Macau's two zones
Macau splits into the Macau Peninsula, home to the UNESCO-listed old town, and Cotai, the reclaimed strip between Taipa and Coloane that became the "Las Vegas of Asia".
Cotai
- Best for: big-resort stays, shopping, shows and walking between resorts indoors
- Key resorts: The Venetian, The Londoner, The Parisian, Galaxy Macau, City of Dreams, Studio City, Wynn Palace, MGM Cotai and Grand Lisboa Palace
- Pluses: newer rooms, big pools, close to the airport and Taipa ferry terminal
The Peninsula
- Best for: the old town, Senado Square, the Ruins of St. Paul's and local food
- Key casinos: Grand Lisboa, Wynn Macau, MGM Macau and Sands Macao
- Pluses: classic Macau atmosphere, walkable, near the Outer Harbour ferry
Getting to Macau
- By air: about 2.5 hours direct from Bangkok; the airport is next to Cotai
- From Hong Kong: ferries to Taipa (for Cotai) or the Outer Harbour (for the peninsula), or a bus over the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge
Getting around
- Free resort shuttles: from ferry terminals, border gates and between zones — routes change often, so check with the resort
- Macau LRT: the Taipa line has stations on Cotai and links the airport and Taipa ferry terminal
- Public buses: cheap; pay cash or with a Macau Pass
- Taxis: convenient, but expect queues in the evening
A two-day plan
- Day 1: check in on Cotai, walk Venetian–Parisian–Londoner, climb the Eiffel Tower at night
- Day 2: old town on the peninsula, Grand Lisboa, then the Wynn Macau fountains before you leave
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