Macau is quickly becoming the new place to visit in Asia. Its beauty is in its contrasts: wandering around Senado square you might believe you’re in Europe, until the sound of slurping and smell of noodles reminds you you’re definitely not! However, it’s also really expensive-with hostels non-existent and basic hotels staring around $HKD700. One tip? Stretch the budget to a hotel near Senado Square, this means you can save by walking everywhere in the day and hopping on the casino buses of a night. Then read some of the ideas below on how you can enjoy the city free.
- Take a photo in front of The ruins of St Paul’s.
Starting with an obvious tourist tip here, but the ruins of St Paul’s are truly beautiful and what’s more totally free to visit. It’s often heaving with Chinese tourists so your best bet to grab a perfect shot is early morning or late at night. Beware: the ruins to St Paul’s are sign posted to an extent but once you walk so far up by the fortress they tend to disappear. Keep walking and follow the noise-you’ll find them and the first peek will take your breath away.
2. Don’t forget to stop at Mount Fortress on the way for a perfect snapshot of the city.
These quiet, beautiful ruins are perfect in taking birds’ eye shots of the entire city. What’s more, the Chinese tourists don’t seem to have spotted them yet so you can get the perfect selfie undisturbed.
3. Make a wish at the Galaxy hotel.
Less crowded than the Venetian, The galaxy hotel is super swish and is worth paying a visit to even if you don’t plan to gamble (but once you are in the building, don’t be surprised if you feel a sudden urge to go crazy on the slot machines!). It may look a bit ott in photos, but the crazy lion statues are a great photo shot and if you are the superstitious kind, talk a walk by the wishing crystals.
4. Drink sangria while looking out at Senado square.
OK, technically not free (unless you switch sangria for tap water) but Senado sq is easily a firm favourite of Macau tourists: bustling with people, beautiful architecture and tiny pavement cafés, offering mackerel and Spanish wine. This would be a total cliche if I was describing Spain but for those in Asia, it’s great to be in a place that has such a European influence. Although food is expensive by Chinese standards, beautiful plates of grilled sea bass and vegetables (around $HKD200) and sardine sandwiches ($HKD 50) are a welcome and healthy change from the fare offered in Honk Kong and mainland China.
5. Jump on a bus.
Shuttles are an amazing way of hopping free way of exploring Macau. Regular buses go to the ferry terminal and all the big casinos. Staying further out may seem cheaper but taxis are hard to find and not as cheap as you’d expect.
6. Pretend you’re in Venice.
It’s often described as an anti-climax but it’s still a must see. There’s so much to see and take photos of, that’s it a good place to spend a rainy afternoon.
7. Pay homage to Michael.
Hard Rock cafes are common in America but rarer in Asia. If you’re bored of local cuisine, it’s the perfect pitstop. However, even if you have spent all your pennies on egg tarts, it’s still a great building to wander around an take an obligatory photo of Michael Jackson’s memorabilia.
If you are planning a trip around South East Asia, Macau is the perfect pitstop to add to your itinerary: it’s tawdry, bright and bustling… yey you’ll probably fall a little bit in love with it….