Overview

The Macau peninsular, a large portion of which is designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, is where most of the city's historic sightseeing lies, with St Paul Cathedral taking centre stage. There are more than 25 historically and culturally significant sights in this protected area, from Chinese Buddhist temples and mansions to Portuguese-built churches and colourful squares.

Senate Square (Largo do Senado)

Characterised by its swirling wave-like tiles laid by Portuguese craftsmen, Senate Square is an excellent starting point for a tour of the historic old city. Lined by monuments and colonial architecture including the neo-classical Loyal Senate and the 16th century St Dominic's Church and Holy House of Mercy, the square features a fountain at its centre which makes a great place to people-watch.

St Paul Cathedral

The striking façade of the early 17th century St Paul Cathedral is all that remains of this focal point of Macau. Destroyed in a fire in the mid-19th century, the church is a remarkable example of Portuguese colonial architecture and was constructed with the help of exiled Japanese Christian craftsmen. Hordes of visitors and hawkers gather on the steps out front year round, making this the perfect spot to pick up inexpensive souvenirs and people-watch.

Guia Fort

This 17th century fortress encompasses both a lighthouse and a chapel and rests on the highest point of the peninsula. The lighthouse is the oldest along China's coast, having been first lit in 1865. Remarkably, the 16-foot tall lighthouse is still in operation, guiding boats with its beam which can stretch for up to 20 miles. The chapel, adjacent to which sits an early 18th century bell, is typically Portuguese.

A-Ma Temple

This traditional Chinese Buddhist temple in the southwest of the peninsular is a nice antidote to the abundant Portuguese treasures in Macau. Distinctly Asian, this ornate temple sees locals gather to make offerings of food and incense throughout the day and is a constant hive of activity. Dating to about 1500, the temple is the oldest in Macau.

Kun Iam Tong Temple

This site has housed a temple since the 15th century yet today's construction dates to the first half of the 17th century. Its ornate exterior features attractive painted porcelain figures. The temple is significant not just as a centuries-old house of worship, but as the site of the signing of the first trade treaty between the US and China in 1844.

Monte Fort

Another of Macau's 17th century treasures, this cannon-clad fortification today houses the popular Macau Museum. The museum explores the history of Macau through interesting exhibits of both pre-colonial and colonial Chinese and Portuguese artefacts while the views of the peninsular from the fort are well worth the visit alone.

Na-Tcha Temple

Indistinctive from the outside, the late 19th century Na Tcha Temple was built with simplicity in mind. Dedicated to Na-Tcha, a Chinese deity, the temple features adornments made of stone only. This low-key temple is situated to the left of St Paul Cathedral.

Overview

Macau's favourite pastime is gambling, whether it be at the world famous Casino Lisbosa or the local greyhound race track. If you are in favour of something sportier than trying your luck in the casino, you can take a gamble on the outer rim of the Macau Tower. For the faint of heart, an excursion to one of Macau's sandy beaches is sure to provide fun and relaxation for all the family.

Casinos

Gambling is one of the most popular pursuits in Macau, with hordes of Chinese businessmen arriving at weekends for two days of baccarat, blackjack, roulette and other games. The glitzy casinos here are not such as far cry from those at Las Vegas, with Casino Lisbosa being the most extravagant, closely followed by Sands Casino. The main gaming strip can be found along the waterfront, on the south coast of the peninsular.

Skywalk

If you thought gambling was risky, then check out Macau's extreme sports offerings. The 233-metre high Macau Tower is host to a New Zealand operated outfit that oversees a mast climb to the top of the tower as well bungee jumping from it and skywalks along its 1.8-metre wide outer rim, which has no protective railings. An overhead safety system is used to ensure walkers' safety.

Greyhound racing

Watch greyhounds compete any day of the week at the Macau Canidrome (Yat Yuen), Asia's only greyhound racing venue, where locals and tourists alike place bets on their favourites. If horse racing is more to your liking, the Macau's Jockey Club hosts races from October to July each year. Both grandstand seats and private boxes are available at both tracks.

Theme parks

If you are travelling with children you may like to check out Macau's modern amusement parks. The most popular park is Fisherman's Wharf, which draws thrill-seekers with its rides, street performances and games. Five years in the making, this major Macau attraction features buildings representative of different world sea ports, a glut of shops, a hotel and a casino, in addition to a replica volcano, funfair rides and an amphitheatre.

Beaches

There's no better way to cool off from the humidity than to head for the beach. Coloane Island features two popular beaches on its south side: Hac Sá and the smaller Cheoc Van. Both feature sand and the latter has a protected swimming area. It is also possible to take part in water sports such as windsurfing and kayaking at Hac Sá Beach while windsurfing and jet-skiing are available at Cheoc Van Beach.

Karaoke

One of Asia's favourite pastimes is karaoke and Macau has an abundance of places where sing-alongs can be enjoyed. Estrada do Repouso and Rua dos Pescadores have a slew of karaoke clubs to choose from, as does Taipa Island. Patrons pay a fixed fee for a room while additional fees for drinks and snacks apply.

Golf

Golf fans will be impressed with the Macau Golf & Country Club on Coloane Island. This scenic course ranks as one of Asia's finest and draws golfers with its pretty vistas of Hac Sá Beach and the Pearl River. Onsite facilities include a restaurant and bar, a pro shop, and a spa where non-golfers can enjoy being pampered while their other half works on their swing.

Dining and shopping

The Portuguese left their mark in Macau, with the introduction of European delights which have today mixed with Asian flavours to produce some exciting fusion cuisine. The colonialists also brought with them recipes from Brazil, India and Angola so don't be surprised to see everything from African chicken to prawn masala on the menu.

Cantonese fare is, of course, widespread, and those on a budget will find abundant street stalls serving up cheap and hearty quick-eats. More upmarket offerings can be enjoyed at the popular Clube Militar, a former Portuguese military hang out. Largo do Sanardo is a good hunting-ground for hungry travellers, with everything from cafés to Thai food offered here. The lovely church views and people-watching possibilities here add to the appeal.

Those with European palates might enjoy the unique Portuguese-influenced dishes that have been on the menus here since colonial times. Try the local speciality, bacalhau, a salted cod dish, or the barbequed pork which is sold in strips at street stalls throughout the centre. Those with a sweet tooth can tuck into milk pudding, a dish that is popularly found at the cafés that line Largo do Sanardo.

Shopping is a favourite pastime in Macau, with a slew of interesting shops to keep shoppers happy. Exploration of Rua de S Paulo and Rua de Pedro Nolasco da Silva will reveal an array of quaint Chinese medicine shops reminiscent of days gone by while Rua Cinco de Outubro houses traditional tea shops where you can buy tea leaves. Don't miss Rua das Estalagens and Rua da Tercena for their collectible shops selling curios such as coins, stamps and artworks.

For more modern items shoppers can check out the peninsula's fashion boutiques, electrical shops, gold outlets and camera stores, with Fisherman's Wharf being the modern shopping hotspot of choice. Many items are sold at reasonable prices here when compared with other Asian nations. Avenida Almeida Ribeiro is another busy shopping strip for luxury goods.

Local markets provide an altogether different shopping experience and can be found at Leal Senado Square and the intersection of Avenida Almirante Lacerda and Avenida Hora e Costa. Here visitors can gain insight into the daily lives of locals as they barter for fresh produce.

Dining is one of the main draws of a visit to Macau, with authentic Portuguese, Chinese and Macanese fare providing unusual and hard-to-find options. While the island has a number of upscale options such as the exclusive Robuchon a Galera, most eateries offer affordable and down-to-earth home cooked cuisine. But if you want to splurge, there are plenty of choices.

Overview

Macau is a popular daytrip destination from Hong Kong but it is becoming increasingly common for visitors to arrive here by air at Macau International Airport on Taipa Island. While hydrofoil is the quickest means of reaching Macau from neighbouring Hong Kong, the availability of low-cost flights from other Asian hubs has made this historical hub even easier to reach. Once you arrive, getting about by taxi and on foot are the easiest ways to see the sights.

Airports

Macau International Airport services several low-cost airlines that operate flights to Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta and Male. Budget carriers servicing the airport include Tiger Airways, AirAsia, Cebu Pacific Air, Shanghai Air and Viva Macau.
Long-haul flights from China en route to Taiwan also commonly use Macau as a stopover destination, with the airport handling a total of five million passengers a year.

The airport caters to all essential passenger needs and features duty-free shopping, airport lounges, banking services, shower rooms, left luggage, smoking areas and tourist information. Parking for cars and motorbikes is also available onsite.

Transport from the airport to the historic core, three miles away, is served by bus and taxis. Buses leave from directly outside the Arrivals hall and run from around 06:30 to 23:00. Express ferry services to Hong Kong are also available and depart from the Macau Ferry Terminal, a 10-minute drive from the airport. The ferry trip takes about 50 minutes. Car hire is on hand for those who wish to self-drive.

Public transportation

From mainland China, it is possible to cross into Macau at Gongbei, Zhuhai. Chinese vehicles are prohibited from entering Macau unless they have both Chinese and Macanese license plates, making self-drive an impractical option. A more convenient option is to take a bus from either Shenzhen or Guangzhou. The journey from both these Chinese cities to Macau takes about 2 hours.

A more popular way of arriving is by hydrofoil from Hong Kong, a journey of just 50 minutes. Ferries dock at Macau Ferry Terminal and operate 24 hours. From the ferry terminal, buses and taxis link with the historic core, casinos, hotels and other attractions.

Once you arrive in Macau many of the most popular districts can be explored on foot. For longer journeys, taxis are available while ferries access neighbouring islands. Two bus companies operate local bus services, which can be useful for accessing the airport and the ferry terminal. There is little need for a hire car in Macau due to its compact nature. However, it is possible to hire vehicles at the airport. Traffic can be hectic and signage is poor.