Day Trip to Macau

Macau is a mix of cultural influences. Imagine spending the morning eating pastéis de nata in Portugal, an afternoon at the Venetian in Las Vegas and ending the day in the streets of China - and this is only a one-hour ferry ride from Hong Kong, making it a perfect day trip.

This travel guide is for first time visitors to plan a day trip from Hong Kong to Macau, including a one-day itinerary to make the most of your day there.

A quick history of Macau

Similar to Hong Kong, Macau is a special administrative region of China. The city was leased from China to Portugal from 1557 to 1999, before it was handed back to China, and now follows the same “one country, two systems” style of governance as Hong Kong does. When you walk the streets of Macau, it’s easy to see the Portuguese influence, which is reflected in the architecture, languages and food.

An interesting twist in the history of Macau is the legalization of gambling in the 1850s under the Portuguese government. Since then, the city has risen to become one of the world’s top casino powerhouses, and it’s often referred to as the “Vegas of Asia.” In fact, gambling tourism is Macau’s highest source of income, accounting for 50 percent of its economy!

When to visit Macau

The best time to visit Macau is from October to March, when the weather is most pleasant. In the spring and summertime, Macau, similar to Hong Kong, gets extremely hot and humid, making it a struggle to walk outdoors for long periods of time. However, if you’re mostly interested in spending the day at one of Macau’s 41 luxury casinos, visiting during the summer shouldn’t be an issue.

How to get to Macau

Macau is only a one-hour ferry ride or bus ride from Hong Kong, making it perfect for a day trip. I personally prefer taking the ferry for its scenic views, and usually take Turbojet, a high-speed ferry that boards from Sheung Wan and Tsim Sha Tsui to the Macau Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal and Macau Taipa Ferry Terminal. The ferry options are very convenient, running every 30 minutes, but it’s best to book your tickets online in advance, as the later ferry rides back to Hong Kong tend to sell out quickly.

If you want to see as much of Macau as possible, plan to book a ferry that arrives at the Macau Taipa Ferry Terminal and leaves via the Macau Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal. You can start the day by exploring the charming Taipa Village, walking to the nearby casino strip, and then taking a taxi to the Old Town before making your way back to Hong Kong from the Macau Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal. Another tip to note is that you can use Hong Kong Dollars in Macau, so there’s no need to exchange currency when you arrive.

Places to visit in Macau

Taipa Village:

Taipa Village is always my first stop in Macau. This quaint, yet charming village is a great starting point for exploring Macau’s unique cultural heritage, from Chinese temples to historic, colonial buildings.

The Venetian:

If you’ve been to the Venetian in Las Vegas, this place will make your head spin. The Venetian Macau is a sister property of the Las Vegas luxury hotel and nearly every aspect is recreated, including the Grand Canal Shoppes and gondolas. The Venetian Macau also boasts the largest casino in the world so it’s worth a visit, if only for the free refreshments.

Coloane Village:

Take a 15-minute taxi ride south from Taipa Village and you’ll find yourself at Coloane, an old fishing village on the southwestern coast of Macau. It’s even more peaceful and idyllic than Taipa, and we stumbled upon some lovely neighborhood gems, including 3345 Macau, a coffee and vinyl shop.

The Ruins of São Paulo:

The Ruins are arguably Macau’s most famous landmark. Constructed in the 1600s by Jesuit priests who traveled to East Asia to spread Catholicism, this beautiful structure was originally made of wood. It burned down in a fire in 1835, leaving only its iconic granite façade and a grand staircase of 68 stone steps leading up to it.

Grand Lisboa:

The northern part of Macau feels older and more traditional, but is equally as charming. One of the most iconic views of Macau is the Grand Lisboa, and it’s worth staying in the city past sunset to see the city come alive with its neon lights.

What to eat in Macau

Kam Lei (金利食店):

What better way to start the day than with a hot, fresh bowl of chicken rice noodles in a rich curry broth? At Kam Lei, this dish includes tender chicken and an addicting helping of homemade chili oil, while the atmosphere resembles a bustling Hong Kong cha chaan teng.

Lord Stow’s Bakery:

You can’t go to Macau without getting pastéis de nata, or Portuguese egg tarts, and Lord Stow’s Bakery is known for making the best. The bakery usually has an intimidating queue, but the line moves quickly and it’s worth the wait for these delicious pastries that are flaky and buttery on the outside and filled with a creamy custard on the inside.

Hon Kee Café:

Another Macau specialty is the pork chop bun, a deep fried Hong Kong-style pork chop served on a crispy, but airy Portuguese roll. Hon Kee Café is a local favorite, located in a quiet back street in Coloane Village.

Antonio:

Located in Taipa Village, Antonio serves authentic Portuguese cuisine in a vintage setting, featuring charming interiors and antique furniture. We tried “vinho verde,” or green wine, a light and refreshing wine that originates from northern Portugal. Another highlight was the “arroz de marisco,” or wet seafood rice, which included fresh crab, mussels, clams, meat, prawns and scallops.

One-Day Macau Itinerary

• Take a ferry to Macau Taipa Ferry Terminal
• Kam Lei (breakfast)
• Taipa Village (sightseeing)
• Lord Stow’s Bakery (snack)
• The Venetian (sightseeing)
• Hon Kee Café (lunch)
• Coloane Village (sightseeing)
• The Ruins of São Paulo (sightseeing)
• Antonio (dinner)
• Take a ferry back from Macau Taipa Ferry Terminal

For more everyday videos and clips from my trip to Macau, check out my Instagram Story Highlights.