5 Must Visit Places in Malacca, Malaysia
Malacca (Melaka), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a city rich in history and culture. This charming destination is a great choice for a short getaway. Below are the top five places you must visit when in Malacca.
1. A Famosa
A Famosa, Fortress in Malacca City, Malaysia
Photo: Holiday Inn
A Famosa, one of the oldest surviving European architectural remains in Southeast Asia, is a Portuguese fortress built in 1512. The gatehouse, Porta de Santiago, is the most famous remnant. This site offers a fascinating glimpse into Malacca's colonial history.
Location: Jalan Parameswara, Bandar Hilir
Opening hours: 24 hours
Entry: Free
2. Christ Church
Christ Church, Malacca
Photo: Imperial Heritage Hotel
Christ Church is a striking red-brick building built by the Dutch in 1753. It's the oldest functioning Protestant church in Malaysia, featuring beautiful Dutch architecture.
Location: Jalan Gereja, Bandar Hilir
Opening hours: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM (Monday closed)
Entry: Free
3. Jonker Street
Jonker Street Malacca
Photo: The Lost Passport
Jonker Street is the heart of Malacca's Chinatown, famous for its vibrant night market (Friday to Sunday). The street is packed with antique shops, clothing stores, and local eateries.
Location: Jalan Hang Jebat
Opening hours: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM (Night Market) - Only open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday
4. The Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum
Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum, Malacca
Photo: KKKL
This museum offers an insight into the unique Peranakan culture, with well-preserved artifacts from the 19th century. The guided tours give a comprehensive understanding of the Baba-Nyonya community’s customs.
Location: 48-50, Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock
Opening hours: 10:00 AM – 4:45 PM (Closed on Monday)
Entry: RM 18 (Adults), RM 13 (Children, aged 5 to12 years old)
Guided tour: RM25
5. Malacca River Cruise
Malacca River Cruise, Malaysia
Photo: Tripcarte
One of the best ways to explore Malacca is by taking the Malacca River Cruise. The boat tour passes by significant landmarks, offering a unique perspective of the city.
Location: Muara Jetty
Opening hours: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Cost: RM 33 (Adults), RM 23 (Children, aged 2 to 12)
How to Get to Malacca
There are several ways to reach Malacca from Singapore or Kuala Lumpur.
By Air: Malacca International Airport operates limited domestic flights. However, it’s more common to fly to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and then take a bus or car to Malacca, which takes about 1.5 to 2 hours by road.
By Bus: Buses from Singapore take approximately 3-4 hours, while from Kuala Lumpur, it's around 2-2.5 hours. Popular bus operators include 707 Inc and Konsortium Express.
By Car: The drive from Singapore or Kuala Lumpur is convenient with well-maintained highways. It takes around 3-4 hours from Singapore and 2 hours from Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysians mainly speak Malay (Bahasa Malaysia), though English is widely understood in tourist areas, and you’ll also hear Chinese dialects and Tamil.
