Dedicated to the goddess Matsu, the splendid A-Ma Temple (Templo de A-Má) was built on the Macau Peninsula in 1488 and was the inspiration for the renaming of the city by the Portuguese a few decades later. Part of Macau’s UNESCO Historic Center, this Buddhist temple is one of the city’s most important religious sites and is well worth exploring.

Divided into six easily accessible sections – the Gate Pavilion, Prayer Hall, Memorial Arch, Hall of Benevolence, the Zhengjiao Chanlin, and the Hall of Guanyin – this architecturally pleasing attraction features numerous interesting things to see, from its many fierce-looking stone lions and statues of the goddess Matsu to shady spots to stop and contemplate the serenity of the temple grounds, as well as spectacular views over the bay.