Cover Photo: Dynamic Wang/Unsplash

10 of our favourite things to do and see when visiting Macau

There are many reasons to visit Macau. Aside from the luxury casino resorts and fine dining restaurants that have helped put it on the map, Macau's diverse environment suggests that there is a remarkable hybrid culture to discover too. The former Portuguese colony is rich in heritage and rooted in Cantonese culture with influences from Africa, India and Southeast Asia, resulting in a mixed landscape that blends the old and the new.

Accessible by ferry, car or helicopter from Hong Kong, Macau is comprised of four main districts: the Macau Peninsula which is connected to the Chinese mainland; Taipa, the south of the peninsula and major residential centre; Coloane, a less developed area with two beaches and an old village site; and Cotai, the section of reclaimed land between Coloane and Taipa.

Read on to uncover some of the best things to do and see in Macau, and why it is most certainly worth the trip.

Don't miss: A food lover's guide to Macau

1. Immerse yourself in art at TeamLab SuperNature

TeamLab, an international art collective that was formed in Tokyo, launched in The Venetian Macao in 2020. The 5,000 square-metre space is a maze-like exhibition located in the hotel’s Expo Hall F and showcases huge digital artworks with illuminated walls that bloom, interactive slides, laser light shows and much more. TeamLab SuperNature opens daily from 11am to 7pm (the last entry is at 6.15pm). Head to cotaiticketing.com for more information and tickets or purchase at the door.

TeamLab SuperNature, Cotai Expo, The Venetian Macao, Estrada da Baía de N. Senhora da Esperança, S/N, Taipa, Macau

2. Take a ride on Wynn Palace's SkyCab

Offering close-up views of the Performance Lake and the Cotai landscape below, Wynn Palace's SkyCab is a short and comfortable ride into the hotel. The SkyCab is free to ride and seats six people. It comes equipped with air-conditioning and an audio system to make the ride all the more exciting as you watch the dancing fountain show. 

(In front of) Wynn Palace, Avenida Da Nave Desportiva, Cotai, Macau

3. Eat your way through “food street”

Rua do Cunha, sometimes referred to as “food street”, is located in Taipa and is a pedestrian street filled with shops and restaurants offering some of Macau's most famed and beloved bites. Here, you'll find everything from egg tarts, durian-flavoured ice cream, pork jerky, almond cookies and more. There are other eateries and cafes dotted around the area so it's worth exploring what else is on offer. 

Rua do Cunha, Vila da Taipa, Taipa, Macau

4. Zipline through the city with lights and music

Zipcity is an urban zipline attraction that comes with extra audio-visual components including music and lights for a more immersive ride. The 60-metre-high and 388-metre-long journey through the sky can reach speeds of up to 55 kilometres per hour with views overlooking Cotai at day or night. What's more, zipliners will receive complimentary photos and a video of their journey by email after their experience so they can keep the memory. Visit zipcity.com for more information and tickets.

Zipcity, R89 and R100, Retro Zone, Lisboeta Macau, Rua da Patinagem, Taipa, Macau

5. Look at tourist sites from an alternative angle

There are many hotspots in Macau that are worth visiting including landmarks such as the Ruins of St. Paul's. The granite façade of the 17th-century Catholic complex is intricately carved, making it a popular place to take photos. It is, however, often very busy and full of visitors. A lesser-known spot called Travessa da Paixao is located on the left side of the site and is a pastel-coloured avenue looking up at the ruins.

Another spot for those interested in photography is Rua do Comandante Mata e Oliveira. This view offers an angle of the futuristic-looking Hotel Grand Lisboa in between older apartment buildings in Macau.

6. Merge virtual and physical reality at Studio City

Legend Heroes Park is a Tech-based Entertainment (TBE) park at Studio City that makes use of virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), hologram, motion tracking, projection mapping and 4D+ technology to create thrilling games to partake in. Think VR bumper cars, electronic sports and pop rock-themed bowling lanes, among other activities. Visit studiocity-macau.com for more details and tickets.

Legend Heroes Park, MO East Wing, Level 2, Studio City, Estrada do Istmo, Cotai, Macau

7. Explore the lesser-known streets of Macau

The century-old paved stone street Rua da Tercena and the adjacent Rua de Cinco de Outubro are located a few minutes away from the more bustling Ruins of St. Paul's. These lesser-known streets are lined with antique shops and local restaurants worth visiting and offer an air of nostalgia for those who like to explore the historical side of Macau.

Rua De Tercena and Rua de Cinco de Outubro, Macau

8. Discover ancient Chinese culture at A-Ma Temple

Macau's name is thought to be derived from the A-Ma temple which, having been built in 1488, is one of the oldest in the city. The temple is dedicated to the Chinese sea goddess Mazu (otherwise known as Tin Hau) and is made up of six main parts that feature classical Chinese architectural elements which sit in harmony with the natural environment. There are various pavilions dedicated to different deities which illustrate the unique Chinese culture that is inspired by Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism and other folk beliefs.

A-Ma Temple, Barra Square, Macau

9. Head up to Macau Tower for food and thrills

At 233 metres tall, the Macau Tower reaches high into the sky and offers sweeping 360-degree views of Macau. Here, thrill seekers can participate in exhilarating activities such as bungy jumping, tower climbing and sky walking while others indulge in international buffets or high tea and enjoy vistas from the observation deck. For more information, visit the official website at shop.macautower.com.mo.

Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Center, Largo da Torre de Macau, Macau

10. Stroll and find zen at Lou Lim Ioc Garden

Built by a wealthy Chinese merchant by the name of Lou Kau in 1906, Lou Lim Ioc Garden was designed with the classical gardens of Suzhou in mind. The garden is now a public park that is popular with local residents and free to enter from 6am to 12 midnight. Head there early to catch tai chi enthusiasts, stroll through the greenery, and explore the architecture including a nine-turn bridge that zigzags across the pond which, according to legend, confounds evil spirits that can only move in straight lines. 

Lou Lim Ioc Garden, No 10, Estrada de Adolfo Loureiro, Macau

Topics