Weekend Wanderer: How to Spend 48 hours in Macau, China

A city of dualities, Macau charms travellers with its cultural heritage and contemporary attractions – let us guide you through a weekend here for the best of both worlds.

Macau may be famous for its glittering attractions, but it’s the layers beneath the surface that reward the curious traveller. Behind the glamorous veneer of Cotai’s resorts lies an old soul – one built on centuries of trade, seafaring, and a unique confluence of Chinese and Portuguese traditions. Between wandering through heritage lanes and basking in the skyline from bird’s eye vantage points, Macau knows how to entertain with modern art and culinary experiences. 

In this edition of Weekend Wanderer, we check in for 48 hours in Macau to discover its multifaceted soul. 

The Deluxe Room at Grand Lisboa Palace Macau.

Day 1

Arrival: Check-in at Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau

Wherever you’re flying in from into Macau International Airport, one of the advantages of accommodations in this city is the complimentary shuttle buses from Cotai’s 5-star resorts. With many of them being less than a 30-minute ride away, you’ll be settling into your hotel in no time to freshen up from your journey.

Among the many lavish properties available, we checked into the Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau. This resort complex by SJM Resorts houses three different hotel towers, namely Grand Lisboa Palace Macau (our accommodation of choice – not to be confused with sister property Grand Lisboa Macau in the Central District), THE KARL LAGERFELD MACAU, and Palazzo Versace Macau. 

There are eight room categories to choose from – each adorned with rich tones, contemporary artwork, and floor-to-ceiling windows offering spectacular views of its garden or Cotai city. The entry-level Deluxe Room is more than comfortable for a weekend getaway, accommodating up to three adults or a family with two kids.

Jardim Secreto offers a lush escape for peaceful reflections.
Journey into Wonderland with themed characters and decorations at Jardim Secreto this summer.

Afternoon: Resort Experiences

The best part about staying at an integrated resort like Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau is the convenience of access to a wealth of experiences just minutes from your doorstep. So, whenever you’re ready, you can head out to explore – with the option to return anytime if you need to nurse a jetlag or retreat to privacy.

One spot you shouldn’t miss is Jardim Secreto – a lush hidden gem on the third floor of the resort. This rooftop sanctuary emulates the timeless allure of a European garden, featuring enchanting mazes, manicured lawns, and elegant pavilions for peaceful reflections or photo-taking moments. From time to time, you’ll find unique themes adding character to the verdant landscape – such as the ongoing Alice in Wonderland encounter for Summer 2025.

The ‘Picasso: Beauty and Drama’ exhibition takes place from 20 July to 26 October 2025.
The exhibition features over 140 original works by Pablo Picasso.
There are seven zones spanning paintings, ceramics, prints, and more.

Arts and culture enthusiasts may find an exhibition or two worth checking out around the resort. Those visiting between 20 July to 26 October 2025 shouldn’t miss the Picasso: Beauty and Drama showcase, tracing renowned Spanish artist Pablo Picasso’s art styles throughout different periods. The exhibition holds over 140 original works by Picasso across seven zones, including paintings, prints, ceramics, manuscripts, illustrations, and more from the Museo Casa Natal Picasso. 

Mesa Bar features a stunning birdcage-inspired bar counter serving innovative cocktails.
Mesa by José Avillez is one of Macau’s best destinations for Portuguese cuisine.

Evening: Wine and Dine in Opulence

After a day of exploration, cocktail hour beckons for pick-me-ups at Mesa Bar, located in THE KARL LAGERFELD MACAU. Here, a menu of world-class concoctions inspired by Macau’s Portuguese and Chinese heritage take center stage behind the stunning, birdcage-inspired bar counter. The tipples are crafted with sustainability in mind, utilising house-made ingredients from house-planted herbs, as well as fruit scraps from its commissary kitchen. 

Then, head inside to the main dining area of Mesa by José Avillez, one of Macau’s best destinations for contemporary Portuguese cuisine. In partnership with its distinguished eponymous Michelin-starred chef, Mesa offers casual fine dining fare that honours Portugal’s culinary heritage with the finest quality ingredients. 

Chic interiors blending Chinese iconography and Karl Lagerfeld’s cutting-edge style, alongside a mesmerising ceiling display and elegant tabletop ornaments further elevate the dining experience. Signature dishes to try include the mouth-watering Seafood Rice and Caviar or the Carabineiro, Shrimp and Pork Wonton with Fisherman’s Stew Sauce, best enjoyed with wines from the restaurant’s respectable wine list. 

The Grand Buffet at Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau offers an extensive selection of global cuisines.

Day 2 

Morning: Visit Old Town Wonders

Start the day bright and early with a hearty breakfast spread at The Grand Buffet, presenting an extensive selection of Chinese, Western, and Southeast Asian delights. Take your pick from hot bowls of noodle soup at live cooking stations to freshly baked bread and pastries – there’s definitely something to tickle your fancy. Opt for a table near the windows for the best ambience overlooking the resort’s verdant gardens. 

St. Dominic’s Church is one of the most notable landmarks in Senado Square.
The Ruins of St. Paul’s is among Macau’s top tourist attractions.

Once you’ve filled up your appetite, it’s time to head out to discover the Historic Centre of Macau – a UNESCO gem with pastel-hued colonial façades, narrow cobbled alleys, and ornate churches. Wander through the colourful Senado Square and along the famous Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro street (also known as San Ma Lou) to soak up the local life and architecture. 

Then, climb the stairs up to the imposing Ruins of St. Paul’s, one of Macau’s most iconic landmarks. Tip: Go early to avoid crowd and wear comfortable footwear to thread carefully on the cobblestone streets! 

The view of Macau Tower from Penha Hill.
The Chapel of Our Lady of Penha offers a panoramic vantage point of Macau’s skyline.

Afternoon: Cultural Corners & City Views

For lunch, make your way to the Old Taipa Village to sample Macau’s popular pork chop buns, egg tarts, almond cookies, and other Macanese treats ready from family-run stalls – the perfect introduction to Macau’s East‑meets‑West culinary heritage. At the heart of the village is Rua do Cunha, a narrow but vibrant street lined with traditional snack stalls and gift shops. 

Before sundown, drop by Macau Tower in time to enjoy the sunset vistas from the observation deck. Thrill‑seekers may also sign up for the world‑record bungy jump or sunset skywalk for an exhilarating experience. Should you have more time to spare, visit The Chapel of Our Lady of Penha at the top of Penha Hill for breathtaking panoramic views of the city and see Macau Tower from a distance. 

Finally, head back to Grand Palace Resort Macau for dinner at one of its many dining venues – Palace Garden, Chalou, and Wulao come highly recommended. 

cdf Macau Grand Lisboa Palace Shop offers an exceptional array of world-renowned brands and luxury goods.

Evening: Souvenir Shopping

No trip is complete without souvenirs, right? Should you need some last-minute shopping before your departure, Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau’s shopping mall has plenty to offer. Whether you’re looking for world-renowned brands and luxury goods or local tidbits and mementos to bring home, cdf Macau Grand Lisboa Palace Shop and NY8 New Yaohan boast an exceptional array of brands and items spanning clothing, accessories, toys, homeware, food and beverages, and more. 

Departure

A weekend here may only scratch the surface, but it’s enough to catch a slice of Macau’s art scene, heritage buildings, delicious culinary offerings, and hidden gems. With a shuttle bus readily available to take you to the airport – the same way you arrived – it’s just as easy to return for more of Macau’s wonders. 

For more destination guides, head here.

Images: Imran Sulaiman

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