What’s in Macau?

Is Macau Worth the Splurge?

After a quick calculation, I realized that a day trip to Macau from Hong Kong would set us back roughly €85—just in transport costs for two. Whoops… this was supposed to be a budget trip! As often happens, I was torn between saving money and discovering a new corner of the planet. During the decision-making process—which really only lasted about a minute—I found myself wondering:

“What’s even in Macau? Is it worth blowing the budget on this rarely mentioned destination?”

Well… you tell me.
Here’s what I found in Macau:

 

Futuristic scenes

On the bus ride from Macau’s harbor into town, I was glued to the window—face and palms pressed against the glass, eyes wide, lips slightly parted. I could’ve sworn I had teleported to a futuristic floating city in the clouds. The mist (or was it smog?) only added to the illusion. Maybe I should ease up on the sci-fi marathons…

 

Fabulous food

Macanese cuisine is an exquisite fusion of Chinese, Portuguese, and African influences. Think: slow-cooked comfort food spiced with chili, turmeric, cinnamon, and coconut milk. Dishes like Galinha à Africana (spicy African chicken), bacalhau, minchi, and—of course—pastéis de nata are everywhere. Soul-warming, spice-kissed dishes uniting distant corners of the world? That’s exactly my cup of tea.

 

Unseen parallels with the old colony, Portugal

Beyond the food, I was stunned by just how Portuguese Macau still feels. Winding alleys, azulejo street signs, pastel-hued churches, wide boulevards, age-old fortresses, and that familiar sound of tires rumbling over cobblestones… It truly felt like I was back in Europe—Portugal, just with more Chinese tourists.

 

Classic Asian elements

But just as you start thinking you’re in Lisbon, the scent of incense, a flurry of Chinese signage, the sound of slurping noodles, and the hum of photo-happy tourists remind you—yes, you’re still in Asia. And what a wild, wonderful blend it is.

 

Lots and lots of gambling

Gambling has been legal in Macau for over a century, and the city is now the gambling capital of Asia. Casinos here are bold, glitzy, and everywhere. As you stroll down the streets, you can almost hear money flying out the windows. Even if slot machines aren’t your thing, the sheer extravagance of it all is worth a look.

 

A dark sea of tourists

With dazzling casinos, Euro-Asian charm, and finger-licking food, it’s no surprise Macau draws crowds. Mostly from Hong Kong and mainland China. Add to that the fact that Macau is the most densely populated region on earth (20,497 people per km²!) and, well, you might start to feel a bit… compressed.

But here’s the upside: you can be as touristy as you want and nobody bats an eye. Snap food pics, strike silly poses, sample snacks shamelessly. Everyone’s doing it. And if you need a break, wander off the main roads—you’ll be surprised how quickly you find calm.

 

Macau may not be the kind of place you’d choose as your main travel destination. But curiosity lured me in, and I left with no regrets. It might’ve cost a bit more than I’d planned, but sometimes it’s worth blowing the budget just to scratch that “what’s over there?” itch.

Because in the end, it wasn’t just about ticking off another place—it was about being surprised, delighted, and reminded (yet again) that the best trips don’t always make the most sense on paper

So should you take a side trip from Hong Kong or Mainland China to visit Macau? For me, that’s a yes. What about you,

Would you blow your budget to check out Macau?

 

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