Top things to do in Ruins of St. Paul’s Macau

You can never be in Macau without a photo of the St Paul ruins, this is the landmark of Macau. Now a UNESCO World Heritage site.  It is a 17th-century Portuguese church dedicated to Saint Paul the Apostle.

This is the everyone favorite Macau tourist spot. We took a taxi from A-Ma temple, just 10-15 mins as there was some traffic near the ruins.

The original structure was made of wood which was burned down in a fire leaving only the granite facade and 68 stone steps up.  Be prepared of the tourist crowd and I doubt you are able to get a good picture.

At the foot of the St Paul ruins, you find plenty of souvenir stores and street food.

St Paul Ruin Street Food

There are several must-try street foods you may want to try when you are in this area.  Check them out.

1. Portuguese Egg tart

It usually costs 10 HKD or  10 Macanese pataca but sometimes you can get it at 8 HKD or Macanese pataca.

2. Beef Offal (牛雜)

The beef offals braised for hours in curry broth, fish balls & white reddish. This is very common street food in Macau and Hong Kong that one should give it a go. The meat is quite soft and tender.

3. Curry Fish Ball

This is another common street food in Macau and Hong Kong.

Street food usually cooked in a big pot and braised for hours.  Do ask for the price before you order as some stores do not put up the price and you may get a shock when they hand you your order.

4. Smuki

There is a long queue in front of Smuki, selling crunchy baguette filled with cream. If you love cream stuff, this is for you. HK20-22 each.

5. Kumquat lemon tea

Kumquat Lemon tea is an iconic drink in Macau and Hong Kong. It is a good for sore throat and quick relief if you have some cough. According to traditional Chinese medicine, Kumquat helps eliminate phlegm.

6. Pastelaria Yeng Kee Macau

Outside Yeng Kee Bakery, you are allowed to taste as many types of biscuits as possible.  They offer eggroll, almond cookies, mooncake & candy.

7. Koi Kei Bakery

Koi Kei Bakery is all over Macau, there is one near A-Ma temple too.  You also get to try all the cookies before you made any purchase.

Loi Wo Temple 女媧廟

This is a very small temple hidden in an alley at the foot of St Paul Ruins. Loi Wo temple is dedicated to the Goddess of Nuwa. There is nothing special about this temple as it is quite similar to ordinary houses, except it is painted in bright orange yellowish color.  Only half of the Temple left after a fire in 1914. You only need few minutes to take a look.

Senado Square

One thing you will notice immediately when you are at Senado Square is the wave-patterned mosaic of colored stones which was done by some Portuguese experts. The buildings around Senado Square has many western elements and colorful, at the windows you will notice intricate details work.

When I was in Portugal or Europe, I notice there is always a square in the middle of the city center. It was said that the square is for public gathering, events and celebration. Similar to Portugal or European concept, Senado Square is also used for the Chinese new year celebration, Christmas and New Year celebration.  Expect to see lion dance & firework during the festive season.

Senado Square was also listed as a UNESCO’s World Heritage list in 2005, the big square is full of tourists most of the time and at there are retails shopping and restaurants.

Leal Senado building 民政總署大樓

The white building is Leah Senado Building which you also may want to take a good look.  It is located across the Senado Square.  The building is neo-classical in design, and the exterior has retained all of its original.

Leah Senado Building was a meeting place for the Portuguese and the Chinese officials back then. Now the building houses a gallery on the ground floor, a public library, and an auditorium

Poet Luis De Camoes statue

Luis De Camoes statue was found here at the Leal Senator Building, the guy is the most important poet in Portugal. I have seen one of his poem in the westernmost of Europe in Cabo da Roca Portugal.

Back courtyard in Leal Senator Building

Azulejos tiles

Original master walls with Azulejos tiles, also the Portuguese icon. This is the Portuguese and Spanish painted tin-glazed ceramic tilework.  I have seen similar tilework at Cabo da Roca Portugal.

St. Dominic’s Church

A beautiful 16th-century Baroque-style church mixture of Macanese features in its design eg the Chinese-style roof tiles and doors are made of teak.  It is situated near the Leah Senado Building.

Visitors are allowed to go in free of charge.  You will notice The high altar of St Dominic’s Church.

Macau General Post Office

This is another historical landmark in Macau which was built in 1929, it is the general post office, located near Senado Square.  The building looks very much similar to the one I saw in Madrid Spain (The Metropolis).

Final thoughts:

St Paul Ruins is the must visit place in Macau. Glad to have spent few hours strolling the iconic landmark and few other monuments nearby.