Dazzling casinos, pristine beaches, and world-class restaurants, Macau is a glorious slice of the Mediterranean tucked away in the South China Sea. A Portuguese colony for nearly 500 years, Macau has retained much of its colonial charm. If culture doesn’t interest you, there is always gambling.
What to see and do in Portuguese Macau
If you are looking to explore the Portuguese angle, then there are a couple of streets that are a must. Largo do Senado (Senado Square) contains some of the city’s most typical Portuguese buildings, such as the Edificio Leal Senado and the Santa Casa de la Misericordia. The square is next to the main road, Almeida Ribeiro. Just north of the square are the impressive ruins of Sao Paulo (Saint Paul), once the largest church in Asia. The church was destroyed by fire in 1835, but its impressive facade and staircase still make the hill worth climbing.
Chinese Macau
Those looking for the Chinese inclination in the city should take a stroll along Rua De Felicidade. This old red light district is full of traditional shops selling various jerky and biscuits, as well as Macau’s oldest restaurant, Fat Siu Lau, which serves a roasted pigeon. Another building worth visiting is the Templo da Deusa A-Ma (Temple A-Ma), which is right next to the inner harbor at the bottom of Barra Hill. The temple is over 600 years old and was erected before the Portuguese arrived.
Casinos in Macau
Most visitors come to Macau for the purpose of trying their luck at the casinos. The ‘Las Vegas of the East’ has a dizzying range of table games on offer; the monumental arenas; The recently opened Wynn and the most traditional Lisbon. The dress code is extremely relaxed in most major casinos, shorts and sandals are not a problem.
Beaches of Macau
Macau’s ‘other’ two islands contain the majority of the region’s beaches. One of the best is Hac Sa Beach, which stretches for miles and has “relatively” clean water. Hac Sa Beach is located on the island of Coloane and it will take you at least 30 minutes to get there from Macau. Macau minibuses frequently change their routes and numbers. Currently number 56 is the best bus to the island, but it is better to check.
Macau Restaurants
Macanese cuisine is unique, a mix of Chinese and other Asian flavors, as well as influences from Portugal and its colonies. Despite the misleading name, Macau’s most famous specialty is African chicken, which is chicken baked in coconut peanut paste, with garlic and chili peppers. For a taste of Macanese cuisine and excellent African chicken, Henri’s Gallery has over thirty years of experience and the taste is worth the expense. To savor Portugal, Fernando is essential. Installed on the edge of Hac Sa beach, the restaurant is famous from here to Lisbon.
