8 Incredible Things to Do in Melaka (Malacca), Malaysia for First-Timers

8 Incredible Things to Do in Melaka

1. Stroll Around Stadthuys and Visit Christ Church

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.

No time to read?

Don't worry. You can save this page to Pinterest and come back later.

Save for Later

Where to Stay in Melaka?

Budget

Ringos Foyer Guest House and Hostel

Dorm | $

See Availability

Mid-Range

Once In Peninsula

Double Room | $$

See Availability

High-End

Swiss-Garden Hotel Melaka

Twin Room | $$$

See Availability

View More Hotels

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.

A former Portuguese church turned lighthouse, St. Paul's Church is another great remnant of colonial times. Built in 1571, St. Paul's Church is considered to be the oldest church building in Southeast Asia.

After you have checked out St. Paul's Church, continue onward down towards the A Famosa fort, another remnant of Portuguese colonization located on the opposite side of the hill.

Unfortunately, these two remnants weren't maintained during the change of colonial powers in the region, and as a result, they were left to deteriorate into the ruinous condition we see 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

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? 😃 It's a replica of the Flor de la Mar, a Portuguese ship that sank off the coast of 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 it will take around 10 minutes to get to the Melaka Straits Mosque. It should cost around 7 MYR to get there one way. It should not be hard to get a Grab back to the city center from the mosque.

When to Visit Melaka?

The best time to visit Melaka is at the end of the year from November to January, as the temperature is a bit more bearable than, say, April to July.

It is really humid, warm, and often rainy throughout the year in Melaka, so it doesn't really matter when you visit. If your trip doesn't align with my recommendation, you are likely to still enjoy Melaka as much as during the end of the year, but you might be sweating a little bit more.

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, you can take a bus from Terminal Bersepadu Selatan for 10 MYR, and it will take approximately 2 hours each way. You can conveniently book your bus ticket online at 12Go Asia.

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

From Singapore, several buses leave for Melaka every day. It should cost you around 80 MYR, and it will take you 4 hours to reach Melaka. Again, you can book your bus ticket from 12Go Asia for this trip.

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 would recommend you to use the GRAB taxi app to reach the mosque. It should cost you around 7 MYR each way, and it should take approximately 10 minutes to arrive there.

To get to the city center from the Melaka Sentral bus station, you will have to walk to the local bus platform and get on the number 17 bus (there should be a number labeled on each platform), which leaves every 30 minutes and costs around 1 - 2 MYR per person.

You can also get a Grab taxi from the bus station to the city center and vice versa, which should cost you around 7 MYR one way. 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

Daily Budget

This place is quite affordable compared to all the other countries in the world. If you are planning a trip here, you can expect to spend around $25 - $45 USD per day per person, which should include accommodation and three meals.

Please keep in mind that these are suggested daily budgets based on my own style of travel, which leans more towards the budget side of things. If you aim to stick to this budget, anticipate sleeping in dormitories, dining out only occasionally, and being comfortable with the cheapest and most convenient modes of transportation, which often involve a considerable amount of walking.

What to Pack for Melaka, Malaysia?

As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Melaka, Malaysia:

• Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
• Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
• Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
• Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
• Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
• Swim Suits: A swim trunk is a must-pack item if you are planning to visit Melaka, Malaysia in the summer, just in case there is a body of water you can jump in.
• Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
• Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
• Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
• Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
• Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
• Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
• Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.

For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.

That is it for the 8 Incredible Things to Do in Melaka (Malacca), Malaysia for First-Timers. Have we missed anything? Have you found the guide useful? Let us know in the comments below!

Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to plan your trip to Melaka, Malaysia! Here are some resources to help you get your trip going:

Flights: Skyscanner and Expedia are the best places to start looking for cheap flights and great deals from your home country.

Accommodation: Hostelworld, Booking.com, and Agoda.com are the ultimate go-to platforms to search for amazing hostels and hotels at affordable prices.

Travel Insurance: Heymondo covers theft, medical emergencies, cancellations, and more during your travels. Get a 5% discount if you sign up today.

Transportation: 12go is a great place to look for bus and train schedule and buy tickets online in Southeast Asia that would otherwise not have been available in English online.

Car Rental: DiscoverCars.com is a great and reliable platform to find rental cars in Melaka, Malaysia.

Internet: Airalo is the best way to get a sim card and has reliable internet access for your trip to Melaka, Malaysia. All you need is an esim compatible smartphone, install it on your phone prior to your trip, and you are all set.

VPN: To stay connected with people at home, I always make sure to have ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and I can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.

Day Trips & Tours: Viator, GetYourGuide and TripAdvisor are great platforms to search for activities to do in Melaka, Malaysia.

Tickets & Deals: Klook is always my go-to website when I want to find cheaper deals for entrance tickets to tourist attractions in Melaka, Malaysia.

Are you planning to travel to Melaka, Malaysia independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.

Further Reading for Malaysia

Malaysia may often be overlooked by travelers, but the country has so much to offer that you can't find anywhere else in Southeast Asia.

Here is a selection of articles you might want to read about Malaysia:

• Looking for a complete itinerary and travel guide for Malaysia? 10-Day Itinerary for Malaysia.
• Planning a trip to Malaysia and not sure where to begin? Check out: 10 Best Places to Visit in Malaysia.
• Are you planning to travel to Malaysia as part of a big Southeast Asia trip? Check out our 3-month backpacking itinerary for Southeast Asia.
• Kuala Lumpur is where you will likely land when you are traveling in Southeast Asia, and from the outside, it may look like your typical Asian city. However, KL is so much more, and at a cheaper price too. Here’s a complete guide on things to do in Kuala Lumpur.
• Not your first time in Kuala Lumpur? How about we go explore the cafe and the unique Kopitiam culture of Kuala Lumpur with the 8 Best Cafes and Restaurants to try in Kuala Lumpur guide?
• Cameron Highlands is a break from the hot, humid weather and bustling city of KL that you need. Surrounded by mountains and tea plantations, here is a complete travel guide on things to do in Cameron Highlands.
• Cameron Highlands is high up in the mountains, with a cool breeze that makes it the perfect place to go hiking. There are over 14 trails to choose from. Check out my ultimate hiking guide to Cameron Highlands.
• Penang is the food heaven of Malaysia, and it is a must-stop on your way to/from Thailand. Here are 10 Best Things to Do in Penang.
• Want to go off the beaten path in Malaysia? Let’s head over to Borneo with a complete travel guide and a 2-week itinerary for Borneo and Brunei.
• Want to know where to go after Malaysia? How about spending 3 days in Singapore or going snorkeling on Koh Lipe, Thailand?
• For all articles about Malaysia, visit the Malaysia Travel Guide page.
• Looking for more travel guides for Southeast Asia? You can find more on my Southeast Asia Travel Guide page.
• I have also compiled all of my favorite photos that I took in Southeast Asia into one post. Check out 64 photos of Southeast Asia that will inspire you to travel.
• For more of my travel guides, visit the All Destination Travel Guide page.

And there you have it, 8 incredible things to do in Melaka, all to be done in one full day. If you do not have a lot of time, you can take an early bus to Melaka from KL, spend half a day exploring 1 - 7, spend one night in Melaka, and then in the morning visit the Melaka Straits Mosque before taking an afternoon bus back to KL.