There’s so much to like about Macau, but when I may choose only one, it’s most likely the truth that most of its points of interest could be loved for FREE! On this article, we’ll listing down the locations to go to and issues to do in Macau that cost no entrance charges!
Macau could also be residence to among the most flamboyant and most luxurious accommodations on this facet of Asia, however price range vacationers can simply construct an itinerary with out a lot harm to their pockets. It is among the most walkable cities, with its streets punctuated by multi-lingual indicators. Lots of the resort corporations provide free shuttle bus providers, too.
But it surely doesn’t cease there. Macau’s map is dotted with a number of attention-grabbing points of interest that may be loved at no cost. Listed below are 13 of them.
WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?
1. Senado Sq.
If it’s your first time in Macau, you’ll discover that it’s virtually unattainable to do brisk strolling right here at Senado Sq.. Why? As a result of there’s simply a lot to see right here!
An enormous outside museum, the Senado Sq. is part of the in depth Historic Middle of Macau, inscribed on the listing of UNESCO World Heritage Websites. Should you go searching, you’ll see an architectural ensemble that completely exemplifies East-meets-West, a product of over 400 years of the Portuguese rule over the town. One of many edifices that may catch your consideration is the two-story neo-classical Leal Senado Constructing.
At the moment, whereas the Portuguese-style monument nonetheless stands proudly across the sq., it’s now typically adorned with festive Chinese language lanterns and different installations that match the season. Once you stroll deeper into the realm, you’ll move by lanes of retailers, damaged by different smaller praca just like the St. Dominic’s Sq. with St. Dominic’s Church overlooking the realm.
Observe the wave-patterned mosaic flooring and it’ll lead you to a different in style vacationer spot – the Ruins of St. Paul’s!
2. Ruins of St. Paul’s
Most likely probably the most iconic landmark in Macau, the Ruins of St. Paul’s (Ruinas de Sao Paulo) attracts droves of vacationers all 12 months spherical. That is maybe probably the most crowded website within the metropolis.
Just like the Senado Sq., it’s also a part of the town’s Historic Middle. Constructed within the sixteenth century, this was once a fancy with a cathedral and a tutorial establishment. The church itself was added later within the seventeenth century. However at this time, solely the facade stays standing after being battered by a hurricane and three fires. The ruins stand atop a steep 68-step staircase that additionally provides an important view of the encircling areas.
A guard is normally stationed by the primary door of the façade, however there isn’t a entrance payment right here. Simply stroll proper in. Past it’s an space the place you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of the church’s authentic buildings.
Additionally value your time is the Museum of Sacred Artwork and Crypt on the backside of the ruins. It presents non secular artifacts together with Sino-Portuguese crucifixes.
3. Na Tcha Temple
Simply beside the Ruins of St. Paul’s stands a small single-chambered Chinese language temple. Usually overshadowed by the neighboring church ruins, Na Tcha Temple is usually not crowded in any respect. However it’s nonetheless a part of the UNESCO-listed Historic Middle of Macau.
Devoted to guardian deity Na Tcha, it’s mentioned that it was constructed in order that the protector would lastly put an finish to a plague that was spreading within the space on the time.
And sure, you can too go to it with out paying an entrance payment.
Na Tcha Temple is open from: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Na Tcha Exhibition Room: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Final entry at 5:30 PM (Closed on Wednesdays)
4. Ama Temple
Should you may go to just one temple within the metropolis, make it Ama Temple. Not solely is that this the oldest in Macau – inbuilt 1488 — it’s also believed that the town obtained its title from this temple.
In response to accounts, when the Portuguese first set foot on this a part of the world, they really arrived right here, the place they noticed folks worshipping on the temple. Once they requested them for the title of the entire space, the worshippers thought they had been asking in regards to the particular website in order that they answered “A-Ma-Gau” that means “Bay of A-Ma”. A-Ma-Gau ultimately grew to become Macau.
Ama, in fact, refers to Chinese language sea-goddess Mazu or Ama. Legend has it that the goddess helps seafarers and guides them throughout their journey, particularly throughout a storm.
Positioned at Largo do Pagode da Barra within the southeastern tip of the peninsula, it’s a bit remoted, making it a tiny isle of silence within the bustling ocean that’s the metropolis middle.
Hours Open: 8:00 AM-6:00 PM
5. Guia Fortress
Standing proud on the tallest peak of the Macau Peninsula, Guia Fortress offers attractive panoramic views of the town, close by islands, and even mainland China.
The centerpiece is the 15-meter-tall lighthouse, seen even from an important distance. Beside it’s the Chapel of Our Girl of Guia that homes priceless work and different priceless artifacts. The lighthouse and the chapel had been accomplished in 1865 and 1622 respectively.
Guia Fortress could be reached on foot, an important choice for the bodily match and budget-conscious. However most vacationers desire taking the Guia Cable Automobile, which expenses a minimal fare: MOP 2 one-way or MOP 3 spherical journey.
Hours open: 8:00 AM-6:00 PM
Closed: Mondays. If a public vacation falls on Monday, it closes on the subsequent day.
Let’s step away from the historic middle for a bit and head over to Cotai Strip and try the town’s extra trendy points of interest.
Macau is finest recognized for its luxurious accommodations that present not simply five-star lodging but in addition a variety of points of interest. Many of those points of interest will also be loved freed from cost.
6. SkyCab at Wynn Palace
As you strategy Wynn Palace Resort, I’m certain the very very first thing you’ll discover is the road of cable vehicles that cling above it. That is known as SkyCab. Sure, you’ll be able to experience it for FREE.
Every cable automobile is air-conditioned and may accommodate 6 individuals. Every experience lasts 10 minutes, hovering above the the huge fountain known as Efficiency Lake as a result of it shoots mesmerizing plumes. At night time, they dance in sync with the lighting and music, which has turn into an attraction in its personal proper.
Sadly, we didn’t get to see the water present at night time. However years in the past, I used to be in a position to witness the dancing fountain at its sister Wynn Resort within the Macau Peninsula. However I guess this one on the Wynn Palace is far grander and larger.
SKYCAB
Location: Wynn Palace Cotai (to not be confused with Wynn Macau)
Hours open: 10:00 AM-11:40 PM
7. Eiffel Tower at The Parisian
If visiting the Monsieur Eiffel in Paris isn’t possible for now, effectively, there’s one other Eiffel Tower in Macau. At roughly 160 meters tall, it’s simply half the peak of the true factor, however it’s nonetheless fairly charming nonetheless, particularly at night time.
Each quarter-hour from 6:15 PM to midnight, each single night time, the long-lasting landmark is roofed in dazzling lights, creating an superior present that bathes the encircling space in numerous colours.
The tower has 2 remark decks: one on Stage 37, which expenses MOP 75 per particular person; and the opposite on Stage 7, which is open to everybody FREE OF CHARGE.
As for us, we determined to simply keep on the bottom, admire it from afar, and snap numerous images with the colourful construction as backdrop!
Eiffel Tower Gentle Present
Each quarter-hour
from 6:15PM – 12:00AM
8. The Londoner Macao
The very first thing you’ll discover is its beautiful façade, a lookalike of the Palace of Westminster and Homes of Parliament, and a duplicate of The Massive Ben, making an attempt to compete for consideration with The Parisian’s Eiffel Tower simply throughout the road. It chimes each hour, however it’s most spectacular at night time!
On the essential foyer, you’ll discover a reproduction of the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain aka Eros Fountain. From right here, you may get misplaced in mini-London and take unli-selfies on the many UK icons scattered round together with this double-decker bus and a statue of Sir Winston Churchill greeting everybody at 10 Downing Avenue.
You may as well hop into this taxi for what they name Black Cab Escape, the place you’ll get to get pleasure from a digital drive with David Beckham. All these could be accessed for FREE by the way in which.
Let’s head again to the peninsula to discover the quieter and less-visited spots of Macau!
9. Camoes Sq.
The oldest park in Macau, the Camoes Sq. was named after legendary Portuguese poet Luis de Camoes. Additionally it is the most important, overlaying an space of 20,000 sq. meters.
Three separate areas comprise the sq.:
- Camoes Backyard, the place the poet composed a lot of his sonnets
- Casa Backyard, a parkette inbuilt 1770 in entrance of the residence of Portuguese service provider Manuel Pereira and is now an artwork gallery
- Protestant Cemetery, the ultimate resting place of some distinguished figures together with Robert Morrison, the primary Protestant missionary in China; and Anders Ljungstedt, Sweden’s first consul common in China.
I bear in mind how peaceable and quiet this park was. And I can completely think about how this park impressed poets to jot down their finest works.
10. Jardim Lou Lim Ioc
One other quiet spot within the metropolis is the Jardim Lou Lim Ioc. We stumbled upon it by chance as a result of it was near our resort on the time.
Accomplished in 1906, Jardim de Lou Lim Ioc was once a residential backyard of Lou Kan, a neighborhood service provider, till it was donated to the Macau authorities. At the moment, it’s a public park that has turn into a sanctuary for locals in search of some peace of thoughts. Victorian and conventional Chinese language buildings stand in between ponds which are carpeted by lotuses throughout.
One factor I observed that point – once more, this was years in the past – there have been no different vacationers however us. Most individuals right here had been locals simply passing the time or assembly associates or spending time with household. It was completely beautiful. I hope it’s nonetheless this fashion.
11. Macau’s Free Museums
Macau harbors dozens of museums and most of them could be accessed for FREE! No entrance payment in any respect. For a whole listing of those historic homes, take a look at this compilation and simply search for these tagged with FREE ADMISSION.
A few of these museums embrace:
- St. Dominic’s Church Museum – Treasure of Sacred Artwork
- Maritime Museum
- Fireplace Companies Museum
- Macao Museum of Artwork
- Common Ye Ting’s Former Residence
- Jao Tsung-I Academy
- Xian Xinghai Memorial Museum
- The Home of Macao Literature
Even the Macau Museum could be visited for FREE in case your timing is true. Usually, it expenses MOP 15, however on Tuesdays and each fifteenth of the month, entrance payment is waived. In case your go to falls on both, fortunate you!
The Macau Museum lodges important artifacts narrating the historical past of Macau as a small settlement, as a Portuguese colony, and now as one in every of two Administrative Areas of China.
Its content material isn’t the one factor value admiring right here. The placement itself is of historic significance. The museum is ready inside Mount Fortress (Fortaleza do Monte), Macau’s most necessary protection. Seated regally atop Mount Hill, the fortress affords attractive panoramic vistas of the town in all instructions.
MACAU MUSEUM
FREE on Tuesdays and each fifteenth of the month
MOP 15 on different days
12. Macau Fisherman’s Wharf
A primary of its sort, the Macau Fisherman’s Wharf is the one cultural-oriented theme park within the metropolis. Overlaying an space of 111,500 sq. meters, it’s divided into three sections: Dynasty Wharf, East Meets West, and Legend Wharf. It’s a theme park, sure, however it’s also a procuring and eating vacation spot, excellent for households and barkadas.
13. Coloane Climbing Trails
Whereas the Macau Metropolis and Taipa have gotten an increasing number of urbanized, a lot of Coloane Island stays undeveloped. Thus, many publications name it the “lungs of Macau”, referring to its thick blanket of forests. This inexperienced oasis’s map is scribbled with quite a few climbing trails, the most well-liked of which is thought merely as Coloane Path. Additionally it is the longest path, stretching for over 8 km at 100 meters above sea stage on common, providing unbelievable vistas of the encircling areas.
High Accommodations in Macau
Listed below are among the high accommodations in Macau which are near the points of interest talked about above.
Seek for extra Macau Accommodations!
Flights to Macau
Philippine Airways presents direct flights from Manila to Macau! So if you happen to haven’t booked a ticket but, take into account flying with PAL! One factor I like about PAL is the beneficiant baggage allowance that robotically comes with every reserving. For Macau flights, financial system passengers can benefit from:
- 25-kg check-in baggage
- 7-kg carry-on baggage
Another excuse we desire PAL is its four-star service and scrumptious inflight meals and limitless drinks on board, that are already included within the reserving.
Go to philippineairlines.com to seek for flights to Macau!
Updates Log & Acknowledgment
Unique posting: 2024•02•19
Our most up-to-date journey to Macau was made doable by the Macau Authorities Tourism Workplace.