Things to do in Melaka
Attractions and distractions
Attractions and distractions
Melaka abounds with sights to see and terrific food, but it’s all jam-packed into a manageable area and you can fit in plenty, even if all you have is a long weekend. ... Read more about Three days in Melaka .
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The heart of Melaka’s colonial district is the conspicuous cluster of Indian-red buildings dominating the southern bank of the Melaka River at the foot of St Paul’s Hill. From here, climb over the hillside and circle its base to explore the vestiges and museums of this historical area, enclosed by the ruins of old Portuguese fortifications. ... Read more about Colonial district walking tour .
The streets and alleyways of Chinatown on the west bank of the Melaka River are the nerve centre of Melaka and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city’s most fascinating area for a wander. ... Read more about Chinatown walking tour .
Crowning the peak of St Paul’s Hill, the rather haunting roofless ruin of St Paul’s Church is not only one of Melaka’s most fascinating sights,but it also offers a fine view over the historic city. ... Read more about St Paul’s Church .
Kampung Kling Mosque dates from 1748, making it one of the oldest in Malaysia. For lovers of architecture, Kampung Kling Mosque is a delight, with an eclectic conglomeration of styles that result in a charming idiosyncratic look known as the Melaka ... Read more about Kampung Kling Mosque .
Cheng Hoon Teng Temple (Temple of the Bright Clouds) is Malaysia’s oldest Chinese temple, dating from 1646. ... Read more about Cheng Hoon Teng Temple .
Melaka’s iconic red church presides over the historic Dutch Square, the centre of the UNESCO heritage-listed colonial quarter. ... Read more about Christ Church .
Dating from 1728, Kampung Hulu Mosque is possibly the oldest in Malaysia—Tengkera Mosque two kilometres out of town was built in the same year, so there is some debate among historians. ... Read more about Kampung Hulu Mosque .
Echoing the fleets of ships that have sailed through the Straits of Melaka for centuries, the white “sails” of the Melaka Strait Mosque curve gracefully as though to catch the wind, floating on the shores of Pulau Melaka. ... Read more about Melaka Straits Mosque .
The founding of St Peter’s Church, the oldest functioning Catholic church in Malaysia, marked the beginning of a more religiously tolerant society in Melaka (for a short time at least). ... Read more about St Peter’s Church .
You may need to shield your eyes from the joyous riot of colour at Sri Subramaniar Thuropathai Amman Alaya Paripalana Sabai Hindu temple—as well as taking a deep breath before saying its name. ... Read more about Sri Subramaniar Thuropathai Amman Alaya Paripalana Sabai Temple .
Tengkera Mosque and Kampung Hulu Mosque near the Melaka River both date from 1728; there is some debate as to which wins the accolade as oldest mosque in ... Read more about Tengkera Mosque .
Sri Poyatha Venayagar Moorthi Temple is one of the few existing Chetti temples in the country and, built in 1781, possibly the oldest Hindu temple in Malaysia. Like the Straits Chinese, another of Melaka’s Peranakan groups is the Chetti, made up of predominantly Indian Tamils intermarried with Malay. Melaka’s Chetti community have largely assimilated into the Malay culture, but remain Hindu. ... Read more about Sri Poyatha Venayagar Moorthi Temple .
Bukit Cina lies about a kilometre northeast of Melaka’s colonial district, part of a 42-hectare grassy forest that covers three low hills (or bukit). Reputed to be the site of the first Chinese settlement in Melaka, it is without debate the last home for many: Today it’s Melaka’s largest Chinese ... Read more about Bukit Cina .
Experience the lifestyle of Melaka’s Peranakan culture at the captivating Baba and Nyonya Heritage Museum. Peranakans are defined by the intermarriage of Chinese and local Malay also known as Straits Chinese although the term literally refers to the offspring “anak” of any mixed race couple. ... Read more about Baba and Nyonya Heritage Museum .
The Straits Chinese Jewellery Museum displays an exquisite collection of fine trinkets, clothing and furniture in a restored Peranakan mansion. ... Read more about Straits Chinese Jewellery Museum .
This excellent small museum is the result of a private collection becoming unmanageable and the collector needing more space. What better way to store your treasures than share them in a museum? ... Read more about House of Museums: Old Trades Gallery .
The Stadthuys (pronounced stad-haus), stately and conspicuous with its Indian red exterior, has been a landmark on Melaka’s cityscape since the mid-17th century. ... Read more about The Stadthuys .
Melaka Sultanate Palace Museum is a striking example of traditional Malay architecture along with a serene botanical park known as the Forbidden Garden. ... Read more about Melaka Sultanate Palace Museum .
You’ll be forgiven for shouting, Ahoy! as you approach the Maritime Museum. Bring the kids to this one, and have fun clambering over the decks of the replica Flor de la Mar, a 400-ton Portuguese carrack that was shipwrecked in 1511 in the Straits of Melaka off the coast of ... Read more about Maritime Museum .
The Cheng Ho Cultural Museum celebrates the life and exploits of Admiral Cheng Ho in a huge and exhaustive exhibition over eight converted ... Read more about Cheng Ho Cultural Museum .
On a bend in the Melaka River, enclosed by ever sky-reaching buildings, the tiny Malay village of Kampung Morten is an anachronism. ... Read more about Kampung Morten .
Kampung Chetti is home to a small tight-knit community of Hindu Peranakans. Like the more visible Straits Chinese, this is another of Melaka’s mixed heritage sub-groups: offspring of Indian Tamil traders and Malay locals, known as the Chetti (also Chitty). ... Read more about Kampung Chetti .
Melaka’s seaside Kampung Portugis is born of her colonial past, settled by a Eurasian community known as Kristang, descendants of the Portuguese who conquered Melaka in 1511. The village itself is unexceptional, but it’s interesting to learn a little about this ethnically blended community—and it offers an opportunity to enjoy a delicious seafood dinner by the ... Read more about Kampung Portugis (Portuguese Settlement) .
As the sun goes down on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, in the heart of Chinatown the folding tables go up as Jalan Hang Jebat (aka Jonker Street) prepares for the biggest event of the week, the Jonker Walk Night Market. ... Read more about Jonker Walk Night Market .
Menara Taming Sari’s revolving viewing tower is not quite a fairground ride, but it is a fun (if somewhat pricey) way to view the sights of Melaka. ... Read more about Menara Taming Sari .
