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Appreciate art and design in a historic monument
Location: Albergue Scm
Address: No. 8, Calçada da Igreja de S. Lázaro, Macau
Originally a small church in the St. Lazarus District, the neighborhood is now preserved and transformed as a cultural district to support the local creative industry development. The public space now hosts creative and community events, from art fairs, and music performances, to poetry-reading seminars.
Jog along a wetland in front of colonial houses
Location: Baia de Nossa Senhora da Esperanca
Address: Avenida da Praia, Carmo Zone, Taipa, Macau
There is a small lake right in front of the Taipa Houses Museum.
On the other side of the lake are a Wetland Ecological Viewing Zone and a great jogging trail.
The route is about 2-kilometer long with the casinos’ neon lights in the background. Along the trail, the Venetian Resort, Cotai Central, and other newly built casinos and shopping centers are in view.
Learn about Macau’s colonial history at a world heritage
Location: Casa Garden
Address: Rua do Regedor, Macau
Together with the historic Camoes Grotto park and Old Protestant Cemetery, the Oriental Foundation is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, well hidden in the concrete jungle in the city of Macau.
The mansion is a great photo-shooting spot and a place to learn about the colonial history of Macau.
Take a short excursion to an aqua park in Hengqin
Location: Chimelong Ocean Kingdom
Address: Han Xi Da Dao, Panyu Qu, Guangzhou Shi, Guangdong Sheng, China, 511495
Hengqin is located in Zhuhai across Macau. It is emerging as a new financial district in Zhuhai and tourist attractions are popping up in the last couple of years. The Ocean Kingdom has a great collection of exotic wildlife exhibits from polar bears, beluga whales, manatees, and more.
Check out:The Top 10 Aquariums to Visit in Asia and How to Plan Your Visit There
Try pork knuckles and ginger stew with a twist
Location: Fung Kei
Address: Rotunda de Carlos da Maia, Macau
Have you heard of a pork knuckle and ginger stew? It is a traditional Cantonese dish prepared for women who have just given birth. Now, it is a common snack that could be found in many dim sum restaurants. Here, in the Three Lamps District market, Fung Kei has a really special recipe for this stew and takes it to the next level, adding other delicious ingredients from pig ears, intestines, and more. If you want to venture to some local food, this is the place to be.
Check out: Macau Food Guide: Best places for Blended Taste of Portuguese and Chinese
Ride the shortest cable car in the world
Location: Guia Cable Car
Address: Av. de Sidónio Pais, Macau
The Guia Cable Car is the world’s shortest cable car system in the world. Connecting the entrance of Flora Garden to the top of Guia Mountain, the cable car ride takes merely 60 seconds.
Enjoy a panoramic view of the concrete jungle
Location: Guia Lighthouse
Address: Top of Dongwangyang Mountain, Wangdetang District, Macau
Macau is the most densely populated city in the world. Guia Hill is the highest point on the Macau Peninsula and a perfect viewpoint to enjoy a panoramic view of the concrete jungle, right in front of the historic Guia Lighthouse.
Stroll through the only Black Sand Beach in China
Location: Hac Sa Beach
Address: Estrada de Hac Sa, Coloane
Located on Coloane Island, Macau’s backyard, the Hac Sa Beach is the only black sand beach in China. Enjoy a walk on the beach and the dramatic view of the South China Sea.
Enjoy a natural escape at Long Chao Kok
Location: Long Chao Kok Coastal Trail
Address: Rua de Hac Sa Long Chao Kok, Macau
The Long Chao Kok Coastal Trail is located in the southernmost part of Macau and it is a great escape from the hustle and bustle of the tourist area. The walking trail is embraced by peculiar rock formations and offers a breathtaking ocean view.
Join a free guided tour at the MAM
Location: Macau Museum of Art
Address: Av. Xian Xing Hai, Macau
Although Macau is tiny, the only art museum is quite large. The museum has a great permanent collection of Chinese paintings, seals, ceramics, and bronzes in the Shang and Zhou Dynasties that tourists rarely see. Tourists may join a free guided tour on the weekends to have a better understanding of these unearthed cultural relics in Macau.
Enjoy authentic Portuguese cuisine on the beach
Location: Miramar
Address: Zona Nordeste da Praia Hac-Sa, Coloane
While Macau is tiny, there are still a bunch of secret restaurants that are off the tourist track, yet taste incredible. Miramar is a beachside restaurant with amazing waterfront scenery and delicious, authentic Portuguese cuisine.

Taste Portuguese food in the yard of a Portuguese chapel
Location: Nga Tim Café
Address: Rua Do Caetano, Coloane
The Chapel of St. Francis Xavier may be located off the tourist track, yet it was where the influential St. Francis Xavier’s digit resided. Nga Tim Café is a small restaurant on the side of the small village’s square, (paved with Portuguese mosaic tiles) – it is a great place to soak up the romantic atmosphere of old Macau and try some authentic Portuguese food.

Have afternoon tea in a former Portuguese fortress
Location: Pousada de Sao Tiago
Address: Avenida da Republica, Fortaleza de Sao Tiago da Barra, Macau
Pousada De Sao Tiago was a restoration of a Portuguese fortress built in the early 17th century; the hotel offers 12 luxurious suites, each in different styles and themes.
You may not stay in the hotel, however, it is a lovely experience to enjoy afternoon tea at the terrace in a quiet neighborhood, and take a tour of the historic site.
Enjoy authentic Burmese food in Little Burma
Location: Restaurante Birmanes
Address: Shop F, G/F, 27 Rua De Fernao Mendes Pinto R/C, Santo Antonio, Macau
Not many people know that the Three Lamps District is Macau’s Little Burma. There has been a Burmese community in Macau and a few restaurants in the neighborhood offer dishes that are a perfect mix of Chinese and Burmese cuisine.

Enjoy authentic Portuguese cuisine in a nostalgic brick building
Location: Restaurante Fernando
Address: Praia de Hac Sa, No.9, Coloane
For decades, Fernando has received raving reviews from the diners and it has a great celebrity clientele. Located in an old red brick house in the Coloane village, the restaurant also put up its collection of old photos, currencies, and testimonials on its walls.

Walkthrough a local market in Three Lamps District
Location: Rotunda de Carlos da Maia
Address: Rotunda de Carlos da Maia, Macau
The market begins with the Rotunda de Carlos da Maia. The market is filled with stores and street vendors that offer different kinds of local snacks, fresh produce, and goods. The wide variety and creativity may even surprise the locals and there are queues outside some restaurants during weekends.
Hunt for goodies in Taipa Sunday Flea Market
Location: Taipa Flea Market
Address: Bombeiros Square, Taipa
The Taipa Sunday Flea Market has been in the neighborhood for over a decade and it’s popular among locals. Apart from art and crafts stalls and local food, the market has street performances and entertainment for tourists to enjoy.
Check out modern visual art exhibitions in a historic Portuguese building
Location: Tap Seac Gallery
Address: 95 Avenida Conselheiro Ferreira de Almeida, Macau
The Gallery is connected with the Macau Public Library and Archives of Macau. The Neoclassical-style building is now a history and art museum that organizes visual arts exhibitions, workshops, and seminars.
Photoshoot with the façade of a cathedral in the background
Location: The Romantic Lane
Address: Travessa da Paixão, Macau
The Romantic Lane is a small lane at the corner of the famous Ruins of St. Paul’s. The lane is only 50 meters long, with a row of historic buildings painted with vibrant colors on one side. The site is featured in many local movies and a great photo spot with the Ruins of St. Paul’s subtly in the background.
I didn’t know that there are so many things to do in Macau. I always thought Macau as a day trip from Hong Kong
True, Macau is extremely small but still a lot to see and do!
Wish I had seen this list before I visited Macau. I just did the typical day trip stuff. But you have some great ideas here that don’t involve visiting a casino 🙂
There are lots to see and do apart from casinos in Macau and that’s why I am making this list 😊
I’ve never been to Macao and this tips will surely come in handy when I’ll have a chance to visit it! There seems to be lots of interesting things to see and do and a great food tradition!
Thanks and glad that you find them interesting! 😊
What a great list! I would love to ride that short cable car, how cool. I do not think I could eat that stew though with ears and intestines. Did you try it and was it good?
It was very good and you could aim for pork knuckles and ginger 😊
That’s interesting to know about 60 seconds cable car ride and the only black sand beach in China. Macau offering a lot of things to do, love how you can try Portuguese cuisines from different places.
Thanks Nafisa, there are lots of nice Portuguese dishes in Macau! 🇲🇴