What to do in Macau China in One Day.

The real question is what to do in Macau China in just one day ? This one-day itinerary will guide you through the best of Macau, from its historic streets to the dazzling Cotai Strip, ensuring you make the most of your visit.

Affiliate Disclaimer: Some links in this post are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and participant in other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!

Although Macau (“the Vegas of Asia”) is famous for its vibrant nightlife, it offers so much more than just gambling. From UNESCO-listed heritage sites to world-class dining and unique cultural experiences, this tiny city is packed with things to see and do.

If you’re short on time, don’t worry—a day is enough to get a taste of its charm. This one-day itinerary takes you from its rich historical landmarks to its modern wonders, giving you a perfect balance of culture and excitement. Whether you’re into history, food, or luxury, this itinerary will help you enjoy the very best of Macau in just 24 hours. You can use this one day-itinerary along with my list of The Best Things To Do in Macau to plan an unforgettable trip.

What to do in Macau China- The Key Attractions

Are you wondering what to do in Macau China, with a short amount of time? Here is they key attractions you can easily cover in one day.

Mount Fortress- Fortaleza do Monte
The Museum of Macau
Ruins of St. Pauls Cathedral
St. Dominic’s Church
Senado Square
A-Ma Temple
Cotai Strip
The Venetian

One-Day Itinerary in Macau China

Are you wondering what to do in Macau China? Here is our exact itinerary for spending one day in Macau. We done everything in this order, and it worked perfectly. For having such a limited amount of time, we got to see a lot of the main attractions in Macau in 24 hours!!

You can use this one-day itinerary along with my list of The Best Things to Do in Macau to plan an unforgettable trip to Macau.

Morning- 9am- 11.30am: Hotel Royal Macau

We started our day with a hearty breakfast at the Hotel Royal Macau. The hotel offered a continental breakfast, where we had some breads, fruit and a coffee to start our morning. Then we enjoyed a morning workout in the well-equipped gym and relaxed in the indoor pool, it was perfect for recharging before a day of exploration.

Midday: 12pm-4.30pm: Portuguese Lunch + a Historical and Cultural Exploration

Lunch at Estabelecimento de Comidas

We began our day of exploring somewhat later than usual (12pm), as we spent the morning relaxing at the hotel. We took a walk through the streets and then stopped at Estabelecimento de Comidas for an authentic Portuguese lunch.

This is a Portuguese restaurant, serving a large menu of traditional Portuguese dishes. A must try if you are looking for something other than the usual Chinese food. We had the Portuguese style pork chops, and they were beautiful. They were served with a gravy style sauce, mixed salad, rice and home-made potato chips. It was beautiful.

This restaurant is located at the bottom of the hill before you go up to Macau Museum, Mount Fortress and the Ruins of St. Pauls Cathedral. Address: Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro No.264, Rua do Campo DeiHaa, Cathedral, Parish, Macau SAR China.

Mount Fortress (Fortaleza do Monte)

Built in the 17th century to defend Macau from pirates, this historic site offers panoramic views of the city and a glimpse into Macau’s military history.

The view of the city from Mount Fortress

Positioned on a hilltop, Mount Fortress offers breath-taking 360-degree views of Macau, including the Ruins of St. Paul’s, Senado Square, and even parts of the bustling Cotai Strip on clear days. We took some beautiful pictures of the city here. It’s a fantastic spot for photography enthusiasts.

We walked along the fortress walls and admired the well-preserved stone cannons, which were once used for defence. The fortress itself showcases impressive 17th-century military architecture, reflecting Macau’s strategic importance during the colonial era.

Explore Macau Museum

Located within Mount Fortress, Macau Museum showcases Macau’s cultural heritage, including its Chinese and Portuguese influences. Inside you can explore exhibits featuring traditional Chinese and Portuguese artifacts, multimedia displays, and insights into Macau’s evolution as a trading hub.

This was definitely the most interesting part of the day, it’s incredible to see how Macau has grown and developed into the vibrant city that it is today. On the ground floor, we were introduced to Macau’s pre-colonial era, highlighting its role as a fishing village and trading post. Within the upper levels we learned a lot about the Portuguese settlement. Macau Museum is a must-visit for history enthusiasts and anyone keen to understand how Macau evolved into the vibrant city it is today.

Admire the Ruins of St. Paul’s Cathedral

The Ruins of St. Pauls Cathedral is located right next to Mount Fortress and Macau Museum. This made it easy to visit all three attractions one after the other. A symbol of Macau, these ruins are all that remain of a 17th-century Jesuit church. The church was destroyed by a fire in 1835, leaving only the detailed stone façade.

We stopped here and admired the carvings along the stone façade, which blend religious and cultural motifs. However, it was extremely busy here. We made the mistake of travelling during the Chinese National holiday, and you could barely move through the crowds of people. So, a big tip of advice: avoid travelling during Chinese holidays!

Savour a matcha at Matcha Maiko

After some historical sight-seeing we took a break at Matcha Maiko. This trendy café is a must-visit for matcha lovers. Not only do they have 100s of different matcha lattes to choose from, but they also have a long list of matcha desserts! I wanted to try everything on the menu. So, if you’re a matcha lover like me, I highly recommend you stop and indulge in some delicious matcha-flavoured desserts or drinks here.

Stop by St. Dominic’s Church

After we took a well-deserved break and indulged in some matcha, we headed in the direction of Senado Square. Our first stop was St. Dominic’s Church. St. Dominic’s Church offers a quiet escape amidst the bustling square and a glimpse into Macau’s deep-rooted religious heritage. This baroque-style church, with its striking yellow and green architecture, is a testament to Macau’s colonial past.

Inside the church we admired the detailed woodwork, religious statues, and the peaceful atmosphere. It was beautiful. The church also houses a small museum showcasing artifacts and artworks from Macau’s rich Catholic history.

Stroll through Senado Square

Senado Sqaure- the centre piece of Macau

St. Dominic’s church is nestled in the heart of Senado Square. So, once we finished admiring the church we headed back out onto the square to continue exploring. Senado Square is the vibrant centrepiece of Macau, where you will find a unique blend of Portuguese and Chinese influences. The historic pastel-coloured buildings make you feel like you are in Portugal, while the traditional Chinese architecture reminds you you’re still in China.

The streets were once again packed with people (like I said already, try to avoid travelling in China during their national holidays). But it was stunning and buzzing with life. The square offers everything from boutique shopping to local markets and street food. So, we spent some time strolling between the shops and the markets.

We also enjoyed a delicious Portuguese egg tart here. You cannot visit Macau without trying one. I’m not going to lie; we have become a little obsessed with them since this trip, so be prepared to get hooked if you haven’t already tried one.

Pay respects at A-Ma Temple

After spending some time strolling around Senado Square we walked towards A-Ma Temple. From the square it was about a 20-minute walk. I love getting my steps in when travelling but I also think it’s the best way to really see any city. We got a real insight into the local people’s lives in Macau.

A-Ma Temple is one of Macau’s oldest temples. The temple is dedicated to the sea goddess Mazu, the Taoist goddess of the sea and protector of fishermen. We strolled through the temple, admiring the detailed stone carvings and the traditional Chinese architecture. Inside we lit incense and made a wish. It was beautiful. The act of burning incense is deeply symbolic in many cultures, particularly in Asian spiritual traditions like those in Macau.

Evening: 4.30pm- 8pm: Explore Cotai Strip

Cotai Strip

We wrapped up our evening in Macau by heading to the Cotai Strip. The Cotai Strip in Macau is a dazzling stretch of land known for its luxurious hotels, sprawling resorts, and huge casinos. This part of Macau is honestly like landing in Vegas, with similar resorts such as The Venetian and The Parisian. Once we arrived, we couldn’t get over all the huge resorts and flashy lights. It most definitely didn’t feel like we were still in China.

How to get to Cotai Strip:

We took the tram to the Cotai Strip, which was super easy and gave us a nice view of the area as we went along. We got the tram from Barra station. Barra is about a 5-minute walk from A-Ma Temple. The tram cost just 8 MOP each and took 10 minutes to arrive at the strip. We purchased the tickets for the tram at the desk inside the station. It was super easy and convenient.

The Venetian

As our trip was coming to an end, we did not have time to check out all the resorts. So, we decided to check out The Venetian. The Venetian is more than just a hotel—it’s a world of luxury and entertainment. It is the largest single-structure hotel in Asia (it’s huge!!!) and the largest standalone casino in the world.

Inside was incredible! It was like another city within itself. First, we strolled around inside the casino, which was huge. Then we looked around the shops. The Venetian is home to a massive shopping complex known as the Grand Canal Shoppes, with over 330 stores. It has everything from luxury brands to local boutiques.

After looking through the shops we stopped at one of the most famous features of The Venetian- its indoor canal. It’s literally mini a replica of Venice! It’s insane. You can even take a gondola ride along the canal if you wish.

We headed back out to McSorley’s Irish Bar then for dinner, which is situated in the lobby of The Venetian (right before you enter the casino). They served a typical Irish pub grub menu from Steak and Guinness Pies, Fish and Chips, Burgers and a long list of Pizzas. We had the burgers, chicken wings and chips and it was so good. They even put little Irish flags on top of our burgers!

Other luxury hotels in Macau:

Free Shuttle Bus back to the Ferry

After an amazing day of exploring the beautiful city of Macau, we had to make our way back home. We took the free shuttle bus that the Venetian offered back to the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Harbour. It was super easy and convenient. You just walk outside the main entrance of the hotel and follow the signs for ‘Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Harbour Shuttle Bus‘. If you are not going back for a ferry, a lot of resorts also offer free shuttle buses back to their hotels and casinos. So, be sure to check out if one is going in your direction.

And that is exactly what we done in Macau with just 24 hours!

While one day gives you a great introduction, it’s easy to see why many visitors are drawn back for more. Whether you’re visiting for a quick getaway or planning a longer stay, Macau promises an unforgettable experience that lingers long after you’ve left.

Still wondering what do in Macau China? You can use this one-day itinerary along with my list of Things to do in Macau, to plan an unforgettable trip to Macau. I hope you enjoy this beautiful city just as much as I did!

Planning a Trip to Macau, China

Flying to Macau? ✈️ To find the best prices on flights click here.
Taking the train to Macau? 🚄 You can easily book your train tickets here.
Spending the night in Macau? 🏨 find the best hotel prices here.
Do you want a guided tour in Macau? 🗺️ you can book the best guided tour here.

What to do in Macau China in One Day.

What to do in Macau China- The Key Attractions

One-Day Itinerary in Macau China

Morning- 9am- 11.30am: Hotel Royal Macau