It covers an area of almost 4,000 square metres and is considered the centre of Macau, a social, cultural and increasingly commercial meeting place. It used to be the place where the Portuguese rulers checked in their troops and is still the stage for various events. The Portuguese pavement that covers it is one of the great legacies left by the Europeans in this corner of Asia. The stone, worked and laid in such a way as to create undulating effects, stretches along Avenida Almeida Ribeiro and up to the Ruins of São Paulo. In the square you can find emblematic buildings such as the Leal Senado and the Santa Casa da Misericórdia, part of the Historic Centre of Macau, designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
They date back to the 16th century but were destroyed by fire in 1835. What remains is the façade of the Church of São Paulo and the Colégio da Madre de Deus, the trademark of this Chinese territory of just over 30 square kilometres. Together with the Fortress of Monte, they form what is known as the Acropolis of Macau. The 68 steps of the monumental staircase leading up to the façade are a must for anyone wanting to take the "official" photo of their trip to Macau.
It stands on the slope of Colina da Barra, at the entrance to the Inner Harbour, and existed before the city was founded. It was built in the 15th century by local fishermen in honour of the Taoist goddess A-Má (goddess of the sky). When the Portuguese arrived here (in the 1550s), they anchored in the bay that, according to legend, gives the territory its name - A-Má-Gau - A-Má Bay. Here you can see the Portico Pavilion, the Memorial Arch or the Pavilion of Benevolence (among others), all perfectly inserted into the surrounding natural environment - and each representing the various deities of Chinese culture.
It was intended as a defence post for Macau against attacks from the sea, but its location made it a unique observation post. It was completed in 1622 and extended in 1638. The lighthouse is 91 metres high and can be seen from more than 30 kilometres away. Until 1976 it was a restricted military area and since then it has become one of the region's biggest tourist attractions. As well as the fortress and the lighthouse, take the opportunity to visit the Senhora da Guia Chapel.
This is where you'll find Macau's emblematic statue, the Goddess of Mercy. Made of bronze, it is twenty metres high, weighs fifty tonnes and rests on a representation of a lotus flower where you can discover the ecumenical centre with information on Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism. It's in the Outer Harbour, open every day (except Friday) from 10am to 6pm and admission is free. Find out more at macaumuseum.gov.mo.
In one of the most densely populated territories on the planet, it may not be easy to find a green rest area. But there are. Macau is also known for its gardens between buildings. One of these is the historic Lou Lim Garden, built in the 19th century in Chinese style. Other examples are the Camões Garden and the Flora Garden
It is 338 metres high and offers visitors the best panoramic view of Macau and the Pearl River delta. The restaurant and observation platform are 223 metres above the ground and ten metres above is the highest bungee jumping point in the world. The bravest can get their adrenaline pumping with an unforgettable jump, but beware: it's not cheap. It costs almost 400 euros for the experience(find out more at ajhackett.com). To get an idea of what it's like at that moment, visit the Round the World and watch the experience of writer José Luís Peixoto on the television programme of his travel magazine on RTP.
Founded in 1587 by three Spanish Dominicans from Mexico, this is the place where the first Portuguese-language newspaper was published in China (1822). Here you'll find a Museum of Sacred Art with more than three hundred pieces, as well as a procession dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima every year. The baroque-style building is located in the historic centre, on Travessa de São Domingos.
It was built in 1993 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Macau's biggest sporting event - the Grand Prix motor race, which runs through the streets of the territory. It's ideal for fans of speed and history-making machines such as Formula 1 cars. Here you'll find cars driven by Michael Schumacher or David Coulthard. It is currently being remodelled, with no confirmed date for opening to the public, but every November a Formula 1 Grand Prix takes place on the streets of Macau.
This island is 6.5 square kilometres in area and here you'll find the airport, the maritime terminal, the universities and some of the best examples of local cuisine. It is connected to Macau by three bridges (if they don't build any more while you're reading these pages...) and is the ideal place to discover Portuguese, Chinese and Macanese food. Find out all about it at taipavillagemacau.com.
For centuries, this territory has been fundamental to Asian trade, especially trade by sea. To preserve the history of Macau's harbours, this space, whose façade resembles a ship, was created in 1990. It is located in Barra Pagoda, next to the river and the temple of Á-Má, the goddess who protects the men of the sea. It is open every day (except Tuesday) from 10h00 to 18h00. Tickets start at five patacas (around 0.60 euros). More information at marine.gov.mo.
This is Macau's largest natural beach and one of the most popular spots for tourists and locals during the summer months. Hác sá means black sand, the main characteristic of the beach which has been reduced due to the deposit of yellowish sand on this coast. The aim is to combat erosion. It is located on the south-east side of the island of Coloane.
It is considered the largest casino and hotel in the world in what is the gambling capital of the world. It has 3,000 suites, 350 shops and covers an area of over 900,000 square metres. It is located on the Cotai isthmus, between the islands of Taipa and Coloane. It opened in 2007 and has the largest gaming area in the world (51,000 square metres). There are over 3,400 machines, more than 6,000 slot machines and 800 gaming tables, as well as a theatre with capacity for 15,000 spectators. Find out more at venetianmacao.com.
This is the largest in the city and is located in the Monte Fortress, adjacent to the Ruins of St Paul. Spread over three floors, it has around 3,000 exhibits and is an important place to learn more about Portuguese and Chinese history in the region. It opened in April 1998 and is open every day (except Monday) from 10h00 to 18h00. Entry costs around 1.60 euros. You can find out more about the museum at macaumuseum.gov.mo.
The House of Dancing Water is the largest light, sound and water show in the world. It takes place in a purpose-built theatre with seating for 2,000 people and a budget of 250 million dollars. It lasts an hour and a half, is directed by Franco Dragone and includes gymnasts, circus performers, dancers, motorbike riders and lots of surprises. From a swimming pool to a dry stage in just a few seconds, promise the organisers of this event taking place at the City of Dreams complex in Cotai. Tickets start at 65 euros. More information at thehouseofdancingwater.com.
It's a classic and like all classics it deserves a visit. It was built in the 1960s, has more than 2,300 rooms and is part of the Macau landscape as well as the family portfolio of Stanley Ho, the Hong Kong-born businessman who helped put the territory on the map. Whether it's for the gambling, the Michelin-quality food, the exhibitions of valuable objects or just to take a break from visiting the city, this landmark is worth discovering. More information at hotelisboa.com.
Private parties, trendy discos, bars, live music, dance shows - there's everything in Macau with no closing time. One of the hottest spots is Pacha Macaua franchise that has already broken barriers in other countries such as Spain, Portugal and Morocco. Get ready for some amazing parties.
It's a traditional Portuguese product, but in China there are already people who can't do without it. The pastel de nata has become an image of Macau, thanks to the influence of the Portuguese community living in the territory and, in particular, to an Englishman, Andrew Stow, founder of Lord Stow, a pastel de nata factory that is conquering Asia. Get homesick in Coloane or in the streets of the historic centre and find out more at lordstow.com.
It has more than 2,200 rooms, suites and villas divided between five top hotels such as Banyan Tree, Okura, Ritz Carlton and JW Marriott, as well as Galaxy Macau. The investment of almost two billion dollars includes more than fifty food outlets, gardens covering 52,000 square metres and the world's highest wave pool and artificial beach. It is located in the Cotai area and is a clear example of what is known as "Asian luxury". Find out more at galaxymacau.com.
This is another of the gigantic hotels and casinos that have made Macau the world's gambling mecca. It is located in Cotai and is Asia's first resort with television and film studios, as well as retail, gaming and accommodation. It opened in 2015 after an investment of more than three billion euros. The theatre, Ferris wheel and 4D simulator are some of the points of interest. Find out more at studiocity-macau.com.