Bucket List: 15 Things to do in Macau that won’t break the bank

Angela Goh 01 Sep 2016

1/15
Try some delicious Portuguese egg tarts
If there’s one single thing you must do in Macau, it’s to definitely binge on a few Portuguese egg tarts. Forget about the calories for a second and indulge in this traditional custard-centred street food snack. They’re pretty common in Macau, so be sure to food hop and try them from various stalls before you decide on your favourite! Each bakery owner would have their own secret recipe for their delicious egg tarts.
Photo: Angela Goh
2/15
Have a look around Senado Square
One of the largest public squares in Macau, Senado Square teems with cobblestoned streets and charming, historical buildings. Several buildings have western facades and features, and are well-protected by authorities so as to preserve their heritage. Many cultural events take place in the square, and there are a whole slew of shopping and dining options available.
Photo: Getty Images
3/15
Visit Taipa Village
Taipa Village is one of those places you really need to bring a camera to. There are a few hidden treasures found along the shopping stretch of Rua Do Cunha, from interesting local coffee shops to bustling confectionary stores selling traditional tidbits. If you enjoy visiting temples, Taipa Village has a few small Tao temples with modest entrances and simple architecture.
Photo: Getty Images
4/15
Grab a snapshot of the Ruins of St. Paul
You can’t say you’ve been to Macau if you don’t visit the Ruins of St. Paul. Possibly the most iconic landmark in the region, and definitely one of the most photographed tourist attractions, the grandiose stone wall and stairway are all that remain of the early-17th-century Jesuit church. Be sure to get a few snapshots of this popular facade.
Photo: Getty Images
5/15
Go on the hunt for some sinfully yummy pork chop buns
Pork chop buns are yet another popular street food snack you can find in Macau. They’re probably just as unhealthy as those golden Portuguese egg tarts (if not more so), but they’re definitely worth the hype. You can, of course, find copycats and “authentic” Macau pork chop buns back home, but nothing beats the real deal. Go on a hunt for the most famous pork chop bun store of them all - the super famous 50-year-old Tai Lei Loi Kei flagship store located at 35 Rua Correia da Silva in Taipa Village.
Photo: Tai Lei Loi Kei Facebook
6/15
Check out Kun Iam Temple
This temple is one of the largest and richest Buddhist temples you can find in Macau. Founded in the 13th century, it has undergone some reconstruction over the centuries. With terraced gardens, ancient artifacts and decorated facades, this temple is a must-visit location for anyone interested in the rich and religious culture of Macau.
Photo: Getty Images
7/15
Explore The Venetian Macao (just don’t gamble!)
If window shopping is on your mind, head to the Sands Shoppes at The Venetian and wander the indoor mega-mall for a bit. There is usually live entertainment, from music performances to magic shows. And if you’re up for it, indulge in a romantic ride through the San Luca, Marco Polo or Grand Canals on a gondola.
Photo: Angela Goh
8/15
Head to the Guia Fortress, Chapel and Lighthouse
Erected in the 1600s, the Guia Fortress houses the Guia Chapel and Lighthouse, both of which hold grand historic pasts. The Guia Lighthouse is said to be the first modern lighthouse on the Chinese coast, while the chapel displays intriguing representations of both western and Chinese themes and motifs, giving us a perfect example of Macau’s multicultural history.
Photo: Getty Images
9/15
Visit the colonial style Sir Robert Ho Tung Library
Founded in the 19th century by late tycoon Robert Ho Tung, this photogenic colonial building features a dome, Chinese-style gardens, and an arcaded facade, as well as recent modern extensions. Marvel at the marriage of contemporary and old-school architecture.
Photo: Getty Images
10/15
Macau Museum of Art
The Macau Museum of Art is five storeys high and provides visitors with well-curated displays of local art. From modern Macanese paintings to ancient uncovered ceramics and stoneware excavated in Macau, Ming and Qing Dynasty calligraphy to Western historical paintings from all over Asia, there’s something for everyone to appreciate here.
Photo: Macau Museum of Art
11/15
Pay a visit to A-Ma Temple
Built way back in 1488, this temple, located in southwest Macau, is possibly one of the oldest Taoist temples in the region. Dedicated to the goddess Matsu, it is said that this temple may be where the name “Macau” derived from. Interestingly, it is also one of the first locations to be photographed in Macau.
Photo: Getty Images
12/15
Marvel at the architecture of St. Joseph’s Seminary & Church
Located in the same area as the Sir Robert Ho Tung Library, the St Joseph’s Seminary & Church is a beautiful example of tropicalised baroque architecture in Macau. Featuring a cheerful white and yellow facade and, intriguingly, the oldest dome ever built in China, it isn’t hard to see why this church makes for a popular tourist marvel.
Photo: Getty Images
13/15
Go during major events
Macau boasts various unique festivals, many of which you can enjoy without having to spend a single cent. The annual Macau International Fireworks Display Contest, Macau International Dragon Boat Race, Macau Arts Festival, and Macau Food Festival are just some of the many exciting large-scale events that the region is famous for holding.
Photo: Getty Images
14/15
Spend some time in the Macau Science Centre
Opened in 2009, this interesting science centre boasts interactive exhibits as well as a planetarium. The main building’s prominent asymmetrical conical shape and spiral walkway make it an iconic landmark of Macau and is clearly visible upon arriving to Macau via ferry from Hong Kong. Spend a couple of hours viewing the informative exhibits and educate yourself while you’re at it!
Photo: Macau Science Centre
15/15
Go casino hopping
You don’t necessarily have to gamble all your money away - it’s just good fun to gape in awe at the gaudy lights and opulence that Macau’s casinos are so famous for. Sure, some may find the casinos overly ostentatious and packed with way too many gamblers, but you have to admit, the casinos themselves are quite a colourful spectacle to behold.
Photo: Getty Images

Skip the gaudy casinos and head straight for the lip-smacking street food and charmingly old-school villages.

Macau is often touted as the “Las Vegas of Asia”, and that very nickname is certainly not far off its mark. The region is scattered with strikingly glitzy casinos, expensive supercars, and high-end boutiques. Despite its reputation amongst those who travel there by private jet or yacht, Macau actually has a lot to offer for the budget traveller.

Administered by the Portuguese Empire for nearly 500 years, the territory has a rich and distinctive culture with Portuguese and Chinese influences evident in everything from architecture and food to language and religion. This means that beyond the glitz and glamour of the sprawling casinos and 5-star hotels, willing explorers can discover Chinese temples worshipping the goddess of seafarers and fishermen, ruins of Portuguese Jesuit universities and churches, and military forts dating back to the 17th century.

Whether you’re taking in the heavenly smell of egg tarts and pork chop buns along Rua do Cunha in Taipa or marvelling at the unique Portuguese architecture in Senado Square, there’s something to experience for everyone in Macau. Here’s our pick of 15 things to do for a quintessential Macanese trip that won’t break the bank.

Angela Goh

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Bucket List: 15 Things to do in Macau that won’t break the bank

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