There’s loads to like about Macau, but when I may decide only one, it’s most likely the truth that most of its sights may 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 lodges on this facet of Asia, however finances vacationers can simply construct an itinerary with out a lot injury to their pockets. It is among the most walkable cities, with its streets punctuated by multi-lingual indicators. Most of the lodge corporations provide free shuttle bus providers, too.
However it doesn’t cease there. Macau’s map is dotted with a number of attention-grabbing sights that may be loved without cost. Listed below 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 nearly unattainable 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 intensive Historic Heart of Macau, inscribed on the record of UNESCO World Heritage Websites. In the event 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 the moment, 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. Whenever you stroll deeper into the world, you’ll go by lanes of retailers, 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 flooring 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 essentially 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 essentially the most crowded web site within the metropolis.
Just like the Senado Sq., it’s also a part of town’s Historic Heart. Constructed within the sixteenth century, this was once a fancy with a cathedral and an instructional establishment. The church itself was added later within the seventeenth century. However right this moment, 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 a terrific view of the encompassing areas.
A guard is normally stationed by the primary door of the façade, however there isn’t a entrance charge 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 unique constructions.
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 usually not crowded in any respect. However it’s nonetheless a part of the UNESCO-listed Historic Heart 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 too can go to it with out paying an entrance charge.
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 the event you may 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’s also believed that town obtained its title from this temple.
In line 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 have been asking in regards to the particular web site in order that they answered “A-Ma-Gau” that means “Bay of A-Ma”. A-Ma-Gau finally turned 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 middle.
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 helpful artifacts. The lighthouse and the chapel have been accomplished in 1865 and 1622 respectively.
Guia Fortress may be reached on foot, a terrific choice for the bodily match and budget-conscious. However most vacationers want taking the Guia Cable Automobile, which prices 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 subsequent day.
Let’s step away from the historic middle for a bit and head over to Cotai Strip and check out town’s extra trendy sights.
Macau is finest recognized for its luxurious lodges that present not simply five-star lodging but additionally a variety of sights. Many of those sights may also be loved freed from cost.
6. SkyCab at Wynn Palace
As you method Wynn Palace Resort, I’m certain the very very first thing you’ll discover is the road of cable vehicles that grasp above it. That is known as SkyCab. Sure, you’ll be able to trip it for FREE.
Every cable automotive is air-conditioned and may accommodate 6 individuals. Every trip lasts 10 minutes, hovering above the the huge fountain known as Efficiency Lake as a result of it shoots mesmerizing plumes. At evening, 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 evening. However years in the past, I used to be in a position to witness the dancing fountain at its sister Wynn Resort within the Macau Peninsula. However I wager 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 actual factor, but it surely’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 encompassing space in varied colours.
The tower has 2 remark decks: one on Stage 37, which prices 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 pictures with the colourful construction as backdrop!
Eiffel Tower Gentle Present
Each quarter-hour
from 6:15PM – 12:00AM
8. The Londoner Macao
The very first thing you’ll discover is its beautiful façade, a lookalike of the Palace of Westminster and Homes of Parliament, and a reproduction 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, but it surely’s most spectacular at evening!
On the most important foyer, you’ll discover a reproduction of the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain aka Eros Fountain. From right here, you may 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 may as well hop into this taxi for what they name Black Cab Escape, the place you’ll get to get pleasure from a digital drive with David Beckham. All these may 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. Additionally it is the biggest, overlaying an space of 20,000 sq. meters.
Three separate areas comprise the sq.:
- Camoes Backyard, the place the poet composed lots 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 basic 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 put in writing their finest 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 once a residential backyard of Lou Kan, a neighborhood service provider, till it was donated to the Macau authorities. At the moment, it’s a public park that has develop into a sanctuary for locals searching for some peace of thoughts. Victorian and conventional Chinese language constructions 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 have been locals simply passing the time or assembly buddies 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 may be accessed for FREE! No entrance charge in any respect. For a whole record of those historic homes, take a look at 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
- Hearth 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 may be visited for FREE in case your timing is correct. Usually, it prices MOP 15, however on Tuesdays and each fifteenth of the month, entrance charge 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 placement itself is of historic significance. The museum is ready inside Mount Fortress (Fortaleza do Monte), Macau’s most essential 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 sort, 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’s also a buying and eating vacation spot, excellent for households and barkadas.
13. Coloane Mountaineering Trails
Whereas the Macau Metropolis and Taipa have gotten an increasing number of 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 mountain climbing trails, the most well-liked of which is thought merely as Coloane Path. Additionally it is the longest path, stretching for over 8 km at 100 meters above sea stage on common, providing unbelievable vistas of the encompassing areas.
High Resorts in Macau
Listed below are a number of the high lodges in Macau which can be near the sights talked about above.
Seek for extra Macau Resorts!
Flights to Macau
Philippine Airways affords direct flights from Manila to Macau! So in case you haven’t booked a ticket but, contemplate flying with PAL! One factor I really like about PAL is the beneficiant baggage allowance that routinely comes with every reserving. For Macau flights, financial system passengers can benefit from:
- 25-kg check-in baggage
- 7-kg carry-on baggage
One more reason we want 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.