trip to melaka

Dive Into Malaysia

21 Best Places To Visit In Melaka

Going on a Melaka trip and want to know all the best places to visit in Melaka? We have you covered! Below you will find our guide to all the best attractions in Melaka.

Melaka (also spelt Malacca), is a port city about an hour and a half’s drive south of Kuala Lumpur, and is a great place to visit. It has an interesting history thanks to periods of Malay, Dutch, English and Portuguese rule due to its strategic trade location on the Straits of Melaka.

The best part is that it’s easy to explore and learn more about this past on a holiday in Melaka by visiting all the most interesting things to do in Melaka, Malaysia. So – if you’re looking for the best place in Melaka to explore, read on! 

With a UNESCO heritage listed heart, Melaka is a great place to just wander. Many of the places of interest in Melaka are within walking distance of each other and you can find many of the Melaka best place to visit options this way by just wandering the old area. 

There are also some fun and fascinating Melaka, Malaysia tourist attractions just out of the central area including theme parks and other Melaka place to visit family attractions for people who have more time.

Below, you will find our Melaka travel blog with all the places to visit in Malacca that we loved. It also has everything you need to know about what to do in Melaka as well as the best places to stay for your ultimate Melaka vacation!

Travelling to Malaysia? Click here to download your free Malaysia Trip Planning checklist . We’ll help you get ready for your trip!  

Have any questions? Join our Malaysia Travel Planning Facebook group here now! It’s the perfect place to ask any questions and to be inspired.

Top 21 Best Places To Visit In Melaka

Here are the top places to go in Melaka. Read through and select the ones that fit your interests and timeframe.

Sultanate Palace

This Melaka famous place is located at the foot of St Paul’s Hill, the Sultanate Palace was built in 1985 as a replica of the original wooden palace that once belonged to Sultan Mansur Shah. Sultan Mansur Shah was once the ruler of Melaka between 1456 to 1477.    

Today the palace is home to the Cultural Museum showcasing Malay history and offers tourists a rare insight into what the ancient Malay Kingdom was once like.

In the Cultural Museum, there are over 1300 items from Melaka’s past including photographs, weapons, drawings and musical instruments. This place to visit at Melaka is also surrounded by stunning landscaped gardens.

An interesting fact worth knowing about the Sultanate Palace is that it was built without any nails. Instead, the structure was put together by a series of wooden grooves and slots to hold everything in place.

Entry is RM2 for Adults and RM1 for kids.

Address: Jalan Kota, Bandar Hilir

St. Paul’s Church

Located on the top of St Paul’s Hill are the ruins of this interesting place in Melaka that’s well worth a visit – St Paul’s Church. The Church is the oldest church in Malaysia and, in fact, Southeast Asia being built in 1521 by the Portuguese. Originally known as Our Lady of the Hill (Nossa Senhora do Oiteiro), the church was enlarged in 1556 and renamed the Chapel of Mother of God (Madre de Deus).

When the Dutch colonised Melaka, the church was no longer used as a place of worship and today only ruins remain of the church. However, this is still one of the interesting places in Melaka well worth visiting.  

The views from the top of the hill are worth it alone. Here you can see all across Melaka and even right out to the coastline.

In order to reach the church, you will pass various other historical places in Melaka including museums and monuments so be sure to give yourself enough time to explore everything of interest to you.

Entry is free.

Christ Church

Next in our Melaka places to visit list, and located opposite the Stadhuys (see below) on Jalan Gereja (also known as Church Street), Christ Church is an instantly recognisable red brick building which was built by the Dutch in 1753 to celebrate the Dutch occupation.  

Today, Christ Church is one of the most popular tourist places in Melaka and remains the oldest operational Protestant Church in Malaysia.

Inside the Christ Church, you will find 200-year-old handmade pews, decorative fanlights and plaques in honour of the Dutch soldiers and locals.

Christ Church is located near Chinatown across the bridge from Jonker Street and directly opposite the Historical Museum and Ethnographical Museum.

Address: No. 48, Jalan Gereja

A’Famosa Fort/Porta de Santiago

Located on St Paul’s Hill just before you reach the ruins of the St Paul’s Church, you will find the Porta de Santiago (referred to as A’Famosa Fort by locals), which was once used as a fortress in the war and is now a historical monument.  

This monument is perhaps the most famous place in Melaka to visit and the most photographed structure in all of Melaka.

Built in 1511, this fortress was built with long ramparts and four major towers. One of the towers was a four-storey keep while the others were the home of the captain, officer’s quarters and an ammunition storage room. Today, most of the fortress has been destroyed with the exception of a small gatehouse, yet it remains the oldest surviving European structure in all of Asia.

Address: Jalan Parameswara, Bandar Hilir, Alor Gajah

Menara Taming Sari

If you’re wondering where to go in Melaka for a great bird’s eye view of the town, then head on up to the revolving Menara Taming Sari. With a height of 110 metres, from the top of this tower (the only one to be built in Malaysia) you get 360-degree panoramic views.

This Melaka tourist spot has visitors climb into the glass cabin, and the cabin then starts to revolve getting higher and higher until it reaches its peak. The entire journey lasts around 7 minutes.

This Melaka new attraction is located in Bandar Hilir on Jalan Merdeka and if you’re looking for places to visit in Melaka at night you’ll be pleased to know that opening hours are 10 am to 11 pm daily.

Entry fee is RM 22 for adults and RM 11 for kids.

Address: Jalan Merdeka, Bandar Hilir

If you’re looking for the best place to visit in Melaka and you love history, you won’t want to miss the Stadthuys. This massive, bright terracotta red, riverfront building is a popular tourist spot and one of the attractive places in Melaka to visit. The Stadthuys building dates back to 1650 and was built during the Dutch colonial period.  

The building is modelled on the town hall in Hoorn in the Netherlands and is believed to be the oldest surviving Dutch building in the East.

Stadthuys was once the local town hall and residence of the governor, although since 1982 it has been home to the History and Ethnography Museum. The museum showcases Melakan culture as well as its history from the Malay Sultanate, Portuguese, Dutch and British occupations.

Entry costs RM10 for adults and RM4 for kids.

Address: Jalan Gereja Bandar Hilir

Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum

The Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum is a collection of three restored houses arranged to look like a typical 19th century Baba-Nyonya residence. Baba Nyonya was the name given to the affluent Chinese-Malays that once lived in Melaka.

The Baba Nyonya purchased dutch townhouses and renovated them into mini palaces. It was not uncommon for these homes to be decked out with Dutch-influenced fixtures such as hand-painted tiles, elaborately carved teakwood and Victorian lamps.  

For tourists interested in a glimpse into what these Baba Nyonya homes were like, then the museum is one of the must visit places in Melaka .

Entry fee is RM15 per adult and RM10 per child.

Address: 48-50, Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock

Click here to buy discounted half day tour tickets now.

Cheng Hoon Teng Temple

The Cheng Hoon Teng Temple is the oldest operating Chinese temple in Malaysia, and another contender for the Melaka best place to visit prize. Built in the 17th century, today it remains one of the most important places of worship for the Buddhist Chinese community in Melaka.

While the temple is dedicated to Kuan Yin, the goddess of mercy, however, it remains a multifaith temple with Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian elements.

Located near the Hindu temple Sri Pogyatha Vinoyagar in Jonker Street, Cheng Hoon Teng Temple is open daily and is one of the popular tourist attraction places in Melaka to visit.

Address: 25, Jalan Tokong, Kampung Dua

Masjid Kampung Kling

Masjid Kampung Kling is a mosque in Melaka which was originally built by Indian Muslin traders in 1748. The mosque was then rebuilt in 1872 with a combination of styles which remains much the same today.  

You can see Hindu influences with the multi-tiered Meru roof, Sumatra influences in the Moorish watchtower minaret and English and Dutch influences with the tiles used inside.

Given Masjid Kampung Kling’s close proximity to Cheng Hoon Teng Temple and the Hindu Temple Sri Poyatha Venayagar Moorthi, this Melaka destination is known as “Harmony St” and is must add to your Melaka sightseeing l ist, especially if you’re interested in Melaka attraction places that represent the diverse nature of Malaysia and Melaka. 

Tourists of all faiths are welcome to visit, however, please ensure to address appropriately.

Address: 75200 Malacca

Sri Poyatha Venayagar Moorthi Temple

Another religious sightseeing option on this Melaka interesting places list is the Sri Poyatha Vinayagar Moorthi Temple.

Opened in 1781, Sri Poyatha Vinayagar Moorthi Temple was one of the first Hindu temples built in Malaysia and remains one of the oldest operating Hindu temples in Southeast Asia. Whilst many say the temple is not as grand as the Masjid Kampung Klings, the temple does feature lovely, colourful stone-carved statues of animals and Hindu deities.

The temple is located in Harmony Street close to the Masjid Kampung Kling and Cheng Hoon Teng Temple and is one of the popular things to see in Melaka.

Visitors are welcome to visit the temple during their Melaka holiday daily.

Address: Jalan Tukang Emas

Jonker Street

Read any Melaka trip blog and no doubt they will say that the best place at Melaka is Jonker Street. It’s definitely one of the best known Melaka tourist place / hotspot for visitors.

Located in the centre of Chinatown, Jonker Street is certainly the place to be for street food, shopping and nightlife.

Probably the best thing about Jonker Street are the night markets which are on Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday nights. At the night markets, you can pretty much buy anything and everything such as great souvenirs and handicrafts as well as the best street food, restaurants and bars.

So if you’re looking for things to do in Melaka at night , be sure to head on down to the Jonker Street night markets and enjoy one of the Melaka best places to visit.

Address: Jalan Hang Jebat

Maritime Museum & Naval Museum

If you love boats, you won’t want to miss this place to go in Melaka. Located on Quayside Road you will find a staggering 34 metre high, 36 metre long and 8 metre wide ship. This ship is a replica of the Flor de la Mar, a Portuguese ship which sank off the coast of Melaka. As the story goes; when it sank it had the loot the Portuguese had stolen from Melaka city onboard.

The ship now contains the Maritime museum which is divided into various eras including the Melaka Sultanate, Portuguese as well as the Dutch and Britsh rule.  

On display, you will find various artefacts and documents from these administration eras. Other items on display include local vessels and nautical devices as well as a collection of porcelain, silk, textile and spices that were brought in by traders from Arab, India and China.

Just across the road from the Maritime Museum is the Naval Museum where there are a series of uniforms, boats and helicopters on display.

The Maritime Museum & Naval Museum is open daily and is one of the popular activities in Melaka for all those with an interest in maritime history.

Costs RM3 per entry for adult and RM1 for kids.

The Shore Sky Tower

For a great view across the entire city of Melaka and another fun Malacca place to visit, be sure to go the 43rd floor of the Shore Sky Tower – the tallest man-made structure in the city. From here you have 360-degree panoramic views up to 50 kilometres in each direction.

To ensure you get the perfect view, the fencing is made from glass so there is absolutely nothing obstructing your views. There are also a range of telescopes available for a closer look. If you dare, be sure to walk out over the glass floor section which feels like you are floating above the city! Plus this is definitely a Malacca famous place to experience. 

The Shore Sky Tower is open daily until 10.30 pm Sunday to Thursday and 11.30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

A visit to the top of the Shore Sky Tower is one of the best things to do in Melaka for a view of the entire city and definitely a highlight of this Melaka attractions list.

Entry costs RM25 for adult and RM18 for kids 3 to 12.

Address: Level 42, Tower 1, The Shore Melaka, 193 Pinggiran @ Sungai Melaka

Click here to buy discounted tickets now.

Also known as Chinese Hill, Bukit Cina is the largest and oldest Chinese graveyards outside of China. Dating back to the 15th century, here there are over 12,500 graves mostly of early Chinese settlers to Melaka.

These days, Bukit China is primarily used as a recreational park where many people like to stroll among the pretty walking trails. If you reach the very top you will be rewarded with panoramic views across the city.

If you do visit Bukit Cina, some interesting things to see are the Chinese World War II memorial as well as temples and wells built by Sultan Mansur Shah.

Melaka River

Another of the famous places in Melaka and spanning a total distance of around 10 kilometres, the Melaka River was once considered the “Venice of the East” as it was one of the main ports of entry for traders from Europe and Asia during the late 16th century.

Today, a Melaka River cruise is a great way to see the popular sites of Melaka. During a leisurely cruise, you can see numerous colonial buildings, old shophouses, local settlements, colourful street art and historical bridges.

A cruise along the Melaka River is a must for all those visiting the city, and you’ll see many of the Melaka interesting place to visit options along the way from the water.

Entry costs RM10 for locals, RM15 for foreigner adults and RM5 for kids below 12.

Address: Jalan Tun Sri Lanang, Pengkalan Rama Pantai

Taman Mini Malaysia & ASEAN

Located in Ayer Keroh, the Taman Mini Malaysia & ASEAN is a Melaka must visit for anyone wanting to learn more about the culture of the various Malay states. Here you will find 13 replicas of traditional homes for visitors to explore (one for each of the Malay states).  

These wooden houses are fully furnished containing fixtures and works of art as well as life-like wax figures dressed in traditional clothing so visitors get an understanding of the traditional culture from each of the Malaysian states.

Other activities at the park include traditional games, cultural dance, cooking and coconut shredding demonstrations, costume rentals, batik painting and more.  

Taman Mini Malaysia & ASEAN is open daily.

Entry for adult is RM12, RM6 for kids and RM10 for students.

Address: Leboh Ayer Keroh

This Melaka place is great if you’re an animal lover and wondering what to see in Melaka , then a visit to the Melaka Zoo is a must. Located in Ayer Keroh, Melaka Zoo is the second largest zoo in Malaysia (the National Zoo of Malaysia being the biggest).  

Spread out over 54 acres, the zoo is home to over 1200 animals from 215 different species including birds, tigers, elephants, zebras, orang-utans, panthers, deers, rhinoceros, reptiles and many more.

Throughout the day there are zookeeper talks, bird shows, elephant feeding and the popular night safari. During the night safari, visitors are driven around by tram where they can see the nocturnal animals. It is a highlight for many tourists visiting the zoo.

The Melaka Zoo is open daily with the night safari taking place only on Friday and Saturday evenings between 8 pm and 11 pm.

Address: Lebuh Ayer Keroh, Hang Tuah Jaya, Ayer Keroh

Melaka Crocodile Farm

Also known as Taman Buaya Melaka, Melaka Crocodile Farm is located in Ayer Keroh and is home to over 100 species of crocodiles. The crocodiles are housed in man-made swamp-like habitats and, as well as observing them from their enclosures, visitors can learn more about the crocodiles via live shows and feeding demonstrations.

As well as seeing crocodiles, the park also has numerous other non-crocodile attractions such as Malaysia in Miniature (showcasing 14 famous Kuala Lumpur attractions in miniature), Aviary Bird Park, Reptile House (see Iguanas and cobras), petting zoo, magic show and Water Recreation Park. The Water Park is a must on a hot day – here you will find mushroom-shaped water fountains, man-made waterfalls, a swimming pool and waterslides.  

The Melaka Crocodile Farm is open daily.

Entry costs: RM10 (Crocodile Park & Water Recreation) and RM5 (Crocodile Park) for adults; RM 6 (Crocodile Park & Water Recreation) and RM3 (Crocodile Park) for kids

Address: Pusat Pelancongan Ayer Keroh

A’Famosa Water World

If you’re still wondering about Melaka where to go with kids or for a fun family day out, A’Famosa is the largest water theme park in all of Malaysia and is the perfect place to visit on a hot day. Though it’s not one of the classic Malacca tourist attractions, it is great for cooling down for a few hours and relaxing. 

Spread across 1300 acres, the park features 11 rides and attractions including numerous waterslides (including the Big Ice Cream which is the tallest and longest waterslide in Southeast Asia), rapids, a wave pool and a multi-level interactive water play area for the kids. This is definitely one of the best places in Melaka for families with kids who love to swim. 

Right by the water park, you can also visit the other A’Famosa parks – Safari Wonderland and Old West Cowboy Town. At Safari Wonderland you can see a range of animals including elephants, camels, monkeys, orangutans and reptiles.

At Old West Cowboy Town, you can see a range of shows featuring cowboys and Indians as well as stunt shows or visit the funfair.

A’Famosa Water World is open daily except Tuesdays. If you plan on visiting all the parks, it’s best to purchase a combined ticket.

Address: Jalan Kemus / Sempang Ampat, Simpang Ampat, Alor Gajah

Melaka Wonderland Theme Park

Located in Ayer Keroh, Melaka Wonderland Theme Park features 11 awesome water attractions that the entire family will love. Attractions include waterslides, a wave pool and a multi-level active water play area for the kids which includes mini waterslides and interactive water activities.

Melaka Wonderland Theme Park is open daily.

Address: Lot PT17178, Lebuh Ayer Keroh, Hang Tuah Jaya, 75450 Ayer Keroh

Melaka Bird Park

This place to visit in Malacca is built across 1.8 hectares at the Botanical Gardens in Ayer Keroh, the Melaka Bird Park is the largest bird park in Asia. Here you will find almost 700 species of Malaysian birds as well as birds from South America, Asia, Australia and Asia.

Visitors will love wandering through the massive aviary where birds fly freely. To get a closer view of the birds, guests are invited to walk along the canopy walk. The canopy walk is 12 metres high and 108 metres in length and is accessible for everyone via stairs or an elevator.

Entry for adults is RM15 on weekdays and RM20 on weekends while it’s RM10 on weekdays and RM15 on weekends for kids ages 4 to 12.

Address: Taman Botanikal, Ayer Keroh

Did you find the best place in Malacca for you? As you can see, there are too many Malacca places to visit in just one day, so in the next section of this guide to places in Malacca, you can find all of my suggestions for where to stay in Malacca too.

Melaka day trip and Melaka Itinerary

If you are just visiting Melaka for a day or 2 nights, 1 day, you can find our Melaka trip itinerary by clicking here . This also works for a Melaka one day trip.

Top Things To Do In Melaka Tourist Map

Best Accommodation in Melaka

Most tourists coming to Melaka choose to stay in the UNESCO section of the city which is where you will the majority of the tourist attractions, and a great area to stay in when you visit Malacca.  

Any accommodation within walking distance to Jonker Street is a great spot. However, there are a number of great attractions in Ayer Keroh also which may warrant staying a few days in that location also.

Below I have listed some great accommodation to suit your needs, whether you’re looking for budget hotels in Melaka, mid-range accommodation Malacca has or a luxury hotel in Melaka for a relaxing get away. 

Casa Del Rio Melaka Review

Located right by the river only 300 metres from Jonker Street is the stunning 5-star luxury boutique hotel Casa del Rio Melaka Hotel.

The Casa Del Rio offers a range of different room types.  Hotel rooms accommodate up to 5 people, while for even larger groups there are two-bedroom suites which can accommodate up to 6 people.  

All rooms include a TV, wifi, tea and coffee making facilities, air conditioning and a desk. Suites also include separate living and dining areas with some suites even including an outdoor spa.

The hotel features first-class facilities including the stunning infinity swimming pool with views across the Melaka River as well as three restaurants, a gym, a rooftop garden and day spa.

Click here for the latest prices.

Swiss-Garden Hotel Melaka Review

Located along the Melaka River just a 10-minute walk from Jonker Street is the 5-star Swiss-Garden Hotel which offers guests modern style accommodation.

Rooms at the Swiss-Garden Hotel accommodate up to two guests and include amenities such as a TV, air conditioning, wi-fi, tea and coffee making facilities, private balcony and seating area.  

For those who prefer more space, there are also suites which include separate dining and living areas. Some hotel rooms and suites also include panoramic views of the ocean and the Melaka River.

The Swiss-Garden Hotel includes a range of facilities including two Olympic size swimming pools, a tennis court and the Sky Garden rooftop bar. The hotel also has direct access to the Shore Shopping Mall and the Shore Oceanarium Complex.

T Hotel Melaka Review

Located in Melaka City, just 15 minutes walk from Jonker Street, the T Hotel is a terrific option for travellers after a good clean room at a low price.

Whether you are a group of two or family, the T Hotel has a suitable room for you in either their double, triple or family suites.  

Double rooms accommodate two guests in either one large double bed or two singles, while triple rooms come with one large double bed and one single bed. Family suites come with two double beds.

All guest rooms at the T Hotel come with air conditioning, wifi, a TV, tea and coffee facilities and a seating area.

For travellers looking for good clean budget accommodation, you really can’t go past the T Hotel.

You can find more options for accommodation in our guide to the best hotels in Melaka here.

Find our full guide to the best hotels in Melaka here.

Getting To Melaka

Melaka is close to Kuala Lumpur which makes it easy to get here from all over peninsular Malaysia. It’s also easy to get here from KL Airport and you can even take a taxi right from departures.

By clicking below, you can find our detailed guides for how to get to Melaka from:

• Kuala Lumpur

A very easy way to get to Melaka is to take a private taxi from anywhere in peninsula Malaysia. We can book this for you!

Click here for more information and to see the latest prices.

Final Words

As you can see there is no shortage of things to do and places to visit in Melaka – hopefully you’ve found lots of ideas and inspiration in this post!

Whether you’re interested in historical monuments, traditional temples or shopping there is something for everyone in Melaka. It’s also an ideal destination for families with loads of great family-friendly attractions.

Looking for the ultimate Malaysia Itinerary Planner for your trip? Click here to get it now!

Read more Melaka guides here .

Planning a trip to Malaysia? Have any questions? Join our Malaysia Travel Planning Facebook group here now! It’s the perfect place to ask any questions and to be inspired!

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By Sharon Gourlay

Sharon is a certified Malaysia travel expert and can't get enough of travelling and talking about Malaysia since she first visited 21 years ago. She travels around Malaysia multiple times a year both alone and with her kids. She used to call Penang home and especially loves this food paradise. Sharon also has a Bachelor of Arts in Asian Studies, a Certificate III in International Travel Sales and has been certified by Tourism Malaysia as a Malaysia Travel Expert. Through this site, she'll help you have the perfect trip to this amazing destination.

BEST Melaka Itinerary To Plan Your Trip to Melaka (Malacca) For 1-2 Days!

Categories Asia , Itinerary , Malaysia

A trip to Melaka is a must! Melaka or Malacca, as it’s also known is one of the best places to visit in Malaysia ! It’s easy to get to from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, it’s fun and colourful and you don’t need a long Melaka itinerary to see all of the best things to do in Melaka because it is a small city!

I spent 2 days in Melaka enjoying the street art, the street food, the historical buildings and temples and I loved it! I went from KL to Melaka and it was such an easy journey!

There are also day tours from Kuala Lumpur to Melaka like this if you are short on time or just fancy visiting for the day!

In this Malaysia travel blog I’m going to give you the best Melaka itinerary (Malacca itinerary) so you can plan your trip to Melaka making sure you see all of the best places to visit in Melaka!

Whether you’re looking for a Malacca itinerary for 1 day or a Melaka itinerary for 2 days, or even 3 days, you can pick and choose from my itinerary below to help plan your Melaka Trip!

Melaka Itinerary

Melaka Trip:

Just looking for the top things to do in Melaka! Here’s my post on 10 amazing and fun things to do in Malacca !

Find What You're Looking For Easily Here!

Getting to Melaka

Kuala Lumpur to Malacca by bus is 2 hours and a very easy journey, I did it with no problems at all.

Singapore to Malacca by bus is just 4 hours including the overland border crossing and Malaysia offers a 90day free visa to most nationalities so it is easy to travel to Malaysia and Melaka from Singapore for a few days.

Each of the above buses will drop you off at Melaka Sentral bus station.

From Melaka bus station to the city centre you can get a taxi outside the station which will cost about 20RM. Or you can order a grab taxi which is much less expensive at about 7RM, or get local bus 17 from stand 17 from Malacca Sentral to the Clock Tower for 2RM.

What’s really handy is that you can book your Malaysia buses in advance on 12GO Asia to save you time when you get there and so you know you have a confirmed booking! That’s what I did and it made my trip to Melaka from KL much easier!

Kuala Lumpur to Melaka Day Tour

Talking of KL, before we get into your itinerary for Melaka, if you are really short on time and you only want to do a day trip to Melaka from Kuala Lumpur and don’t have time to spend the night there, I do recommend an organised day tour to help you with the logistics and timings!

There are day tours from Kuala Lumpur to Melaka like this which I recommend instead of trying to visit yourself on a Melaka day trip!

How to get around Melaka

One of the reasons I loved Melaka so much is because it is easy to get around by foot! Although the city of Malacca is quite big, the tourist centre is only small and when planning what to do in Melaka, it’s easy to plan it all by foot!

If you need transport you can order a Grab taxi, get a public bus which are really efficient or you can get a crazy and colourful tricycle which I’ll talk about later!

Look for the best flights to Melaka here!

I use Skyscanner to book all of my flights! I’m a huge fan of Skyscanner because I love how easy it is to compare different dates and routes to help me find the best flight at the best price! 

Open Skyscanner by clicking here and search for the best flights as you read this post.

1 Day Melaka Itinerary

This Melaka itinerary for 1 day is a great itinerary to follow if you are visiting for Melaka for a one day trip because you will see all of the top tourist attractions in Melaka and get a feel for why this city is so fun!

For a one day trip to Melaka I recommend getting up early and getting to Melaka by mid-morning at least, this way you will have the morning, all afternoon and early evening to enjoy the best things to do in Melaka !

Breakfast at the Cafes in Melaka

When it comes to planning your Melaka itinerary, be sure to plan in time to enjoy the cafes because the cafes in Melaka are really good! There are a mix of local cafes and restaurants and also fancier cafes that could be taken straight from London!

I really loved Navy Navy for breakfast so definitely get breakfast out on day 1 in Melaka! For more ideas of where to go, check out my friend Rose’s cafe guide to Melaka !

Jonker Street Street Art & Shops

Jonker Street is the Main Street in the tourist centre of Melaka and it offers a lot. You’ll probably visit a cafe for breakfast near Jonker Street so I suggest staying in this area to see more of it.

When it comes to things to do in Melaka and what to do in Melaka, finding street art is one of the top things to do, especially if you like to post colourful photos on Instagram!

Lots of street art can be found around the River and it’s all in perfect condition and as well as looking along the river be sure to head off into some side streets around Jonker Street .

Jonker Street also has some great independent shops so if you’re looking for souvenirs from Malaysia these shops are a good place to look!

Cheng Hoon Temple

Cheng Hoon Temple is just off of Jonker Street so it’s worth seeing on morning 1 of your Malacca itinerary whilst you are exploring Jonker Street.

There are a few Buddhist Temples in Melaka but this is famous as it is the oldest working Buddhist temple in Malaysia and I read on a sign there it’s the oldest temple in South East Asia !

You’ll notice by now that there are so many places to eat in Melaka so enjoy one of the restaurants or cafes for lunch near Jonker Street . One of the cafes I really liked and is highly recommended is Geography Cafe .

Cheng Ho’s Cultural Museum

There are lots of museums in Melaka which are really interesting, Cheng Ho’s Cultural Museum is just off Jonker Street so it’s a good place to visit after lunch. It’s a history museum chronicling the life of noted Ming Dynasty explorer and fleet admiral Zheng Ho.

Clock Tower

The Clock Tower in Melaka or Menara Jam Melaka as it’s also called is a hive of activity! Especially with the tricycle drivers!

This is another great photo spot on your Melaka itinerary, especially photos of Christ Church which is a historic protestant church you can go inside of and the square opposite with a Dutch Windmill !

If you still have time in the afternoon of your Melaka itinerary then I recommend seeing some more museums and galleries close by like Cheng Ho Gallery and Melaka Literature Museum .

Jonker Night Market in Melaka

Come evening, there is only one place to be- Jonker Night Market! This is easily top of the list of things to do in Melaka and the top Melaka attraction!

Jonker Street is one of the main tourist streets in Melaka and on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening it turns into a night market full of food stalls, clothes stalls and so many other things!

I won’t lie to you, it gets busy! But it’s worth it and a great way to spend the evening in Melaka so do try and plan your trip to Malaka for a Friday, Saturday or Sunday night for one of the best night markets in Malaysia !

2 Day Melaka Itinerary

If you are 2 days in Melaka, I recommend you spend this day of your Melaka trip itinerary going slightly further out than you did on day 1.

Church of St Pauls in Mekala

Start your day at the Church of St Pauls, or the ruins of the Church of St Paul’s to be precise.

I liked walking here as it isn’t far from the river and the Clock Tower where Christ Church is however it is a bit hidden and once you’re there it opens out into the Fort and you’ll end up seeing much more than just the Church.

St Paul’s ruins are up a hill with a fair few steps but there’s a good view and you can even see the sea! I recommend visiting here in the morning of this 2 days Melaka itinerary so it isn’t as hot and the walk isn’t as hard!

Malacca Sultanate Palace Museum

Behind the ruins of the Church of St Pauls is Malacca Sultanate Palace Museum which is recommended highly as one of the best places to visit in Melaka and as you are so close by, it’s worth visiting on your trip to Melaka!

Maritime Museum

I went to the Maritime Museum next on my Melaka trip where I thoroughly enjoyed l earning about the history of Malacca as a port city and the colonisation of the Portuguese, Dutch and British.

I also loved walking to the Maritime Museum as it took me out of the really tourist centre of Melaka like it is around Jonker Street and showed me a more local side of the city .

On the way from the Church of St Pauls to the Maritime Museum is Dataran Pahlawan Shopping Mall , it isn’t a huge mall but it is a good place to visit if you need a bathroom or some air-con as I did!

Walk along the River

When ending your day in Melaka on this Melaka itinerary, I recommend walking back to your accommodation and back towards Jonker Street via the River.

You’ll pass lots more street art and nice cafes and it’s a good way to get away from the crowds of Jonker Walk in Melaka, especially if you visit for a weekend in Melaka when it get’s very busy.

The footpath up the river goes quite far however I felt like it got a bit industrial after walking for a bit and there are not many things to do in Melaka up there, so you can walk as far as you want and then turn back or cross the river on one of the many bridges and walk back the other side.

Have you booked your flight to Melaka yet??

I use Skyscanner to book all of my flights! I’m a huge fan of Skyscanner because I love how easy it is to compare different dates and routes to help me find the best flight at the best price!  Open Skyscanner by clicking here and search for the best flights as you read this post.

Melaka Tricycle Ride

And finally, on your last night in Melaka you have to go on a ride on one of the fun, loud and colourful Tricycles. I recommend leaving this until night time because at night the tricycles light up and are even more fun!

If you are visiting Melaka as a family, this is definitely a great way to end your trip to Melaka!

I hope this Melaka itinerary has helped you plan your trip to Melaka!

To SEE my time in Melaka, have a watch of my YouTube video here!

• For more of my posts on Malaysia see:
• Things To Do in Georgetown!
• Travellers Guide to the Small Perhentian Island!
• How Much it Costs to Visit the Perhentian Islands!
• All Malaysia Posts

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The Best Melaka (Malacca) Itinerary for a 1 or 2 Day Trip

• October 7, 2023
• One Comment

If you’re planning a one or two day trip to Melaka (Malacca) in Malaysia this guide is just for you. We recently spent a few days in the charming coastal city, so we can share what we got up to and what we consider to be the best Melaka Itinerary for one or two days. We cover all the top things to do in Melaka, where to eat and sleep, as well as everything you need to know to help plan your trip.

Whenever I mention Melaka, also known as  Malacca , I’m often met with blank or confused faces. The historic city doesn’t find it’s way onto most Malaysia itineraries – which is a pity, as it has a lot to offer.  While Melaka might not be as exciting as Kuala Lumpur or as adventurous as Borneo, the city provides a fascinating glimpse into the history of Malaysia. And if you’re looking to explore somewhere a little bit unique, you should, at the very least, consider a day trip to Melaka which is easy to do from Kuala Lumpur or even Singapore.

To sum up the city in a nutshell, Malacca is a melting pot of cultures and a stunning UNESCO Heritage Site. Having once been colonised by the Dutch, British, and Portuguese, you will find said influences in the food, architecture, and even the language. It also has a large Chinese and Indian community, whose influence again are prevalent throughout the city. Gorgeous architecture and a serene river add to its charm, and I promise you won’t regret giving this whimsical little city a chance.

Anyway, I could spend all day bigging up Melaka but let’s get to it. Here’s our tried and tested Malacca Itinerary, ideal for a 1 or 2 day trip.

Heading to Malaysia soon? Check out our  2 Week Malaysia Itinerary  and  2 Day Kuala Lumpur Itinerary  for further travel inspiration.

*Before You Travel to Malaysia,  have you got your travel insurance sorted?  Cover yourself for the unexpected, read  why you really need travel insurance  or  get a quote from World Nomads .

*Have you got your travel Visa sorted? Check if  you need one here  and retrieve a quote. It’s simple, fast and reliable.

*Don’t leave home without any  backpacker essentials  with our free printable packing list.

How Long to Stay in Malacca

While Melaka is a huge city, the tourist centre is actually pretty small. Other than a few exceptions, the tourist centre concentrates most of the cities major landmarks, making it easy to navigate on foot and manageable in a day. If you wanted to explore places a little further afield such as the Melaka Straits Mosque, for example, I’d recommend spending at least 2 days here.  

Below I’ve laid out a suggested Malacca Itinerary for 2 days; but if you only have the day, you can follow day 1 of the itinerary and ignore day 2.

Where to Stay in Malacca 

There is no shortage of wonderful places to stay in Melaka, regardless of your budget. On one end of the spectrum, you’ll find cute hostels and charming homestays, on the other boutique hotels and luxury resorts.  

The best area to stay in would be near the river close to Jonker Street. This way, you’ll be close to most of the top things to do in Malacca, which is ideal if you’re only staying for a day or two. 

I’ve made some hotel suggestions below, or you can click the link for a list of all hostels, guesthouses, and hotels in the city.

Check rates and availability for all Melaka accommodation here.

Hostel $ – Yote 28 

Yote 28 is where we stayed during our time in Malacca, and it’s one of the best hostel experiences we had in Malaysia. The hostel is modern and clean with excellent facilities, and it’s within walking distance of Jonker Street and other famous landmarks. It is a tad more expensive than most other hostels in the city, but in my opinion, it’s worth every penny.

Check rates and availability for Yote 28 here.

Budget $ – Lavender @ Guesthouse

Hostels aren’t for everybody, so if you’re travelling as a couple or prefer a private room, Lavender Guesthouse comes highly recommended. Again, this place in an ideal location to explore the city, and while basic, the rooms are clean and comfortable, equipped with everything you need for an enjoyable stay. Throw in the optional breakfast for £1, and you’re onto an absolute winner.

Check rates and availability for Lavender @ Guesthouse here.

Mid-Range $$ – Heeren Straits Hotel

If you have a few extra pennies to spend, I can recommend Heeren Straits Hotel which provides insane value for money in one of the best areas of Melaka. Tastefully restored from a Peranakan culture townhouse, you can feel the history throughout this boutique hotel, which combines mid-century architecture with contemporary decor. Opt for a superior room for the best experience and enjoy the onsite terrace as well as a children’s play area.

Check rates and availability for Heeren Straits Hotel here.

Luxury $$$ – Casa Del Rio Melaka

If you are going to treat yourself in Melaka, you can expect nothing less than the celebrity treatment at Casa Del Rio. Set alongside the river, just a 2-minute walk from Jonker Street, this 5* hotel provides astonishing views as well as convenience and luxury in the heart of the city. Alongside spacious and modern rooms, you can enjoy a realm of facilities including an infinity pool and fitness centre.

Check rates availability for Casa Del Rio Melaka here.

Top 10 Things to do in Melaka

I go into a quite a lot of detail in this comprehensive Melaka Itinerary. So if you’re short for time, here’s an overview of the top 10 things to see and do in Melaka.

• Sample all the street food at the Jonker Street weekend market.
• Learn about Malaysian history at one of the many museums.
• Take a ride to remember on a fantasy-themed tricycle. 
• Admire the pink facade of the Christ Church.
• Take a serene river cruise on the Malacca River.
• Check out the ruins of St Pauls Church
• Meander the streets on the hunt for street art and colonial architecture.
• Visit The Huskitory and play with Siberian Huskies.
• Marvel the awe-inspiring Melaka Straits Mosque.
• Visit the Cheng Hoon Buddhist Temple.

The Best Melaka Itinerary

OK, let’s jump into the itinerary. The goal here is to be as strategic as possible with your time, but I don’t want you to get too tired. You are on holiday, after all.  

If you are spending just one day in Malacca, I suggest sticking to the tourist centre and covering the museums and landmarks in that area. But if you have 2 days in Melaka, we can branch out a little bit and see some of the attractions on the outskirts of the city.

Remember, this is a two-day itinerary. If you only have the day in Melaka, I suggest following Day 1 of the itinerary. You can ignore Day 2 or save it for another time.

Melaka Itinerary Day 1

Discover the tourist centre & significant landmarks.

• Windmill Dutch Square 
• Cheng Hoon Temple
• St Pauls Church 
• River Walks & Cruises

Windmill Dutch Square

Your first stop on this Melaka itinerary is Windmill Dutch Square. The square is arguably the most famous spot in the city, thanks to its terracotta colonial architecture which is a prime spot for photography. You’ll find many significant attractions surrounding the square, including Stadthuys. Historically, Stadthuys served as the official residence of the Dutch governors. Today, it houses a collection of museums.

We didn’t go inside Stadthuys. You’ll soon realise you have to be picky when it comes to the museums you visit in Melaka as there are so many. For us, the view from outside was enough. It’s not often you see such architecture in this part of the world, and it’s rather striking. It reminded me a little of the Franciscan Church in Ljubljana. Other significant structures around the square include the unmistakeable Christ Church and the Tang Beng Swee Clocktower.  

St Pauls Church

St Pauls Church, or should I say  the ruins  of St Pauls Church is one of the most interesting places to visit in Malacca. The church was built in 1521 by a Portuguese Noblemen, who believed he owed the Virgin Mary his life after surviving a storm at sea. That’s pretty cool as it is, but it’s also the oldest church in Malaysia and South Asia.    

As I say, the church is in ruins today, but this only adds to its appeal. Admittedly I have a soft spot for wrecks and remains and anything eerie, but I’m confident you will enjoy it just as much as I did. It won’t cost you anything to visit the church remains other than a little of your energy. Set at the top of a hill, you have to climb some pretty steep steps to get to it.  

Street Art Hunting

One thing that surprised me about Melaka was the realm of street art that adorns several of the buildings. Of course, Georgetown in Penang is incredibly famous for its murals, but it seems Malacca is equally vibrant. In fact, hunting for street art turned out to be one of our favourite things to do.

You’ll find a lot of the street art down alongside the river, which is perfect as you can k!ll two birds with one stone. A stroll along the river banks is a gorgeous way to while away the hours and will help you to work up an appetite for lunch. As you walk, look out for the famous street murals such as the vibrant Kiehls wall pictured below. But don’t be afraid to take a detour down the backstreets, as much of the street art is hidden. Or you can check out this  Melaka Street Art Guide  to help with your quest.

Next up, it’s one of our favourite times of the day – the others being breakfast and dinner, of course. Mealtimes are particularly exciting in Melaka, however, as there is so much incredible food on offer. The hardest part is deciding what to have.

Your best bet is to find somewhere on or around Jonker Street, as it’s nearby our next stop of the day. Thankfully this area concentrates the majority of the best food spots as well, so it’s a win-win.  

My first suggestion would be to check out one of the quirky cafes in the area. The cafe culture has grown immensely in this part of the city, and it’s a quintessential Melaka experience. One of our favourites is Kaya-Kaya Cafe, with its industrial decor and delicious food & coffee. But there are many others,  as listed in this guide .

Don’t fancy a cafe, not a problem. Why not try the celebrated Malaccan dish of chicken rice balls at Kedai Kopi Chung Wah? Or sample traditional Nyonya cuisine at Nancy’s Kitchen.

Cheng Hoon Teng Temple

After lunch, you can take a gentle stroll along Jonker Street, checking out the cute boutique stores along the way. The stores in this area seem geared mainly towards tourists, and the prices reflect this. But if you’re looking to pick up some local souvenirs, this is the place to go. We aren’t big shoppers ourselves, but according to this  Malacca shopping guide , there’s plenty of opportunities around the city.

Not far from Jonker Street is the Cheng Hoon Teng Buddhist Temple. The temple is one of the most notable landmarks in the city and a worthy addition to your Melaka itinerary. Like many other Buddhist temples we’ve visited, the ornate details and vibrant design are a sight to behold.  

The temple feels like a mini-museum for Chinese culture and arts, and incense, colourful carvings & shrines give it a profoundly religious vibe. What’s even more impressive, however, is that it’s believed to be the oldest Chinese Temple in Malaysia.  

Visit a Museum 

We don’t consider ourselves museum buffs, but if it means we’re going to learn about the local history, why not. As I said earlier, you’ll have to be selective about the museums you visit in Malacca on a day trip, as there are several. Some such as the Baba and Nyonya Heritage Museum and Villa Sentosa are really popular, but there are some hidden gems as well. 

Keen to learn more about the Peranakan culture in Malacca, we explored the Baba and Nyonya Heritage Museum. The Peranakans came from China and settled in Malaysia, where the combination of the two cultures resulted in a new and unique way of life. Admittedly, it isn’t the most exciting museum to visit, but for less than $6, we had a guided tour which provided an interesting insight into Peranakan history. 

Another museum worth stopping by is the Sultanate Palace, which is an exact model of a palace belonging to the ruler of Malacca during the early 1400s. Inside is another cultural museum, and at less than $1, it’s incredibly cheap to visit. We also enjoyed the Maritime Museum set inside a replica of a Portuguese sailing ship. If you have the time, you can check out this list of other  museums worth visiting in Melaka . 

River Boat Cruise

One of the best ways to take in the sights of this picturesque city is to enjoy a peaceful cruise along the river. The river is the focal point of the tourist centre, and on both sides, you can enjoy the multitude of beauty that Malacca has to offer. 

If you time the day right, the best time of day to take a river cruise is just as the sun is going down. The shops and bars alongside the river come to life during this time. And as it gets dark, you’ll get to see all the pretty lights. 

As you sit back and enjoy the ride, look out for the vibrant street art that adorns many of the buildings, as well as popular landmarks such as the Clock Tower and Ghost Bridge.

Jonker Street Night Market

The Jonker Street night market is the number 1 things to do in Melaka. That’s why I strongly recommend you plan your visit for the weekend if possible, as the market is only on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings.  

Slap bang in the middle of the tourist centre, Jonker Street is a fun and energetic spot anyway. But when the night market is on, it really bursts into life. Dozens of market stalls set up shop, selling anything from clothing to accessories, and local souvenirs, and best of all, there’s an amalgamation of street food to enjoy.

We spent hours wandering around the market, sampling a realm of different dishes at unbelievably low prices. Grab an ice-cold Tiger beer to wash it down with, and you’re good to go!

Tricycle Ride

After a long day of exploring, it’s time to rest your weary legs, and I suggest taking a tricycle ride back to your hotel. If you’ve travelled in South East Asia, you’re probably wondering what is so special about this activity, but when you get there, you’ll know exactly what I mean.  

You see, each of the tricycles in Malacca is adorned in some kind of wild and wacky theme.   Hello Kitty  is the most common (Malaysians love Hello Kitty! Check out this Hello Kitty Hotel), but you’ll also see Pokemon, Disney, and other in-your-face designs. They often play jingles and are a fun thing to do in Melaka, especially if you’re travelling with little ones.

Malacca Itinerary Day 2

Explore outside of the tourist centre, bukit china, visit another museum, the huskitory cafe, melaka straits mosque.

If you have a second day to explore Malacca, I suggest starting it at Bukit China.   Bukit  translates to  hill , and it’s called Bukit China because it is home to the largest and oldest Chinese cemetery outside of China. The grounds date back to the 15th century and features a temple, burial ground, and a well. 

To reach the starting point of the trail is around a 20-minute walk from Jonker Street, or you could take a taxi or tricycle. Once you reach the starting point, it’s around a 1.5km incline to the summit, where you can enjoy sweeping views over the city.  

If you don’t mind the early start, we agreed it could be a nice spot to catch the sunrise before breakfast. Otherwise, try to set off before 9 am when it starts to get hot.  

To round off the morning, you could check out another museum such as Villa Sentosa or the Maritime Museum, which are both on the outskirts of the tourist centre. If you missed it earlier, here’s a list of the best  museums worth visiting in Melaka . Our next stop is a cafe, but they don’t serve food, so grab yourself some lunch beforehand! 

Our next stop is often rated the best thing to do in Melaka, and for dog lovers like us, it’s easy to see why. We were beside ourselves when we learnt there was a husky cafe in Malacca. They are our favourite breed of dog, but unfortunately, our travelling lifestyle doesn’t allow for such a commitment just yet. So for now, we have to settle for cuddles with other huskies instead. Like the time we did a Husky Safari in Finland.

At The Huskitory Cafe, you can play, take photos, and spend time with this beautiful and lovable breed. Since our visit, I’ve seen some negative reviews regarding the well-being of the dogs and capabilities of the staff. But when we were there, the huskies seemed happy and healthy, and we saw nothing to cause us concern. Of course, any kind of animal tourism is never entirely perfect, but at least these dogs are cared for. That’s more than you can say for many dogs in Malaysia.

There’s a compulsory entrance fee to the cafe of RM18 which includes a drink, and to avoid disappointment, I would  book in advance . It’s also quite a ride out of the city, so use the  Grab app  to order a taxi. They are super reliable and affordable – much cheaper than local taxis in the city.

Our final stop of the day is the Melaka Straits Mosque. An awe-inspiring structure set on the coast of the Malacca Strait – The stretch of water separating Peninsular Malaysia with the Indonesian island Sumatra – it is by far, one of our favourite spots in the city.

Built on a man-made island just off the coastline, when the water level is high, the mosque appears to be floating on the water. For this reason, it is often referred to as the ‘floating mosque’. With its striking white facade and golden dome, it’s appearance is truly enchanting. The view is even better during sunrise and sunset or at night when the mosque lights up, so try to time your visit wisely.  

The view from outside alone is a wonderful experience, but you can visit inside the mosque for free. Just be sure to check the visiting hours on the day as they often change, and wear appropriate clothing. Legs below the knee and shoulders should be covered, but if there are any issues, the mosque provides the necessary gowns free of charge.

Tips & Advice for this Melaka Itinerary

Here I’ll list some of the travel tips that we accumulated during our stay in Malacca. Hopefully, they will help you have a hassle-free break in the city.

Getting to Melaka

If you’re travelling from within Malaysia, your best bet is to take a bus from Kuala Lumpur. The journey time is just two hours, and it’s super easy to organise. Just book your   ticket in advance with 12 Go Asia here for the best prices, a guaranteed seat, and peace of mind. We booked all of our internal transport in Malaysia with 12 Go, and it made our lives a hell of a lot easier.

It’s also common for visitors to travel to Melaka from Singapore. It’s just a 4-hour bus ride including the overland border crossing, which is pretty straightforward as Malaysia offers a 90-day free visa to most nationalities.  

If you wanted to head to Melaka on a day trip, without the hassle of planning everything yourself, you do have the option to travel with an organised tour group. This Full-Day Trip to Malacca from Kuala Lumpur includes transport to and from your hotel, a guided tour of the most famous historical landmarks, plus a traditional lunch. At less than $45, it’s also excellent value for money.

Getting Around in Melaka

You will spend a lot of time on your feet in Malacca. The tourist centre is rather small and easy to navigate on foot. For the few places further afield, you can take a local taxi or order through the Grab App, which we always found to be the cheapest option.

The Best Time to Visit Malacca

Since Malaysia is close to the equator, it has a tropical climate, sporting hot and humid conditions all year round. With this in mind, the best time to visit is between May to July and December to February when the humidity is lower and days are mostly dry.

Melaka Daily Budget

Below is a breakdown of what your daily Malacca budget might look like:

• Dorm Bed in a Hostel: $5-10
• Budget Private Room: $10-15
• Premium Hotel Room: $50-150
• Street Food: $2-5
• Local Restaurant Food: $7-15
• Taxis: $5-10
• Museums: $2-5

Travel Insurance

Melaka is a very safe place to travel; however, you should still have travel insurance to cover you for the unexpected. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. If the unlikely event that something goes wrong, you’ll want the best cover money can buy.

For this reason, we always recommend World Nomads for travel insurance. They are affordable, offer a variety of packages and add ons, and allow you to make amendments to your policy while travelling. 

If you need further convincing, read our article on  why you need travel insurance . Or get an on-the-spot quote from World Nomads using the form below.

Staying Connected in Melaka

If, like us, you rely on the internet when you travel (let’s face it, who doesn’t anymore), we have the perfect solution.   TravelWifi’s portable pocket wifi  allows us to quickly and securely connect when we need it the most. Click the link for more information on coverage, packages, and the latest offers.

Oh, and  don’t forget a VPN . Using a VPN is very important these days to make sure that all your data is safe and secure. Also, it helps while travelling not only for safety reasons but also it unlocks geo-restricted content such as Netflix and helps to avoid demographic price discrimination while looking for a flight or a hotel.

We use  Surfshark VPN  to keep us safe and secure.   Register here  and use promo code:  ourtasteforlife  for 85% off and 3 extra months free!

Did you enjoy our Malacca (Melaka) Itinerary?

Let us know!  That concludes   Melaka Itinerary .   We hope you enjoy your time in this beautiful city. If you have any questions or feel we have missed anything, please reach out to us in the comment section below, or through our contact us page. Don’t forget to follow us on  Instagram here , where we share further travel advice & inspiration.

Stay adventurous and Happy travels.

Charlotte & Natalie x

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We’re Charlotte & Natalie, a British lesbian couple with a passion for travel and adventure.

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Melaka Day Trip: 16 Best Things To Do

A Melaka day trip is perfect for those looking for a quick getaway from KL or even Singapore.

Melaka (also spelled Malacca) was a major trading port back in the days of the Portuguese ruling. Flash forward to today, Melaka is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its rich history and culture.   

From narrow lanes lined with shophouses selling authentic Malaysian food to incredible architecture reminiscence of the Portuguese and Dutch occupations and colorful street arts, there are so many things to see and do.

Conveniently located about a 2-hour bus ride from Kuala Lumpur , a day trip to Melaka is perfect if you’re short on time but want to squeeze in a less touristy city in your Malaysia itinerary . 

If you need help in planning the perfect Melaka one day trip itinerary, this travel guide will show you 16 best things to do in Melaka, including tips on how to get there and where to stay (if you decide to stay overnight).

Melaka Travel Essentials

Top Experiences and Tours in Melaka:

• Melaka day tour from KL (including hotel transfers & lunch)
• The Shore Sky Tower (best panoramic view in Melaka)
• Melaka River Cruise  
• Private Melaka historical tour (including lunch)

Best Hotels in Melaka:

• Timez Hotel (1-minute walk from Jonker Street)
• Thian Siong Inn  (10-minute walk from Jonker Street)
• Hotel Arissa (20-minute walk from Dutch Square)

Traveling from KL to Melaka? Click here to book your bus ticket. Or if you’re coming from Singapore, you can book your bus ticket here .

Stay connected by pre-booking your  Malaysia sim card  which you can easily pick up at KL airport.

Read more about Melaka:

• Jonker Street Night Market: Ultimate guide
• Malacca street art guide
• How to get to Malacca from Kuala Lumpur?
• How to take the bus from Singapore to Melaka?

*** This article may contain affiliate links, meaning each time you click through and make a purchase, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you which helps a lot in keeping this website running. Thank you for your support :)

Table of Contents

IS IT WORTH TAKING A MELAKA DAY TRIP?

Since most of the tourist attractions are located around the Dutch Square and Jonker Street, it’s easy to see them all in one day.

If you’re coming by bus from KL, you can take the 7 a.m bus and then travel back with the 9 p.m bus which gives you at least 12 hours in Melaka.

For those coming from Singapore, it’s best to stay overnight as it takes around 4-5 hours to travel between each destination which can be a bit tiring if you decide to do the round trip on the same day.

HOW TO GET TO MELAKA? 

Melaka day tour from kuala lumpur.

If you’re short on time and would like to have everything planned out for you, I recommend booking this guided Melaka day tour from Kuala Lumpur .

The tour is very affordable and includes a guided visit to some of the most famous attractions like the Dutch Square, A’Famosa Fort, St Paul’s Church, Chen Hoon Temple, Melaka River and more.

Also included are transfers to and from your hotel in Kuala Lumpur, lunch and an English-speaking guide.

CHECK PRICE FOR A GUIDED MELAKA DAY TOUR FROM KL

Bus From Kuala Lumpur 

Traveling by bus is another great option when planning a Melaka trip. You can easily book your bus ticket on Easybook or 12Go .

Although you can buy tickets on the same day at the bus station, booking online is more convenient and guarantees that you get a spot on the bus, especially if you’re traveling during the weekend or public holidays.

To get from Kuala Lumpur to Melaka , take the bus from Terminal Bersepadu Selatan. A one-way ticket starts at RM 10 (USD 2) and the price varies according to the time and bus company. The bus will then drop you off at Melaka Sentral Bus Terminal and from there you can take a local bus or Grab to the town center. 

CHECK BUS SCHEDULE AND PRICES HERE

The bus takes only about two hours, making it perfect for a weekend getaway in Malaysia !

Related post: Exactly how to get to Melaka from KL

Bus From Singapore 

If you’re coming from Singapore, you can take the bus from several bus stations in Singapore. For my second visit to Malacca, I took the 707 Inc bus from Queen Street in Singapore and the bus dropped me just a few minutes walk from my hotel.

The price of a Singapore to Melaka bus  ticket starts at USD 17. 

WHERE TO STAY IN MELAKA?

Thian siong inn.

If you’re on a budget, I highly recommend staying at Thian Siong Inn . It’s conveniently located about a 5/10-minute walk from Jonker Street and the Dutch Square. It features clean private rooms with air-con and shared bathrooms. The host is super nice – always ready to help and provide recommendations on the best restaurants and places to visit. 

CHECK LATEST PRICE AND AVAILABILITY ON AGODA OR BOOKING.COM

Hotel Arissa

Hotel Arissa  features clean and modern rooms that can fit up to three people. Although it’s a bit far from the main attractions (about a 20-minute walk from the Dutch Square), it’s located in a quiet neighborhood so you’re guaranteed a peaceful night’s sleep.

CHECK LATEST PRICE AND AVAILABILITY ON  AGODA  OR  BOOKING.COM

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HOTELS IN MELAKA

WHAT TO DO DURING YOUR MELAKA DAY TRIP?

Wander around the dutch square.

A day trip to Melaka isn’t complete without visiting the Dutch Square (Red Square). The focal point of Melaka is always buzzing with activity since all the main attractions are located within this area.

The red buildings and water fountain together with the iconic “I love Melaka” sign make for a great photo op!  

Here, you’ll find lots of souvenir stalls and rows of colorful rickshaws that take you around town for about RM 40 while blasting catchy musical tunes. 

Dutch Square is definitely one of the best places to visit during a Melaka trip!

Cost: Free 

GET A SHOT IN FRONT OF THE ICONIC CHRIST CHURCH

No day trip to Malacca would be complete without a visit to the iconic Christ Church. It’s one of the most recognizable buildings in Malacca due to its vibrant red color and imposing façade.

It’s the oldest Protestant church in Malaysia and was built by the Dutch in the 1700s to commemorate the 100 th anniversary of the capture of Melaka by the Portuguese. 

CLIMB UP ST PAUL’S HILL

The lookout point from St Paul’s Hill offers a panoramic view of Melaka. Constructed by the Portuguese in honor of the Virgin Mary, the church was used as the temporary tomb of St Francis Xavier. It later fell into disrepair and today only the ruins stand above Paul’s Hill.  

Since St Paul’s Church is a major tourist attraction, you’ll find lots of souvenir stalls and locals selling cold juice and water which is highly welcomed after climbing up the hill in the scorching sun. 

Cost: Free 

VISIT THE STADTHUYS

The Stadthuys is located within the Dutch Square and houses the History and Ethnography Museum. Melaka is known for its high temperatures even in the early hours, so visiting the Stadthuys will help beat the heat for a while during your Melaka day trip itinerary. 

Cost: RM 10

TAKE IN THE VIEW FROM THE SHORE SKY TOWER

As the tallest building in Malacca, at 163 meters above sea level, The Shore Sky Tower provides a panoramic 360-degree view of the city.

If you’re not afraid of heights, you can even walk across the glass section and admire the view at your feet. There are also several telescopes for a closer look at the city.

Opening hours : 10 a.m to 10 p.m, daily

Cost: RM 25 for adults and RM 18 for children (Monday to Thursday); RM 35 for adults and 25 for children (Friday to Sunday)

CLICK HERE FOR DISCOUNTED TICKETS TO THE SHORE SKY TOWER

EXPLORE THE PORTA DE SANTIAGO AT A’FAMOSA FORT

A’Famosa Fort is another great spot to visit during a Melaka day trip itinerary. Located down the path from St Paul’s Church, A’Famosa Fort was built by the Portuguese in the 1500s since they believed that Melaka could be an important port linking Portugal to the Spice Route in China.  

The fort previously served as the captain and officers’ quarters. Later on, the Dutch overtook the fortress and eventually handed it over to the British in the 1700s. 

Nowadays, you can only find the Porta de Santiago (gatehouse) which has been salvaged before the destruction of the fortress. 

Cost: Free    

SKYTREX ADVENTURE MELAKA

If you’re looking for a fun outdoor activity, I recommend Skytrex Adventure . It does require a moderate level of fitness but you can choose the beginner, intermediate or advanced level.

For almost two hours, you’ll be hopping from tree to tree with the help of zip lines, rope bridges, swings, and more. It’s definitely a fun activity to do with family or friends.

Cost: From RM 70

CHECK PRICE FOR SKYTREX ADVENTURE

MARITIME MUSEUM (Muzium Samudera)

The Maritime Museum is a giant replica of a Portuguese ship that sunk along the Strait of Melaka.

It houses several exhibits highlighting the history of Melaka when it was under the ruling of the Portuguese, Dutch, and British. The attraction is mostly aimed at history enthusiasts and/or families with kids.  

Cost: From RM 10

GO ON A STREET ART HUNT

Malacca has its fair share of street art scattered all over town just like in Ipoh and Penang. Just take a stroll around the city to discover some of the most popular murals as well as some hidden ones.  

Start by walking along the river banks to see the huge Kiehl’s mural and if you keep going, you’ll come across several buildings completely covered with colorful murals.  

For the exact location of each mural, be sure to read my Malacca Street Art guide .

Related post: Melaka’s best street art

CRUISE ALONG THE MELAKA RIVER

If you want to see Melaka from a different perspective, it’s a good idea to take a Melaka River Cruise .

The boat ride lasts about 45 minutes, taking you along Melaka’s famous attractions such as the Dutch Square and Jonker Street and you can even spot some beautiful murals painted over the old buildings.

Tickets can be purchased at either the Spice Garden jetty or the Melaka River Square jetty. 

Operating hours: 9 a.m to 11.30 p.m.

Cost: RM 30 (US$ 7.20) for adults and RM 25 (US$ 6) for children.

SEE MELAKA FROM ABOVE AT THE MENARA TAMING SARI

Menara Taming Sari is a revolving tower that rises up to 80 meters, providing a 360-degree view of the whole city.

You’ll be able to spot some of the major landmarks including St Paul’s Church, Naval Museum, and the Strait of Melaka, making it one of the best things to do during a one day Melaka itinerary. 

CLICK HERE FOR DISCOUNTED TICKETS TO MENARA TAMING SARI

Operating hours: 10 a.m to 11 p.m

Cost for tourists: RM 23 (USD 4.90) for adults and RM 13 (USD 2.80) for children, including a free water bottle.

Cost for Malaysians: RM 17 for adults and RM 11 for children

WATCH SUNSET AT THE MELAKA STRAITS MOSQUE

Head out to the best sunset spot in town at the Melaka Straits Mosque (Masjid Selat Melaka) which looks like it’s floating on the water.

The sun setting behind the illuminated Mosque is truly a magical sight that will make you stare in awe. It’s located slightly outside of the town center but you can easily take a Grab there.

Note that you need to rent a robe for about RM 5 to enter the mosque.

EAT AND SHOP AT JONKER STREET NIGHT MARKET

Another top attraction to add to your Melaka day trip from KL is Jonker Street Night Market which happens every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 6 p.m to 12 p.m.

It’s by far the best place to sample some delicious street food and enjoy live enternainment.

If you’re not visiting on a weekend, you can wander around Jonker Street during the day to discover some quirky street art, temples, historical buildings as well as boutiques selling clothes and souvenirs.  

Related post: Ultimate guide to Jonker Street Night Market

EXPERIENCE MELAKA’S CULTURAL MELTING POT

Malaysia as a whole is a melting pot of culture with an abundance of temples, mosques, and churches and Melaka is no exception.

So naturally, one of the best things to do during your day trip to Melaka is to visit some of the houses of worship dotted around the city center.

A few of them include the Church of St Francis Xavier , Kampung Kling Mosque , Sri Poyyatha Vinayaga Moorthy Temple , and Cheng Hoon Teng Temple .

GET YOUR CAFFEINE FIX AT THE DAILY FIX CAFE!

The fact that went to Melaka multiple times just to eat at the Daily Fix Café says it all! The coffee shop is hidden behind a souvenir shop so make sure to keep an eye out for the sign.  

The vintage décor makes for a great Instagram backdrop and the fluffy pandan pancakes will make you crave more.

The Daily Fix Café is super popular so make sure to get there as soon as it opens to grab a seat and indulge in the most delicious meal ever! 

Operating hours: 9.45 a.m to 5.30 p.m daily.

ILLUSION 3D ART MUSEUM

The Illusion 3D Art Museum is a great activity to do especially for those traveling with kids. Have fun posing with over 30 trick-eye paintings and you can also check out the augmented reality studio at the end of your visit.

Cost: RM 34 for adults and RM 17 for children (Malaysians); RM 50 for adults and RM 25 for children (tourists)

March 2024 update : Note the the museum is currently closed for maintenance until further notice.

CLICK HERE FOR DISCOUNTED TICKETS TO ILLUSION 3D ART MUSEUM

PRIVATE HISTORICAL MELAKA DAY TOUR

If you would like to visit all the main tourist attractions in Melaka while getting insider info from a local guide, I recommend this 10-hour private guided tour . The tour includes transfers to and from your hotel, lunch, and entrance ticket to the Stadthuys.

CHECK PRICE FOR A PRIVATE TOUR OF MELAKA + LUNCH

BEST TIME TO VISIT MELAKA

Just like any other part of Malaysia, Melaka is hot and humid year-round with the occasional rainfall and temperatures rising up to 32 degrees Celsius. The wet season occurs from April to October while November to March is usually the driest.   

I hope you found this guide helpful if you’re planning a trip to Melaka. Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions and I’ll be happy to help!

More Malaysia travel guides:

• Kuala Lumpur itinerary for 2 days or more: 19 incredible things to do!
• Penang itinerary for 3 days
• 14+ cool things to do in Ipoh
• 3 days 2 nights Langkawi trip: Complete guide
• Malaysia itinerary for two weeks on a budget
• 4-12 day Singapore and Malaysia itinerary
• Seven Wells Waterfall: Best waterfall in Malaysia?
• 20 awesome destinations for a short trip in Malaysia

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Steph is an outdoor enthusiast who’s always down for adventure. When she's not traveling abroad, you’ll either find her exploring her own backyard or researching her next trip. She writes adventure travel guides featuring waterfalls, mountains, and beaches and shares her tips on how to travel on a budget without compromising on comfort and experience.

What to do in Penang in 3 Days (Best Penang Itinerary)

The best 2 days in kuala lumpur itinerary, you may also like, 10 best hotels in bukit bintang kl [luxury to budget], best hotels in chinatown kuala lumpur [top-rated options], instagram spots in kuala lumpur: best photo spots in 2024.

Nice post. Really loved the Melaka River Cruise. Went twice. The day one and the night one. Stay safe

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This compact Malaysian state's catchphrase – 'Don't mess with Melaka' – sums up its confident attitude. Recent years have seen Melaka capitalise on its illustrious history and assert itself as one of Malaysia’s most irresistible tourist draws.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Melaka City

This former town hall and governor's residence dates to the 1650s and is believed to be the oldest Dutch building in the East. It functioned as State…

Dutch Square

The focal point of the Unesco Heritage zone, this attractive and elegant square is surrounded by Dutch-era buildings that have been painted crimson, shady…

Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum

Touring this traditional Baba-Nonya (Peranakan) townhouse transports you to a time when women peered at guests through decorative partitions and every…

History & Ethnography Museums Complex

The ground floor of the Stadthuys houses Melaka's most interesting museum, which focuses on the city's fascinating history and ethnography. Exhibits…

Maritime Museum & Naval Museum

Embark on a voyage through Melaka's maritime history at these linked museums, all covered by the one ticket. The most enjoyable of the Maritime Museum's…

Masjid Selat Melaka

Especially beautiful at morning or dusk, this gold-domed mosque overlooks the Strait of Melaka from its shoreside perch on an artificial island a short…

Cheng Hoon Teng Temple

Malaysia's oldest still-operating Chinese temple, constructed in 1673, remains a central place of worship for the Buddhist and Taoist communities here. It…

Christ Church

Built in 1753 from laterite bricks brought from Zeeland in Holland, this eye-catching cherry-pink church is one of the most photographed and imposing…

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8 Things To Do in Melaka, Malaysia (2-day Travel Guide)

Melaka: a colorful, artsy city on a riverbank in southwestern Malaysia. The architecture, monuments, and people reflect the influences of its former position as a trading hub. Absorb the history of this UNESCO site in the mornings, street art in the afternoon, and the lively street market by night.

Things To Do in Melaka in Two Days

Melaka, formally written as Malacca, has something for everyone, so plan to spend one or two full days exploring this city. If you’re in a time crunch, an alternative would be to book a day tour leaving from Kuala Lumpur.

Here are all your hotel options in Melaka.

1. Discover Melaka’s Riverside Street Art

One of Melaka’s biggest surprises is its vibrant street art scene. Everywhere you look, buildings are decorated in the brightest colors, with large murals covering the walls. By strolling a few hours along the river or taking a river cruise, you will find many older houses that have been renewed by street art in this area.

Tip: The river is not the only place you can find street art! There is much more tucked away in Melaka’s narrow back streets.

Discover the 2-week Malaysia Travel Itinerary

2. Murals and Orangutan House

Two huge murals stand out among the rest: a fun thing to do in Melaka. Situated just away from the river is Kiehl’s heritage mural. Made up of primary colors in a lively color block design.

Read: Georgetown, Penang – Charming city of Malaysia

The brand collaborated with UNESCO to create a heritage site trail of six sites in Malaysia. The mural is one of them and is a great place to take some photos that will truly represent the energetic feeling of Melaka. The Orangutan mural, created by artist Charles Cham, is located just around the corner.

Also read: Kuala Lumpur City Guide – Things to do

3. Cheng Hoong Teng Chinese Temple

Cheng Hoong Teng Chinese temple is the oldest operating temple in Malaysia and is quite different from the other buildings in Melaka because of the Chinese architectural influences. Ornate gates, gold leafing, and ruby red Chinese lanterns are just some of the features that make this a top thing to see in Melaka. 

4. Stadthuys and Christchurch

The red square is the epicenter of Melaka, featured on many postcards. The iconic red (pink-ish) buildings were built using bricks shipped over from the Netherlands during the period of Dutch rule.

Both buildings are in the trademark Dutch style which provides a unique European-Asian fusion of architecture. The central town hall named Stadthuys is even believed to be the oldest surviving Dutch building in the east! 

We do recommend visiting this in the early morning as it will be busy with visitors after 8 AM. 

Also read: Ipoh, unknown city of Malaysia

5. Melaka Straits Mosque

This majestic white building is a highlight of the things to do in Melaka. The mosque is located on the edge of the city, situated on a jetty emerging from the water. This means that when the water level is high, it gives the impression the mosque is floating. See the building’s stained glass and gold details by day or when it’s lit up by many different colored lights by night.

6. Jonker Walk 

The Jonker Street night market is a long stretch of street vendors selling products like jewelry and unusual foods. The market is held on Friday and Saturday nights, with live street music on every corner. If you’re unable to visit over the weekend, Jonker Walk is still an enjoyable place to visit in Melaka, as it’s in the center of Chinatown, where the majority of the historical monuments and good restaurants are located.

Visit the green tea plantations of the Cameron Highlands

7. St. Paul’s Church

St Paul’s is the oldest church building in Malaysia and South East Asia! It was originally built by the Portuguese in 1521 but was taken over by various other European powers over time. Now the church is in ruins, but it’s still a beautiful and impressive place to see. Interesting fact: The stones featured inside have old-dutch texts on them. 

Finally, it is an excellent place to enjoy a panoramic view of Melaka due to its position on a hill.

Read: Langkawi, Malaysia’s paradise island

8. Maritime Museum

A replica of the ancient Portuguese ship ‘Flora de La Mar’ stands high above the buildings as a museum. After having stolen goods, the original ship famously sank off the coast of Melaka.

Situated just a short walk from Dutch Square, the museum is a great place to learn a bit about Melaka’s importance as a maritime trading center. 

How to Visit Melaka

Melaka is easy to get to, with numerous travel options on offer. There is an international airport, and many flights leave for Kuala Lumpur daily. You can also visit Melaka on a day tour leaving from Kuala Lumpur if you’re in a time crunch.

Kuala Lumpur to Melaka

However, if you are flying into Kuala Lumpur , the journey by road is very easy and takes only 2-3 hours. Buses leave from Kuala Lumpur Airport and the city center at various times throughout the day.

Get your bus tickets here .

Singapore to Melaka

Another good option is to travel from Singapore to Melaka. A bus takes 3-4 hours.

How to Get Around Melaka

Once you arrive in Melaka, almost everything can be done on foot as all the main landmarks are within walking distance of each other. For those sights that are further away (such as Melaka Straits Mosque), jump on a trishaw for an authentic Malay experience, cycle by bike, or take a Grab taxi.

We recommend to rent a car in Malaysia through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here .

Restaurants in Melaka

Melaka is an established foodie paradise. The melting pot of different cultures in Melaka makes for a variety of tasty foods from all over the world. These were our favorite restaurants and cafes:

• The Daily Fix Cafe
• Mori Vegetarian Tea House
• Geographer Cafe

Where to Stay in Melaka

It’s best to situate yourself centrally so as to be within walking distance from all the attractions. There is a nice atmosphere by the river, and plenty of hostels and guesthouses are situated here.

Hotels in Melaka 😴

Guesthouses in Melaka are very reasonably priced and of good quality. However, there are more upmarket hotel options that sit a little further out of the center.

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• Find Hotels via Booking.com
• Find a Rental Car via Sunny Cars
• Find Flights to Melaka via Skyscanner
• Get a Travel Insurance via Heymondo
• Book Tours & Attractions via GetYourGuide
• Book a Bus/Train/Transfer via 12Go

Malaysia Travel Guide: Tips for the Ultimate Itinerary

11 best things to do in penang, malaysia (georgetown), best things to do in cameron highlands, malaysia.

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Hi yall, did you have to have an International Driving license? or your dutch driving license was enough?

Hi Kazi, anyone with a valid driver’s license needs an accompanying IDP in order to drive in Malaysia. This is because it needs to either be in English or Malay. Hope that helps!

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The Best 2 Day Melaka Itinerary: Things To Do (Malacca)

Melaka is a historically rich city in Malaysia with old heritage buildings, modern cafes and fascinating street art all spread around a narrow river splitting the city. In this 2 day Melaka itinerary, we’re going to show you the best things to do, where to stay and how to get around with many extra tips along the way !

During your 2 days in Melaka, you can experience the blend of old and new between the colourful streets and incredible culture as Melaka is one of the oldest cities in Malaysia.

The city has plenty of well-preserved Dutch, British and Portuguese buildings in the form of churches and now, museums. Most of the best things to do in Melaka are around Jalan Hang Jebat ( Jonker Walk ) and it’s easy to walk around the historic city.

Melaka completely surprised us in Malaysia! It was one of the cities we almost skipped as we weren’t continuing to Singapore and didn’t know if the round trip from Kuala Lumpur would be worth it. But, trust us – it is! It’s definitely worth spending at least 2 days in Melaka but it is also possible on a day trip from Kuala Lumpur with a guide !

Is it Melaka or Malacca? You may have noticed Melaka is also known as Malacca. Melaka is the capital city of Malacca which is a Malaysian state. We also saw that the city used to be referred to as Malacca City. It’s a little confusing, but here’s our 2 day Melaka itinerary!

This post may contain affiliate links. We will receive a small commission if you make a purchase using these links, at no additional cost to you .

Quick Tips for a 2 Day Melaka Itinerary

Table of Contents (Skip to a section!)

• Currency  –  Malaysian Ringgit   (compare your own currency  here )
• Language  – Malay (also Mandarin and Tamil)
• Cuisine  – Malay, Chinese & Indian  (noodles, rice, dosas, soups, curries, roti & more)
• Apps  – Google Translate, Google Maps, Grab,  Booking.com  &,  Hostelworld
• Power Voltage  – Plug G, 240V ( Same as the UK )
• Sim Card  – Digi, Hotlink or  grab an E-Sim in advance here  or  on Klook !

Visiting more of Malaysia?  Check out our itineraries for the  Cameron Highlands ,  Penang ,  Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur !

Where to stay in Melaka

Melaka is a large city, but the areas of interest are all around the Old Town . The best area to stay in Melaka is near Jonker Street (Jalan Hang Jebat) . Prices of accommodation are very affordable in Malaysia, so staying within walking distance won’t be a problem, even if you’re on a budget.

Melaka Hotel, Hostels & Guesthouses

The Cozy Place by Nestcove $ – A modern guesthouse with lots of amenities in the heart of Melaka. Also includes free breakfast! – Find on Booking.com here !

Bali Residences $$ – A luxury and affordable stay in Melaka, with rooftop pools and a modern layout – Find on Booking.com here !

We stayed in Haven Inn for 4 nights in Melaka but it looks like they’ve stopped taking bookings for the moment in 2024. We’ve included it just in case they re-open!

How to get around Melaka

Melaka city centre is very walkable and easy to get around. There’s one spot on this 2 day Melaka itinerary that will require a Grab, which is also an easy way to get around Melaka!

• Bus  – There are buses in Melaka, however, you’ll only need to take one when arriving at Melaka Sentral .
• Trishaw’s – You’ll find these dotted around the city, they are touristy and usually more expensive than a Grab, but trishaws are a fun way to get around!
• Taxi & Grab  – Grab is a great way to get around Melaka if your destination is out of the main touristy city centre. Download the app!
• Car  – Browse prices for car rentals on Discover Cars !

We used Grab to get from Melaka Sentral to the city centre of Melaka when we arrived by bus from Kuala Lumpur!

2 Day Melaka Itinerary: Best Things To Do (2024)

During this Melaka 2 day itinerary, we’ll show you how to plan your trip and what’s achievable in 2 days. You can switch these days around or mix them up, but here’s our Melaka travel guide for you!

Some of the main things to do are quite close together and we’ve spread them out over 2 days, so if there’s a point of interest we don’t mention on the first day, you’ll see it on the second day!

Day 1 – The Art & History of Melaka, River Cruise & Night Market

When arriving in Melaka, the bus station ( Melaka Sentral ) is a little outside of the city centre. Search for a Grab on the app to make your way to the historic centre (near Jonker Walk). We’ve included our accommodation recommendations above, but The Cozy Place by Nestcove is perfect for this 2 day Melaka itinerary.

We highly recommend trying Chin Hua for lunch as you can grab as much food as you like from the buffet and you pay by weight and selected items! We ate here several times during our Melaka trip!

The cafe culture in Melaka is incredible, similar to other popular Malaysian cities! You’ll find cosy cafes with different specialities, themes and cuisines! Malay, Chinese and Indian food is popular to find here and you’ll also have a few Western options.

Search for Street Art in Melaka

As you start to walk around the city you’ll notice the beautiful old shop-houses and the colour blasting through the streets. Melaka was first colonised by the Portuguese followed by the Dutch and then the British.

Amongst all the mixed influences, you can find amazing street art. Most of the art is spread out near the streets of Jonker Walk . We encourage you to just wander around!

• Kiehl’s Colourful Wall – The perfect backdrop for photos in Melaka ( location )
• Melaka Street Art (The Well) – An alleyway filled with lovely murals ( location )
• The Orangutan House – A cafe with an Orangutan mural ( location )
• Murals near the River – When walking down the river look out for murals on the buildings, you’ll find some behind The Old Merchant and various other spots! ( location )

Admire the views on Tan Kim Seng Bridge

Once you’ve had a browse at some of the street murals in Melaka, head over to the Tan Kim Seng Bridge and walk across to the east side of Melaka to discover some history.

The main highlights are close together, so there’s a high chance you’ll be crossing this bridge a few times to get over the river. The views from Tan Kim Seng Bridge look beautiful day and night!

Visit the Dutch Square 

The Dutch Square is also known as the ‘Red Square’ in Melaka and it’s hard to miss on your 2 day Melaka itinerary. You’ll be greeted with bright red colonial buildings as soon as you walk over the bridge!

Christ Church Melaka

One of the buildings you’ll see is the Dutch Church which was built in 1753! It’s one of the most popular landmarks in Melaka and worth checking out alongside the other colonial buildings.

Stadthuys was built by the Dutch as a building with office rooms, similar to a city hall. It is now the Museum of History and Ethnography with a history of Melaka and many historic artefacts. There’s a small entrance fee to enter:

• Malaysian residents: 5 MYR for adults and 2 MYR for children.
• Foreign visitors: 10 MYR for adults and 4 MYR for children.

Queen Victoria’s Fountain

In the heart of Dutch Square is Queen Victoria’s Fountain which was actually built by the British! There’s also an I Love Melaka sign !

Tan Beng Swee Clock Tower

Next to the Stadthuys is the Tan Beng Swee Clock Tower which was purchased by a wealthy Chinese family and given to the city of Melaka. The clock was also built by the British and it blends in perfectly with the other Dutch buildings in the square!

Exploring Malaysia on a budget? Here’s our top tips on how to save money for travelling .

Walk down the River

During your Melaka 2 day itinerary, definitely take the time to fully explore the streets along the river. There are cute riverside cafes, bars and restaurants and many boardwalks to discover!

For this Melaka itinerary, head south down the river ( which is the wide area ) passing by Melaka Fort .

Admire the Giant Ship

Right next to the river, you’ll find the Muzium Samudera (Flor de La Mar) located on the east side near the Melaka River Cruises . The Muzium Samudera is a museum inside a giant ship! We didn’t visit inside the ship but there’s lots of information about the history of Melaka and the river.

Go on a Sunset River Cruise in Melaka

One of the best things to do in Melaka is to go on a river cruise through the city. You can take tours at any time throughout the day (9 AM – 11 PM), but sunset may be the best time to go!

Head to the Melaka River Park and Cruise building to buy a ticket and hop on a ride! There can be quite a long queue during weekends but it moves quickly. The tour is around 30 to 45 minutes long and costs around RM25 .

Visit Jonker Street Night Market (Friday to Sunday)

If you have any energy left on the first day of your 2 days in Melaka, it’s time to hit up the famous Jonker Street Night Market in Melaka. The night market only runs on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays but the street and most shops are open during the weekdays too.

Jonker Street Night Market is full of incredible food, souvenirs, clothes and music! As it’s on a weekend, it’s usually very busy and you’ll find a big atmosphere in the area. Note – We didn’t find many vegan options.

Pahlawan Walk Night Market is another night market to visit during your 2 days in Melaka, however, this also runs from Friday to Sunday.

Day 2 – Shops, Temples, History & Mosques

Start your day near Jonker Walk and find a cosy cafe for breakfast! We opted for a Chinese-style breakfast from Shui Xian Su Shi Yuan Vegetarian as they open at 7:30 am!

Shop around Jonker Street in Daylight

During your 2 days in Melaka, you have to check out Jonker Street in the daytime! The area is full of boutique shops, old colonial buildings and amazing food choices. We found a spot selling coconut ice cream which is the best in hot weather!

There are a few places of interest around the area of Jonker Street such as museums and temples. Here are a few you can check out whilst you’re wondering around the shops:

• Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum
• Sri Poyyatha Vinayaga Moorthy Temple
• Melaka San Duo Temple
• Cheng Ho’s Cultural Museum
• Kampung Kling Mosque

Check out our 2 Week Malaysia Itinerary for more planning tips !

Visit Cheng Hoon Temple

Another temple that you can find near Jonker Street is Cheng Hoon Temple! This Buddhist temple is on the same street as the Malay Kampung Kling Mosque and Hindu Sri Poyyatha Vinayaga Moorthy Temple which shows the diverse religions in Malaysia!

Cheng Hoon Temple is a historic Chinese temple built in the 17th century. The interior of the temple is more impressive than the outside and there’s beautiful architecture and carvings throughout! It’s also one of the oldest functioning temples in Malaysia.

Walk around Little India

To add to the culture of your Melaka itinerary, head to Little India for a tasty lunch and a walk around the neighbourhood. It is one of the smallest Little Indias in Malaysia, so it won’t take long to browse the area.

We recommend Restoran Saravanna for lunch as we ate there multiple times on our trip! There’s also a Little India sign to look out for!

Admire the Church of Saint Paul

After fueling up on food in Little India, walk up St Paul’s Hill ( slowly if you’re still digesting ), it only takes 5 minutes! You’ll see some of Melaka’s many museums here, Muzium Yang di-Pertua Negeri Melaka and Melaka Sultanate Palace Museum .

One of the most interesting antique buildings we came across during our Melaka itinerary is St. Paul’s Church. It’s t he oldest church in Malaysia and the region of Southeast Asia , which is crazy to think about! St Paul’s Church was built in the 1500s and is now one of Melaka’s famous ruins.

The rustic building no longer has a roof and although it’s well-preserved, it’s free to the public, so you can browse in and around the building with no supervision.

You can find tombstones within the building and there’s also an old lighthouse and a statue of St Xavier next to the old church. As the church sits on top of a hill, you can watch over the city of Melaka from gaps in the trees! It’s a very peaceful area in the morning or evening when it’s quieter.

Visit the A Famosa (Fortress)

A few minutes walk away down some stairs you’ll come across Melaka Fort , also known as A Famosa ! A Famosa means ‘The Famous’ in Portuguese !

The fortress isn’t in the best shape anymore after the British demolished most of it, however, it still holds so much history! Porta de Santiago (the gate to the fortress) is one of the parts still standing and is a highlight! We recommend visiting during your Melaka 2 day itinerary.

Take a break at Dataran Pahlawan Shopping Mall

This part of the itinerary is optional but if it’s a hot day, a walk around the mall is a great idea! We took the opportunity to cool down and grab a drink inside – there are so many things to do in Melaka, so it’s good to rest in between!

Dataran Pahlawan Shopping Mall is very modern with famous chain shops and restaurants. Sadly we have no photos of the modern area of Melaka, but here are a couple of photos from other areas of the city!

You can also find the Upside Down House in the modern area of central Melaka – Book your tickets in advance here !

Find the Taming Sari Tower

Nearby the mall is Melaka’s modern tower standing 80 metres tall in the sky. You may have already seen it as it’s close to Muzium Samudera (the giant ship). Taming Sari Tower was completed in 2008 and created another reason for tourists to visit the city!

There’s a slow-spinning observation desk that takes you to the top of the tower giving the best views of Melaka! Book your tickets in advance here !

Watch Sunset at Melaka Straits Mosque

The last activity on our Melaka 2 day itinerary is a visit to the beautiful Melaka Straits Mosque . It’s a little out of the city centre so it’s best to catch a Grab for around RM10 one way.

Melaka Straits Mosque sits on a platform just above the water which makes it one of the best sunset spots in Melaka. When we saw a photo online, we immediately added it to our list!

If you’re wearing the correct covering, it’s okay to enter the mosque but as it’s a place of prayer, it’s important to be respectful. We stayed on the outside admiring the exterior and the views of the water.

We found a lovely viewing point from the rocks on the other side of the Mosque and watched the sun go down. The mosque lights up at night too!

We use a Joby GorillaPod to take our photos! It’s small and lightweight, so it fits in a day bag without worrying about losing it!

More Ideas for 2 days in Melaka

There are still more things to do in Melaka if you have more than 2 days. We didn’t get to visit any museums, but Melaka has so many! There are also more towers, an upside-down house and a water park.

• Cheng Ho Cultural Museum
• Maritime Museum
• Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum ( location here )
• The Shore Sky Tower – Find tickets here !
• Bayou Lagoon Water Park Ticket in Melaka – The best way to cool off – Find tickets here !
• Upside Down House Gallery Melak a – Book your tickets in advance here !

Where to stay in Melaka? The Cozy Place by Nestcove !

Best Restaurants in Melaka

As well as exploring the best things to do in Melaka we hunted for the best places to eat! Here’s our selection of places we would eat again when we visit Malaysia in the future! Chin Hua was our favourite place during our Melaka itinerary 2 days.

• Chin Hua Vegetarian Food $ – The best Chinese buffet restaurant in Melaka! ( location )
• Restoran Saravanna – Chettinadu King $ – Authentic Indian food in Melaka! ( location )
• Thong Xin Vegetarian Restaurant $ – Delicious Chinese food! ( location )
• Shui Xian Su Shi Yuan Vegetarian $ – Near Cheng Hoon Teng Temple! ( location )
• Botanist Cafe $$ – Vegetarian restaurant with Malay options! ( location )

Switch to more sustainable travel products before visiting Melaka, Malaysia! Here’s a guide to help – 18 Great Sustainable Travel Products You Need to Swap Now !

Best Time to Visit Melaka

The best time to visit Melaka is from May to July and December to February  in between the rainy seasons. It’s perfectly fine to visit all year round, some days outside of the dry season won’t even rain!

Melaka has a tropical climate so it’s always hot and humid. We visited in June and experienced a mix of sun and rain! Most of Malaysia had mixed weather for our visit, but we still had a great time!

How to get to Melaka

Flying  – Melaka has a very small airport (Malacca Airport) with limited flights, however, Kuala Lumpur International Airport is a bus journey away with routes all over the world. Book your  KLIA Ekspres Airport Train Tickets  on Klook.

Bus  – The best way to get around Malaysia is by bus, especially to get to Melaka. Check for times and prices on  12Go ,  RedBus  or  EasyBook . It’s a 2-hour bus journey from Kuala Lumpur and a 4-hour bus journey from Singapore. You’ll arrive at Melaka Sentral where you can get a local bus or a Grab to the main city centre of Melaka.

Tours – Historical Melaka Tour with Lunch from Kuala Lumpur .

Also check out our 3 day Kuala Lumpur Itinerary to explore the capital!

How many days to spend in Melaka

We highly recommend spending at least 2 days in Melaka ! This 2 day Melaka itinerary shows you all the best highlights of the city and although it’s possible to squeeze into one day, we really think the area deserves another day.

With an extra day, you can spend longer browsing Jonker Street and visiting the beautiful mosque on the water!

Budget for 2 days in Melaka

Melaka is a very affordable city to visit in Malaysia. It’s slightly cheaper than Kuala Lumpur (the capital) and similar to other destinations in the country. For 2 days in Melaka, a good budget is around £30 a day. On a Malaysia trip, some days will be less or more!

• Accommodation: from £12 / RM66
• Food : around £2 to £4 per meal / RM11 to RM22
• Grab Journeys : around RM10 (around £1.80)
• River Cruise : RM25 (around £5)

➤ Also check out our Southeast Asia budget guide !

Things to do in Melaka for One day

Day trips from Kuala Lumpur or Singapore are a popular way to explore Melaka. Using your own car, a rental car or the buses in Malaysia you can explore the highlights of the city in 1 day.

If you only have 1 day in Melaka, try to time it on a weekend so you can visit the Jonker Street Market in the evening! If that’s not possible, a visit to the street in the daytime is also good.

Use this 2 day Melaka itinerary to create a faster-paced version for your day trip . Skip the Melaka Straits Mosque as it’s too far away from the city on a short trip. Focus on the beautiful old town, including Jonker Street and visit the Church of Saint Paul on the hill for some views of the city.

Things to do in Melaka at Night

• Go on a River Cruise
• Browse Jonker Street Night Market
• Hit up a restaurant for some late dining
• Walk along the riverside
• Go for an evening swim at Bali Residences !

Visiting Thailand next? Get prepared for your trip with our 1 Month in Thailand Itinerary !

Travel Essentials for a Melaka Itinerary

• Amazon Basics Packing Cubes – The best way to pack your backpack or suitcase for Malaysia!
• Rain Mac in a Bag and a Backpack Cover are essentials we use in rainy weather!
• Anker Power Bank – A small power bank to keep your phone charged.
• Stainless Steel Water Bottle – Reduce the plastic you use and fill up your reusable bottle!
• Joby GorillaPod 3K Pro Kit – We love our Joby GorillaPod and use it for our Sony A600 .

➤ Here’s our Southeast Asia Packing list to help you plan your trip to Melaka!

Don’t forget about Travel Insurance! – SafetyWing  Nomad Insurance

SafetyWing  is a flexible monthly-rolling travel insurance to help you stay safe on your trip anywhere in the world.  Find out more here!

Is Melaka worth visiting?

The world heritage city of Melaka is definitely worth visiting in Malaysia! We’re so glad we visited and even though it’s slightly touristy, it still feels underrated. It’s in the perfect location if you’re travelling from Malaysia to Singapore and it’s so close to the capital city (Kuala Lumpur) .

It’s an easy place to visit to discover the history, street art and Western ruins! If you’re visiting Malaysia it’s definitely worth spending 2 days in Melaka!

Check out our other  Malaysia Travel Guides :

• 3 Day Kuala Lumpur Itinerary
• 2 Week Malaysia Itinerary
• 2 Days in Ipoh Itinerary
• Cameron Highlands Itinerary
• 4 Day Penang Itinerary
• Also browse our Thailand , Sri Lanka and Philippines guides!

That’s the end of our The Best 2 Day Melaka Itinerary: Things To Do (2024) ! Have a lovely trip to Melaka and if you need any more help planning – send us a message on Instagram (@thesunrisedreamers) or leave a comment below!

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Amy & Dan are the founders of The Sunrise Dreamers. They are travellers from the UK who have been on the road since 2017 whilst living in places like England, Canada, Thailand and the Canary Islands. They share their knowledge of travelling the world with detailed travel guides and tips. They're experts in vegan travel and show their audience how to travel on a budget.

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Love it 💕 Also interesting about St Paul’s Church

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A travel & food blog

Day Trip to Malacca (Melaka): How to Get Here + Itinerary

Malacca is one of the best day trips you can do from Kuala Lumpur. I visited here with my officemates in KL for the weekend and it’s not an understatement to say we had a really good time. To be honest, I would’ve gone back here if I’d known about it sooner.

Malacca (locally referred to as Melaka) is a heritage town, located about 2 hours from Kuala Lumpur. It’s a great place for those who love history and culture or those who are looking to get away for a while. Malacca features colonial architecture and museums, a diverse culinary scene, and many activities.

How to get to Malacca

How to get around, one day itinerary in malacca, what to eat, where to stay, is it worth visiting malacca, reminders and tips, what to read next:.

It is easy to get to Malacca.

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From Kuala Lumpur, head to TBS (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan). There you can find buses bound for Malacca. First trip is 5:45AM and last trip is 11:45PM. Fare is around RM10-15, travel time is 2 hours.

From the terminal in Malacca, book a taxi/Grab or ride a bus to Dutch Square, which is the historic center in Malacca.

Most of the attractions in Malacca are located in Dutch Square and Jonker Street , Malacca’s own chinatown. They are just walking distance from each other and the best way to explore them is by foot.

You can also ride a rickshaw. The rickshaws in Malacca are an attraction in itself because they are colorfully and playfully decorated. It’s convenient to take a rickshaw if you’re with kids or you find that you don’t have enough time for a walking tour. Rickshaws offer a tour for around 45 minutes for RM50 only.

There are also guided tours in Malacca, but based on other people’s suggestions it’s still best to explore the city DIY.

Here’s a suggested day trip itinerary.

Start your tour at around 9AM in Dutch Square. This area used to be a fishing village, but due to the strategic location of Malacca it was converted to a key trading port during colonial times. Today you can still see terracotta buildings built way back in the 17th century. The top attractions here are the Stadthuys , Christ Church , and Queen Victoria’s Fountain .

From the Dutch Square, walk up the hill to St. Paul’s Church . Built in 1521, it is considered the oldest church in Southeast Asia. It is no longer used as an active church but it’s still open for visits. Going up the church is a bit tiring but it’s worthwhile since it offers a nice view of Malacca Straits that separate Malaysia and Indonesia.

From the church, proceed to A Famosa , where you can see a fort remnant.

Next to A Famosa is the city museum complex, where you can find several museums near each other. The most visited one is the Melaka Sultanate Palace Museum , which is built in a traditional hardwood style similar to that of old sultanate palaces. This museum offers a glimpse of Malacca’s history. That saying, feel free to choose a museum that captures your interest:

• Malay and Islamic World Museum
• Melaka Sultanate Palace Museum
• Buddha Relics Museum
• UMNO Museum
• Governor’s Museum

After your museum visit, walk over the bridge to Jonker Street. Around 11 or 11:30AM, stop for lunch. There are various restaurants around here, so choose wherever you fancy! We had lunch in a Chinese restaurant. We ordered roasted pork and salted-egg chicken, which are both my favorites.

After lunch, it’s time to explore Jonker Street. There are so many things to see here – including food stalls and restaurants, quirky and quaint coffee shops, and museums. There are also lovely old houses.

Jonker Street also has shops where you can buy souvenirs and clothes, including fabrics with Malaysian design. One of the places that we liked is The Orangutan House, which sells fun shirts. My friend’s favorite print is “To lah or not to lah — that is the question in Malaysia!”

Just off Jonker Street, you will find Harmony Street (Jalan Tokong) where you will find old places of worship. Cheng Hoon Teng Temple is the oldest traditional Chinese temple in Malaysia. Sri Poyatha Moorthi is the oldest Hindu temple. Masjid Kampung Kling is a mosque with intricate architecture.

Then head back to the entrance to Jonker Street. At around 5-6PM, this street transforms to a lively night market with various stalls selling food and knickknacks. Make sure to try out Melaka’s popular food items , such as coconut balls.

After having dinner at the Jonker Street night market, go on a river cruise along Malacca River. You don’t need to book in advance and the queue is usually short. Fare is around RM16-20 per person.

The river cruise is a fun, relaxing experience. You’ll forget the day’s tiredness as the cruise glides smoothly along Malacca River. At night, you can see riverside hotels and buildings looking glam under the night lights, cafes where people are enjoying drinks, and streetart and murals you might miss on your walking tour. The tour guide also points out interesting subjects, such as historical buildings and the mangrove area.

If you still have time, consider going to the riverside for a stroll or a cup of warm drinks.

Food is one of the reasons to visit Malacca! You can find various food stalls and restaurants along Jonker Street , where you can find everything from street food to proper rice meals.

Malacca is also known for the culture of Peranakan (also called Baba Nyonya), which is a combination of Chinese Strait and Malaysian flavors. Some of the food you should try are nasi ayam redang, laksa, and otak-otak. For the drinks, the classic teh tarik won’t fail to impress.

There are various accommodations in Malacca that cater to all budget. Here are some recommended ones:

• The Baba House Hotel. Book via Agoda
• Rosa Malacca. Book via Agoda
• Hatten Hotel Melaka. Book via Agoda

My answer would be, yes! I haven’t met anyone yet who wasn’t charmed with Malacca. It’s true that it has areas which are touristy, but a lot of its history and culture have been preserved. Not to mention that there is good food everywhere!

It’s also easily accessible from Kuala Lumpur, so it’s a good place to add to your itinerary whether you’re staying for just a few days or a few weeks in Malaysia. Here’s a sample 3-week itinerary in Malaysia that includes Malacca.

The ideal stay in Malacca is at 2-3 days. After that, there is really nothing much to do, but you may still want to stay just to unwind and relax. Malacca is family friendly and there are a lot of options for hotels — it’s a great getaway for everyone.

Here are more reminders for your trip to Malacca:

• Reserve bus tickets in advance, especially if you’re going on a weekend. If you’re staying in KL, it may seem like a nice impromptu destination but bus seats run out. Malacca is a popular destination among Malaysians and Singaporeans.
• You will need to walk around a lot, so wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
• Melaka is best explored from late afternoon until night, when Jonker Street is alive with food stalls and the river reflects the lights from buildings and streetlamps.

Realistically speaking, there is only so much you can do in a day trip to Malacca. This is something that we had to learn for ourselves when we visited here. We printed out guides, but we realized that our Places to See is too ambitious and our Food to Eat is too long. From our experience, here are some tips for you to make the most of your day trip:

• Do your research prior to your trip and decide what you want to prioritize.
• Maximize your time and book a return bus at 10PM or later.
• If you’re staying for more than a day, you’ll find that there are still various things you can do. You can go to a public beach, engage in outdoor and wildlife activities like visits to a botanical garden and crocodile farm, or head to other attractions which are a bit far from the center such as the Melaka Floating Mosque.

Has this Day Trip Guide to Malacca been helpful to you? If you have comments or questions, let me know in the comment section below.

Here are related destinations in Malaysia:

• Cameron Highlands

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Katherine Cortes is a long-time backpacker and a freelance writer/editor. She likes beaches, snorkeling trips, and relaxing staycations (preferably with bath tubs!).

Hi do you recommend any websites or bus companies to book a night return trip to Kuala Lumpur?

Katherine Cortes

EasyBus or Klook. 🙂

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2 DAY MELAKA ITINERARY | Best Things to Do in Melaka

One of the quirkier and interesting places we visited in Malaysia was Melaka (also known as Malacca). This city has a rich and interesting history as it was colonized by the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British. This eclectic mix of cultures has blended together to create a unique place that tourists seem to love. Follow our 2 day Melaka itinerary to make the most out of a short trip to this UNESCO world heritage city.

Before visiting we had read mixed reviews of the city, with some people saying that there were too many tourists and tacky attractions. While we found it to be extremely busy and there definitely are some tacky things here, overall we were thoroughly impressed during our trip to Melaka. There are loads of great things to do in Melaka and the city holds a certain charm, with great food, cool cafes and lots of street art.

You don’t really need to spend more than a couple of days here. Our Malacca itinerary will help you get the most out of your two days exploring this fun city.

Check out our  Southeast Asia Packing List  for a guide on what to pack for your Malaysian adventure!

Disclaimer – This post may contain affiliate links, meaning we receive a small commission if you make a purchase at NO extra cost to you. This will never impact our reviews and we only recommend products and services we firmly believe in.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The historic centre is clustered together, so 2 days should be more than enough time to see all of the best places to visit in Melaka.
• It is very busy and touristy, especially on weekends as it is a popular destination for local tourists coming from Kuala Lumpur and even Singapore.
• All of the tourist attractions that we recommend for your Melaka trip are within walking distance of the city centre.
• The food is amazing and there is a heavy Chinese influence here.

Where to Stay in Melaka

Budget: Ohana House HQ – The perfect place to stay for any traveler on a budget. While this accommodation is very cheap you still get to be just a few minutes’ walk from the city centre and you also get spacious, clean rooms with air conditioning.

Mid-Range: JonkeRed Heritage Hotel – Another excellent location right in the city centre. This hotel offers exceptional value with each modern room uniquely decorated. You won’t be disappointed with your oasis from the hustle and bustle from the city centre.

Luxury: Casa Del Rio – With a fantastic location right in the city centre and an incredible infinity pool overlooking the river there is no better place to stay when visiting Melaka. The hotel also offers a fitness centre and a spa.

How to Get to Melaka from Kuala Lumpur

From Kuala Lumpur city centre, take the SPL line from the Masjid Jamek station to Bandar Tasik Selatan. This will take 30 minutes and costs less than $1 USD. The train station is right next to the TBS bus station where busses run regularly throughout the day to Melaka Sentral. The bus journey takes 2 hours and 15 minutes and costs 10 RM ($2 USD) per person.

We recommend staying right in the city centre, so from Melaka Sentral you will need to take a Grab or a taxi to your accommodation.

Best Time to Visit Melaka

The temperature in Melaka stays fairly consistent throughout the year. The months that see the least rainfall on average are October, April and early May making these the best time to visit to avoid rain putting a damper on your trip.

Melaka Itinerary

When planning your Melaka trip itinerary, we suggest spending 2 days here. This will give you enough time to see all of the main attractions and enjoy some amazing food. Below is our suggested itinerary for Melaka.

If you are really short for time there is a great tour that you can take that will showcase the best parts of the city in just a few hours. You can check out rates and availability for this tour here.

Melaka River

Stadthuys, dutch square and christ church, discover the street art, melaka straits mosque, dinner in little india, st paul’s church, cheng hoon teng temple, menara taming sari revolving sky tower, jonker street night market.

Start your trip by walking along the banks of the Melaka River which flows right through the city centre. The narrow walkways that border the river on each side offer a beautiful path in and out of the city. The river is lined with cafes, restaurants and lots of creative street art. These paths along the river are always bustling with people and we highly recommend stopping at one of the restaurants to grab a drink and people watch for a while.

Another great way to see the city is by taking a Melaka River cruise. Boats sail up and down the waterways, offering an alternative view of the city from the water.

The Dutch Square is renowned for its historical and brightly coloured buildings. The Stadthuys is an old building built by the Dutch in the 1600s to be the office of the Dutch Governor. Throughout the years it has passed through many different hands and it is now home to the History and Ethnography Museum.

The buildings, including a clocktower in the middle of the square, are all painted a striking shade of red and they light up beautifully in the late evening as the sun sets and really makes the colour come to life.

Also located in the Dutch Square is Christ Church, which is an 18 th century Anglican church that is also painted red. This is the oldest functioning protestant church in Malaysia and another eye-catching building.

If you come to the Dutch Square in the evening you will see one of the city’s tackiest attractions. At night time the square is packed with rickshaws offering quick tours around the surrounding streets. These rickshaws are wildly decorated, covered in flashing lights and blast music as they are pedaled around with each rickshaw driver seemingly trying to outdo the next with their extravagance.

Malaysia is home to several cities with incredible street art. Penang is the most famous of these and even Kuala Lumpur had some amazing street art. You can add Melaka to this list as well. You will catch your first glimpses of the street art as you walk along the river, with several of the buildings here having been decorated.

What is great about this activity is that you will be able to enjoy it the whole time you are here. Around every corner there is a new and vibrant piece of art. One of our favourites was the giant Orangutan painted onto the side of The Orangutan House, which is an art gallery. The more you explore the city, the more you will be rewarded with discovering new unique street art scattered throughout.

If you wish to get out of the city centre for a couple of hours, you can head to Melaka Straits Mosque. This stunning Mosque can be found on the man-made Malacca Island which is less than an hour’s walk from the city centre. If you catch it when the tide is high, then it looks like the Mosque is floating on the water.

Thanks to Caroline at CK Travels for the epic photo.

Malaysia has a heavy Indian influence and like most cities, Melaka has its own Indian district called Little India. If you are a fan of delicious food, then we recommend coming here for dinner for some authentic Indian cuisine.

Selvam Restaurant is a good choice for those traveling on a budget. They offered up an assortment of vegetable curry which was served on a banana leaf, all for just 19 RM ($4 USD) for two people.

A Famosa is a former Portuguese fortress which is one of the oldest European architectural remains in Southeast Asia. The fortress was quite extensive when it was originally built in the 1500s, but now all that remains is a solitary gatehouse. Like most of the buildings in the city, it passed through the hands of the Dutch and the British, the latter of which are responsible for almost the complete destruction of the fortress.

From A Famosa, a short climb up the hill will take you to St Paul’s Church, or more accurately, to the ruins of St Paul’s Church. The church was originally built in the early 1500s at the top of St Paul’s hill which overlooks the city. The church was built as a simple catholic chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

Now it is yet another piece of the city’s remarkable history and heritage. Visitors can walk inside the ruins of the church as well as around the outside of the building. It is a beautiful building and the location overlooking the city makes it even more impressive. Inside you will also see some old Portuguese tombstones lined up against the walls. 

The Cheng Hoon Teng Temple is regarded as the oldest Buddhist temple in Malaysia. It was built in 1645 and unlike many of the ruins you will see around the city, this temple has been beautifully preserved and restored over the years. It has even received a UNESCO award for outstanding architectural restoration. You will find this temple just a couple of minutes’ walk from the famous Jonker Street.

The temple is made up of one large prayer room with several smaller prayer rooms surrounding it. The temple is dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy, Kuan Yin and you will see a large robed statue of the goddess in the prayer hall. Like many of the Buddhist temples in Malaysia, the colourful and intricate architecture can be appreciated by all visitors, regardless of their religion.

For a totally unique perspective of the city, climb aboard the Menara Taming Sari Tower. Enter the platform at ground level and watch as the city unfolds as the circular viewing platform climbs to 80 metres.

Enjoy uninterrupted 360-degree views of the historic city and its surroundings. From the sky tower, you can see all of the famous attractions in Melaka such as St Paul’s Hill and the Dutch Square, as well as seeing much further afield out to the Melaka Strait and the Melaka Straits Mosque.

An adult ticket costs 15 RM ($3.50 USD) for locals and 23 RM ($5.50 USD) for international visitors. 

The most famous street in Melaka is Jonker Street which is just across the bridge from the Dutch Square. If you visit during the day you will find the street to be relatively busy with a lot of shops lining the roadside. We recommend walking along this street during the day but it is on Friday and Saturday nights when this street really comes to life.

The Jonker Street Night Market only operates on Friday and Saturday nights and it feels like every tourist in Melaka is on one single street at that time. The night market is full of street vendors who set up shop for the evening selling everything from local cuisine to arts and crafts to cheap souvenirs.

Walking down this street is an absolute feast for the senses and even though you will be packed shoulder to shoulder with hundreds of other people, it really is an awesome experience. A lot of the vendors also put on a show to help sell their products and if you ever want to see the most entertaining way to open a coconut you will have to visit the Jonker Street Night Market.

You should also try chicken rice balls which are a specialty dish in the city. There are several places that sell only chicken rice balls and you get a plate of steamed chicken, soft rice balls and some chilli sauce to add some extra flavour.

As the market only runs on the weekends, we recommend planning your trip so at least one day during your visit is on the weekend. The night market was one of the highlights of the trip and it would be a shame to travel to Melaka and miss this experience.

Where to Eat in Melaka

Selvam Restaurant – Delicious and cheap authentic food in Little India that comes served on a banana leaf.

Wild Coriander – A good lunch spot serving local food, such as laksa. They also had a choice of freshly baked goods for dessert.

Daily Fix – The most popular brunch café in the city. It’s best to arrive early and avoid it on weekends as it gets very busy.

Poh Piah Lwee –  Local food including nonya dumplings made with natural pea flower colourings.

Stolen Cup – Funky café serving great coffee with an awesome brunch menu.

Final Thoughts

The city of Melaka took us somewhat by surprise. At first glance it seems like a busy city full of tourists with some tacky attractions. But after spending a couple of days here, we found there to be a rich history and interesting culture. There are lots of cool things to see here if you just look in the right places.

We hope our Melaka itinerary helps you discover the awesome parts of the city and to make the most out of your short time here.

Have we missed any of your favourite spots in our itinerary? Let us know in the comments below.

Planning a trip to Malaysia? Check out our other blog posts on the area:

• 2 DAYS IN KUALA LUMPUR | Itinerary & Tips

PERFECT 3 DAY CAMERON HIGHLANDS ITINERARY

• SOUTHEAST ASIA PACKING GUIDE | Best Backpacking Gear

*Please note, prices are a reflection of our experiences while traveling Malaysia in July 2019 and are subject to change. Prices quoted in RM were the exact prices we paid and USD conversions are listed for your convenience.

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Hi, we're Luke and Roxy, a travel couple from Ireland and Canada. We are all about finding awesome, off the beaten path adventures and love to find the cheapest way of doing things. Thanks for visiting our blog!

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2023 MELAKA TRAVEL GUIDE (ITINERARY + BUDGET)

by thepinay solobackpacker | Feb 26, 2023 | Featured , Itinerary , MALACCA , Malaysia , Melaka , Travel Guide | 0 comments

Detailed Melaka Travel Guide blog with Melaka Itinerary and Budget, places to see in Melaka, and where to stay in Melaka.

Melaka’s gentle flowing river provides a serene accompaniment to its architectural splendor. Everywhere I turn, Malacca (Melaka) reminds me that I am somewhere unforgettable! From narrow lanes peppered with colourful Baba-Nyonya houses to a plaza fringed by red-painted Dutch brick buildings, grandiose temples to commanding mosques, and from hand-crafted intricate souvenirs to cafes serving taste bud-tingling local dishes! This lively city is one of my most visited destinations in Malaysia , still, I can’t get enough of its beauty!

Malacca (Melaka) is the birthplace of Malay civilization.  Even before the rise to fame of its neighbour Sing apore, Malacca was already turning heads. In fact, it has a long-withstanding history of colonial rule under the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British.  Because of its rich heritage, Malacca/Melaka was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site .

To make the most out of your trip in this historic town, here’s my Malacca/ Melaka Travel Guide with sample Melaka itinerary and budget.

TRAVEL BLOG CONTENTS

MELAKA (MALACCA) TRAVEL GUIDE

Melaka travel requirements.

Melaka, like the rest of Malaysia has scrapped the travel requirements for tourists. Vaccinated and non-vaccinated travelers are free to enter. Wearing of mask is now optional, but passengers on public transport like buses and trains are required to wear mask.

HOW MANY DAYS TO SPEND IN MELAKA?

2-3 Days in Melaka should be enough to visit the top tourist attractions. But if you want to explore more underrated destinations in this heritage city, you could always extend your Melaka itinerary.

MALAYSIA MONEY AND ATM 

Melaka uses Malaysian Ringgit as currency. 1 MYR (Malaysian Ringgit) is equivalent to roughly ₱12.61 (SGD 0.31/ $0.23).  Everything is on a cash (Malaysian Ringgit) basis in Melaka. But major hotels and restaurants take cards and debit cards.

ATMs are scattered in the city center and withdrawal limits depend on your bank. For ATMs in Malaysia, you can usually, you can withdraw up to MYR 1,500 (₱19,000 /SGD 466/ $352) per transaction. Foreign exchange fee will depend on your bank and the ATM will also charge you a foreign withdrawal fee for every transaction, unless you are using a Maybank card.

HOW TO GET TO MELAKA

Melaka/Malacca has an international airport; however, it’s not well-connected to other countries.  Most tourists fly to Kuala Lumpur first and then take a bus to Melaka/Malacca.

MANILA TO MELAKA/MALACCA

Fly to Kuala Lumpur from Manila . There are no direct flights to Malacca/Melaka from Manila, (Philippines) you need to fly to Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) first. There are reasonably priced flights by airlines like Cebu Pacific, Air Asia, Jetstar, and Philippine Airlines.

Kuala Lumpur has 2 international airports for commercial flights:

• Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) – airport for many airlines, mostly flag carriers, like Philippine Airlines.
• Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA2) – airport for low-cost airlines like Cebu Pacific and Air Asia.

KUALA LUMPUR TO MELAKA/MALACCA

If you are in Kuala Lumpur, you need to make your way to Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS Terminal). Then take a bus to Meleka/Malacca. Most buses terminate at Melaka Sentral Terminal. But there are also buses that end at Mahkota Medical Center (Hatten Hotel), however, it’s not as frequent.  Pick which one is near your hotel, also check my  Melaka hotel guide below.

Buses from TBS Terminal to Melaka Sentral runs every hour from at 7:30 AM to 11:50 PM.  Travel time is roughly 2 -3 hours, depending on traffic situation. Depending on the type of bus (standard, economy, or executive), bus fare starts at RM 10 (₱127/SGD 3/ $2.35) to RM 16 (₱204 /SGD 5/ $4). You can book in advance online through the link below to reserve a seat.

IMPORTANT: If you take a bus that terminates at Melaka Sentral Terminal, take note that this is quite a distance from Melaka City Center. You can take a Grab or taxi to your hotel from there. Or take a local bus. See the Getting Around (Melaka by Bus) section below.

✔ KUALA LUMPUR TO MELAKA BUS: RESERVE HERE

✔ kuala lumpur to melaka (private transfer): book here.

• Make your way to KL Sentral in Kuala Lumpur.
• At KL Sentral, take the KLIA Transit to KLIA Airport.
• Get off at Bandar Tasik Selatan Station (BTS Station). Travel time is roughly 6 min. Fare is MYR 6.50 (₱83 /SGD 2/ $1.53).
• Walk to Terminal Bersapadu Selatan (TBS Terminal). About 2 min.
• Proceed to the centralized ticket counter. Show the bus ticket you bought online, after verification, you’ll be provided a bus ticket with the Gate number.
• Proceed to the Gate # on your ticket. You must be at the gate at least 30 mins prior to yous bus departure.
• Ride the bus to Melaka/Malacca.
• Depending on the bus ticket you purchased, get off at Melaka Sentral or Mahkota Medical Center.
• Take Grab or taxi to your hotel.  There are also local buses at Melaka Sentral Terminal, but research first which one will stop near your hotel. See the Getting Around Section by Bus below.

KLIA TO MELAKA/MALACCA

If you are coming from KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport), there are buses that run to Melaka/Malacca. You can book online in advance and check the bus schedule below.

✔ KLIA TO MELAKA BUS: TICKETS HERE

• At KLIA, walk to the bus station. About 12 min.
• Ride the bus to Melaka Sentral. Fare is roughly RM 26 (₱330 /SGD 8/ $6). for bus with 2.30 hours travel time. And about RM 35 (₱447 /SGD 11/ $8) for bus with approximately 1.5 hours travel time.  There are also buses at KLIA that departs for Hatten Hotel (Mahkota Medical Center) in Melaka. Fare is approximately RM 35 (₱447 /SGD 11/ $8) and travel time is about 2.45 hours.
• Get off at Melaka Sentral Bus Station or Hatten Hotel (Mahkota Medical Center) depending on the bus you took. Grab or taxi to your hotel.

KLIA2 TO MELAKA/MALACCA

If you are coming from KLIA2, there are buses that run to Melaka/Malacca. You can book online in advance and check the bus schedule below.

✔ KLIA2 TO MELAKA BUS: TICKETS HERE

Important: Choose your bus destination either Melaka Sentral or Mahkota Medical Center, wherever is near your hotel.

• At KLIA2, walk to the bus station at Level 1 of KLIA2 Gateway Mall. 11 min.
• Take the bus to Melaka Sentral. Fare starts at roughly RM 24 (₱330 /SGD 7/ $5) for Transnational MY bus with 2.30 hours travel time. And about RM 35 (₱447 /SGD 11/ $8) for StarMart bus Express Bus with 1.50 hours travel time. There are also STARM buses at KLIA that departs for Mahkota Medical Center (Hatten Hotel) in Melaka. Fare is approximately RM 35 (₱447 /SGD 11/ $8) and travel time is about 2.45 hours.
• Get off at Melaka Sentral Bus Station or Mahkota Medical Center (Hatten Hotel) depending on the bus you took. Grab or taxi to your hotel.

SINGAPORE TO MELAKA/MALACCA

There are several buses that run from Singapore to Melaka. Buses to Melaka Sentral and Mahkota Medical Center (Hatten Hotel, Estadia Hotel) depart from Queen Street Bus Terminal, Kovan Hub Bus Terminal, Golden Mile Complex, and Katong V Mall (Village Hotel Katong).

Depending on the type of bus and your destination, bus fare from Singapore to Melaka starts at RM 81 (₱1,031 /SGD 25/ $19) to RM 123 (₱1,565 /SGD 38/ $29).  Travel time is roughly 3 hours and 30 minutes to 4 hours. If you’re coming from Kovan Bus Terminal to Melaka, travel time is approximately 6 hours and 10 mins.  First trip departs Singapore at 7:15 AM, and last trip is at 7:15 PM.  You can check the bus schedule and buy your tickets in advance through the link below.

Important: Since this trip include border crossing, make sure you have a valid passport. You need to have your passport stamped with Singapore Exit at the border and Malaysia entry stamp prior to entering Malaysia’s border.

✔ SINGAPORE TO MELAKA BUS: TICKETS HERE

✔ singapore to melaka sentral bus: tickets here, getting around melaka / malacca.

It’s quite easy to get around or tour Melaka/Malacca, in fact it’s pretty cheap as most attractions are walking distance of each other.  So, you can either do a DIY Melaka Walking tour, avail of Melaka/Malacca guided tour or ride the groovy Melaka/Malacca trishaw. You have plenty of options for your Melaka itinerary.

MELAKA BY TRISHAW (RIKSHAW)

Alternatively, a cool way to tour Melaka is by riding Melaka trishaws (rikshaw) for about RM 50 (PHP 629 / SGD 15 /USD 12) for 1 hour.  Rate is good for two persons.  Make sure you agree on the price first and what the tour covers before riding the trishaw.

Melaka’s trishaw is stylishly decorated with flowers and stuff toys, featuring cartoon characters like Hello Kitty, Pokemon, Pikachu, Doraemon, etc. and with blaring pop music. At night it becomes so colorful with lights.

✔ MELAKA TRISHAW RIDE AT NIGHT: BOOK HERE

Melaka day tour package.

If you are pressed for time and you just want a quick day tour to Melaka from Singapore, you can book a day tour with lunch through the link below. The tour includes a visit to St. Peter’s Church, A ‘Formosa Portuguese Fortress, Melaka Museum, Chen Hoon Teng Temple, and Melaka River. Pick-up and drop-off at designated point in Kuala Lumpur city center and Bukit Bintang area and lunch in Melaka is included in the Melaka Day Tour package.

✔ MELAKA DAY TOUR FROM KUALA LUMPUR  (WITH LUNCH): RESERVE HERE

✔ historical melaka private tour: reserve here, ✔ melaka private night tour: book here, ✔ melaka + putrajaya instagram tour: book here, melaka by bus.

Once you get off the bus at Melaka Sentral Terminal, there are local buses that go to Melaka city center. However, waiting for the bus will eat up your time because the bus schedule is unreliable. If you insist on taking the bus, you can take the Panorama bus from the following bus stops at Melaka Sentral:

• BUS #14 – At Melaka Sentral, look for bus #14. Ride the Panorama bus to Pantai Kunder. Alight at Hang Tuah Mall, Jalan Tun Mamat. Travel time is about 6 minutes, and bus fare is approximately RM 2.50 (₱31/SGD 0.77/ $0.58). You can walk to Jonker Street (12 minutes) and Dutch Square (17 minutes).
• BUS #23 – At Melaka Sentral Terminal, look for bus #23. Take the Panorama bus to Batu Berendam. Get off at Hang Tuah Mall, Jalan Tun Mamat. Travel time is about 7 minutes, and bus fare is approximately RM 3.50 (₱44/SGD 1/ $0.81). You can walk to Jonker Street (12 minutes) and Dutch Square (17 minutes).
• BUS #3 – At Melaka Sentral Terminal, look for bus#3. Take the Panorama bus to Ulu Bertam. Alight at Hang Tuah Mall, Jalan Tun Mamat. Travel time is about 10 minutes, and bus fare is approximately RM 4 (₱50/SGD 1.23/ $0.92). You can walk to Jonker Street (12 minutes) and Dutch Square (17 minutes).
• BUS #17 – At Melaka Sentral Terminal, look for bus #17. Ride the Panorama bus to Ujong Pasir. This can take you to the Dutch Square (Red Square).  Get off at Muzeum Belia Malaysia, 3 stops, 30 minutes. Bus fare is roughly RM 2 (₱25/SGD 0.61/ $0.46).

MELAKA DIY WALKING TOUR

(Jonker Street Night Market)

Most of Melaka’s top tourist attractions are concentrated around Jonker Street peppered with Baba Nyonya houses turned into museums or antique shops and the Dutch Square (Red Square), famed for its red buildings. You can easily do a DIY Walking Tour around these areas. You can check out the Top Attractions in Melaka below.

MELAKA BY GRAB/TAXI

Grab is also a convenient way to get around Melaka. Taxis are also available in Melaka. Taxi fare in Melaka starts at RM 3 (₱38 / SGD 0.91 /$0.68) for the 1 st kilometer and RM 0.87 (PHP 11 / SGD 0.26 /$0.20) per km thereafter.

MELAKA BY BOAT (MELAKA RIVER CRUISE)

A leisurely way to tour Melaka/Malacca is by doing the Melaka River Cruise, operating daily from 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM. The journey takes about 45 minutes, and includes sightseeing of the following attractions: Red Building, Stadthuys, Colorful Murals, Jonker Streets, Middleburg Bastion, Pre-War Buildings, Morten Village, Kampung Hulu Mosque, Church of St. Francis Xavier, The Shore Shopping Gallery, and the Mangrove Route. You can purchase tickets at the Spice Garden Jetty or Melaka River Square Jetty.

You can also rent an entire boat for the Melaka River Cruise if you are large group.

WHERE TO STAY IN MELAKA

You’ll never run out of places to stay in Melaka/Malacca.  There’s a wealth of accommodations here and they are mostly reasonably priced. When looking for a hotel, consider the location. If you’re a first-timer in Melaka, and you’ll spend your days touring, best to find hotels near the tourist attractions like the Red Square and Jalan Hang Jebat (Jonker Walk). From the bus terminal, you can easily book Grab or take a taxi to your hotel.

Here’s some of the top-rated hotels in Melaka, I grouped them according to their location:

✔ Hotels near Jonker Street (Jalan Hang Jebat)

If you want to stay near the tourist attractions in Melaka, book a hotel in or near Jonker Walk (Jalan Hang Jebat), Melaka’s Chinatown District. To get to Jonker Walk from Melaka Sentral Terminal, see the Getting Around (Melaka by Bus) section above.

Here are some of the top-rated hotels around Jonker.

•  Jonker Red Heritage Hotel
• CHECK RATES HERE or RESERVE HERE
• Swiss Hotel Heritage
•   Quayside Hotel
• Styles Hotel Malacca
• Baba House Melaka
• Discovery Malacca Hostel

✔ Hotels near Melaka City Center and Mahkota Medical Center 

If you happen to ride a bus that terminates at Mahkota Medical Center, then finding a hotel near this location will be more convenient for you. It’s also quite close to the Red Square (about 12-minute walk), and is a stone’s throw away from Dataran Pahlawan Shopping Mall, and restaurants.

• Imperial Heritage Hotel Melaka
• Hatten Hotel Melaka
• Estadia Hotel
• The Straight Hotel and Suites
• MidCity Hotel Melaka

MELAKA TOP TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

  As I mentioned above, most of Malacca’s top tourist attractions are situated around the Dutch Square (Red Square) and Jonker Street (Chinatown District), so they are walking distance of each other.

Here’s a list of some of the places to see in Malacca that you can add on your Melaka itinerary.

1. DUTCH SQUARE (RED SQUARE)

The Dutch Square, also known as the Red Square, is probably the most recognizable attraction of Melaka, hence, it’s a must-visit on your Melaka itinerary. It is peppered with age-old buildings and structures built during the Dutch colonial period in Melaka from 1641 to 1825.

• Christchurch Melaka
• Open Hours: Daily 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Entrance Fee: FREE

• Open Hours: Mon – Thurs 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Fri, Sat, & Sun – 9:00 AM – 8:30 PM
• Entrance Fee:
• Foreigners – Adult – RM 10 (₱126 / SGD 3 /$2.31), Child – RM 5 (₱50 / SGD 23 /$ 0.92),
• Malaysians – Adult RM 5 (₱63 / SGD 53 /$1.15), Child -RM 2 (₱25 / SGD 0.61 /$ 0.46

• Tan Beng Swee Clock Tower
• Deutscher Grabenmorser
• Dutch Square Fountain/Queen Victoria Fountain
• Dutch Graveyard

2. ST. PAUL’S HILL

• FRANCIS XAVIER STATUE
• FAROL DE ALVENARIA DE MALACCA
• CHURCH OF ST. PAUL, MALACCA
• PROCLAMATION OF INDEPENCE MEMORIAL
• DUTCH GRAVEYARD

3. JONKER WALK (JALAN HANG JEBAT)

Jonker Walk is the Chinatown area of Melaka and a must-visit during your Melaka itinerary. It’s now officially renamed as Jalan Hang Jebat Street , the former antiques center in Chinatown. It’s a bustling street just right across the Melaka River from the Dutch Square, dotted with age-old Chinese shophouses revamped into museums, shops, and restaurants.

Jonker Walk, Melaka

Here are the other Melaka tourist attractions at Jonker Walk /Chinatown District area:

(Cheng Ho Cultural Temple, Melaka)

• Cheng Ho Cultural Museum
• Location: 51 Lorong Hang Jebat (1 min walk from Jonker Night Market)
• Open Hours: Daily (Except Monday) 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Entrance Fee: Adult – RM 20 (₱252 / SGD 6 /USD 5), Child – RM 10 (₱ 126 / SGD 3 /$2.31)

(Sri Poyyatha Vunayaga  Moorthy Temple, Melaka)

•   Sri Poyyatha Vinayaga Moorthy Temple
• Location: 5-11 Jalan Tukang Emas
• Open Hours: Daily 7:00 AM – 11:30 AM, 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM
• Cheng Hoon Teng Temple
• Location: 25, Jalan Toong, Kampung Dua
• Open Hours: Daily 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM

(Kampung Kling Mosque, Melaka)

• Kampung Kling Mosque
• Location: Junction of Jalan Tukang Emas (Goldsmith Street) and Jalan Masjid
• Open Hours: 24 hours
• Jonker Walk World Heritage Park & Dr.Gan Bong Leong Statue
• Location: Jalan Hang Jebat
• Hang Kasturi Mausoleum

(Baba and Nyonya Heritage Museum, Melaka)

• Baba and Nyonya Heritage Museum, Melaka
• Location: 48-50 Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock (3 min-walk from Jonker Night Market)
• Open Hours: Thurs to Sun: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM, 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
• Entrance Fee: Adult – RM 16 (₱201 / SGD 5 /USD 4), Child (5-12 y.o) – RM 11 (₱ 138 / SGD 4 /USD 3

4. MELAKA MUSEUMS

Melaka is oozing with museums, that said, plan ahead which museum you want to enter, otherwise, museum hopping will eat up 1-day of Melaka Itinerary. Here’s a list of some well-known museums in Melaka (see the list above for the museums in Chinatown).

(Museum Samudera (Flor de la Mar), Melaka)

• Museum Samudera (Flor de la Mar)
• Location: Jalan Merdeka, Bandar Hilir, Melaka
• Open Hours: Weekdays 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM, Friday and Weekeneds 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
• Museum Samudera (Flor de la Mar) Entrance Fee:
• Foreigner: Adult – RM 20 (₱252 / SGD 6 /USD 5), Child – RM 10 (₱126 / SGD 3 /USD 2.31)
• Malaysian: Adult – RM 10 (₱126 / SGD 3 /USD 31), Child – RM 5 (₱ 63 / SGD 1.53 /USD 01.15),
• Tickets include entrance to 3 attractions: Replica of Flor del Mar, Maritime Museum Phase 2, Royal Malaysian Navy Museum.
• Melaka Royal Marine Museum
• Entrance Fee: Use same ticket as Museum Samudera (Flor de la Mar)
• Melaka Sultanate Palace Museum
• Location: Jalan Kota, Bandar Hilir
• Open Hours: Daily 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM (except Tuesday)
• Melaka Sultanate Palace Museum Entrance Fee:
• Adult: (Foreigners) RM 5 (₱63 / SGD 53 /$1.15)
• Adult: (Malaysians ) RM 3 (₱38 / SGD 92 /$0.69)
• Children: RM 2 (₱17 / SGD 0.61 /$0.46)

(The Stadthuys Museum, Melaka)

• The Stadthuys Museum
• Location: Bandar Hilir,Melaka
• Open Hours: Mon to Thurs 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Fri,Sat, & Sun 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
• Stadthuys Museum Melaka Entrance Fee:
• Foreigners (Adult) RM 10 (₱126 / SGD 3 /$2.31)
• Foreigners (Child) RM 4 (₱50 / SGD 23 /$0.92)
• Melaka Art Gallery
• Location: Bandar Hilir, Melaka
• Open Hours: Daily (Closed on Mondays) 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
• Melaka Art Gallery Entrance Fee:
• Adult – RM 3 (₱38 / SGD 92 /$0.69)
• Child – RM 2 (₱17 / SGD 0.61 /$0.46)

5. MALACCA TOWER (TAMING SARI TOWER) 

A gyro tower in Bandar Hilir with a rotating viewing platform with an extensive view of Melaka.

(Malacca Tower)

Open Hours: Daily 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM

MALACCA TOWER:  DISCOUNTED TICKET HERE

6. KAMPUNG KETEK MALACCA 

This is located right in front of Xian Ling Si temple near Jonker Walk.  You can make a detour here while on a walking tour in Jonker. One of the oldest villages in Melaka. You can visit the Munshi Abdullah House, a traditional Malay house while you are here.

• Munshi Abdullah House

6. KAMPUNG MORTEN (MORTEN VILLAGE)

There’s a living museum in Melaka, where you can see Malay traditional houses and witness Malay traditional lifestyle. The village is named after a British Land Commissioner – J.F Morten who was involved in developing this village from a former mangrove swamp. But the village is believed to be founded by Othman Mod Noh.

It is recommended to add a visit to a traditional Malay village on your Melaka itinerary, and Kampung Morten is an interesting community to explore. The village is composed of roughly 85 houses, and 52 of these houses are Melaka traditional houses. The most famous is Villa Sentosa , which is now a museum open to the public called The Malay Living Museum .

• Villa Sentosa (The Malay Living Museum)
• Location: Lorong Tun Mamat 1, Kampung Morten, Melaka
• Open Hours : Daily (Except Friday) 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Lunchbreak from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM, Friday – 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
• Entrance Fee: FREE but donations are highly encouraged.

7. PORTUGUESE SETTLEMENT MELAKA (KAMPUNG PORTUGIS)

Located in Ujong Pasir, about 35 minutes away from downtown Melaka, is a Kristang (Portuguese-Eurasian or Malacca Portuguese) community. Malacca was a Portuguese colony from 1511 to 1641, and during that period, Portuguese men settled in Melaka and married Malay women.  Later on, they intermarried with Dutch, British, Chinese, and Malay.

Sometime in 1933, about 11 hectares of land in Melaka was cleared in what was previously known as the St. John Village, a sleepy fishing community. Here, about 11 wooden houses was built for the Kristang people. Eventually, it attracted more Kristang indigenous people from all over Malaysia. Unfortunately, today, only 1 traditional Kristang house stood the test of time. It is located along Jalan D’ Aranjo.  There’s not much to see or do in this quiet part of Melaka during the day, but at night tourists flock at the Portuguese Square to eat Portuguese seafood at the seaside.

(Portuguese Settlement Heritage Museum)

Here are some places to see while You’re in Portuguese Settlement Melaka:

• Portuguese Settlement Heritage Museum
• Traditional Kristang House (Portuguese Eurasian House)
• Portuguese Square
• Christ the Redeemer Statue
• Location: C-18 Portuguese Square, Portuguese Settlement
• Open Hours: Daily (Close on Sundays) 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
• Entrance Fee: RM 2 (₱17 / SGD 0.61 /USD 0.46), Children: FREE under 10 years old

8. CHITTY VILLAGE (CHETTI VILLAGE) & CHITTY MUSEUM (CHETTI MUSEUM)

There’s a Chitty Village in Jalan Gaja Berang, Melaka, which is home to a small, close-knit community of Hindu Peranakans who are descendants of the original Tamil traders in Melaka. Chitty (also Chetti) are Tamil traders from Southern India who reached Melaka back in the 15 th century to trade spices and other goods. Some of them married local residents (Malays, Chinese, Batak, Javanese) in Melaka. They resided in Melaka, and eventually adapted to local customs and language, while still retaining their belief in Hinduism.

Today, there are more or less 30 families residing in Chitty Village, Melaka.  You can visit the community while in Melaka, which is home to 3 Hindu Temples, the most popular is the approximately 190-year-old temple – Sri Maha Mariamman Temple.  And while you are it, do drop by at the Chitty Museum to get a glimpse of the artifacts, handicrafts, photographs, and learn the history and customs of the Hindu Peranakas in Melaka.

• Chitty Museum
• Location: Jalan Gajah Berang, Kampung Chetti
• Open Hours: Daily (Except Mon & Tues) 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Chitty Museum Entrance Fee:
• Adult – RM 2 (₱17 / SGD 0.61 /$0.46)
• Child – RM 1 (₱13 / SGD 31 /$0.23)

9. MELAKA STREET ARTS

(Street Art at Melaka River Side)

In recent years, ingenious murals mushroomed in Melaka, particularly along Melaka River, a must-see during your Melaka itineray. Tourists enjoy taking photos and interacting with these artworks as they walk along the riverside.  Perhaps the most famous street art in Melaka is My Kiehl’s Heritage Mural , painted by artists Kiehl and Fritelldea (Mohd Anuar). While you are at it, drop by at The Orangutan House , a gallery selling artworks and graphic shirts, painted with a gigantic mural art. Other street arts include Melaka’s Street Art (The Well) , the Melaka Street Art (Horses) 2 lovely horses further down Jalan Kasturi, and the Melaka 3D Street Arts . They are walking distance to Jonker Walk.

OTHER ATTRACTIONS IN MELAKA

• THE SHORE SKY TOWER: DISCOUNTED TICKET HERE
• UPSIDE DOWN HOUSE GALLERY: DISCOUNTED TICKET HERE
• ILLUSION 3D ART MUSEUM:  DISCOUNTED TICKET HERE
• MAGIC ART MUSEUM:  DISCOUNTED TICKET HERE
• WONDERPARK MELAKA: RESERVE HERE  
• JAYA MATA KNIFE GALLERY: DISCOUNTED TICKET HERE    

MELAKA DAY TRIPS

1. melaka straits mosque (melaka floating mosque).

Melaka Straits Mosque is a visually-appealing mosque located on Malacca’s artificial island, about 1 hour away from Melaka city center. This gorgeous modern-day mosque has a golden dome and turrets. As its nickname suggests, it seems like a floating mosque during high-tide. Make sure to add this on your Melaka Itinerary!

(Melaka Floating Mosque)

Location: Jalan Pula, Melaka

Open Hours: Daily 8:30 AM – 6:30 PM

How to get there: Grab or taxi from Melaka City center.

2. HANG TUAH CENTER

This museum and tourism complex in Kampung Duyong is devoted to the famed Malay warrior Hang Tuah, who was born in Kampung Duyong. Gabled-roof traditional Malay houses dominates the Hang Tuah Center where visitors can learn more about Hang Tuah’s life history, as well as see traditional Malay weaponry and handicrafts.

• Hang Tuah Center
• Location: Kampung Jambatan Duyong, Melaka
• Open Hours: Daily 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Closed 12:45 PM – 2:45 PM on Friday for prayer)
• Foreigners (Adult) RM 10 (₱126 /SGD 3/ $2.31), (Child 7-10 y.o) RM 5 (₱63 / SGD 1.53 /$ 01.15),
• Malaysians: (Adult) RM 5 (₱63 / SGD 1.53 /USD 01.15), (Child 7-10 y.o) RM 3 (₱38 / SGD 0.92 /$0.69)
• How to get to Hang Tuah Center:
• By Taxi or Grab: Grab or taxi from Melaka City center. There’s a bus, but schedule is erratic.
• Make your way to BSN, Jalan Munshi Abdullah bus stop.
• Take Panorama Bus #8 to Tangkak.
• Get off at SRA JAIM (Kandang Jalam Bukit Lintang), 11 th stop and travel time is about 14 minutes.
• Walk to Hang Tuah center, about 18 mins. Bus fare is roughly RM 5.20 (₱65 / SGD 57 /USD 1.17).

ALSO READ:  HANG TUAH CENTER MELAKA

3. malaysia heritage studios (taman mini malaysia & asean cultural park).

Malaysia Heritage Studios, formerly known as Taman Mini Malaysia & ASEAN Cultural Park, is a cultural theme park in Ayer Keroh, Melaka that features a cultural museum, traditional Malay house replicas, and traditional houses replicas from every member of the ASEAN. You rarely see this on the usual Melaka Itinerary since it’s quite a distance from Melaka city center, if you have the luxury of time, you can visit Malaysia Heritage Studios.

• Malaysia Heritage Studios Melaka (Taman Mini Malaysia)
• Location: Exit Lebuh, Ayer Keroh, Melaka Malaysia
• Open Hours: Mon to Thurs 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Cultural Show Times: Weekday- 11:00 AM, 2:30 PM, Weekend -11:00 AM, 2:30 PM, 4:00 PM
• Foreigners (Adult) RM 90 (₱1,124 / SGD 27 /USD 20), (Child 4-12 y.o) RM 70 (₱874/ SGD 21 /$16)
• Malaysians (Adult) RM 45 (₱562 / SGD 14 /USD 10), (Child 4-12 y.o) RM 35 (₱437 / SGD 11 /$8)
• Senior Citizens – RM 35 (₱437 / SGD 11 /$8)
• PWD – RM 30 (₱375 / SGD 9 /$7)

RELATED BLOG:  MALAYSIA HERITAGE STUDIOS (TAMAN MINI MALAYSIA )

Melaka food: what to eat in melaka.

The ancient shophouses dappled around Jonker Street were once antique shops, but now they’ve been turned into cafes and restaurants.  Malacca is a foodie haven, a perfect place to try Nonya, Malay, Indian and Chinese cuisines, you’ll never run out of places to eat here. Be warned though about the queue especially on weekends and holidays, so if you want to skip the long line, either you eat early or late for lunch. Make sure to add food trip to your Melaka Itinerary.

• Chicken rice balls
• Nyonya laksa/ Nyonya asam laksa
• Gula Melaka

MELAKA ITINERARY (3 DAYS 2 NIGHTS WITH BUDGET)

It is possible to do a Melaka Day tour from Kuala Lumpur, but I recommend an overnight stay or at least 2 days 1 night Melaka itinerary. I would even stay here for 3 or 4 days, taking things at a leisurely pace while exploring the town’s outskirts.

Melaka Itinerary Day 1 is mostly walking tour, all sights are close to each other, so better go there on foot or hire a disco trishaw.  On the other hand, most attractions listed on Melaka Itinerary Day 2 (see other attraction listed above) are located outside Melaka’s historic district and are far from each other (see Google Maps).  So, it means, either you take the local bus (will eat up our time) or take a cab or book Grab to those destinations.

Here’s my sample 3 day/ 2 nights Melaka itinerary with budget.

IMPORTANT: The sample budget below doesn’t cover accommodation, the airfare going to Kuala Lumpur from your country, drinks, souvenirs and shopping expenses.

This 3 days 2 nights Melaka Itinerary covers most of the top attractions in Melaka for first time tourists. It’s a jampacked Melaka itinerary, but if you want a cheaper and more laidback itinerary, feel free to skip some attractions or activities above.  I’ll be writing another Melaka itinerary for 2 days 1 night soon.

IMPORTANT: I personally wrote the above Melaka Itinerary; it took me a week to finish it. Feel free to use it for your personal trip. But since this blogpost is copyright-protected, you are NOT allowed to copy this Melaka itinerary (or any other itineraries in this blog) in whole or in parts.  You can share the link to this blogpost instead, so others can read this too, and that will help me write more comprehensive trip itineraries to help you plan your future trips. Thank you for reading!

RELATED BLOG:

Kuala lumpur itinerary (5 days 4 nights) with budget , kuala lumpur travel guide + itinerary , cameron highlands itinerary (3 days 3 nights), cameron highlands travel guide + itinerary, malaysia travel blogs, follow me on facebook for travel guide updates.

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Melaka trip: the eight best things to do in Melaka, Malaysia!

Melaka is a nice city just a two-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur . We initially did not plan to visit Melaka (or Malacca as it is often called). But we are so happy that we did! The city really surprised us with cool street art, nice shops and great food.

Melaka is a lot bigger than we expected, the city is quite extensive, although almost all the sights are in the centre. We also noticed how clean the city is. It sometimes reminded us of Japan!

How many days do you need for a Melaka trip?

Things to do in melaka.

Melaka is a tourist spot at the weekend when many Malaysian tourists visit it for a day trip. However, during the week it is pretty quiet here. You can walk around freely on Jonker Walk (the central street where everything happens) and there are more than enough hotel rooms available. However, keep in mind that some restaurants and shops are closed. We stayed three nights on weekdays in Melaka and found the peace wonderful. Unfortunately, we had to miss the night markets, these only take place at the weekend. Read about our 8 favorite things to do in Malacca below!

Below the eight best things to do in Melaka!

1. visit dutch square, the old stadthuys and christ church, 2. enjoy the nyonya cuisine, the local food in melaka., 3. wander around st. paul’s church and a famosa fort.

Behind Dutch Square, there is a hill where there used to be a fortress. You can still find a number of historic buildings here. The most beautiful is St. Paul’s Church . This church was built by the Portuguese (who also ruled here for a while) and is full of Dutch gravestones.

Just behind St. Paul’s Church is the only remnant of the A Famosa Fort . This is a very old (and unfortunately poorly maintained) building that was part of the fort built by the Portuguese. The only thing left to see of this fort is the gate, which is also called Porta de Santiago.

4. View the Melaka Straits Mosque

5. shop on jonker walk or visit the night market at the weekend, 6. admire the sultanate palace.

The Sultanate Palace is a wooden replica of the real palace of Sultan Mansur from the 15th century. It is made according to traditional building technology with associated material. Nowadays the palace houses a cultural museum called Malacca Sultanate Palace Museum .

Are you travelling to the Cameron Highlands after Melaka? Find our in-depth travel guide to the Cameron Highlands here!

7. Take a cruise on the Malacca River or walk along the river in the evening!

The Malacca River goes right through the centre of Melaka. Although, the river itself is not very special (even a little dirty with the brown water), but the beautiful buildings, which are illuminated at night, bridges and street art, make a cruise (especially when travelling with children) fun. A cruise costs 30 MYR and takes 40 minutes.

We did not opt for a boat trip on the Malacca River but often walked the quays in the evenings. With the lights, there is a very nice atmosphere here. Sit down at one of the dozens of bars on the water or admire the beautiful bridges.

8. Admire the street art and graffiti

The nicest restaurants in melaka.

There is really an abundance of nice restaurants, coffee shops and street food in Melaka. Keep in mind that many restaurants have strange opening times. For example, many eateries are closed after 6 pm in the evening, or closed on any day of the week. So always check Google Maps to see if the cafe or restaurant is open.

The best breakfast, lunch, and coffee shops during your Melaka trip

Backlane Coffee – good coffee Are you looking for a quiet coffee shop? Then Backlane is a very good option. Internet is not always as fast (just as in all other places in Melaka), but the setting is nice, there are sockets and the coffee is nice. A good co-working place. Click here for the location on Google Maps.

The Nyonya kitchen in Melaka

When you come to Melaka, you absolutely must have tried the Nyonya cuisine. Below several restaurants that prepare tasty dishes in this style.

The Melting Pot – dining among the locals It might seem to be a bit of a tourist catch, but  The Melting Pot  isn’t! The food is very tasty and you will only find Malaysians inside. We went for the Nyonya Pancake (fried fish pancakes), Nasi Malak and mustard greens prepared locally. Click here for the location on Google Maps.

Heng Huat Coffee Shop – cheap lunch No, Heng Huat Coffee Shop is not a place you go for coffee, but for delicious and very cheap food! We had lunch here (this place closes at 3 p.m.) with rice and noodles and paid less than € 3.50 together! You will only find local people here. Click here for the location on Google Maps.

Jonker88 – always full! You can also try the Nyonya food at Jonker88 . Here you can eat local noodle soup or a dessert of shredded coconut ice cream and durian. It is always very busy here, so be on time or be prepared to wait a while. Click here for the location on Google Maps.

At the weekend you also have two famous street markets where you can eat very well: Jonker Walk Street Market and Kee Ann Food Street . On these two markets, you can eat and shop from Friday evening to Sunday evening. Kee Ann Food Street is much less known to tourists and therefore less crowded.

Fine dining during your Melaka trip

Many restaurants are closed in the evening, but the places below were open during our visit and very nice!

Makan Avenue – food hall We discovered this food hall by accident when we walked along the Malacca River. You will only see locals who are sitting on the waterfront or in the hall enjoying the food. There is not much choice for vegetarians, but the fresh spring rolls were tasty. Ries took Malaysian satay, also a good choice! Click here for the location on Google Maps.

The Daily Fix Cafe – hip Asian and Western dishes This restaurant is hidden behind a souvenir shop, but nevertheless it is always full here. Daily Fix Cafe serves dishes that are a mix of Asia and the West, very tasty but with accompanying Western prices. Click here for the location on Google Maps

The best hotels for Melaka

Melaka is bursting with cool hip hotels and hostels. Below a selection of our favourite hotels in Melaka. Are you staying in Melaka at the weekend? Make sure you book your accommodation well on time before everything is full!

This cozy hostel has surprisingly large private rooms, clean showers and is attached to a cool café. You sleep here from 17 euros per night in a private room (with air conditioning).

The beautiful rooms of JonkeRed come straight from a design magazine. With a location next to the Dutch Square, you can hardly be more central. For only 22 euros per night (two people).

This hotel, housed in a red-brick building, is so cool! The interior is beautiful, with a courtyard garden and luxurious rooms. You sleep here from 75 euros per night including breakfast (two people).

Super handy: the best hostels, hotels and lodges per destination at a glance. Read our guide to the best hotels in Malaysia !

How do you reach Melaka from Kuala Lumpur?

Melaka is located in the south of Malaysia, just a two-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur.

Public transportation – MYR 10 / € 2.50 per person Buses run to Melaka every half hour from the central bus station in Kuala Lumpur (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan, TBS). You can reach Melaka Sentral by bus in just over two hours, from where it is another ten minutes to the centre by Grab/taxi (costs 8MYR or € 2).

By taxi – MYR 250-310 / € 55-70 You will be travelling by taxi from Kuala Lumpur for about an hour and a half. You pay a lot more for this, while the bus is probably as comfortable as the taxi.

Tip: buy your tickets at the station itself, or in advance via Easybook or  Bus Online Ticket

Are you planning your Malaysia trip? Check out our  Malaysia itinerary  for three weeks travel!

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Itinerary malaysian borneo: 2 and 3 weeks of traveling through sabah & sarawak, visit danum valley in borneo: bornean orangutans and a primary rainforest, george town, penang in 3 days: the best activities in this vibrant city in malaysia, langkawi: all you need to know about this beautiful island in malaysia, cameron highlands: three days at the teaplantations of malaysia, kuala lumpur: eight awesome free activities in the capital city of malaysia, malaysia itinerary: the ultimate itinerary for 3 weeks of backpacking in malaysia.

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The best things to do in Malacca (Melaka) – 3D2N travel guide

Posted on Last updated: September 12, 2023

Categories Melaka , Visit Malaysia

Malacca is a noteworthy UNESCO World Heritage city and a must-visit destination in Malaysia. This old city has a rich historical past with the strong influence of several European countries. 

We have been here multiple times, but the colonial buildings, a smorgasbord of ethnic food, and the antique street view still have enough power to attract us to be here again.

So we traveled to Malacca again last week.  Here is what we have done during our three days and two nights. 

A historical city 

Malacca (also known as Melaka) was a simple fishing village until Parameswara, a prince from Sumatra, landed on Malacca’s shores in the late 14th century. In the 15th century, the Malacca Sultanate allied with China to fight against the invasion by the Siamese. Over time, more Chinese settled in Malacca and married the local Malays, who are called the Baba Nyonya peoples. The Portuguese arrived and took over Malacca in 1511. Then it passed into the Dutch’s hand in 1641. The Dutch ruled Malacca for 150 years until the British gained control. Finally, Malaysia gained independence in 1957. The rise and fall of these settlements have lent an assortment of cultural influences to Malacca, which is still alive and visible today. As a result, this cultural heritage has gained recognition which has been declared a historical city and listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008.

Make sure to watch our visit Malacca video! It is at the end of this article.

1. Visit Cheng Hoon Teng Temple 青云亭

We checked into Liu Men Hotel, opposite the Cheng Hoon Teng Temple. So, naturally, we just cross the street to visit the temple upon arrival.

Cheng Hoon Teng Temple is one of the oldest Chinese temples in Malacca. It was built in 1645 during the Dutch Malacca era by the second Chinese Kapitan Chan Lak Koa. All the building materials were brought from China, even the artisans who constructed the temple.

The temple practiced three doctrinal systems of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. It has magnificent architecture and was awarded a UNESCO award for outstanding restoration in 2003.

The temple has a few prayer halls, with the main halls dedicated to the goddess of mercy, Guan Yin.

Photography was prohibited in the temple, so we took photos at the main entrance. The architecture inside is intricate, exquisite, and detailed. There are various inscriptions of Chinese characters in gold color. It is a functioning temple where people worship.

• Opening Hours: 7:00 am – 5:00 daily 
• Address: 25, Jalan Tokong, Kampung Dua, 75200 Melaka
• Tel: +606-282 9343
• Entrance fee: Free, and dressing appropriately is recommended

2. Sri Poyyatha Vinayaga Moorthy Temple and Masjid Kampong Kling

A city with diverse cultures, Malacca is multicultural, where everyone lives side by side harmoniously. The area around Jalan Tokong is called ‘Harmony Street’ because the Chinese Temple, the mosque, and the Hindu Temple co-exist closely. 

Masjid Kampong Kling is just a minute’s walk from Cheng Hong Teng temple. This mosque was built by Indian Muslim traders in the 18th century and had a minaret with a pagoda-like rooftop.  The architectural design of the mosque is a cross between Chinese, Hindu, and Malay. The pagoda-like rooftop can easily be mistaken for a Chinese building.

Not far away is the Sri Poyyatha Vinayaga Moorthy Temple, one of the oldest Hindu temples in Malaysia, built in the 18th century.

You immediately feel the diversity, tolerance, and acceptance of all races permeating the air while visiting the mosque and the neighborhood temples.

3. Admire the old architecture at Jonker street, Melacca

We walked toward the Malacca riverbank in the evening, passing many historical buildings in the Jonker Street area. Malacca’s trip is incomplete if you do not visit Jonker Street.  

The grand gate of the street welcomes us with the Chinese New Year vibe (we came here just two weeks before the Chinese New Year). However, numerous buildings with European, Malay, and Chinese cultures date back to the 17th century once you enter the street.  

When we meandered through the narrow side lanes, more cute small cafes and traditional buildings were a great treat to my camera lenses. 

These shops typically have square shape windows arranged symmetrically, with a fanlike design on the top part. Two pilasters are in front of each shop, some with beautiful carvings. The roof usually comes with floral ornamentation and heavy cornice.  One such prominent building is now converted into the Baba and Nyonya Museum.

I was more thrilled by the architecture of the old buildings than the souvenir store. But, if you are interested, make sure you come here when the sun goes down on Saturday nights and Sundays to visit the Jonker Walk night market. The street is the haven for shoppers who immerse in the bargaining atmosphere, with everything from souvenirs, clothing, and jewelry, to various local delicacies offered at the food stalls.

The Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum

The Baba and Nyonya Museum showcases the richness of the culture and life of the pre-WW2 Peranakan homes. The museum was the house of the Chan family, which turned into a museum in 1985. 

Photography is not permitted inside the museum. However, it is worth paying a small entrance fee to admire the opulence of the house of the renowned Peranakan family. 

• Opening Hours: 10.00 am to 5 pm daily 
• Address: 48-50, Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, 75200 Melaka
• Tel: +606-282 1273 
• Entrance fee: RM16 for adults (guided tour)

4. Stroll along the riverbank of the Malacca river

We strolled along the Malacca River Walk in the evening, an ideal way to see the historical city of Malacca. Numerous landmarks are nearby, with endless Instagram-worth spots to take pictures. It was great to spend a late afternoon here when the sun was no longer blistering hot.

There are many murals on the old buildings on both sides of the river. 

One of the best things you can do is to rest at one of those whimsically-named hipster cafes on the promenade, admiring the street art and graffiti. 

You can also see the imposing facade of the Church of St. Francis Xavier, built in the 19th century.

Alternatively, you can take the Melaka river cruise that passes by those vivid murals and century-old bridges. Instead, we choose to take more time to stroll along the riverbank.

5. Visit the surrounding of Dutch Square

We cross the bridge from Jonker Street to the other side of the riverbank, which looks significantly different from the traditional Chinese architecture of Jonker Street. Here is where the Dutch Squares is, also called the Red Square, as most of the buildings have a crimson facade,

A. Christ Church

The main attractions are the Christ Church and Stadhuys. Christ Church was built from 1741 to 1753 by the Portuguese. It is Malaysia’s oldest Protestant church.

The building has tall, massive walls and columns, topped with a small arch that hangs a bell. The building is predominantly red, with the church’s name and a big cross painted white. The church bears all the hallmarks characteristic of 18th-century Dutch architecture.

Christ Church was initially white but painted everything red to match the red buildings nearby when the British conquered Malacca.

• Opening Hours: 9.00 am to 4.30 pm daily 
• Address: Jalan Gereja, Bandar Hilir, 75000 Malacca
• Tel: +606-284 8804

B. Stadthuys

Besides the Christ Church is Stadthuys, a Dutch colonial-style architecture with massive walls, louvered windows, and doors with wrought iron hinges. It was built between 1641 and 1660 and is modeled based on the town hall of Hoorn in the Netherlands.

Stadhuys is an old Dutch spelling, meaning city hall, which was the office of the Dutch Governor.

The building has turned into the History & Ethnography Museum, which displays numerous traditional costumes, and artifacts, and showcases the customs and traditions of Malacca.

In front of Stadhuys is the Tan Beng Swee Clock Tower, built by the wealthy Straits Chinese family, but it looks distinctively Dutch.

C. Water fountain, trishaw, and stores

In front of Stadhuys and Christ Church is Queen Victoria’s Fountain, built to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1901. It stands elegantly as ever and is one of Malaysia’s last traces of the British colonial era.

There were also plenty of colorful trishaws in front of Stadhuys. However, I felt a bit kitschy and too touristy, so I decided to skip it and go to nearby souvenir shops. Each trishaw is decorated with different themes and blasting loud music as they pedal the passengers around. It can be fun, especially with kids.

You can pick up some souvenirs and some local handicrafts. Most of the items are reasonably priced but still have room to bargain.

6. St. Paul’s Church

We walked up to St  Paul’s Hill, behind the Dutch Square.

St. Paul’s Church is right on the top of the hill. It was built by the Portuguese in 1521, dedicated to Virgin Mary, and is the oldest church in Malaysia. The church remained in use until the Christ Church was built.

The stones featured inside the church have old Dutch text on them. These plaques are the tombstones erected back in the 17th century.  

There is a statue of St Francis Xavier in front of the church. He established the first modern school in Malacca and used it for missionary work. The statue was built in 1952.

7. Flora de la Mar Maritime Museum

There are a few museums near Dutch Square, and we choose to visit the maritime museum only due to our tight schedule. It is just a short walk from Dutch Square along the riverbank.

The museum is housed in a replica of Flor de la Mar, a Portuguese ship that sank off the Straits of Malacca in 1511.

The museum is about the trading activities and seafaring history of Malacca in the old days.

It displays exhibits, artifacts, ancient coins, and documents from the Portuguese era.

There is also an abundance of model ships from different periods.

• Opening Hours: 9.00 am to 5.00 pm (closed on Monday)
• Address: Jln Merdeka, Bandar Hilir, 75000 Melaka
• Tel: +606-282 6526
• Entrance fee: RM3 for adult

8. Visit Kampong Morten and the Portuguese Settlement

On the following day, we visited Kampong Morten, a historical traditional Malay village in the city dating back to the 1920s.  The village has more than one hundred traditional Malay houses, and most have been upkeep.

The village is near the Malacca River. You can do a riverbank walk from the Dutch Squared to this far or drive here within minutes. 

We were told there is a guided tour, but it is only for a specific time slot. 

So we decided to walk around the village, admiring the colorful wooden Malays houses.  Some of them have turned into cafes and homestays for visitors.

The Portuguese settlement is the home of the Kristang people, an ethnic group with mixed Portuguese and Malay heritage. We came here in the morning, but there was nothing to see. There is a square (Medan Portugis) with some restaurants, but they are not open now. Therefore, it is better to visit this place during Christmas when it is full of plenty of activities and performances.

9. Savor the local food in Malacca

Malacca is also a gastronomical haven with a wide variety of specialty food. We have tried a few which are unique and delicious. Our Malacca friend hand-picked some stores for us. Some foods are famous, and others are only available in Malacca!

Nyonya Cuisine

Nyonya cuisine is from the descendants of Chinese migrants who married the local Malay.  We chose to visit Amy Heritage Nyonya Cuisine , recommended by friends.  These dishes are the amalgamation of Chinese and Malay cooking. We ordered Nyonys mixed vegetables, Ponteh chicken, their famous Pie Tee, and Nyonya laksa.

Specialty burger

Burgers do not originate from Malacca, but Baboon House serves delicious burgers.

We ordered a burger with tender pork chops instead of a beef patty and served with watermelon cubes on the skewer! From the perspective of a restaurateur myself, it is a place not to be missed as long as they can maintain the standard.

We did not encounter baboons after all. Instead, we thought we had entered the house of a wealthy Chinese family. There is antique furniture and art display on the wall, and you can only review its sitting area after crossing into the middle section of the shop.

There is eclectic furnishing, mainly decades-old solid wooden tables, and chairs, with various paintings and crafts hanging on the wall. So you can sit back to relax and pick a book to read from its extensive collection after trudging through the narrow lane under the scorching heat.

Surprisingly, there is even a well in the open-air courtyard.

Coconut shake

We head to Klebang Original Coconut Shake to have the freshest coconut shake.  You can find coconut cake in every nook and corner of Malacca, but this store is the most famous one.  They have a constant flow of customers, churn out the shredded coconut and juice, and add directly to the ice. It is a great place to enjoy the freshest possible coconut shake, although it takes about ten minutes of driving distance from the town.

Satay celup

Ban Lee Siang is one of the oldest satay celup restaurants in Malacca.  

Don’t miss out on trying satay celup in Malacca, as you will unlikely find this fantastic food elsewhere.  This street food is meat, seafood, and vegetables on a skewer cooked in a boiling satay sauce (spicy peanut sauce). 

Nyonya kueh

Nonya kueh (bite-sized snack/dessert) is famous in Malacca. Baba Charlie Nyonya Cake has a massive collection of kueh.  These are bite-size sweet desserts, which use palm sugar primarily to sweeten them.

Their cendol is the best choice to quench your thirst and pair with the kueh.

Chicken rice balls

After shopping at Jonker Street, we had lunch at Chung Wah Chicken Rice Ball.

The rice is compressed and shaped like a golf ball, which is unique.  Many stores sell chicken rice balls on Jonker street. It tastes like Hainanese chicken rice in Kuala Lumpur, with a different presentation. Do try chicken rice balls at this shop before continuing your sightseeing and shopping

10. Other interesting places worth visiting in Melaka

• The Hang Li Poh’s Well (also known as King’s Well) is the oldest water well in Malaysia.
• We dropped by Taman Mini Malaysia and Mini ASEAN at Ayer Keroh on the way back to Kuala Lumpur from Malacca, about half an hour’s drive from the center of Malacca city. The park offers you the opportunity to visit the replicas of traditional houses of all 13 different states in Malaysia, with their respective characteristics. Unfortunately, part of the park was under refurbishment during our visit, so we could only enter a few houses to glimpse each state’s furnishings, fixtures, handcraft, and arts. Hopefully, the refurbishment work will complete soon as many houses are poorly maintained.

We managed to visit the most popular tourist destinations but missed a few. (You should add these to your Malacca itinerary.

• The Menara Taming Sari stands 110 meters above the ground, with a revolving tower rising to 80 meters. It is the ideal place to have a panoramic view of Malacca 360 degrees. The tower is only five minutes from the maritime museum and within walking distance from Dutch Square. Unfortunately, it was under maintenance during our visit.  You can include a city viewing of the tower in your itinerary. 
• We also did not go to the A Famosa fort as time is not permissible, although it is just at the back of St. Paul Church.
• Melaka Straits Mosque is a floating mosque located on the man-made Malacca.  It is best to visit in the evening, especially during sunset.

We stay at Liu Men Hotel

This article is incomplete without mentioning Liu Men Hotel. We picked Liu Men Hotel, among the best hotels in Malacca, rated at Agoda.com. It caught our attention as we read that it is an 80-year old building turn boutique hotel,

Our room comes with dark brown timber flooring and mahogany furniture with a rustic feeling. The bed is lit with ceiling-hung lantern-shaped lighting. 

The bathroom is white-tiled and black-countered, which is bright and cozy. 

The courtyard is neo-traditional Malaccan style and is where the breakfast was served. 

The spiraling flight of a wrought iron staircase takes the prime spot, a functional stair leading to the first floor.

The furniture captures the essence of Peranakan culture, with vivid shapes and colors matching perfectly with its quaint yet stylized interior.

Watch how we spent 3D2N in Malacca

If you have come so far reading this blog post, don’t miss out on the video we shot during our stay in Malacca. Click the image below to watch on YouTube (shot in high definition!).

Other best places you should visit in Malaysia

You may also want to read about other noteworthy places in Malaysia. Here are two places we have visited lately.

• Taman Negara Malaysia (National park of Malaysia.) We had a great adventurous trip there at the end of last year.
• If you like island resorts, check out our 3D2N trip to Pangkor Laut Resort, on a private island. It is one of the most luxurious island resorts in Malaysia.

Saturday 18th of November 2023

Next time I am in melaka am definitely gonna try the burger & satay celup!

Exploring Melaka, Malaysia in One Day – A Quick Trip from KL

One thing you’ll love about Malaysia is its melting pot of culture and proximity to nearby towns and cities to do a quick one-day getaway! 

A recommendation is to travel south from Kuala Lumpur to Melaka (also spelled as Malacca) and spend at least a day exploring all the fun attractions here! 

Melaka is a well-known UNESCO World Heritage Site with Portuguese and Dutch influences from the 15th century. It’s also a unique foodie destination with rich flavors and culture. 

The city and the state are both named Melaka. But most people will understand that if you’re visiting Melaka, then you’re visiting the city center. 

In this post, I’ve written the ultimate Melaka one day trip guide . From exploring Baba and Nyonya culture and the city’s local attractions to eating authentic Nyonya cuisine, you’ll have a blast and will want to be back again!

Honestly, a day will go by quickly. However, extending your trip to 2-3 days is fine if you intend to visit places outside the city and try more delicacies.  

Click to jump to certain sections of this Melaka 1 day itinerary:

• Places to Visit in Melaka for the Day
• Places to Eat in Melaka
• How to Get to Melaka from KL
• How to Travel Around Melaka

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Below is a map of the places mentioned in this itinerary, so you can see where everything is located.

Click on the image to see a detailed view of this map. Credit: Map data: Google

What To Do In Melaka in a Day

Snap photos around the dutch square.

You have reached the city of Melaka when you come across red-painted buildings. These buildings are part of The Dutch Square where you’ll see many tourists snapping photos throughout the day.

Notable attractions around this area are Christ Church, Queen Victoria Fountain, and the Red Clock Tower, surrounded by vibrant flower bushes. 

The Dutch Square is a fantastic starting point for your one day in Melaka. Photo credit: The Amateur Climber

As you walk towards the left, there are a few more attractions you can check out:

• St. Paul’s Church : An old historic building that displays old Portuguese tombstones
• A Famosa: The remains of a fortress used during the Dutch occupation in the 1500s 
• Multiple museums: It’s hard to fit all of them within a day, but the Melaka Sultanate Palace Museum is worth checking out if you enjoy learning about the Melaka dynasty.

TIP: You can also get a nice view of the city from St Paul’s Hill if you don’t want to pay for the rotating view at Taming Sari Tower which is located nearby.

Savor Local Delicacies At Jonker Street

Melaka is a food paradise and there is no better place to discover its unique flavors than Jonker Street.

You can find a food store on every corner, from delicious desserts such as cendol to affordable satay stalls selling RM 1 ($0.20 USD) a stick ! 

I’ll share my recommendations on what to eat in Melaka in the section below. 

Connect With Culture At The Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum 

Go on a self-guided tour in this historic residence preserved for four generations taking you back to the late 19th century. You will be given a booklet to explore each section at your own pace. 

Baba and Nyonya refer to Straits-born Chinese males and females respectively, carrying a unique Peranakan culture that is commonly found in Melaka.

The same family still manages the museum and has kept it in pristine condition.

Click here for more information about the museum. 

Address: 48-50, Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, 75200 Melaka

Admission Cost: RM 18 ($3.80)

Tour The Historic City On A Melaka River Cruise 

Explore Melaka from a different angle by taking the scenic river cruise!  

It’s a great way to take a break from walking on this 45-minute ride viewing historic bridges, quaint shophouses, and ancient ruins. 

Do check out the evening cruise where you can see pretty lights decorating the town. You can purchase your tickets either at the Spice Garden Jetty or Melaka River Square Jetty. 

Address: Jalan Graha Maju Aras 8, Graha Maju Building, 75300 Melaka 

Admission Cost: RM 30 ($6.40)

Burn Calories At The Only Indoor Climbing Gym In Melaka 

If you are feeling slightly sluggish and need some adrenaline on your trip, PAMPA Rock Climbing is the place to be!

Located next to Swan Garden Resort Hotel , it’s a cozy semi-open-aired establishment with plenty of rock climbing routes at varying difficulty levels. 

You have the option to either climb the top rope or bouldering section (or both if you have the energy!) to burn those food calories from Jonker Street!

Note: All first-time climbers are required to take a one-time introductory course for RM 55 ($11.60)

Add a visit to PAMPA Rock Climbing to practice your climbing skills. Photo credit: The Amateur Climber

Address: 2, Jalan KSB 2, Taman Kota Syahbandar Kota Syahbandar, 75200 Malacca

Where To Eat In Melaka

It’s impossible to not go on a food hopping tour at Melaka when it is home to many authentic Malaysian dishes. Below are my top recommended places to eat in Melaka. 

Ee Ji Ban Chicken Rice Ball

While there are many chicken rice ball stores lurking around Jonker Street, Ee Ji Ban has been a consistent favorite with the right texture and flavor. 

The roasted chicken and side vegetable dishes are also a great complement to the delicious rice balls. 

The queue moves pretty fast with plenty of street parking so you can save time to visit other attractions! 

Ee Ji Ban Chicken Rice Ball is a popular place to eat in Melaka. Photo credit: The Amateur Climber

Address: 275, Jalan Melaka Raya 3, Taman Melaka Raya, 75000 Melaka, Malaysia

More Information: Facebook Page

Get a combination of fire and ice by ordering its popular assam laksa and cendol.  

Both are rich in flavor – the assam laksa with its rich spicy and sour soup and the Cendol drizzled with a fragrant gula Melaka (Melaka sugar) syrup. 

Be prepared for long queues under the hot sun as this is literally, the hottest dessert store in town!

Address: 88, Jalan Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka

More Information: Instagram

Ban Lee Siang 

Here is another dish you don’t often see: the satay celup , a variety of meat and vegetable skewers dipped into a hot pot of boiling peanut sauce. 

You have the choice of dipping it into a shared pot (where the good flavor is at) or ordering a new hot pot of sauce to dip to your heart’s content. 

Address: 45-E, Jalan Ong Kim Wee, 75300 Malacca

The Daily Fix Cafe

Get your cafe fix at The Daily Fix Cafe for some authentic pandan pancakes and refreshing coffee . 

It also provides a more comprehensive food selection compared to the other restaurants on this list with some hearty sandwiches such as the smoked duck sandwich and pastas . 

One of the highlights of this cafe is that it retains its historic architecture where you can snap lots of photos around the shop. 

Address: 55, Jalan Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka

More Information: Facebook Page | Instagram

Christina EE Pineapple Tarts & Nyonya Cendol

If there is one food souvenir you must take home after your day trip to Melaka, it’s these homemade pineapple tarts that are to die for!

This place is also less touristy than the other spots whether it’s for the tarts or cendol. Give the durian cendol a shot!

Photo credit: The Amateur Climber

Address: 29, Jalan Hang Lekir, 75200 Melaka

For More Information: Website | Facebook Page

How To Get To Melaka from Kuala Lumpur

You can either take a long-distance bus to Melaka from Kuala Lumpur or a car ride to Melaka, and do the same route when returning to KL. 

Board the bus from Kuala Lumpur’s Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) to Melaka Sentral. 

Buses can depart as early as 2:50 am and as late as 11 pm, with 30-minute intervals. A return ticket costs RM 20 to RM 40 ($4 to $8), so it’s affordable for those on a budget .  

If you’re arriving directly to KL by flight, You can also ride a bus directly from KL Airport (KLIA and KLIA 2) to Melaka Sentral. Head to the Bus Terminal on the 1st floor of each terminal to buy tickets. 

The last bus to catch from Melaka is around 10 pm. 

Most locals head to Melaka by car as it’s an easy drive with plenty of public and private parking spots around the city center. You’ll want to be there as early as 7 am to get the best spots. 

To make payment for your public parking spot, you will need to download the SVP Melaka parking app.

Download the app for Android | Download the app for iOS

Public parking is free on Mondays, Tuesdays, and public holidays. Private parking spots range are more expensive and range from RM 2 to RM 10 ($0.50 to $2) per entry.

By Taxi/e-Hailing

Malaysia is blessed with multiple e-hailing services including Grab, AirAsia Ride, and Maxim. Just download the app and you can book your ride right away. 

Read a related post on other travel apps to use in Malaysia here . 

This is the most expensive option and can be inconvenient as most drivers may not want to do a long-distance travel out of Kuala Lumpur. 

By Private Transfer

If you have a large travel group, consider a private transfer on a minibus. It’s a direct way to get from KL to Melaka. 

While this route is considered an expensive option, there are comfortable seats and a chance to chat with others in your group easily. 

Click here for more details and to reserve one.

If you want to take a train, there is one heading to Tampin, a town in Melaka state. 

But it’s not recommended as it’s located 39 kilometers (24 miles) from Melaka city center. Afterward, you must take a bus from the train station to get to the city.

How To Travel Around Melaka

As Melaka is a compact city, traveling around the city is easy and convenient. Here are the numerous modes of transportation you have available:

• Cycling/E-Scooter: Melaka is rather flat and it is pretty easy to get around with a Beam e-scooter or renting a bike. There are no cycling lanes, so ride at your own risk.
• Walking: Jonker Street is pedestrian-friendly with wide pavements. This is the best mode to get around the city if you’re only planning to visit the main attractions of the town. 
• Trishaw: What was once a common mode of transport before taxis, these trishaws have been revamped with decorative designs and popping music to accompany your ride. Like the Thailand tuk-tuk, it’s a fun experience to move around town!
• Car: Cars are now the most common transport to travel around Melaka. However, parking spaces are limited. Most drivers arrive as early as 7 am to find a strategic street parking spot. 

Final Thoughts

A one-day trip in Melaka is just right for a quick getaway from KL as you get to tour the best local attractions, eat some delicious tarts, and go on a river cruise.

While it can get pretty warm and sunny here, there is so much to do around this compact city that heat is just secondary.

Make Melaka your next travel destination when you are here in Malaysia!

Follow my adventures at The Amateur Climber .

Like this post? Save it to your Malaysia Travel Pinterest Board.

Featured photo & pin #1 photo credit: frenta via Depositphotos.com

Anna is an upbeat travel writer, a vegetarian by lifestyle, and a rock-climbing enthusiast who enjoys all things adrenaline (despite being afraid of heights). She hopes to educate more people about climbing well and sustainable travel & living.

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Three-day Melaka road trip itinerary with money-saving tips and hidden gems

MELAKA – Mention Melaka, and most people in Singapore would have an idea of what to expect.

Kitschy Jonker Street, the iconic red buildings of Dutch Square and chicken rice balls that most agree are overhyped, yet manage to draw snaking queues in the afternoon sun.

Getting there, however, can be an adventure in itself if you skip the coach ride and do the four-hour drive to the small Malaysian town. Seasoned drivers going non-stop may be able to whizz there in three hours, but it is more enjoyable to break up the journey with pit stops and a co-driver who can help with navigation and take turns behind the wheel. 

For this, I rope in TikTok content creator Nicole Chen (@lielnicole on TikTok and Instagram), 24, who also runs eyelash salon Cuuul.sg. It is our first time driving in Malaysia and, despite the cautionary tales from friends and family, we find the journey manageable.

Other drivers are friendly and, dare we say it, more patient than those in Singapore. Go at a pace you are comfortable with and enjoy the drive.

Stretching from Muar’s otah trail to the good eats in laid-back Batu Pahat, here is a three-day road trip itinerary for your next long weekend. 

Day one: Hit the otah trail in Muar

Start bright and early to head across the Causeway. Private-hire drivers who spoke to The Straits Times say traffic on weekday mornings usually starts building up by about 8 to 9am. Once you are across, it takes about three hours to get to Muar.

The small coastal town is best known for its otah, and a quick Google search will throw up some of the most popular outlets in town. Look for Xiao Mei Famous Muar Otak-Otak ( str.sg/wjy4 ) or Otak-Otak Cheng Boi ( str.sg/wjyo ). Take along a cooler bag to buy blocks of frozen otah paste.

If you do not want to drive around, head to Jalan Haji Abu, where multiple otah vendors hawk from pushcarts near Kim San Public Cooked Food Market ( str.sg/wjyU ).

The texture, spice and flavour vary from stall to stall, so sample a few to find your favourite. My group of four agree that we like the fish otah from Nice Food Otak-Otak best. Look for the stall with the red banner. Sticks of otah cost between 80 Malaysian sen (24 Singapore cents) and RM1.

Other vendors selling oyster omelette, wonton mee and pastries line the same street, which feels like a more laid-back version of Penang or Ipoh. 

Meander along mural-lined lanes nearby. These can be found in almost every Malaysian town, but along Muar’s quiet streets, you do not have to feel embarrassed about striking a pose with a long queue of people watching. Search for Muar Cultural Walk and Muar Street Art on Google Maps.

From Muar, Melaka is about an hour away. Many affordable boutique hotels are located in and around the city centre, and we stay at the industrial-chic Rosa Malacca ( str.sg/wjy5 ), which costs $128 a night for a deluxe room with a king-size bed and courtyard view.

For dinner, head to the string of seafood restaurants along the coast.

The pepper crabs (two for RM120) at Terraces Restaurant (Stall Number 1, 8 Jalan Daranjo, Perkampungan Portugis), coated with a blend of black and white pepper, are clean-tasting and allow the sweet, dense crab meat to shine.

Do get the Portuguese-style fish (RM52 for a 650g fish), cooked in a banana leaf and slathered with a punchy chilli sauce that begs to be mopped up with rice. 

Pro tip: If you do not have a car, or would rather not drive your own, taking a public bus or train to Johor Bahru and renting one there is the most economical option. We pay $323 to rent a sport utility vehicle (SUV) from Malaysian company Hawk Rent A Car ( str.sg/w9ii ) on Klook for three days, including full insurance coverage.

An entry-level sedan from rental company Hertz, rented from Singapore for the same duration, would cost about $612. This includes similar insurance coverage and a daily surcharge of $55 for trips to Malaysia. 

Note that Malaysian car models are common when renting cars from Johor – we choose a Honda B-RV or similar SUV, and receive a Perodua Aruz. It is spacious enough for four, though the steering feels light when driving above 100kmh and its brakes are not the most sensitive. Still, we get to our destination and back safely.

Day two: Melaka adventure

What is a holiday without a bit of thrill? Head to Skytrex Adventure Melaka (from $21, str.sg/wjyT ) to wobble across rope courses built amid the trees in Melaka Botanical Garden.

Three courses are available, from the family-friendly Little Dino to the advanced-level Extreme Warrior. Hearts in our mouths, we embark on the latter – a 35-obstacle behemoth of a course that takes three hours to complete. 

The obstacles grow progressively higher and more difficult, but there is no time to be afraid when you are hanging on a pole and swinging wildly, or attempting to ride a bicycle suspended on a tightrope 70m above the ground. 

Ziplines through the trees are the reward, and we fly through at least 10 of them. If it gets too much, there are “chicken exits” built throughout the course. You may wind up weak-kneed and with jelly arms at the end, but the sense of satisfaction is unbeatable. 

Take the rest of the day easy by wandering through the heart of Melaka. 

Replenish your energy with hearty burgers at The Baboon House ( www.instagram.com/thebaboonhouse ). Try the Aloha lamb burger (RM35), which comes with double patties, bacon and pineapple. There is an extensive selection of drinks. If you do not know where to start, go for the refreshing, housemade roselle-lavender kefir (RM13.80).

If you enjoy shopping, there are plenty of trinkets to buy. Pick up ceramics from The Clay House ( str.sg/wjyG ), which also runs pottery classes.

You can also stop by Mamee Jonker House ( mameejonkerhouse.com ), a concept store that showcases the well-loved noodle snack. The first Mamee factory was founded in Melaka in 1971 and the brand’s shaggy blue mascot has become the city’s unofficial icon. Families will enjoy the Noodle Doodle activity (RM15), where you can design your own cup noodles and watch it being made on a conveyor belt.

Head to liquor store Sin Hiap Hin (5 Kampung Jawa) before it gets dark – unlike most bars, this one keeps to office hours. The family-run joint dates back to the 1920s and serves an array of traditional liquor. 

Try Malaysian-made rice wine in flavours such as rose, lychee, pandan and coffee, all of them fragrant and strong. Shots are sold in pairs for RM10 and you can top them up with ice or add a splash of tonic water for a refreshing cocktail. 

Across the street, craft cocktail bar Budi ( facebook.com/BUDI.Melaka ) also opens early. Located above coffee roaster and cafe Sin See Tai, drinks at the speakeasy-style bar are bold and imaginative.

The vegetable-forward menu recasts unpopular veggies such as bitter gourd and eggplant as cocktails. Sounds insane? Founder Phoa Tai Yong admits that some drinks are polarising. 

But my group of four picks the velvety smooth Terung (RM50) as our favourite. With charred eggplant, dark rum, pandan and egg white, and garnished with smoky-sweet housemade eggplant chips, it goes down dangerously easy.

Another surprise is the Lada (RM55), which includes roasted red peppers, tequila and chilli liqueur. It is far mellower than one would expect a tequila cocktail to be. 

If you have time for only one Peranakan meal in Melaka, have it at Peranakan Mansion (108 Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock), where the shophouse’s opulent interiors are reminiscent of the mahjong scene in the 2018 movie, Crazy Rich Asians. 

We meet the head chef, who, in old-school Peranakan fashion, waves away our choices (“You can get chicken curry anywhere, no need to have it here”) and instead puts together a menu of the restaurant’s specialities. 

His selection is spot-on. Get the chilli garam pork (RM28), sambal sotong (RM35), eggplant with shrimp paste (RM18), assam fish (RM85) and pai tee (RM15) – you will not be disappointed. Our meal for four, including tea and dessert, comes to $87, a steal for the quality and setting.

Pro tip: The roads in the Melaka city centre are narrow and parking is scarce. Leave your car at the hotel and book a Grab ride instead, especially if you are planning to drink. Short hops within the city cost between RM7 and RM10.

Day three: Batu Pahat stopover

Start your day with a sweet Melaka breakfast. The Daily Fix Cafe ( facebook.com/thedailyfixcafe ) is known for its pancakes and draws a queue even before it opens.

If you have time to spare, explore Melaka over two days at a more leisurely pace. Make the time to meander and be surprised. You may, for instance, befriend a pair of pet tortoises that their owners take for regular walks. Or stop for ondeh-ondeh, made fresh along the street and bursting with liquid gula melaka.

Otherwise, do the two-hour drive to Batu Pahat and have lunch at Daddy Village ( daddyvillage.com.my ), a home-style family-run restaurant. Order the steamed otah (RM15), nasi lemak with blue pea rice (RM10) and kerabu ikan bilis fruit salad (RM18).

A few doors down, the egg tarts (RM3) at Amore Bakery are fragrant and buttery. But skip the breads, which are dense in texture and thin on fillings compared with those from popular Malaysian chain Lavender. 

Make one last pit stop to shop at Johor Premium Outlets ( str.sg/wjyg ), about 45 minutes from Woodlands Checkpoint. With palm trees and open plazas like the ones in North America, it feels a world away.

Do not miss athleisure brand Lululemon, which offers discounts of 20 to 40 per cent at its outlet. Unlike the sales rack in many Singapore stores, there is a good selection of sizes and colours.

Or pick up bags and pouches from American designer brand Kate Spade – there are discounts of 45 to 65 per cent depending on the number of items purchased. 

One last perk of a road trip? You do not need to be concerned about baggage limits. Just load up your car boot, and make the journey home. 

Pro tip: One advantage of renting a Malaysian-registered car is subsidised petrol prices. During our trip, FuelSave 95 at Shell cost an estimated RM2.05 a litre while V-Power 97, available to foreign-registered vehicles, cost RM3.95 a litre. Fill up the tank before returning your rental car to avoid hefty fuel surcharges.

• Travel tips

Stock up on hand sanitiser, wet wipes and tissues for the journey. When you pick up your rental car, wipe down high-touch points such as the steering wheel, gearstick, hand brake and door handles.

You will need a Touch ‘n Go card to pay for tolls, though these cards, typically sold at petrol kiosks in Malaysia, are in short supply. They usually cost between $3 and $10 depending on where they are purchased, though resellers on online platforms Shopee and Carousell are now asking for $22 to $40 a card. Alternatively, borrow one from a friend, and check that it is still valid before your trip.

Download offline maps for navigation in case mobile data is patchy along the road. Go to str.sg/wjyM for instructions.

If you do not wish to drive, hire a private car and driver who can take you to and around Malaysia. A one-way transfer from Singapore to Melaka starts at $400 ( str.sg/wjyQ ) and you can top up for a half- or full-day rental within Malaysia.

• Streetwise is a series on smart travel tips. For more travel stories, go to str.sg/travel.
• This story is partially sponsored by Klook. 

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Malacca One Day Trip: Where You Must GO and Selfie

Only had a day off from work but doesn’t know where to go?

Why not soak yourself in a land of abundance culture, history and gastronomical delight?

Malacca was once a thriving trading port. Today it is teeming with history!

While it no longer enjoys the glory days of centuries gone by, it still is a melting pot of cultures that came to establish themselves through ancient conquests and trade.

In 2008, the city was awarded a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its unspoilt architecture of the old town and its glorious history.

Today it is one of the top places to visit in Malaysia and the phenomenon is not fading anytime soon.

A day trip to Malacca will definitely be a great day out, especially when you do it in a group; family, friends or colleagues.

There are plenty of attractions to fill up your day and whet your appetite for a repeat visit.

6 Recommended Itineraries For Malacca ONE Day Trip

Itinerary 1 –  St. Paul’s Church –> A’Famosa Fort –> Dutch Square –> Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum –> Cheng Hoon Teng Temple –> Shore Sky Tower

Itinerary 2 – Cheng Ho Cultural Museum –> Menara Taming Sari –> St Paul’s Church –> Dutch Square –> Straits Chinese Jewellery Museum –> Shan Shu Gong –> Jonker Street Night Market

Itinerary 3 – St. Paul’s Church –> Stadthuys –> Upside Down House Malacca –> Maritime & Naval Museum Malacca –> Menara Taming Sari –> Alto Sky Lounge@ Hatten Hotel

Itinerary 4 – Taman Mini Malaysian & ASEAN –> Malacca Wonderland and Theme Park –> Malacca Bird Park

Itinerary 5 – Coral Wonderland Malacca –> Upside Down House Malacca –> A’ Famosa Fort –> Stadthuys –> Malacca River Cruise

Itinerary 6 – Cheng Ho’s Cultural Museum –> Straits Chinese Jewellery Museum –> Jonker Walk –> Sri Poyyatha Vinayagar Moorthi Temple –> The Shore Sky Tower

Malacca Popular Tourists Attraction Places

1. a’famosa resort malacca.

This resort is named after the famous fort built by the Portuguese to protect Malacca from invaders. A’Famosa Resort Malacca is set in a lush countryside with tropical greenery as far as the eye can see.

It is one of the region’s most sought-after leisure spots and it welcomes thousands of visitors every year. The resort is easily accessible as you will see the resort when driving on the North-South Highway.

Coming from Singapore, it is a four-hour ride from downtown Singapore including the time it takes to navigate through customs and immigration at the causeway.

Visible from the North-South Highway, A’Famosa Resort is a short distance away from the historical town of Melaka. It is just a mere hour drive from Kuala Lumpur International Airport and one and a half hour drive from Kuala Lumpur.

Are you in Malacca for business or pleasure? This luxury resort will answer to both cases. It is built on all of 1,300 acres and there is a championship golf course of international standards here among other attractions.

Attractions

• The championship golf course : The golf course was designed by the master golf course architect Ross C. Watson, an Australian. It has beautiful greens and fairways fringed by tropical coastal flora. There are 27 holes overall at the golf course. The clubhouse has the best panoramic views of the whole resort as it is built on high ground. Here you will find fine dining, a business centre and VIP accommodation.
• Animal World Safari : This is a fantastic place to see animals roaming in the wild, right inside the resort. There are tigers, lions, racoons, giraffes, rabbits and lemurs, and also their own Monkey Island.
• The Water World Theme Park : Here you will find some of the best rides in all of Malaysia as well as many more water games and exciting activities for children and adults alike.
• Accommodation : There is plenty of accommodation here. You can choose to have rooms or suites at the Resort Hotel, the villas or at the Condotel.
• Cowboy town: Here, you will find enacted Wild West shows featuring almost real-life cowboys. The shows are exciting and they will leave you breathless.

2. Melaka Wonderland Theme Park & Resort

Malaysia has some of the best theme parks in all of Southeast Asia. The Melaka Wonderland Theme Park & Resort is one of the best in Malaysia itself, it is also the latest addition to the theme parks that are already in Malacca. The theme park is located in the beautiful and exotic tourist area of Ayer Keroh, Malacca.

Also read: How To Get To Malacca From Singapore

The theme park is a wholesome collection of fun activities for everyone. Adults, teens and children will all have a fabulous time here and the memories will last you, your family and friends for a long long time. Set in natural surroundings, the greenery is enchanting as the water rides and slides are exciting.

The Melaka Wonderland Theme Park and Resort spreads across 360 acres of land which means that everything is not crammed in one place. It is ideal for a leisurely day out for family or groups of friends.

• The Tornado Chaser: A wild water slide where you will be thrown into a swirling pool after a fast ride down. It is the first of its kind in Malaysia and the memories of this ride will not fade for years. It is the most popular slide here and people come from far and wide for the extraordinary experience.
• Lazy cum Crazy River: A slow-moving river with numerous twists and turns and plenty of fun activities for the young and the young at heart.
• 1 Big Wave pool: This is a beachfront like-place where gentle waves lapping the shore that kids love to play in very much. You can sit and relax or you can opt to join in the fun too.
• Adventure Island: This is an island of fun for children of all ages. It is an 8 slide complex made to be one great play area that kids really love.
• Natural Recreational Forest: This is a lush forest with local tropical foliage where a nature walk is always rejuvenating and a beautiful place to take pictures of the memories.

3. Jonker Walk – Famous Night Market

Jonker Walk is a street in Malacca right in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site . It is a famous street globally for its rich collection of authentic antiques, the cultural aspect and the architecture; most of the shop buildings here are from the 17th century which makes them several hundred years old.

Lovers of antique items will always come to Jonker Walk as part of their Malaysian itinerary. Visitors come from far and wide, all over the world for the best bargains of items and jewellery of bygone eras.

In the Dutch colonial period, it was the street in which the servants of Dutch masters had their homes. Soon the well-heeled locals started to live in the area and they opened shops as well.

The street has a strong Chinese influence; there is even a Chinatown owing to Chinese immigration over the centuries.

• The weekly market: The Street is closed to traffic on all Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. This is to allow the market to thrive and it does this very well between 6:00pm and midnight. It is here that traders will display their wares and invite you to see and buy.
• The antiques: It is on Jonker Walk that you will find genuine antiques from the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British colonial periods. You will also find ancient Chinese items on this street. There will be a wide collection of fabrics, jewellery, wooden clogs, arts and crafts and other memorable items at prices you will not get anywhere else in the world.
• Jonker Street Food : It has some of the best eateries in Malacca. It is at the end of the street that you will find Geographer’s Café, a famous place for great drinks and Nyonya food in Malacca .

4. Air Keroh Lake

The Air Keroh Lake is the place to visit if you are looking for a great water sports venue. The lake, clean, calm and vast is a great place for people who want to play in the water in a serene and attractive environment.

It is set in a splendid tropical environment and it is green all around. One of its best attributes is that it is only 11 kilometres from the Malacca city. This makes it ideal for people who are visiting the city but want the calmness of the countryside for part of their tour.

Also read:  How To Get To Port Dickson From Singapore

This is an ideal place for lovers; there are cabins and huts for rent if you want to extend your stay at the lake. There are also facilities to ensure that it is family friendly. For a group coming from Singapore or Johor Bahru, it is only a few hours ride by car.

Attractions:

• Water sports: Do you enjoy sailing? This is the place to be when you want a great day on the water. Here you will find safe, clean and reliable sailing boats that will soon have you feeling the wind in your hair as you skim over the lake. You will also find canoes and boats all for rental at the shore.
• Fishing: Have you ever had the urge to catch your own dinner? You can do that at Air Keroh Lake. With a rental boat and some necessary equipment, you can have a part of the lake as your own where you can spend some quiet time with a friend or loved one floating on the water. With luck, you can catch some fish as well.
• Other facilities: Other facilities you can enjoy include a large playground, jogging paths and kiosks where you can buy some good food and cold refreshments.

5. Malacca On Bike – Day Tours

Most tourists will prefer to walk around the city and attractions near Jonker Street as most historical places are within a small radius. For attractions outside town, most visitors will prefer to drive around.

There is an alternative way to make tours more interesting in and out of town; riding a mountain bike around the attractions.

Malacca is known for its historical significance, but there is a whole world of beauty and adventure beyond the UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are many beautiful rubber and palm plantations stretching on and on and one of the best feelings is to feel the wind on your face where you are riding in a green plantation or open fields.

Malacca On Bike-Day Tours has been giving guided tours since 1999, cycling through villages and whiffing the taste of ‘real’ Malacca is another experience one should try!

• The bikes are well maintained, safe and reliable. They will take you all over the city and to the other attractions beyond. The freedom you feel when riding a bike on a guided tour makes for a great day out with your family and friends. The bikes are rented out depending on the duration you want. You can opt for a short ride of about 3 to 4 hours or a whole day package.
• You will be provided with helmets for safety and the guides are well informed about the best sights of the terrain and they are also friendly and helpful.

6. Malacca River – Relax and Nice View

Malacca River is a slow-moving river that cuts across the city. This is one of the best things to do in Malacca that you should do after getting to Malacca. This tour will let you get a good overview of the city whether you choose the walk or ride on a cruise.

Have a slow and entertaining view of the city while cruising down the river. You may choose to ride either in the morning, afternoon or evening. The evening cruise is the most attractive one as every shop is lit up with colourful bright lights whereas the twinkling sparkle from the reflection of water makes the city glow!

If you choose to walk, you will find that it is clean, safe and easy to walk even when you are in a group or with small children. The graffiti here along Jalan Kampung Hulu is colourful and intriguing and lovers of street art will find plenty to look at and enjoy.

Photo credits: TNkoh22

• The river cruise: The Melaka River Cruise operates every day between 9:00am and 11:30pm the cost is affordable and it is well worth the cost anyway because the sights are great when being seen from the river. The Malacca River is not very wide. This gives you the opportunity to take in the city sights at close range.
• The river cruise at night: If your stay in Malacca extends to the evening, take a night cruise on the Malacca River and get ready for one of the most spectacular river cruises you will ever have in your life. Most of the buildings on either side of the river have bright decorative lights all about them which will excite your eyes to no end. Add the twinkling reflections on the water and the cruise will be as magical as it can ever be.
• The Jetty: The jetty area is bright with canopies to shelter you from the hot Malacca sunshine during the day as you enjoy your time along the river walk. At night, catch the breeze here before you leave town; you will love it!

7. Dutch Square

Dutch Square also known as Red Square is one part of Malacca that inspired the awarding city as a World Heritage site. It is situated just to the south of the main part of the city near the St. John’s Fort.

It is easily accessible and a lot of locals and overseas tourists come to visit Dutch Square every day. Dutch Square is clearly visible from St Paul’s Hill which is not far off. In the vicinity of the Dutch Square is the Cheng Ho Culture Museum.

The history that is held in this place is immense. You will experience the history from the Malay Empire days, to the Portuguese invasion days, to the Dutch period and the current situation. Having a good guide is a plus because he will put all the attractions in perspective besides adding an anecdote or two to his explanations.

• Mini Lisbon: It is the only site that maintains its true Portuguese identity so well in the entire country. It is the place where the culture of the Portuguese exhibits itself in all its splendour. This is a place that looks like nothing much has changed for the last 400 years. Today, it hosts lots of tourists looking to enjoy its restaurants, entertainment spots and its unique stalls.
• Malacca Hotel : This is the main hotel in this part of the city. It offers accommodation with all budgets catered for.
• The Stadthuys: It is the most recognizable building in the whole area together with its red clock tower. It was the seat of the government during the Dutch colonial era. Nearby are the A’Famosa Fort and St. Johns Hill.
• Christ Church: This building is to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Dutch occupation in Malacca and to replace the earlier ruined Portuguese church.

8. The Shore Sky Tower

The best way to see the sights of a city is to visit the sights themselves, to see them from a distance and to see them from above.

For many years, the visitors would only see the sights from the ground; then came the Shore Sky Tower , the highest man-made structure in Malacca and many miles beyond.

Today, you can experience some of the most breathtaking views of Malacca from very high; as high as the 43rd-floor viewpoint from the Shore Sky Tower. Apart from the cityscapes themselves, you will be able to look as far as 50 kilometres from Malacca on either side

Apart from that, there is plenty more that you can do at the Shore Sky Tower.

The Shore Sky Tower is an elaborate development on the shores of the Malacca River. It is planned to be the premier shopping, dining and accommodation centre in the city.

• The Observation deck: The top floor of the Shore Sky Tower will give you the most panoramic views of the city and beyond. This is a part of your tour to Malacca that you will do yourself a disservice to miss. The fee is affordable for everyone and the photo opportunity are to die for up there.
• Dining and wining: Enjoy fine dining at the Shore Sky Tower. You will find splendid restaurants with the widest local and international menus anywhere in Malacca. You will also find fine bars where you can have the best wines and classy cocktails among other refreshments.
• Oceanarium Complex: This development will have the longest oceanarium complex in the whole world bringing together business, accommodation and fine shopping to Melaka.

9. The Stadthuys Malacca

Are you a history buff? Do you like photogenic places where you can walk around and feel one with the heritage of a place rich in history?

Don’t forget to visit The Stadthuys when you go to Malacca as it is also known as a matter of priority. It holds a lot of secrets and stories from the Dutch colonial period.

Here you will find a vibrant atmosphere with many tourists visiting The Stadthuys every day. They will be from locals, Asia countries and other countries in the world. It is also a good place to people-watch.

• The Dutch Administration Center: This is the large red building that hosted the offices and residences of the Dutch Governor during the colonial era. Here will be the famous and one of the most photographed buildings in the city, the Stadthuys. There will also be the Christ Church which is also from the Dutch period. From the British period in the Victorian years, you will find the Queen Victoria’s Fountain. The Chinese have always had a presence here for centuries and this is represented by the Tan Beng Swee Clock Tower. It is dedicated to a benevolent Chinese trader who was highly admired and respected in his day.
• Souvenir shops around Jonker Street : You can buy inexpensive souvenirs ranging from hand-crafting shoes, Nyonya attire, antique sculptures, jewellery to foods at the shops in Jonker Street and stalls that will be at the Red Square. You will find good bargains here and you may just land a great antique at an unbelievable price.
• Nearby attractions: The best thing about The Stadthuys is that most of the other attractions in the city and especially in the World Heritage Site are all accessible easily on foot, by car or by riding a bicycle.
• Great photos: Carry your camera along for some of the best sites to take pictures at The Stadthuys. It is these pictures that will remind you of the great times you had at Malacca.

Best Way To Get Around Malacca

If  you have planned for a short weekend getaways from Singapore to Malacca, you will need to have the best transport arrangements to ensure that you have the time of your life.

The most convenient way to get to Malacca and back to Singapore is to use a privately hired taxi to and from there. SGMYTAXI  is the leading firm in this field.

The taxis are large 7-seater vehicles that are fully air-conditioned, well maintained, and spacious to give all passengers a comfortable ride even with their luggage. The drivers are well trained, professional and well versed with all the routes to Malacca and all its attractions.

What are you waiting for! Book online now with SGMYTAXI to get the service.

We guess you would want to know….

• 13 Best Malacca Nyonya Food
• One Day Trip In A Famosa Resort
• 12 Best Melaka Homestay
• 10 Must-Visit Cafes in Melaka for Good Coffee
• 26 Best Malacca Food And Where To Find Them
• Top 18 Attractions in Malacca

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Studying abroad gave these young folks the chance to travel

Friday, 10 May 2024

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Zahirah dedicated a lot of her time exploring the beautiful mountains of New Zealand. — ZAHIRAH YASMIN MUHAMMAD MUNJIT

For most people, the opportunity to study abroad is a privilege that comes with a rewarding experience, as you not only get to explore a new country, but be exposed to various cultures too. And not forgetting, you also get to meet people from different backgrounds along the way.

Of course, pursuing an education overseas presents an opportunity to travel to new places, too.

Malaysian students who studied abroad and international students who pursued their tertiary education here share their travel experiences with us.

When he was a medical student at the Royal College Of Surgeons in Dublin, Ireland, Chan Weng Kit, 28, certainly did not miss the chance to explore the various interesting sights and experiences the country has to offer.

He managed to travel extensively around Ireland and a few countries in Europe while studying there for two-and-a-half years, some time ago. He later returned to Malaysia to complete the remaining half of his five-year degree in medicine and surgery in Penang.

From climbing two mountains in one day to walking all the way to a neighbouring town, Chan said he is immensely grateful to have had the chance to experience “life” in this part of the globe.

“One of my most memorable trips here was hiking up Mount Errigal, a 75m-tall mountain and the tallest peak in Donegal. Interestingly, Errigal translates to the ‘king of the hill’, and I indeed felt like one when we reached the top,” said Chan, who was part of the Climbing and Mountaineering Society back in Ireland.

Chan and his friends trekked for nearly four hours before arriving at the peak, where the group was then treated to sweeping vistas of the mountain ranges. As they were descending, someone suggested they scale the smaller king of the hill, the Wee Errigal. Full of spirit and eagerness, everyone went along with the idea. “Two mountains in a single day!” Chan exclaimed.

On another occasion, he visited Bray, a coastal town in Wicklow.

“I actually went there twice to visit my close friend. He took me to the McDonald’s in town. I assure you this was no ordinary McD. In fact, it is deemed one of the ‘coolest’ in the world,” he shared. This particular fast food outlet was housed in a historic building from the 19th century.

When not busy cramming for exams, he frequently found himself playing tourist in Dublin. “Some of the places I went to were the Guinness Storehouse, the Book Of Kells at Trinity College and Dublin Castle,” he shared.

“Ireland is packed to the brim with rich history and architecture as well as some rather picturesque views featuring Mother Nature. During my time there, I explored most of the touristy sights and some hidden local gems.”

Apart from Ireland, Chan also travelled to see the spectacular Northern Lights in Estonia, and visited other Nordic countries, including Sweden and Finland.

Zahirah Yasmin Muhammad Munjit, 27, led an adventure-filled life while living in New Zealand’s South Island for more than five years. She had gone to the country to study Adventure Tourism Management at Queenstown Resort College (QRC), but continued to stay there for a few years after graduating to gain some work experiences.

She worked as a photographer for Shotover Jet, and then later as part of a boat crew.

When she was still studying, she would go on short road trips with friends during her semester breaks to check out the small towns around Queenstown. “Sometimes, the trips were for concerts; I saw my favourite artists on stage such as Khalid and Post Malone,” she said.

Zahirah is passionate about the great outdoors, which pushed her to explore more of New Zealand’s vast natural landscape.

“I’m an avid hiker, so my time there was mostly spent in the woods and the gorgeous mountain ranges,” she shared. Zahirah added that she preferred going on multi-day hikes, either with friends or on her own.

Her favourite spot is Milford Sound, located in the Fiordland National Park. She said that there were always plenty of activities to do there besides hiking, such as kayaking, swimming or picnicking at the waterfalls, and going on a river cruise.

“There are several trails in the national park with interesting terrains like the Routeburn Track and Kepler Track. The former takes you through the Routeburn River, which is an amazing experience, while the latter is also equally enjoyable, as sometimes you have to walk in the rocky stream,” she said.

Zahirah noted that hiking was a good activity for students and tourists on a tight budget in New Zealand, as it is usually free or doesn’t cost much. “I was receiving a monthly allowance from my scholarship, but I worked part time on weekends to fund my travels,” she explained.

“Studying overseas has given me a sense of purpose and shaped who I am today.”

Malaysia is loved for – among many reasons – its cultural diversity, and one such thing that illustrates this is her delicious food. Aynabat Muhammet-niyazova, who hails from Turkmenistan and was a former accountancy student at Quest International University in Ipoh, Perak, could not agree more.

“You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to food in Malaysia. Having tried various dishes, a few of my favourites include nasi lemak, laksa and pisang goreng,” Aynabat, 25, said, adding that she also loves local fruits like mangoes and papaya.

Over the course of her stay in Malaysia, she visited Kuala Lumpur, Cameron Highlands (Pahang), Penang and Langkawi in Kedah. These holidays were taken with her family when they came to Malaysia to visit her. She especially enjoyed holidaying in Cameron Highlands, as she found herself fascinated by the stunning panoramic landscapes of the town.

“Imagine having tea while gazing over the sprawling tea plantations. My family and I tried strawberry picking at a farm, too. It felt like a good break from the daily grind,” she shared.

Aside from visiting the different states, Aynabat said she also made friends from various cultural backgrounds.

“I even became close with one of my friends’ family, and I learnt first-hand about other international students’ cultures and experiences in Malaysia, too.”

One of the upsides of studying outside of your own country is that the experience teaches you how to navigate life on a foreign land on your own, said Aynabat.

“Getting to celebrate different cultural events was the highlight of my stay in Malaysia as an international student at Quest International University,” said 28-year-old Nabila Sidek from Brunei, who studied journalism in Ipoh.

She said that the experience was meaningful to her as she was able to be part of a diverse and multicultural setting.

Nabila also said that besides the fact that Malaysia was close to home, one of the main reasons she chose to study here was because of the cultural similarities we shared. This made it easier for her to adapt to university life.

“Assimilation of culture was a non-issue for me, as it’s pretty much the same where I live,” she said.

She spent most of her weekends discovering local gems with her friends, who were from Ipoh. These little trips helped her unearth many interesting locales in the city.

“I also enjoyed going to the amusement parks,” she said, adding that it was a way for her to unwind.

Nabila and her friends would travel to other states like Penang and Melaka during short semester breaks. “The local street food in Penang was unbeatable. The historical city of Melaka was great for sightseeing, especially for a history buff like myself,” she enthused.

As a student, Nabila would sometimes look for places which offered student discounts, to save money.

She said that studying in a new environment can really change a person in many positive ways. For her, the experience has widened her lens and helped her look at things from a new angle.

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Tags / Keywords: Students studying abroad , Ireland , Brunei , Dublin , Attractions , Cameron Highlands , Penang , Melaka , Mount Errigal , tourism , edutourism , education tourism , university

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