To be completely honest, I hadn’t heard a whole lot about Macao before I visited. However, after indulging in the most incredible gastronomy, having truly unforgettable experiences, and making wonderful memories, I’m left wondering how I hadn’t visited sooner. After all, it has temples, it has tea— what more could I want?
This small yet vibrant place is the perfect blend of cultural richness and modern luxury, and whether you’re walking through colonial streets or enjoying futuristic exhibits, Macao has an allure that is hard to resist—especially for a solo traveller.
Experience Macao Limited Edition as a Solo Traveller
Over the past year, I have been travelling almost relentlessly through Asia, and I reached that stage every female solo traveller experiences—pure exhaustion. Nights spent in new locations and days spent meeting new friends I might never see again left me in need of rest. It was time for a change.
When I received an invitation from the Macao Government Tourism Office to join their media tour, I felt as though the universe were looking out for me. Here was the perfect balance of exploration, security, and connection that I had been missing.
Frankly, I had an incredible experience in Macao. I visited beautiful places, ate delicious food, and travelled with a fantastic group of strangers who quickly became friends. And the best part? You can do this, too!
One exciting way to explore Macao’s unique experiences is through the Experience Macao Limited Edition campaign. Answer three questions correctly to unlock an exclusive Macao holiday designed for you and your loved ones. There are 100 unique Macao experiences up for grabs. Of course, follow MGTO’s official Instagram (@VisitMacao) for more information about this campaign and to learn more about Macao.
From Michelin-star dining to thrilling adventures and exclusive tours of World Heritage sites, this is the ultimate way to discover Macao. The prizes include routes designed by six of Macao’s luxury integrated resorts. Participating in this interactive online game, answering questions about Macao, and immersing yourself in the city’s diverse offerings is the perfect way to potentially win a complete Macao adventure of your own!
Lucky you.
History of Macao
When I first arrived in Macao, I had absolutely no idea what to expect.
I knew from my research that it was referred to as the Las Vegas of Asia (the gambling industry generates 80% of the local government’s tax revenue), that it has the highest population in the WORLD (52,540 people per square mile), and that it has different laws to China (it is under the ‘one country, two systems’ set-up); but what was Macao really like?
However, within even just my first hour of arriving I knew that there was something really special about Macao. A former Portuguese colony, Macao was a key trading post from the mid-16th century until its handover back to China in 1999. This results in a very unique blend of Portuguese and Chinese influence, which you can see in its architecture, cuisine, and even language— all the signs are in both Chinese and Portuguese!
It honestly feels a little as though you’re stepping into two worlds at once. On one side, there’s old ruins and Catholic churches, whereas on the other there’s luxurious sky-rise buildings and small Mazu temples. It’s perfect.
By the end of my trip, I was genuinely considering making Macao my base— how could I not? It has everything I love, from Chinese tea to Portuguese egg tarts, and I wasn’t quite ready to say goodbye to it all.
Whilst I only spent a few days in Macao, I will be back soon. Perhaps I’ll even see you there?
Where To Visit
The Ruínas de São Paulo are the ruins of a 17th-century Portuguese church, and honestly, should be your very first stop in Macao. There was a devastating fire in 1835 which left behind only a facade, detailed with the most beautiful carvings. Below, there’s a crypt that holds relics of Japanese and Vietnamese martyrs.
From there, wander around the Rua da Felicidade (for those of you that don’t speak Portuguese, this means Street of Happiness). This is a charming lil’ street lined with traditional red-shuttered houses, which may or may not have previously been part of Macao’s red-light district. Wander the streets and check out the adorable cafes and equally adorable souvenir shops.
Another place that you absolutely must visit is Senado Square— this is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is always buzzing with life (so I suggest to go early!). The square’s wave-patterned mosaic pavement and surrounding pastel-coloured buildings make it the perfect place to just stop, take a rest, and indulge in some solid people-watching whilst soaking in the very Lisboa-esque energy.
If you’re a panda lover (who isn’t?), then I also recommend that you check out the Macao Giant Panda Pavilion, where in 2010 China gifted two giant pandas to Macao as a symbol of goodwill and friendship. They’re so bloody cute.
Take a trip over to the other side of Macao, where you’ll find giant replicas of the London Houses of Parliament, the canals of Venice, and the Eiffel Tower. Continue walking and you’ll find one of my absolute favourite places in Macao: Wynn Palace. Step inside and check out the giant flower windmills—oversized floral sculptures that add a super pretty and playful touch to the entrance.
Then, walk down to Wynn’s latest attraction: Illuminarium. This is an immersive space exhibition that transports you to otherworldly environments using cutting-edge technology. Currently, you can go to either their space or their safari exhibition; I went for the former where I felt, quite frankly, as though I had been transported into outer space.
Wynn Palace is also currently hosting the 2024 Hypercar Exhibition, showcasing some of the world’s most elite luxury cars. Even if you’re not that into cars (I get you, don’t worry), it’s still really cool to check out these machines and their subsequent prices—I promise, they’re eye-watering.
End your visit to Wynn in one of their SkyCabs, where you can take an aerial cable car across the water and watch their light and fountain show, where you see the water dance in sync with music. All of my videos from the experience feature people’s oohs and aahs in the background.
Be sure to make a visit to A-Ma Temple, one of Macao’s oldest and most revered religious sites. Built in 1488, the temple is dedicated to the sea goddess Mazu, and honestly, it’s one of my favourite places in Macao. Take in the intricate details of the carved stone dragons and the beautiful ceramic tiles and feel at peace.
Head to MGM Cotai to take a tour around their artworks, visiting their collection of incredible hand-woven rugs, an exhibition on statues from MGM X Ren Zhe – “Legends of Chivalry” Art Exhibition, and their sugar fondant exhibition (my personal favourite fondant piece is called Awakening Lion, where you see a family drink tiny cups of tea and eat tiny dim sum). You will be given a postcard to stamp at the latter—a charming touch that I appreciate as a solo traveller wanting to take home little mementos.
Then try something a bit different by visiting Macao’s first Dolby Cinema VIP House. This cinema is incredibly cosy and luxurious—perfect for a traveller looking for a little indulgence. Recline in a plush seat with snacks at hand, watch a film with stunning Dolby sound and visuals, and fully immerse yourself in the experience.
And finally, check out the nearby Melco French Garden, a gorgeous garden surrounded by manicured lawns and Studio City’s Golden Reel, which is a unique figure-eight-shaped Ferris wheel suspended between two towers of the hotel. You can actually ascend to the top and watch the as the sun sets over Macao.
Where to Eat and Drink
Macao’s culinary scene blends strong influences from Chinese Portuguese, and needless to say, I’ll be returning to Macao for the food as soon as I can.
Street Food at Rua da Felicidade
One of the first places you have to stop for food is Rua da Felicidade, known for its charming red shutters, rich history, and traditional Macanese street foods. Here, you can find pretty much everything from beef jerky to fish balls, and of course, the iconic Portuguese egg tarts. These crispy, flaky tarts with their creamy custard filling are a must-try; genuinely, I could have eaten about sixteen of these a day.
Dining at Wynn Palace is an experience in itself, and the service was impeccable. Each detail was carefully attended to, from my dietary needs to the waiter pulling back the thin curtain to reveal breathtaking views of the water outside.
Here, I tried their Lakeview Palace platter, featuring light, melt-in-your-mouth Hamachi with sesame seed oil, tender drunken blue lobster, tangy cold marinated abalone with pickled chili, and sweet honey roasted Iberico pork belly Char Siew. I sampled other dishes such as their steamed yellow croaker fish with fermented rice wine and egg white and quickly came to the conclusion that I adore absolutely everything they create.
400 Times Whipped Coffee
Just a short walk from Coloane is Hac Sa Beach, Macao’s largest natural beach, famous for its unusual black sand. And as you wander around the area, you might just stumble upon a small stall selling 400 times whipped coffee. Known for its velvety texture and strong flavour, this whipped coffee trend has taken over in Macao, and the experience of drinking it was just as unique as the flavour itself.
Tea at Galaxy Macao
Obviously, you know I’d hunt down the best tea in Macao! At Galaxy Macao, you can enjoy a divine escape into a world of elegance and refinement. It’s the ideal spot to relax after a busy day of sightseeing, with perfectly brewed teas (chosen by master tea experts and thus, all absolutely gorgeous) and impeccable vibes.
Mediterranean Dining at Fernando’s
For something entirely different, Fernando’s Restaurant offers a taste of the Mediterranean in the heart of Macao. This laid-back restaurant on Hac Sa Beach is famous for its rustic Portuguese dishes and lively atmosphere. The combination of ocean breezes and fresh salads and seafood makes it a perfect stop after a morning spent exploring the southern part of Macao.
A Take on Cantonese Cuisine at Chún
Dinner at Chún is another highlight, as it shows a more refined take on traditional Cantonese cuisine. Try their bean curd sheet rolled with vegetables, flavourful roasted suckling pig, spinach broth with fresh crab meat and bamboo pith, and sautéed grouper fillet with lily bulb and elm fungus. I felt so taken care of at Chún, especially when they brought out a dessert of red bean soup, lactose-free and perfect for my dietary needs.
Dim Sum at Laurel Restaurant
Another memorable meal is at Laurel Restaurant, where the dim sum is crafted to absolute perfection; from the delicate dumplings to the fluffy buns, all served upon plates and cups which were all a beautiful shade of green. And don’t get me started on the pu’erh!
A Mediterranean Feast at Rossi Trattoria
Before you go, make sure to check out the Rossi Trattoria, which has a focus on fresh seafood and Mediterranean flavours. I recommend their seafood platter featuring Boston lobster, seasonal fresh oysters, tiger prawns, clams, and mussels, their pizzas, and the grilled US prime beef sirloin. Of course, a dessert of lemon Amalfi sorbet is the perfect way to end your trip.
Where to Stay
I absolutely adored my stay at W at Studio City—and honestly, where do I begin?
The hotel is a perfect blend of modern elegance and luxury design, making it an ideal retreat for any solo traveller looking to refresh and indulge. From the moment I stepped in, I was impressed at their attention to detail: they even change the rugs in the elevators to Good Morning or Good Evening depending on the time of day.
Extra? Yes. But I love it.
The room itself was perfect, and I spent the first day after my arrival swathed in a cosy dressing gown after unwinding in the bath and dousing myself in their body cream. The floor-to-ceiling windows offer a stunning view of the iconic Eiffel Tower replica, which was lit up beautifully at night.
And then comes the breakfast! The breakfast at W seems to have pretty much everything, from a scrape-your-own parmesan wheel and whole honeycomb to live cooking stations where chefs expertly prepared noodles and gyozas to order. What could then possibly be better than eating delicious food, sipping good tea, and looking out at the gorgeous Macao cityscape?
Taking in Macao as a Solo Female Traveller
Travelling as a solo female traveller can be incredibly difficult sometimes—but not in Macao.
As a woman that primarily travels alone, I found Macao to be a city of contrasts, where ancient heritage blends seamlessly with modern luxury. It is so easy to travel around here, and what made my journey even more special was how safe, welcoming, and accommodating Macao felt throughout my stay.
And the best part? You can win a chance to experience all of this and more!
The Experience Macao Limited Edition campaign offers global visitors the opportunity to participate in an interactive online game at ExperienceMacaoLimitedEdition.com. By answering fun, Macao-themed questions, you’ll have a chance to win one of 100 incredible prize packages, which include flights, luxury accommodation, and a carefully curated itinerary that mirrors my very own adventure.
What more could you want?
Each prize unlocks an exclusive journey through Macao’s wonders, from World Heritage sites and Michelin-starred meals to exciting themed tours, thrilling activities, and moments of pure relaxation. It has to be one of the best ways to travel.
Macao won me over entirely in just a few days, and whether you’re visiting for a weekend or hoping to win one of those incredible Experience Macao Limited Edition packages, it really is the perfect place for an unforgettable adventure.
