Enjoy a well-earned break from sightseeing in the village of Taipa with a visit to the Carmel Garden. Set above the Nossa Senhora da Esperança Wetland Ecological Bay, Carmel Garden entices visitors with its shaded pathways, manicured trees and panoramic views. Take a souvenir photo next to a famous Portuguese poet, visit a colonial church and browse exhibits about Taipa’s history at a nearby museum.
The garden features a series of colorful flowerbeds and small tree-lined lawns, each surrounded by hedges that have been preened to form curving shapes. Admire the vines that hang from a circular gazebo and take a rest on one of the stone benches. If you have the urge to get active then make use of the garden’s free-to-use exercise equipment.
Climb the steps that lead from the center of the garden to a belvedere, where a statue of the Portuguese poet and explorer Luis Vaz de Camões stands. A plaque provides information about Camões, who was one of the first colonial settlers in Macau, and his epic poem The Lusiads. Panoramic views reach over the rooftops of Taipa village and the wetlands of Nossa Senhora da Esperança Wetland Ecological Bay. Spot the towers of the casino resorts of the Cotai Strip entertainment district.
Pretty architectural landmarks stand at the edge of the garden. These include the yellow-hued Our Lady of Carmel Church set in a peaceful square and facing a library building notable for a facade of six imposing columns. Walk down the steps from the square to a waterfront promenade framed by restored 1920s houses. They are home to the exhibitors of the Tapia House Museum, which celebrates the Macanese people and their lifestyles.
Carmel Garden is open daily and the museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday. Reach the garden by traveling on public buses from central Macau and Coloane. From the Cotai Strip it’s about a 20-minute walk. Also worth visiting close to the garden is the Dra. Laurinda M. Esparteiro Garden, which has themed flowerbeds and walking trails.
