senado square macau — Two thumbs up means Senado Square is a must visit when you’re in Macau!

Macau is a country where cultures from the West merges with the East, and no place is more indicative of that cultural history than the Senado Square (Largo do Senado), located in the heart of the Macau Peninsula.

Designated as part of the UNESCO Historic Centre of Macau, Senado Square is one of the most iconic and photogenic spots in Macau. Once the administrative and cultural hub during Portuguese colonial rule, Senado Square is now a district where you can find the best street food in Macau, as well as explore historic landmarks like the Ruins of St. Paul’s, St. Dominic’s Church, and Mount Fortress.

This is my first time exploring Senado Square and I am so excited to share with you my discoveries today, Whether you’re visiting for the Instagram photo opportunities, or to immerse yourself in the history and culture, Senado Square is a must visit destination when you are visiting Macau!

So join me as I bring you to explore Senado Square!

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History of Senado Square in Macau

amacao a painting of portuguese colony of macau by theodor de bry — *Amacao, a painting of the early Portuguese colony of Macau by Theodor de Bry, c. 1598*

Let’s travel back in time a bit, more specifically to 1557, at the very start of Portuguese colonialism in Macau. Macau was the first colony established by Europe in Asia, not long after the settlement, Senado Square took shape and by the late 16th Century, the square has become a important space for political announcements, religious festivals, and public gatherings.

in 1784, the Leal Senado Building was constructed, the seat of the Portuguese government in Macau, this cemented Senado Square as the administrative and cultural heart of Portuguese Macau.

Fast forward to today and after Macau’s handover to China in 1999, Senado Square is no longer a place of political power, however the area has now become a bustling marketplace and a very crowded tourist hot spot.

post card of senado square macau 20th century — *A post card of the Senado Square, from I assume the early 20th century.*

You can still very clearly see Portugal’s influence over Macau, most notably in the neoclassical buildings surrounding the entire square. These buildings are obviously very European in architecture with symmetrical designs, grand arched windows, tall marble columns, and detailed stonework, similar to what you’ll see in ancient Greece or Rome.

But you’ll also notice a jarring contrast in Senado Square, which I think kinda adds to the charm. Chinese signage hanging over walkways, tiled roofing peaking out from European facades, and red lanterns and flags floating over alleys.

The buildings at Senado Square were once government offices, churches, and merchant houses during the Portuguese colonial era. Now, they house everything from museums and bakeries to clothing shops.

It’s due to this rich history that Senado Square is now designated as a UNESCO World Heritage-listed Historic Centre of Macau.

How to Get to Senado Square?

Getting to Senado Square in Macau is surprisingly easy, the square is location on the Macau Peninsula (the Macau island).

A thing to note, Google Maps works in Macau (unlike in mainland China), and If you're using public transport, make sure to have small coins ready, as most buses and some taxi drivers don't have change.

How to Get to Senado Square by Bus

If you're arriving from Hong Kong via ferry at the Macau Ferry Terminal, you can hop on bus route 3, 10, or 10A and get off at Av. de Almeida Ribeiro. This will drop you just a short walk away from the Senado Square.

If you’re staying near the Cotai Strip or Taipa, hotel shuttle buses often drop off near the Macau Peninsula, where Senado Square is located.

There is also a Macau Hop-On Hop-Off Open Top Bus which is a sightseeing bus that brings you all around Macau to see various landmarks and attractions. The way it works is you purchase a ticket which is valid for that day and you can just hop on or hop off whenever you please. This is a great option if you are planning to visit other attractions in Macau as it can be a good money saver.

How to Get to Senado Square by Train

map of macau light rapid transit lines MLRT — *A map for the MLRT lines a surprisingly hard to find, this one is made by Redditor Duke825*

As for trains, Macau has the Macau Light Rapid Transit (MLRT) which is like a cuter version of the larger train systems you see in Hong Kong or Japan. To get to Senado Square, board the MLRT and travel towards Barra Station from there just exit the station and it’s a short walk to Senado Square. The train journey takes approximately 15 minutes, and trains run every 10 minutes.

I’d say the MLRT is ideal if you are staying in the Cotai Strip area, such as those at The Venetian Macao or The Parisian Macao as the MLRT provides a comfortable and efficient means of transportation. This is also the cheapest form of transportation.

You can check out the full details for the MLRT at this website.

How to Get to Senado Square by Taxi

If you want comfort and don’t mind spending a bit of money, you can simply just take a taxi to Senado Square. This is how I got there. Taxis in Macau are actually quite comfortable, the cars are modern and the taxi drivers are all very friendly, at least the ones I’ve encountered. Fares start at 21 MOP.

Hotels Near Senado Square

It’s a good idea to find hotels near Senado Square as the area is close to many other of Macau’s attractions like the Macau Tower. So staying near the center of Macau would be a great choice to make traveling to other places easier. Here are some of the hotels near Senado Square that I recommend:

Hotel Metropole Macau - Comfortable rooms and great location, just a 2 minute walk to Senado Square.
Hotel Sintra - Close to major attractions like casinos and shopping centers, with shuttle service to the Cotai Strip and walking distance to food stalls and bakeries.
Royal Hotel Macau - Luxurious rooms and amenities to pamper yourself after a full day of eating.

jw marriott macau cotai strip — *The JW Marriott Macau, the hotel that I stayed at during my family holiday to Macau*

If you want to splurge on the ultimate holiday in Macau, and honestly, if you visit Macau you might as well spend all your money, you can stay in the Cotai Strip in Macau. This area is home to the most luxurious and iconic hotels. Casinos, International buffets, Luxury shopping brands, the Cotai Strip has it all!

And with access to hotel shuttle busses and the MLRT that I previously mentioned, you won’t need to worry about transportation. Here are some of the best hotels in the Cotai Strip that I recommend:

The Venetian Macao - The iconic resort featuring luxury suites, a shopping mall themed after Venice completed with Gondola rides, restaurants, and of course a casino.
The Parisian Macao - Luxury hotel known for its iconic replica Eiffel Tower, elegant accommodations and a stunning view of the Cotai Strip.
JW Marriott Hotel Macau - The luxury hotel that I stayed at, amazing rooms, and the most friendly and welcoming team of hotel staff I have ever seen.

Exploring Senado Square

senado square small alleyway with vendors, shops, and street food — *Some streets are a huge contrast to the neoclassical European style architecture, like this one here*

A quick heads up, during the weekends or holidays, Senado Square can get really crowded, especially in the smaller roads and alleys that branch out from the square. The actual Senado Square itself is open 24 hours a day, every day but the shops here mainly open from around 10:00AM to 9:00PM.

Also Macau’s weather is pretty humid most of the year, so be sure to not dress to heavy and of course a bottle of water to get yourself hydrated, good shoes are also a must because you’ll be running a lot. I made the mistake of wearing a long sleeved shirt and I was sweating buckets…

Walking into Senado Square for the first time felt like accidentally stumbling into Europe, like literally, it doesn’t feel like I am anywhere in Asia, it’s very jarring actually. The sun was bright, and the winds were strong which I appreciate because the streets of Senado Square is fully exposed to the heat of the sun’s rays.

But I got to say despite the large amount of Tourists in Senado Square, the area seemed to be quite clean, and the neoclassical European buildings that border the streets like the Leal Senado Building and Saint Dominic’s Church were all very pristine, as if they see weekly maintenance.

But despite all its European and colonial architecture, one thing I did not like was the number of modern fashion shops that are operating in the area. Shops like Sketchers, Giodarno, POP MART, Nike, etc… All have stores at Senado Square, now if you like shopping fashion then sure, have at it.

But for me, seeing these stores with bright LED signage, floor to ceiling windows, and sleek metal beams are a huge eye-sore and a major contrast to the overall elegant aesthetic of the European-style buildings. And it’s even worse when these stores are right in front of historical landmarks like in the case of Saint Dominic’s Church…

Honestly to me, it feels like just a reminder that I am in a touristy area and these brands are taking the opportunity to prey on my wallet…

Top Things to Do in Senado Square

senado square view from ruins of st paul — *That goofy looking building to the left is the Lisboa, one of the most infamous Casinos in Macau*

There are lots to see at the Senado Square, and quite frankly a lot of the landmarks are easily missable if you didn’t know about them. Therefore, I highly recommend joining a walking tour of Senado Square. These Senado Square/Macau City Tours offer a great mix of history and learning opportunities when you are exploring the wonderful city of Macau.

St. Dominic’s Church

Just straight ahead from the main open area of the Senado Square, I stumbled upon one of my favorite landmarks so far in Macau, the Saint. Dominic’s Church.

Saint Dominic’s Church was built sometime in the late 16th century, it’s actually one of the oldest churches in Macau. I’m not Catholic myself but even if you are not religious I recommend you take a step inside, it’s quiet, calm, cool, and honestly a little bit eerie with all the statues of Christian figures and iconography. Certainly a contrast to the chaos of Senado Square just outside the door.

I didn’t see many people go inside, maybe due to religious reasons, or maybe they because there’s a Giodarno’s store right in front of the church…

There’s also a small museum that most people completely miss. It’s filled with religious artifacts and old relics, and it gives you a glimpse into Macau’s colonial Catholic past. It’s not a big church, but it’s one that adds a bit of depth to your time at Senado Square. And if you’re heading to the Ruins of St. Paul, the church is along the way so might as well take a little visit

Location: Largo de São Domingos, Macao

Opening Hours: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM | Mon - Sun (Closed Wednesdays)

Ruins of St. Paul

Walk uphill from the start of Senado Square long enough and you’ll reach the most iconic landmark in all of Macau, the Ruins of St. Paul. This towering stone wall is all that remains of what used to be the grand Church of St. Paul, originally built in the early 17th century by Jesuit missionaries. Back in its day, it was actually the biggest Catholic church in Asia! But after a fire in 1835, most of the structure was destroyed except for this incredibly detailed front wall that still stands tall today.

The staircase leading up is usually packed with people snapping photos, and while I was there there were these group of people in what I assume were traditional Macanese dresses blasting loud Chinese music and posing with tourists… Very annoying…

Walking up those 68 stone steps and standing at the top, overlooking Senado Square and peaking at the Grand Lisboa Casino in the distance, It’s so cool to see. You could go inside the walls, but there isn’t really anything much there, only a few zoned off sections of old foundations and a small crypt and museum underneath that you can visit. Nevertheless it’s a quick stop but super interesting.

It seems like people come to the Ruins of St. Paul mostly for aesthetic photos so go early in the morning if you want fewer people in your photos, or head there just before sunset for the best lighting. If you don’t care for photos, it’s still a cool landmark to see at Senado Square.

Location: Calcada de São Paulo, Macao

Opening Hours: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM | Mon - Sun

Sam Kai Vui Kun Temple

Behind the busy streets of Senado Square, I stumbled upon the Sam Kai Vui Kun Temple, and it honestly felt like finding a secret corner of old Macau. While most people seem to head straight for the Ruins of St. Paul, this small but beautifully preserved Chinese temple is one of those easy to miss places, I mentioned earlier.

The incense curling into the air, the red lanterns swaying gently, everything about this temple feels authentic, especially after walking through the more touristy parts of Senado Square.

The temple itself isn’t huge, but it was originally a meeting place for Chinese merchants back in around the 1750s. If you're exploring Senado Square on foot, this is an easy hidden gem to add to your itinerary.

Location: 10 R. Sul do Mercado de São Domingos, Macao

Opening Hours: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM | Mon - Sun

Holy House of Mercy

To the right side at the beginning of Senado Square is an elegant white building known as the Holy House of Mercy. Built in the 16th century, this place was originally set up as a charity to care for orphans and the sick, making it one of the oldest social service institutions in Macau. I had no idea it held so much history until I wandered in during my walk through Senado Square.

There is a small museum that you can visit upstairs, although there is an entrance fee of 5 MOP. Inside are items like a portrait of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, an ivory sculpture of Madonna, and so on. One of the most remarkable items on display is an old manuscript containing the original regulations of Macau’s Holy House of Mercy, dating all the way back to 1662. It’s a small museum, but it really gives you a sense of the deep historical roots behind this place.

It’s a small attraction but one that’s worth it if you like learning about history, especially the importance of Senado Square.

Location: Senado Square, Macau

Opening Hours: 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM | Tue - Sun

Entrance Fee: 5 MOP, Free entry for seniors 65+

Mount Fortress

Once you’ve taken a good look at the Ruins of st. Paul be sure not to miss Mount Fortress. Built in the early 17th century, the Mount Fortress was once Macau’s main military defensive bases but nowadays it actually provides a really cool view of Macau.

Walking along the stone paths of the fortress you’ll see armaments like cannons pointing outwards towards the sea. There is even a cannon pointing at the Lisboa which is kind of worrying… But the views from up here are immaculate.

There’s also the Macau Museum right inside the fort if you want to dig deeper into the Macau’s Portuguese-Chinese heritage. It’s one of those places that’s not only culturally rich but also a nice escape when you need a bit of calm during your Senado Square adventures. Definitely add it to your walking itinerary, you won’t regret it.

Location: 22 Calcada das Verdades, Macao

Opening Hours: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM | Mon - Sun

Leal Senado Building

One of the most historically important landmarks in Senado Square, Macau, is the Leal Senado Building, the building that once served as the Portuguese government’s seat of power in Macau. The name “Leal Senado” actually means “Loyal Senate”, and this name was actually bestowed by the then King João IV of Portugal, honoring Macau’s loyalty during a time when many other colonies rebelled.

Built in 1784 and in service until 1999, Today, the Leal Senado building is open to the public and houses a library, gallery, and a courtyard garden for you to chill at away from the chaos of Senado Square. Although due to the large crowds, the courtyard isn’t actually very chill.

Visiting the Leal Senado Building is a must if you're exploring Senado Square and since it's located right in the middle of Senado Square, the Leal Senado Building is easy to include in any walking tour of Macau’s historical center, so you better not miss it!

Location: 163 Av. de Almeida Ribeiro, Macao

Opening Hours: 9 A:00M - 5:45  PM | Mon - Fri

Where to Eat Near Senado Square

If you’re like me, you’ll always be looking to sample some street food, and Senado Square does not disappoint. The entire area is littered with street food vendors selling all kinds of snacks, desserts, and local traditional street food items.

The more prominent ones that you’ll find when walking around the many winding alleys of Senado Square are Portuguese Egg Tarts, Almond Cookies, and Meat Jerky. There is so much meat jerky... With meat Jerky specifically, shops are standing outside their shops offering free samples, you can probably get full just from these samples.

These Macau street food vendors are everywhere so there’s no worry about struggling to find some snacks in Senado Square. I found myself just snacking on egg tarts and pork chop buns while visiting the many landmarks.

macau pork chop bun — *The most tender piece of pork chop with the most fluffy and crusty bun*

If you are looking for sit down restaurants to sample Portuguese-Macanese style dishes where you can have a full meal for lunch or dinner, there are a couple of standout places that I would recommend, here are the best places to eat near Senado Square:

Wong Chi Kei - A longtime favorite for its wonton noodles and signature pork chop buns, just steps from the square. The crispy noodles here are to die for.
Leitaria I Son - Known for their smooth, double skin milk pudding, this dessert shop is perfect for cooling down after a day of walking.
Cafe Kam Ma Lon - Really great Macanese pork chop bun, also a great place for breakfast with their pastries and thick French toast.
Leng Kei - You’ hole in the wall street food shop selling juicy roasted duck and crispy roasted pork belly over rice.

Other Attractions Near Senado Square

jw marriott macau — *The Cotai Strip is a completely different vibe to the main Macau island*

Ok, seems like we’re done exploring Senado Square but don’t end your holiday in Macau just yet! There is so much more to see and do in Macau, beyond the bygone eras of Portuguese colonialism, the country is also most famous for its casinos and flashy entertainment venues.

If gambling away your life savings isn’t your forte, then no fear because there are great places to explore some delicious street food in Macau and also shopping malls so you can treat yourself to a Louis Vuitton bag or two. Here are some other attractions in Macau that I would recommend you check out:

Macau Tower - Standing at 338 meters, this is the spot for adrenaline junkies. Home to one of the world’s highest bungee jumps, as well as incredible views over the Pearl River Delta from the observation deck.
Taipa Village - A colorful, pedestrian friendly neighborhood filled with street food especially at Rua Do Chuna. It's the perfect contrast to Macau’s casino core and a great place to slow down.
Cotai Strip - Often called the "Las Vegas of Asia", this flashy stretch of land is lined with casinos, shopping malls, and luxury hotels. It’s where modern Macau comes alive after dark.
The Venetian Macao - One of the most iconic resorts in the city, complete with indoor canals, gondola rides, endless designer stores, and one of the largest casino floors in the world.

Details About Senado Square in Macau

Senado Square is one of the most iconic and photogenic spots in Macau with its mosaic plaza and neoclassical European buildings, it’s definitely a must-visit while you’re here. Be warned though that you’ll need to do a lot of walking as there are many landmarks to explore. Be sure to wear comfy shoes, bring a water battle, and be prepared to waddle along with a large crowd.

Location: Largo do Senado, Macao

Opening Hours: 24 Hours | Mon - Sun

Looking for Things to Do in Macau?

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