We hopped on a cross-border bus from Hong Kong and arrived in Macau in just 1.5 to 2 hours. In this short yet fulfilling day trip, we explored glamorous hotels in Cotai, indulged in a top-tier buffet, and strolled through historical sights in Macau Peninsula. Whether you're into photo spots, good food, or culture, this trip has it all!
🏨 Cotai Strip｜Kicking off with "Three Countries in One Street"
First stop — The Venetian Macao. The interior is breathtaking: colorful ceilings, giant chandeliers, and marble staircases. Everywhere you turn is a perfect photo op.
Next, we walked over to The Parisian Macao, where a replica Eiffel Tower greets you at the entrance. Whether shot from below or from the side, it captures that Parisian romance.
A short stroll further brought us to The Londoner Macao, where the golden Royal Carriage inside is an absolute showstopper — you can even step in for the perfect regal photo! 👑
📸 Top Photo Spots:
- Venetian’s chandelier hall & archway
- Eiffel Tower base at The Parisian
- Red carpet + golden carriage at The Londoner
🍽 JW Marriott Buffet｜Great Value and Even Greater Food
For lunch, we dined at the JW Marriott Buffet — and honestly, it exceeded expectations. The variety was amazing: fresh seafood, sushi, hot dishes, and a whole dessert bar.
We booked through Klook for just over HK$300 per person — incredible value for a 5-star buffet!
🍴 Our Favorites:
- Chilled seafood (shrimp, mussels, jade snails)
- Freshly sliced sashimi & sushi rolls
- Mini desserts + unlimited ice cream!
🏛 Historic Macau｜From Ruins to Rooftop Views
After lunch, we grabbed a taxi to the Macau Peninsula and headed straight to the iconic Ruins of St. Paul's. No matter how many times you’ve visited, it’s always photo-worthy!
Next to the ruins, we found an escalator (near the Macau Museum entrance) that led us up to Mount Fortress Garden — a peaceful spot with panoramic views of the city and the iconic Grand Lisboa hotel.
📷 Best Views:
- Front plaza of Ruins of St. Paul’s
- Top of Mount Fortress overlooking Macau
📌 Practical Info｜Transport, Currency, & Casino Tips
🚍 Transport: Easy Cross-Border Travel
We took the Eternal East Bus from Kwai Fong to Macau, a smooth ride of about 1.5–2 hours.
🚌 Ticket options:
- Buy in person at Eternal East’s service counter
- Or book online (recommended for busy periods)
🔗 Official Website: https://www.eebus.com
💰 Currency Tips
Macau uses the Macanese Pataca (MOP), but Hong Kong Dollars (HKD) are widely accepted.
💡 Things to know:
- Shops & restaurants usually accept HKD, but you may get change in MOP
- Casinos accept only HKD, so plan ahead!
🎰 Casinos: Clean, Comfortable, and Well-equipped
Even if you don’t gamble, stepping inside is worth the experience:
- Free drinks (coffee, juice, milk tea) available
- Clean & modern restrooms
- Plenty of luxury boutiques to browse
- Friendly staff and secure environment
🎯 Final Thoughts
Macau is truly perfect for a day trip — packed with photo spots, food, history, and surprises. We managed to go from Cotai’s glam hotels to old-town heritage sights, all in one easy day.
Next time, we might explore Coloane Village or enjoy the night vibes and souvenir shopping! 🇲🇴✨