When we traveled to Macau, we availed the iVenture Attraction Pass for Hong Kong and Macau. This was truly worth it (check out my post about that to know why!). One of its inclusions is the T.K.W. Macau Sightseeing Tour - one of the best sightseeing tours in Macau. It is perfect for getting a glimpse of Macau featuring its rich heritage, history and impressive skyline. It’s best for travelers who only have limited time to explore Macau. 

We booked a tour a few days prior to our trip, as instructed on the iVenture website. We went directly to Macau Outer Harbor Ferry Terminal and found the TKW Travel and Tours counter to claim our tickets. We were given some pamphlets and a sticker that would serve as our identification throughout the tour. NOTE: Booking your tour prior to the day you’ll be having the it is crucial. We encountered some groups who didn’t do so and they were not allowed to join the tour. The tour begins at 10:00 am.

A friendly tour guide called our attention for an orientation. The group was diverse - including a few Filipinos, Europeans and Koreans, even some who were Chinese. We were then led to a tour bus which transported us throughout the tour. The bus was okay, it wasn’t dirty or anything. They even handled my suitcase, which was a relief. And so...the tour begins! 

First up on our itinerary was the Mount Fortress, a fort built in the 1600's to protect Macau from pirates. It offers a panoramic view of Macau’s skyline. We enjoyed the fresh air here and took a bunch of photos. It kinda looks like the Philippines’ Intramuros, it being a fortress and all.

Next, we walked a short distance to reach the Ruins of St. Paul. The attractions are just adjacent each other. The guide offered some history regarding the parish and how it was burnt in the 1800s. This was a majestic sight, however, it was really crowded. I was able to get pretty good photos though (angle angle lang yan!). 

You’ll also find a food market when you descend the church’s grand staircase. It’s filled with appetizing dishes such as fishball in curry sauce, dumplings, milk tea and Macau’s famous Portuguese Egg Tart. We were then brought by the guide to a store with Filipina salesperson and was encouraged to buy souvenirs there, we didn’t buy anything though.

Hearty Lunch at the Riviera Hotel

It was then lunch time. The tour included a free buffet lunch at the Riviera Hotel. The choices weren’t much but considering that it was free, we were satisfied and had our belly’s filled. Over lunch, we also got to interact with the other Filipinos in the group. As we were on our first day of our HK-Macau trip and they were on their last day, we were eager to ask them about their tips, recommendations and experiences. 

When we were full, it was time to get on with the tour. We headed to A-Ma Temple, one of the oldest temples in Macau. The area was quite small but nonetheless beautiful. We were led to another souvenir shop in the are where we were offered free taste of their delicacies. Don’t be afraid to avail the free taste, no one will force you to buy anything. 

The TKW Tour does not include free admission to the Macau Tower but this was included on the Iventure Card so we asked the guide to drop us off there. We ended the tour there while the rest of the tour proceeded to enjoy several casinos and Senado Square. The tour will approximately end at 3:30pm where the group will be brought back to Macau Outer Harbor Ferry Terminal. 

TKW Macau Tour costs 54.04USD per adult which is pretty hefty for me. If this wasn’t included in the iVenture Card, I would have never joined a tour. Macau is pretty easy to navigate anyway and the casinos offer free shuttle buses to transport you to key places in Macau. You don’t even have to be a guest to avail these free shuttles. But overall, the TKW Macau Sightseeing Tour was an enjoyable experience. Kudos to our tour guide also, he was funny, very informative and spoke great English.

More Hong Kong and Macau Blog Posts:

• Macau One Day Travel Itinerary
• Hong Kong and Macau on a Budget Using the iVenture Card
• 10 Things to Do in Macau for Free
• A Taste of Macau at Broadway Macau Food Street

Whenever I travel, I make a point to try and experience a destination's culture through their culinary traditions (a.k.a. food trip is life!). In Macau's case, their cuisine is unique since it's a combination of East meets West influences because they were colonized by the Portuguese for a long time. We tried to explore Macau's food offerings through visiting one of its largest food markets, the Broadway Macau Food Street.

Broadway Macau Food Street is located inside the Galaxy Broadway Resort in Cotai Island. It is set up as inspired by traditional hawker style markets, with more of less 40 food stalls offering local delicacies as well as a some Asian dishes. With the great selections from a variety of food stalls and restaurants - from street food level to Michelin-star level, there’s always something for every taste bud and budget.

Luckily for us, we availed the iVenture Card for our Hong Kong and Macau travel. One of its inclusions is a meal voucher worth 70HKD which can be availed in one of the food stalls in Broadway Macau Food Street. Because we already had our lunch during the TKW Macau Tour (also included in the iVenture Card Hong Kong and Macau Pass), we used the meal voucher for our dinner.

When we arrived, the ambiance of the place was wonderful. It felt laid back, with free entertainment. That night, they had acoustic music. Some nights they even have stilt performers which sounds like fun! We were directed to claim our meal voucher from the Broadway Kitchen and found out that they already have predetermined meal sets you can choose from. That was a bit disappointing because I expected we would be able to use the voucher anywhere we want in the food street. Regardless, this was a free inclusion we were happy to have and I can’t complain about the choices they have available for us. 

We ended up choosing spicy noodles from the Ba Shan Spicy Noodle House. It came with free tea and a cucumber salad. This proved to be a great choice because the weather was particularly chilly that day and it was nice to indulge in hot tea and spicy soup. The fish ball was nice as well.  

We stayed for a bit to rest and enjoy the music. It kinda reminds me of Cebu’s own Sugbo Mercado, only cleaner and less crowded. Broadway Macau Food Street is surely a great place to stroll around and discover all sorts of food Macau has to offer. 

Broadway Macau Resort,

Av. Marginal Flor de Lotus, Macao

More Hong Kong and Macau Blog Posts:

• Macau One Day Travel Itinerary
• Hong Kong and Macau on a Budget Using the iVenture Card
• 10 Things to Do in Macau for Free

Admission fees to different attractions while traveling can stack up and become a major dent in your wallet. Macau, also known as the gambling mecca of Asia, is infamous for its expensive hotels, luxurious shopping centers, grand casinos, impeccable shows and world class restaurants. No wonder why budget travelers feel a bit worried for their pockets when planning a trip to Macau. However, underneath Macau's extravagant exterior lies worthwhile destinations that can be enjoyed without spending a dime. Yes, you've read that right! Here are things you can do in Macau that are absolutely free.

1. Travel via Shuttle Bus

Getting from one point to another in Macau is extremely easy. Visitors may avail of various hotel shuttle buses that have routes and stops that includes all key locations in Macau. You just have to wait for a bus at a designated bus stop and hop on. You don't have to be a hotel guest to be board the buses, so don't be nervous when you try to ride one. The buses are in pristine condition and with free WIFI too! Shuttle service routes and schedules are provided in each hotel’s website. Another tip would be to ask the hotel staff members about how to go to your preferred destination. The hospitality industry in Macau is surely one of the finest in the world. Shuttle buses are great use for your Macau day trip. 

2. Go strolling through Senado Square

Senado Square is triangular shaped public park in Macau which is also a part of the UNESCO Historic Centre of Macau World Heritage Site. It is one of the most visited places in Macau because of its old world European styled architecture and historic significance. Another notable feature is the wavelike black and white mosaic floor which provides a dreamy feeling. 

The Ruins of St. Paul has no admission fee.

3. Visit the Ruins of St. Paul

Probably Macau’s most iconic landmark is the Ruins of St. Paul, the remaining facade of the St. Paul Parish which was devastated by a fire in the 1800’s. Due to it being a staple as a destination you can visit in Macau for free, tourists flock here so it could get pretty crowded. Make sure you visit early so you can enjoy the view more peacefully.

Stunning views at Mount Fortress

4. Enjoy the view at Mount Fortress

Located just in close proximity to the Ruins of St. Paul is another gem in Macau that is admission free. Mount Fortress, built between 1617 and 1626, is a fort that is formerly the stronghold for Macau’s military defense. It has since then been demilitarized but still features replica canons that lines its walls. Today, it offers a stunning panoramic view of Macau and is one of the best spots to catch the gorgeous sunset. You can also visit Museo de Macao which is located at the garden of the fortress. The museum also offers free admissions every Tuesdays and on public holidays.

Pay homage at A-Ma Temple

5. Pay homage at the A-Ma Temple

One of the oldest in Macau, A-Ma Temple is dedicated to sea goddess Mazu who is believed to guide seafarers for a safe journey. The temple has beautiful pavilions and halls which are incredibly tempting for shutterbugs everywhere. You do have to buy a pack of incense if you want to light some for the complete experience though.

Ride the cable car at Wynn Palace

6. Ride the Cable Car and watch the Performance Lake at Wynn Palace

Going for a cable car ride is usually pretty costly, however, Wynn Palace offers a free ride on their own version of a cable car, the SkyCab. Again, you don’t have to be a guest to enjoy this attraction. On the SkyCab, you are greeted with the best view of the hotel’s performance lake, a lake that combines water, lights and music for a spectacular show. If you’re lucky, you could catch the show while on the SkyCab, if not, watching it on ground level is just as wonderful. Performance Lake shows run every 30 minutes starting from 12:00pm to 12:00mn.

Pose in front of the Replica Eiffel Tower at the Parisian.

7. Pose in front of the Replica Eiffel Tower at The Parisian

Who say’s you have to catch a plane to Europe to take a photo with the famous Eiffel Tower? The Parisian Macao’s main attraction is a replica of the Eiffel Tower, albeit half-scaled. Taking a photo is totally free but if you prefer to go levels higher, there is an entrance fee for its observation deck.

Venice feels at The Venetian

8. Pretend You’re In Venice at The Venetian’s Canals

The Venetian’s Grand Canals are a sight to see. It’s lined with luxury shops and restaurants that are styled just like the ones you would see in Venice. Spending a long time here might make you forget you’re actually still in Macau. Romantic gondola rides are also available for a fee.

Look at all the free attractions in other hotels and casinos.

9. Casino and Hotel Hopping

Besides the major hotel attractions already included above, there are still tons of things to see in various hotel and casinos in Macau. Every establishment is special in their own right and a visit is almost surely extremely visually appealing. A sample of which in Wynn Macau’s rotunda are a pair of admission free entertainments you definitely shouldn’t miss: Dragon of Fortune and the Tree of Prosperity. The Dragon of Fortune features a dragon rising above the mist with glowing eyes and smoke coming out of its nostrils. Alternating the later is the Tree of Prosperity which features an 11-meter tree with leaves embellished in 24K gold. The tree gracefully spins while providing an illusion of changing seasons. Both shows have an approximately 4 minute duration and are running alternately in 30 minute intervals daily. Note: You can get from one hotel and casino to another by taking advantage of the free shuttle buses. 

10. Sample Macanese Delicacies

Who would say no to free food? Not the budget traveler of course! Majority of souvenir and pastry shops in Macau over free taste of their delicacies. Don’t be shy to try out a few samples, just make sure they are indeed free samples though. If you like some, buy some, if you don’t or don’t have the budget for it, just say thank you and walk away. No one will glare at you for not buying anything. 

Macau, whose luxurious reputation can be off-putting, is surprisingly budget-friendly. With the above list of things to do in Macau for free, you can plan your trip in a way that maximizes your time and money.



More Hong Kong and Macau Blog Posts:

• Macau One Day Travel Itinerary
• Hong Kong and Macau on a Budget Using the iVenture Card

Macau is known as Asia’s Las Vegas for a reason. It’s filled with world class hotels with in-house casinos of matching grandeur. However, this reputation does not do Macau any justice. It is so much more than just a gambler’s paradise. Due to its close proximity, tourists visiting Hong Kong usually consider a day trip in Macau. With just an hour of travel time, visa-free entry and plenty of daily ferry trip schedules to choose from, visitors can explore Macau and get back to their hotel in Hong Kong by the evening. This one day trip travel itinerary will explore the things to see and do in Macau other than its famous casinos.