Macau too boring? Explore the Coloane Old Town – must-visit attractions and tasty eats you need to know

The Coloane Old Town is located in the southern part of Coloane Island in Macau and is the area where Macanese-style historical architecture is best preserved. (Photo/Courtesy of Macao Tourism Board)

Planning a short getaway during the weekend? But aside from experiencing five-star hotels and entertainment facilities, what else is there to do in Macau? The Coloane Old Town is the area in Coloane where Macanese-style historical architecture is best preserved, with streets full of exotic charm. Its quiet and enchanting alleys, pavements paved with black-and-white pebbles, colonial-style Portuguese buildings, and the yellowish street lamps that light up at night all reflect the old town’s former look. Here’s a look at what must-visit attractions and must-eat foods the Macao Tourism Board recommends.

The Coloane Old Town is situated in the southern part of Coloane Island in Macau and was once a fishing village where residents mainly made a living through fishing and firecracker production. Nowadays, the old town has become a leisurely and comfortable place for a stroll, where you can visit famous landmarks such as the Kam Mo Association Hall, Our Lady of Carmel Chapel, Coloane Village, the Museum of Macanese History, and Pak Tai Temple. You can also take a relaxing bike ride along the winding and quaint alleys, searching for unique shops and admiring a variety of boutique items, artworks, and handmade crafts on a small alley exploration journey.

Moreover, the food scene in the Coloane Old Town is incredibly diverse – you can find everything from traditional bakeries and street snack stalls to authentic Chinese cuisine, as well as classic European dishes with Portuguese and Spanish flavors. The bustling and lively Rua do Cunha is lined with authentic restaurants where visitors can indulge in special snacks, mouthwatering cakes and pastries, and delicious light meals, embarking on a culinary journey that will delight your taste buds.

In the Coloane Old Town, you can admire highly exotic Portuguese-style buildings, sample various Chinese and Portuguese specialty foods, and wander through the lanes to explore both traditional and trendy shops. (Photo/Courtesy of Macao Tourism Board)

When visiting the highly exotic Coloane Old Town, you definitely shouldn’t miss trying Portuguese cuisine. You can head to restaurants such as Santos Portuguese Restaurant, Antonio Restaurant, Porto Portuguese Restaurant, Buddha Smile Building 3, Lei On Cafe, Fisherman’s Portuguese Restaurant, or Porto Largo Authentic Portuguese Cuisine to enjoy delicious and authentic Portuguese dishes. Additionally, Portugal Garden offers special Portuguese light meals and snacks.

If you still have room in your stomach, try Chinese cuisine or light snacks and dim sum such as the salted beef thick egg toast, peanut butter squares, and traditional clay pot coffee and milk tea from Century Cafe; the pork chop bun from Tai Lei Loi Kei Coffee Shop; the lobster rolls or various European dishes from Lobster King; or delicious desserts from favorite spots like Lord Stow’s Bakery, Sweet Mill, Cheung Chau Ping Kee, Saude-na, Lemonciclo Italian Hand-Pulled Ice Cream Shop, and DiGREEN – all sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.

In addition, the art spaces in the Coloane Old Town occasionally showcase exquisite works by local and international artists from Macau. The outdoor square of the famous souvenir street Rua do Cunha also hosts street performances and flea markets every weekend, bringing even more surprises to travelers who can hunt for treasures while shopping for souvenirs such as almond cookies, dried meats, egg rolls, shredded meat crisp, and chicken biscuits.