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When we planned to visit Hong Kong, Macau was a non-negotiable for me, even though we had limited time. We are so glad we made it work because it’s a place well worth visiting, and yes, we visited Macau with kids, so these Macau travel tips are perfect for families too!
First things first: Macau and Macao are the same place. The spelling varies depending on whether you’re reading Portuguese (Macao) or English (Macau) but you’ll see both used interchangeably, including on signage within the city itself. Don’t let it confuse you.
Macau is one of those destinations that surprises people. It has a reputation as Asia’s Las Vegas, and the Cotai Strip at night does nothing to challenge that. It’s spectacular and excessive and completely over the top in the best possible way.
But turn a corner from the casinos and you’re in a UNESCO World Heritage historic district with Portuguese colonial architecture, traditional temples and some of the best pastries in Southeast Asia. The contrast is part of what makes it worth visiting.
We stopped in Macau for one night as part of our wider Asia trip, staying at The Venetian Macau, and our biggest regret was not staying longer.
Quick Macau Travel Tips
- Macau is part of China but operates completely differently to the mainland, no VPN needed, cards widely accepted
- Hong Kong dollars are accepted almost everywhere alongside Macanese patacas
- The Cotai Strip at night is unmissable
- Use the free hotel shuttle buses even if you’re not staying at those hotels
- Portuguese egg tarts are non-negotiable
- Most of the best historic sights are free to visit
- Stay near the Cotai Strip if you only have one or two nights
- Getting between Hong Kong and Macau is straightforward by bus, ferry, or fly direct
Entry and Arrival Tips
Macau Is Part of China But Operates Separately
Macau is a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China, the same arrangement as Hong Kong, which means it has its own immigration, its own currency and its own rules.
The mainland China restrictions on apps, internet and payment methods don’t apply here. Google Maps works. Your usual apps work. Google works. No VPN required. An ordinary eSim works perfectly – we used Airalo.
If you’re visiting Macau as part of a trip that also includes mainland China, it’s worth knowing that crossing between them counts as crossing a border, separate passport stamps, separate entry.
Check Your Visa-Free Entry
Australian, NZ, USA, Canada & EU passport holders can enter Macau visa-free for up to 30 days.
Most Western nationalities have similar arrangements, but visa-free entry lengths vary, so check the current rules for your own passport before booking.
There’s no arrival card or health declaration equivalent that many countries have, just your passport at the immigration counter.
Make Sure Your Passport Has At Least 6 Months’ Validity
This is a pretty standard rule for most of Asia (and the rest of the world), and Macau is no exception. Your passport needs at least 6 months’ validity remaining from your arrival date, or you may be denied entry.
How To Get To Macau
There are three ways to get between Hong Kong and Macau, and which one makes sense depends on where you’re starting from.
Crossborder bus via the HKZM Bridge (from HK Airport): If you’re coming directly from Hong Kong International Airport, this is the most convenient option. Buses cross the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and drop you at the Macau border — no need to clear Hong Kong customs first.
This is the route we took, and it was straightforward. However, be careful when booking your transfer. We thought we were booking the HKZM bus but ended up booking a far more expensive private minibus version instead on the way there. The experience was exactly the same as the HKZM bus but triple the price.
Ferry: High-speed ferries run between multiple Hong Kong departure points (including the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal and the Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal) and Macau’s Outer Harbour or Taipa Ferry Terminals. Journey time is roughly an hour.
Fly direct: Macau has its own international airport with direct connections from several regional cities. Worth checking if you’re not coming from Hong Kong.
Getting Around Macau
Public Buses Are Cheap and Cover the Main Areas
If you want to get around without relying on hotel shuttles or taxis, Macau has a good public bus network with a low flat fare (around 6 MOP if you pay cash, less if you use a Macau Pass card).
The routes cover most tourist areas including the historic district and the Cotai Strip. Download the Bus Travelling System app before you go for live routes and timings.
Use the Free Hotel Shuttle Buses
This is one of the best practical tips for visiting Macau and one that most people don’t know before they arrive.
The major casino hotels, the Venetian, the Parisian, MGM, Galaxy and others, all run free shuttle buses from the border crossings, ferry terminals and airport to their properties. These run frequently throughout the day.
Here’s the thing: you don’t have to be a guest at those hotels to use them.
The shuttle buses are a free and convenient way to get around the Cotai Strip and between the border and the main tourist areas. Check the routes and timings for the major hotels and use whichever one is headed in your direction. It’s perfectly normal and widely done.
We stayed at The Venetian, so we used their free shuttle bus from the terminal and back the next day. They also have tourist shuttle buses to see other attractions, but we didn’t have time to try that one.
Search & Compare Rental Car Prices
- Discover Cars: We have used this aggregate site many times to compare rental car prices from big-name companies and get the best price possible.
- Booking.com: This is our other preferred comparison site for finding rental cars (and accommodation).
Taxis and the Uber App
Macau doesn’t have traditional ride-sharing the way China has DiDi, but you can use the Uber app to hail a taxi in Macau. The app connects you with local licensed taxis rather than private drivers.
It works well and is more convenient than trying to flag one down on the street during busy periods. Having your destination written in Chinese characters is still helpful for drivers once you’re in the cab.
The Historic Area Is Very Walkable
Old Macau, the UNESCO-listed historic district around Senado Square, the Ruins of St Paul’s and the surrounding streets, is compact and easy to cover on foot. Wear comfortable shoes and expect some hills.
Money Tips
Cards Are Widely Accepted
Unlike mainland China where Alipay and WeChat Pay dominate and cards can be unreliable, Macau is much more straightforward.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and shops. Alipay and WeChat Pay work here too, but you don’t need them in the way you do on the mainland.
Hong Kong Dollars Are Accepted Almost Everywhere
Macau’s official currency is the Macanese Pataca (MOP), but Hong Kong dollars are accepted almost universally across the city: hotels, restaurants, taxis, shops and attractions.
The exchange rate between HKD and MOP is close enough that you’re unlikely to lose much either way. If you’re coming from Hong Kong, there’s no urgent need to exchange currency before you arrive.
We did not exchange any MOP while visiting. We used debit and credit cards during our stay.
Tipping Is Not Expected
Unlike the US and some other destinations, tipping is not part of the culture in Macau. Service charges are sometimes already included in restaurant bills. You won’t cause offence by not tipping.
Macau Is Expensive So Budget Accordingly
This is a casino city, and the pricing reflects it. Accommodation near the Cotai Strip, dining at hotel restaurants and any casino-adjacent experiences are all at the premium end. Budget accordingly, especially if you’re only there for one or two nights.
That said, there’s a lot you can do in Macau for free. More on that below.
Where To Stay
Stay Near the Cotai Strip for a Short Visit
If you only have one or two nights, staying near the Cotai Strip gives you the best access to what Macau is famous for. The major casino hotels are enormous self-contained complexes with restaurants, shopping and entertainment.
You could spend a whole evening without leaving the building, and the strip itself is worth wandering after dark.
We stayed at The Venetian Macao and the location was excellent for our single night in the city. Yes, it was a splurge, but it was fun to stay somewhere fancy with the kids as a treat.
The strip also connects directly between several hotel complexes.
The Venetian connects to The Parisian next door, for instance, so you can wander between properties on foot without going outside. It’s also a short walk to some of the other big Cotai Strip complexes, such as City Of Dreams.
We even found our favourite Japanese store, Don Don Donki in Studio City and stocked up on snacks and groceries for our Hong Kong stay!
Historic Macau Is Worth A Stay But a Different Experience
The old town area around Senado Square and the Ruins of St Paul’s has a completely different atmosphere to the casino strip.
It’s quieter, more authentic, distinctly Portuguese in character. If you have more than one night, basing yourself closer to the historic area for part of your stay gives you a more rounded picture of what Macau actually is.
But it’s an easy commute from the Cotai Strip too.
Things To Do In Macau Tips
Macau Must Be Seen at Night
This is the single most important tip in this whole post. Macau at night on the Cotai Strip is one of the most visually spectacular things we experienced on this entire trip.
Often, people do a day trip from Hong Kong to Macau and honestly, I don’t know if I would have thought it worth it without seeing the incredible way the city lights up at night.
The free light and fountain shows that run along the strip after dark are impressive. The scale of the buildings, the colour and movement of the shows, the reflection of everything lit up around you.
The Wynn Palace performance lake and cable car are popular attractions in Macau.
It’s the kind of thing that works on everyone, kids included, regardless of whether casinos and gambling are remotely your scene. (They’re not ours, and we still loved every minute of it.)
Whatever your Macau itinerary looks like, make sure at least one evening involves a walk along the strip after dark. Check show timings before you head out so you don’t miss them.
You can take a guided Macau night tour to make sure you don’t miss the best of the Cotai Strip.
Don’t Leave Without Eating a Portuguese Egg Tart
Non-negotiable. Macau’s Portuguese egg tarts (pastel de nata) are one of the food highlights of the whole region. The pastry shell is flaky, the custard is slightly caramelised on top and they’re best eaten warm.
The most famous place to get them is Lord Stow’s Bakery in Coloane Village, about a 20-minute walk from the Venetian, or a short taxi ride from the strip. It’s absolutely worth the trip.
I actually thought I’d think it gross.I’m not a big custard fan but they were so cheap so we got a couple to share. I did in fact not share mine at all. It was so good.
When we got back home, we found Portuguese egg tarts in the ALDI frozen section. Nothing at all in comparison to Lord Stow’s but better than nothing…
What Else To Eat In Macau
The egg tarts are the headline act, but Macau has a food identity that goes beyond them. It’s one of the few places in the world with a fabulous fusion cuisine born from centuries of Portuguese and Chinese cooking side by side.
Things worth trying while you’re there:
- Pork chop buns — a crispy, pan-fried pork chop stuffed into a soft Portuguese bread roll. Simple and delicious.
- African chicken — a Macanese specialty of roasted chicken in a coconut and spiced sauce that doesn’t taste like anything else you’ll find in the region.
- Almond cookies — sold everywhere in the historic district as snacks and souvenirs, they’re worth picking up.
The Macau Tower Is Worth the Views
The Macau Tower is one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks and the observation deck gives you views across the Cotai Strip, the historic district, Taipa and on a clear day, all the way to mainland China.
If you want the adrenaline version, it also has a bungee jump and a skywalk around the outside of the tower.
We didn’t make it up during our one-night stay, which is another reason we’d go back for longer. Even if thrill activities aren’t your thing, the views at sunset are supposed to be spectacular.
The House of Dancing Water Is On Every Must-Do List
We didn’t get to see this one (our delayed flight took that evening from us), but it came up so often in our research that it absolutely deserves a mention here. It was already sold out when I looked at booking.
The House of Dancing Water is a large-scale live performance show at City of Dreams on the Cotai Strip, widely described as the best show in Macau. It involves acrobatics, diving and a stage that transforms with water effects.
Book tickets in advance if this is on your list, as it sells out, especially on weekends. It’s a paid attraction but sits in a different category to the casino entertainment.
There’s More Free & Family Stuff Than You’d Expect for a Casino City
Despite the expensive reputation (and the casino-heavy image), Macau has a surprising amount of free or low-cost activity, and plenty that works well for families even if gambling is completely off the table for you.
- The historic district and all its landmarks
- The free light shows and fountain shows along the Cotai Strip at night, easily the highlight of our evening and completely free
- Wandering the casino hotel interiors, the Venetian’s indoor canals, The Parisian’s Eiffel Tower replica and the lobby theatrics of the major hotels are all free to walk through and fun with kids
- The strip itself offers a surprising amount of family-friendly spectacle that has nothing to do with gambling
- Taipa Village, a charming, quieter area with local restaurants and shops
- Seac Pai Van Park where you can see giant pandas and other animal exhibits for free
We’re not casino people at all, and Macau still completely won us over. Don’t write it off as a destination just because the casinos dominate the marketing. You can find plenty of things to do in Macau with kids.
The Cotai Strip and Old Macau Are Completely Different Cities
Going in, it’s worth understanding that Macau is really two very different destinations in one small place:
The Cotai Strip is all spectacle, enormous casino hotel complexes, designer shopping, international restaurants and the kind of light show that makes your jaw drop. It’s entertaining and worth experiencing, but it’s not culturally distinctive.
Old Macau, the peninsula area with the historic district, the temples and the egg tart bakeries, is where the actual character of Macau lives. The Portuguese colonial history is interesting and the area is pleasant to walk around.
You need both to get a real sense of the place.
The Historic Centre of Macau is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and most of it is completely free to visit.
- Ruins of St Paul’s — the iconic façade of the 17th-century cathedral that survived a fire is Macau’s most photographed landmark and free to visit
- Senado Square — the Portuguese-style tiled square at the heart of old Macau, lined with pastel-coloured colonial buildings
- A-Ma Temple — one of Macau’s oldest temples, at the tip of the Macau peninsula
The contrast between this area and the casino strip ten or so minutes away is striking. The historic district feels like a small Portuguese town that happened to end up in Southeast Asia, which is essentially what it is.
Practical Tips
Macau Is Small So Use That to Your Advantage
The whole of Macau covers less than 33 square kilometres. Even travelling between the strip and the historic district takes less than 20 minutes by taxi. This makes it very manageable as a short stop.
You can cover a lot in one or two nights without feeling rushed. Macau isn’t somewere you need a lot of time which means it will easily fit into your Hong Kong itinerary or as part of a China mainland trip.
English Is Widely Spoken in Tourist Areas
Macau was a Portuguese colony until 1999 and has been a major international tourism destination ever since. English is widely spoken across the strip and in most tourist-facing businesses. Signage is in Portuguese, Chinese and English throughout.
One Night Is Doable But Two Is Better
One night in Macau is enough to see the strip after dark, do the historic district and eat the egg tarts. But Macau rewards a slightly slower pace — a second night lets you visit Taipa Village, see the Macau Tower and generally feel less like you’re rushing through a checklist.
We had one night and wished we had two.
Macau Is One of the Safest Cities in Asia
For families especially, this is reassuring to know. Macau consistently ranks among the safest destinations in the region. Violent crime is extremely rare, and you can walk around the strip and the historic district at night without concern.
We felt very safe for the duration of our time in Macau, even walking along the Cotai Strip at close to 10 pm.
The standard common-sense rules still apply: keep an eye on your belongings in crowded areas and don’t leave bags unattended.
One thing worth knowing: drink spiking has been flagged in some bar areas. Don’t accept drinks from strangers and don’t leave your drink unattended if you’re out at night.
The Best Time To Visit Macau
October to December is the sweet spot. The weather is cooler and less humid, there’s less rain and it’s pleasant to be outside exploring the historic district on foot.
May to September is hot, humid and typhoon-prone. Not impossible, but tiring in a way that Macau’s outdoor sightseeing doesn’t need to be. It was July during our visit and very humid and uncomfortable outside.
Two things worth checking when you book:
- The Macau Grand Prix runs in November every year and the city gets very busy. Hotel prices spike and the strip gets crowded. It’s a great event if you’re into motorsport, but book well in advance or consider a different weekend if you’re not.
- Weekend vs weekday pricing — hotel rates on the Cotai Strip jump noticeably on Friday and Saturday nights. If you have any flexibility, Monday to Thursday is noticeably cheaper for the same room.
What Surprised Us Most
How much there was to enjoy even without setting foot near a casino table. The Cotai Strip sounds like a destination for gamblers, and it’s really not, or at least, it doesn’t have to be. Okay… it totally is but that’s not all there is.
The free light and fountain shows alone made the evening feel like an event, and exploring the interior of the major hotels is entertaining. Macau has a bit of fun built into it at every turn, and that was not what we were expecting going in.
If you want to spend big, there are quite a few family-friendly attractions, like riding the Gondolas in the Venetian shopping centre or catching the House of Dancing Water show (said to be a must and we are sad we missed it).
What We Would Do Differently
The process of getting to Macau from Hong Kong takes time. There are multiple border crossing situations where you need to show your passport and do the whole immigration thing if you’re not flying direct into Macau.
That takes time, and in our case, our flight from Shanghai was delayed into Hong Kong so we lost about an hour and a half of the afternoon we were due to arrive.
What would have made it much better would have been to stay two nights instead of one.
One night was enough to see the strip after dark and do the egg tarts the next morning, but we didn’t have time for the historic district or Taipa Village in any depth. Macau deserves a bit more time than we gave it, and we’d love to go back.
Our youngest declared it all “too fancy” but still had a great time. As long as the kids understand they’re there for the sights rather than the gaming floors, Macau works well as a family stop.
FAQ: Macau Travel Tips
Is Macau the same as China?
Macau is a Special Administrative Region of China with its own immigration, currency and rules. The mainland China restrictions on apps and internet don’t apply. Think of it as similar to Hong Kong, technically part of China, but operating very differently to the mainland.
Do I need a VPN in Macau?
No. Unlike mainland China, Macau doesn’t have the same internet restrictions. Google, WhatsApp and your usual apps all work normally.
Can I use Hong Kong dollars in Macau?
Yes. HKD is accepted almost everywhere alongside the Macanese pataca.
How do I get from Hong Kong to Macau?
Via the crossborder bus from HK Airport over the HKZM Bridge, by high-speed ferry from multiple HK departure points, or by flying direct into Macau airport.
How long do I need in Macau?
Macau can be done as a day trip from Hong Kong, but staying overnight for one to two nights is recommended to cover the highlights.
Is Macau good for families?
Yes, Macau is more family-friendly than you’d expect. Even along the Cotai Strip, which sounds like the least family-friendly place imaginable, there’s a surprising amount for kids to enjoy: the free light and fountain shows, the spectacle of the hotel interiors, the gondolas inside the Venetian, the Eiffel Tower replica at The Parisian.
What is the best time to visit Macau?
The shoulder seasons of Autumn and Spring are best, but particularly October to December with less rain, milder weather and the Macau Grand Prix in November.
Plan Your Trip
Here are a few things we always organise before travelling:
- Stay connected: We use Airalo eSIM
- Car hire: Compare options with DiscoverCars
- Travel insurance: Check SafetyWing or World2Cover via Klook
- Airport transfers: Book with Welcome Pickups
- Accommodation: Find the best deals here
- Tours: We always use GetYourGuide
More Macau and Hong Kong Resources
- The Venetian Macao review
- Hong Kong travel tips
- Hong Kong Disneyland guide
- China travel tips
