Macau is known as the Las Vegas of Asia, and as its deserved accolade implies, it’s a place dedicated to glitz, glamour, and having an all-round good time. Located just 62 kilometers from the bustling metropolis of Hong Kong, it’s one of the most incredible cities to visit: a melting pot of diverse cultures, stunning scenery, and gastronomic delights galore.

So, want to experience it in all of its bright and brilliant glory? Then, here are four fantastic destinations to add to your itinerary…

The Casinos of Macau

There are around 40 casinos in Macau, Asia. Photo by Stock Snap.

The first recommendation on our list is a rather predictable one, but we won’t apologize for it. Famed for its many magnificent casinos, the city has much to offer those who enjoy a flutter, including some of the largest and most luxurious gambling establishments in existence.

Their beauty and decadence are as much of an attraction as the action itself, which means that, even if you find the atmosphere inside a little overwhelming, you should still pay them a visit.

Macau casino interior. The Portuguese government legalized gambling in Macau in the 1850s. Photo by Falco.

If you can’t tear yourself away from your sumptuous suite and spot in the on-site spa, there’s a little cheat you can use: find yourself an online provider and enjoy all of the excitement without having to move a muscle – lazy Sundays start here!

Okay, you won’t have splashed your cash in the casino itself, but you’ll still have rolled the figurative dance in one of the most legendary gaming destinations in the world.

The Venetian

The Venetian Casino on a misty morning, in Macau, part of the Pearl River Delta metropolitan region, the most populated area in the world. Photo taken by Trans World Productions and reprinted under a CC BY-ND 2.0 license.

Speaking of gambling establishments, The Venetian Hotel and Casino (pictured above) is one of our favorites, and not just as a place to play poker. Modeled on the city of Venice, this little Italy has everything from a shopping mall to cobbled streets, painted ceilings, and Renaissance-style buildings.

Its crowning glory, however, is its canal, which comes complete with gondola rides, flowing water, and a crooning boatman. Visit it for the day and enjoy the most paradisiacal retail experience of your life.

Senado Square

The historical Senado Square was a meeting place for the Chinese and Portuguese in the 16th to 18th centuries in Macau. Photo by Andrew Moore reprinted under a CC BY-SA 2.0 license.

Senado Square is one of Macau’s most renowned public spaces – and with very good reason. Filled to the brim with a variety of diversions, from shops to heritage sites, restaurants, and snack bars, it has a unique feel to it, created in part by its narrow streets and maze-like paths.

Whether you want to splash the cash and spend some money, explore the ruins of St Paul’s, or try the local cuisine for yourself, there is certainly plenty to entertain you.

Macau Senado Square which is part of the UNESCO Historic Centre of Macau World Heritage Site – photo by Chang’r reused under a CC BY-ND 2.0 license.

The main square is especially enjoyable, decorated as it is in keeping with the most recent festival, and makes the perfect beauty spot for snapping some pictures.

A-Ma Temple

Inside A-Ma Temple (Templo de A-Ma), Macau. Photo by Wired Tourist reprinted under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Last but not least on our list of places is our favorite spot in Macau: the beautiful A-Ma Temple. Legend says Macau itself was named after the site after Portuguese seafarers misheard the local pronunciation of its true moniker.

A Taoist temple constructed in the late 1400s, it is the oldest of its kind in the area, so people come from all around to see it. A-Ma itself is dedicated to the ancient deity Matzu, patron goddess of seafarers and fisherman, who was especially worshipped by the city’s long-ago port-dwelling inhabitants.

Which of these amazing places will you add to your itinerary?

More Places to Visit in Asia