Melaka is a city of historical significance with an abundance of things to do. There are numerous places worth exploring, but the Melaka old town is where you will find many cultural sites and beautiful landscapes. So what should you do on your visit? You can take a tour around the Melakan Mosque or explore the Stadthuys building which houses Malaysia’s oldest museum. If you’re feeling adventurous, grab some friends for a night out at one of the many clubs in town!
We spend few weeks in Melaka and decided to share with you all the best things to do in Melaka we tried and loved. Melaka is as well perfect getaway from Kuala Lumpur
About Melaka (Malacca)
Melaka or Malacca is a state in eh southern region of the Malay Peninsula next to the Strait of Malacca. The state is bordered to the south by Johor and to the north and west by Negeri Sembilan. The capital of the state is called Malacca City and lies 148 kilometres southeast of the country’s capital Kuala Lumpur, 235 kilometres northwest of Johor Bahru, and 95 kilometres northwest of Batu Pahat. Malacca City has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Melaka is dubbed “The Historic State” and due to its rich history, it is among the major tourist destinations in Malaysia. The city of Malacca was once upon a time a well-known international trade centre in East Asia. The city welcomed traders from Arabia, India, and China, who also contributed to the birth of the current tribes in Malacca. The hospitality of the people of Melaka is due to the various ethnicities and races that long existed among the locals, including the Chinese, Malays, Baba Nyonya, Chitty, Portuguese, and Eurasian.
About this Article
This article will highlight the best things to do in the state of Melaka, Malaysia. At the end of the post, we hope you will have a comprehensive knowledge of what to do in this historic region of Malaysia. The city of Melaka (Malacca) is picturesque and a must-visit if you find yourself in Malaysia. It boasts a number of historical sites and monuments, which was part of the reason why it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008.
Useful things about Melaka
When to Visit Melaka
The best months to visit Melaka are towards the end and the beginning of the year, which is November through January. During this time, the temperatures are a bit bearable than during summer.
The climate is humid, warm, and tends to rain all year-round in Melaka. You may still enjoy a visit to Melaka any time outside our recommended month, but you will have to make a do with the high temperatures.
Accommodation in Melaka
Budget – Hallmark Crown Hotel – From USD 18/Night
Mid-Range – Mimosa Hotel Melaka – From USD 30/Night
How to Get to Melaka
After landing in Kuala Lumpur, catch a bus from Terminal Bersepadu Selatan for around 10 MYR. The ride will take approximately 2 hours.
Book a bus ticket online here.
You can also get to Melaka from Singapore since it is just 150 miles away. There are buses that leave Singapore to Melaka every day. The fare is around 80 MYR and the journey takes 4 hours.
How to Get Around Melaka
Most of the points of interest in Melaka are closely located and can be accessed by foot. But for those that are a bit further, you can ride a taxi.
Things to do in Melaka
Explore Jonker Street: The Soul of Malaka
Jonker Street is the heartbeat of Melaka. It was once the residential centre of the old city, which now burst with life and activities. The street is lined with colourful and adorned shophouses, along its winding course. Stop by the vivacious cafés to relax and enjoy cook drinks. Walk around and shop for bargains and relics in souvenir shops along the meandering street. Wait for the evening to come and sample the unlimited street food or rest at one of the riverside bars. The night market is held on Friday and Saturday nights.
View Jonker Street on Google Map
Visit A’Famosa
A’Famous translates to “The Famous” and is one of the top tourist hotspots in Melaka due to its history. The Portuguese ruins are believed to be 500 years old and were commissioned by Alfonso Albuquerque when the first fleets of Portuguese arrived in the town in 1511. In the bygone era, the fortress spilt across the hill encapsulating houses, churches, and four-storied watchtowers.
Join a Free Walking Tour of Melaka’s Past
This is probably the best way to see Melaka. The Old Melaka Heritage Tour takes visitors around the city’s numerous heritage sites along with historical commentary. You will learn about the history of Malay under the Melaka Sultanate across three eras of colonial rule to the modern-day. The guides will also recommend the best restaurants as well. The whole tour lasts two and a half hours and begins outside Tourism Malaysia.
Stroll Around Stadthuys
For those who are new to Melaka, the Stadthuys is not hard to locate. It is a vivid red-coloured Square in Melaka city centre. The square was built by the Dutch and is believed to be the oldest still-standing Dutch structure in the East.
This square is where most of the tourists in Melaka are found, besides, it is among the most photogenic spots in Melaka.
The square features the Crist Church, the iconic clock tower, a great meetup place, and the History Museum. The church is the oldest Protestant church outside of Europe.
Sample the Nyonya Traditional Food
Nyonya is one of the several ethnic groups living in Melaka. Their culture is one of the most unique in Malaysia, which is a blend of Malaysian and Chinese Straight cultures. The better way to explore this culture is by trying their food.
Jonker Street is the perfect place to try some of these dishes, particularly at Peranakan Place. You will also find a variety of seafood here.
Visit the Sultanate Palace Museum for In-depth Knowledge of Melaka
The Sultanate Palace Museum is located east of the Famosa Fort. The museum is set in the former Sultanate residence. It is entirely dedicated to Melaka history and is the best place to be if you want to learn more about the golden era of the city. You will also get to learn about some fascinating local legends and conflicts as well as strange punishment used to be administered here.
View Sultanate Palace Museum on Google Map
Check out the Maritime Museum
Maritime Museum is located between the Red Square (Stadthuys) and the Famosa Fort. The museum also covers all about the history and how the maritime trade was conducted during the period of the Sultanate and colonial. You can learn how the trade worked, how they taxed items, how they dealt with the pirates as well as the story of the iconic Enrique of Malacca – a young Malay slave boy who is believed to have been the first person ever to circumnavigate the world before the European explorers.
And the best thing is that the museum is housed in a ship, which a replica of the Portuguese ship is called Flor de la Mar that sank off the shore of Melaka.
View the Maritime Museum on Google Map
Stroll Along the River Melaka in the Evening
The best way to relax after the long day exploring the city is to walk along River Melaka in the evening. The riverside streets are illuminated by the lights of the city, providing a relaxing ambience for a short stroll. If you don’t feel like walking, or if you are done the walking, find yourself a place to sit along the riverbanks and enjoy a delicious dinner or a glass of beer.
Admire the Melaka Straits Mosque
Saving the best for last, it will be a huge mistake to visit Melaka and not check out the Melaka Straight. The straight is famous for the mosque built on the shores but stretches over the waters.
Visit the mosque during sunset for breathtaking views of the sun as it sinks down the ocean. This spectacle is not guaranteed however since it rains a lot in Melaka.
View Melaka Straits Mosque on Google Map
Here is a further read on Malaysia:
Short getaway from Kuala Lumpur
Things to do in Melaka – Pin it for later
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