Macau in 5 days

Asia's Las Vegas with a Portuguese soul, where colonial heritage meets glittering mega-casinos. Best time to visit: October-December. Average daily budget: $60 to $150 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: Historic Centre (Senado Square), The UNESCO heart of pastel colonial buildings, churches and squares.

Morning: Visit the Ruins of St. Paul's. See Macau's most iconic landmark, a 17th-century church facade.

Afternoon: Explore Historic Centre (Senado Square), The UNESCO heart of pastel colonial buildings, churches and squares.

Evening: Wander Senado Square. Stroll the wave-patterned plaza and colonial old town.

Eat: Portuguese egg tarts (pastel de nata)

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Ruins of St. Paul's, The iconic church facade and the lively streets leading up to it.

Morning: Eat a Portuguese egg tart. Try the famous pastel de nata at Lord Stow's in Coloane.

Afternoon: Explore Ruins of St. Paul's, The iconic church facade and the lively streets leading up to it.

Evening: Explore the Cotai Strip. Marvel at the lavish themed mega-resorts and casinos.

Eat: Macanese minchi, a comforting spiced minced-meat dish

Day 3, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Cotai Strip, The reclaimed land packed with mega-resorts and casinos.

Morning: Climb Monte Fort. Take in old-town views from the historic hilltop fortress.

Afternoon: Explore Cotai Strip, The reclaimed land packed with mega-resorts and casinos.

Evening: Discover Taipa Village. Graze the food street and explore the pastel lanes.

Eat: Portuguese-style African chicken

Day 4, Day trip or nature

Base: Taipa Village, The charming old quarter of food stalls, temples and colourful lanes.

Morning: The colourful Portuguese lanes and food street of Taipa Village.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Taipa Village, The charming old quarter of food stalls, temples and colourful lanes.

Evening: Quiet Coloane Village and the original Lord Stow's egg-tart bakery.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Pork chop bun from Taipa Village

Day 5, Slow finish

Base: Coloane, The quiet, green far south with beaches and the original Lord Stow's egg tarts.

Morning: The candy-coloured Taipa Houses Museum on the waterfront.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Coloane, The quiet, green far south with beaches and the original Lord Stow's egg tarts.

Evening: Free, lavish attractions inside the Cotai resorts, gondolas, shows and gardens.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Portuguese egg tarts (pastel de nata)

Hidden gems

The colourful Portuguese lanes and food street of Taipa Village.
Quiet Coloane Village and the original Lord Stow's egg-tart bakery.
The candy-coloured Taipa Houses Museum on the waterfront.
Free, lavish attractions inside the Cotai resorts, gondolas, shows and gardens.

Getting around

Macau is compact and one of its best secrets is the free shuttle-bus network run by the casinos, which loop between the ferry terminals, airport, border gates and the major resorts, you can hop on even if you're not gambling, making them a great way to get across town for nothing. Public buses are cheap and cover everywhere else, payable by MacauPass card or contactless. The historic centre is best explored on foot. The Light Rapid Transit (LRT) connects Taipa, Cotai and the ferry terminal.

Safety

Macau is extremely safe, with very low violent crime and a strong security presence, especially in and around the casinos, it's excellent for solo travellers, including women, day and night. The main concerns are petty pickpocketing in crowded tourist spots and at the ferry terminals, and the obvious risk of gambling losses, set a firm budget if you play. Watch for loan sharks and avoid unofficial money-changers near casinos. Traffic is busy, so cross carefully, and bring your passport, as Macau is a separate immigration zone from mainland China and Hong Kong.

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