Whilst based in Hong Kong it’s a good idea to spend a day over in Macau. Getting there is very easy as you can take the MTR to Sheung Wan where the ferry terminal is located. We boarded the fast Turbojet ferry which has departures at up to 30 minute intervals with a journey time of just one hour. As there is no discount offered for return tickets I suggest buying two singles, as you are then not tied to a specific return ferry.
On each of the occasions we have used Turbojet we have always managed to board the next available sailing. Remember to bring passports along with you as these are required when visiting Macau. Allocated seats are provided at check-in and these are very comfortable. We booked tickets for the 10.30 am crossing, single fare HK$175 (£17.87). Immigration was fairly quick at the Macau ferry terminal as few people were in the visitors line.
The historic centre of Macau is quite a long walk from the ferry terminal but there is no need to call a taxi as you can just follow signs to the free casino shuttle buses. Anyone can take advantage of the buses irrespective of whether you wish to use the casino hotel facilities or not. As we wished to start our sightseeing in the historic quarter we boarded the ‘Lisboa’ bus which saved us a good deal of walking. We did however take a look around this casino hotel first which is one of the first to be opened.
Leaving the Lisboa hotel, Senado Square was then just a short walk away. This UNESCO World Heritage square forms part of the historical centre of Macau. With its Portuguese architecture and mosaic tiled pavements it is reminiscent of Lisbon.
After a welcome cup of coffee in one of the many cafes lining our route, we climbed the steps up to the Ruins of St. Paul’s which is the most treasured icon in Macau. Only the staircase and facade remain today of the 16th century church of St Paul and to preserve the facade it has had to be reinforced at the rear with steel girders.
Retracing our steps we wandered along the narrow streets which were crowded with both locals and tourists and after a look in some of the shops we caught a bus from near Senado Square to the Macau Tower, which took approximately 10 minutes. Payment is by cash and as no change is given on buses do try to have some coins or small denomination notes ready for payment.
Macau Tower
As we were in possession of the Hong Kong Go City Pass and it included admission to the Macau Tower we were able to utilise this. Standard admission is MOP 280 (£20.60). Construction of the tower commenced in 1998 and it was officially opened in 2002. Since its completion the tower has become one of Macau’s most recognisable landmarks as it stands at a height of 338 metres towering over the city. Macau Tower
We took one of the high speed lifts up to the main observation deck which has full height windows and boasts a section with a concrete glass floor. Information boards detail what can be seen from each viewpoint and with free to use telescopes and with a second, partially open-air observation deck on a higher floor there are splendid photo opportunities.
For thrill seekers, bungee jumping is on offer from this level and we paused awhile to watch two people being prepared for this daredevil activity and then watched them plunge off the top of the building. Rather them than us! We preferred to take the more conventional way out by means of the lift.
On leaving the Macau Tower we caught a bus from outside the door to Coloane Village which is remarkably unspoilt and a complete contrast from the hustle and bustle of the city centre.
The colonial centre features some fine examples of Portuguese architecture and a beautiful old church. Following a stroll along the waterfront where we were almost in touching distance of mainland China we called into the famous Lord Stow’s Garden Cafe for a bite to eat.
The story behind the cafe is of Englishman Andrew Stow who opened a bakery in Coloane in 1989. He wasn’t actually a Lord but simply used this title as a name for his bakery and during the first year of opening, he devised his own recipe for egg tarts. These have since become an icon in Macau and many people flock to his cafe in Coloane to taste them.
We’d arrived in time to enjoy afternoon tea which was served in a quintessentially English style with dainty sandwiches, scones with jam and cream, a pot of Earl Grey tea and of course the star of the show, Lord Stow’s famous Pasteis de Nata (Portuguese custard tarts).
I’ve tucked into many of these before both in Portugal and elsewhere and I have to admit that the ones at Coloane are up with the best with their creamy custard filling encased in a crisp, lightly baked crust. If you plan to take a bus or taxi from the city centre to explore Coloane, I recommend popping into this lovely cafe for either lunch or afternoon tea. and at MOP 288 (£28.50) for two its excellent value.
After leaving the cafe we wandered over to the village square where we caught a bus to the Cotai Strip (think Las Vegas). The bus journey took only 15 minutes to transport us from the tranquil village to the heart of the casino district of Macau. The newer casinos are all located outside the city centre and are clustered together in Cotai.
As it had fallen dark since we left the cafe we had in fact timed our arrival to perfection as the casino lights had just been turned on. We alighted from the bus close to a replica of the Eiffel Tower which forms the centrepiece of The Parisian casino. As we’d previously visited this themed casino we decided to turn our attention elsewhere.
A few steps from The Parisian stands The Venetian with its replica Bridge of Sighs, Grand Canal and St Mark’s Square. Stepping indoors, its opulent interior creates the impression that you are actually in Venice. Visitors can take gondola rides and be serenaded by a gondolier as they float along. The complex is lined with high end designer stores and of course gaming rooms with their card tables, roulette wheels and slot machines. Neither of us are gamblers but it was still fun to take a look around but we weren’t tempted into placing any bets.
Located close to the Venetian stands The Londoner which has only been open since 2023. This casino is styled on the Houses of Parliament and includes a replica Big Ben. On stepping indoors we discovered a mock up of a London Underground carriage, traditional red telephone kiosks and post boxes alongside many other nods to London.
As with the other Cotai casinos the complex includes a swish shopping mall lined with designer stores, hotel accommodation and of course a large casino. It was fun to explore these European themed casinos which give Asians a taste for such cities as Paris, Venice and London without needing to travel far afield.
When we were ready to leave we followed signs to the shuttle bus area and took advantage of one of the free buses back to the ferry terminal. After purchasing tickets for the next available ferry to Hong Kong we settled back in our seats to relax after an enjoyable day exploring Macau.
