Less than an hour by ferry from Hong Kong , Macau is one of the most bizarre, contrasting and fascinating destinations in Asia. A former Portuguese colony, the city manages to combine European architecture, Chinese temples, fusion food with the famous pasteis de nata and a gambling industry that has surpassed Las Vegas, at least that's what the Macao press claims.
The road to Macau: fast and easy by ferry, cheaper by bus
The most popular option is the ferry from Hong Kong, with frequent departures throughout the day. The crossing takes about an hour.
Tip – either make your reservation online in advance, or be like us (who didn't know what time they would arrive at the ferry) and only purchase tickets for the classes that are still available (for example, we still got business and VIP). The difference is tens of euros! From an economy ticket of 15 euros, you end up paying over 70 euros.
Tip 2- The cheapest solution is the bus. You have a direct connection near the Hong Kong airport. The duration is even shorter than the ferry, and the cost is reduced by 70%.
Tip 3 – Romanian citizens do not need a visa to enter Macau. At the border crossing you will receive a ticket with the validity of the period during which you can stay in this special administrative region of China.
Arriving from Hong Kong to Macau, you feel like you've changed not only the city, but the continent… twice. It's clearly two cities in one. Macau is practically divided into two distinct worlds.
Historic Macau or Portuguese heritage
The old town takes you through cobblestone streets, pastel-colored buildings, Catholic churches, and squares that seem like they're straight out of southern Europe. That's if I were to describe it nicely without forgetting the calluses on your feet. In reality, don't forget your best sneakers to help you navigate the cobblestone hills.
In the mix of Christmas markets with a communist smell, small pastry shops selling pasteis de nata, as good as those in Portugal , exhortations to buy various magical Chinese medicines, buildings about to fall down and laundry hanging out to dry, this part of the Macau region keeps urging you to take thousands of steps to discover the true local experience .
The ruins of St. Paul's Cathedral, probably the most photographed object in Macau, are the symbol of this cultural mix.
Around them, you will find narrow streets, traditional shops and an atmosphere that completely contrasts with the image of a "city of casinos". One of the most underestimated reasons to visit Macau is the local cuisine, influenced by centuries of Portuguese-Chinese coexistence. From the famous Portuguese-inspired egg tarts to reinterpreted Chinese dishes, the city is a paradise for those who want to eat differently. I tried a sweet and sour pork pastrami and although I am quite open to culinary experiences , it was too much for me. And Loredana tested the pork rind dessert (expanded and sweet). The tour of the streets with an impressive noise even for Asia ends in Senate Square. Here an image remained in my mind - a local employee dusting the pots hanging on the lampposts. Yes, Macau is an extremely clean region, and this image illustrates the care that the locals take.
Cotai Strip or Macau on steroids
If the old part seems quiet and almost romantic, the Cotai Strip is the exact opposite: mega-casinos, gigantic hotels, luxurious malls and exaggerated replicas of famous cities in the world. Here, Macau displays its true financial power. The dimensions are hard to understand until you see them with your own eyes.
Macau is officially the gambling capital of the world, with revenues that surpass those of Las Vegas. Even if you're not a casino fan, the experience is sociological in itself: crowds of people, 24/7 full tables, strict rules, and an almost hypnotic energy. Gambling isn't just entertainment here, it's an industry that supports the city's entire economy.
Is it worth a day trip?
Yes, but with the right expectations. Macau is not a "beautiful" city in the classical sense. It is strange, contradictory, chaotic, sometimes tiring, but extremely interesting. One day is enough to understand its essence, to see the contrast between old and new, and to leave with the feeling of having visited a place unlike any other.
Macau doesn't try to convince you that it's authentic. It doesn't try to be coherent. And that's exactly why it works. It's a lesson in how history, money, and culture can coexist in a small but intense space.
Tip - although officially tourists are advised to use the Octopus app in Macau for payments, in reality, it does not work.
Tip – we used both Revolut and ING
Tip – prices in Macau are 10-15% lower than in Hong Kong, an area known for its tax free shopping.
