Decide which kind of day you are having
Macau is small, but the links between districts are buses and resort shuttles, and traffic makes them slower than the map suggests. One day fits one route: the old-town slopes, or the Cotai indoor halls. If you enter via the Border Gate or the HZMB checkpoint, the first transfer already eats half an hour — trim one stop accordingly.
Version A: the old-town walking day
Start at Senado Square and take St. Dominic’s, St. Paul’s and Monte Fort in one climb — do not descend and then double back for souvenirs. Add either A-Ma Temple or the Mandarin’s House in the afternoon, and close near the avenue at dusk. Do not also bolt on Macau Tower.
Version B: the Cotai indoor day
Rain, heat, elderly companions or a pushchair — go indoors. Venetian, Londoner and Parisian are linked by covered walkways; Wynn and MGM sit on the other side. Check the day’s show and fountain times before you fix the order, and do not walk out and back just for one façade photo.
Plan the exit, not just the entry
Day-trippers most often blow the return leg. Ferry sailings, cross-border coaches and checkpoint closing times all differ and change seasonally, so check the day’s schedule before you set off and keep an hour of slack before your last stop. Buy souvenirs on the way back, not ten minutes before the shutters come down.