The Cotai Strip is probably the side of Macau that most people picture when they think of its huge hotels, casinos, shopping malls, and elaborate resorts. Everything here is big and polished, and even if you have no interest in gambling, there’s still plenty to see just by walking through the different properties.
I was already heading to this side of Macau for a concert, so it made sense to spend some time exploring the area as well. A lot of the major resorts are concentrated within the same area, making it fairly easy to see several of them in one trip.
What to Do on the Cotai Strip
Walk Around The Venetian Macao
The Venetian Macao is one of the most recognizable resorts on the Cotai Strip. Inside, you’ll find the Grand Canal Shoppes with its indoor canals, bridges, painted ceilings, and gondolas passing through the shopping area.
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| the Grand Canal area inside the Venetian Macau |
You don’t need to be staying at the hotel to walk around, so it’s an easy stop while exploring Cotai. The shopping area is huge, though, and it can take longer than expected to find your way around.
See The Parisian Macao and Eiffel Tower
Another landmark that’s difficult to miss is the Eiffel Tower outside The Parisian Macao. The replica is especially noticeable once the lights come on at night, but you can get a good view of it simply by walking around the surrounding area.
The Parisian itself continues the theme indoors with European-inspired interiors, shops, restaurants, and plenty of elaborate details. Like many of the resorts in Cotai, you can explore the public areas without actually staying there.
Explore The Londoner Macao
The Londoner Macao is another resort that fully commits to its theme, with British-inspired architecture and its own versions of recognizable London landmarks. The exterior is particularly impressive at night when the entire complex is illuminated.
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| exteriors of the Parisian and Londoner |
There are plenty of shops and restaurants inside, but walking around the property itself is already an experience. This is also one of the areas where you can really see how elaborate the resorts on the Cotai Strip can get.
Watch a Show or Concert
Cotai has several major entertainment venues, so concerts and shows are another reason to visit this side of Macau. In my case, a concert was actually the main reason I was in Macau in the first place, with exploring Cotai becoming part of the trip around it.
If you’re traveling specifically for an event, it’s worth checking what else is happening around the same dates. The concentration of hotels, restaurants, shopping, and venues makes it relatively easy to build the rest of your day around a concert or show.
Go Resort and Mall Hopping
One thing I quickly realized about Cotai is that you can spend a surprising amount of time simply moving between resorts. Many of them have massive shopping areas filled with international brands, restaurants, cafes, and entertainment.
It’s also worth checking out the restaurants and even the food courts while you’re there. You can find plenty of local Macanese and Chinese food alongside international options, and the food courts are an easy choice if you want something more casual and affordable while exploring the resorts.
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| a chicken noodle dish at one of the local food stalls inside the Londoner |
See the Cotai Strip at Night
If you have time, I’d recommend seeing Cotai after dark as well. The hotels and resorts are heavily illuminated at night, and the entire area looks noticeably different once all the lights are on.
You don’t really need a particular destination for this part. Walking around and seeing the different resorts lit up is enough, especially if you’re already spending the evening in the area.
How to Get Around the Cotai Strip
Public buses connect Cotai with other parts of Macau and are an inexpensive way to get around. Taxis are also readily available if you want something more direct, particularly if you’re traveling between Cotai and the older parts of Macau.
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| the Parisian Macao at night |
Another useful option is the free shuttle buses operated by many of the major resorts. Depending on the hotel, these connect resorts with transportation hubs and other parts of Macau, so they can be useful even if you aren’t staying at the property.
You don’t have to gamble or stay at an expensive resort to enjoy the Cotai Strip. There’s plenty to see simply by walking around the hotels, shopping areas, and themed properties, and much of that can be done without spending anything.
It also gives you a completely different experience from Macau’s historic center. If you have enough time, I’d recommend seeing both rather than choosing one over the other because the contrast between them is a big part of what made Macau interesting to explore.
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