There’s lots to like about Macau, but when I might decide only one, it’s most likely the truth that most of its sights will 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 dwelling to a few of 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. Most of the resort corporations provide free shuttle bus companies, too.
Nevertheless it doesn’t cease there. Macau’s map is dotted with a number of fascinating sights that may be loved without spending a dime. Listed here 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 not possible 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. In case 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.
At this time, 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 world, you’ll go by lanes of outlets, damaged by different smaller praca just like the St. Dominic’s Sq. with St. Dominic’s Church overlooking the world.
Observe the wave-patterned mosaic ground and it’ll lead you to a different common 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 town’s Historic Middle. Constructed within the sixteenth century, this was a fancy with a cathedral and an instructional 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 storm and three fires. The ruins stand atop a steep 68-step staircase that additionally offers an awesome view of the encircling areas.
A guard is normally stationed by the principle door of the façade, however there isn’t any 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 price 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
In case you might 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 town received its title from this temple.
In keeping 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 title of the entire space, the worshippers thought they had been asking concerning the particular website so that they answered “A-Ma-Gau” which means “Bay of A-Ma”. A-Ma-Gau finally grew to become Macau.
Ama, after all, 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 heart.
Hours Open: 8:00 AM-6:00 PM
5. Guia Fortress
Standing proud on the tallest peak of the Macau Peninsula, Guia Fortress supplies beautiful 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 Woman of Guia that homes priceless work and different helpful artifacts. The lighthouse and the chapel had been accomplished in 1865 and 1622 respectively.
Guia Fortress will be reached on foot, an awesome choice for the bodily match and budget-conscious. However most vacationers choose 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 following day.
Let’s step away from the historic heart for a bit and head over to Cotai Strip and check out town’s extra fashionable sights.
Macau is greatest identified for its luxurious accommodations that present not simply five-star lodging but additionally a variety of sights. Many of those sights will also be loved freed from cost.
6. SkyCab at Wynn Palace
As you method Wynn Palace Resort, I’m positive the very very first thing you’ll discover is the road of cable vehicles that dangle above it. That is referred to as SkyCab. Sure, you’ll be able to journey it for FREE.
Every cable automobile is air-conditioned and may accommodate 6 individuals. Every journey lasts 10 minutes, hovering above the the huge fountain referred to as Efficiency Lake as a result of it shoots mesmerizing plumes. At evening, 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 evening. However years in the past, I used to be capable of witness the dancing fountain at its sister Wynn Resort within the Macau Peninsula. However I guess this one on the Wynn Palace is way 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 true factor, however it’s nonetheless fairly fascinating nonetheless, particularly at evening.
Each quarter-hour from 6:15 PM to midnight, each single evening, the long-lasting landmark is roofed in dazzling lights, creating an superior present that bathes the encircling space in varied colours.
The tower has 2 statement decks: one on Stage 37, which expenses MOP 75 per individual; 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 Mild Present
Each quarter-hour
from 6:15PM – 12:00AM
8. The Londoner Macao
The very first thing you’ll discover is its gorgeous façade, a lookalike of the Palace of Westminster and Homes of Parliament, and a reproduction of The Massive Ben, attempting to compete for consideration with The Parisian’s Eiffel Tower simply throughout the road. It chimes each hour, however it’s most spectacular at evening!
On the primary foyer, you’ll discover a reproduction of the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain aka Eros Fountain. From right here, you might 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 Road.
You may also 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 will 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. It’s also 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 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 by chance as a result of it was near our resort on the time.
Accomplished in 1906, Jardim de Lou Lim Ioc was a residential backyard of Lou Kan, a neighborhood service provider, till it was donated to the Macau authorities. At this time, it’s a public park that has turn out to be a sanctuary for locals on the lookout for some peace of thoughts. Victorian and conventional Chinese language buildings stand in between ponds which might be carpeted by lotuses throughout.
One factor I seen 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 will 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 will 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 vital artifacts narrating the historical past of Macau as a small settlement, as a Portuguese colony, and now as considered one of two Administrative Areas of China.
Its content material isn’t the one factor price admiring right here. The situation 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 beautiful 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 sort, 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’s also a procuring and eating vacation spot, excellent for households and barkadas.
13. Coloane Mountain climbing 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 quite a lot of climbing trails, the preferred of which is thought merely as Coloane Path. It’s also the longest path, stretching for over 8 km at 100 meters above sea stage on common, providing incredible vistas of the encircling areas.
High Motels in Macau
Listed here are a few of the prime accommodations in Macau which might be near the sights talked about above.
Seek for extra Macau Motels!
Flights to Macau
Philippine Airways gives direct flights from Manila to Macau! So should you haven’t booked a ticket but, think about flying with PAL! One factor I really like about PAL is the beneficiant baggage allowance that routinely comes with every reserving. For Macau flights, economic system passengers can make the most of:
- 25-kg check-in baggage
- 7-kg carry-on baggage
Another excuse we choose 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 potential by the Macau Authorities Tourism Workplace.