Macau Itinerary and Travel Guide
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UPDATED Macau Budget Travel Guide 2024: DIY Tour, Itinerary, How to get there and more

The Complete Travel Guide to Macau

2024 Macau Travel Guide for First-Time Travelers

Macau, also known as Macao, is an autonomous region on the south coast of China. Officially known as the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, it was a Portuguese territory for more than 300 years and boasts a culture that is as unique as the place itself.

Macau Itinerary and Travel Guide
Macau Itinerary and Travel Guide

Owing to its giant malls and casinos located on the Cotai Strip, the place is often called the Las Vegas of Asia or Las Vegas of China. A unique combination of glamour, glitz, and gambling makes Macau a Mecca for tourists bound to fall in love with this city of blended cultures.

It is the place to be if you wish to experience Chinese culture surrounded by majestic Portuguese architecture. With an average population of close to 0.7 million and a total area of 11.8 sq mi, Macau is also one of the most densely populated countries in the world.

Macau Budget Travel Guide
Macau Budget Travel Guide

Though usually associated with glamour and glitz, it would be grossly unfair to restrict Macau as a city of casinos and malls. A Portuguese colony until 1999, Macau offers the best Portuguese and Cantonese cultures, making it one of the hottest tourist destinations in the world.

A trip to the city will acquaint you with a world that represents an unexampled blend of traditional and modern, serene tranquility with tons of glitz, and a current place of uber fashion with charming antiquities.

Casino in Macau
Casino in Macau

Visiting Macau on a Budget 

In this 2024 Travel Guide to Macau Blog, we listed some tips for making your DIY Day trip to Macau from HK. We also included Macau Itinerary, Things to do and see, how to get there, and more.

Best time to visit Macau

The best time to visit Macau is the autumn season.

Autumn in Macau (October to December)

This season is considered the most comfortable time of year for traveling. What to wear: sweaters and jackets are good for heading out after hours.

Spring in Macau (March to May)

During these months, the weather is a little bit unpredictable. March can be humid later in the month, while April is mostly rainy. May is considered the wettest month of the year in Macau.

What to wear: Travelers should pack sweatshirts, light jackets, and an umbrella.

Summer in Macau (June to August)

Macau is generally humid in these months, with occasional showers, typhoons, and thunderstorms.

What to wear: Light shirts and shorts suit hot and humid weather, and rain gear is also necessary.

Winter in Macau (Jan to February)

In these months, Macau’s weather is cold but not freezing. The average temperature during the winter is 15 °C (59 °F). What to wear: Thick Woolen clothes and a second layer coat is necessary to keep warm.

Macau Day Trip Itinerary
Macau Day Trip Itinerary

Macau Visa and Application Requirements

All foreign visitors to Macau must hold a valid passport (with at least 6 months validity) or a valid travel document if they lost their passport in transit or in Macau.

As for Filipino travelers, you are not required to obtain a visa if you travel from the Philippines to Macau. In fact, if you are a passport holder of the Philippines, you can enter Macau without a visa for a thirty-day stay. In addition, Passport holders of the following countries enjoy visa-free access to Macau:

Maximum Limit of Stay Countries
14 Days Brunei
30 Days Australia, Canada, Chile, India, Indonesia, Kiribati, Malaysia, Monaco, Namibia, New Zealand, Philippines, Samoa, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, the United States of America, Uruguay
90 Days Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cape Verde, Croatia, Czech, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominica, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Mali, Malta, Mexico, Mongolia, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovak, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania
180 Days The United Kingdoms
1 Year Holders of ”Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card” or “Hong Kong SAR Re-entry Permit”. (* Valid “Hong Kong Identity Card” holders must bring their valid passport or travel documents when they enter Macau.)

How to get to Macau from the Philippines and the rest of the world

Macau is well connected by air, sea, and road to other parts of Southeast Asia, including the Philippines. Convenient and well-developed transport makes getting from the Philippines to Macau extremely easy. Macau International Airport, located on the east side of the outlying island of Taipa, has flight services to most destinations in the region, including Manila, the capital of the Philippines. The airport is at a convenient location and is only a twenty-minute drive from the city’s ferry terminal.

Manila to Macau Direct Flights
Manila to Macau Direct Flights

AirAsia, Philippine Airlines, and Cebu Pacific offer direct flights from Manila to Macau. There are 17 flights a week from Manila to Macau; the average flight time is 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Ruins of St. Paul, Macau by Vernon Raineil Cenzon via Unsplash
Ruins of St. Paul, Macau by Vernon Raineil Cenzon via Unsplash

How do you get from Hong Kong to Macau by Ferry?

  • Take the MTR to Sheung Wan station (walking distance from Central) and take exit D, which will lead you to the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal in the Shun Tak Centre (you have to take several escalators up).
  • The Ferry terminal to Macau is located at Harbour City Mall (33 Canton Road).
  • The nearest landmark is the IFC Towers in the Shun Tak Center on Hong Kong Island.
  • Ferry Ticket Price: 132 to 172 HKD (single trip, economy class).

*Rates quoted are appropriate to the particular ferry route and class at the time of posting, and these rates may change before the travel date.

Hong Kong–Macau Ferry Terminal

TurboJet and Cotai Water Jet provide ferry services between Hong Kong and Macau that take approximately 55 minutes.

TurboJET
For inquiries, please call Hong Kong +852 2859 3333
Macao +853 2855 5025
International toll-free Tel: 00800 3628 3628 (available in Mainland China, Macao, and Taiwan)
E-mail: reservation@turbojet.com.hk
Website: http://www.turbojet.com.hk

Cotai Water Jet
For schedule and booking inquiries, please call Hong Kong at +852 2359 9990
Macao +853 2885 0595
Website: http://www.cotaiwaterjet.com

Hongkong Macau Jet photo via Klook
Hongkong Macau Jet photo via Klook

Book your Discounted Tickets to Macau from Hong Kong

CotaiJet Ferry Tickets (Hong Kong Pick Up)
  • Enjoy the quickest and most convenient transfers from Hong Kong to Taipa.
  • Travel at a time that suits you, with departures every 30 minutes*
  • Recline in comfortable and spacious cushioned seating
  • Book your Discounted Tickets here
TurboJet Ferry Tickets (Hong Kong Pick Up)
  • Enjoy the quickest ferry service to Macau from Hong Kong
  • Get instant confirmation after you make your booking
  • Travel at a time that suits you, with departures every 15 minutes
  • Recline in comfortable and spacious cushioned seating
  • Enjoy the flexibility of a ticket that can be used at any time on your chosen day
  • Book your Discounted Tickets here
TurboJet Roundtrip (Hong Kong Departure) – Special Offer!
  • Enjoy the quickest ferry service to Macau from Hong Kong
  • Get a guaranteed seat on your preferred service with a choice of departures every 15 minutes
  • Quickly redeem your voucher at the TurboJet ticketing counter at either HK Island or Kowloon ferry terminals
  • Recline in comfortable and spacious cushioned seating
  • Book your Discounted Tickets here

Currency and Banking in Macau

The Pataca is Macau’s official currency. There are banknotes and coins in the following denominations:

  • Coins: 10, 20 and 50 avos; 1, 2, 5 and 10 Patacas.
  • Banknotes: 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1000 Patacas.

Roughly 8 Patacas is equivalent to 1 US Dollar.

Foreign currency can be changed in hotels, banks, and authorized exchange dealers around the city. Suppose the visitor needs to change money outside the usual banking hours. In that case, 24-hour exchange counters operate at the Macau International Airport (Taipa Island) and the Lisboa Hotel (Macao). Banks usually open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Most credit cards are accepted in many hotels, shops, and restaurants. Source: Macau Tourism

Free things to do in Macau

Macau is a treasure trove of exciting places and cultures. It offers a variety of historical sites and delicious cuisine representing the best of Oriental and Western Culture. Tourists who have been to this lovely place will attest that this city, with picturesque hilly landscapes, verdant green lands, clean streets, pollution-free air, and bright sunshine is ideal for tourism and living.

Old Buildings in Macau
Old Buildings in Macau

As a tourist, you are advised to wander around the city, primarily by foot, to observe from close quarters the numerous cultural and historical heritages this place holds.

Shopping in Macau
Shopping in Macau

The southern part of the Peninsular is home to large casinos and well-known museums like Macau Wine Museum, Art Museum, and Grand Prix Museum. Visiting this place allows endless fun and an opportunity to peek into Macau’s rich cultural heritage.

Top Things to Do and See in Macau

Ruins of St. Paul’s Church

The Ruin of the Church Facade
The Ruins of the Church Facade

The Ruins of St. Paul’s (Sam Ba Sing Tzik) are the ruins of a 17th-century complex in Santo António, Macau, China. It includes what was originally St. Paul’s College, and the Church of St. Paul is also known as “Mater Dei,” a 17th-century Portuguese church dedicated to Saint Paul the Apostle. The facade is 27 meters tall, 23.5 meters wide, and 2.7 meters thick. Today, the ruins are one of Macau’s best tourist attractions. The facade and the grand stone stairs are the only remains of the beautiful church.

  • How to get there – Bus Route: Bus No.8A, 17, 18, 19, 26
  • Free Entrance

Explore Rua da Felicidade

Rua da Felicidade Macau
Rua da Felicidade Macau

A narrow street called Rua da Felicidade is on the opposite side of Senado Square. The name of the street literally translates to “Street of Happiness.” The structures were imposing and lined with two-story traditional Chinese buildings with striking red windows and doors. It was a red-light district where local gamblers gathered even before the sophisticated casinos were built in Macau. Today, the street has transformed into a foodie area where you can find some of the oldest restaurants in Macau. Rua da Felicidade is now famous for its cuisine. Specialties that you can find in this area are Tian FaWan fin and Shrimp eggs.

How to Get There: Take bus No.3, 4, 6,8A,18A, No., 19, 26A, or 33 to the Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro bus station.
Address: Sau Lourenco, Rua da Felicidade, Macau
Entrance Fee: None

Macau Tower

Macau Tower - Macau Trip Guide
Macau Tower – Macau Trip Guide

Macau Tower is a tower located in Sé, Macau, China. One of the World Federation of Great Towers members, the tower measures 338 m (1,109 ft) from ground level to the highest point. Its observation deck features panoramic views, restaurants, theaters, shopping malls, and the Skywalk X, a thrilling walking tour around the outer rim. At 233 meters, the Macau Tower’s tethered “skyjump” and Bungee jump by AJ Hackett from the tower’s outer rim is the highest commercial skyjump in the world (233 meters), and the second highest commercial decelerator descent facility in the world, after Vegas’ Stratosphere sky jump at 252 meters.

A-Ma Temple

A-Ma Temple Historic Marker
A-Ma Temple Historic Marker By Santosdo – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0

Situated at the base of the Penha Peninsula is the famous A-Ma temple. It was built by the Ming dynasty in honor of the sacred Goddess A-Ma, which is respected and worshipped by the local people of Macau. Built in 1488, the temple is one of the oldest in Macau and is considered the settlement’s namesake.

How to get there: By Bus No. 6, 8, 9 or 28B

Location: Largo da Barra, Macau
Opening Hours: 7am-6pm

The Venetian Macao

Inside The Venetian Macao
Inside The Venetian Macao

Venetian Macao is a luxury hotel and casino resort in Macau. The Venetian is a 39-floor casino hotel on the Cotai Strip of Macau. The Venetian Macao is the largest casino in the world, the largest single-structure hotel building in Asia, and the seventh-largest building in the world by floor area.

Senado Square

Senado Square at night photo via wikipedia
Senado Square at night photo via wikipedia

Do not forget to take a trip to Largo do Senado, the majestic main square surrounded on all sides by Baroque and Portuguese-style buildings. It is the city’s busiest downtown area, containing an extensive array of shops selling many items ranging from clothes, jewelry, and pharmacies to an assortment of mouthwatering snacks.

The Senado Square, or Senate Square, is a paved town square in Macau. This square is part of the UNESCO Historic Centre of Macau World Heritage Site. It is an elongated triangular-shaped square and connects Largo do São Domingos at one end and Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro at the other. It covers an area of 3,700 square meters.

St. Dominic’s Church, Macau

St. Dominics Church Macau
St. Dominics Church Macau By Whhalbert – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0

St. Dominic’s Church is a late 16th-century Baroque-style church that serves within the Cathedral Parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Macau. It is located near the Leal Senado Building in the peninsular part of the city at the Largo de São Domingos. The church is listed as one of the 29 sites that form the Historic Centre of Macau, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Beautifully painted building in Taipa Macau
Beautifully painted building in Taipa Macau

Taipa

Taipa is an island in Macau, presently united by an artificial landfill to the island of Coloane. Administratively, Taipa constitutes a freguesia (civil parish) named Freguesia de Nossa Senhora do Carmo.

Fortaleza do Monte

Fortaleza do Monte by Blackskull via Flickr
Fortaleza do Monte Photo by Blackskull on Foter.com / CC BY-NC-SA

Fortaleza do Monte, Fortress of Our Lady of the Mount of St. Paul, is a fort in Santo António in Macau. It is the historical military center of Macau. Fortaleza is part of the “Historic Centre of Macau” and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Coloane

Sunset in Coloane
Sunset in Coloane

Coloane, officially Freguesia de São Francisco Xavier, is one of the parishes of Macau, China. It is located in the southern part of Macau. Coloane also has two of Macau’s best beaches – Cheoc Van and Hac Sa. Locals visit this place to feast on Macanese cuisine and seafood.

Museum of Macau

The Macau Museum
The Macau Museum By Brenden Brain – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0

You can also visit The Museum of Macau to get an inside glimpse of its glorious past. The Macau Museum is located on the hill of the Fortaleza do Monte in Santo António, Macau, China. The museum presents the city’s history and territory of the former Portuguese colony of Macau, now a Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China. The museum was inaugurated on April 18, 1998.

Macau Open Top Bus Tour

Macau Open Top Bus Tour
Macau Open Top Bus Tour

Buy A day hop-on-hop-off Macau sightseeing pass to see Macau’s best sights from your seat or explore 16 bus stops of your choice.

  • Hop on and off at your preferred attractions along the bus route (Day Pass)
  • Enjoy sightseeing flexibility – the route covers most of the major landmarks in Macau.
  • Test your luck in the glitzy casinos, scale the heights of
  • Macau Tower, find tranquility at a Chinese temple or get clued up at the Science Center
  • Book your Macau Open Top Bus Tour here

Macau Tower Bungy Jump

Macau Tower Bungy Jump photo via KLOOK
Macau Tower Bungy Jump photo via KLOOK

Take on the world’s highest bungy! Be part of the Guinness World Record by leaping from the 10th tallest freestanding tower and highest commercial bungy jump in the world.

  • Reach speeds of up to 200km/h after plunging from a height of 233m!
  • Bungy jumpers can safely experience a few rebounds using a guide cable system before slowly landing onto a specially designed airbag.
  • Receive a certificate, membership card, and exclusive bungy jump t-shirt as part of the package and have the opportunity to purchase a video/photo memento of your experience.
  • Book your Macau Tower Bungy Jump ticket here

Also Read: Travel Guide: Lesser Known Places to Go in Macau

Affordable Places to Stay in Macau

Known as Las Vegas of the East, Macau is a buzzing tourist destination with tourists thronging on from all parts of the world to get a taste of its unique cultural heritage, delectable cuisines, beautiful hilly landscapes, and of course, its renowned casinos. Macau also offers many affordable hotels with all the modern amenities and comforts for budget travelers.

Hotel Sun Sun Macau
Hotel Sun Sun Macau

Hotel Sun Sun Macau

Check Discounted rates via Agoda

As a budget hotel, it is guaranteed to surpass your expectations. Rooms are spacious and clean, and the beds are comfortable. It also provides free Wi-Fi services.

Guia Hotel Macau
Guia Hotel Macau

Guia Hotel

Check Discounted rates via Agoda

This is another good option for budget travelers. The rooms are clean, the staff is courteous, and it offers excellent value for your money.

Ole Tai Sam Un Hotel Macau
Ole Tai Sam Un Hotel Macau

Ole Tai Sam Un Hotel

Check Discounted rates via Agoda

Located close to Senado Square and other popular tourist areas, it offers top value for money for travelers looking for a good hotel with affordable room charges.

Macau Skyline
Macau Skyline

Internet and WIFI in Macau

Macao is one of the most ‘connected’ cities in the world. Macao Post and Telecommunications Bureau have been liaising with local organizations to offer free Wi-Fi services at different locations in Macao under a unified brand name, “FreeWiFi.MO”. Now, citizens and visitors can connect to a hotspot with a Wi-Fi network name containing the word “FreeWiFi.MO” to enjoy free Wi-Fi service. For more service information or free Wi-Fi hotspots, please visit http://www.freewifi.mo or download FreeWiFi.MO App.

4G LTE SIM Card for Macau (Hong Kong Pick-Up)

  • Stay connected to your family and friends even while traveling in Macau
  • Avoid exuberant roaming charges with this high-speed LTE-compatible SIM card
  • Get unlimited 4G internet for 2 or 3 days – depending on what you need
  • Book your Macau 4G Wifi Simcard here

Important Travel tips for people visiting Macau

  • You can visit Macau the year around. You will likely encounter mists hanging over the harbor between March and May. June to September is usually hot, whereas October to February is for Grand Prix, music, and Christmas celebrations.
  • Violent crime is rare in Macau, though you need to be careful of pickpockets.
  • Macau’s currency is the Pataca. Travelers are given the option of choosing between Macau’s currency and Hong Kong’s dollar.

Have you been to Macau? Help us improve this 2023 Travel Guide to Macau Blog by sharing your personal Macau travel tips and recommendations. ?

For discounted Sightseeing Tours in Macau, visit Klook.com for an excellent list of Macau City Tour Packages.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How many days are enough for Macau?

Many travelers find that 2-3 days is sufficient to explore the main attractions in Macau.

What do I need to know before going to Macau?

Before visiting Macau, it’s important to be aware of several key points. These include the need to bring a passport for immigration processing, the prevalence of casinos and resorts, the acceptance of two currencies, and the availability of cheap taxis and buses for transportation.

What are the requirements to enter Macau?

To enter Macau, visitors must hold a passport or a valid travel document. As of August 17, 2023, vaccination certificates and negative COVID-19 test results are no longer required for entry.

Is Macau expensive to visit?

Macau is considered to be relatively expensive to visit, with the average cost of living estimated at around $1621, placing it in the top 28% of the most expensive cities in the world.

Can Filipinos enter Macau without a visa?

Yes, Philippine citizens can enter Macau without a visa. They can enjoy visa-free entry for a specified period, typically 30 days or more.

Also Read:

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Macau Itinerary Blog
Macau Itinerary Blog

Written by Melo Villareal

Melo Villareal is the Online Publisher of Outoftownblog.com. He is an Accountant by profession who left the corporate world at the age of 23 to explore his beautiful country and the rest of the world. Today, Melo works as a part-time Social Media Manager for local and international clients. His full-time work focuses on discovering interesting culture, explore different cuisines and take memorable photos from local and international destinations he's visiting.

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