Macau Walking Tour: Senado Square and the Ruins of St. Paul's

Senado Square is a useful starting point for a walk through central Macau's historic district. Its public space is open around the clock, so you can begin at a time that suits your plans.

Take a moment to look across the square at its historic façades and paving before heading into the surrounding lanes. From there, continue through the historic area towards the Ruins of St. Paul's; the two stops fit naturally into a walk focused on the Macau Historic Centre.

The lanes between Senado Square and the Ruins of St. Paul's take you through Macau's historic centre. Keep the route flexible and follow the streets towards Company of Jesus Square, where the ruins stand.

For a broader route through central landmarks, see the Macau walking tour from Beverly Plaza Hotel.

From Beverly Plaza Hotel, S. Francisco Garden is about a 5-minute walk; you can pair this nearby green-space stop with the historic-centre walk.

A question-style guide to S. Francisco Garden as a quiet green stop covers the garden.

The Ruins of St. Paul's are the remains of the Church of Mater Dei and the adjacent St. Paul's College, at Company of Jesus Square. The church was built between 1602 and 1640; both structures were destroyed by fire in 1835.

The façade is 23 metres wide and 25.5 metres high, with five levels. The site includes the church façade and stairway. The façade is accessible 24 hours a day, while the Ruins of St. Paul's area is open from 09:00 to 18:00, with last admission at 17:30. Admission is free.

Allow time to take in the scale of the façade and the details across its levels. The Sacred Art Museum and Crypt are also part of the site; they have separate opening hours and a visitor limit, so check those details before planning to enter.

Mount Fortress and the Macao Museum are nearby stops identified in official Macao World Heritage visitor information. The museum is at Praceta do Museu de Macau, within Mount Fortress.

The Macao Museum is open from 10:00 to 18:00, with last entry at 17:30, and closes on Mondays. Visitors with disabilities can access it through Mount Fortress's south gate at Caminho dos Artilheiros.

Na Tcha Temple, next to the ruins of St. Paul's College, is another nearby heritage stop. It is open from 08:00 to 17:00. St. Dominic's Church is open from 10:00 to 18:00.

Opening hours differ across the heritage sites, so plan your stops around the places you want to enter. The Sacred Art Museum and Crypt are open from 09:00 to 18:00, with last admission at 17:30; they close on Tuesdays from 14:00 onward and open on other days, including public holidays. They can accommodate a maximum of 20 visitors at one time.

Photography or filming at the Ruins of St. Paul's requires prior authorization from the Cultural Affairs Bureau at least 20 days before the activity, except for normal public commemorations. For current visitor details and access arrangements, check the official site before you go.

Is Senado Square open at night?

Yes. Senado Square is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Is admission to the Ruins of St. Paul's free?

Yes. Admission to the Ruins of St. Paul's area is free.

Can you visit the Sacred Art Museum and Crypt every day?

They are open on other days, including public holidays, but close on Tuesdays from 14:00 onward. Last admission is at 17:30.

When is the Macao Museum closed?

The Macao Museum is closed on Mondays. On open days, it closes at 18:00, with last entry at 17:30.