30 Places to Visit in Macau If You're Not a Casino Lover

At Ruins of St. Paul

Macau, Macau. An hour away from Hong Kong is another tourist destination in Asia - Macau. Usually a side trip or part of the "Hong Kong" adventure, Macau is a good get-go for people looking for extra fun.

Clueless about the place, I've always thought that it is only a big casino - like Las Vegas, but with Chinese characters. I did a few research, and a lot said that going there would give anyone a taste of European culture. With such curiosity of how things REALLY are in Macau, it gave me a reason to head there right away.

I was lucky enough to reach this place safely. Previous flights were canceled due to inclement weather. I thought my whole trip would be put to waste (I visited August of last year, might as well take note of its rainy seasons).

Strolling down the streets of Macau

Again, I'm telling you, I had no idea how things would be even before I reached my destination. My arrival was around midnight, and it gave me a beautiful sight of tall buildings and casinos. All were of different colors, and all looked fancy...




... However, I don't play cards.




So what do I do in Chinese Vegas? It felt like a big joke, but I know the best things in life are those unplanned. I only listed a few things in my phone to do here, but I neglected them and challenged myself to look for things that would surprise me.


I wish I knew Macau's websites, so I had an itinerary beforehand. And I won't let that happen to you, so here you go:
http://www.macaotourism.gov.mo/
www.macauheritage.net


OR, if you're feeling lazy like me, go ahead and grab tour maps in the airports. They have a wide selection of maps written in different languages! Tourist-friendly, aye!


BUT, what's the point of reading this post? Yep. I listed down here the places you need to visit in Macau if you don't play poker. Hope that this article will be your ace of spades.



1. A-Ma Temple
The longest surviving building and oldest temple in Macau.
Location: Largo da Barra
Opening Hours: 07:00-18:00

Credits: www.chinesetimeschool.com

2. Barra Square
Location: In front of A-Ma Temple

Credits: http://macauholiday.com/barra-square/

3. Moorish Barracks
This has an Islamic design, but surprisingly, this was built by an Italian architect, Cassuto.
Location: Largo da Barra
Opening Hours: 09:00-18:00

Credits: www.macaucentral.com

4. Mandarin's House
Former residence of the famous Chinese thinker, Zheng Guanying.
Location: No. 10 Antonio da Silva Lane
Opening Hours: 10:00-18:00 (closed on Wednesdays)

Credits: https://xiaomahge.wordpress.com/2011/12/11/2010-dec-macau-hk-day-1-macau/

5. Lilau Square
Lilau is a Portuguese word that means 'mountain springs'. This used to be the main source of water in Macau. A place where apartment blocks are built in Portuguese style.

Credits: https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/daodao/photo-s/04/43/3b/88/caption.jpg

6. St. Lawrence's Church
One of the three oldest churches in Macau. Built in neo-classical style with hints of Baroque.
Location: Rua de Sao Lourenco
Opening hours: 10:00-16:00

Credits: http://www.panoramio.com/photo/35933774

7. St. Joseph's Seminary and Church
Built in Baroque style and has many similarities with St. Paul's Church. Houses a relic of the first missionary to East Asia.
Location: Rua de Seminario
Opening hours: 10:00-17:00

Credits: https://www.tripoto.com/trip/work-turned-pleasure-in-macau-2183

8. St. Augustine's Square
Brings together notable monuments such as St. Joseph's Seminary and Church, St. Augustine's Church, the Dom Pedro V Theatre, and Sir Robert Ho Tung Library. A traditional Portuguese streetscape it is.

Credits: https://www.ofwsinmacau.blosgpot.com

9. St. Augustine's Church
Also known as "Long Song Miu" or "Temple of the Long-whiskered Dragon", this church was first constructed by a group of Spanish Augustinian priests as a seminary from wood in 1586, and later moved to Santo Agostinho Square in 1591.
Location: No. 2 Largo d Santo Agostinho
Opening hours: 10:00-18:00

Credits: www.secretmacau.com

10. Dom Pedro V Theatre
A commemoration built by the Portuguese for King Pedro V during the 1860s, now a place for staging plays and concerts.
Location: Largo de Santo Agostinho
Opening hours: (Theatre) 10:00-18:00 closed on Tuesdays
                            (Garden) 10:00-23:00

Credits: www.expedia.com

11. Sir Robert Ho Tung Library
Originally the residence of Dona Carolina Cunha, later on purchased by Sir Robert Ho Tung, a wealthy Hong Kong businessman. This was donated after his death and is now being used as a public library.
Location: No. 3 Largo d Santo Agostinho
Opening hours: 10:00-19:00 (Monday to Saturday)
                            11:00-19:00 (Sunday)

Credits: www.visitourchina.com

12. "Leal Senado" Building
Originally Macau's municipal office during 1784, it is now a library. The 1st floor takes the Biblioteca de Convento de Mafra as its model. It has a Southern European architectural style. It also holds China's first Portuguese copy of  "A Abelha da China".
Location: No. 163 Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro
Opening hours: (Gallery) 09:00-21:00(closed on Mondays)
                            (Garden): 09:00-21:00

13. Senado Square
The centre of Macau ever since.

Credits: http://en.macaotourism.gov.mo

14. Sam Kai Vui Kun Temple (Kuan Tai Temple)
Originally a meeting place for merchants long time ago.
Location: Rua Sul do Mercado de Sao Domingos
Opening hours: 08:00-18:00

Credits: http://www.hotelokuramacau.com/en/destination/kuan-tai-temple

15. Holy House of Mercy
This was founded by the first bishop of Macau in 1569. The first western-styled hospital in China. It is currently a museum.
Location: Largo de Senado
Opening hours: (Museum) 10:00-13:00, 14:00-17:30 (closed on Sundays & public holidays)

16. The Cathedral
One of the most important Catholic churches in Macau. Built as a dedication for the Virgin Mary in 1622.
Location: No. 1 Largo da Se
Opening hours: 07:30-18:30

Credits: macauholiday.com

17. Cathedral Square

Credits: https://worldstotrek.wordpress.com/2009/11/02/477/

18. Lou Kau Mansion
Used to be the residence of a prominent Chinese businessman named Lou Kau.
Location: No. 7 Travessa da Se
Opening hours: 09:00-19:00 (closed on Mondays)

Credits: macaostreets.iacm.gov.mo

19. St. Dominic's Square

Credits: http://www.thepoortraveler.net/2013/08/ruins-of-st-pauls-to-senado-square-macau/

20. St. Dominic's Church
The first church to be built in China. Built by Domonican priests in 1587.
Location: Largo de S. Domingos
Opening hours: 10:00-18:00

21. Ruins of St. Paul's
Almost everyone will tell you that you haven't been to Macau if you don't have a picture with the ruins. This is the facade of what remains of the Church of Mater Dei built in 1602-1640. This was part of St. Paul's College and was also the first western-styled university in the Far east.
Opening hours: (Museum of Sacred art) 09:00-18:00

22. Company of Jesus Square

23. Section of the Old City Walls
Walls built by the Portuguese for defense. What remains now is only a fraction of the original city walls.

Credits: macauholiday.com

24. Na Cha Temple
Built in 1888 as a dedication to Na Tcha in an attempt to halt the plague rampaging at the time.
Opening hours: 08:00-17:00

Credits:Trip Advisor

25. Mount Fortress
Used to be the heart of the Macanese defense network. Originally an altra, it was converted into a fortress by the Portuguese. It is currently known as Macau Museum.
Opening hours: (Fortress and garden) 07:00-19:00
                          (Museum) 10:00-18:00 (closed on Mondays)

26. Camoes Square

Credits: chinatoursonline.com

27. Casa Garden
Used to be the summer residence of the Portuguese aristocracy, politicians and Manuel Pereira, a wealthy merchant. It is now the headquarters of the Oriental Foundation.
Location: Beside Camoes Square
Opening hours: (Gallery) 09:30-18:00 (closed on weekends and on special holidays)
                          (Garden) 09:30-18:00

Credits: visitourchina.com

28. Protestant Cemetery
It was Macau's first protestant cemetery. Buried here are hundreds of officials from Britain, USA, Germany and Netherlands.
Location: Beside Casa Garden
Opening hours: 08:30-17:30

Credits: http://en.macaotourism.gov.mo

29. St. Anthony's Church
It is one of the three oldest churches in Macau. The church we see today is a 1930s reconstruction of the original church.
Location: Largo de Santo Antonio
Opening hours: 07:30-17:30

Credits: Trip Advisor

30. Guia Fortress
Built in 1622. It is the highest point in Macau. Lighthouse not open to the public.
Opening hours: (Fortress) 09:00-17:30
                            (Chapel) 10:00-17:00 (no photographs allowed)

Credits: pinsdaddy.com

Listed are only 30 spots you can visit in Macau. You might get interested in trying Macau Sky Tower, entering the casinos for picturesque moments (The Venetian and Galaxy are jaw dropping), and strolling down the streets of Taipa village and have a taste of their mouthwatering burgers! Also, don't forget to buy Macau's famous egg tarts! There are a lot of stalls selling them, but I recommend Koi Kei Bakery. If you miss this out on Macau, you can actually buy them in Hong Kong too. And oh, don't forget, Macau is known for its pastries! It's heaven down there. They have a lot of free tasting and for sure you'll take home boxes of biscuits!

I think I had a dozen of this in one sitting. That's how delicious they are!

I personally don't recommend riding taxis in Macau because it's really gonna cost you, however, take note that there are free shuttles from the airport and around Macau mainland. Feel free to ask the locals what are the bus numbers and you'll save a couple of bucks.


I hope that this post will help you getting around Macau. All credits to Macau World Heritage (www.macauheritage.net) for the detailed info. Happy travels! ***