Ultimate Weekend Guide To Macau For Kids & Families

How To Get To Macau

There are two key recommended ferries to take to Macau from Shun Tak Ferry Terminal in Sheung Wan.  If you are staying on the Cotai strip, you should take the Cotai Jet which takes you straight into the Cotai area with shuttle buses waiting for you on arrival. For those staying in other locations, you can take Turbojet which offers a lot of different sailing times. For those traveling from other cities in Asia, such as Singapore, Bali, or Kuala Lumpur, there are direct flights to Macau. For those flying from Jakarta, there is one short stopover. With the newly opened Zhuhai bridge, coach travel is now possible and takes around an hour from Hong Kong to Macau; it is also substantially cheaper than the ferry. Coaches run every hour on the hour starting at 8am and until 6pm from Jordan MTR for final drop-off at The Parisian Macau.

Note, Macau is a small place so if you are looking for a time that works best for your crew, you can book either ferry and then take a taxi to your hotel. It is recommended that you book your tickets online in advance. You can then pick up your tickets at the ferry terminal using the credit card you used for purchasing online.

For those looking for a meeting place at the Shun Tak Ferry Terminal, there is a Pacific Coffee. Note that Cotai Jet and Turbojet leave from different areas in the terminal.  Make sure to bring your passport and HKID (if you have that!).

Ferries To Macau:

Shun Tak Ferry Terminal, 200 Connaught Road Central, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong

• Cotai Jet, Schedule + Online Tickets
• Turbo Jet, Schedule + Online Tickets

Meeting Point:

Pacific Place Shun Tak, Shop 278, 2/F, Shun Tak Centre, 200 Connaught Road Central, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong

Coaches To Macau: 

Starting point: Jordan Station MTR, 505 Canton Road (near The Jade Plaza), Hong Kong

• One Bus, https://www.onebus.hk/en/home

Where To Stay In Macau

Macau offers a variety of places for families to stay in Macau. From glamorous 5-star hotels to Portuguese-styled boutique hotels on the beach. Little Steps has rounded up our top hotel recommendations for families in Macau. For those looking to stay in the action, the hotels offered on the Cotai Strip will suit you perfectly. For those looking for a quieter stay, head to Coloane. For those looking to visit and play in awesome pools, check this guide for the best pools in Macau.

• Top Hotels For Families In Macau
• Hotels With The Best Pools For Kids

Day 1 - Morning: Explore The Cotai Strip

On day one, you can visit the best-of-the Cotai Strip!

BREAKFAST:  Take the kids to the Venetian and head over to the Lord Stow Bakery for Macau's famous Portuguese-style egg tart. This bakery, in particular, is renowned worldwide and was the first specialized egg tart bakery in Asia. Perhaps not the healthiest breakfast, but your kids will love you for it, and you need a little extra sugar for the jam-packed day ahead.

• Opening times: Daily from 7am to 9pm
• For more information, click here!

EXPLORE THE VENETIAN  

After you have gorged on scrumptious egg tarts, walk it off inside the impressive Venetian and take a family gondola ride! Don't forget to check out their shopping arcade!

• Book gondola rides; click here!

VISIT MACAU'S LARGEST PLAYROOM AT STUDIO CITY

If you've got time to kill before lunch (and kids' energy to burn!) head to the newly opened (in 2023!) Super Fun Zone, Macau's largest indoor playroom. Located at Studio City, this massive 29,600 square feet of fun is built over 4-levels, and is suitable for kids of all ages. Click here for the Little Steps scoop.

Macau offers a range of different indoor playrooms to suit every age and taste; check them all out here!

LUNCH: 

Studio City Macau also has a range of different food options from Chinese, International and Asian, as well as quick bites.

• Studio City Macau Dining Options

Day 1 Afternoon: Family Adventures On Cotai Strip

The afternoon offers families a variety of options packed full of fun!  Depending on what you are interested in, here are some of our top picks for Day one afternoon activities on the Cotai Strip.  The below options can take hours, so it's best to pick one.

TAKE A PHOTO AT THE EIFFEL TOWER AT THE PARISIAN:

At The Parisian Macao, views of the city and hotel await each visitor at the Observation Decks on levels 7 and 37.

The Eiffel Tower is open daily from 2pm-10pm. Last entry is at 9:15 pm. Enter at the Main Entrance from Level 5, Eiffel Tower Souvenir Shop 550.

You can pick up tickets at the entrance and family deals are available. If you're feeling a bit peckish after that, The Brasserie at The Parisian serves afternoon tea from 3pm-6pm.

MACAU'S NEWEST AND BIGGEST WATER PARK AT STUDIO CITY MACAU

Suitable for all ages, Studio City Waterpark in Macau is the perfect family-friendly destination 365 days a year, thanks to its temperature-regulated environment! Featuring 16 rides - huge slides, lazy rivers, pools, and lots of opportunities for splashing and fun, kids and adults will absolutely love it here! There's something for everyone - for the adrenaline junkies who will love the Wormhole Whip and the Flying saucer, to more tame ones for the whole family. Book your ticket through this link now! For more information, click here!

AQUA WORLD AT THE PARISIAN MACAU

Who is ready for a water play area for kids big and small?  Aqua World awaits the bold in your group. Little ones will love the fabulous water features and the wading pool, while the high-energy older kids will vie for a turn at the water guns on the pirate ship.  Big kids and children-at-heart alike will love the waterslides and the thrill of splashing into the pool at the end of each one.

• Bring your swimsuits and towels
• More info here

QUBE KINGDOM: 

For those who want to stay outside and inside, here is your option. Spanning 20,000 square feet, both out and in, the new Qube Kingdom at The Parisian Macao is a paradise for kids play, with climbing nets and slides, a carousel, ball pool, gaming consoles and so much more. Book your tickets here!

• More info here

STUDIO CITY MACAU:  

For those looking for something different, head to Studio City.  There's loads of family-friendly entertainment on offer including the Golden Reel (the world's highest figure-8 Ferris wheel), Super Fun Zone (Macau's most unique indoor playground), Legend Heroes Park (tech-based entertainment park, great for the older kids) and Seer Arena which offers Nike Sports Camps.

GALAXY SKYTOP POOL:

Another option in the area is offered at Galaxy. A Skytop Aquatic Adventure River Ride, Skytop Wave Pool, a white sand beach, waterslides, beach lagoons, whitewater rapids, geysers, waterfalls and loads more... let's go!  If you have not been to the Grand Resort Deck At Galaxy Macau, pack up the swimsuits and head that way.

• More info here!
• Click here to book a day pass. Kids under 6 are free.

TEAM LAB SUPERNATURE MACAU

For an immersive experience that all the family will enjoy, head to Team Lab Supernature at Sands Resort Macau. Spanning over 5,000 square meters, it is an extremely complex, three-dimensional interactive space, where all your senses are stimulated. Book here now!

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL KIDS SPA:  

After all your wild adventures, book up yourself and the kids for some pampering at the Kids' Spa.

• Kids Spa info

• Top Family-Friendly Restaurants In Macau 

POST DINNER SHOW:

If you still have energy, you can visit one of Macau's top shows!  House of Dancing Water is always a winner with kids ages 3+ (book in advance) while other shows cater to older kids and teens. There are also plenty of free shows around town too.

• House Of Dancing Water (reopening soon)
• Top Family-Friendly Shows In Macau 

Day 2 - Morning: Healthy Morning Of Fun!

Macau has more to it than hotels and casinos. This bustling city has a lot of heritage and culture. With Portuguese influences, you and the little ones will have a fun time exploring some of the more historical aspects. Here are Little Steps’ go to go on cultural activities in Macau for your day two!

BREAKFAST:  For a healthy and yummy breakfast, head to CuppaCoffee Macau, where you'll find their house-brewed coffees, juices and freshly-baked pastries and sandwiches. They open daily at 8am so perfect for those early risers!

After breakfast, take a stroll around old Taipa Village. Restored colonial homes in pastels of yellow, green and blue, make up the Taipa Houses-Museum, showcasing how Portuguese families once lived in splendor in the early 1900s. Pedestrian-only alleys and hole-in-the-wall shops and cafes ensure a peaceful yet fascinating wander back in time.

Hac Sa Beach: Head on over to Hac Sa Beach, the largest beach in Macau. You can build a sandcastle with the kids or have a little dip, the water is quite clean there. Hac Sa when translated means black sand, something to inform the little ones when they ask you why the sand is black.

• More info here!

LUNCH:  Head to the famous Fernando's restaurant for a Portuguese lunch and Sangria!

• Address: Praia de Hac Sa, No 9, Coloane, Macau
• More info here

POST-LUNCH:  Meet Kai Kai and Xin Xin, Macau's Giant Pandas. Mainland China offered Macau these two furry friends in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the handover; Macau's celebrities call Seac Pai Van Park in Coloane their home. Comprised of an expansive indoor activity area and a spacious outdoor yard, the pandas have plenty of space to roam, eat and play, and where visitors of the park can greet these two lovable bears. Kids under 12 are free.

• Address: Seac Pai Van Park, Avenida de Seac Pai Van, Coloane, Macau
• More info here

Day 2 - Afternoon: Get Cultured!

You can spend the rest of the afternoon visiting as many of Macau's great sites as your little ones can handle.

SENADO SQUARE:  Senado Square has been Macau's urban center for centuries, and is still the most popular venue for public events and celebrations today. It’s on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The square is covered in a wave-patterned mosaic of colored stones, which was inspired by the Portuguese. The square is surrounded by pastel-colored neo-classical buildings, reminiscent of the Mediterranean.

• Senado Square, Largo do Senado, Macau

RUINS OF ST. PAUL:  The Ruins of St. Paul are also known as Sam Ba Sing Tzik. St. Paul's Church was built with white stones and had a grand vaulted roof. The façade sits on a small hill, with 68 stone steps leading up to it. There is a steel stairwell that you can climb up and see the view from the top. Make sure you throw coins into the top window for luck.

GUIA FORTRESS & LIGHTHOUSE:  Located on the highest point of the peninsula, the views of the city are spectacular. Built in 1622, it still retains many of its original features today. The oldest modern lighthouse in China also stands next door to it. It’s closed to the public but make sure you get your photo taken next to it. There are two ways to go to the fortress: by Cable Car or by walking/hiking. To take the cable car, you must first go to Jardim de Flora (entrance of the park) - but we hear the cable car is under construction so please check in advance.  Hiking will take a bit longer, but it is an excellent way to get some exercise.

• Start hike at Avenida Sidónio Pais

A MA TEMPLE:  Let the kids explore Macau's oldest temple! Built in 1488, this is one cool place to go and visit. The temple is dedicated to Matsu, the goddess of seafarers and fishermen. The temple consists of six main parts, the Gate Pavilion, the Memorial Arch, the Prayer Hall, the Hall of Benevolence, the Hall of Guanyin, and the Zhengjiao Chanlin - Buddhist Pavilion.

• Address:  A-Ma Temple, Largo da Barra, Macau.
• More info here 

DINNER: A Lorcha

Dine at A Lorcha.  A classic spot for lunch or dinner, serving up affordable Portuguese delights in an old-world setting. It’s the perfect stop for food after a visit to the Temple of A-Ma. Reservations recommended.

• Address: A Lorcha, 289 Rua Do Almirante Sergio, Macau, +853 2831 3193, www.alorcha.com/en/home