The Historic Centre of Macau: Walking Tour Highlights

I recently went to Asia for the second time in my life. I was so excited to visit Macau (also spelled Macao) and get a glimpse of a their culture. It is an unusual mix of Chinese and Portuguese since Macau was a Portuguese colony until 1999. I had the opportunity to explore Macau as part of a Sheraton Macao press trip. All opinions are my own. One of the things to do in Macau is take a walking tour of the historic centre of Macau. Here is a sneak peak at the sites I saw on my walking tour of Macau Old Town.

Walking Tour of Macau Old Town (The Historic Center)

I would say an absolute must is a walking tour of historic centre of Macau, a UNESCO World Heritage site. (The Macao Sheraton concierge can help you arrange a tour if you are a guest there.) Our tour guide took us to see the Ruins of St. Paul Church, Camoes Garden, Protestant Chapel, Mount Fortress, Lou Kau Mansion, St. Domingos Church, Santa Casa da Misrecordia, Sam Kai Vui Kun Temple, Leal Senado, and Rua da Felicidade.

San Ma Lo (also known as Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro) is part of Macau’s historic old town. It lies within the UNESCO-listed Historic Centre of Macao. This bustling avenue connects the Inner Harbour with the Outer Harbour and is home to some stunning architecture. Hence, San MaLo is lined with colonial-era buildings and is a popular area for shopping and dining. It’s a great place for picture taking and offers a variety of shops, including brand names like Giordano, Bossini, and Esprit. The avenue’s central location makes it a convenient starting point for exploring other nearby historic landmarks. For instance, Senado Square and the Ruins of St. Paul’s.

Leal Senado

First, we visited the Leal Senado Building which is the Institute of Civic and Municipal Affairs (or as it is labeled in Portuguese: Instituto para os Assuntos Cívicos e Municipais- IAMC). This 18th century building is full of beautiful Portuguese blue and white tiles. Inside, it holds a library full of ancient books.

Senate Square

Across the street from the IACM, we toured Largo do Senado Square (Senate Square). Here, the Portuguese influence is obvious. Buildings such as the Santa Casa da Misericordia built in 1569, still remain. This beautiful plaza is paved with wave-patterned mosaic tiles and surrounded by pastel-colored colonial buildings.

St. Domingos Church

St. Domingos Church, a Baroque-style church built in the 17th century, is also right off the Senate Square in Macua, China.

Sam Kai Vui Kun Temple

Next, we visited the Sam Kai Vui Kun Temple, in the heart of the main city square. This temple was built in the 18th century. Originally, it served as a meeting place for important business men and it literally means “Three streets meeting quarter.”  Now, it is used for worship of Kuan Tai, a deity of loyalty and righteousness.

Camoes Garden

The Camoes Garden was another spot I wouldn’t want to miss. It features pretty gardens, a foot massage stone trail, pretty sculptures and mosaics, free workout stations, and locals doing martial arts.  It was a very relaxing stop on our walking tour of Macau.

St. Paul Church Ruins

Do not miss the Ruins of St. Paul Church.   The facade carvings are very unique. They include Jesuit images mixed with Oriental themes.

The ruins really are beautiful to see and they are a very happening spot. Tons of local shops are located at the base of the stairs.  The St. Paul Church facade sits on top of a hill with 68 stone steps leading up to it. Our guide told us that the stones came over from Portugal on trading ships. This was done to weigh the ships down when empty and they were unloaded in Macau. After the ships filled with goods to trade, the leftover stones were used for building.

Mount Fortress

The Mount Fortress is right next store to the St. Paul Ruins. It is a beautiful must-see spot with a panoramic view of the city.  There seemed to be many locals relaxing in the beautiful Mount Fortress Gardens while the tourists checked out the what I believe to be nearly 400 year old canons!  You can also visit the Museo de Macau (or the Macao Museum) while you are there.

Random Macao Street Sights

While on this walking tour of historic Macao sights, you will undoubtedly discover some unmapped magic.  I got a lot of pleasure just out of seeing unfamiliar sites along the way.  Above are a few photos I snapped as I enjoyed the streets of Macau. If you enjoyed these random Macau photos, you may also enjoy the A Mom’s Take article, 8 reasons to stray from the Cotai Strip.

Another random sight I captured with a photo was I a bird cage in a tree on the way to Mount Fortress. I was surprised by this and asked someone who lives in Macao if it belonged to Mount Fortress. They replied that it did not and told me that it is very common in Macau for people to walk their birds! What a cool tradition. If I ever own a bird, I will take it for a walk and let it enjoy nature views with me and think of Macau.

Conclusion

Taking the walking tour through Macau’s old town, especially along San Ma Lo, offers a unique opportunity. Here you can experience the city’s rich blend of Portuguese and Chinese heritage up close. As you stroll through the historic streets, you’ll encounter centuries-old colonial buildings, temples, and landmarks. Senado Square and the Ruins of St. Paul’s each tell a story of Macau’s past. The slower pace of a walking tour allows you to appreciate the architectural details. You can also pop into local shops, sample street snacks, and engage with the culture in a way that’s not possible by vehicle. In essence, it’s an immersive way to connect with the history, daily life, and charm of Macau’s most iconic neighborhood.

I really enjoyed my trip to Macau. I suggest it as a great first trip to Asia as the mixed in Western vibe really does make it feel like home while you explore totally new and exciting things. This walking tour of Macau is just one of many, many things to do in Macau. Soon, I will publish a more in-depth article on things to do in Macao!  Have you ever been to Macau or do you plan to take a trip?

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