Senado Square
A wave-patterned pedestrian square lined with pastel colonial buildings — Senado Square is the natural starting point for exploring old Macau on foot.
Senado Square (Largo do Senado) sits at the geographic and historic centre of the Macau peninsula. Its black-and-white swirled paving — the same calçada portuguesa wave pattern found across Lisbon — is unofficially one of the most photographed patches of ground in the city. The square is fully pedestrianised, ringed by candy-coloured 17th- to 19th-century buildings, and forms the start of the walking route up to the Ruins of St Paul's.
What to see around the square
- Leal Senado Building — the former municipal council chambers on the square's south side, with a small free garden courtyard and library inside.
- Holy House of Mercy (Santa Casa da Misericórdia) — a white neoclassical building with a small museum of religious art and historic relics.
- St Dominic's Church — one block north, a mustard-yellow baroque church with a free museum of sacred art upstairs.
- Rua de São Paulo — the pedestrian shopping street leading north from the square directly to the Ruins of St Paul's, lined with jerky and almond cookie sample stalls.
Food to try on the walk
The lane between Senado Square and the Ruins is Macau's best-known food-sampling gauntlet. Look out for:
- Fresh-baked Portuguese egg tarts — sold warm from open shopfronts, best eaten on the spot.
- Beef and pork jerky (肉乾) — grilled fresh and cut to order; stallholders hand out small samples.
- Almond cookies — pressed and toasted in front of you at several bakeries.
- Wife cakes and durian pastries — worth a look even if you don't try them.
For a sit-down meal, see our full Macau food guide.
Practical details
| Access | Free, open 24 hours (shops keep normal hours) |
|---|---|
| Best time to visit | Early morning (quiet, cool) or after dark (buildings lit up) |
| Nearest landmarks | Ruins of St Paul's (8-min walk), A-Ma Temple (~20-min walk), Fortaleza do Monte (10-min walk) |
| Getting there | Free casino shuttle buses run to the peninsula from most Cotai resorts; taxis and rideshares are inexpensive |
Pair it with
Walk Senado Square → Rua de São Paulo food street → Ruins of St Paul's → Fortaleza do Monte in one easy loop of under two hours.
FAQ
Is Senado Square free to visit?
Yes, it's a public square, open at all hours and free to enter.
How do I get from Senado Square to the Ruins of St Paul's?
Walk north along Rua de São Paulo — it's a gently uphill, fully pedestrianised walk of about 8–10 minutes.
Is Senado Square crowded?
It can get busy around midday and on weekends/holidays. Early morning or evening is noticeably quieter.