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A-Ma Temple, Macau

Travel guide · Portugal and China on a peninsula, plus casinos

Travelling to Macau

The Ruins of St Paul’s, squares paved in Portuguese mosaic, Chinese temples, egg tarts and the big casinos of Cotai. We tell you when to go, what to see and what to eat.

Updated 18 October 2026 · How we make our guides

  • Best time: from March to May and from November to January
  • Where to eat: a Macanese restaurant or a bakery
Photo: Abasaa · Public domain

Macau in 30 seconds

  • The months with the fewest warnings to travel to Macau are from March to May and from November to January. If you can, avoid October (golden week).
  • To eat like a local: a Macanese restaurant or a bakery. Don’t leave without trying: Minchi, Pastel de nata, Pork chop bun.

Macau in November

Yes: November is a good time to travel to Macau. Our data shows no weather or seasonal warnings that month.

November is one of the months when people search most for travelling to Macau: book early. More destinations for November

When to travel to Macau

The months with the fewest warnings to travel to Macau are from March to May and from November to January. If you can, avoid October (golden week).

  1. Jan no warnings
  2. Feb with warnings
  3. Mar no warnings
  4. Apr no warnings
  5. May no warnings
  6. Jun with warnings
  7. Jul with warnings
  8. Aug with warnings
  9. Sep with warnings
  10. Oct with strong warnings
  11. Nov no warnings
  12. Dec no warnings

More destinations for those dates: where to travel in January · where to travel in March · where to travel in April · where to travel in May

  • February

    Lunar New Year (approximate dates)

    Millions of people travel at this time: trains and flights are full and expensive, and many shops and restaurants close for several days.

    What to do: Book transport weeks in advance and expect closures for the first three days.

  • from June to August

    Humid heat

    Summer is very humid and hot, with downpours and typhoons from July.

    What to do: October to December is the best time.

  • from July to September

    Typhoon season

    In July, August and September typhoons can pass through: transport and outdoor attractions close for a day or two.

    What to do: Leave a flexible day and check the local weather warnings.

    Best time: October to December

  • October

    Golden Week

    From 1 to 7 October the whole of China travels: the Great Wall, the Forbidden City and the trains are packed.

    What to do: If you can, move your trip by a week; if not, book tickets in advance and visit first thing in the morning.

What to see in Macau

The cities and areas most worth your time, with their highlights. Open each one for all the places, where to stay and its day trips.

  • Macau Peninsula

    Macau Peninsula

    The Portuguese and Chinese historic centre: mosaic-paved squares, baroque churches and temples.

    • Ruins of St Paul’s
    • Senado Square
    • A-Ma Temple
    • Mount Fortress
    Macau Peninsula guide
  • Taipa

    Taipa

    The old village of colonial houses and the food street, next to the Cotai casinos.

    • Taipa Village
    • Rua do Cunha
    • Taipa Houses–Museum
    • Cotai Strip
    Taipa guide
  • Coloane

    Coloane

    The quiet side of Macau: a fishing village, beaches and the best egg-tart bakery.

    • Coloane Village
    • Chapel of St Francis Xavier
    • Hac Sa Beach
    • Pastel de nata
    Coloane guide

Day trips and activities

What’s most worth booking from each city. We take you straight to the best-rated tour on GetYourGuide, with its reviews and dates.

From the Macau Peninsula

From Taipa

From Coloane

Some links are affiliate links: if you book through them, Bagintravel may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

What to eat in Macau

To eat like a local: a Macanese restaurant or a bakery, and order minchi or pastel de nata. And don’t leave without trying:

  • Minchi

    Minced meat with potato and soy sauce, the Macanese classic.

  • Pastel de nata

    A custard tart, a Portuguese legacy.

  • Pork chop bun

    A pork chop sandwich.

  • African chicken

    Roasted with a spiced sauce.

  • Serradura

    A dessert of cream and biscuit crumbs.

  • Dim sum

    A Cantonese legacy.

The typical dish of Macau, at home

Minchi
Photo: K.Y.K.Z.K. · CC BY-SA 4.0

Minchi

The dish of Macanese families: minced meat stir-fried with diced potato, onion and soy sauce, topped with a fried egg. Portugal and China in one frying pan.

  • Serves 4
  • 35 min

Ingredients

  • 500 g minced pork and beef
  • 2 potatoes
  • 1 onion
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 3 tablespoons of soy sauce (light and dark)
  • 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon of sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • Oil
  • White rice

How to make it at home

  1. Cut the potatoes into small dice and fry until crisp. Set aside.
  2. Fry the chopped onion and garlic, add the meat and stir-fry over a high heat until browned.
  3. Add the sauces and sugar and mix.
  4. Add the potatoes just before serving so they don’t go soft.
  5. Serve with rice and a fried egg on top.

The trick: The potatoes go in last: they need to stay crisp.

The typical food of each city, with a recipe

Curious facts about Macau

What guidebooks don’t tell you and will help you understand the country better.

  • It was a Portuguese colony until 1999, the last European one in Asia.
  • Its casinos take more money than those of Las Vegas.
  • Street signs are still in Portuguese and Chinese.
  • Macanese cuisine mixes Portugal, China, India and Malaysia.
  • The historic centre is a World Heritage Site.
  • It has one of the highest population densities in the world.

Traditions of Macau

Customs and celebrations that will help you experience the country like a local.

  • November Macau Grand Prix

    Racing through the streets.

  • January or February Chinese New Year

    Fireworks and lion dances.

  • October Lusofonia Festival

    The culture of the Portuguese-speaking countries.

  • Lent Procession of Our Lord of the Passion

    A Catholic tradition.

What not to do in Macau

First-trip mistakes that are easy to avoid.

  • Don’t take photos inside the casinos.
  • Remember that the currency is the pataca (Hong Kong dollars are also accepted).
  • Don’t underestimate the summer typhoons.
  • Don’t leave without trying a warm egg tart.
  • Don’t think it’s all casinos: the historic centre is the best part.
  • Don’t worry about tipping in small places.

Before you go

Entry requirements depend on your passport and change: always check them with official sources before travelling.

Frequently asked questions about Macau

What people search for most before travelling to Macau.

What’s the best time to travel to Macau?

The months with the fewest warnings to travel to Macau are from March to May and from November to January. If you can, avoid October (golden week).

What to see in Macau in a week?

The essentials of Macau: Macau Peninsula, Taipa and Coloane. How many places fit into your days, and in what order, depends on your dates and how you get around: the Bagintravel app plans your trip day by day in a minute.

What to eat in Macau?

Minchi, Pastel de nata, Pork chop bun, African chicken, Serradura, Dim sum. To eat like a local: a Macanese restaurant or a bakery.

What is the typical dish of Macau?

Minchi. The dish of Macanese families: minced meat stir-fried with diced potato, onion and soy sauce, topped with a fried egg. Portugal and China in one frying pan.

What should you not do in Macau?

Don’t take photos inside the casinos. Remember that the currency is the pataca (Hong Kong dollars are also accepted). Don’t underestimate the summer typhoons.

Is it worth travelling to Macau in November?

Yes: November is a good time to travel to Macau. Our data shows no weather or seasonal warnings that month.

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Guide reviewed 18 October 2026. Seasonal data, places and areas: the same ones the Bagintravel app uses. Sources and method.

Photos: cover, Abasaa (Public domain). Macau Peninsula, Ank Kumar (CC BY-SA 4.0). Taipa, lienyuan lee (CC BY 3.0). Coloane, Abasaa (Public domain).