There’s loads to like about Macau, but when I might choose only one, it’s most likely the truth that most of its points of interest may 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 a few of the most flamboyant and most luxurious resorts on this aspect of Asia, however funds 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 firms supply free shuttle bus providers, too.
Nevertheless it doesn’t cease there. Macau’s map is dotted with a number of fascinating points of interest that may be loved without spending a dime. 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 nearly inconceivable 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 out of doors museum, the Senado Sq. is part of the intensive Historic Middle of Macau, inscribed on the listing of UNESCO World Heritage Websites. In the event 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 town. One of many edifices that can catch your consideration is the two-story neo-classical Leal Senado Constructing.
Immediately, whereas the Portuguese-style monument nonetheless stands proudly across the sq., it’s now usually adorned with festive Chinese language lanterns and different installations that match the season. If you stroll deeper into the world, you’ll cross by lanes of retailers, damaged by different smaller praca just like the St. Dominic’s Sq. with St. Dominic’s Church overlooking the world.
Comply with the wave-patterned mosaic ground and it’ll lead you to a different well-liked 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 web site within the metropolis.
Just like the Senado Sq., it is usually a part of town’s Historic Middle. Constructed within the sixteenth century, this was once a posh with a cathedral and an instructional establishment. The church itself was added later within the seventeenth century. However in the present day, solely the facade stays standing after being battered by a storm and three fires. The ruins stand atop a steep 68-step staircase that additionally provides an awesome view of the encompassing areas.
A guard is often stationed by the principle 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 may catch a glimpse of the church’s unique constructions.
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 stated 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 may also 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
In the event you might go to just one temple within the metropolis, make it Ama Temple. Not solely is that this the oldest in Macau – in-built 1488 — it is usually believed that town bought its identify from this temple.
In line with 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 identify of the entire space, the worshippers thought they had been asking concerning the particular web site in order that they answered “A-Ma-Gau” which means “Bay of A-Ma”. A-Ma-Gau finally 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 supplies attractive panoramic views of town, close by islands, and even mainland China.
The centerpiece is the 15-meter-tall lighthouse, seen even from an awesome 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 may be reached on foot, an awesome choice for the bodily match and budget-conscious. However most vacationers want taking the Guia Cable Automotive, which prices 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 town’s extra trendy points of interest.
Macau is greatest recognized for its luxurious resorts that present not simply five-star lodging but additionally a variety of points of interest. Many of those points of interest may 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 automobiles that grasp above it. That is referred to as SkyCab. Sure, you may trip it for FREE.
Every cable automotive is air-conditioned and might accommodate 6 individuals. Every trip lasts 10 minutes, hovering above the the huge fountain referred to 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 out to be 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 wager 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, properly, there’s one other Eiffel Tower in Macau. At roughly 160 meters tall, it’s simply half the peak of the actual factor, nevertheless it’s nonetheless fairly fascinating nonetheless, particularly at night time.
Each quarter-hour from 6:15 PM to midnight, each single night time, the enduring landmark is roofed in dazzling lights, creating an superior present that bathes the encompassing space in numerous colours.
The tower has 2 commentary decks: one on Degree 37, which prices MOP 75 per particular person; and the opposite on Degree 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 photographs 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, attempting to compete for consideration with The Parisian’s Eiffel Tower simply throughout the road. It chimes each hour, nevertheless it’s most spectacular at night time!
On the foremost 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 can even hop into this taxi for what they name Black Cab Escape, the place you’ll get to take pleasure in a digital drive with David Beckham. All these may 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, protecting an space of 20,000 sq. meters.
Three separate areas comprise the sq.:
- Camoes Backyard, the place the poet composed lots of his sonnets
- Casa Backyard, a parkette in-built 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 outstanding figures together with Robert Morrison, the primary Protestant missionary in China; and Anders Ljungstedt, Sweden’s first consul normal 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 greatest works.
10. Jardim Lou Lim Ioc
One other quiet spot within the metropolis is the Jardim Lou Lim Ioc. We stumbled upon it accidentally 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, an area service provider, till it was donated to the Macau authorities. Immediately, it’s a public park that has turn out to be a sanctuary for locals in search of some peace of thoughts. Victorian and conventional Chinese language constructions stand in between ponds which can be 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 pals or spending time with household. It was completely beautiful. I hope it’s nonetheless this manner.
11. Macau’s Free Museums
Macau harbors dozens of museums and most of them may be accessed for FREE! No entrance payment in any respect. For a whole listing of those historic homes, try this compilation and simply search for these tagged with FREE ADMISSION.
A few of these museums embody:
- St. Dominic’s Church Museum – Treasure of Sacred Artwork
- Maritime Museum
- Fireplace Providers Museum
- Macao Museum of Artwork
- Basic Ye Ting’s Former Residence
- Jao Tsung-I Academy
- Xian Xinghai Memorial Museum
- The Home of Macao Literature
Even the Macau Museum may be visited for FREE in case your timing is true. Usually, it prices 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 vital protection. Seated regally atop Mount Hill, the fortress affords attractive panoramic vistas of 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 variety, the Macau Fisherman’s Wharf is the one cultural-oriented theme park within the metropolis. Protecting 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 is usually a buying and eating vacation spot, excellent for households and barkadas.
13. Coloane Mountaineering Trails
Whereas the Macau Metropolis and Taipa have gotten increasingly 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 numerous climbing trails, the preferred of which is understood merely as Coloane Path. Additionally it is the longest path, stretching for over 8 km at 100 meters above sea degree on common, providing improbable vistas of the encompassing areas.
Prime Accommodations in Macau
Listed below are a few of the high resorts in Macau which can be near the points of interest talked about above.
Seek for extra Macau Accommodations!
Flights to Macau
Philippine Airways provides direct flights from Manila to Macau! So should you haven’t booked a ticket but, contemplate flying with PAL! One factor I really like about PAL is the beneficiant baggage allowance that mechanically comes with every reserving. For Macau flights, financial system passengers can reap the benefits of:
- 25-kg check-in baggage
- 7-kg carry-on baggage
One more reason we want 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.