MACAU - NEIGHBORHOODS
Cathedral
Downtown Macau is the historic heart of the city, a very interesting neighborhood deemed a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. There is a large number of historical buildings found in this area of the city, one of the most recognizable being The Ruins at St Paul. The neighborhood has a concentration of 25 historical sites including temples, churches, cemeteries, and museums that are worth exploring. Narrow winding cobblestone streets are decorated by Portuguese colonial buildings housing authentic Chinese shops, quaint cafes, bakeries, and restaurants.
The historic downtown area is also home to a variety of the city`s famed casinos and other entertainment complexes including the iconic Grand Lisboa Casino which resembles a Faberge egg decorated by millions of vibrant lights. This neighborhood offers a great variety of hotels with international names such as Holiday Inn, Mandarin Oriental, and the Wynn Macau. Staying in this area gives visitors easy access to many interesting sights and attractions as well as the bustling Senado Square brimming with shops, restaurants, and entertainment. The area puts visitors within direct access to find some of the best eateries in the city.
Coloane
The Island of Coloane is one of the two main islands in the city of Macau, it is connected to Taipa Island via the Estrada do Istmo Bridge, making traveling between the two islands very convenient. Coloane Island retains a part of Macau`s past, once ruled by the Portuguese it is home to many historic attractions and is much less developed than other neighborhoods in the city. This neighborhood is considered `Macau`s Countryside` boasting lush verdant landscapes and mountainous terrain offering several scenic hiking trails, a golf course, and beautiful beaches.
The Island of Coloane remains untouched by the vast number of Casino`s to hit the city of Macau. Instead, visitors will find beautiful tree-lined street boasting beautiful Portuguese architecture and colonial buildings which provide the area with much-loved charm. The island offers tranquil accommodation away from the hustle and bustle of the city, there are hotels nestled along Coloane`s two beaches providing spectacular views and a relaxing holiday atmosphere. Coloane is a large fishing community, home to laid back villages with many of the restaurants serving up the best freshly caught fish and seafood on their menu`s. The famous Lord Stow`s Bakery is also found in Coloane, which is home to the city`s favorite egg tarts.
Cotai
The Cotai Strip was created from a strip of reclaimed land situated between the Islands of Coloane and Taipa. It is known as the `new town` in Macau and the home of many luxurious resorts and megacasinos, including famous The Venetian, which is the largest casino in the world. This up and coming neighborhood is a glamorous setting dubbed as the `Las Vegas Strip of the East` brimming with up-scale resorts and luxurious hotels that put visitors right in the middle of this bustling entertainment district.
The strip stretches along the top of Seac Pai Bay covering 5.2 square kilometers and is home to some of the biggest named resorts and casinos in the city, such as City of Dreams, Studio City, Galaxy Macau Resort, Sands Cotai and Wynn Palace. The neighborhood is one of the best for a sparkling nightlife scene boasting exciting casinos, discos, clubs, and live performances. There is plenty of fine dining on offer with world-class restaurants found on the strip as well as inside the mega-resorts. Designer shopping is on offer everywhere you turn in Cotai, name brands and luxury shopping can be found inside glitzy shopping malls and at over 800 retail stores found inside the luxurious hotels and resorts.
Our Lady of Fatima
This neighborhood is the northernmost region in the city of Macau, connected to the mainland of China on the Macau Peninsula. It is one of the most populated neighborhoods in the city situated close to the longest sea-crossing bridge in the world, an ideal resting point for many travelers. The region offers many great hotels positioned near the water and within proximity to historical sights and heritage landmarks. The Macau Outer Harbor Ferry Terminal is close by and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge which makes it easy to connect to other regions in the city as well as Hong Kong.
Accommodations here include the fantastic 5-star Crowne Plaza Macau boasting a convenient location and amazing amenities such as an indoor swimming pool and fitness center overlooking the water with great views of the South China Sea. There is a Chinese restaurant on site also offering stunning sea views, Cafe Azure is an all-day dining restaurant on-site offering an extensive buffet and 180-degree views.
Some of the attractions in this neighborhood include Amizade Park, Sun Yat-Sen Park, temples and churches.
St Lawrence
This neighborhood is nestled along the southwestern coast of Macau, a lovely area decorated by colonial architecture and Portuguese houses along cobblestoned streets. An artsy region of the city boasting many colorful galleries and antique shops along with historical sites and attractions. The neighborhood is situated within close proximity to the Ruins at St Paul`s and the historic heart of Macau. Many accommodations found in this region are nestled along the waterfront providing the guest with some great views along with prime restaurants and bar locations along the water.
Taipa
The Island of Taipa is a historical part of the city, connected to Macau via three bridges. Taipa sits south of the Macau peninsula directly connected to Cotai and Coloane, this is where Macau`s International Airport can be found. This is mostly a residential neighborhood boasting colorful Macanese houses and colonial villas that run along tree-lined streets. The historical Taipa village is found in the southern portion of this district, with narrow alleyways leading to traditional Chinese shops and amazing authentic restaurants. A quaint and peaceful neighborhood where historic churches and ancient temples stand next to colonial villas housing unique hotels and other accommodations. Rua da Cunha is known as `Food Street` brimming with food stalls and vendors selling delicious Macanese cuisine. There are quaint boutiques in this well-preserved neighborhood which are great to explore for that unique souvenir and many museums such as the Taipa House Museum, where visitors can learn about the rich history and cultural heritage of the region.