Situated on top of Guia Hill, the highest point of Macau, this fort was built in 1637-1638 by Captain of Artillery, Antonio Ribeiro. It was initially thought to defend the border with China, but its chief value has been as an observation post. The fort’s dominating feature is the lighthouse, which is 52.5 feet high and has a light that can be seen for 20 miles on a clear day. This site is also on the World Heritage List.
Chickened out of the Skyjump? Redeem yourself (slightly) by going go-karting. A karting circuit with a 1.2km track is situated at the end of the causeway linking Taipa with Coloane. Here, locals and visitors can get a small taste of what it’s like to be a Formula One driver, even if it is only at a fraction of the speed. Still, this is how Michael Schumacher got his start and many will attest to the challenges that these go-karts have to offer. Fifteen minutes in a 200cc kart will cost you MOP180 including the hire of full safety gear.
The Old Taipa Tavern, more commonly known as OTT, is a gastro pub serving Western and Asian dishes. It spans two levels with a bar area downstairs and a very attractive upstairs restaurant with interesting views through the shutter-type windows giving it a very airy feel.
Play at over 378 tables in this 159,000 square foot casino, which also has 1,122 slot machines and games such as blackjack, roulette, Caribbean stud, sic bo, craps, casino war and fan tan.
The gaming area is spread over four floors and comprises 240 gaming tables including traditional casino favorites such as baccarat, sic bo, American roulette and blackjack, plus long-established games such as the money wheel and three card baccarat. The casino recently introduced craps and Texas hold’em poker. There are 746 slot machines spread over three floors including 55 with jackpots of more than a million dollars and eight exclusive VIP rooms that feature over 50 midi baccarat tables. On the second floor you’ll find a 24-hour poker lounge with 33 tables.
"Hac Sa," literally "black sand," is one of the most popular beaches in Macau. Jet skis can be rented on the beach, and the Hac Sa Sports and Recreation Ground also provides various sports facilities ranging from a swimming pool and mini-golf course to tennis. However, no trip to the beach is considered complete without a visit to the worst-kept secret in the city, the Portuguese restaurant Fernando’s.
Henri Wong has been cookin’ up a Macanese storm since 1976, with his signature Galinha a Africana (African chicken) dish headlining the menu. We charged in there with a mission to taste this much-talked-about wonder for ourselves. By the time we were done, we unanimously decided that if we’d been wearing hats, they would no longer be on our heads—we would’ve taken them off to the great African chicken-making Wong. The décor was humble and minimalist; in keeping with the name, there was a touch of nautical flair, too.
Henri’s Galley has been around since 1976 and is considered one of the best places in Macau for African chicken and spicy prawns. The local-style fried rice is a great accompaniment to the grilled sausage, while fish lovers will enjoy the cod fish balls and fried Macau sole. Also worth trying is the roast quail and curry crab. “American Gourmet” magazine has run recipes by the owner, and if you’re lucky you may get to meet Henri himself.
Ask anyone to name a restaurant in Coloane and they’ll point you here. We tried in desperation to ask for more local recommendations outside of our guidebook, but our hotel concierge assured us that local people head here, too, when they venture down south. So we braved the rainy weather and hopped into a taxi to the charming São Francisco Xavier church.
With so many fantastic Portuguese restaurants in Macau, it can be nigh impossible to pick a good ‘un. But a good rule of thumb is a) find one that’s been around a while, and b) make sure there’s a bunch of Portuguese expats there, either eating or running the place. A Petisqueria, which specializes mostly in seafood, ticks both of these boxes, and you can bet your ass that the food is great in this 16-year-old establishment.
Besides Ming Dynasty-style furniture reproductions, Ngai Chi Pou also stocks antiquities from the early 19th century, Buddha statues and jewelry boxes. Open Mon-Fri 10am-7pm, Sat-Sun 10am-7:30pm.
