Macau World Heritage Sites
(Last updated: August 5, 2026)
In 2005, 30 sites located in the Historic Centre of Macau were granted World Heritage Site Status by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Collectively, they represent the largest, oldest and most spectacular concentration of European architecture still remaining in China today. What makes them particularly special is the way Chinese and Portuguese religious, architectural and cultural traditions exist side by side, sometimes within the same building.
Extremely tourist friendly, 24 of the 25 sites are located in close proximity to each other, with a walking distance of about 30 minutes from the 1st site (A Ma Temple) to the 24th site (The Protestant Cemetery). Only the 25th site (Guia Fortress) can be deemed somewhat remote, off in its own area on top of Guia Hill, Macau’s highest point.
Here’s a map I borrowed from the Tourist Office which highlights their location 1 through 25 in red.
In my opinion, these 25 World Heritage sites are the soul of the city and should not be missed. If you don’t visit them, then you won’t have seen the real Macau.
(The only 5 sites not included are squares located next to the principal attractions, largely secondary in nature.)
Macau World Heritage Site #1: A Ma Temple
A Ma Temple was built in honor of Matsu, the goddess of seafarers and fishermen. The oldest surviving part of the temple dates back to 1488, making it the oldest surviving temple in Macau.
A curious historical fact: A Ma Temple gave Macau its name. When the Portuguese first arrived in the 16th Century, they asked what the name of this place was, meaning the city’s name. The locals responded with the name of the temple instead – Ma Gok, in Cantonese, or perhaps the name of the bay, A Ma Gau.
Either way, the Portuguese took their response and ran with it, naming the peninsula Macao.
Location: Barra Square Opening hours: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
Macau World Heritage Site #2: Moorish Barracks
The Moorish Barracks were built in 1874 by the Italian architect Cassuto, to house an Indian Police force from Portugal’s colonial overseas capital, Goa. The force mainly kept watch over boats and shipping on the Inner Harbour, which used to be visible from the Barracks.
Overtly Islamic in its design, the Moorish Barracks is now home to the Macau Maritime Administration.
Location: Calacada da Barra Opening hours: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm (Verandah only)
Macau World Heritage Site #3: Lilau Square
Lovely Lilau Square was the area where the early Portuguese first settled, since it was the city’s main source of natural spring water.
According to a popular saying, one who drinks from Lilau never forgets Macau. While there still is a well there today, please don’t ever think about drinking the water! Perhaps they need to change the phrase to: One who drinks bottled water in Lilau never forgets Macau.
The Cantonese call Lilau Square “Grandmother’s Well” and it provided excellent drinking water for centuries until running dry in the 1930’s or 40’s. The original fountain, unfortunately, was taken away soon after. One of my favourite places in Macau, I love the tranquillity of the square and the Old World feel.
Lilau in Portuguese means “Mountain spring.”
Macau World Heritage Site #4: Mandarin’s House
Built around 1869, Mandarin’s House was the home of renowned Qing thinker and writer Zheng Guanying.
Utilizing architectural influences from both East and West, the House is predominantly Chinese in style, but a number of outside elements also exist, most notably the grey bricks, Indian inspired ceiling and some of the archways and window openings.
Mandarin’s House is also becoming a museum of sorts, as many of the rooms contain exhibits shedding light on Zheng, his family, and the history of the building.
To view more pictures, please have a look at Trip Report II.
Location: No 10 Antonio da Silva Lane Opening hours: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm (Closed on Wednesdays)
Macau World Heritage Site #5: St. Lawrence’s Church
One of the three oldest churches in Macau, St. Lawrence Church was originally built in the mid 16th Century.
In the colony’s early days, the shoreline used to be visible from the Church and it became common for the families of Portuguese sailors to wait there and pray for their husbands, brothers and fathers to return. For that reason, St. Lawrence Church is known as Feng Shun Tang in Chinese, or Church of the Soothing Winds.
The present form of the Church dates back to a reconstruction in 1846. Neo-classical in style, it features some of the most beautiful stained glass windows in Macau.
Location: Rua de Sao Lourenco Opening hours: Monday to Friday (7:00 am to 6:00 pm) Saturday and Sunday (7:00 am to 9:00 pm)
Macau World Heritage Site #6: St. Joseph’s Seminary and Church
The Jesuits founded St. Joseph’s Seminary in 1728, while construction of the adjoining church began in 1746 and was completed in 1758.
Very similar to St. Paul’s, both churches share Baroque tendencies and had seminaries that trained some of the most famous missionaries in Asian history. One of the side altars also contains a piece of bone from the arm of St. Francis Xavier, one of the most important Catholic relics in Macau.
With its magnificent dome tower, high arching pillars and exquisite altar, St. Joseph’s is probably the most aesthetically pleasing and splendid church in Macau.
Part of the adjoining St. Joseph’s Seminary opened to the public in 2016 as the Treasure of Sacred Art, displaying religious artworks and artifacts including icons, books, vessels, robes and paintings. The museum has been temporarily closed since September 2025.
Location: Rua do Seminário Church opening hours: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Macau World Heritage Site #7: St. Augustine’s Square
Frequently visited by newlyweds snapping their wedding photos, St. Augustine’s Square is located beside Robert Ho Tung library, St. Augustine’s Church and Dom Pedro Theatre.
Obviously open 24 hours, you can also help yourself to some free Wifi until about midnight by connecting to Wifigo.
Macau World Heritage Site #8: Dom Pedro V Theatre
The first Western style theatre in China, Dom Pedro V Theatre was built in 1860 in honour of the Portuguese King. The neo-classical facade was added 13 years later in 1873.
Location: Santo Agostinho Square Opening Hours: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
Macau World Heritage Site #9: Sir Robert Ho Tung Library
Originally built in 1894, this former private residence came into the hands of wealthy Hong Kong businessman Robert Ho Tung in 1918.
After his death in 1955, Ho Tung donated the building to the city of Macau so that it could become a public library.
Location: No 3 Santo Agostinho Square Opening Hours: Monday (2:00 pm to 8:00 pm) Tuesday to Sunday (8:00 am to 8:00 pm)
Macau World Heritage Site #10: St. Augustine’s Church
This church is named in honour of St. Augustine, the patron saint of brewers, printers, theologians, and sore eyes.
In its early days, the priests would place Chinese fan palms on top of the roof whenever it was raining. Since the fan palms looked like the beard of a dragon when they were blown by the wind, the church became known as “Long Siu Miu”, or Temple of the Long Whiskered Dragon.
First built in 1586, the building’s current form dates back to a restoration in 1874. Interesting fact: St. Augustine Church was the first Church in town to preach in English.
Every year in February or March, the Passion of Our Lord Procession begins at St. Augustine Church.
Location: No 2 Santo Agostinho Square Opening Hours: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Macau World Heritage Site #11: Leal Senado Building
Macau’s City Hall was built in 1784 and means “Loyal Senate” in Portuguese. The name derives from King João IV, who restored Portuguese independence from Spain in 1640. Macau was in a sorry state at the time, cut off from Europe, a shadow of its former self. Indeed, all of Portuguese Asia was in shambles.
But the residents were overjoyed with the news and threw together what they could to offer Joao IV a humble tribute of guns and money. When their new King on the other side of the world received it, and was told what condition the pitiable city was in and where it was, he proclaimed, “City of the Name of God Macau, There is None more Loyal.”
Leal Senado’s current appearance dates back to a renovation in 1940. The library on the 1st floor opened in 1929 and was modeled after the Biblioteca do Convento, a library in the Mafra National Palace.
Sadly, the library and meeting room are no longer open to the public.
There’s also a splendid little courtyard in the back.
Opening Hours: 9:00 am to 9:00 pm Location: No 163 San Ma Lo
Macau World Heritage Site #12: Senado Square
If any kind of important public function is taking place in Macau, rest assured, it will happen in Senado Square.
The centrepiece of Macanese life, it’s been closed off to traffic and fully pedestrian since 1993. The distinctive black and white sea wave tile was also laid down that year.
The buildings in the square are all over 100 years old, while the fountain was added in 1970. From then on the locals began calling the Square just that: Pan Shui Chi, or fountain, in English.
Location: San Ma Lo, opposite the Leal Senado Building
Macau World Heritage Site #13: Sam Kui Viu Kun Temple
This temple was built in honour of the Saint of War, Kuan Tai, who represents loyalty, righteousness and bravery.
No one quite knows when the temple was first constructed, only that it was built by local tradesmen and that a restoration occurred in 1792.
Sam Kui itself translates into “Three Streets”, referring to Rua dos Mercadores, Rua dos Ervanarios, and Rua das Estalagens, the old main district of Chinese commerce.
The temple then became the traditional meeting ground for many local shop owners and businessmen.
Location: Rua Sul do Mercado de Sao Domingos Opening Hours: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Macau World Heritage Site #14: Holy House of Mercy
Macau’s social welfare system dates back to 1569, when the first Bishop of Macau founded the Holy House of Mercy. A charity institution, it first provided assistance to the widows of dead sailors as well as food for impoverished families. Neoclassical in style, the building’s present structure and form dates back to 1905.
A small museum on the 2nd floor houses a lot of Christian texts and relics, some of which date back to the 16th Century. For some reason they also preserve and display the skull of the first Bishop of Macau.
Fortunately, the rest of the works are far less macabre.
You also won’t find a better place to relax with better views of Senado Square.
Location: Senado Square Opening Hours: (Museum) 10:00 am to 1:00 pm 2:00 pm to 5:30 pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
Macau World Heritage Site #15: Cathedral
Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, Cathedral was originally made of wood and built sometime before 1576. For its second incarnation in 1622 it was constructed of soil and straw.
After being severely damaged by a typhoon in 1836, Cathedral was redesigned by a local Macanese artist in 1850.
Up to the 1950’s, the building used to be painted pale yellow, quite the contrast to its current grey and gruff demeanour.
Historically, it’s been the custom of every Macau Governor to place their sceptre next to the Virgin Mary before they take office.
Cathedral is one of the two churches involved in the Passion of Our Lord Procession held annually in February or March.
Location: No 1 Cathedral Square Opening Hours: 7:30 am to 8:00 pm
Macau World Heritage Site #16: Lou Kau Mansion
This traditional Chinese residence was the former home of wealthy businessman Lou Kau, a kind of 19th Century precursor to Stanley Ho.
Born in 1857, Lou Kau grew up poor in Guangdong before moving to Macau and working in the banking industry. After saving up enough money he opened up his own bank and then set up a Chinese lottery. After that, let’s just say that Lou Kau never had to worry about money again.
Built in 1889, Lou Kau Mansion is separated into 3 main halls: the entrance hall, tea hall and senior hall, which is more private.
Like the Mandarin’s House, Lou Kau Mansion is a harmonious mix of Eastern and Western style.
The tile carving, stucco moulding, decorative overhangs, and windows made out of oyster shells are all Chinese elements, while the wooden ceilings and windows are Portuguese in origin.
Location: No. 7 Travessa da Se Opening Hours: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm (Closed on Mondays)
Macau World Heritage Site #17: St. Dominic’s Church
After St. Paul’s, St. Dominic’s Church is probably the busiest church in Macau, due to its tourist friendly location in Senado Square.
Originally built out of wood by 3 Dominican priests in 1587, St. Dominic’s Church was first known as the Wooden Board Temple. Today it is more often referred to as Mei Gui Tang, or the Rose Church, since it is dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary.
There’s a museum beside the church named The Treasure of Sacred Art, which contains over 300 Macanese Catholic relics.
Every year on May 13, St. Dominic’s Church hosts the Our Lady of Fatima Procession, a parade that pays tribute to the Virgin Mary.
Temporary closure: St. Dominic’s Church and the Treasure of Sacred Art are currently closed for maintenance, with reopening expected around October 2026.
Location: St Dominic’s Square Opening Hours: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm (Church) 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, closed Thursdays and Sundays (Museum)
Macau World Heritage Site #18: Ruins of St. Paul’s
The most famous landmark in the city, St. Paul’s was destroyed by a fire during a typhoon in January 1835. It was the third time the church had burned down; previous blazes had occurred in 1595 and 1601. After the 1601 fire, St Paul’s was rebuilt by the Jesuits and Japanese who took 40 years to restore it, with the stone facade the last part to go up.
In its prime, St. Paul’s was a wonder to behold. Peter Mundy, a visiting Englishman remarked: “The roof is of the fairest arch that yet I ever saw to my remembrance, of excellent workmanship, carved in wood, curiously guilt and painted with exquisite colours.”
Today the stone facade is the last thing that remains, with some people speculating that it was inspired by a sketch by Leonardo Da Vinci. Standing 23 metres wide by 25 metres high, each level of the facade tells a story, one which integrates both Chinese and Western elements. For example, the Apocalyptic Woman stepping on a seven headed hydra is explained in Chinese as “Holy Mother tramples on the heads of the dragon.”
The first Western style university in the Far East, St. Paul’s College, used to be a part of the Church as well. Unfortunately it too was destroyed in the 1835 fire.
Opening Hours: Façade: Open 24 hours
Ruins: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm; last admission at 5:30 pm
Museum of Sacred Art and Crypt: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm; last admission at 5:30 pm; closes at 2:00 pm on Tuesdays
Macau World Heritage Site #19: Na Tcha Temple
Na Tcha Temple was built in honour of the child deity Na Tcha, a god with tremendous power. Constructed in 1888 during a terrible influenza plague, the locals were hoping he would end it.
The temple was reconstructed again in 1901.
Opening Hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Macau World Heritage Site #20: Section of the Old City Walls
The Portuguese always built walls to surround their port settlements, and they began this defensive strategy in Macau in 1569. By 1632, the Old City was completely fortified, save for the Inner Harbour. The walls were made of “chunambo”, a cunning concoction of clay, sand, soil, rice straw, crushed rocks and oyster shells.
This small section is the only part of the Old City Walls that still remains today.
World Heritage Site #21: Mount Fortress
Mount Fortress was the centerpiece of Macau’s defensive network, and played a big role in repelling the Dutch invasion in 1622.
Built between 1617 and 1626, the hilltop fort had enough supplies to endure a two year siege.
The home of Macanese Governors from 1623 to 1740, it was a military restricted zone until 1965.
Since 1998, it’s housed the excellent Macau Museum.
Opening Hours: 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
Macau Museum: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm (Closed on Mondays)
Macau World Heritage Site #22: St. Anthony’s Church
St. Anthony’s Church is named after St. Anthony of Padua, the patron Saint of the Macanese community.
One of the three oldest churches in the city, it was originally constructed in 1560 out of bamboo and wood. A common victim to fire, St. Anthony’s church burned down three times: in 1638, 1809 and 1874.
The 1874 fire was actually a blessing in disguise since it saved a lot of lives. As the fire happened at night, and the church was a large structure, it became visible from far away and many people were alerted to the danger. Still though, 5000 people perished in the typhoon, and 2000 boats were sunk.
The church you see today owes itself to a renovation that occurred in 1930. Since a lot of Portuguese used to marry there, St. Anthony’s is commonly referred to as the Church of Flowers.
Every year on the Sunday closest to June 13, the Church hosts the St. Anthony Procession.
Location: Santo Antonio Square Opening Hours: 6:30 am to 6:00 pm
Macau World Heritage Site #23: Casa Garden
Built in 1770, Casa Garden may have been Macau’s first luxurious villa, with grounds that once extended into Camoes Park.
Originally the summer home of the Portuguese aristocracy and upper class, it became the headquarters of the English East India Company in the early 19th Century.
Today it is the domain of the Oriental Foundation, an institution dedicated to cultural affairs. An exhibition gallery on the first floor is open to the public.
Location: Beside Camoes Square Opening Hours: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm (Closed on Mondays)
Macau World Heritage Site #24: Protestant Cemetery
Founded in 1821, the Protestant Cemetery was the first non Catholic cemetery in Macau. The most famous inhabitants are 19th Century artist George Chinnery and Robert Morrison, the first man to translate the Bible into Chinese.
No new burials have been permitted in the cemetery since 1857, leaving the number of tombs frozen at 162.
The adjacent Morrison Chapel was built in 1821, and renovated in 1922. At only 80 square meters, it’s one of the most charming and serene buildings in Macau.
Location: Beside Camoes Square Opening Hours: 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
Macau World Heritage Site #25: Guia Fortress
A key cog of Macau’s defensive network, Guia Fortress was constructed between 1622 and 1638.
Clarist Nuns built Guia Chapel in 1622 while the first modern lighthouse in China, Guia Lighthouse, was finished in 1865.
The lighthouse is 15 meters high and its light can be seen as far as 20 miles away. Occupying the highest point in the city, the views afforded from up top are pretty sweet. (Especially when I’m not in the photo).
The murals are particularly unusual, combining Christian subjects with Chinese painting techniques and decorative motifs.
For more pictures, please have a look at Trip Report I.
Location: Guia Hill Opening Hours: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm (Fortress) 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (Guia Chapel)
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