Away from the huge resorts and bright lights of Cotai, Macao’s old town shows a completely different side of the city. This is where you’ll find historic streets, Portuguese-influenced architecture, temples, churches, small shops, and many of Macao’s best-known landmarks.
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| at the Ruins of St. Paul's |
The historic center is also compact enough to explore mostly on foot. I think walking works particularly well here because there’s plenty to see between the major attractions, and some of the smaller streets are just as interesting to wander through.
What to Do in Macao’s Old Town
Visit the Ruins of St. Paul’s
The Ruins of St. Paul’s are easily one of Macao’s most recognizable landmarks. The stone facade and staircase are what remain of the former Church of Mater Dei and St. Paul’s College after a fire destroyed much of the complex in the 19th century.
It’s also one of the busiest attractions in the historic center, so expect plenty of people around the steps. Visiting is free, and you can walk behind the facade to see more of the archaeological remains.
Walk Through Senado Square
Senado Square is another major stop in the historic center, surrounded by colorful colonial-era buildings and recognizable Portuguese-style pavement. It’s a busy pedestrian area with shops and restaurants surrounding the square.
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| Senado Square |
It also works well as a starting point for exploring the old town since several historic attractions are within walking distance. From here, you can continue through the smaller streets towards the Ruins of St. Paul’s.
Visit St. Dominic’s Church
Located close to Senado Square, St. Dominic’s Church stands out with its yellow facade and green shutters. It dates back to the 16th century and reflects the Portuguese influence that you’ll see throughout this part of Macao.
Since it’s along the main walking route through the historic center, it’s an easy stop to add without going out of your way.
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| St. Dominic's Church |
Explore the Streets Around the Ruins of St. Paul’s
The streets leading towards the Ruins of St. Paul’s are packed with shops, bakeries, restaurants, and souvenir stores. It can get extremely busy, but there’s plenty to look at as you make your way through.
This is also a good area to pick up souvenirs and local snacks. You’ll see plenty of shops selling almond cookies, jerky, pastries, and other treats, with some offering samples as you walk past.
Try a Portuguese Egg Tart
You’re in Macao, so having at least one Portuguese egg tart feels almost inevitable. They’re sold all over the city, from famous bakeries to smaller local shops, so finding one while exploring the old town won’t be difficult.
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| the famous egg tart |
They’re best when they’re still warm, with crisp pastry around the outside and a creamy custard center with the characteristic caramelized top. They also make an easy snack when you’re doing a lot of walking.
How to Get Around Macao’s Old Town
Walking is probably the easiest way to explore once you’re in the historic center. Many of the major attractions are relatively close together, and constantly taking transportation between them would mean missing much of what makes the area interesting.
For longer distances, Macao’s public buses are inexpensive and connect the old town with Cotai, the airport, and other parts of the city. Taxis are another option, although I found public transportation convenient enough for getting around during my short trip.
Macau’s old town is compact enough that you can see many of its main sights in half a day, but you could easily spend longer if you stop for food, browse the shops, and wander through some of the quieter streets. Comfortable shoes definitely help since this is one part of Macao that’s best explored on foot.
I also think visiting the historic center alongside the Cotai Strip gives you a much better sense of Macao as a whole. They’re completely different experiences, and seeing both was worth fitting into my short trip.
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