11 Sporting and Outdoor Activities in Macao

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Macau may be small but you’d be surprised at how much there is to do for active travellers. With a balmy sub-tropical climate, there are plenty of outdoor activities available to get you moving, such as hiking, swimming, windsurfing and playing golf.

Sporting fans will want to plan a trip around one of Macao’s sporting events, such as the Wushu Masters Challenge or the Macao Grand Prix.  

Walking around the Historic Centre of Macao will give you a good workout and these itineraries will keep you on the move while you look at Macau’s famous landmarks. Aside from that, here are some other ways for sporting fans and active travellers to enjoy Macao. 

Planning a trip soon? Here are the top places to visit in Macao and 50 free things to do in Macau including he best attractions in Macao for kids.  Macao offers arange of accommodation from budget hotels to the best luxury hotels in the world.  

12 Sporting and Outdoor Activities in Macao 

1- Lap up the excitement at the 66th Macao Grand Prix

macao grand prix

Macao’s most significant international sporting event is the world-renowned Macao Grand Prix, where Formula 3 racing cars and motorcycles race around the Guia circuit.

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The Macao Grand Prix has been wowing racing fans since 1854 and has grown into a huge event where hundreds of competitors race in various classes of motor races.

The 66th Macao Grand Prix is from 14 to 17 November 2019.

2- Learn some moves at the Wushu Masters Challenge

macao wushu

Wushu is a contemporary sport that has its roots in traditional Chinese martial arts.

In Macao, the sport has gained popularity through the annual Wushu Masters Challenge, which is a four-day event that attracts Wushu experts from around the region.

Watching the displays of flying kicks and dynamic movements highlight the flexibility, speed and technique of these Wushu athletes.

The Wushu Masters Challenge is a sporting event with a cultural twist with lion and dragon dances to jazz up the celebrations.

The Wushu Masters Challenge 1 to 4 August 2019

3- Run in the Macau International Marathon

macao international marathon

Each year runners from around the world join hundreds of local athletes to compete in the Macau International Marathon.

The course circles the peninsula and crosses over to Taipa and Coloane Islands.

There are full, half and mini-marathon events, which are open to professionals as well as amateurs.

The Macao International Marathon is on 1 December 2019

4- Hike around Taipa and Coloane

Macao has 16 hiking trails, most of which are in Taipa and Coloane.

The Taipa Grande Trail on Taipa Island takes about 90 minutes and starts at Taipa Grande Nature Park and starts as an easy trail suitable for kids.

The hike becomes a little more challenging as you approach the highest point on Taipa (160m above sea level) and there’s another route along the southeast with amazing views and the chance to spot flying egrets.

The Taipa Pequena Trail has pathways around Taipa Pequena Hill and has lovely views of the Macao Peninsula, Taipa and Zhuhai.

It’s a good place to stretch your legs or workout at the five outdoor fitness areas on the trail and there are a children’s playground and leisure zones.

The Hác Sá Long Chao Kok Family Trail has three circuits on the southeast coast of Coloane Island.

5- Go Cycling on Taipa and Coloane

Cycling around Taipa and Coloane Islands is a fun way to explore. You can rent a bicycle near the Pak Tai Temple in Taipa and cycle around at your own pace.

Note: Bicycling is prohibited on all bridges spanning Macao Peninsula and Taipa.

6- Go Bowling

There’s a bowling centre in Cotai with a 24-lane bowling alley and three squash courts.

When the weather is too steamy outdoors, head to the interactive running and cycling equipment at the Sports Experience Zone, which also has a shooting simulator and air hockey table.

The Bowling Centre in Cotai is at Complexo Desportivo Internacional do Cotai (2 pm to 11 pm during weekdays and 9 am to 11 pm on weekends and public holidays).

7- Glide around an ice skating rink

Rent ice skates at the Future Bright Skating Rink on the Macao Peninsula and glide around the ice skating rink.

Other facilities at the Future Bright Amusement Park are a bowling alley, a gaming arcade, a children’s playground and restaurant.

The Future Bright Amusement Park is at Lai Hou Garden, R/C, Praça de Luís de Camões (Near Camões Garden) and is open for bowling from 10 am to 1 am, ice skating from 10 am to 10.30 pm.

8- Spend the day at the beach

Both of Macao’s beaches – Cheoc Van Beach and Hác-Sá Beach – are safe for swimming. Jet skiing and sailing are also available.

Cheoc Van Beach sits in a scenic bay with shady areas and is within walking distance from Coloane Village.

There’s a lifeguard on duty and public facilities include toilets, changing rooms and barbecue pits and you can hire kayaking and windsurfing equipment at the Nautical Club.

There’s a large open-air swimming pool at Cheoc Van Beach, several restaurants and a pousada (Portuguese inn).

Hac Sa Beach, or black sand beach, is a 1km beach popular with local families. Facilities there are tennis courts, a swimming pool, picnic area and children’s playground.

9- Go Karting in Coloane

macao go kart

You might be surprised to learn that Macao has an impressive Go-Karting track.

Hire go-karts and race around the Coloane Karting Track, which is a Class B track that hosts international Go Karting competitions. There’s a spectator stand restaurant.

The Macau Autosports Club runs the Macao International Kart Grand Prix. 

Coloane Karting Track is at Estrada de Seac Pai Van, Coloane (open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 2 pm to 6 pm, Thursdays and Fridays from 2 pm to 4.30 pm, Saturdays from 1.30 pm to 6 pm and Sundays from 11 am to 6 pm). It costs MOP180 (for 15 minutes).

10- Play golf 

Even though Macau is small, there are two golf courses. The Macau Golf & Country Club is on Coloane Island and has stunning ocean views, practice greens, caddy service and a pro shop.

The world’s best golfers, including Nick Faldo, Darren Clarke and John Daly – have teed off at this course as it has hosted the Macau Open golf tournament since 1998.

Caesars Golf Macau is an 18-hole course next to Macao’s karting track and is open to both members and visitors in Macao.

11- Horse riding in Coloane

The Macau Horse Riding School in Coloane has English-speaking instructors who can teach you the basic skills of horse riding.

The school has docile horses suitable for beginners.

Horse racing attracts thousands of visitors to Macao each year and the Macau Jockey Club has races all year round.  

 

Macau Sporting

Macau Sporting

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Christina Pfeiffer
Christina Pfeiffer is a writer, photographer and video blogger based in Queensland, Australia. She has lived in three continents and her career as a travel journalist has taken her to all seven continents. Since 2003, she has contributed travel stories and photographs to mainstream media in Australia and around the world such as the Sydney Morning Herald, CNN Traveller, The Australian and the South China Morning Post. She has won many travel writing awards and is a full member of the Australian Society of Travel Writers.