Macau

Cost of living

What a month costs

One of Asia's priciest housing markets thanks to casino money. Street food and transport stay cheap, so daily life costs less than the rents suggest.

The scores

How it rates for a moving family

See and do

Top 10 in Macau

1. Ruins of St. Paul'sThe carved stone facade of a 17th-century Jesuit church, Macau's signature landmark.
2. Senado SquareWavy Portuguese paving and pastel colonial buildings at the heart of the UNESCO old town.
3. A-Ma TempleThe oldest temple in Macau, honouring the sea goddess who gave the city its name.
4. Macau TowerA 338-metre tower with glass-floor observation decks and the world's highest bungee jump.
5. Guia Fortress and LighthouseA hilltop fort crowned by the oldest lighthouse on the China coast, reached by cable car.
6. Mount FortressCannon-lined ramparts above the old town, next to the Macau Museum.
7. The Venetian MacaoA vast Cotai resort with indoor canals, gondolas and a mega casino floor.
8. St. Dominic's ChurchA butter-yellow baroque church tucked just off Senado Square.
9. Taipa Houses MuseumA row of mint-green Portuguese villas overlooking the wetlands on Taipa.
10. Mandarin's HouseA sprawling 19th-century courtyard mansion, a rare survivor of grand Chinese domestic architecture.

Where to go

Weekend escapes

1. Hong KongAbout an hour by ferry from the Outer Harbour, or a bus across the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge.
2. ZhuhaiMainland China starts right at the Gongbei border gate, an easy walk from central Macau.
3. Coloane VillageA sleepy fishing village on Macau's southern island with black-sand Hac Sa Beach nearby.
4. GuangzhouReach the Cantonese heartland by high-speed rail after crossing into Zhuhai.
5. HengqinThe fast-growing island next door, linked by bridge, with parks, malls and Chimelong resort.

Coffee

Best cafes

1. Single OriginSerious specialty coffee and brunch on Rua de Abreu Nunes, a local favourite.
2. Terra Coffee HouseA relaxed espresso spot in the lanes of Taipa Village.
3. Cafe Ou MunAn old-school Portuguese-style cafe near Senado Square with strong coffee and pastries.

Restaurants

Where to eat

1. Fernando'sThe legendary Portuguese tavern at Hac Sa Beach, all garlic prawns and cold beer.
2. A LorchaBeloved Macanese and Portuguese cooking near the A-Ma Temple.
3. Restaurante LitoralA classic address for African chicken, minchi and other Macanese staples.
4. Robuchon au DomeThree-Michelin-star French dining under the glass dome of Grand Lisboa.
5. The EightRefined Cantonese and dim sum, also holding three Michelin stars at Grand Lisboa.
6. Wong Chi KeiA century-old noodle shop on Senado Square known for wonton and shrimp-roe noodles.
7. RiquexoHome-style Macanese buffet run for decades by the late chef Aida, near the Macau Tower.

Morning

Best breakfast

1. Long Wa Tea HouseA time-warp tea house where you pour your own tea and pick dim sum from bamboo baskets.
2. Nam Ping CafeA vintage cha chaan teng for milk tea, buttered toast and macaroni soup.
3. Sei Kee CafeFamous for charcoal-grilled toast and thick iced coffee near Senado Square.
4. Margaret's Cafe e NataThe go-to for warm Portuguese egg tarts and a morning coffee.
5. Lord Stow's BakeryThe Coloane Village original that made the Macau egg tart famous.