Macau Travel Guide
By China On Arrival Editorial Desk · Checked and updated 2026-09-23 · Research basis: Editor research
At a glance
Portuguese-Chinese heritage beside the world's biggest casino floor: the Ruins of St. Paul's, Senado Square's wave-stone lanes, Macanese egg tarts - a visa-easy SAR bookend 40 minutes from Hong Kong.
Suggested stay: 1-2 days · Airports: MFM (Macau International) · Train hubs: (no rail - HZMB bus/ferry from HK, foot border from Zhuhai)
What is Macau known for?
- Ruins of St. Paul's
- Senado Square
- Cotai casinos
What do you eat in Macau?
Portuguese egg tarts · Macanese minchi. Warm egg tarts off the tray on Senado's side streets.
How do you arrive in Macau?
MFM (Macau International) handle the international arrivals; (no rail - HZMB bus/ferry from HK, foot border from Zhuhai) is the high-speed rail entry point.
Where should you stay in Macau?
Peninsula Historic Centre is the default first-timer base — first-timers — Senado and St. Paul's on foot. Before paying, check the property's guest policy and, for smaller hotels, confirm the front desk can register a foreign passport — licensing rules still exclude some budget properties. Hotel-by-hotel picks: where to stay in Macau →
| Area | Best for | The honest note |
|---|---|---|
| Peninsula Historic Centre | first-timers — Senado and St. Paul's on foot | UNESCO lanes; older buildings |
| Cotai Strip | resort pools, shows, casino floors | the big resorts; free casino shuttles |
| Outer Harbour / Nam Van | ferry links, quieter value | business towers; bay walks |
Area picks are editor research, verified 2026-09-23 — not sponsored placements. Book through the links below to support this site.
How do you get in from the airport?
MFM sits on Taipa, 15-20 min from Cotai and 25-30 min from the Peninsula. From Hong Kong: HZMB bridge bus about 40 min or 60-min ferries; from Zhuhai, walk the Gongbei/Hengqin borders. The APK/Octopus-style Macau Pass covers all buses.
Plan your trip around these questions
- 🔍 The 3-day Hong Kong-Macau itinerary
- 🔍 Macau vs mainland: two separate entries
- 🔍 Which hotels can foreigners book
- 🔍 Paying without a Chinese bank card
- 🔍 Landing with data: eSIM setup
Explore the Macau guides below, organised around the questions travelers ask before booking.
Which cities pair with Macau?
- 🔗 Hongkong-macau — bus 40 min
- 🔗 Zhuhai — walk the border