Macau on Klook →Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Read our disclosure policy.
When to visit Macau
October–December. Cool and dry. March–May is warm and humid. June–September is hot and humid; typhoon risk August–September.
FAQ
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What's the difference between HKD, MOP, and RMB in Macau?
Macau's official currency is the Macanese pataca (MOP, 帕塔卡), pegged 1:03 to the HKD. But HKD is accepted almost everywhere at 1:1 — the change comes back in MOP. RMB is accepted at large hotels and casinos at a bad rate; bring HKD. -
How do I get from Hong Kong to Macau?
Two main options: TurboJET or Cotai Water Jet ferry from Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal (Sheung Wan MTR) to Macau Outer Harbour — 1 hour, HK$220-280 economy. Or the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge (HZMB) bus from Kowloon — 40 minutes, HK$65-150 depending on time of day. The bridge is faster but less scenic. -
Do I need a visa for Macau?
Most Western passports get 30 days visa-free on arrival. If you're transiting through HK/Macau from a 240-hour-transit mainland visa, both count as separate regions for the visa calculation.
Get our Macau itinerary
A day-by-day plan, the metro lines you need, and the one restaurant locals love.