See More Spend Less with Malacca Travel Guide. Get useful tips, find out what other travelers have to say, and if you can, add your own advice!
- Malacca Town is small enough to be explored on foot
- Part of the delight of Malacca is its local food - try the cendol, the chicken rice and other local specialties
- If you can only visit one museum, choose the Museum of Ethnography at the Stadthuys
Malacca Travelers' Tips
Opinions expressed by travelers are not the opinion of this website.
- Banana Guesthouse on Chulia Street is the best guesthouse I've stayed in.
Brian Hellander, Perth, Australia
And now let me tell you about Malacca
Malacca is a historic city in Malaysia. Located by the coast to the south of Kuala Lumpur, it is regarded as the cradle of Malay civilization, for it was through Malacca that the peninsula experienced its most glorious and powerful Malay kingdom, the Sultanate of Malacca, which flourished in the 15th century. Today Malacca Town, recognised as a historic city, was inscribed by UNESCO in 7 July, 2008, together with George Town as a World Heritage Site, titled the Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca.
The historic city of Malacca is also the capital of the state of Malacca. With an area of 1,652 square kilometers, Malacca State is one of the smaller states in Malaysia. It has a population of about 600,000.
History practically lives in Malacca. As you explore its streets, you will discover the oldest mosque, the oldest temples and forts in the country. Many of the heritage sites in Malacca have been well preserved, although many have been given an overzealously make-over.
Getting into Malacca Town
Visitors to Malacca usually come by road. The city centre is located approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours from Kuala Lumpur depending on traffic. Although Malacca does have an airport, but it does not handle any regular scheduled flights. If you are self-driving, use the North South Expressway (E2), and exit at the Ayer Keroh Interchange (Exit 231). From there, take the Ayer Keroh Highway - you don't really need to know the highway by name, just look for signage for Melaka - and it will take you right down to Malacca Town.
I list here the distance and expected toll on the North-South Expressway to Malacca, as of April 2009. It is 80 km from Seremban (toll RM9.30), 146 km from Kuala Lumpur (RM20.60, from Damansara), 349 km from Ipoh (RM46.10 from Ipoh Selatan), 513 km from Penang (RM62.90, from Juru), 606 km from Alor Setar (RM74.30 from Alor Setar Selatan) and 651 km from Kangar (RM77.50 from Jitra). If you are coming from the south, Malacca is 224 km from Johor Bahru (RM27.70 from the Causeway, RM39.90 from Tanjung Kupang). The time taken to reach Malacca is approximately 2 hours from Kuala Lumpur, and 2.5 hours from Johor Bahru.
Getting Around Malacca
The old city of Malacca is small enough that it is possible to cover most of the sights on foot. For the fun of it, you may also want to try taking the Malacca trishaw for a joy ride. Remember to negotiate the fare in advance of boarding.
Directional Map for Getting to Malacca
View Journey to Malacca in a larger map
Free Self-Guided Walking Tour
Here's a free Malacca Self-Guided Walking Tour. Please print it out and take it with you to explore the heritage sites of Malacca.
Accommodation in Malacca
There's plenty of hotels and hostels in Malacca - and more is on the way, now that the city is a World Heritage Site. There's something to suit every budget, so you will surely be able to find something to suit your budget. I have listed here the hotels in Malacca and hostels in Malacca that you can book online. To avoid disappointment, always make your booking well ahead. The city gets very congested during weekends and during public holidays, so you have better choices if you book early.
More Photos of Malacca
Malacca River, where it all began (11 July 2005)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
Home of Tun Tan Cheng Lock, founder of Malaysian Chinese Association (2 May 2009)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
Jonker Walk Night Market, founder of Malaysian Chinese Association (29 December 2006)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
|
|
Places of Interest in Malacca
- Melaka UNESCO World Heritage Site
Sights in Malacca
* Sights of considerable significance
** Sights of major significance
- 8 Heeren Street
- Admiral Cheng Ho Statue
- Baba House
- Bastion House
- Bukit China *
- Cheng Ho Cultural Museum
- Cheng Hoon Teng Temple **
- Chinese War Memorial
- Chitty Village
- Choice Shop
- Christchurch **
- Dol Said's Grave
- Durian Tunggal Recreational Lake
- Dutch Graveyard
- Dutch Square *
- Eng Choon Association
- Fortaleza de Malaca **
- Geographer Cafe
- Governor's Museum
- Hang Jebat Mausoleum
- Hang Kasturi Mausoleum
- Hotel Puri
- Jonker Walk Night Market *
- Kampung Kling Mosque **
- Kampung Hulu Mosque *
- Malacca Butterfly Park
- Masjid Selat Melaka
- Masjid Seri Pengkalan
- Melaka Hainan Association
- Melaka Islamic Museum
- Melaka UMNO Museum
- Museum of Architecture
- Museum of Ethnography *
- Proclamation of Independence Memorial / Malacca Club
- Malacca River *
- Maritime Museum
- Perigi Rajah
- Poh San Teng Temple *
- Porta de Santiago **
- Portuguese Settlement
- Queen Victoria Memorial Fountain
- Sri Poyyattha Vinayagar Moorthi Temple
- St Francis Xavier Church *
- St Francis Xavier Statue *
- St John's Fort
- St Paul's Hill *
- St Peter's Church
- Stadthuys **
- Taman Mini Malaysia/Asean
- Tan Beng Swee Clocktower
- Tanjung Tuan (Cape Rachado) *
- Tranquerah Mosque
- Villa Sentosa
- World's Bee Museum
- Zoo Melaka
Shopping Malls in Malacca
- AEON Bandaraya Melaka
- Mahkota Parade
- Melaka Mall
- Plaza Melaka Raya
- Tesco Malacca
Resorts in Malacca
- A Famosa Resort
- Api Api Resort
- Pandanusa Island Resort
- Samudera Resort
- Sri Warisan Resort
Golf Courses in Malacca
- A Famosa Golf Resort
- Ayer Keroh Country Club
- Bukit Terendak Golf Club
- Golden Valley Golf & Country Club
- Jasin Golf Club
- Orna Golf & Country Club
- Pandanusa Golf Club
- Tiara Melaka Golf & Country Club
Historic Streets in Malacca
- Blacksmith Street
- Fort Road
- Heeren Street
- Java Lane
Towns & Townships in Malacca
- Alor Gajah
- Ayer Keroh
- Ayer Pa' Abas
- Asahan
- Banda Kaba
- Batang Melaka
- Batu Berendam
- Bemban
- Brisu
- Bukit Katil
- Cheng
- Durian Tunggal
- Hang Tuah Jaya
- Jasin
- Kampung Jawa
- Kampung Morten
- Klebang
- Kuala Sungai Baru
- Lendu
- Lubuk China
- Machap Baru
- Malacca Town (capital)
- Malim Jaya
- Masjid Tanah
- Melaka Pindah
- Melaka Raya
- Merlimau
- Nyalas
- Peringgit
- Pulau Sebang
- Ramuan China Besar
- Ramuan China Kecil
- Selandar
- Sempang Gading
- Serkam
- Simpang Ampat
- Sungai Rambai
- Sungai Udang
- Taman Kota Laksamana
- Tanjung Bidara
- Tanjung Kling
- Tanjung Tuan
- Umbai
Islands in Malacca
- Pulau Besar
- Pulau Melaka
- Pulau Upeh
Districts of Malacca
- Alor Gajah District
- Jasin District
- Melaka Tengah
|
