Is Melaka worth visiting? That is a question often asked when planning a trip to Malaysia. Melaka or Malacca as it is also known is a historic UNESCO World Heritage Site and a place that shouldn’t be missed on a visit to Malaysia.
Whether taking a tour or travelling independently, you will find a fabulous selection of attractions. Here you will learn about the glory days when Melaka was an important trading port along the Maritime Silk Road.
Why Visit Melaka?
The top reason to visit Melaka is its proximity to Kuala Lumpur, the capital city and main flight hub of Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur is a short 149km drive from Melaka and can be reached in just over two hour via the southern section of the North-South Expressway.
Melaka has been shaped by its often-turbulent history. Once a thriving Sultanate, the demand for spices and the city’s strategic position on the Strait of Malacca, led to colonisation by the Portuguese, Dutch, and British.
Historic Melaka is a time capsule to each colonial era. These architectural influences stand side by side local Malay, Indian and Chinese shophouses and residences, creating a character filled setting just waiting to be explored.
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Melaka Attractions
Is Melaka worth visiting for attractions? Melaka has a wide range of historic and cultural attractions that can be experienced on both day tour and multiday independent travel.
We begin with the places visited on our Melaka day tour and then showcase the attractions we discovered exploring independently.
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A Famosa Fort
After the Portuguese defeated the Malacca Sultanate in 1511, they quickly began the construction of A Famosa Fortress. Slaves built the fort using rocks taken from nearby Muslim Mosques, graves and any other structure available.
Within the fortress grounds you will find the ruins of St Pauls Church, which was built by the Portuguese between 1566 and 1590. In front of the church is a now defunct lighthouse which was built by the British in 1814.
This impregnable fortress allowed the Portuguese to rule Melaka for 130 years until 1641 when the Dutch took control. Much of the fort was destroyed by the British with the Porta de Santiago being the only remaining gate.
The Stadhuys – Red Square
The Stadhuys is known by a variety of names including the Red Square and Dutch Square. The square houses a collection of red hued buildings from the Dutch colonial era from 1641 to 1825.
Taking centre stage is Christ Church Melaka which was built in 1753 in commemoration of a century of Dutch occupation in Melaka.
In the middle of the square is an ornate fountain dedicated to Queen Victoria, a nod to the British colonial era from 1824 to 1957. Across the road from the square is a Dutch windmill surrounded by statues of cows painted in a variety of colours and patterns.
Within the square are a collection of trishaws, brightly decorated with plush toys in Pikachu, Hello Kitty and Spiderman themes. At night the trishaws flash with colour inviting you to go for a joy ride around Melaka.
Maritime Museum of Malacca
Muzium Samudera or Maritime Museum of Malacca is instantly recognised by the massive replica of the Flor de la Mar, a 16th-century Portuguese galleon.
The museum tells the story of Melaka from the Malacca Sultanate era and continues through to the Portuguese, Dutch and British eras. Inside are several displays including spices, porcelain and silk, just some of the commodities that made Melaka a world-famous trading port.
Malacca River Walk
From the Maritime Museum of Malacca, take the river pathway into the centre of Melaka. The pathway takes you past the Melaka River Cruise jetty and the opulent Casa del Rio Melaka hotel across the river.
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As you cross over the bridge admire the views of historic Melaka. Once on the other side continue your river walk past an extraordinary collection of street art.
If you are staying for a few days, stop off for lunch in a riverside restaurant, take a Melaka River Cruise or watch the sun set from one of the many riverside bars.
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Jonker Street
Beginning across the river from Red Square, the Jonker Walk runs the length of lively Jonker Street. In and around Jonker Street you will find a collection of 17th century shophouses selling a large selection of antiques, clothing and souvenirs.
Alongside these shops are restaurants and coffee shops, historic temples and mosques. From Friday to Sunday night Jonker Street comes alive with food and market stalls at the Jonker Street Night Market.
Cheng Hoon Teng Temple
Cheng Hoon Teng Temple was built in 1673 and is the oldest running Buddhist temple in Malaysia. This ornate Chinese temple is devoted to Buddhist, Confucianist and Taoist teachings.
Inside are three alters surrounded by carved ebony coloured wood and decorated with golden dragons and religious symbols. The alters are draped in rich red alter hangings and lit with decorative lanterns.
Red and gold temple dogs guard the entrance to the temple and incense smoke wafts gently in the breeze. Outside the temple is shaded by colourful roof tiles that depict beautifully crafted flowers, animals and deities.
Church of St. Peter Melaka
The Church of St. Peter Melaka was built in 1710 for the Portuguese Catholics of Melaka. The church is the oldest working Roman Catholic Church in Malaysia and was named after St Peter, the Portuguese patron saint of fishermen.
The whitewashed exterior leads into a cool interior filled with statues of St Peter, Jesus and the Virgin Mary. Outside gardens abound with brightly coloured tropical flowers that frame a memorial pool and fountains.
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Multi Day Melaka Attractions
Is Melaka worth visiting for longer stays? A day tour is perfect for anyone on a tight time frame but to get the most out of a trip to Melaka it is better to stay at least two days.
This will allow you to enjoy the nightlife, take a Melaka River Cruise and visit the Jonker Street Night Market if you are coming on a weekend. A longer stay will give you the chance to find those hidden gems that you just won’t see on a day tour.
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Melaka Museums
Is Melaka worth visiting for museums? If you love history and culture, Melaka has a massive selection of museums to choose from. Within the fortress grounds alone you will find the Governors Museum, Melaka Sultanate Palace Museum and Democratic Government Museum.
Other popular museums include the following:
- Kite Museum Melaka
- Jayamata Knife Story Museum
- Malay and Islamic World Museum
- Royal Malaysian Navy Museum
Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum
Our favourite museum in Melaka is the Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum. This fascinating museum was once the home of a Baba named Chan Cheng Siew (1865-1919) and his family.
Chan Cheng Siew was a second-generation Peranakan Chinese. Peranakan is the name for the children of the early Chinese settlers who intermarried with local women. Baba is the honorific for men and Nyonya for women.
The opulent interior of the home is filled with delicately carved wooden panelling and furniture. Large dark wood and mother of pearl picture frames cover a wall with portraits of a variety of birds in their natural habitat.
In the middle of the house is an atrium which adds light and cool breezes to the large family dining room and adjoining kitchen.
Family portraits line the walls giving the home a welcoming atmosphere and a glimpse into family life in historic Melaka.
Melaka by Night
Is Melaka worth visiting for nightlife? Melaka is so pretty by night. Multicoloured lights shimmer across the waters of the Melaka River and riverside restaurants tempt you in with the promise of river views.
Riverside bars invite you to relax with a cool beverage after a busy day of sightseeing, and the weekend ushers in the frenetic energy of the Jonker Street Night Markets.
Over at the Red Square, trishaws pulse with rhythmic music and a flash of light. Across the river the bright lights of Jonker street beckon you to explore.
Melaka River Cruise & Trishaw Ride by Night
One of the most fun ways to explore Melaka by night is to take a Melaka River cruise and trishaw ride.
Melaka River Cruise by Night
Taking a Melaka River cruise is the best way to get a feel for Melaka after the sun goes down. This is a more pleasant experience than taking the cruise in the blistering heat and humidity of the day.
A Melaka River Cruise will take you past some the city’s famous street art and give you the chance to see the riverside cafes and bars that line the route.
Trishaw Ride by Night
Get swept up in a kaleidoscope of music and colour on a trishaw ride through Melaka. Choose from the Hello Kitty, Spiderman and Pikachu themed trishaws and get whisked away into the nightscapes of Melaka.
Jonker Street Night Markets
The Jonker Street Night Markets are held Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights between 6pm and midnight.
Here you can buy a variety of souvenirs, jewellery and accessories or sample the delicious range of street food at the food stalls.
Melaka Street Art
Melaka is famous for its street art with both large and small murals scattered along the river and within the surrounding streets.
Each mural gives a hint into the true character of Melaka. These pictorial stories cover a range of themes including historic and social, quirky and cute, to vibrant fantasies of colour.
Melaka Riverside Bars & Cafes
Of and evening the perfect place to unwind is in one of the many riverside bars and cafes. Wave to the Melaka river cruise boats as they pass by and enjoy the sun set and watch the bright lights of Melaka twinkle across the water.
If you are feeling peckish you can order curry puffs and other light bar bites or choose from the range of local Malaysian and International dishes.
Melaka Art Galleries
Is Melaka worth visiting for art? Melaka has a wide range of art galleries, with Tham Siew Inn Artist Gallery and Jehan Chan Art Gallery being two of the most popular.
If you stroll around the streets, you will find many small art galleries showcasing a fabulous range of artworks.
Here is one of our favourite small galleries:
Xue Mei Art
Xue Mei Art is run by Hoe Xue Mei, a talented calligrapher and amputee. This incredible woman took ten years to master the art of Chinese calligraphy after losing her arms in a machinery accident at the age of nineteen.
Alongside a striking collection of traditional Chinese calligraphy art, Xue Mei also analyses and translates names in calligraphy. This can be done in the form of a poem or written out on a bookmark.
With an infectious smile Xue Mei got to work on our bookmarks. The brush was bound to her stump and with precise brush strokes Xue Mei wrote our names on our bookmarks. Xue Mei happily explained the meanings of our names and we were left with a prized souvenir of Melaka.
Where to Eat in Melaka
Is Melaka worth visiting for a foodie? Melaka has a fabulous food scene that will take you from cosy streetside restaurants serving local Nyonya and Malaysian cuisine to modern restaurants catering to international favourites.
Here are three Melaka restaurants that we tried:
MaMa Taste Cafe
MaMa Taste Cafe is a small restaurant that serves traditional Nyonya dishes. During our visit we tried Kari Ayam Mee, a spicy chicken & noodle dish and a fried rice dish served with succulent prawns. Both dishes were delicious and filling with generous portion sizes that were perfect for sharing.
Restoran Famosa Chicken Rice Ball
Restoran Famosa Chicken Rice Ball is famous for their chicken rice balls, something we didn’t try during our visit. Instead, we indulged our morning wonton soup addiction, and we weren’t disappointed.
We liked it so much we returned for dinner and shared a chicken dish with a side of vegetables which we enjoyed.
We dined at the Restoran Famosa Chicken Rice Ball on Jalan Hang Kasturi which is around the corner from the main Restoran Famosa Chicken Rice Ball restaurant on Jonker Street.
Although Restoran Famosa Chicken Rice Ball has bad trip advisor reviews due to unfriendly staff, we found the staff to be welcoming and kind.
GravyBaby Melaka
GravyBaby is a restaurant chain famous for its pies. GravyBaby Melaka has fantastic river views and is an ideal place to watch the riverboats drift by with a beer or cocktail.
GravyBaby pies live up to their name, being lusciously meaty with a richly flavoured gravy. The restaurant also has an extensive breakfast menu and is a great place to watch for the massive water monitor lizards that make their way up the river in the morning.
Melaka Tea & Coffee Shops
Is Melaka worth visiting for cafe culture? If you need your morning caffeine fix you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to Melaka coffee shops and tea houses.
Calanthe Artisan Loft
Calanthe Artisan Loft has a laid-back bohemian vibe and doubles as an arts & craft gallery. During our visit we sampled a variety of traditional Chinese tea and iced tea thirst quenchers.
Alternatively, sit back and relax with your favourite coffee and browse through the adjoining arts & craft shop for a unique range of souvenirs.
Calanthe Art Café
Calanthe Art Café is the place to try authentic coffee from thirteen states of Malaysia. The café has an artsy atmosphere which centres on the history of coffee.
If you are hungry, you can satisfy your sweet tooth with a range of homemade desserts or sample a selection of Asian and international dishes.
Last Words on Malaysia Travel – Is Melaka Worth Visiting?
Is Melaka worth visiting on a trip to Malaysia? We hope this article has answered your question. We enjoyed both our visits to Melaka and highly recommend staying for at least two days if you have the time.
Have you visited Melaka in Malaysia? What was your favourite attraction? Feel free to comment we would love to hear from you.