Why Macau?
Macau was a Portuguese colony until 1999, and unlike most former colonies, its layered identity remains vividly intact: baroque church facades next to Taoist temples, pastel de nata alongside dim sum. It's also the world's highest-grossing gambling destination — by a margin. From Hong Kong, it's a one-hour ferry ride, making it an easy day trip or overnight add-on.
Recommended 2-Night Itinerary
Day 1 — Historic District
- Hong Kong → Macau ferry 1h (CotaiJet or TurboJet)
- Ruins of St. Paul's (Macau's icon — the baroque façade of a 17th-century cathedral)
- Senado Square (Portuguese wave-patterned cobblestones)
- Monte Fortress panoramic viewpoint
- Evening: Taipa Village — Portuguese egg tarts + seafood
Day 2 — Cotai Strip
- Morning: Cotai Strip sightseeing (The Venetian Macao, Galaxy Macao)
- Lunch: Casino buffet (best value meals in Macau)
- Afternoon: House of Dancing Water show (world's largest water performance — book ahead)
- Evening: Grand Canal Shoppes (indoor Venetian canal with gondola rides)
Day 3 — Departure
- Morning: Macau Tower bungee jump (world's highest commercial bungy) or observation deck
- Ferry → Hong Kong Airport or city
Macanese Food
A unique fusion of Portuguese and Cantonese cuisines:
- Egg tart (Pastel de nata): Lord Stow's Bakery is the original — queue is always worth it
- African chicken: Portuguese spices + coconut sauce
- Minchi: Macanese ground meat stir-fry served on rice with a fried egg
- Pork chop bun: Crispy Portuguese roll + grilled pork cutlet
- Serradura: Portuguese cream and biscuit crumb dessert
Hong Kong → Macau
| Route | Time | Price | |---|---|---| | HK Macau Ferry Terminal → Macau Ferry Terminal | 1h | HK$170 | | Hong Kong International Airport → Macau Ferry Terminal | 1h | HK$270 | | Hong Kong → HK-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge (bus) | 40 min | HK$65 |