How to explore Macau? The region isn't huge, but if you know how to get around and see the main sites, you'll save time and money. There are several ways to get to know Macau - from walking, to riding a tricycle or with the help of new technologies.
Macau is the largest gambling centre in the world, but it has many places to visit and places you can discover with a little help.
Even when you're planning your trip to Macau, this article will come in handy. So here are 7 ways to get to know and explore Macau. In many cases, you don't even have to spend a cent.
- Hotel in Macau - Find the ideal accommodation in Macau, with incredible offers and excellent facilities
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Explore Macau - 7 ways without spending a lot of money
Step by step
There's probably no better way to explore a city than on foot. At least, that's my preference, because this way I can observe the day-to-day life of a city, notice the architectural details, enjoy the squares, step on the grass, smell what's cooking and rest on a park bench. What's more, walking is free.
In Macau, you can reach the main sites on foot and there are specific routes for those who wish to explore the Macanese city in this way. You can also walk around the Taipa and Coloane areas and explore the Taipa Grande Natural Park, for example. Take the opportunity to enjoy the views and take photographs.
Or you can leave your hotel and go and discover Macau without a set itinerary. Instead of looking for tourist attractions, let yourself get lost in the streets and alleys and when you're tired, sit back, relax and order a pastel de nata.
With the help of a mobile phone
Many of the walking routes cover Macau's main sights and popular attractions, as well as other lesser-known parts of the city. Along the way, you'll have the opportunity to sample delicacies in restaurants, buy gifts or souvenirs in shops, visit temples and museums or wander through squares and gardens.
However, you can also combine walking with technology by using the Step Out, Macao. The app is available in several languages, has several itineraries and aims to encourage visitors to explore different neighbourhoods in Macau to discover local traditions.
In the app, users have access to maps and videos of the four routes, as well as transport tips. So put on a good pair of shoes or trainers, charge your mobile phone battery and use the app to help you get to know Macau a little more.
With Macau in your ears
In conjunction with the first way to explore and get to know Macau, i.e. on foot, you can learn more about the region with an Audio Guide.
The free service was launched by the Macau Government Tourist Office, allowing individual travellers to wander around Macau at their own pace, while receiving detailed information about the places and tourist attractions they visit. The audio service is currently available in six languages: Mandarin, Cantonese, Portuguese, English, Japanese and Korean.
The device can be collected and handed in at the tourist office at Lago do Senado between 9.00 and 17.00. Although the service is free, it is necessary to deposit 200 MOP, which will be refunded when the device is handed in.
Internet and Wi-Fi
The most affordable way to access the internet is to buy this eSIM (with a 15% discount). Discover the world without worrying about roaming and access high-speed internet in over 190 countries.
FreeWiFi.MO is the name given to the service that allows visitors to Macau to access the internet for free. "WiFi GO" is a free Wi-Fi service provided by the Macao SAR in government facilities, public establishments and tourist attractions.
The free connection period depends on the service provided by each organisation, but is around 60 free minutes of Wi-Fi service (accumulated daily), with no limit on the number of connections at each location.
You can access the internet to find out more about the city, search for hotels in Macau or discover one of the great Macanese restaurants.
Plugged in...
It's not one of the most intuitive (or perhaps safest) ways to explore Macau, but you can do it in some areas, such as Taipa. There are a few places to hire bikes and take a short stroll around the area.
There is a cycle path in Taipa, open 24 hours a day and separated from car traffic. You can also cycle along the coast in Coloane and discover traces of the fishing industry.
If you prefer to have someone pedal for you, you can also get to know Macau on a tricycle. This is a popular way for many tourists to see more of Macau without getting tired.
The hourly rate is around 350 patacas and you can tell the pedaller to stop when you want to take a photo, have a coffee or admire the scenery around you.
In the water
It's true that you can't see everything from the bow or stern of a boat, but you'll have a unique perspective if you stroll around and appreciate local areas such as the A-Ma temple, the Macau Tower, the Macau Science Centre, the Lai Chi Vun Village or the very long Hong Kong-Macau-Zhuhai Bridge.
Several operators carry out this type of trip - which takes between 45 minutes and two hours - and whose prices vary between 40 and 300 patacas, depending on the type of boat and service provided.
Cruise name: Blue Whale No. 1
Timetable: 14h00 and 19h00 (two hours)
Price: 150 - 300 MOP
Cruise name:Macau Cruise
Timetable: 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. (duration 45 minutes)
Price: 100 MOP
Cruise name: Fun Fishing Boat Cruise
Time: Saturdays and Sundays - 10.30am, 2.30pm, 4.30pm (duration 90 minutes)
This service is provided by the Macau Fishermen's Mutual Aid Association during the season when commercial fishing in the South China Sea is closed.
Price: 40 MOP
With panoramic views
In a panoramic bus you can enjoy Macau's main sites. There are passes for one or two days and you can travel around the city by day or night.
Unfortunately, there is no guidebook in Portuguese, only in English and Mandarin. It's not at all my favourite way to get to know a city, but if you have little time may be the right solution for exploring Macau.
I suggest you use this type of service to get a general idea of what there is to see in Macau and then revisit and photograph the city at your own pace the next day, stopping off at the places you like best.
Buses leave every 45 minutes between 9.15am and 4.15pm, allowing you to get off the bus whenever you want, passing through 11 different locations in Macau. There is also a night service, departing at 7pm, but pre-booking is required.
Macau sightseeing bus prices (prices in Hong Kong dollars):
- Day pass: Adults: 150 HKD, Children: 100 HKD, Night tour: Adults/children 150 HKD
Tickets can be purchased at Counter No. 1646 in the Arrivals Hall of the Outer Harbour Passenger Terminal.
As you can see, there are many ways to explore and get to know the fantastic region of Macau and in many of them you don't even need to empty your wallet (or the pataca tree) because they're free.
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