Occupying an area of 800 square meters (about 0.2 acres), the Macau Maritime Museum was built on the site where the first group of Portuguese explorers landed on Macau in 1553. Enlarged in 1990, the museum follows the typical museum layouts of a European style. The exhibits explore major themes in the history of the maritime industry in Macau, China and Portugal.
The main building of the museum is a three-storey white building, architected in the shape of a boat in full sail. Big glass windows provide the illusion of an observation tower of a boat. From a distance, the museum building appears to be a majestic boat anchoring at the tranquil port.
The Macau Maritime Museum is divided into five sections. The exhibits on the first floor portray traditions and techniques of the fishermen in Macau. Exhibits include displays of costumes, fishing techniques and fishing boat models. On the second floor, the exhibits survey the history of the Portuguese explorations and geographical discoveries. The top floor houses exhibits on marine technology and transport, dredging and navigation. The exhibits here include Guia Lighthouse (the first lighthouse in China), various kinds of ropes, and a three-dimensional model of Macau as well as a variety of boat models.
The Aquarium Gallery in the museum has four tanks. Each devoted to a different theme of the sub-water world. The first presents a fresh water riverbed, the second represents a harbor and the third represents a coral reef. The last tank features the scenes of a sunken boat in the deep sea.
There is a square outside of the museum that visitors should not miss. From the square, visitors appreciate the sceneries on the river bank and of the busy harbor. Sail boats are also available for visitors to set sail on the sea.
Location: Largo do Pagode da Barra, 1.
Transportation: Bus routes 1,1A,2,5,6,7,9,10,10A, 11,18,21,21A,28B,34. Take bus 2, 5, 7, 9, 10, 10A, 18, 28B and alight at A-ma Temple. The museum is aside of the temple.
Ticket: Sundays: 10 - 17 years old: 3 patacas
18 - 65 years old: 5 patacas
Other days: 10 - 17 years old: 5 patacas
18 - 65 years old: 10 patacas
Free for children under 10 years old and adults over 65.
Opening hours: 10:00 to 18:00 (Closed on Tuesday)