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Macao travel guide

A small city where Portuguese-era buildings and Chinese temples share the same lanes. Walk the UNESCO-listed Historic Centre of Macao, then try Macanese food in Taipa and Coloane villages.

Senado Square in Macao, with a fountain in front of pastel Portuguese-style buildings and a white building
Senado Square · Photo: Bahnfrend / CC BY-SA 4.0

Plan your Macao trip

We never take payment — compare, then book on the official partner site.

At a glance

Currency
MOP (MOP$)
Power & plugs
230V · plug type: check before you go
Driving side
Left
Tipping
Check official sources
Local language
廣東話 / 中文(繁體) / Português
How long to stay
1–2 days (many travellers combine it with Hong Kong)

Emergency numbers

When to go

Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) names October–November as the ideal time, with mild temperatures and dry weather. Typhoon season runs May–November, worst in July–September — check the weather bureau (smg.gov.mo) and ferry/bus services before you go.

Airport to the city

Airport buses (AP1 and others)

Public buses run from Macau International Airport (MFM). The airport lists routes 26, 36, 51A, 51B, AP1, MT1, MT4 and N2; 51B runs only at set times and not on Sundays or public holidays. Check routes and times on the airport's official page.

Time about 06:00–23:50 (varies by route)Cost MOP6 per ride (no change given)

LRT Taipa Line (Airport Station)

Airport Station links to the passenger terminal's North Exit. Check routes, fares and timetables on the official LRT site (mlm.com.mo).

Time check official infoCost check official info

Taxi

Use the airport taxi stand. MGTO says it is about 15 minutes by car to the Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal and about 20 minutes to central Macao Peninsula.

Time about 20 min to central Macao PeninsulaCost MOP21 for the first 1,600 m + MOP2 per 220 m, MOP8 airport surcharge, MOP3 per item in the boot

Getting around

Public buses

Frequent buses link the Macao Peninsula, Taipa and Coloane. MOP6 per ride with no change given — bring coins or use the Macau Pass card.

Light Rapid Transit (LRT)

The Taipa, Seac Pai Van and Hengqin lines run, and the East Line is under construction. Check routes and fares on the official site.

Taxi

Black taxis with cream roofs are the regular taxis: MOP21 for the first 1,600 m, then MOP2 per 220 m, with MOP3–8 surcharges depending on location and luggage.

To and from Hong Kong

Ferries use the Outer Harbour and Taipa ferry terminals, and the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge shuttle bus also connects. Check schedules and fares on the official sites (ferry schedules: marine.gov.mo; bridge shuttle: hzmbus.com).

Where to stay

Macao Peninsula (around the Historic Centre)

Good for: First visit, walking the heritage sites

Senado Square, the Ruins of St. Paul's and Mount Fortress are all here — the shortest trips for a heritage-focused stay.

Taipa

Good for: Near the airport, old village lanes

Close to the airport and Taipa Ferry Terminal, with Rua do Cunha and the Taipa Houses in Taipa Village.

Coloane

Good for: Quiet village walks

A quiet area with old buildings such as Coloane Library and Coloane Pier. Check bus times in advance.

Map of stays in Macao

Compare prices from many booking sites on the map

Search stays in Macao in the app

Map & prices: Stay22 — you book on each site

Top sights

  1. Historic Centre of Macao · Ruins of St. Paul's

    Over 20 monuments and squares were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. The Ruins of St. Paul's are the façade left after the church built in 1602–1640 burned in 1835. The steps get very crowded by day.

  2. Senado Square

    Macao's urban centre for centuries and still the most popular venue for public events.

  3. A-Ma Temple

    The temple existed before the city of Macao came into being.

    The red wall and round window at the entrance of A-Ma Temple in Macao
    A-Ma Temple · Photo: Diego Delso, delso.photo / CC BY-SA 3.0
  4. Mount Fortress

    Built with the Jesuits in 1617–1626 as the city's main defence.

    A stone wall with a niche at Mount Fortress in Macao, with round cannonballs piled below
    Mount Fortress · Photo: Diego Delso, delso.photo / CC BY-SA 3.0
  5. Guia Fortress, Chapel & Lighthouse

    A fortress built in 1622–1638 with Guia Chapel and the lighthouse inside.

  6. Macao Museum

    A history and culture museum showing the life and cultures of Macao's communities. Check opening hours and closing days officially.

  7. Taipa Village (Rua do Cunha · Taipa Houses)

    Rua do Cunha is a narrow but bustling pedestrian street, and the Taipa Houses show Portuguese-style architecture.

  8. Coloane Village

    Old buildings remain, such as Coloane Library (a former school built around 1911) and Coloane Pier (rebuilt in 1873).

Tours & tickets →

What to eat

Portuguese egg tart

Pastry filled with egg custard, with a slightly bitter caramel flavour.

Pork chop bun

A Macao-style burger: thick grilled pork in a crispy baked bun.

African chicken

A Portuguese-style dish of grilled chicken topped with piri-piri sauce of pepper and herbs.

Minchi

A Macanese dish of fried potatoes, onion and minced meat, mixed with the egg yolk on top.

Serradura

Soft whipped cream layered with cookie crumbs, eaten with a spoon.

Almond cookies

One of Macao's most popular traditional cookies, with a crunchy bite.

Daily budget (per person)

BudgetTransport: MOP6 per bus ride — walking the heritage sites and using buses keeps transport cheap. Hotel and food costs vary a lot by date; check booking sites
Mid-rangeWith taxis: MOP21 flag fare plus distance, MOP8 extra from the airport. Check booking sites for hotels and food
ComfortAccommodation is most of the budget — compare prices for your dates on booking sites

Amounts are rough figures in local currency. Check exchange rates before you go.

Sample itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Senado Square → Ruins of St. Paul's → Mount Fortress → Macao Museum → egg tarts and a pork chop bun in the evening.

  2. Day 2

    A-Ma Temple → Guia Fortress and Lighthouse → bus to Taipa Village (Rua do Cunha, Taipa Houses) → Coloane Village if time allows.

Local tips

Related articles

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Prices and times are approximate as of 2026-09 and may change. Always re-check visa and entry rules with official sources before you travel.

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