Coloane

Leafy and serene, Coloane is a former island whose scenic coves once sheltered pirates. With its beaches and narrow, twirling lanes, it provides a tranquil alternative to its busier neighbor of São Lourenço on the Macau Peninsula. Be sure to try the excellent Macanese cuisine in the various traditional and international restaurants when you visit Coloane.

Sunbathe on the sandy stretch of Hac Sa Beach on the parish’s eastern coast. Its name is Chinese for Black Sand Beach, in reference to the dark minerals making up this stunning strand, where families swim in the clean water.

On the southern coast is the Cheoc Van Beach, which is a little smaller and more secluded. Go swimming and dine at restaurants overlooking the sea.

Head north to the A-Ma Cultural Village, a complex dedicated to the Mazu goddess of the sea. Admire the sheer size of the A-Ma Statue, thought to be the largest of its kind in the world. Trails meander between the trees of this peaceful hilltop hub, providing views across the area. See the Buddhist temple and museum and try your luck at flipping a coin into a bowl on the top of the turtle sculpture in the pond.

Stroll along the narrow alleys of the village of Coloane and appreciate the colorful façades and Portuguese designs of the buildings. Among the highlights is the quaint Chapel of St. Francis Xavier, which stands near a monument to the fight against pirates.

For a change of scenery, travel to the eastern coast and play a round at the Macau Golf and Country Club.

The Coloane district is on the southern island of the Macau archipelago, with bridges extending across the Zhujiang River Estuary from São Lourenço. It is a little south of the neighborhoods of Taipa and Cotai. Travel around the hilly district by bus.