Think Macau is just a day-trip destination from Hong Kong? Think again. There’s so many kid-friendly things to see and do in this charming city!
Believe it or not, Macau is a treasure trove of family fun. While it might be known for resplendent stage performances and hotels, there’s actually a softer, cultural side that makes it perfect for a family getaway.
So, trust us when we say that Macau is one of the most underrated destinations for families. And we’re here to prove it to you with this four-day and three-night itinerary of all the best family-friendly things to see and do in this charming city.
Pro-tip: For accommodation, we recommend you check out the Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau. This is one of the top resorts in town (it’s even rated five stars by Forbes Travel Guide), complete with stylish rooms, over 16 restaurants, a wide range of family-friendly facilities, and even a shopping mall! Plus, the resort is just a short five-minute drive away from the airport, and there’s a free daily shuttle service that runs every 10-20 minutes. In fact, the resort’s shuttle bus network covers most of the popular attractions in Macau, so you can get around for free!
How to spend best four days in Macau with the kids
Day One
Afternoon: Welcome to Macau
After an easy four-hour flight, you’ve finally made it to your destination with the kiddos! As always, the first thing to do would be to let the kids get some R&R at your hotel. You can easily get there via cab, or just hop onto the complimentary shuttle bus.
Evening: Explore the hotel and get dinner
As the kids may be too tired to venture out after half a day of travelling, why not use this time to properly explore the hotel? The Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau houses the largest local art collection among the city’s hotels, which can be found throughout the hotel’s lobby area.
When it’s time for dinner, get ready to be spoiled for choice with the many dining options available within the resort. This is especially true at The Grand Buffet, where a lavish spread of local and regional food are served on a daily basis. From Cantonese cuisine to signature dishes from around Southeast Asia, fresh chilled seafood, live cooking stations, and even a BBQ pit – there really is something for everyone here.
Day Two
Morning – afternoon: Explore historic Macau
Rise and shine! Fuel up with a big breakfast, as day two will be dedicated to exploring the city. Start your day with a short climb up to the iconic Ruins of St. Paul, a must-see in Macau. If you’ve got museum-loving kids, there are two museums nearby the Ruins that are worth visiting: the Macao Museum, as well as the Museum of Sacred Art and Crypt.
After that, head to Senado Square for a relaxing pre-lunch stroll. This is a historical town square featuring European-styled architecture that’s also a great place to snap a family photo or two. There are plenty of street food around for lunch, including the hand-kneaded noodle shop Cheong Kei, a Michelin Bib Gourmand eatery.
Late afternoon: Stroll along Taipa Village
Taipa Village is a slightly quieter tourist area that you can explore with the kids. This is one of the best places to learn about Macanese culture: admire the East-meets-West architecture and the stunning interior of the Taipa Houses Museum.
But that’s not all: take the kids to the vibrant Rua do Cunha, where brightly-coloured historical buildings house shops that sell all sorts of souvenirs. You can also munch on world-famous Portuguese egg tarts at Lord Stow’s Bakery and the well-loved pork chop bun at Sei Kee Café or Tai Lei Loi Kei when you’re there.
Evening: Rest those tired feet
After a day of exploring, it’s time to unwind – the kiddos are probably tired after a long day out. Take it easy for the evening and rest in the comforts of your own room. On top of being tastefully designed, each room in Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau is spacious enough to accommodate a family of four (two adults and two kids). Plus, there are bathtubs in every room – a big win for the kids!
If anyone is still feeling peckish (though we doubt so after all the heavy snacking), just head down to any of the restaurants in Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau.
Day Three
Late morning: Brunch, the traditional way
No trip to Macau is complete without the quintessential yum cha dining experience. Let the fam start the day a little later with some delicious dim sum brunch at Chalou, a Cantonese traditional tea house. Younger kids may be delighted to see how dim sum is being served the old school way – on a trolley.
Afternoon: Let the fun begin!
Staying at the Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau means easy access to family-friendly attractions Looking for things to do with the kids in Macau? The resort is home to Martial Arts Arena, an interactive exhibition on wushu; and AI Wonderland, an edutainment centre that introduces STEM to kids in fun ways.
At Martial Arts Arena, kids get to don VR headsets and learn different moves from a wushu master. They can then put their skills to the test through seven stations: from the plum blossomfilled Mei Hua Zhuang to battling another wushu artist in VR boxing.
On the other hand, techie kids will enjoy exploring the many zones in AI Wonderland. They can challenge robots to a game of chess, create an art masterpiece with AI, play VR games, learn how to fly drones, and teach robots the latest K-pop moves.
Evening: Look for this secret garden
Before the sun sets, seize the opportunity to visit the resort’s Jardim Secreto, a sprawling European-styled garden that’s great for walks with the family. Let the kids run around the grass maze while you relax in one of the many grand pavilions. Haven’t snapped enough family photos? The garden has lots of photogenic spots for you to do just that!
If you’re in the mood to treat the family to something grand, hop on a free shuttle to Casa Don Alfonso in Grand Lisboa Macau. This family restaurant serves authentic Southern Italian dishes as well as one of the best Neapolitan pizzas in town. Every dish is crafted using the freshest produce, and some of them are even from the chef’s own farm in Italy!
Day Four
Morning: Go for a final splash
Since the airport is only a short drive away, don’t leave the resort without a final splash at one of the hotel’s pools (or both!) on your final morning. The outdoor pool gives you a grand view of the lush Jardim Secreto, whereas its indoor pool is temperature-controlled for your comfort and is stunningly designed.
Late morning / afternoon: Time to say goodbye
And there you have it – a compact four-day itinerary to having the best time with the family in Macau. You can start planning your trip now by checking out the available stay offers by Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau, some of which include tickets to AI Wonderland and Martial Arts Arena. Book your vacation now and have a fab time in Macau!
This post is in partnership with Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau.
