Things to do in Melaka

Melaka's attractions

Most of Meleka's attractions are located in the Old Town around the river. On the river's east side is Dutch Square, where you'll find Stadthuys, Christ Church, the clock tower and fountain, and on the west side is Chinatown, with Jonker Street, traditional Peranakan houses and Chinese temples. Near the river on Jalan Quayside is the post office, police station and an under-construction Visitors Centre with washrooms and a café.

Jonker Street
Now officially known as Jalan Hang Jebat, this is the heart of Melaka's Chinatown and prime grounds for antiques and souvenir shops. Every Friday night a street market is held here.

Hang Li Poh's well
Built in 1459, this is the oldest well in Melaka. It was built by the followers of Hang Li Po, the Chinese princess who was sent to marry the Sultan of Melaka, and was the city's primary source of drinking water during droughts. Free admission. Open 7:00 to 19:00. T: (06) 282 9343.

Bukit China
This hill southeast of the town centre is the largest Chinese cemetery outside China with graves dating back to the 17th century Ming Dynasty. Oddly, it's also a popular jogging trail. Free admission, T: (06) 282 9343.

Kampong Morten
Founded in the 1920s, the Malay government is pouring money into restoring this traditional Malay village area located within the city to its former glory. This is a great area to go for a stroll and see the traditional Malay houses, or view it from the river tour. While you're here keep an eye open for Villa Sentosa – the living Malay museum, which is open 9:00 to 17:00, or whenever the owner's around. Admission is by donation.

The Stadthuys
The most photographed site in Melaka, this huge salmon-red red building was the residence of Dutch governors and officers and has a huge bread oven to prove it. It's the most immaculately preserved of the city's historic buildings and is now a history and ethnography museum. Admission includes entry to the Literature Museum, Admiral Cheng Ho Gallery, Governor's House and Democratic Government Museum up the hill behind it. Open 9:00 to 17:30. Closed Fridays 12:15 – 14:45. T: (06) 284 1934. Admission: Adults 5 ringgit, ; children and students 2 ringgit.

Christ Church
Next door to and colour coordinated with Stadthuys is the Christ Church. It was constructed by the Dutch with bricks imported from the Netherlands and later converted to an Anglican Church by the British. It still functions as a church and is sometimes closed to tourists, particularly on Sundays. Free admission, T: 06 284 8804.

A'Famosa (Porta de Santiago)
Built in 1511 by the Portuguese, ruins are all that remain of this once prominent fortress. Stroll around the park, pose with the old cannons, then slip into one of the nearby mini-museums to cool off. Free admission. T: (06) 288 3599.

St. Paul's Church
Another remnant of Portuguese rule is this Catholic church atop a hill in the centre of town. The church itself, built in 1521, isn't much to look at now, but it's worth the hike uphill for the panoramic view of town. Free admission. T: (06) 288 3599.

St Francis Xavier's Church
This Gothic church towering above the historic area was constructed in 1849 and is still functioning. It was named after a 16th century Catholic missionary who spread the religion throughout Southeast Asia.

Cheng Hoon Teng Temple
Built in 1649, this ornately decorated Chinese temple is the oldest in Malaysia. All of the materials used to build it were brought from China, and its lacquer work and carvings of mythological creatures make it one of Chinatown's main attractions. You can visit from 7:00 to 19:00. It's still considered a sacred site by the local Chinese community, so remember to be on your best behaviour.

Portuguese Village (Medan Portugis)
Along the shoreline about 3 km east of Melaka town is the Portuguese settlement. About 2,600 people presently live here and many still speak a dialect called kristang. The village looks quite ordinary during the day, but on Saturday evenings cultural shows are held at the central Portuguese Square and the open-air restaurants are popular for seafood dinners or traditional Portuguese dishes like devil curry. Holidays like Festa San Pedro (in June) and Christmas are big events here. Reach the Portuguese Village by Town Bus 17 or the blue Panorama bus.

The Light and Sound Show
Every evening near A'Famosa the story of Melaka is told with the accompaniment of lights and sound effects. It's kind of fun and a good summary of the city's history. The English show is usually at 21:30, but call or drop by to verify this. Admission is 10 ringgit. T: (06) 286 6070.

Eye on Melaka
Beside the Melaka River this Ferris wheel started spinning in 2007 and has been joined by a few other carnival rides. It runs in the evenings from 18:00 and the ride costs 5 ringgit for adults and 3 ringgit for children.

Museums
Melaka has many small museums and many are worth the nominal admission fee simply for an opportunity to slip into their delightfully chilly air-con interiors.

Maritime Museum
Its star is the Flor de la Mar, a 34m tall replica of a Portuguese vessel that sank on its way back to Europe, but this museum also has a collection of maps, models and old sea-faring devices. This one is worth the admission. Jalan Quayside. T: (06) 283 0926. Open 9:00 to 17:30. Admission: Adults 3 ringgit, childen 1 ringgit

The Royal Malay Customs Museum
A stone's throw from the Maritime Museum, this freebie has a bizarre collection of seized goods ranging from guns to strange animal products to sexually explicit statues. Open 9:00 to 17:00.

Malaysian Youth Museum
In a pretty colonial building beside Christ Church, this little museum displays uniforms, trophies and old photos from local youth groups. We hope the kids keep up the good work, but suggest you skip this one. Open 9:00 to 17:30. Closed Mondays. T: (06) 282 7353 Admission: Adults 1 ringgit children: 0.50 ringgit

Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum
A restored ancestral home showcasing traditional Baba Nyonya hardwood furniture, embroidered clothing, and ceramics. This is one for diehard Peranakan cultural enthusiasts only. No. 50 Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock. T/F: (06) 283 1273. Open 10:00 to 12:30, 14:00 – 16:30. Admission: Adults 8 ringgit, children 4 ringgit

The People's Museum
This is a weird one. The People's Museum is three floors of three unrelated subjects: local history, kites and bizarre beauty practices. The traditional Malay buffalo kites are pretty, but it's the latter that makes the museum worthwhile: bound feet, stretched necks and other forms of self-mutilation in the name of beauty. Admission: Adults 2 ringgit, children: 0.50 ringgit. Open: 9:00 to 18:00. Closed Mondays. T: (06) 286 5311.

Cultural Museum (Melaka Sultanate Palace)
This replica of a 15th century Sultan's palace was built using traditional materials – the walls are hardwood, the roof belian wood, and it's held together using wooden pegs instead of nails. The exhibits relate to Malay culture and traditional items like clothing, weapons and musical instruments. Open 9:00 to 17:30. T: (06) 282 7484.Admission: Adults 2 ringgit, children 0.50.

Cheng Ho Cultural Museum
Named after a Chinese mariner who travelled to 33 countries from 1405 to 1433, this is the largest and priciest of Melaka's museums. Its 13 galleries give exhaustive coverage of the history of the Chinese in Melaka as well as Chinese art, tea culture, religion and industry. There's also a short film and a puppet show of Chen Ho's life. This one's recommended for serious history buffs, but you can walk around the lobby and view some paintings without paying the admission fee. 51 Lorong Hang Jebat. T: (06) 283 1135-6. Admission: Adults 20 ringgit, children 10 ringgit. Open daily 9:00 to 18:00. http://chengho.org/museum/index.html

Melaka Islamic Museum
If you're curious about Malay Islamic culture and the religion's history in Southeast Asia, this museum has the answers. Open 9:00 – 17:30, closed Mondays and Tuesdays and for prayers on Fridays 12:00 – 14:45. T: (06) 282 6526. Admission: Adults 1 ringgit, children 0.50 ringgit