2 DAYS IN MELAKA (MALACCA) – BEST THINGS TO DO
What to do in Melaka for 2 days?
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city of Melaka (also called Malacca) has a rich colonial heritage. Portuguese, Dutch & the British Empire have succeeded one another.
Melaka is also the birthplace of the Baba Nyonya community, the descendants of early Chinese immigrants who married Malays. Traces of this community can also be found everywhere in the old town.
Melaka is one of the best things to see in Malaysia!
We spent 2 days in Melaka, which was just enough to discover this must-see city in Malaysia!
Melaka in a nutshell:
– Melaka is located 2 hours from Kuala Lumpur. It’s perfect for a weekend trip!
– Going on a weekend is actually the best time, as you can enjoy one of the best night markets in Asia at Jonker Street.
– Make sure to visit the red Dutch Square, the unmissable thing to see in Melaka!
– We highly recommend a visit to Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum which showcases the interior of a traditional 19th century residence.
– And of course the food! Like everywhere in Malaysia, there is much to taste.
This video provides a great sneak peek into Melaka:
How to Get to Melaka?
From Kuala Lumpur, you can take a bus from Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) to Melaka Sentral terminal in Melaka.
You can buy tickets directly on-site, as long as you get there first thing in the morning, or buy it online. A ticket costs between 12 to 16 MYR. Count 2h to get to Melaka.
As for us, we had a car, so we decided to drive from Kuala Lumpur. It took us about 2 hours including a bit of traffic before reaching Melaka.
10 Best Things to Do in Melaka
1. Visit Jonker Street
The iconic Jonker Street is renowned for its antique shops, art galleries, numerous stores, traditional restaurants, trendy cafes, and multiple street food stands.
You can find a wide variety of local products, traditional crafts, and clothing, not to mention delicious Malaysian and Chinese dishes.
From Friday to Sunday, the street comes to life and transforms into a bustling night market, so plan your visit during the weekend so you don’t miss it!
Location: here
2. Go on a trishaws tour
In Melaka, you have the opportunity to take quirky and flashy trishaws (bikes equipped with passenger seats in the back). It’s the perfect way to get to the main historical sites from the Old Town without effort.
It’s a tradition for locals to decorate their bikes with plush cartoon characters, colorful lights, and artificial flowers. The result is quite surprising! Besides, they would usually play super loud music! An experience in itself in Melaka, that’s for sure!
We actually took one with the image of the Hello Kitty character to visit the city! The choice is yours.
3. Visit the Ancient Fortress of A Famosa
This monument is a witness to the Portuguese occupation in the 14th century. The ancient fortress of A Famosa is one of Melaka’s main attractions.
The entrance gate, known as the “Santiago Gate,” is almost all that remains of the building.
You can visit on your own, or book a guided tour to better understand the fascinating history of Melaka.
Location: here
4. Check out the beautiful Red Square (also called Dutch Square)
Just opposite A Famosa is the famous Red Square, where the old Dutch town hall was located in the 17th century. This square is also nicknamed the “Red Square” because of the dominant color of all buildings.
Today, there is a Church and the Melaka History and Ethnography Museum (inside the old town hall).
You can stroll around the surroundings, taste local dishes, go shopping and pose in front of the famous “I LOVE MELAKA” sign. This is the heart of Melaka, so it can get a bit crowded.
Location: here
5. Get some perspective at Saint Paul Church
Located within walking distance from the Red Square, don’t miss this place if you want to take photos with a panoramic view of the city and the Strait of Malacca.
Take your time as you climb the stone staircase, often called the “Steps of Faith.” Your efforts will be rewarded!
At the top, you will discover the ruins of the Saint-Paul church and its cemetery.
6. Cheng Hoon Teng Temple
In Melaka, there is the oldest Chinese temple in the country built in the 17th century.
The architecture of Cheng Hoon Teng Temple combines Chinese, Malay and European elements.
It is an important place of worship that you can visit on your own or with a guide to learn more.
Location: here
7. Enjoy the local food!
During your visit, don’t hesitate to explore the street markets, small local restaurants and street food stalls to taste the delicious cuisine of Melaka which mixes Malay, Chinese, Indian and Peranakan influences.
Popular dishes to try include chicken rice balls, laksa nyonya (spicy and garnished soup), cendol (dessert made with coconut milk and rice noodles), and satay celup (meat skewers and seafood in a satay broth).
8. Explore the Melaka Sultanate Palace Museum in Melaka
The superb Melaka Sultanate Palace Museum is a reconstruction of the original palace of the Sultan of Melaka, built on the same site.
It is certainly an opportunity to get a glimpse of daily life during the sultanate era (15th to 16th century).
Location: here
9. Enjoy a cruise on the Melaka River
A cruise on the Melaka River is a must when visiting the city. It allows you to the city from a different angle. We recommend taking the river tour in the evening, to avoid the heat during the day, but also to see all the illuminations from the city at night.
It’s the best way to relax while admiring the cityscape of Melaka passing before your eyes.
From the water, you can admire several impressive historical sites, colonial buildings, and pretty temples.
Departure: here (no need to book in advance)
10. Visit the Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum
For us, this was one of the highlights of our visit to Melaka. It is a world UNESCO site.
This original family house immerses you in the life of a rich Nyonya family. You can explore all the elegant rooms full of history.
There are signs in English describing the family history in each room. It’s also in a great street if you like street photography with many interesting traditional houses.
Where to stay in Melaka?
We decided to stay as close as possible to the center of Melaka, to be within walking distance from all the main sites.
Hence, we opted for a fabulous called Casa del Rio Melaka.
We can only highly recommend this beautiful hotel, very clean, serves excellent breakfast, and has a nice rooftop to admire the entire city.
In Summary
The charming city of Melaka in Malaysia is full of surprises. These 10 exciting activities will make you fall in love with this pretty city listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
2 Days was just good enough for us. Even a day trip would work. Staying longer is also possible, as you can also go to the nearby sea and visit Masjid Selat Melaka, a beautiful mosque build on stilt on top of the sea (unfortunately it was closed the day we wanted to visit).
