Melaka is, in our opinion, a must-visit during your trip to Malaysia. The city boasts a beautiful historic center where you can see the influences of various past rulers, including the Chinese, Portuguese, English, and the Dutch. This mix of cultures has created a unique architectural blend. Additionally, there’s plenty to see and do in Melaka. Especially on weekends, it’s bustling with activity, thanks to the famous Jonker Street Night Market. Here, you can tantalize your taste buds with delicious local dishes and enjoy live music. Read on for all our tips on the best things to do in Melaka!
How to Travel to Melaka?
Most people travel to Melaka from Kuala Lumpur or Singapore. Below, find out the best ways to travel from these destinations to Melaka.
From Kuala Lumpur to Melaka
From Singapore to Melaka
What to Do in Melaka?
There are plenty of exciting activities and beautiful sights to see in Melaka, making it a great destination for spending multiple days. Try to plan your visit to Melaka for the weekend when the lively weekend market takes place.
Visit the Stadthuys & Christ Church
As mentioned earlier, Melaka was under Dutch rule for many years, and you can still see Dutch influences in the city. The Stadthuys and Christ Church are prime examples of this. You’ll find these buildings on the square known as Dutch Square. The Stadthuys was built in 1650, and Christ Church in 1753. Originally, the walls were white, but after the British took over, the exterior was painted in a striking pink color. All the buildings on the square now share this color, making it an even more special place.
Tip: The Stadthuys and Christ Church are open every day from 09:00 onwards. You can explore the courtyard and the museum. If you arrive before opening hours, the square is still pleasantly quiet.
Enjoy the Sunset at Melaka Straits Mosque
The Melaka Straits Mosque is a stunning mosque that appears to float on the water. It’s undoubtedly the most beautiful spot in Melaka to watch the sunset. As the evening prayer begins, the sun sets behind the horizon, painting the sky in shades of pink and orange. Head to this viewpoint for the best view of the mosque. You can also explore the interior of the mosque. At the entrance, you can borrow clothing to cover yourself according to the guidelines.
Please note: After 17:30, you can only access the viewpoint via the beach. This is the location where you can access the beach.
Explore Chinatown
In the heart of Melaka, you’ll find the bustling Chinatown district. Take a stroll along the Chinese houses or visit one of the small Chinese temples. What sets Chinatown apart are the eye-catching bicycle taxis, also known as trishaws. They play loud music and are decorated with Pokémon or Hello Kitty themes. This is something you won’t find in any other city in Malaysia. During the day, Chinatown is relatively quiet, but in the evening, the neighborhood comes alive.
Tip: When visiting the temples, make sure to cover your legs and shoulders.
Savor Delicious Food at Jonker Street Night Market
Jonker Street Night Market is the reason to plan your visit to Melaka on the weekend! Located in the heart of Chinatown, Jonker Street is a regular street on weekdays, but it transforms into a lively evening market on weekends. The market starts at 17:00 and features hundreds of stalls selling a wide variety of items, including unique souvenirs, clothing, jewelry, art prints, and much more. It’s a bustling place with music, and you can also enjoy delicious food from the many street food stalls. Try dishes like chicken rice balls, marshmallow ice cream, a baby crab’s lollipop (fried shrimp lollipop), or fried ice cream. Here, you can discover a range of new flavors!
Visit the Cheng Hoon Teng Temple
The Cheng Hoon Teng Temple is the oldest Taoist temple in Malaysia. Taoism is a Chinese philosophy that aims to live in harmony with everything that exists. The temple is richly decorated, and you can spend hours admiring all the intricate details. The entire temple complex is built according to Feng Shui principles, ensuring optimal energy flow.
Tip: If you visit the temple before 8:00, it’s still pleasantly quiet. Don’t forget to cover your shoulders and knees.
Spot the Finest Street Art in Melaka
Melaka is a city filled with creativity, much like Georgetown. You can find impressive murals at the following three locations:
- The Well is a small neighborhood in the center of Melaka adorned with numerous murals. The neighborhood isn’t very large, and there’s no specific route to follow. I recommend getting lost in the alleyways and going on a discovery adventure.
- Along the river, you’ll also discover a wealth of fantastic street art. Some murals are small, while others are gigantic. You can take a boat ride on the river, but it moves quite fast. Therefore, I recommend walking. Starting at Hard Rock Café by the river and walking to this bridge, you’ll encounter many beautiful murals along the way.
- The Orangutan House is a gallery where you can admire the work of Charles Cham. He is a well-known local artist from Malaysia, and his work is based on the ancient Yin and Yang principle. Charles Cham believes that everything in life has another side and that there is an attraction between opposites. The exterior of the Orangutan House is impossible to miss, completely adorned with his work. Inside, you can purchase his work in the form of posters, postcards, or printed T-shirts.
Take a Stroll to the Church of Saint Paul
The Church of Saint Paul is located atop Saint Paul Hill. The church was built by the Portuguese in 1521 as part of a fort. In 1641, it was captured by the Dutch and subsequently became known as the Upper Church. Today, the church is in ruins, with some tombstones bearing old Dutch inscriptions. You can walk through the ruins and enjoy the view. The view may not be very spectacular, but it’s particularly beautiful during sunrise or sunset.
Discover Nyonya Cuisine
You mustn’t leave Melaka without trying Nyonya cuisine. Nyonya cuisine originated from the arrival of Chinese immigrants in the 15th century who often married local women. This gave rise to a completely new culture and cuisine. You can find restaurants serving Nyonya dishes all over Melaka. The food is a unique blend of Chinese and Malaysian influences, characterized by the use of coconut milk and herbs like limau purut and lemongrass, often combined with typical Chinese ingredients such as soy sauce and ginger. Try the dish Laksa, a noodle soup with vegetables and fish. Finish with a typical Nyonya dessert like Cenol. This dessert consists of frozen ice with coconut milk and a topping of green peas and red beans. It might not sound very appetizing, but I found it to be a delicious dessert! Peranakan Place is a good restaurant to sample Nyonya cuisine.
Please note: Nyonya cuisine can be quite spicy. If you’re not a fan of spicy food, it’s a good idea to ask if they can make it less spicy.
Best Restaurants in Melaka
The Daily Fix Café – It’s always busy here due to the extensive menu of healthy brunch and lunch dishes. Try a colorful smoothie bowl or order the vegan pancakes.
Backlane Coffee – This is a great place to have coffee and a quiet breakfast. The vintage interior is super stylish, and next to the café, you’ll find a cool home store.
Heesan Kopi – Another lovely spot for coffee and lunch. Try the salted egg fries; they are truly delicious!
Peranakan Place – Want to try traditional Nyonya cuisine? This is a charming place centrally located in the famous Jonker Street.
The Baboon House – Here, you can have the best burgers in Melaka. The cozy restaurant is adorned with small lights in the evening, and it’s always lively.
Botanist Cafe – In this trendy restaurant, you can enjoy delicious vegan food. The dishes are packed with vitamins and flavor explosions.
Geographer Café – You’ll find this restaurant on the famous Jonker Street, and it often has a very lively atmosphere. Enjoy live music and an extensive menu with both Western and Asian dishes.
Our Favorite Places to Stay in Melaka
For a stylish and comfortable stay, check out The Nest House. This modern hotel has everything you need for a pleasant stay. The rooms are spacious, the bed is comfortable, there’s a rooftop terrace, and a nice common area with a bar and shared kitchen. It’s located just slightly outside the city center, making it a peaceful retreat. If you prefer a hotel with a swimming pool, then Casugria Dutch Residence 1810 is fantastic! This hotel is housed in a historic building built in 1810 by a Dutchman. The authentic details have been well-preserved, and there’s also a lovely garden with a pool. It’s the perfect place to unwind after exploring Melaka. If you’re looking for a cozy hostel, Yote 28 is ideal. It’s not a party hostel, but they do organize many enjoyable evenings with fun activities. The interior is fantastic, and there’s a spacious common area. You can stay in a dormitory here, and they offer dorms with a lot of privacy, so you won’t be sharing a room with many others.
  The Nest House |
  Casugria Dutch Residence 1810 |
  Yote 28 |
