Cool Things to Do in Macau
Macau’s skyline at night.
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Check out any travel blog and it’s pretty unlikely that you’ll find too many articles on Macau. You may even be asking, is Macau a country? Macau is a Chinese self-governed territory and it isn’t quite what you would call a tourist hotspot for European or North American residents. But for people living in Asia, and particularly in China, Macau is a must-visit location, and for good reason. There are plenty of cool things to do in Macau.
This beautiful island has so much to offer with its warm and friendly people, incredible architecture, and rich culture and history.
Does Macau Have its Own Currency?
Yes. Macau uses the Macanese Pataca, though most places also accept the Hong Kong Dollar. One of the biggest concerns when traveling abroad, especially to a small self-governed territory with its own currency that you may only be spending the day in, is what is the best way to pay for your trip. There are several ways to go about this and avoid the hassle of having to change currency. And I will say that using your credit or debit card in Macau is safer than in mainland China in that you are far less likely to be the victim of cloning scams and skimming fraud.
Where To Stay In Macau
There are tons of great hotel/casinos to stay in when visiting Macau. There are also many great places to stay within the city outside of the casinos. If you’re looking for great places to stay in Macau look no further.
Accessibility in Macau
The casinos and surrounding areas are wheelchair-accessible and easy to navigate. Though as with Las Vegas, if you have trouble walking long distances, make sure you bring your mobility aid(s) and take plenty of breaks.
With this in mind, here’s a look at what’s so enticing about Macau and what you should explore if you ever find yourself on this amazing island territory.
Getting to Macau and Getting Around Macau
Most people get to Macau by ferry from Hong Kong. The ferries are wheelchair accessible, easy to use, and very comfortable.
Once in Macau, there are a number of wheelchair-accessible taxis. To avoid long wait times at the port call to arrange pick up beforehand. There are also shuttles between casino properties, but wheelchair accessibility is not reliable. Contact your individual hotel property for further information.
1. Take in a Show
The fabulous casino fountains and dancing water of Macau.
As you may have heard before, Macau has actually been nicknamed the Vegas of Asia, and for a very good reason. There are casinos everywhere, with as many as 38 at the last count!
Each tries its level best to outdo competitors with regard to the glamour and glitz usually associated with the real Vegas. Of course, you can join in the fun at the poker tables (more on that later), but first, why not take in one of the many shows each and every night?
From incredible cabaret acts to magic shows, you’ll find all kinds of entertainment in Macau at the casinos. From free Macau attractions like water displays at the many fountains throughout the strip, to glitzier full scale theatrical productions.
If you’re staying in Macau longer than a day, make sure you check out any packages your hotel may be offering. Some include show tickets.
There are daily magic shows at the House of Magic. Or you might consider checking out the most amazing cabaret show at the Crazy Paris Show. Honestly, the list goes on and on. Entertainment in Macau is everywhere.
The Wynn Hotel and Casino Macau
If you’re looking for a cool free show, check out the Wynn casino. They have a truly awesome display in the main lobby where the ceiling opens up and LED projectors and 3D sculptures make magical natural landscapes come to life. The show goes off every hour. make sure you get there early to grab a good spot as it can get crowded.
Your best bet for finding a great show is to ask your hotel concierge about what’s going on during your stay. With luck, they might even have a few discounted tickets available at the hotel. There’s no harm in asking, right?
Paris Hotel and Casino Macau
2. Take your Chance at the Casino
Well, you didn’t think that you’d come all the way to an island known as the Las Vegas of Asia and not visit a casino, did you?
Even if you’re not all that into poker, slots, or even blackjack, it’s well worth taking a trip to the main casino strip just to savor the experience.
Interestingly, three of the most expensively built buildings in China are, in fact, casinos in Macau. So, you might see where I’m coming from when I say that paying one a visit might be worth your while.
Slot machines in Macau
Most visitors who travel to Macau for the casinos are there for poker. It’s by far the most popular poker destination in Asia, and the Hong Kong movie industry has based many of its poker-related productions on the island territory.
So yeah, Chinese poker or Texas Holdem is probably the game that you’re going to give a whirl on your night out at the casino.
Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but it's a good idea to understand the basic rules of any game before you play it, right? So, if you're really serious about trying your hand at poker in the gambling capital of Asia, you might want to practice a little first, and also familiarize yourself with local currency and exchange rates.
You can set up a few simple home games with friends (if you have poker-playing ones that are), or better yet you could join a free online poker tournament that doesn't cost a penny to enter. At least, this way, you can practice risk-free and you won't have to clean up after your friends leave!
3. Visit Venice in Asia
Venetian Macau Canals. Image by Henry Wang from Pixabay
Yes, it sounds completely ridiculous, but there is a Venice in Macau. Remember those impressive and expensively built casinos mentioned earlier? One of those is the Venetian Macau and it’s so much more than a casino.
The complex includes the casino (of course) and a shopping mall that is modeled on the city of Venice. It’s jaw-dropping to see the level of detail that they have put into this mall.
The streets between the stores are all paved with cobblestones. Pretty, but definitely hard on the ankles if you have mobility issues. Also, a bumpy ride if you’re a wheelchair user.
There’s also a canal running through the entire place, so you can sit on a gondola and listen to your gondolier singing his heart out. It might not be the real thing, but it certainly is the next best thing.
Better yet is the fact that this colossal mall has pretty much every store you can imagine. If you’ve come to Macau for shopping, this is the place. You can quite literally shop till you drop at the Venetian and you’ll still have more stores to visit the next day.
4. Visit the Ruins of St. Paul and Climb Mount Fortress
Image by Kon Karampelas from Pixabay
The ruins are located on Senado Square (worth a visit itself) and they are the most famous historical tourist attraction in Macau City. Created in the early 1600s when Macau was under the rule of Portugal, the ruins were officially listed as part of the Historic Centre of Macau in 2005.
This is a UNESCO world heritage site, and rightly so! It’s hugely popular and on any given day, there are hordes of tourists there. Even so, it’s worth taking the time and braving the crowds to get a lovely view of the square from the ruins.
For an even better view, you can climb to the top of Mount Fortress which is right next to the ruins. It’s not actually all that high but it does give you a wonderful view of the area, which makes for impressive holiday snaps.
The climb isn’t that difficult at all and any steps are easy enough to climb, so most tourists will be able to handle this particular activity. But there is also a wheelchair-access pavement by the side with railings.
While you’re there, you can also visit a small temple that’s located just behind the ruins.
It’s dedicated to the local protection deity named Nezha, which is sometimes spelled Na Tcha. It’s an interesting place to visit, but remember to be respectful of any worshippers at the temple.
One morning trip and you’ve visited Portuguese ruins, a fortress, and a temple all in one go. How’s that for tourist multi-tasking?
Taipa House Museum
5. Check Out One of Macau’s Many Museums
Casa Do Mandarim Museum
Macau's largest representation of Guangdong residential architecture, it was once home to Zheng Guanying, a famous writer of the late Qing Dynasty, who finished his influential masterpiece Words of Warning in Times of Prosperity under this roof. If you’re interested in the Chinese history of Macau, this is a must-visit spot.
Macau Maritime Museum
Here you can learn about Macau and the maritime history of China and Portugal. visitors can also view the sky over the Northern Hemisphere, demonstrating the importance of astronomy in navigation. It’s a very pretty
Taipa Village
Taipa House Museum
Named one of the top 8 sites in Macau the Tapai Houses are a must-see. This historic center comprises Portuguese residences along Avenida da Praia, neighboring Our Lady of Carmel Church, and the garden, with the five iconic green houses. It’s also a great area to grab some ice cream, mochi, and, street food. Warning, the small streets can be crowded and difficult to navigate, go early to avoid the crowds.
Grand Prix Museum
A museum dedicated to 2 and 4-wheel racing, the Macau Grand Prix Museum is also home to the Macau Grand Prix. View sleek racing cars dating back to 1954.
The museum is wheelchair accessible and provides barrier-free ticket counters and entrance and exit ramps.
Macau Wine Museum
Want to seem cultured but hate looking at old paintings and musty buildings? Then the Macau wine museum is for you. The museum houses 1143 different wine brands, guaranteeing something for everyone. Guests can sip wine while taking in exhibits outlining the history of wine and the winemaking process.
The museum is wheelchair accessible.
Black Sand Beach
6. Enjoy a Natural Black Sand Beach
The most well-known and largest natural beach in Macau is Hac Sa Beach. The name “Hac Sa” means black sand in Chinese. Located on the south side of Coloane Island, the beach is a kilometer long and is famous for its stunning black sand.
Coloane Island is connected by several bridges and is accessible by bus or taxi.
Macau Tower
7. But Wait There Are More Things to Do in Macau!
And those are just some of the interesting things you can do in Macau. There’s also the delicious street food, bungee jumping, Seac Pai Van Park, Macau Giant Panda Pavillion, and the always impressive Macau Tower.
Giant Panda Pavilion.
So as you can see, Macau really is one of the most interesting and fun places you can visit in Asia. And remember, it’s not just about the poker and the casinos!
While the real Vegas is on many people’s bucket lists, for those of you planning on traveling to Asia, this is one destination you might want to add to yours.
