Malaysia is an amazing and beautiful country with many places for tourists to visit. Chief among those are the capital of Kuala Lumpur and the island of Penang. Many people don’t realize though, that only a short drive south of Kuala Lumpur lies the beautiful and historical city of Malacca. After we visited recently, I thought it was about time to do my Complete Guide to Malacca in order to help other visitors to Malaysia discover this beautiful city.
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Table of Contents
- Where is Malacca?
- About Malacca
- How to get to Malacca
- Things to do in Malacca
- Daytrips to Malacca
- Where to stay
- How to get around
- Summary
Where is Malacca?
Malacca can be found on the south western coast of the Malay Peninsula, sitting astride the Malacca River. The city faces directly onto the infamous Strait of Malacca, and is directly opposite the island of Sumatra.
Malacca is only 146 kilometers from Kuala Lumpur, making it a great option for daytrips from the Malaysian capital. So too is the case with Singapore, which lies only 239 kilometers from Malacca.
About Malacca
Malacca is the unofficial historical capital of Malaysia. First settled around the year 1400, Malay rule continued through until it was eventually taken over by the Portuguese in 1511. Due to its strategic position in the Malacca Strait, trade flourished as it quickly became a prominent stopping over port for traders to replenish food and supplies.
In 1641, the Dutch took over from the Portuguese as the importance of the port became obvious. The Dutch East India Company saw Malacca as an essential cog in their control of trade throughout South East Asia. In 1795, the British took control, and not long thereafter Malacca began to see a decline in importance with the eventual rise of Singapore at the head of the Malacca Strait.
Today, remnants of the Portuguese, Dutch and British rules can be seen all throughout the city, making it one of the most popular cities for historians and travelers visiting Malaysia.
How to get to Malacca
Malacca sits in a spot that makes it easy to get to. Being close to both Singapore and Kuala Lumpur make it a popular day trip option, and residents from both locations swarm into the city every weekend. Most international visitors will come through one of these major hubs.
Here are my Guide to Malacca best options for getting to the city from both KL and Singapore.
Guide to Malacca note – Even though Malacca DOES have an international airport, routes are few and far between. The only direct international destination is Pekanbaru in Sumatra. Domestically it serves the state of Malacca, and 50% of its domestic flights are to Penang.
Malacca from Kuala Lumpur
Getting from Kuala Lumpur to Malacca is rather easy, especially by bus. Other than by private car or taxi (if you have a group of people) the bus is the most economical way as well. The bus trip from Kuala Lumpur to Malacca generally takes around 2.5 to 3.5 hours.
If you are in Kuala Lumpur City, then you will have to make your way to the bus terminal at Terminal Bersepadu Selatan. HERE is a Google Maps location for it. From there you can catch the bus to Malacca easily for only about RM20. They run on a regular schedule, and will take you to the Melaka Sentral bus terminal. This is about 5 kilometers from the center of Melaka, which is an easy RM8 by GRAB.
The other way to catch the bus to Malacca is from KLIA or KLIA2. I have done this on a couple of occasions and it couldn’t be simpler. Simply locate the bus terminal (at KLIA airport follow the signs on level 2) and buy a ticket at the counter. I traveled recently and it cost RM24 for the ticket. Buses run on the hour every hour throughout the day, and once again drop you at Melaka Sentral.
There are also some buses from both locations that will drop you at Mahkota Medical Center. This is closer to the center of Malacca, and was actually right across the road from the place I stayed in on my latest visit. These buses are run by Star Mart though, and are infrequent and receive a lot of complaints. Personally, I would stick to the companies that run to Melaka Sentral. The buses are comfortable, and run to a reliable schedule!
Another option for getting to Malacca from Kuala Lumpur is to simply do a day tour. I will cover more about them later in this Guide to Malacca.
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Malacca from Singapore
Traveling from Singapore to Malacca is also easy, and once again is also by bus. There are many buses to choose from if you take this route, as Malacca is a very popular weekend getaway for residents of Singapore. It is also a well trodden leg of the backpacker route through the Malay Peninsular.
To catch the bus from Singapore, the easiest option is to go online and buy a ticket. There are several sites you can use, but generally I like to use Bookaway at THIS LINK.
Take note of your pickup location in Singapore, and don’t forget to screenshot your ticket. Get to the pickup point early and be ready to go. The trip takes 4 – 5 hours, and no one likes a delay right at the start!
Remember that to go from Singapore to Malacca by bus you will be crossing the border, so BRING YOUR PASSPORT! You will cross the border about 30 minutes into the journey. After crossing, it is a straight run to Malacca, where the bus will drop you at Melaka Sentral.
Once again, you can take day tours from Singapore to Malacca, which I will cover later in this Guide to Malacca.
Are you planning on renting a car or driving when you are overseas? Then make sure you are fully covered by having your International Driver’s Permit. Find out more, or pick one up easily at THIS LINK.
Things to do in Malacca
Malacca really took me by surprise on my first visit. I hadn’t heard very much about it, and really the only photos I had seen were of the Dutch Square and Red Church. Other than that I had no idea what to expect. I was more than pleasantly surprised when I arrived though, and it very quickly became one of my favorite places in South East Asia. The history, culture and culinary scenes are amazing.
So what is there to do in Malacca? Here are the Guide to Malacca recommendations.
- Stroll through Dutch Square – One of the most recognizable landmarks in Malacca is this beautiful square with a red church, red clock tower and red buildings. There is a beautiful fountain, and it’s the perfect place for locals and visitors to meet up day or night.
- Visit Christ Church – The most prominent feature of Dutch Square is this beautiful red church. It is the oldest Protestant Church in Malaysia, and can be entered via the gift shop on one side. Dating back to 1753, Christ Church even holds regular services on Sundays that anyone can attend.
- Take a walk down Jonker Street – Jonker Street is the central thoroughfare of Malacca, and has some wonderful shops and restaurants to explore, especially if you are looking to try some local Nyonya Food!
- Shop your way through Jonker Street night markets – At nighttime on the weekends, Joker Street comes alive with some of the most amazing markets in South East Asia. They remind me a lot of the weekend markets in Chiang Mai, with stalls selling everything that you could imagine. The food is pretty good too!
- Venture up Malacca Tower – Also known as Menara Taming Sari, this incredible tower hoists you 80 meters into the sky in an enclosed revolving platform to enjoy the sights. Wonderful in the daytime, but extraordinary at night!
- Take time out at The Huskitory – If you are a dog lover then you will fall in love at The Huskitory. Book in advance to come and spend an hour playing with and feeding over 20 Huskies at one of the most celebrated dog showrooms in Malaysia!
- Visit Baba and Nyonya Heritage Museum – Get a glimpse into Malacca of old and how Chinese families lived many years ago in this incredibly well preserved house. Take a tour through the house, learning everything from wedding traditions, to how the kitchen operated.
- Take a River Cruise – Cruises can be taken from right in the center of town, up the river and back. The first time I did this cruise I was amazed at the different neighborhoods we passed that I didn’t even know existed. You will find many places to return and check out later! Best done at night time to see the incredible lights of Malacca.
- Explore Temple Street – Also known as Harmony Street due to having 4 different temples on the same street. Locally it goes by other names as well. Stroll the street and visit the beautiful temples and enjoy the diversity of the city. My favorite was the Chinese, Cheng Hoon Teng Temple that was holding a very large ceremony when we visited.
- Take a Trishaw ride – This is a must do in Malacca! My biggest issue was choosing a trishaw! Adorned with fluorescent lights and everything from Spiderman to Hello Kitty features, they will take you on a short ride around the Malacca streets blaring music so loud you won’t be able to think!
- Take in the views at St Paul’s Church – This incredible Church, or remains of a church, sits on the top of a hill near the center of town. The views are amazing, and the church itself is one of the most popular attractions in the city. Dating back to 1567, it features a Dutch Graveyard, views, and a large oak tree that usually shelters a busker playing guitar and creating one of the most relaxing atmospheres in town.
- Explore A Famosa Fort – Right below the church on the opposite side of the hill to Dutch Square sits the remains of one of the gateways to the city. One of the most photographed sites in the city, it is also one of the oldest.
- Flora de la Mar Maritime Museum – It’s impossible to miss this place in the middle of Malacca as it is housed in the recreated model of the Flora de la Mar, a ship that sank off the coast of Malacca many years ago. If you are interested at all in Maritime History, then this place is a not to be missed attraction.
Guide to Malacca tip – Although day tours and trips are popular, if you are visiting Malaysia from abroad, you should spend more than one day here. There is much to see and do, and although it is mostly within a small geographic area, you won’t do it justice trying to squeeze it all into a day trip.
CHECK OUT all the great tour options and tickets available online around Malacca from KLOOK at THIS LINK.
Daytrips to Malacca
While I fully recommend visiting Malacca for more than one day, if you are strapped for time, then it is possible to visit on a day trip. This will let you see the main attractions which are conveniently located around the center of town.
Here are the Guide to Malacca choices for best Day Trips to Malacca.
- From Kuala Lumpur: Historical Melaka Day Tour with Lunch – This tour takes around 10 hours and will get you to all the most important and popular historical sites in town. Click HERE for more.
- From Kuala Lumpur: Private Full Day Tour to Malacca – A little more expensive, but this tour is a private tour and includes a private guide to Malacca, lunch at a local authentic Malaccan restaurant. Click THIS LINK for information.
- From Kuala Lumpur: Private Transfer to Malacca City – Although technically not a tour, this is a private mini van that could be a great option for a small group that are too large for a taxi, and will end up cheaper than all catching the bus. Click HERE to find out more.
- From Singapore: Malacca guided day tour (via drive-thru border) – Fully guided day tour from Singapore, including a swift pass across the border in order to not waste precious time! For more info click THIS link.
- Private Full Day Malacca Tour from Singapore – A private tour from Singapore exploring the best of Malacca. Full tour takes 13 hours. Click HERE for more.
- Historical Malacca Tour with Lunch from Kuala Lumpur – See all the very best sights of Malacca with professional guides from KLOOK at THIS LINK.
Where to stay
Malacca is only a fairly small city, but as a visitor you really want to be staying close to the center. There are so many nice places within walking distance of all the main attractions and there is no reason to stay anywhere else. Here are the Guide to Malacca choices for best places to stay in Malacca.
Luxury
CASA DEL RIO MELAKA HOTEL
A very beautiful hotel right in the heart of Malacca and close to Jonker Street. The rooftop has great views out over the river, and the infinity pool is a constant hit with guests.
5 HEEREN
5 Heeren is a meticulously restored Peranakan house right in the heart of Malacca. This historic house is beautiful, and if you enjoy museums then you will love staying here. Staff are friendly and kind, and the breakfasts are excellent!
Mid Range
LIU MEN HOTEL MELAKA
If you are looking for a place to feel at home in Malacca, then this could just be it. This wonderful boutique hotel is very close to Jonker street, is large and comfortable, with amazing and caring staff.
TIMEZ MODERN HERITAGE HOTEL
This wonderful little boutique hotel is located just off Jonker St, so about as central as you can get. The staff are excellent, friendly and ready to assist with any of your needs. Although the lift can be a bit slow, the rooms are very nice, a decent size and equipped with everything you will need to make your stay comfortable. Just beware that if staying on a weekend, the Jonker St markets can be very noisy at night!
Budget
JONKERED HERITAGE HOTEL
This hotel is located about as central as you can get without rolling out your sleeping bag right in Dutch Square itself! With the famous red Christ Church right next door, you never get lost finding your accommodation. Priced at the higher end of the Budget category, you will definitely be getting your money’s worth.
WANDERER IN MELAKA
Cozy and comfortable hostel located within easy walking distance of the center, and right near the local markets and a nice small food court. A very good place to stay in decent location with great value for money.
Looking for the best Budget accommodation? Hostelworld have you covered with all of the very best budget friendly accommodation around town. Check them out at THIS LINK.
How to get around
Getting around in Malacca is easy as it is mostly all walkable. For slightly longer trips around the center you might be able to take one of the Trishaws.
For longer trips to places such as Melaka Sentral Bus Terminal, or The Huskitory, you are best to order a GRAB car. These are like Uber, and can be ordered simply by downloading the app.
Summary
Thanks for reading my Guide to Malacca. This city is a really under rated and, to a degree, unknown destination on the international radar, which is a real pity due to its beauty and history. Make sure to drop by and check it out next time you are in Malaysia.
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