Culturally suave, Melaka (or Malacca City) is the elegant capital of its namesake state in Malaysia. Once a trading port and the capital of the Malacca Sultanate, it boasts an interesting amalgamation of contemporary and Malay vernacular architecture, with a chattering riverside scene that will draw you straight into local life and offer a window into the Baba Chinese community. Situated at the mouth of the Melaka River on the Straits of Malacca, the former port town has several historic attractions. It is a magnet for those who wish to have an unfiltered Malaysian experience, a ‘second city’, as the trendspotter would say.
It’s hard to think of a more inviting city than Melaka. Still, the marquee attraction here is the unending list of landmarks: religious architecture brushed with Islamic and Chinese styles, hole-in-the-wall eateries serving everything hyperlocal, and beaches with deep blue, calming waters. Melaka has plenty of magnetism, a tourism-friendly personality, and a vibrant culinary scene. Get started with our selection of the best things to do in Melaka, and read on to learn about the city’s top tourist attractions.
The best time to visit Melaka
The best time to visit Melaka, like for the rest of Malaysia, is during the dry season — from March to October. The sunny weather is perfect if you plan to stroll through Jonker Street, book a river cruise, or enjoy a ‘girl dinner’ by the beach. The heat is often balanced with the soothing breeze, and there’s very little probability of nature raining on your parade. Explore our guide to the best time to visit Malaysia for more details.
Popular attractions in Melaka
Baba & Nyonya Heritage
The Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum is the best place in Melaka to start your journey if you want to learn about Peranakan culture. It is housed in a 19th-century residence that once belonged to the Chan family and opened as a museum in 1985. Visitors can see Baba Chan Cheng Siew’s home and observe the noteworthy style of pre-World War II Peranakan homes.
Address: 48-50, Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia
Timing: 10 am to 4:15 pm (Wednesday to Sunday and Monday); Tuesday closed
Entry fee: RM 25 (HKD44.50) for adults and RM 15 (HKD 26.70) for children, with a RM 100 (HKD 177.85) surcharge for costumes. Tickets are available at babanyonyamuseum.com
Dutch Square (Red Square)
Look up Melaka on the internet or Instagram, and the Dutch Square’s red colonial buildings pop up almost instantly and everywhere. Housing the Melaka Clock Tower, built in 1886 by Tan Jiak Kim, the Queen Victoria’s Fountain, and the Stadthuys, a 17th-century Dutch administrative building now housing the History and Ethnography Museum. Right across is Jonker Street, and the square is accessible via Melaka Bus Town No.17.
Submarine Museum
The Melaka Submarine Museum in Klebang offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience: a rare chance to explore the Agosta 70-class submarine. Built in 1978 in France, the Malaysian Navy used the submarine for training until 2009. The museum is also the only submarine museum in Malaysia, making it a must-add attraction to your itinerary.
Address: Jln Klebang Kecil, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia
Timing: 9 am to 5 pm (Tuesday to Sunday); Monday closed
Entry: RM 10 (HKD 17.80) for Malaysian adults, RM 20 (HKD 35.60) for foreign adults, RM 5 (HKD 8.90) for Malaysian children, and RM 10 (HKD 17.80) for foreign children. Kids 6 and below enter free.
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Jonker Street
Synonymous with the ‘city centres’ of Europe, Jonker Street, also known as Jonker Walk, is one of Melaka’s most happening neighbourhoods. From a 200-metre-long dragon replica at the entrance, a Malaysian Book of Records attraction (symbolising Melaka’s bravery and unity) to its night market on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays, this is the first and last place you must indulge in when visiting.
Address: Jalan Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia
Timing: The street is open every day; the night market is held during the weekend from 10 am to 11 pm.
St Paul’s Hill and the Church of St Paul
Located near Dutch Square, St Paul’s Hill offers a five- to ten-minute climb up beautiful white stairs leading to the Church of St Paul, built between 1566 and 1590. With old Dutch graves and Christian artefacts, it’s a great place to spend a couple of leisurely hours.
Address: 1935, Jln Kota, Banda Hilir, 75000 Melaka, Malaysia
Timing: Open 24 hours
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Melaka Cheng Hoon Teng Temple
This is Malaysia’s oldest traditional Chinese temple, dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy, Kuan Yin. One of the most popular attractions in Melaka, it is known for its vibrant art and figurines. Visitors can also admire the detailed architecture, including intricate sculptures and wall paintings depicting religious stories. The temple plays a key role in preserving and sharing the deep history of the Chinese migration to Malaysia.
Address: 25, Jalan Tokong, Kampung Dua, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia
Timing: 7 am to 6 pm (Monday to Thursday and Saturday); 7 am to 8:30 pm (Friday and Sunday)
Melaka Straits Mosque
The Melaka Straits Mosque, also called the ‘floating mosque’, is a religious structure perched on stilts along the Straits of Melaka. The major highlight here is the floating illusion, created when high tides or foggy weather take over the area. Its ideal visit time is sunset when you can capture it in its most glowing avatar. Talking about capturing the beauty of this attraction, the architecture, which blends Malay and Middle Eastern influences, demands your attention with local turrets and a dome showcasing Middle Eastern design.
Address: Masjid Selat, 75000, Melaka, Malaysia
Timing: 9 am to 12:30 pm, 2:30 pm to 4:15 pm, and 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm, daily
A’Famosa — a historical attraction in Melaka
Also known as Porta de Santiago, A’Famosa is Southeast Asia’s oldest European structure, constructed by the Portuguese in the 16th century. It features thick walls and a 40-metre-high watchtower, a guided tour of which is recommended to understand how vital it once was for defending against the enemy troops.
Address: Jln Parameswara, Banda Hilir, 78000 Alor Gajah, Melaka, Malaysia
Timing: Open 24 hours
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Ticked off all attractions? Try these activities in Melaka
Resist any temptation to go into a food coma, which you will after dining here, and instead try these popular activities in and around the city, easily discovered on a self or guided tour.
- Climb to the Menara Taming Sari and capture a bird’s-eye view of Melaka City and beyond from this rotating tower, highlighting historical sites like St Paul’s Hill.
- Sail through Melaka’s iconic river on a cruise, once dubbed ‘Venice of the East’, for a slow journey through the city. Our Melaka River Cruise guide will help you explore the city’s history by water.
- Visit A Famosa, Asia’s oldest surviving European fortress, and step back in time to learn about Melaka’s colonial past.
- Head to the Mamee Jonker House for a fun, interactive experience where you can personalise your cup noodles, munch on some snacks at the in-house café, tour the mini-museum, and bring back home some Mamee-themed merchandise.
- Plan a trip to Skytrex Adventure Melaka, located along Jalan Ayer Keroh, and is considered the best place for a fun-filled, family-friendly outing featuring courses like UFO and the Tarzan Bungee Swing.
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Shopping places to visit in Melaka
Malls and outlets
- Freeport A’Famosa Premium Outlet: This Dutch-themed open-air mall in Melaka is next to the A’Famosa Resort in Alor Gajah.
- AEON MALL Bandaraya Melaka: An all-in-one shopping establishment with plenty of dining options, a movie theatre, and a supermarket.
- Dataran Pahlawan Melaka Megamall: One of Melaka’s largest malls, it is an award-winning global mall with a couple dozen brand stores, a food court, and an entertainment arena.
- Mahkota Parade: The first ‘regional’ shopping centre in the commercial and tourist centre, this mall is a go-to place for locals and visitors.
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Markets in Melaka
- Red Square: Walk down the path between Christ Church and Stadthuys if you are souvenir hunting or walk around the attractions to discover small businesses selling handicrafts.
- Melaka Craft Complex: Looking for something authentic from the state of Melaka? Visit the Karyaneka Sdn Bhd craft sales centre at this craft complex.
- Jonker Street Market: Maybe the best (and most overwhelming) market to shop, this weekend extravaganza is where you can sample some of the area’s delicacies, bargain for antiques, and discover handmade souvenirs made by locals. Even on the weekdays, you will find many shopping outlets to browse through.
- Pahlawan Walk Night Market: This quieter, less-crowned alternative to the Jonker Street market is open on weekend evenings and is perfect for supporting traditional crafts and craftspeople.
- Vintage Night Market Melaka: Shop for everything from vintage clothing to electronics on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 6 pm to 2 am.
- Pasar Malam Malim Jaya: Hosted every Friday night, besides shopping for artefacts and sovineous, it is also the best place to devour quintessential Malaysian street food on a budget.
Book your stay at Courtyard by Marriott Melaka via Agoda
Book your stay at Courtyard by Marriott Melaka via Marriott
Where to eat in Melaka
Cafes in Melaka
Geographer Cafe, a long-standing fixture, offers a variety of Asian and Western dishes alongside live entertainment. At The Daily Fix Cafe, savour pandan pancakes with freshly brewed coffee in a heritage building. Baba Kaya will serve you a unique experience with its apam served via an old pulley system, along with spicy laksa and nasi lemak. Calanthe Art Cafe showcases 13 varieties of coffee, while Heesan Kopi and The Coffee Jar provide comforting meals and freshly brewed coffee in cosy settings.
Popular restaurants and eateries
Just getting started on Melaka’s food scene? Head to the Bulldog, known for its modern twist on traditional dishes, which serves up signature Pai Tee Top Hats and lamb shank to fuel up. The next stop is Jonker 88, located on, you might have guessed it, Jonker Street, a prime attraction in Melaka. It is a must-visit for a bowl of creamy Nyonya laksa soup. For authentic street food, hit Capital Satay Celup for satay sticks, Hoe Kee for chicken rice balls, and Capitol Seafood for shellfish such as oysters, cockles, and razor clams.
Kocik Heritage Restaurant, Nancy’s Kitchen, and Cottage Spices Nyonya Restaurant serve up delightful Peranakan fare. Meanwhile, fans of Asam Pedas can find exceptional plates at Asam Pedas Kota Laksamana, while fish lovers should not miss out on the Ikan Bakar Anjung Muara Sungai Duyung. Wrap it up with a trip to Restoran Ikan Bakar Malim, where the freshest ikan bakar (grilled fish) takes the spotlight.
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Where to stay in Melaka?
Melaka’s hotels take up many personalities and become multicultural hotspots for some of the most unique hospitality experiences. Perhaps it’s The Majestic Malacca’s Nyonya cuisine that will lure you in alongside the 1920s colonial architecture, or you will lock in on Courtyard by Marriott Melaka, near attractions like St Peters Church, for its incomparable views of the city and Straits of Malacca.
Explore more with our guide to some of the top hotels in Melaka.
Book your stay at The Majestic Malacca via Agoda
Book your stay at The Majestic Malacca via Hilton
How to reach
By air: The nearest airport to Melaka is Kuala Lumpur International Airport, approximately 134.4 km away. The city’s domestic Malacca International Airport (MKZ) is also operational, but there are minimal flights to and from Singapore Changi Airport (SIN).
By rail: Melaka is not directly connected by train. However, two direct train services depart daily from Kuala Lumpur for Pulau Sebang/Tampin Railway Station, about 40.3 km away.
By road: Melaka is well-connected via roadways, and the North-South Expressway provides a smooth route from Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru.
Insider tips for exploring the top attractions in Melaka
As with almost anything, a goal without a plan is just a wish. Keep these informational tidbits in mind for smooth travelling in Melaka.
- You can skip the guided tours and rent a bike to explore Melaka’s historical attractions and landmarks at your own pace.
- Wake up at dawn (or dusk) and head to the Melaka Riverwalk for riverside views without the crowds.
- Bring comfortable shoes to walk around Melaka’s cobbled streets. Jonker Street and the area around the old town will surely test them.
- Restaurants are great but do not miss sampling local delicacies like chicken rice balls and Nyonya cuisine on the curbside.
- Take a boat tour along the Melaka River, and carry a camera to capture the best of the region’s landscapes.
- Skip peak hours at the Melaka Zoo by visiting early in the morning or late afternoon.
- Visit during the Chinese New Year to see the city all glammed as festive food and experiences abound.
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(Feature image credit: Filipe Freitas/Unsplash)
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The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Yes, Melaka is ideal for a weekend getaway, even if you just have a day, with everything from historic explorations to street food tours, all packed in a compact area.
Melaka, with George Town, is UNESCO-listed, showcasing 500 years of East-West cultural and trade exchange.
Yes, attractions like the Melaka Zoo, Wonderland Theme Park, and Maritime Museum are perfect for a family-friendly trip.
Melaka is generally safe for tourists, but during the weekends as the crowd rushes in, it is advised to be vigilant and keep your belongings safe.
Yes, solo travellers visiting Malaysia can visit Melaka and explore stress-free as the locals here are welcoming and also speak English.
Yes, some must-visit beaches include Klebang Beach and Pengkalan Balak, both within a short drive from the city.
Yes, Melaka is approximately a 2-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur or you can take a KLIA Transit train for the same duration, making it accessible for a day trip.
From the Melaka River Cruise to night touring the Jonker Street Night Market, or live music at rooftop bars, there are many activities you can indulge in after the sun goes down.
Written By
Sneha Chakraborty
Sneha Chakraborty is a journalist and photographer covering how travel intersects with food, culture, ..Read More
