Planning a trip to Hong Kong? You cannot miss the chance to hop over to the “Las Vegas of Asia.” On our second day in HK, we took advantage of an incredible deal and crossed the border to Macau.
From UNESCO World Heritage sites to “old rich” luxury aesthetics, here is how we conquered Macau in one day—clocking in 18,000 steps and spending remarkably little!
Breakdown of Expenses
Here is the total breakdown of our expenses during our Macau trip. To save money and avoid the hassle when traveling from Macau to Hong Kong, it’s better to book in advance via Klook. Our transportation going there was free, but for our return trip, we booked through Cotai Water Jet via Klook.
How to Get There: HK-Macau Free Ferry Hack
Did you know you can get to Macau for free? Currently, the Macao government offers a free ferry ticket promo for tourists. You must present your original boarding pass from your flight into Hong Kong.
Pro Tip: My cousin registered us online days in advance. We headed to the Shun Tak Centre (Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal) at 8:00 AM, grabbed breakfast, and redeemed our tickets for the 9:30 AM TurboJet departure.
Explore Macau for Free Thru Casino Shuttles
Upon arriving at the ferry terminal, you’ll be greeted by tour guides, but if you want to save money, follow our lead: Use the free casino shuttle buses.
Most major casinos offer complimentary transfers to encourage visitors. You don’t even need to gamble or show proof of stay! We used these amenities to hop between major landmarks without spending a single Centavo on public transport.
Macau Peninsula Area
1. Grand Lisboa: The Golden Lotus
Our first stop was the Grand Lisboa Hotel. As soon as we dropped off in front of the Grand Lisboa Hotel, we immediately snapped some photos because we were instantly amazed by its unique shape and golden building. Standing at 261 meters (856 feet), its lotus-inspired architecture is breathtaking. It’s the tallest building in Macau and a perfect spot for that iconic “I’m in Macau” gold-tinted selfie.
2. Senado Square
Everyone flocks to Senado Square in Macau because it teams with vendors selling meat jerky. As you pass the rows of shops, the Ruins of Saint Paul’s eventually appears at the very end. After that long trek, the Ruins feels like your ultimate prize.
Wong Chi Kei
While exploring the square, we stopped at Wong Chi Kei, a famous restaurant. We really enjoyed the food, though the servings felt a bit small for our appetite, lol!
St. Dominic Church
The square houses three Catholic churches, but St. Dominic’s Church stands out as the main attraction. I really appreciated the building’s beauty; its Baroque architecture is a key part of the UNESCO World Heritage site, the “Historic Centre of Macau.” I don’t know why, but I’ve realized I have a real thing for Baroque style!
Koi Kei Bakery
If you need pasalubong from Macau, head straight to Koi Kei Bakery. You’ll notice almost everyone in Macau carries Koi Kei Bakery’s shopping bags. Their almond cookies taste amazing, and they even offer discounts if you buy multiple boxes. Pastelaria Koi Kei (owned by the same company as the bakery) also serves a delicious meat jerky.
Bee Cheng Hiang
While many stalls sell meat jerky, I followed a tip from a Pinoy TikToker living in Macau who claimed Bee Cheng Hiang is the most “legit” choice. I’m not being biased, but their jerky really does taste superior! It’s pricey, though—expect to pay around 100 MOP for a single slice.
Ruins of Saint Paul’s
We barely noticed the distance we covered until the Ruins of Saint Paul’s finally came into view. The area was packed, so we decided not to push through the crowd. Instead, we stayed at the foot of the 68-step staircase leading up to the facade. I used to wonder why everyone visited this spot until I learned its history: it was once a massive wooden church that burned down, leaving only this grand granite front. Once one of the largest Catholic churches in Asia, it now holds a spot as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The facade acts as a stunning cultural tapestry, weaving together biblical imagery and Portuguese ships with Asian motifs like Chinese characters, stone lions, and Japanese chrysanthemums.
P.S.: I tried to delete the people on the background of my solo but it turned out to be a disaster.
3. Grand Lisboa Palace
This place defines “Old Rich” vibes. I felt like I should have been wearing a ballgown just to walk through the marble halls! The architecture and interiors masterfully blend historical Chinese and Portuguese elements with contemporary design, featuring ornate details and extensive use of marble. Outside, the European-style garden, known as “Jardim Secreto” or Secret Garden, features manicured lawns and mini-hedge mazes that radiate out from a central dome.
Cotai Strip Area
1. MGM
Next, we headed to the MGM, a five-star luxury integrated casino resort. The building’s design caught our eye immediately. While the interior looked beautiful, we specifically went there for the freebies: milk tea, bottled water, and snacks.
2. The Londoner and The Parisian
We chose this area as our final destination because our legs were giving out. Here, you’ll see the Big Ben replica and the iconic red telephone booths. You can also spot the Eiffel Tower replica nearby. We made sure to snap some photos there; we even took an elevator up just to capture the perfect shot of the tower. Basically, the only thing we missed out on was The Venetian, lol.
Future Plans
If I ever return to Macau, I want to visit the Macau Giant Panda Pavilion and finally experience The Venetian—complete with the boat ride!
Departure
We eventually had to head back to the ferry terminal. We left The Londoner shortly before 7:00 PM to catch our 8:00 PM Cotai Jet departure.
