Macau seeks to be the best in many fields and often succeeds in many areas. To be clear, we are not just talking about being the best in the gambling industry. While there are certainly hundreds of reasons to put Macau on your travel wish list, here we describe some features that are not as commonly known. Read on to find 10 things that you can only experience in Macau and turn them into reasons to visit!
Unique Culture
What makes Macanese culture so special? Most likely, it is the beautiful symbiosis of different cultures. Settling on the land of fishermen in the 16th century, Portugal steadily became a major contributor to the local traditions. This influence is still strong and recognizable, in elements such as UNESCO heritage objects, azulejo (glazed colored tile traditionally used in Portuguese buildings), and delicious cuisine.
Macau’s charm lies in its striking contrasts: ancient Chinese temples stand alongside majestic Catholic churches, while modern architectural marvels add a bold touch to the skyline. The city’s culinary scene is just as diverse, with international restaurants, local Asian eateries, and cozy Portuguese family-style dining spots. With newcomers from all over the world constantly enriching its cultural fabric, Macau continues to evolve as a vibrant and dynamic melting pot.
Macanese cuisine
Macanese cuisine is often regarded as the world’s first fusion cuisine, and Macau proudly holds the title of UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. This unique culinary tradition isn’t widely known outside the city, making signature dishes like minchi and African chicken rare treats you won’t easily find elsewhere. For this matter, foodies looking to expand their palate will find Macanese cuisine reason enough to visit Macau. Absorbing culinary traditions of China, Portugal and its former colonies throughout centuries, Macanese food has become an integral part of the local heritage. Not to mention, it is absolutely delicious and goes perfectly with Portuguese wine which you can be found aplenty in Macau.
Also read: The History of Macanese Cuisine in Macau
Galaxy Macau
Abundance of spectacular hotels and resorts
If you’re planning a trip to Macau, get ready to be spoiled for choice with its incredible hotels. As one of China’s top touristic destinations, the city of 33 square kilometers only offers more than 140 hotels with a total of 44,163 rooms! New gems like Raffles at Galaxy Macau and The Karl Lagerfeld at Grand Lisboa Palace are here to wow you with their jaw-dropping style and luxury. And don’t miss out on the top-rated spas—always a good idea to unwind and treat yourself to some serious pampering.
Raffles at Galaxy Macau Estrada da Baía de Nossa Senhora da Esperança, Galaxy Macau, Cotai, www.raffles.com/macau, +853 8886 3388
The Karl Lagerfeld at Grand Lisboa Palace Macau, Rua do Tiro, Cotai, www.thekarllagerfeld.mo, +853 8881 3888
World’s Highest Bungee Jump Facility
This attraction is not for the faint-hearted but if adrenaline is your drug, pack your bags and head to the Macau Tower where this 233-meter bungee jump spot is. Notably, Skypark by AJ Hackett at Macau Tower holds the Guinness World Record as the highest bungee jump commercial facility! The drop is at the speed of up to 120 kilometers per hour so this is definitely for the brave and committed. This plunge sounds more extreme than gambling your yearly salary in one of the casinos, right? If it doesn’t make your heart beat fast, we don’t know what will!
Skypark by AJ Hackett Macau Tower, Level T2, Adventure Zone, Macau Tower, Macau, +853 8988 8656, www.skyparkmacau.com
The Largest Casino in the World
Las Vegas might have the original Venetian casino, however, the one in Macau is the largest in the world. Opened in 2007, The Venetian Macao resort has a casino floor of more than 51 thousand square meters, with 3,400 slot machines and 870 gambling tables. Of course, Macau is not just about casinos, but one simply doesn’t travel here and avoid them. So if you are thinking about trying your luck, might as well go big or go home!
The Venetian Macao Estrada da Baía de N. Senhora da Esperança, s/n, Cotai, +853 2882 8818, www.venetianmacao.com
Macao Science Center
World’s Highest Resolution Planetarium
For space enthusiasts, Macau has a treat in store. The planetarium at the Macau Science Center offers an out-of-this-world experience with stunning 3D films that explore the cosmos in record-breaking quality (certified by Guinness World Records). While you might not be living your astronaut dreams, this immersive theater will make you feel like you’re floating in outer space. It’s a fantastic spot to bring the kids—or embrace your inner child and dive into the wonders of the universe.
Macao Science Center Avenida Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, Macau, +853 2888 0822, www.msc.org.mo
Immersive exhibitions
Macau is quickly becoming a hotspot for cutting-edge immersive experiences that blend art, technology, and imagination. For instance, Illuminarium Macau offers visitors a chance to step into ever-changing digital worlds, from exploring the cosmos to diving into mesmerizing dreamscapes. Similarly, at teamLab SuperNature Macao, interactive art installations respond to your movements, creating a fully immersive environment that feels like stepping into a futuristic realm. Moreover, for fans of the Wizarding World, the Harry Potter: The Exhibition at The Londoner Macao brings the magic to life with interactive exhibits, iconic props, and activities that let you relive the magic of Hogwarts.
Illuminarium Macau at Wynn Palace Cotai Avenida Da Nave Desportiva, Cotai, +853 8889 8889, www.wynnresortsmacau.com/illuminarium
teamLab SuperNature Macao Cotai Expo, The Venetian Macao, Estrada da Baía de Nossa Senhora da Esperança, Cotai
Harry Potter: The Exhibition The Londoner Macao Estrada do Istmo. s/n, Cotai, +853 2882 8874, www.londonermacao.com
The Longest Sea Bridge
Inaugurated in 2018, the bridge connecting Hong Kong, Macau, and Zhuhai was making waves long before its construction was complete. This incredible system of bridges, tunnels, and artificial islands holds the title of the world’s longest sea-crossing and fixed link. It’s a marvel of modern engineering that’s definitely worth experiencing. Moreover, traveling 55 kilometers across turquoise waters is not just a striking adventure—it also makes your commute from Macau to Hong Kong International Airport much quicker and more convenient.
Also read: Things You Didn’t Know About HZMB and How to Experience It
Vibrant Festivals and Events
From the Macau International Dragon Boat Races to the Lunar New Year Celebrations, Macau is alive with colorful festivals year-round. Additionally, the city hosts the Macau International Fireworks Display Contest, where teams from around the world light up the sky with dazzling pyrotechnic shows. With a calendar that celebrates a diverse array of traditions, including Chinese, Portuguese, and international cultural events, Macau is an exciting hub for global festivities, showcasing its rich multicultural heritage.
Grandiose water attractions
If your ideal vacation includes staying in a luxury hotel and spending afternoons by the pool, Macau is the place to consider. For example, Galaxy Macau, one of the city’s largest casinos, made their Grand Resort Deck the ideal relaxation area with pools, waterslides, bars, and restaurants. Forgetting you are not at a tropical resort by the sea is easy when there are waves of the world’s largest wave pool splashing right beside you.
For a more adrenaline-packed water adventure, head to Studio City Water Park. With seven cutting-edge water slides, a thrilling indoor-outdoor surfing simulator, two wave pools, and a 250-meter action river, it’s a non-stop splash-filled experience that will have you wondering where the time went.
Galaxy Macau Estrada da Baía da Nossa Senhora da Esperança, s/n, Cotai, www.galaxymacau.com
Studio City Water Park Level 3, West Wing, Studio City, Estrada do Istmo, Cotai, www.studiocity-macau.com/entertainment/waterpark, +853 8865 6767
This article was originally written by Ksenia Kuzmina in January 2019 and updated in November 2024.
