8 Best Things to Do in Melaka

8 Incredible Things to Do in Melaka

1. Stroll Around Stadthuys and Visit Christ Church ♥️ Must Visit

The Stadthuys and its vivid red-colored square are the landmarks of Melaka city center. As you can see from the name, the square was built by the Dutch during colonization, and it is considered to be the oldest remaining Dutch structure in the East.

This is where most of the tourists are at, and for good reasons, as it is one of the most photogenic places in Melaka. The square consists of the iconic clock tower, a good meetup place, the History Museum, and the impressive Christ Church, an 18th-century Anglican church and one of the oldest functioning Protestant churches in Malaysia.

The square is best seen from the balcony of the museum building, which is accessible from the stairs in the square facing Christ Church.

Where to Stay in Melaka?

Budget

Ringos Foyer Guest House and Hostel

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Mid-Range

Once In Peninsula

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High-End

Swiss-Garden Hotel Melaka

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2. Walk Jonker Street during the Day and at Night (on Weekends)

On the weekends (Fri - Sun) at night, the famous Jonker Street turns into a walking night market, full of people, with plenty of handcrafts, clothes, and street food for you to enjoy.

If you are not there on the weekends, the street is still very lively during the day, with local restaurants and shops catering to all types of travelers. You can try the Durian ice cream (it's better than it sounds!), the famous chicken rice, and be sure to try the Nyonya traditional dishes.

3. Try the Nyonya Traditional Dishes

One of the unique cultures they have here is the Nyonya culture, a combination of the Chinese Strait and Malaysian cultures, and there is no better way to explore a new culture than with your mouth and stomach!

Peranakan Place on Jonker Street is a great place to try some of the Nyonya dishes. I tried the Nyonya Laksa together with Teh Tarik here, and my god, it was delicious! I heard that their seafood dishes are also great, so be sure to check it out.

4. Walk Up to St. Paul's Church and to the Famosa Fort

After a nice, delicious lunch, let's go for a little walk up St. Paul's Hill to St. Paul's Church. You can walk along the path behind the Stadthuys Museum, which should take you all the way up to the fort.

St. Paul's Church is one of Melaka's most important Portuguese-era landmarks. It began as a chapel built by the Portuguese in 1521 and was later enlarged before being used by the Dutch after they captured Melaka. The roofless ruins you see today sit on top of St. Paul's Hill and are among the oldest surviving European church remains in Southeast Asia.

After you have checked out St. Paul's Church, continue down the other side of the hill towards Porta de Santiago, the surviving gateway of A Famosa, the large Portuguese fortress that once surrounded this part of Melaka.

Most of A Famosa was demolished during the British period in the early 19th century, with Porta de Santiago surviving. St. Paul's Church also fell out of regular religious use over time, leaving the atmospheric roofless ruins you can explore today.

5. Learn the History of Melaka at the Sultanate Palace Museum

After visiting the Famosa Fort, before heading back around the hill, head east towards the Sultanate Palace Museum, an amazing museum set in a traditional-style hardwood palace replicating how the Sultanate of that time lived.

The museum is dedicated to Melaka's history, how the sultanate kingdom transformed the region, and how trade was conducted along the Melaka Strait. You will also learn about some really fun local legends, conflicts, and some really strange punishments they used to do here.

If you are interested in the history of Melaka, this is the place to visit.

6. Visit the Maritime Museum 🏛️ Best Museum

Another great museum to visit is the Maritime Museum, which should be on the way back from Famosa Fort to the Red Square (Stadthuys). The museum discusses the history and process of maritime trade during the sultanate and colonial periods.

It was eye-opening to learn about the complex maritime trade during those times, how they taxed items coming through the port, how they dealt with pirates, and best of all, the story of the legendary Enrique of Malacca, a Malay slave boy who may have been the first person to circumnavigate the world before any European.

Oh, and did I mention that the museum is in a freaking ship? 😃 Its centerpiece is a replica of the Flor de la Mar, the Portuguese ship that sank in the Strait of Malacca in 1511 while returning from Melaka.

7. Walk Along the Melaka River in the Evening

After an entire day of exploring the city, it is time to relax and enjoy the Melaka River as the artificial lights of the city illuminate the riverside streets of Melaka.

Stroll along the riverside walking path or find a place to sit with a nice glass of beer or have a delicious dinner.

The riverside right after the sunset is especially beautiful, with the colorful buildings and artificial light competing for your attention.

Before you end the day, be sure to go for another walk along Jonker Street. If you are there during the weekends, there will be a night market full of people. But if you are there on weekdays, the street becomes quiet and peaceful, a totally different experience but equally interesting. Either way, it's a nice walk back to your accommodation at night.

8. Visit the Melaka Straits Mosque

Last but not least, it would be a crime to come all the way to Melaka and not see the Malacca Strait. Along the strait, there is a mosque built on a platform that extends into the water, making it a great place for you to visit and witness the beauty of the Malacca Strait.

The best time to visit the mosque is during sunset as the sun is perfectly located off into the ocean. However, since it rains a lot in Melaka and you might not have a clear evening to watch the sunset, the morning is also a great time to visit to avoid the heat.

You can get a Grab from anywhere in the city center, and the drive usually takes around 10–15 minutes depending on traffic. When I visited, I paid around 7 MYR one way, but Grab fares are dynamic, so check the app for the current price. The mosque is free to visit, but remember that it is an active place of worship, so dress modestly and follow any instructions regarding prayer times and visitor access.

When to Visit Melaka?

Melaka is hot and humid throughout the year, with relatively little seasonal change in temperature. If you want to reduce the chance of heavy rain, January and February are generally among the drier months, while November is typically one of the wettest. That said, tropical showers are possible at any time of year.

Because temperatures stay fairly consistent year-round, I would not plan an entire Malaysia trip around Melaka's weather alone. Bring light clothing, sun protection, and something for sudden rain, and you should be fine whenever you visit.

How to Get to Melaka?

First and foremost, you will have to get yourself to Malaysia, and to do that, I would recommend you browse through Skyscanner or Expedia for a cheap flight from your home country.

From Kuala Lumpur, frequent buses run from Terminal Bersepadu Selatan to Melaka Sentral. The journey generally takes around 2–2.5 hours, and current fares commonly start around 12–20 MYR depending on the operator and departure. You can conveniently compare and book bus tickets online at 12Go Asia.

Looking for a complete guide to Kuala Lumpur?Top 10 Things To Do In Kuala Lumpur

From Singapore, there are multiple direct coaches to Melaka every day. The trip typically takes around 4 hours, although immigration and traffic can make it longer, and fares vary considerably by operator and pickup point. You can compare current departures and prices at 12Go Asia.

Book A Bus from Kuala Lumpur to Melaka

How to Get Around Melaka?

Most of the places listed here are all within walking distance, except for the Melaka Straits Mosque.

To get to Melaka Straits Mosque, I recommend using the Grab app. When I visited, the ride cost around 7 MYR each way and took about 10 minutes, but fares are dynamic, so use the app for the current price.

Melaka's local bus network has changed since my trip, so I would no longer rely on the old number 17 bus and 30-minute timetable I mentioned before. From Melaka Sentral, check the current local bus platforms and BAS.MY Melaka route information for the service heading towards the heritage center, or use Grab for the simplest transfer.

You can also get a Grab from Melaka Sentral to the city center. When I visited, I paid around 7 MYR one way, but current fares depend on demand and traffic. If you do not fancy exploring the city in the extremely humid climate, you can also go on a day tour around the city. To book a day tour, be sure to check out the link below:

Book A Day Trip to Melaka