A large section of Macau Peninsula has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site and 25 buildings and sites within the area have been deemed to have cultural and historic significance. One of the best ways to cover the sights is to do the Macau Heritage Walk circuit. The heritage Buildings, the Sao Paulo Cathedral, the Fort and the Macau Museum are all adjacent to each other.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites-
Historic Center of Macau
Built in 1602-1640, destroyed by fire in 1835. Museum of Sacred Art and Crypt.
Opening Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily (except Tuesday afternoon), no admission after 5:30 p.m. (Tuesdays: closed after 2 p.m. Open as usual on public holidays.)Read More>>
Built before 1869. It is a traditional Chinese compound consisting of several courtyard houses, displaying a mix of Chinese and Western detailing, such as the use of grey bricks against arched ornamentations and Chinese timber lattice windows against mother-of-pearl window panels of Indian origin.
Built in the 17th century as part of the Guia Fortress.
Built in 1874, this building was constructed to accommodate an Indian regiment from Goa appointed to reinforce Macau's police force. Now it serves as the headquarters of the Marine and Water Bureau. The Moorish Barracks is a distinctly neo-classical building integrating architectural elements of Moghul influence.
A-Ma Temple already existed before the city of Macau came into being. It consists of the Gate Pavilion, the Memorial Arch, the Prayer Hall, the Hall of Benevolence, the Hall of Guanyin, and Zhengjiao Chanlin (a Buddhist pavilion).
Address: Barra Square
Opening hours: 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. Read More>>
Opening hours: 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. Read More>>
Built by the Jesuits in the mid-16th century, this is one of the three oldest churches in Macau.
Address: Rua de São Lourenço (access from Rua Da Imprensa Nacional)
Opening hours: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Read More>>
Opening hours: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Read More>>
Established in 1728, the old Seminary, together with St. Paul's College, was the principal base for the missionary work implemented in China, Japan and around the region.
Built in 1860 as the first western-style theatre in China with a seating capacity of 300, this has survived as a highly significant cultural landmark in the context of the local Macanese community and remains a venue for important public events and celebrations.
Address: Santo Agostinho Square
Opening hours: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. (Closed on Tuesdays; open on public holidays) Read More>>
Opening hours: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. (Closed on Tuesdays; open on public holidays) Read More>>
This building was constructed before 1894 and was originally the residence of Dona Carolina Cunha. Hong Kong businessman Sir Robert Ho Tung purchased it in 1918, using it as his retreat. He passed away in 1955 and in accordance with his will, the building was presented to the Macau Government for conversion into a public library.
Address: No. 3 Santo Agostinho Square
Opening hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Monday to Saturday); 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Sunday) View More>>
Opening hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Monday to Saturday); 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Sunday) View More>>
First established by Spanish Augustinians in 1591.
Originally built in 1784, this was Macau's first municipal chamber, a function it maintains to the present. The "Leal Senado" Building is neo-classical in design and has retained all its original master walls and primary layout, including the courtyard garden in the back. Inside the building on the first floor there is a ceremonial meeting room that opens onto an elaborate carved library styled after the library of Mafra Convent in Portugal, and a small chapel.
Address: No. 163 Av. Almeida Ribeiro (San Ma Lo)
Opening hours: Gallery: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (closed on Mondays), Garden: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Read More>>
Opening hours: Gallery: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (closed on Mondays), Garden: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Read More>>
This temple is located close to the old Chinese Bazaar area, which nowadays functions as St. Dominic's Market, still keeping the essence of the original function of the area. The location of this Chinese construction at the heart of the main city square with its predominantly western-style architecture illustrates the harmonious coexistence of the two cultures. Address: No. 10 Rua Sul do Mercado de São Domingos
Opening hours: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Read More>>
Established in 1569, The building is neo-classical in the overall architectural treatment, but also depicts traces of mannerist influence.
Address: Senado Square
Opening hours (Museum): 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.; 2:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. (closed on Mondays and public holidays)
Admission Fee (Museum): MOP$5; students and elderly people (over 65 years old): free. Read More>>
Opening hours (Museum): 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.; 2:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. (closed on Mondays and public holidays)
Admission Fee (Museum): MOP$5; students and elderly people (over 65 years old): free. Read More>>
The mansion is believed to be built in 1889.This was the home of Lou Kau, a prominent Chinese merchant who owned several imposing properties in the city.
Address: No.7, Travessa da Sé
Opening hours: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., no admission after 5.30 p.m. (Closed on Mondays, except public holidays) Read More>>
Opening hours: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., no admission after 5.30 p.m. (Closed on Mondays, except public holidays) Read More>>
Founded in 1587 by three Spanish Dominican priests who originally came from Acapulco in Mexico.
Address: St. Dominic's Square
Opening hours: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m Read More>>
Built in 1888, this temple is dedicated to the worship of Na Tcha. This small traditional Chinese temple stands close to the remains of the principal Jesuit enterprise of the region, presenting a dialectic of western and Chinese ideals, as one of the best examples of Macau's multicultural identity and religious freedom.
Address: No. 6 Calçada de S. Paulo (next to Ruins of St. Paul’s)
Opening hours: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Read More>>
Opening hours: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Read More>>
This surviving segment of the city's defence structures, built as early as 1569, is a remnant of an early Portuguese tradition of constructing defensive walls around their port settlements, done also in Africa and India. In Macau, this section bears testimony to the incorporation of local techniques and materials, especially a solid compound named chunambo, an elaborate mixture of clay, soil, sand, rice straw, crushed rocks and oyster shells compacted in successive layers. Read More>>
Built in conjunction with the Jesuits from 1617 to 1626, this was the city's principal military defence structure. The fortress was equipped with cannons, military barracks, wells and an arsenal that held sufficient ammunition and supplies to endure a siege lasting up to two years. The fortress covers an area of 10,000 square metres, in the shape of a trapezoid. The four corners of the fortress protrude to form bulwarks.
Opening hours:
Fortress and garden: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Macau Museum: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., last admission until 5:30 p.m. (closed on Mondays). Read More>>
Fortress and garden: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Macau Museum: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., last admission until 5:30 p.m. (closed on Mondays). Read More>>
- St. Anthony Church
First built of bamboo and wood before 1560, this is one of the oldest churches in Macau, also marking the site where the Jesuits set up their earliest headquarters in the city. The church was reconstructed in stone several times, while the present appearance and scale of the church dates back to 1930. Previously, members of the Portuguese community would hold wedding ceremonies there, so giving rise to the Chinese name of Fa Vong Tong (Church of Flowers).
Address: Santo António Square
Opening hours: 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Opening hours: 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Senado Square has been Macau's urban centre for centuries, and is still the most popular venue for public events and celebrations today. Located close to the former Senate building, Sam Kai Vui Kun ( Kuan Tai Temple ) is also a reminder of the active participation of the local Chinese community in general civic affairs, providing a clear example of the multicultural dimension of the Macao community. The square is surrounded by pastel coloured neo-classical buildings, creating a consistent and harmonious Mediterranean atmosphere.
Address: Senado Square Read More>>
The ground water of Lilau used to be the main source of natural spring water in Macau. The Portuguese popular phrase: "One who drinks from Lilau never forgets Macau" expresses the locals' nostalgic attachment to Lilau Square. This area corresponds to one of the first Portuguese residential quarters in Macau.
Address: Lilau Square Read More>>
Built around 1622,
This house was built in 1770 and was originally the residence of a wealthy Portuguese merchant, Manuel Pereira. At a later period it was rented out to the East India Company. Nowadays the property is the headquarters of the Oriental Foundation.
Address: Beside Camões Square
Opening hours: Gallery: 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. (closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public Holidays); Garden: 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Read More>>
Opening hours: Gallery: 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. (closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public Holidays); Garden: 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Read More>>
This site provides an insight into Macau's diverse community profile. Located close to the Casa Garden, the Protestant Cemetery provides a comprehensive record of the earliest Protestant community of Macau. Together with the site, the chapel was built in 1821, which is now referred to as "the Morrison Chapel" in honour of Robert Morrison (1782-1834). George Chinnery (1774-1852) an important British China-trade artist is also buried at the site, alongside various other prominent figures of the time, including several officials from the East India Company, and Protestants from the United States and Britain.
Address: Beside Casa Garden
Opening hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
