There’s so much to like about Macau, but when I might choose only one, it’s in all probability the truth that most of its sights could be loved for FREE! On this article, we’ll record down the locations to go to and issues to do in Macau that cost no entrance charges!
Macau could also be residence to a number of the most flamboyant and most luxurious motels on this aspect of Asia, however finances vacationers can simply construct an itinerary with out a lot injury to their pockets. It is likely one of the most walkable cities, with its streets punctuated by multi-lingual indicators. Lots of the lodge corporations supply free shuttle bus providers, too.
But it surely doesn’t cease there. Macau’s map is dotted with a number of attention-grabbing sights that may be loved at no cost. 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 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 record of UNESCO World Heritage Websites. Should 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 may 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 usually adorned with festive Chinese language lanterns and different installations that match the season. Whenever you stroll deeper into the realm, you’ll move by lanes of outlets, damaged by different smaller praca just like the St. Dominic’s Sq. with St. Dominic’s Church overlooking the realm.
Comply with the wave-patterned mosaic ground and it’ll lead you to a different in style 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 a fancy with a cathedral and an educational establishment. The church itself was added later within the seventeenth century. However immediately, solely the facade stays standing after being battered by a hurricane and three fires. The ruins stand atop a steep 68-step staircase that additionally offers a terrific view of the encircling areas.
A guard is often stationed by the primary door of the façade, however there isn’t a entrance price right here. Simply stroll proper in. Past it’s an space the place you may catch a glimpse of the church’s unique buildings.
Additionally price your time is the Museum of Sacred Artwork and Crypt on the backside of the ruins. It presents spiritual 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. Typically overshadowed by the neighboring church ruins, Na Tcha Temple is commonly 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 may also go to it with out paying an entrance price.
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
Should 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 obtained its identify from this temple.
In accordance 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.
Situated 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 offers attractive panoramic views of town, close by islands, and even mainland China.
The centerpiece is the 15-meter-tall lighthouse, seen even from a terrific distance. Beside it’s the Chapel of Our Girl of Guia that homes priceless work and different worthwhile artifacts. The lighthouse and the chapel had been accomplished in 1865 and 1622 respectively.
Guia Fortress could be reached on foot, a terrific choice for the bodily match and budget-conscious. However most vacationers desire taking the Guia Cable Automotive, which fees 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 recognized for its luxurious motels that present not simply five-star lodging but additionally a variety of sights. Many of those sights can 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 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 night time, they dance in sync with the lighting and music, which has develop into 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 capable of witness the dancing fountain at its sister Wynn Lodge 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, nicely, 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 charming 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 encircling space in numerous colours.
The tower has 2 commentary decks: one on Stage 37, which fees MOP 75 per particular person; 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 pictures 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 duplicate of The Huge Ben, making an attempt to compete for consideration with The Parisian’s Eiffel Tower simply throughout the road. It chimes each hour, however it’s most spectacular at night time!
On the primary foyer, you’ll discover a duplicate of the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain aka Eros Fountain. From right here, you can 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 could be accessed for FREE by the best way.
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, masking 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 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 distinguished figures together with Robert Morrison, the primary Protestant missionary in China; and Anders Ljungstedt, Sweden’s first consul normal in China.
I keep in mind how peaceable and quiet this park was. And I can completely think about how this park impressed poets to write 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 lodge on the time.
Accomplished in 1906, Jardim de Lou Lim Ioc was a residential backyard of Lou Kan, an area service provider, till it was donated to the Macau authorities. At this time, it’s a public park that has develop into a sanctuary for locals on the lookout for some peace of thoughts. Victorian and conventional Chinese language buildings 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 pretty. I hope it’s nonetheless this manner.
11. Macau’s Free Museums
Macau harbors dozens of museums and most of them could be accessed for FREE! No entrance price in any respect. For an entire record of those historic homes, try this compilation and simply search for these tagged with FREE ADMISSION.
A few of these museums embrace:
- St. Dominic’s Church Museum – Treasure of Sacred Artwork
- Maritime Museum
- Fireplace Companies 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 could be visited for FREE in case your timing is correct. Usually, it fees MOP 15, however on Tuesdays and each fifteenth of the month, entrance price 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 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 about inside Mount Fortress (Fortaleza do Monte), Macau’s most necessary 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 form, the Macau Fisherman’s Wharf is the one cultural-oriented theme park within the metropolis. Overlaying 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 procuring and eating vacation spot, good for households and barkadas.
13. Coloane 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 few mountaineering trails, the preferred of which is understood 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 Lodges in Macau
Listed here are a number of the prime motels in Macau which can be near the sights talked about above.
Seek for extra Macau Lodges!
Flights to Macau
Philippine Airways affords direct flights from Manila to Macau! So when 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, economic system passengers can reap the benefits of:
- 25-kg check-in baggage
- 7-kg carry-on baggage
Another excuse we desire 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.