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Malacca Travel Guide



Malacca Travel Guide is created for the benefit of all the visitors coming to Malacca. It provides everything you need to know about Malacca, including a full list of places that you should visit. To help you determine which you should prioritize, I have placed a star rating to all the sites mentioned. I hope that this travel guide will help in giving you a wonderful travel experience in Malacca.


Dutch Square, Malacca
Dutch Square, Malacca (9 July, 2005)
© Timothy Tye using this photo

Let me tell you a bit 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. You can learn more about the Melaka UNESCO World Heritage Site here.

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. To learn more about Malacca, please read Introduction to Malacca.

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.

To learn more about how Malacca got started, please read the History of Malacca.


Cheng Ho Gallery at the Stadthuys
Cheng Ho Gallery at the Stadthuys (1 May, 2009)
© Timothy Tye using this photo

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.

Directional Map for Getting to Malacca


View Journey to Malacca in a larger map


Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock (Heeren Street)
Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock (Heeren Street) (9 July 2005)
© Timothy Tye using this photo

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.


Front façade of Eng Choon Association
Front façade of Eng Choon Association (9 July 2005)
© Timothy Tye using this photo

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.


Home of Tun Tan Cheng Lock
Home of Tun Tan Cheng Lock, founder of Malaysian Chinese Association (2 May 2009)
© Timothy Tye using this photo

Accommodation in Malacca

  1. Look for Hotels in Malacca
    Helping you compare room rates in different hotels and booking sites.

  2. Look for Hostels in Malacca
    Helping budget travellers find accommodation.

Shopping Malls in Malacca

  1. AEON Bandaraya Melaka
  2. Mahkota Parade
  3. Melaka Mall
  4. Plaza Melaka Raya
  5. Tesco Malacca

Resorts in Malacca

  1. A Famosa Resort
  2. Api Api Resort
  3. Pandanusa Island Resort
  4. Samudera Resort
  5. Sri Warisan Resort

Golf Courses in Malacca

  1. A Famosa Golf Resort
  2. Ayer Keroh Country Club
  3. Bukit Terendak Golf Club
  4. Golden Valley Golf & Country Club
  5. Jasin Golf Club
  6. Orna Golf & Country Club
  7. Pandanusa Golf Club
  8. Tiara Melaka Golf & Country Club

Historic Streets in Malacca

  1. Blacksmith Street (Jalan Tukang Besi)
  2. Church Street (Jalan Gereja)
  3. Fort Road (Jalan Kota)
  4. Heeren Street (Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock)
  5. Java Lane (Jalan Jawa)
  6. Jonker Street (Jalan Hang Jebat)
  7. Riverside (Jalan Laksamana)
  8. Temple Street (Jalan Tokong)

Towns in Malacca

  1. Alor Gajah
  2. Ayer Keroh
  3. Ayer Pa' Abas
  4. Banda Kaba
  5. Batang Melaka
  6. Batu Berendam
  7. Bemban
  8. Brisu
  9. Cheng
  10. Durian Tunggal
  11. Hang Tuah Jaya
  12. Jasin
  13. Kampung Jawa
  14. Kampung Morten
  15. Klebang
  16. Kuala Sungai Baru
  17. Lendu
  18. Lubuk China
  19. Machap Baru
  20. Malacca Town (capital)
  21. Masjid Tanah
  22. Melaka Pindah
  23. Melaka Raya
  24. Merlimau
  25. Nyalas
  26. Peringgit
  27. Pulau Sebang
  28. Ramuan China Besar
  29. Ramuan China Kecil
  30. Selandar
  31. Sempang Gading
  32. Serkam
  33. Simpang Ampat
  34. Sungai Rambai
  35. Sungai Udang
  36. Tanjung Bidara
  37. Tanjung Kling
  38. Tanjung Tuan
  39. Umbai


Jonker Walk Night Market
Jonker Walk Night Market, founder of Malaysian Chinese Association (29 December 2006)
© Timothy Tye using this photo

Sights in Malacca

* Sights of considerable significance
** Sights of major significance

  1. 8 Heeren Street
    Restored Dutch-period house.

  2. Admiral Cheng Ho Statue
    Statue of the admiral who visited Malacca in the 15th century.

  3. Baba House
    Restored townhouse in Malacca, now a hotel.

  4. Bastion House
    Historical building at the foot of St Paul's Hill.

  5. Bukit China *
    Site of the biggest Chinese cemetery in Malaysia.

  6. Cheng Ho Cultural Museum
    Museum that provides its own interpretation of Admiral Cheng Ho's involvement in Malacca history.

  7. Cheng Hoon Teng Temple **
    Biggest, oldest and most opulent Chinese temple in Malacca.

  8. Chinese War Memorial
    Memorial to the Chinese who perished under Japanese atrocities in the Second World War.

  9. Chitty Village
    Home village of the Peranakan Indians in Malacca.

  10. Choice Shop
    Specialty shop housed in a traditional Chinese temple building.

  11. Christchurch **
    Oldest Dutch Reformed Church still in use in the Far East.

  12. Dol Said's Grave
    Grave of the central figure in the Naning War of 1830-33.

  13. Durian Tunggal Recreational Lake
    Recreational lake in Malacca.

  14. Dutch Graveyard
    Old cemetery started by the Dutch, but containing graves that date mostly from the British period.

  15. Dutch Square *
    The town square that dates from the Dutch period.

  16. Eng Choon Association
    Chinese clan association in Malacca.

  17. Fortaleza de Malaca **
    Fort erected by the Portuguese after conquering Malacca.

  18. Geographer Cafe
    Cafe along Jonker Street in Malacca.

  19. Governor's Museum
    Museum housed in the former mansion of the Governor of Malacca.

  20. Hang Jebat Mausoleum
    Grave believed to belong to the 15th century Malay warrior.

  21. Hang Kasturi Mausoleum
    Grave believed to belong to another 15th century Malay warrior.

  22. Hotel Puri
    Hotel housed in a former family residence.

  23. Jonker Walk Night Market *
    Night market located along the main cultural street in Malacca.

  24. Kampung Kling Mosque **
    One of the oldest mosques in Malaysia.

  25. Kampung Hulu Mosque *
    Oldest functioning mosque to be still located at its original site.

  26. Malacca Butterfly Park
    Butterfly-theme recreational park in Malacca.

  27. Malacca Monorail
    A monorail project along the Malacca River which has been plagued by technical hitches.

  28. Malacca Sultanate Palace
    Reconstruction of the palace said to belong to Sultan Mansur Shah at the height of the Malacca Sultanate.

  29. Malacca Club
    Building where the independence of Malaya was first proclaimed.

  30. Malacca River *
    Historic river that played an important part in Malacca's history.

  31. Maritime Museum
    Museum chronicling the naval history of Malacca.

  32. Masjid Selat Melaka
    Mosque on a reclaimed island off the coast of Malacca.

  33. Masjid Seri Pengkalan
    One of the village mosques in Malacca.

  34. Melaka Hainan Association
    Clan association of the Hainanese people in Malacca.

  35. Melaka Islamic Museum
    Museum providing an insight into the arrival of Islam in Malacca.

  36. Melaka UMNO Museum
    Museum chronicling the history of the Malay political party.

  37. Museum of Architecture
    Architecture-themed museum in Malacca.

  38. Museum of Ethnography *
    Museum on the history of the local rulers as well as the colonials in Malacca.

  39. Perigi Rajah
    Historic well at the foot of Bukit Cina.

  40. Poh San Teng Temple *
    Funerary temple at the foot of Bukit Cina.

  41. Porta de Santiago **
    Last remaining gate to the old Malacca Fort.

  42. Portuguese Settlement
    Village peopled by the descendants of the Portuguese sailors who intermarried with the locals.

  43. Proclamation of Independence Memorial / Malacca Club
    Site where the independence of Malaya was first proclaimed.

  44. Queen Victoria Memorial Fountain
    Fountain erected in commemoration of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.

  45. Sri Poyyattha Vinayagar Moorthi Temple
    Oldest Hindu temple in Malacca.

  46. St Francis Xavier Church *
    Roman Catholic church near the bank of the Malacca River.

  47. St Francis Xavier Statue *
    Statue of St Francis Xavier in front of the ruins of St Paul's Church.

  48. St John's Fort
    Fort built by the Dutch to defend their position in Malacca.

  49. St Paul's Church
    Church on top of St Paul's Hill.

  50. St Paul's Hill *
    Historic hill in the middle of Old Malacca.

  51. St Peter's Church
    Church built by the descendants of Portuguese soldiers after the Dutch relaxed freedom of worship.

  52. Stadthuys **
    Oldest and biggest Dutch colonial building in Southeast Asia.

  53. Taman Mini Malaysia/Asean
    Theme park with replicas of houses representing various states in Malaysia and various countries in ASEAN.

  54. Tan Beng Swee Clocktower
    Historic clock tower located in Dutch Square.

  55. Tan Kim Seng Bridge
    Main bridge across the Malacca River linking the colonial town with Chinatown.

  56. Tanjung Tuan (Cape Rachado) *
    Site of the oldest light house in Malaysia.

  57. The Orang Utan House *
    A whimsically painted house that was an art gallery.

  58. Tranquerah Mosque
    One of the oldest mosques in Malacca.

  59. Tun Teja's Mausoleum
    Mausoleum of Sultan Mahmud's consort Tun Teja, who was taken ill when the royal family had to flee Malacca following Portuguese conquest. She died in the village of Merlimau in southeastern Malacca.

  60. Villa Sentosa
    Restored and preserved traditional Malay house in Kampung Morten.

  61. World's Bee Museum
    Museum on bees and the production of honey.

  62. Zoo Melaka
    The second-biggest zoo in Malaysia.

Malacca River
Malacca River, where it all began (11 July 2005)
© Timothy Tye using this photo

Islands in Malacca

There are a number of islands off the coast of Malacca. In the past decade, some of these islands have been redeveloped for tourist and recreational purposes.
  1. Pulau Besar
    This is the biggest island off the coast of Malacca.

  2. Pulau Melaka
    This is a man-made island created through coastal reclamation.

  3. Pulau Upeh
    This is just a small island off the coast.
Dutch Graveyard, Malacca
Dutch Graveyard, Malacca (1 May 2009)
© Timothy Tye using this photo

Districts of Malacca

  1. Alor Gajah District
    District on the northwestern part of Malacca State.

  2. Jasin District
    District on the northeastern part of Malacca State.

  3. Melaka Tengah
    District in south-central Malacca, where the city centre is located.

Governor's Museum, Malacca
Governor's Museum, Malacca (1 May, 2009)
© Timothy Tye using this photo


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