Macau Island

Macau Island refers to the historic urban area of Macau in the Pearl River Delta, forming the original core of the Macau Special Administrative Region. It is the densely built-up centre where most municipal services, historic streets and older neighbourhoods are located.

Within a small area visitors encounter a mix of Chinese and Portuguese-influenced architecture, tightly packed streets, public squares, temples and colonial-era churches. Typical visitor highlights are short walks through the historic centre, waterfront promenades and numerous small museums and eateries.

The area developed over many centuries as a trading and port community linking South China with Portuguese maritime routes; it has changed through land reclamation and urban growth into a contiguous urban district. Many historic buildings were preserved and adapted for modern use.

Geographically the district sits on the western side of the Pearl River estuary and forms part of the Macau SAR. It is adjacent to the ferry terminals that connect Macau with neighbouring cities in the Pearl River Delta and is highly urbanised with little remaining undeveloped coastline.

• Walkable historic core: Compact and intensely urban - most principal historic and cultural sites are concentrated within a few square kilometres and are walkable from the main ferry and transport terminals.

What to See #

• Senado Square: A paved public square and civic centre surrounded by colonial-era buildings and shops, acting as the historic commercial heart of the urban area.
• Ruins of St. Paul's: Remains of a 17th-century Jesuit church facade that form one of the most photographed historic monuments in the city, adjacent to narrow lanes of the historic core.
• A-Ma Temple: A coastal temple complex dating back centuries to local maritime worship, located on the waterfront and one of the oldest religious sites in the territory.