←All destinations
Travel Guide
Visiting Macau
Select your passport to instantly check if you need a visa.
Discover
Top Attractions in Macau
The most iconic and unmissable experiences this country has to offer.
UNESCO World Heritage
Ruins of St. Paul's
The soaring stone facade of the former Cathedral of St. Paul is Macau's most recognised landmark, a 17th-century Jesuit masterpiece built by Japanese craftsmen that survived a great fire in 1835. The intricately carved five-storey frontage blends European Baroque with Chinese and Japanese motifs, and a grand staircase of 68 steps leads visitors up to it. Beneath, the Museum of Sacred Art and Crypt houses religious relics and artefacts from the colonial era.
UNESCO World Heritage
Historic Centre of Macau
Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2005, the Historic Centre comprises 30 interconnected monuments and public spaces across the peninsula, representing the largest and oldest collection of European architecture remaining in China. Senado Square, with its distinctive wave-pattern Portuguese pavement, anchors the ensemble and connects churches, civic buildings, and temples in a walkable circuit. The centre illustrates four and a half centuries of Portuguese and Chinese cultural exchange with remarkable completeness.
Wise
Your bank marks up every USD you spend in Macau. Wise doesn't.
- No foreign transaction fees
- Free ATM withdrawals up to your limit
- Pay in local currency at the real rate
4.8 ★ App Store·4.8 ★ Google Play
Airalo eSIM
Your phone plan was built for home. This one was built for Macau.
- No SIM swapping
- No data roaming charges
- Active in minutes
4.7 ★ App Store·4.6 ★ Google Play
Health & Safety
Health & Emergency Info
Before You Travel
Health Before you travel check that: your destination can provide the healthcare you may need you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant. Emergency medical number Dial 999 and ask for an ambulance. Contact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment. Vaccine recommendations and health risks At least 8 weeks before your trip: check the latest vaccine recommendations for Macao see where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay
Full health advice (FCDO) →Emergency Numbers
Police999
Ambulance999
Fire999
Health information sourced from UK FCDO. Always consult a travel health professional before departure.
Practical Info
Travel Essentials
Travel Guide
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Macau
Entry requirements vary by passport. Check the requirements for your specific passport on the Macau page at Yoogo.
Macau uses the Macanese pataca (MOP), though Hong Kong dollars are widely accepted at close to par in most shops, restaurants, and casinos. Credit and debit cards are accepted at hotels, larger restaurants, and casino resorts, but smaller local eateries and market stalls generally prefer cash.
Macau is generally considered a safe destination with low rates of street crime. The large casino environment brings its own character to the territory, but tourists visiting the historic sites and villages encounter few issues beyond the usual urban cautions around pickpocketing in crowded areas.
Macau's compact size makes walking the best option for the historic peninsula and Taipa Village. Public buses are inexpensive and air-conditioned, covering the peninsula and both islands, and major casino resorts operate free shuttle buses from ferry terminals and the border gate. Taxis are metered and plentiful outside peak periods, and high-speed ferries connect Macau to Hong Kong in around 55 minutes.
October to December is widely regarded as the most pleasant time to visit, with mild temperatures, lower humidity, and mostly clear skies. Spring (March to May) is also agreeable, though humidity rises from April onwards. Summer (June to September) brings heavy rain, high heat, and the possibility of typhoons disrupting travel.
Cantonese is the language of everyday life for the vast majority of residents, with Portuguese holding official status alongside Chinese. English is widely understood in hotels, tourist attractions, casinos, and most restaurants in the historic centre, making it straightforward to navigate as a visitor.
No vaccinations are legally required to enter Macau, but travellers are advised to ensure routine immunisations (including measles-mumps-rubella and tetanus) are up to date. Hepatitis A and typhoid vaccinations are commonly recommended, and it is worth consulting a travel health clinic or your GP several weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Tipping is not a strong local custom in Macau, and most restaurants and hotels automatically add a 10 per cent service charge to bills. In venues where no service charge applies, rounding up the bill or leaving a small amount for genuinely attentive service is appreciated but never obligatory.
Macau has good 4G and 5G coverage across the peninsula and both islands, and tourist SIM cards are available at the ferry terminals and airport. eSIM options through providers such as Airalo allow you to activate a local data plan on a compatible device before you travel, which is convenient if you want connectivity from the moment you arrive.