Macau Peninsula

Skyline of the Macau Peninsula at night

The Macau Peninsula is the northern portion of China's Special Administrative Region of Macau. Its 8.5 square km is almost totally built up, making it the most urbanized and populous district in the territory.

For the visitor, Macau Peninsula is also the most interesting district of the territory as it is packed with historical attractions and interesting streets, and is home to many of Macau's casinos and entertainment spots. You'll also most likely land in this district first if you enter the territory by sea or land as the main ferry terminal and the main land border crossing are located here.

Get in

Unless you fly, Macau Peninsula will most likely be the first area you set foot on when you arrive in the territory. Macau's main ferry terminal, the Macau International Ferry Terminal (Terminal Maritimo) and the main land crossing with mainland China, the Portas do Cerco Frontier Checkpoint as well as the Inner Harbour Ferry Terminal are all located on the peninsula. See the main Macau page for information on how to get to Macau.

Macau Peninsula is linked with Taipa Island to the south by three bridges - Sai Van Bridge, Governador Nobre de Carvalho (or Macau-Taipa) Bridge, and the Friendship Bridge (Ponte de Amizade). Taipa is linked to Coloane by the Taipa-Coloane Causeway, the main artery of the newly reclaimed Cotai area.

The Macau light rail runs across the Sai Van Bridge to link Barra at the southwest corner of the Peninsula with the ferry and airport in Taipa and as well the hotels in Cotai. See these pages and Coloane for bus routes linking the Peninsula with those districts.

Get around

The Old City is very walkable, but most visitors will want to skip the rather dreary 3 km slog there from the ferry terminal.

By bus

To travel from the Outer Harbour (Porte Exterior) ferry terminal to the old city, just hop on one of the free green Hotel Lisboa shuttles. These depart from the bus center across the underpass and there are plenty of uniformed staff to show you the way.

To use the same shuttles to get back, though, you will need to sign up for a Hotel Lisboa membership: free, but a hassle. Alternatively, there is a large public bus interchange right next to Hotel Lisboa, from where you can reach most points in Macau. Most buses to the ferry terminal (3, 10A, 12) leave from Pier E and cost a flat 6 patacas.

Some useful bus routes:

• 3 - Barrier Gate (Portas do Cerco) to the Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal via Hotel Lisboa, Avenida Almeida Ribeiro (City Center)
• 5 - Barrier Gate to A-Ma Temple (Barra) via Hotel Lisboa, Avenida Almeida Ribeiro
• 9A - Barrier Gate to Macau Tower
• 32 - Ferry Terminal to Macau Tower

By scooter

Scooters are a very economical and fun way to see the sites of Macau, they are also the primary mode of transport for locals due to Macau's narrow streets and lack of car parking space. Scooters are available for rental from a few dollars. Licenses from most countries covering mopeds or motorcycles are accepted.

See

Heritage

Macau Peninsula is packed with old buildings left over from the colonial period. A site called Macau Cultural Heritage has information and maps.

A large section has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. UNESCO lists 25 locations or buildings of cultural and historic significance, and the best way to cover them is to do the Macau Heritage Walk circuit. The 25 locations are:

• 1 A-Ma Temple, Barra Square (near the southwestern (Inner Harbour) tip of the peninsula). Perhaps the most famous Chinese temple in Macau. This is a Taoist temple which predates the Portuguese era. The name "Macau" is believed to be a Portuguese mispronunciation of the temple's Cantonese name. (updated Oct 2016)

Barra square

• 2 Moorish Barracks, Calçada da Barra. Built in 1874 to accommodate an Indian regiment from Goa, it now serves as the headquarters of the Macau Maritime Authority. (updated Nov 2019)
• 3 Lilau Square, Largo do Lilau (along Calçada da Barra). Pretty little square surrounded by the old Mediterranean-style houses of one of Macau's oldest residential areas. The square has a spring where it is said that "One who drinks from Lilau never forgets Macau". (updated Oct 2016)

Lilau square

• 4 Mandarin House, 10, António da Silva Ln. 10AM-6PM, closed W Th. The Macau Mandarin House is the former residence owned by eminent modern Chinese thinker Zheng Guanying and his father Zheng Wenrui. The house was built in around 1881 and over time, many families occupied the complex. It covers an area of about 4,000 sq metres and is a traditional Chinese-style compound containing a number of buildings Free entrance. 

Mandarin House

• 5 St. Lawrence's Church, Rua de São Lourenço. Built in the mid 16th century, this is one of the oldest churches in Macau. Families of Portuguese sailors used to gather on its front steps and pray and wait for the safe return of their loved ones. (updated Oct 2016)
• 6 St. Augustine's Square (Largo de Santo Agostinho). This square is fronted by various pretty buildings of Macau's past era, namely the St Augustine's Church, Dom Pedro V Theatre, St Joseph's Seminary and Church and the Robert Ho Tung Library. (updated Nov 2019)
• 7 St. Augustine's Church (Igreja de Santo Agostinho), Largo de Santo Agostinho. Established by the Spanish Augustinians in 1591, this church maintains the tradition of organising the Easter Procession around the city. (updated Oct 2016)
• 8 Dom Pedro V Theatre, Largo de Santo Agostinho. Built in 1860 as the first Western-style theatre on the Chinese coast, it remains a significant cultural landmark of the Macanese community and remains a venue for many public functions and events. (updated Oct 2016)
• 9 Sir Robert Ho Tung Library, Largo de Santo Agostinho, ☏ +853 2837711. Originally the residence of a Portuguese Dona, the building was purchased by Hong Kong businessman Sir Robert Ho Tung as a retreat. When he passed away, he willed the building to be passed over to the Macau government to be turned into a public library. (updated May 2020)
• 10 St. Joseph's Seminary and Church, Rua do Seminario. Established in 1728, the old Seminary, together with St Paul's College, was the base of missionary work in China, Japan and other parts of the region. The adjacent church was built in 1758 and is noted for its Baroque architecture. (updated Oct 2016)

Largo do Senado

• 11 Senate Square (Largo do Senado) (halfway point along Av de Almeida Ribeiro). A colorful typical Iberian town square, this is the traditional heart of Macau city, complete with the traditional Portuguese pavement. It is surrounded by pastel-coloured neo-classical buildings, most of them having an administrative function during the Portuguese era. The place is a popular venue for public events and crowds gather here just to soak in the atmosphere and socialise. (updated Oct 2016)
• 12 Loyal Senate (Leal Senado), Building, 165, Av de Almeida Ribeiro (directly facing the Senate Square). Built to house Macau's municipal government, the Leal Senado has a neo-classical design and much of the original layout and structure has been retained through the years. The first floor has a ceremonial meeting room that adjoins an elaborate library. The name "Loyal Senate" is derived from the name bestowed upon Macau - "City of Our Name of God Macau, There is None More Loyal" - by King Dom João IV in 1654 because the colony's senate refused to recognise Spain's occupation of Portugal in the early 1600s. (updated Oct 2016)
• 13 Holy House of Mercy (Santa Casa de Misericórdia), Largo do Senado, ☏ +853 2833 7503. This building, established by the firsty Bishop of Macau in 1569, provides an imposing façade for the Senate Square. The building houses a charitable organisation which looked after the medical, social and welfare needs of the citizens of Macau, and was the home of many orphans and prostitutes. Today, it houses a two-room museum with displays of items related to the organisation. (updated Jun 2020)
• 14 Sé Cathedral (Igreja da Sé), Largo da Se. No records of the exact date of construction exist but a solid brick structure was built on this site in 1622 and repaied in 1743. The cathedral has some impressive stained glass murals and the facade is characterised by its twin belfries. The exterior is clad in Shanghai plaster which gives the church a subdued appearance. (updated Oct 2016)
• 15 Lou Kau Mansion, 7, Travessa da Sé. Built in 1889, this was the home of Lou Kau, a prominent Chinese merchant who owned several properties in the city. The architecture is that of a typical Chinese residential building. (updated May 2020)

St. Dominic's Church

• 16 St. Dominic's Church, Largo de São Domingos (located just northeast of the Senate Square). The pastel-coloured church was founded in 1587 by Spanish Dominican priests. The bell tower at the back of the building has been converted into the small Museum of Sacred Art with around 300 artifacts. (updated Oct 2016)
• 17 Sam Kai Vui Kun Temple, Rua Sul do Mercado de Sao Domingos. Located close to the Chinese Bazaar area, this temple has some Western styles to its architecture, illustrating the harmonious coexistence of the two cultures in this city. The temple has a long association with Chinese business associations and guilds. (updated Oct 2016)

Statue in front of São Paulo Cathedral

• 18 Ruins of St. Paul's Cathedral (Portuguese: Ruinas de São Paulo; Cantonese: 大三巴 daai saam ba). The city's most famous landmark and is regarded as the greatest monument to Christianity in the East. The only thing left of the Church of Mater Dei, built in the 1600s but burnt down in 1835, is the imposing façade, with its Biblical statues and relief, being described as a "sermon in stone" and a "Bible for the poor". Nearby are the remains of the St Paul's College. Behind the façade is the Museum of Sacred Art and Crypt, which occupies the chancel of the church, contains archaeological excavations of the site and also exhibits and paintings on early Christian life in the East. The crypt contains the remains of martyrs of Christians killed in the 17th century. (updated Oct 2016)
• 19 Na Tcha Temple. Tucked in the corner of a cobblestone square to the left of (as you face) the ruins of St. Paul's is this tiny temple dedicated to the Chinese deity Prince Nata. The juxtaposition of Catholic church and traditional Chinese temple is a perfect example of Macau's contrasts and multicultural history. (updated Dec 2018)
• 20 Section of the Old City Walls (located just next to the Na-Tcha Temple). This is a segment of the city's defence structures built in 1569, which has survived. It is built with a compound material called chunambo, a mixture of clay, soil, sand, rice straw, crushed rocks and oyster shells which were placed in layers. (updated Jun 2020)
• 21 Mount Fortress (Fortaleza do Monte), Monte Hill (east or St Paul's ruins). Built between 1617 and 1626 by the Jesuits, the fortress one of the main defence structures of the city. It housed barracks, arsenal and storehouses to allow it to withstand a siege lasting two years. You can get good views of the central part of Macau Peninsula from here. The fortress can be accessed by escalator just east of St Paul's. The Macau Museum is located within the fortress (see "Museums" section below). (updated Nov 2019)
• 22 St. Anthony's Church (Igreja de Santo António), Largo de Santo António. One of Macau's oldest churches, St Anthony's was originally built of wood and bamboo. The current structure was constructed in 1930. (updated Oct 2016)
• 23 Casa Garden, Praça De Luís de Camões. This house, built in 1770, was the residence of the wealthy Portuguese merchant Manuel Pereira and was later rented out to the English East India Company. Today, it is the headquarters of the Oriental Foundation. (updated Oct 2016)
• 24 Old Protestant Cemetery (also known as the East India Company Cemetery), Praça de Luís de Camões (beside the Luis de Camoes Garden). Lovely little piece of England in Macau. Look out for the grave of the Right Honourable Lord H.I. Spencer Churchill, ancestor of Winston Churchill, and also for the graves of the painter George Chinnery (far left in the upper row) and the missionary Robert Morrison (far right near the back; his accomplishments include writing the first Chinese-English, English-Chinese dictionary). (updated Oct 2016)

Guia Fortress

• 25 Guia Fortress. Built in the 1600s on top of Guia Hill on the eastern part of the peninsula, the fortress's main function was to ward off any attack by China. Within the fortress is the Chapel of Our Lady of Guia and the 15 m-tall Guia Lighthouse, said to be the first modern lighthouse on the Chinese coast. Guia Fortress can be reached by the Guia Cable Car (Teleférico da Guia) just outside the entrance of the Flora Garden on Rua do Túnel, off Av Sidónio Pais. (updated Oct 2016)
• 26 Macau Government Headquarters, 131 Avenida da Praia Grande, ☏ +853 2856 5555, +853 2872 6886, dsasg@raem.gov.mo. Built in 1849 and originally as a noble's residence, it was the official palace of the Governor of Macau. The building now hosts the Chief Executive's Office. There are usually a opening day that lasts for 2 days in each years October when travellers can enter the building. (updated Oct 2024)
• 27 Sun Yat Sen Memorial House (澳門國父紀念館), 1 Rua Silva Mendes. Macau (Opposite to traffic police station.), ☏ +853 2857 4064 / +853 2830 6282FORMAT. 10AM–17PM, closed on Tuesday. Dr. Sun Yat Sen's residence when he was practicing medicine in Macau, and later the place where his family lived. While called a museum, the Moorish-style building hosts very little exhibition apart from furniture at that time and personal correspondence. Free. (updated Oct 2024)

Other churches, temples, places of religious significance

• 28 Cemetério de São Miguel Arcanjo (Saint Michael the Archangel Cemetery), 2A, Estrada do Cemiterio. A classic example of Sino-Portuguese Culture. A great place for lovers of angel statues. (updated Oct 2016)
• 29 Chapel of Our Lady of Penha and Penha Hill (Capela de Nossa Senhora da Penha), Colina da Penha. The chapel sits atop a steep hill which towers above the southernmost tip of Macau Peninsula. From the various lookouts from the hill, you'll get excellent views of the central area of Macau, Nam Van and Sai Van lakes, Macau Tower, the three Macau-Taipa bridges and across the Pearl River into China. (updated Oct 2016)
• 30 Kun Iam Temple (觀音堂), Avenida do Coronel Mesquita. A large, old Buddhist temple to the north of downtown. It's a little out of the way, but is definitely worth a visit if you're into temples. (updated Aug 2019)
• 31 Kun Iam Statue, Avenida Doutor Sun Yat Sen. Twenty metre high bronze statue of the Goddess of Mercy emerging from a lotus floating in the Outer Harbour. The statue is connected to land by a 60 m footbridge. (updated Oct 2016)
• 32 Macau Mosque and Cemetery (Mesquita e Cemitério de Macau), No. 4, Ramal Dos Moros, Nossa Senhora de Fátima. The only mosque in Macau. The complex also houses the city's only Muslim cemetery and the office of Islamic Association of Macau. (updated Feb 2021)

Museums

• 33 Macau Museum (Above Saint Paul's, within the remains of the Mount fortress). closed on Mondays. MOP15; free for children 12 and under and seniors 65 and older. (updated Oct 2016)
• 34 Maritime Museum (Opposite the A-Ma Temple). 10AM–6PM (no admittance after 5:30PM), closed Tu. With exhibits on Macau's seafaring history. Admission: MOP10; half-price on Sundays. (updated Oct 2016)
• 35 Wine Museum and Grand Prix Museum. The Wine Museum and the Grand Prix Museum are both in the same building, north of the center of town. (updated Oct 2016)
• 36 Fire Services Museum (消防博物館), 2-6 Estrada de Coelho do Amaral, ☏ +853 8396 0420, +853 8396 0319. 10AM–6PM. Originally the headquarters of the Fire Services Bureau, the historical building is now a museum dedicated to the history of the fire brigade and hosts a variety of antique fire engines and firefighting apparatus. Closed from public admittance as of October 2024. The rebuilt Central Fire Station is in use and next to the museum. Free. (updated Oct 2024)
• Quartel de São Francisco/Museum of the Macao Security Forces (加思欄兵營/澳門保安部隊博物館), Calçada dos Quartéis, Macau, ☏ +853 2855 9999. 9AM–5:45PM (weekdays), 9AM–5PM (weekends). A museum showing the history of Macau's first responders, which was originally a Portuguese barracks and later the former headquarters of the security forces. Exhibition includes firearms, uniforms and various policing and firefighting equipment. Entry requires ID registration and X-ray scanning. Free. (updated Oct 2024)

Gardens

• 37 Lou Lim Ioc (Jardim de Lou Lim Ioc), 10 Estrada de Adolfo de Loureiro. Beautiful garden sanctuary on the peninsula of Macau. It was part of an old Chinese mansion reconverted to museum and art gallery. (updated May 2020)
• 38 Luís de Camões Garden and Grotto, Praça de Luís de Camões. One of the largest gardens in Macau, the land was originally owned by the British East India Company and was bought over by a Portuguese merchant who then willed it to the Macau government to be turned into a public garden when he died. The garden was dedicated to master Lusitan poet Luís de Camões. The gardens are popular with tai chi and aerobics groups and also people who bring their birds in cages to be shown off. The main attraction of the park is the Camões Grotto, where the one-eyed poet once lived with his Chinese bride in the late 16th century. Inside, there's a bronze bust of him. (updated Oct 2016)

Macao Tower

Other sights

• 39 Macau Tower (Torre de Macau) (catch the 9A bus, or around 20 minutes walk from the town centre). You'll get a great view over Macau and Taipa. There is a viewing platform outside and an inside platform with glass floor panels, and a cafe. AJ Hackett also runs "adventure" activities on the tower (see "Do" below). (updated Oct 2016)
• 40 Rua da Felicidade (Happiness Street) (southeast of Largo do Senado). The old red light district. Today it is a fairly interesting shopping street, with various antiques and handicrafts, and is also popular with movie makers: the Shanghai Nightclub car chase scene from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom was filmed here, including parts of the main street, Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro. (updated Oct 2016)
• 41 Avenida da República (Republic Avenue). One of the most beautiful avenues in Macau, this tree-lined road arcs around the southernmost tip of the peninsula and is the address of some of the most pretty Portuguese residential buildings in the territory, all of them enjoying an unobstructed view of the Nam Van and Sai Van lakes. The world-acclaimed 'Pousada de São Tiago, with its access staircase through the walls of the ruined Barra Fortress, is located at the southern end of this road. (updated Oct 2016)
• 42 Portas do Cerco. Called the Barrier Gate in Chinese, the Portuguese name "Gate of Siege" says a lot more to the hundreds of years of relations between the Portuguese and Chinese. The old archway, built in 1870, marked the border between Portuguese and Chinese territory, and was the actual border crossing between Macau and China until 1994, when a new crossing by the side was created. The archway and surroundings were turned into a pretty plaza. In 2004, the entire area was again renovated, with the new Barrier Gate Frontier Post being constructed north on the archway. The archway bears the dates of significant events and the motto by Luís de Camões, "Honour your country, it cares for you". (updated Oct 2016)
• 43 Golden Lotus Square (金蓮花廣場). Public square with a large golden sculpture of a lotus in full bloom to commemorate the handover of Macau from Portugal back to China on 20th December 1999. There is a flag raising ceremony held here at 8AM every morning by the Macau Police. (updated Sep 2022)

Do

Gambling

Casino Lisboa, the granddaddy of Macau's casinos

Most of Macau's casinos are located along the waterfront on the southern and southeastern side of Macau Peninsula. North of the Hotel Lisboa is a strip, called ZAPE, with many smaller casinos, a number of hotels and bars, and quite a few restaurants. This can be one of the more interesting areas of Macau; among other things it has quite a good Indian restaurant and several Portuguese ones. However, parts of it are also fairly sleazy, with lots of hookers and touts, so some caution is in order. In general the vast majority of the gaming tables are for baccarat. There are some slot machines but very few roulette wheels.

New casinos have also been established in the NAPE (Novos Aterros do Porto Exterior) area to the south of Avenida de Amizade, including Wynn Macau and Sands Macau.

The following casinos are on Macau Peninsula. For those in Cotai and on Taipa, please see the relevant pages.

• 1 Wynn Macau, Avenida Da Amizade, ☏ +853 28 88 99 66, inquiries@wynnmacau.com. On 6 September 2006 Wynn's huge casino/hotel/resort complex opened, and many expect it to soon surpass all of its rivals in gambling income. Every 15 minutes there are short fountain shows in front of the hotel with music, spraying fountains and the occasional bursts of flame—go after dark for the spectacular lights that are part of the show. The casino is beautiful with mostly slot machines and baccarat tables. The Wynn offers lots of very upscale shopping and several fine restaurants.  
• 2 Rio Hotel & Casino, Rua Luis Gonzaga Gomes, ☏ +853 28 718 718, fax: +853 28 718 728, info@riomacau.com. (updated May 2020)
• 3 Sands Macau, Avenida de Amizade, ☏ +853 2888 3388. The Sands offers a more open Las Vegas feel along with a smoke-free gaming room, the Pearl Room. Tables at the Sands play almost exclusively in HKD. (updated Feb 2020)
• 4 Casino Lisboa. The Lisboa offers an older world Macau feel on its gaming floors, structured in a labyrinth of different clubs and rooms for various levels of play, with displays of antiques owned by gambling tycoon Stanley Ho. Tables play in both MOP and HKD.  
• 5 Grand Lisboa. A prominent, 261m tall hotel located right next to the famed Casino Lisboa, effectively an extension of it. It's the tallest building in Macau and with the lotus shape also most distinctive part of its skyline. Inside, a 218 carat diamond The Star of Stanley Ho is on permanent display.  
• 6 MGM Macau. (updated Aug 2019)

Adventure Activities

At the Macau Tower, a 338.8m tall structure (3 and 8 are Cantonese lucky numbers!) with a revolving restaurant at its top and a convention and shopping center at its base, the visitor to Macau can savor a different kind of excitement: New Zealander AJ Hackett's company offers a set of adventure activities. There is a mast climb that takes you to the very top of the tower; a bungee jump off the side of the tower from 233m above ground (billed as the world's tallest bungee jump); a walk around the rim of the tower; as well as bouldering and sport climbing at the tower's base.

Buy

For souvenirs, try Rua de São Paulo (大三巴街), the main crowded walking street between Largo do Senado and the Ruins of St. Paul's, which is lined with shops selling the classic jerky and handmade almond cookies as well as lots of other products. Rua da Felicidade sells similar products but is a lot less hectic.

• 1 Red Market (紅街市, Mercado Municipal Almirante Lacerda), 125 Av. do Alm. Lacerda (on the corner of Avenida Almirante Lacerda and Avenida Horta e Costa). The Red Market is a bustling market in a big red brick building, where vendors sell food of every conceivable kind. The ground floor is mostly produce, the first floor is fish, and the second floor is meat. (updated Dec 2018)
• 2 Three Lamps, Rotunda Carlos da Maia. Three Lamps and surrounding narrow streets are full of tiny shops selling many kinds of goods at bargain prices. (updated Oct 2016)

Eat

Macau Peninsula has the greatest concentration of restaurants in the territory, ranging from street stalls to world class hotel restaurants.

Chinese

• 1 Wong Chi Kei, 17 Largo do Senado. A good place to go to fill up with rice and noodles. Open till late. (updated Oct 2016)
• 2 Noodle and Congee Corner (upstairs in the new Lisboa Casino). It's more like a restaurant than a "corner" and they prepare various style noodles while you (can) watch. Excellent quality and quite reasonable for such a special treat. (updated Oct 2016)
• Sing Hoi (星海), Avenida Xian Xing Hai, 冼星海大马路 (On the road west of the arts museum two blocks west of Sands, near the northern end of the road). Serves mostly Chinese food but has a handful of Portuguese dishes on offer. The Portuguese baked chicken (MOP40) is delicious. 
• 3 Su You Pin Wei (素友品味), 5 R. dos Cavaleiros. A tiny, very casual vegetarian restaurant. The atmosphere is of a low-key social event at a neighbor's house—if you speak Cantonese you can join in whatever conversation is going on. MOP35 for a combo (rice, soup, and several dishes). If it's not enough to fill you up, there's no charge for another helping. (updated Dec 2018)

Portuguese

• 4 Clube Militar, 975 Avenida de Praia Grande (turn left on the main street as you leave Largo do Senado, and left again at the first major street. After the park a block along, look for strange pink building a bit off to your right), ☏ +853 2871 4000. Originally a club for Portuguese military officers, this is now a classy restaurant. (updated Oct 2016)
• 5 A Lorcha, 289 Rua Do Almirante Sergio (near A-Ma temple), ☏ +853 2831 3193. Many say this is one of the best restaurants in Macau. Book in advance if you come on a weekend or Hong Kong holiday. Famous for their clams, African chicken and charcoal grilled items. Closed on Tuesdays. (updated Oct 2016)
• 6 Porto Exterior (Est. de Comida Portuguesa Porto Exterior), Alameda Dr. Carlos D'Assumpção (Chong Yu building, off Rua de Pequim, opp Rio Hotel), ☏ +853-28703898. 11:30AM-midnight. Bustling, unpretentious restaurant with reasonably authentic and tasty Portuguese and Macanese fare. Try the arroz de cabidela (MOP 78) and wash it down with a glass of the house wine (MOP 35). MOP 100. 

Others

• 7 Cafe Toscana, 11 Travessa de S. Domingos (on a small, cobbled alley leading up from Largo do Senado). Great little pizzas, pasta and decent red wine. Just perfect when you are ready for a change from Chinese and Portuguese. Nearby are two great gelato places, Lemoncello and ?? - a nice way to finish your meal. (updated Oct 2016)
• 8 Robuchon au Dôme (formerly Robuchon a Galera). This French restaurant, newly relocated at the Grand Lisboa and operated by the famed Joël Robuchon, is the only three Michelin star rated restaurant in Macau for the 2012 guide. Dinner can be expensive, with the top degustation menu costing MOP2,388 per person, but lunch is considered good value for a venue of this reputation, with 2 courses plus dessert priced from MOP398.. (updated Oct 2016)
• 9 888 Gourmet Place, 203 Largo de Monte Carlo (Sands Macau Hotel Macau), ☏ +85328883388. Monday-Thursday: 11:30am-2:30pm & 5:30pm-10:30pm Friday-Sunday: 11am-11pm. a food court on the second floor offering a variety of meals and buffets with variations of Japanese, Thai, Chinese and Sushi options. It's one of Macau's popular dining outlets. With a casual setting, it's a great eatery with loads of variety for a delicious quick meal. Reasonably priced. 

Snacks and desserts

• 10 Margaret's Café e Nata, Gum Loi Building (finding it half the fun: from Av. do Infante D. Henrique, turn north onto Av. D. João IV and look for the small sign pointing the way to your left into a dingy-looking alley). Macau's second most famous pastel de nata (egg tart) spot - the owner used to be married to the famous Lord Stow of Coloane - has a much lower profile. In addition to platefuls of piping-hot egg tarts (10 patacas), they also have a good range of pastries and sandwiches made to order. Take a cup of espresso and sit on the terrace outside. (updated Jul 2018)

Drink

There are surprisingly few bars. Around the central area the only place devoted to drinking is a small stand with a couple of tables in the main square which closes around 9PM. There's also a small strip of bars (~11PM onwards) along the Av. Dr. Sun Yat-Sen and DD3 club (~2AM onwards) on the Fisherman's Wharf. Aside from this you can get a drink in a restaurant or a casino complex.

Sleep

The ruins of the cathedral of São Paulo

Budget

Much of the low-end lodging in central Macau is aimed at the red-light industry and their clients (prostitution is legal in Macau).

• 1 Best Western Sun Sun, Praça de Ponte e Horta, no. 14-16, ☏ +853-28939393, fax: +853-28938822. Old, beaten up, and overpriced for what you get. 
• 2 Hotel Holiday, Estrada do Repouso, no. 36-38, ☏ +853-28350161, fax: +853-28350191. 
• 3 Hotel Jai Alai, Av. da Amizade Palácio da Pelota Basca, ☏ +853-28725599, fax: +853-28726105. 
• 4 Hotel Kou Va, Rua da Felicidade, no. 71, ☏ +853-28375599. 
• 5 Ole London Hotel, Praça de Ponte e Horta, no. 4-6, ☏ +853-28937761, fax: +853-28939790. From MOP300. 
• 6 Hotel Nam Tin, Travessa da Praia Grande, no. 4, ☏ +853-28711212, fax: +853-28711127. 
• 7 Sanva Hotel, Rua da Felicidade 65-67 (5 minutes from Largo Do Sebadi), ☏ +852 8210 0193 (Reservation), +852 8210 0193 (Hong Kong Office), +853 2857 3701 (Macau Office), info@sanvahotel.com. Macau's oldest guesthouse is relatively cheap and near the historic sites. It's been used as the set of a few movies, including Wong Kar Wai's 2046. Rooms have fan only and shared bathrooms. Sound isolation is poor because walls do not go all the way up to the ceilings. Rooms have only one AC power socket near the door. Starting at MOP220 single, MOP360 double. (updated Jul 2017)
• 8 Hou Kong Hotel, Travessa das Virtudes, no. 1, ☏ +853-28937555, fax: +853-28338884. 
• 9 Man Va, Rua da Caldeira, no. 32-34, ☏ +853-28388655, fax: +853-28342179. 

Mid-range

• 10 Emperor Hotel, 51 Rua de Xangai, ☏ +853-28781888, fax: +853-28782287, info@emperorhotel.com.mo. 
• 11 Fu Hua Guangdong Hotel Macau, 98-102, Rua Francisco Xavier Pereira, ☏ +853-28553838, fax: +853-28527575. 
• 12 Grand Emperor Hotel, Avenida Comercial de Macau, no. 251-292D, ☏ +853-28889988, fax: +853-28889933, sales@grandemperor.com. (updated Oct 2016)
• 13 Hotel Fortuna, 63, Rua de Cantao, ☏ +853-28786333, fax: +853-28786363, fortuna@hotelfortuna.com.mo. 
• 14 Hotel Guia, 1-5, Estrada do Eng. Trigo, ☏ +853-28513888, fax: +853-28559822, guia@macau.ctm.net. 
• 15 Hotel Sintra, Av. D. Joao IV, ☏ +853-28710111, fax: +853-28510527, rsvn@hotelsintra.com. 
• 16 Kingsway Hotel, 230, Rua de Luis Gonzaga Gomes, ☏ +853-28702888, fax: +853-28702828, reservation@hotelkingsway.com.mo. 
• 17 Metropole Hotel, 493-501, Av. da Praia Grande, ☏ +853-28388166, fax: +853-28330890. Situated in the commercial district of Macau. It is close to many popular destinations: banks, post office, cinema and shopping arcade, convenient to both business and relaxation. (updated Oct 2016)
• 18 Sands, Avenida da Amizade, Edf. Casino Sands, ☏ +853-28883388, fax: +853-28883377. 
• 19 Victoria Hotel, Estrada do Arco, no. 118, ☏ +853-28556688, fax: +853-28557788. 
• 20 Waldo Hotel, Quarteirão 6, Lote J - Zape, ☏ +853-28886688, fax: +853-28886699. 

Splurge

• Ascott Macau, No 339 R. Cidade De Braga, Nape, ☏ +853 2822 0688, enquiry.macau@the-ascott.com. Equipped with 3 in-house restaurants, a bar and a lobby lounge, the property offers three types of suites and two types of bedrooms. (updated Sep 2017)
• 21 Casa Real Hotel, International Centre, Avenida do Dr. Rodrigo Rodrigues, no. 1118, ☏ +853-28726288, fax: +853-28726726, casareal@macau.ctm.net. 
• 22 Holiday Inn, 82-86, Rua de Pequim, ☏ +853-28783333, fax: +853-28782321, himacau@macau.ctm.net. An older hotel with some renovated rooms and some dingy throwbacks into the 1980s. Easy walking distance to Casino Lisboa, free shuttle bus to ferry terminal. 
• 23 Hotel Beverly Plaza, 70, Avenida do Dr. Rodrigo Rodrigues, ☏ +853-28782288, fax: +853-28780704, beverly@macau.ctm.net. 
• 24 Hotel Golden Dragon, Quarteirão 3, Zape, ☏ +853-28361999, fax: +853-28361333, info@goldendragon.com.mo. 
• 25 Hotel Presidente, Avenida da Amizade, ☏ +853-28553888, fax: +853-28552735, mgtpst98@macau.ctm.net. 
• 26 Metropark Hotel Macau (formerly known as "Hotel Grandeur, Macau"), 199, Rua de Pequim, Outer Harbour, ☏ +853-28781233, fax: +853-28781211, hotel@metroparkmacau.com. 
• 27 Rio Hotel, Quarteirão 9, ZAPE, ☏ +853-28718718, fax: +853-28718728, info@riomacau.com. 
• 28 Macau Masters Hotel, Rua das Lorchas, no. 162-178, ☏ +853-28937572, fax: +853-28937565, frontdesk@mastershotel-macau.com. MOP1500/2000 single/double. (updated Oct 2016)
• 29 Wynn, Rua cidade de sintra, NAPE, ☏ +853-2888 9966, fax: +853-2832 9966, inquiries@wynnmacau.com. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Luxury hotel. Gaming, entertainment, dining and spa. From HKD1,510. 
• 30 Hotel Lisboa, 2-4, Avenida de Lisboa, ☏ +853-28377666, fax: +853-28567193, lisboa@macau.ctm.net. 
• 31 Hotel Royal, 2-4, Estrada da Vitoria, ☏ +853-28552222, fax: +853-28563008, info@hotelroyal.com.mo. Located at the foot of the historic Guia Light House and facing the Vasco da Gama Park. Nearby business district and tourist attractions are within walking distance. 
• 32 Mandarin Oriental, 956-1110, Avenida Amizade (Outer Harbour), ☏ +853-28567888, fax: +853-28594589, momfm@mohg.com. This unique hotel is the only resort hotel set in the city centre. (updated Oct 2016)
• 33 Pousada de São Tiago, Avenida da Republica, Fortaleza de Sao Tiago da Barra, ☏ +853-28378111, fax: +853-28552170, saotiago@macau.ctm.net. This is the hotel with the most character in Macau. Still fairly small (although there are plans to expand) and very good personal service. Great for a special, romantic stay. 
• 34 The Landmark, 555 Avenida da Amizade, ☏ +853-28781781, fax: +853-28786611, info@landmarkhotel.com.mo. 

Go next

• Taipa is just south of the peninsula, and beyond it are Cotai, home to more huge casinos, and mostly rural Coloane.
• Hong Kong
• Zhuhai