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Macau travel guide
Portuguese heritage, glittering resorts and egg tarts.
Macao is a small territory on China's south coast where Portuguese and Chinese cultures meet. Visitors explore the UNESCO historic centre, big casino resorts on the Cotai Strip and the quiet villages of Taipa and Coloane.
Travel tools
Getting there
Macau International Airport has regional flights across Asia. Most visitors arrive by ferry from Hong Kong or by bus across the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, or overland from Zhuhai in mainland China.
Best time to visit: Oct–Dec – sunny, dry and comfortable.
Tougher months: June-September - hot, humid and rainy, with the risk of typhoons.
Weather by month in Macau
- 18°J
- 18°F●
- 21°M●
- 25°A●●
- 28°M●●●
- 31°J●●●
- 32°J●●●
- 32°A●●●
- 31°S●●
- 28°O●
- 24°N
- 20°D
Average daytime highs in °C; dots show how rainy the month is (one dot dry, three dots wet).
Time zone: Asia/Macau. Compare with your local time.
Visas: in our passport dataset, 191 of 198 other passports can enter Macau without arranging a visa first (visa-free or visa on arrival), 0 need an e-visa or electronic authorisation, and 7 need a visa in advance. Check your passport.
Background: Visa policy of Macau (Wikipedia).
Official advisory: Level 3: Reconsider Travel (U.S. Department of State, updated 2026-09-04). Read the advisory.
Source and more: Macau travel facts on RoamSun
Stay
Most trips to Macau are based around Historic Centre of Macau, Ruins of St Paul's or A-Ma Temple. Pick a base for your main interest, then add day trips rather than moving hotels every night.
Typical daily budget: about US$60–90 for a backpacker and US$150–250 mid-range, per person.
Source: RoamSun Macau page · Browse hotel guides
Connect
Plug types: G, D. Voltage: 220 V. Check your own devices on the plug and currency checker.
Calling code: +853.
Mobile data: read the travel eSIM setup guide before you fly so the plan is installed and ready on landing.
Source: Advinne eSIM guide · RoamSun
Do
- Historic Centre of Macau (Macau Peninsula · UNESCO): A cluster of churches, temples, squares and mansions blending Portuguese and Chinese heritage.
- Ruins of St Paul's (Macau Peninsula · landmark): The iconic church façade beside the Mount Fortress and Macau Museum.
- A-Ma Temple (Barra · temple): A colourful temple complex honouring the goddess of seafarers.
- Taipa Village (Taipa · old village): Charming streets with food stalls, colonial villas and a laid-back feel.
- Coloane (Coloane · beaches & village): Hiking trails, Hac Sa beach and a quaint village around the Chapel of St Francis Xavier.
- Cotai (Reclaimed land · resorts): A strip of huge integrated resorts, shows and shopping.
- Guia Fortress (Macau Peninsula · viewpoint): A 17th-century fort with the first modern lighthouse on the Chinese coast.
Things to do
- Climb to the Ruins of St Paul's. Stand before the carved stone façade, Macau's most famous landmark, and explore the crypt behind it.
- Stroll Senado Square. Walk on wavy black-and-white Portuguese tiles past pastel colonial buildings.
- Burn incense at A-Ma Temple. Visit Macau's oldest temple, built into the hillside overlooking the harbour.
- Eat a Portuguese egg tart. Bite into a warm, flaky, caramelised custard tart straight from a bakery.
- Wander Taipa Village. Explore lanes of colonial houses, snack stalls and the Taipa Houses-Museum.
- Look out from Guia Fortress. See a historic lighthouse and chapel on Macau's highest hill.
- Try Macanese cuisine. Taste African chicken, minchi and other fusion dishes that reflect centuries of trade.
- Relax in Coloane. Enjoy quiet beaches, a seaside chapel and village cafés on Macau's greenest island area.
Source: full Macau guide on RoamSun
Eat and drink
- Portuguese egg tart – flaky pastry with caramelised custard
- Pork chop bun – fried pork chop in a crusty roll
- Minchi – Macanese minced meat with potatoes
- African chicken – grilled chicken in spicy sauce
Source: RoamSun Macau guide
Money and safety
Currency: Macanese pataca (MOP). Currency and plug checker.
Tipping: A 10% service charge is often added in restaurants.
Emergency numbers: 999 all emergencies.
- The currency is the Macau pataca; Hong Kong dollars are widely accepted, but change is often given in patacas.
- Cards are accepted in hotels and malls, but small eateries may be cash only; ATMs are common.
- Macau is very safe, with low crime; watch for pickpockets around crowded tourist sites.
- Be cautious around casinos with money lenders or anyone offering 'help' with gambling.
Source: RoamSun Macau facts
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Macau?
Oct–Dec – sunny, dry and comfortable. Subtropical, with hot, humid and rainy summers and mild winters.
What time zone is Macau in?
Macau uses Asia/Macau.
Do I need a visa for Macau?
It depends on your passport. In our dataset 191 of 198 other passports can enter without a prior visa, 0 need an e-visa or eTA and 7 need a visa in advance. Use the visa checker and confirm with the official government source.
What plug and voltage does Macau use?
Macau uses plug type G, D at 220 V. Check whether your devices are dual-voltage before you plug in.
What is the calling code for Macau?
The international calling code for Macau is +853.
Do you tip in Macau?
A 10% service charge is often added in restaurants.
What is the emergency number in Macau?
999 all emergencies.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Macau?
Traffic drives on the left.