Touring Suggestions
Macau is not somewhere you would visit for an extended holiday but it does combine extremely well with other destinations. Below we give some ideas as to how to incorporate Macau into a longer trip. Please contact the travelguru team for more advice and quotations for tailormade itineraries.
Stopover en route to Australia or New Zealand
Hong Kong may be a more obvious choice but, to experience somewhere truly unique, Macau offers a viable alternative. Getting there is seamless - if you arrive in to Hong Kong on an international flight and prebook a ferry crossing on the Turbojet service your baggage can be automatically transferred. You do not pass through customs in Hong Kong and simply follow the signs to the ferry. You then just check in with your baggage tags and board the next available ferry (departures every 15/30 minutes). The crossing takes 45 minutes and you pass through customs on arrival in Macau. The island is small so wherever you choose to stay, the transfer will be no more than 20 minutes or so.Twin Centre with Hong Kong
Macau's Portuguese/Chinese culture is all the more fascinating when contrasted with Hong Kong's British heritage. As such they make perfect partners for a Far East twin centre holiday with a European twist. A week long holiday would split perfectly with 3 nights each in Hong Kong and Macau, giving plenty of time to explore both in some depth. Ferry services are also available from Kowloon and the Outer Harbour as well as direct from the airport
Multi-centre Far East Tours
The likelihood is that any Far East tour would include Hong Kong but its also possible to combine Macau direct with other Far East destinations. Direct local flights operate to Macau from other destinations such as Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Beijing and Shanghai.
Recommended attractions in Macau
- Historic Centre of Macau - over 20 heritage sites to explore
- Macau Museum - a fascinating museum located in Mount Fortress
- Science Centre - an innovative cone shaped building housing 14 galleries and a Planetarium with 3D effects
- Maritime Museum - on the site where the first Portuguese settlers are thought to have landed
- Grand Prix Museum and the Wine Museum - in the same building opposite each other
- Panda Park - a new family attraction worth a quick visit to see the two resident pandas
- Macau Tower - for fabulous views of Macau and the Pearl River Delta from the Observation platform at 223 metres. Take in the views from behind the glass or be brave and venture out on the fully harnessed Skywalk around the outer rim. The truly fearless can also take the mast climb to the very top of the tower or sign up for the AJ Hackett bungee jump, billed as one of the highest in the world.
- Shop 'til you drop - there is everything from high end designer labels through to street markets. Some of the best malls can be found at the Venetian, The Wynn and One Central Mall next to the Mandarin Oriental
Eating out
There are dozens of restaurants to choose from in Macau but the travelguru team have tested and can recommend:
- Portuguese: Antonio Restaurant, Rua dos Negociantes No 3, Taipa/ O Manel, Rua de Famao Mandas Pinto, Taipa/ Restaurante Espace Lisbon, Rua das Gaivatos, Coloane
- Macanese:O Porto Interior, Rua do Almirante Sergio 259B, Macau
- Chinese:The Westin Resort, Coloane
- Michelin starred:3* Robuchon, Gran Lisboa Hotel (tip: Lunch is exceptionally well priced for a special treat)
Events worth timing your visit around
- Macau International Fireworks Display Contest - September/October
- Macau International Music Festival - October/November
- Macau Grand Prix - November