Macau
Macau is known for its casino resorts and a UNESCO-listed old town where Portuguese and Chinese buildings stand side by side, reached by ferry from Hong Kong.
Macau is a special administrative region of China on the South China Sea coast, west of Hong Kong across the Pearl River estuary. Its land is the Macau Peninsula, Taipa, Coloane and Cotai, the reclaimed area between Taipa and Coloane. Portugal leased the territory as a trading post in 1557, and Portuguese rule ended with the handover to China at midnight on December 20, 1999. The historic center, where Portuguese, Chinese and other European buildings stand side by side, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since July 15, 2005.
Macau is often called the gambling capital of the world, and most of its casino resorts sit on Cotai and the peninsula. The food mixes Cantonese and Portuguese cooking, and pastel de nata is a common street snack. Most visitors come from mainland China, and ferries run from Hong Kong. Crowds at the Ruins of St Paul's are heavy enough that local sources say tourist numbers are damaging the heritage areas. A day trip suits the old center, while an overnight stay leaves time for the casino resorts. The most comfortable weather runs from mid-October to early January.
Five things to know before Macau
- Treat Macau as a separate border crossing
Macao is a Special Administrative Region with its own immigration controls. British citizens can stay up to 6 months visa-free, and your passport should be valid at least 90 days beyond your intended stay. UK advice for Macao
- Take the ferry or the bridge shuttle bus
The Macao tourism office puts the Hong Kong to Taipa ferry at about 1 hour, and a shuttle bus over the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge links the Hong Kong and Macao ports. Check each operator's timetable. Hong Kong to Macau
- Book licensed accommodation only
The UK government warns of fines of up to 3,000 patacas for staying in illegal accommodation. Check the property against the Macao Government Tourism Office list before you pay. UK advice for Macao
- Give the old peninsula a walking day
UNESCO lists 22 principal buildings and public spaces in the Historic Centre of Macao, tracing a Portuguese settlement from the mid-16th century. Cotai is a separate, resort-based day.
- Mind your wallet around the casinos
The UK government notes low crime but some pickpocketing, and asks visitors to watch wallets and valuables around casinos late at night. Carry only what you need into crowded gaming floors.
Macau travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
Visa-free entry, payments, trains and cities
Read the guideHong Kong to MacauFerry or bridge bus, with border notes
Read the guideHong KongThe usual gateway, with harbor and Peak
Read the guideGuangzhouCantonese food, 2 border crossings away
Read the guideChina visa-free entryMainland rules differ from Macau's
Read the guideTravel insuranceCover for trip changes and medical care
Read the guide
Destinations in Macau
When to go
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh19°Low15°Cool, dryJanuaryPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 38 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, dry
- FebruaryPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh20°Low16°Cool, hazyFebruaryPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 51 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, hazy
- MarchPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh22°Low19°Mild, dampMarchPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 81 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, damp
- AprilRain15 rainy daysHigh25°Low22°Warm, humidAprilRain
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 147 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, humid
- MayRain20 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Hot, rainyMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 247 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, rainy
- JuneRain25 rainy daysHigh30°Low27°Wet, hotJuneRain
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 354 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, hot
- JulyRain24 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh31°Low28°Hot, typhoonsJulyRain
Poor
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 28°
- Precipitation
- 311 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, typhoons
- AugustRain27 rainy daysHigh30°Low27°Hot, typhoonsAugustRain
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 477 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, typhoons
- SeptemberRain22 rainy daysHigh30°Low27°Typhoon riskSeptemberRain
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 357 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Typhoon risk
- OctoberRain12 rainy daysHigh28°Low24°Clear, warmOctoberRain
Good
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 190 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Clear, warm
- NovemberPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh24°Low21°Dry, mildNovemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 56 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, mild
- DecemberPartly cloudy3 rainy daysHigh20°Low16°Cool, clearDecemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 18 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, clear
Average daily high and low in Macau, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Macau
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
26
- Feels like
- 28°
- Humidity
- 79%
- Wind
- 18 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 88%
Taipa
04:40 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today29°25°88%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 88%.
- Wed28°25°96%Wednesday: Rain. High 28°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 96%.
- Thu29°25°74%Thursday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 74%.
- Fri29°24°54%Friday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 54%.
- Sat28°24°66%Saturday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 66%.
- Sun29°24°17%Sunday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 17%.
- Mon27°19°32%Monday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 32%.
Updated 12:49 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 8.08 MOP
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Before you go to Macau
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Macau FAQ
Do I need a visa for Macau?
Many nationalities enter visa-free. British citizens can stay up to 6 months, and other limits depend on the passport, so check the Macao Public Security Police list. Macau's rules are separate from mainland China's, so a mainland visa-free entry does not transfer.
Is Macau part of China?
Macao is a Special Administrative Region of China with its own immigration controls, currency and legal system. You pass a border check when entering from Hong Kong or the mainland, and the pataca is the local currency.
Is Macau worth visiting without gambling?
Yes. The Historic Centre of Macao, a UNESCO-listed group of 22 principal buildings and public spaces, is a walkable day on its own, and Taipa Village and Coloane add quiet streets and food. Casinos are optional, not part of the heritage route.
Can you do Macau as a day trip from Hong Kong?
Yes, if you leave early. The ferry takes about an hour each way, and the heritage center fits a long day. Stay overnight if you also want Cotai or a quieter evening, and check the return ferry timetable before dinner.
What is the best time to visit Macau?
October to December gives the clearest, driest weather. Summer is hot with typhoon risk, and ferries can be suspended in storms, so keep a flexible return in the typhoon months.