2023 MELAKA TRAVEL GUIDE (ITINERARY + BUDGET)

Detailed Melaka Travel Guide blog with Melaka Itinerary and Budget, places to see in Melaka, and where to stay in Melaka.

Melaka’s gentle flowing river provides a serene accompaniment to its architectural splendor. Everywhere I turn, Malacca (Melaka) reminds me that I am somewhere unforgettable! From narrow lanes peppered with colourful Baba-Nyonya houses to a plaza fringed by red-painted Dutch brick buildings, grandiose temples to commanding mosques, and from hand-crafted intricate souvenirs to cafes serving taste bud-tingling local dishes! This lively city is one of my most visited destinations in Malaysia, still, I can’t get enough of its beauty!

Malacca (Melaka) is the birthplace of Malay civilization.  Even before the rise to fame of its neighbour Singapore, Malacca was already turning heads. In fact, it has a long-withstanding history of colonial rule under the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British.  Because of its rich heritage, Malacca/Melaka was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

To make the most out of your trip in this historic town, here’s my Malacca/ Melaka Travel Guide with sample Melaka itinerary and budget.

MELAKA (MALACCA) TRAVEL GUIDE

MELAKA TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Melaka, like the rest of Malaysia has scrapped the travel requirements for tourists. Vaccinated and non-vaccinated travelers are free to enter. Wearing of mask is now optional, but passengers on public transport like buses and trains are required to wear mask.

HOW MANY DAYS TO SPEND IN MELAKA?

2-3 Days in Melaka should be enough to visit the top tourist attractions. But if you want to explore more underrated destinations in this heritage city, you could always extend your Melaka itinerary.

MALAYSIA MONEY AND ATM 

Melaka uses Malaysian Ringgit as currency. 1 MYR (Malaysian Ringgit) is equivalent to roughly ₱12.61 (SGD 0.31/ $0.23).  Everything is on a cash (Malaysian Ringgit) basis in Melaka. But major hotels and restaurants take cards and debit cards.

ATMs are scattered in the city center and withdrawal limits depend on your bank. For ATMs in Malaysia, you can usually, you can withdraw up to MYR 1,500 (₱19,000 /SGD 466/ $352) per transaction. Foreign exchange fee will depend on your bank and the ATM will also charge you a foreign withdrawal fee for every transaction, unless you are using a Maybank card.

HOW TO GET TO MELAKA

Melaka/Malacca has an international airport; however, it’s not well-connected to other countries.  Most tourists fly to Kuala Lumpur first and then take a bus to Melaka/Malacca.

MANILA TO MELAKA/MALACCA

Fly to Kuala Lumpur from Manila. There are no direct flights to Malacca/Melaka from Manila, (Philippines) you need to fly to Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) first. There are reasonably priced flights by airlines like Cebu Pacific, Air Asia, Jetstar, and Philippine Airlines.

Kuala Lumpur has 2 international airports for commercial flights:

• Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) – airport for many airlines, mostly flag carriers, like Philippine Airlines.
• Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA2) – airport for low-cost airlines like Cebu Pacific and Air Asia.

KUALA LUMPUR TO MELAKA/MALACCA

If you are in Kuala Lumpur, you need to make your way to Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS Terminal). Then take a bus to Meleka/Malacca. Most buses terminate at Melaka Sentral Terminal. But there are also buses that end at Mahkota Medical Center (Hatten Hotel), however, it’s not as frequent.  Pick which one is near your hotel, also check my  Melaka hotel guide below.

Buses from TBS Terminal to Melaka Sentral runs every hour from at 7:30 AM to 11:50 PM.  Travel time is roughly 2 -3 hours, depending on traffic situation. Depending on the type of bus (standard, economy, or executive), bus fare starts at RM 10 (₱127/SGD 3/ $2.35) to RM 16 (₱204 /SGD 5/ $4). You can book in advance online through the link below to reserve a seat.

IMPORTANT: If you take a bus that terminates at Melaka Sentral Terminal, take note that this is quite a distance from Melaka City Center. You can take a Grab or taxi to your hotel from there. Or take a local bus. See the Getting Around (Melaka by Bus) section below.

✔ KUALA LUMPUR TO MELAKA BUS: RESERVE HERE

✔ KUALA LUMPUR TO MELAKA (private transfer): BOOK HERE

1. Make your way to KL Sentral in Kuala Lumpur.
2. At KL Sentral, take the KLIA Transit to KLIA Airport.
3. Get off at Bandar Tasik Selatan Station (BTS Station). Travel time is roughly 6 min. Fare is MYR 6.50 (₱83 /SGD 2/ $1.53).
4. Walk to Terminal Bersapadu Selatan (TBS Terminal). About 2 min.
5. Proceed to the centralized ticket counter. Show the bus ticket you bought online, after verification, you’ll be provided a bus ticket with the Gate number.
6. Proceed to the Gate # on your ticket. You must be at the gate at least 30 mins prior to yous bus departure.
7. Ride the bus to Melaka/Malacca.
8. Depending on the bus ticket you purchased, get off at Melaka Sentral or Mahkota Medical Center.
9. Take Grab or taxi to your hotel.  There are also local buses at Melaka Sentral Terminal, but research first which one will stop near your hotel. See the Getting Around Section by Bus below.

KLIA TO MELAKA/MALACCA

If you are coming from KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport), there are buses that run to Melaka/Malacca. You can book online in advance and check the bus schedule below.

✔ KLIA TO MELAKA BUS: TICKETS HERE

1. At KLIA, walk to the bus station. About 12 min.
2. Ride the bus to Melaka Sentral. Fare is roughly RM 26 (₱330 /SGD 8/ $6). for bus with 2.30 hours travel time. And about RM 35 (₱447 /SGD 11/ $8) for bus with approximately 1.5 hours travel time.  There are also buses at KLIA that departs for Hatten Hotel (Mahkota Medical Center) in Melaka. Fare is approximately RM 35 (₱447 /SGD 11/ $8) and travel time is about 2.45 hours.
3. Get off at Melaka Sentral Bus Station or Hatten Hotel (Mahkota Medical Center) depending on the bus you took. Grab or taxi to your hotel.

KLIA2 TO MELAKA/MALACCA

If you are coming from KLIA2, there are buses that run to Melaka/Malacca. You can book online in advance and check the bus schedule below.

✔ KLIA2 TO MELAKA BUS: TICKETS HERE

Important: Choose your bus destination either Melaka Sentral or Mahkota Medical Center, wherever is near your hotel.

1. At KLIA2, walk to the bus station at Level 1 of KLIA2 Gateway Mall. 11 min.
2. Take the bus to Melaka Sentral. Fare starts at roughly RM 24 (₱330 /SGD 7/ $5) for Transnational MY bus with 2.30 hours travel time. And about RM 35 (₱447 /SGD 11/ $8) for StarMart bus Express Bus with 1.50 hours travel time. There are also STARM buses at KLIA that departs for Mahkota Medical Center (Hatten Hotel) in Melaka. Fare is approximately RM 35 (₱447 /SGD 11/ $8) and travel time is about 2.45 hours.
3. Get off at Melaka Sentral Bus Station or Mahkota Medical Center (Hatten Hotel) depending on the bus you took. Grab or taxi to your hotel.

SINGAPORE TO MELAKA/MALACCA

There are several buses that run from Singapore to Melaka. Buses to Melaka Sentral and Mahkota Medical Center (Hatten Hotel, Estadia Hotel) depart from Queen Street Bus Terminal, Kovan Hub Bus Terminal, Golden Mile Complex, and Katong V Mall (Village Hotel Katong).

Depending on the type of bus and your destination, bus fare from Singapore to Melaka starts at RM 81 (₱1,031 /SGD 25/ $19) to RM 123 (₱1,565 /SGD 38/ $29).  Travel time is roughly 3 hours and 30 minutes to 4 hours. If you’re coming from Kovan Bus Terminal to Melaka, travel time is approximately 6 hours and 10 mins.  First trip departs Singapore at 7:15 AM, and last trip is at 7:15 PM.  You can check the bus schedule and buy your tickets in advance through the link below.

Important: Since this trip include border crossing, make sure you have a valid passport. You need to have your passport stamped with Singapore Exit at the border and Malaysia entry stamp prior to entering Malaysia’s border.

✔ SINGAPORE TO MELAKA BUS: TICKETS HERE

✔ SINGAPORE TO MELAKA SENTRAL BUS: TICKETS HERE

GETTING AROUND MELAKA / MALACCA

It’s quite easy to get around or tour Melaka/Malacca, in fact it’s pretty cheap as most attractions are walking distance of each other.  So, you can either do a DIY Melaka Walking tour, avail of Melaka/Malacca guided tour or ride the groovy Melaka/Malacca trishaw. You have plenty of options for your Melaka itinerary.

MELAKA BY TRISHAW (RIKSHAW)

Alternatively, a cool way to tour Melaka is by riding Melaka trishaws (rikshaw) for about RM 50 (PHP 629 / SGD 15 /USD 12) for 1 hour.  Rate is good for two persons.  Make sure you agree on the price first and what the tour covers before riding the trishaw.

Melaka’s trishaw is stylishly decorated with flowers and stuff toys, featuring cartoon characters like Hello Kitty, Pokemon, Pikachu, Doraemon, etc. and with blaring pop music. At night it becomes so colorful with lights.

✔ MELAKA TRISHAW RIDE AT NIGHT: BOOK HERE

MELAKA DAY TOUR PACKAGE

If you are pressed for time and you just want a quick day tour to Melaka from Singapore, you can book a day tour with lunch through the link below. The tour includes a visit to St. Peter’s Church, A ‘Formosa Portuguese Fortress, Melaka Museum, Chen Hoon Teng Temple, and Melaka River. Pick-up and drop-off at designated point in Kuala Lumpur city center and Bukit Bintang area and lunch in Melaka is included in the Melaka Day Tour package.

✔ MELAKA DAY TOUR FROM KUALA LUMPUR  (WITH LUNCH): RESERVE HERE

✔ HISTORICAL MELAKA PRIVATE TOUR: RESERVE HERE

✔ MELAKA PRIVATE NIGHT TOUR: BOOK HERE

✔ MELAKA + PUTRAJAYA INSTAGRAM TOUR: BOOK HERE

MELAKA BY BUS

Once you get off the bus at Melaka Sentral Terminal, there are local buses that go to Melaka city center. However, waiting for the bus will eat up your time because the bus schedule is unreliable. If you insist on taking the bus, you can take the Panorama bus from the following bus stops at Melaka Sentral:

• BUS #14 – At Melaka Sentral, look for bus #14. Ride the Panorama bus to Pantai Kunder. Alight at Hang Tuah Mall, Jalan Tun Mamat. Travel time is about 6 minutes, and bus fare is approximately RM 2.50 (₱31/SGD 0.77/ $0.58). You can walk to Jonker Street (12 minutes) and Dutch Square (17 minutes).

• BUS #23 – At Melaka Sentral Terminal, look for bus #23. Take the Panorama bus to Batu Berendam. Get off at Hang Tuah Mall, Jalan Tun Mamat. Travel time is about 7 minutes, and bus fare is approximately RM 3.50 (₱44/SGD 1/ $0.81). You can walk to Jonker Street (12 minutes) and Dutch Square (17 minutes).

• BUS #3 – At Melaka Sentral Terminal, look for bus#3. Take the Panorama bus to Ulu Bertam. Alight at Hang Tuah Mall, Jalan Tun Mamat. Travel time is about 10 minutes, and bus fare is approximately RM 4 (₱50/SGD 1.23/ $0.92). You can walk to Jonker Street (12 minutes) and Dutch Square (17 minutes).

• BUS #17 – At Melaka Sentral Terminal, look for bus #17. Ride the Panorama bus to Ujong Pasir. This can take you to the Dutch Square (Red Square).  Get off at Muzeum Belia Malaysia, 3 stops, 30 minutes. Bus fare is roughly RM 2 (₱25/SGD 0.61/ $0.46).

MELAKA DIY WALKING TOUR

(Jonker Street Night Market)

Most of Melaka’s top tourist attractions are concentrated around Jonker Street peppered with Baba Nyonya houses turned into museums or antique shops and the Dutch Square (Red Square), famed for its red buildings. You can easily do a DIY Walking Tour around these areas. You can check out the Top Attractions in Melaka below.

MELAKA BY GRAB/TAXI

Grab is also a convenient way to get around Melaka. Taxis are also available in Melaka. Taxi fare in Melaka starts at RM 3 (₱38 / SGD 0.91 /$0.68) for the 1^st kilometer and RM 0.87 (PHP 11 / SGD 0.26 /$0.20) per km thereafter.

MELAKA BY BOAT (MELAKA RIVER CRUISE)

A leisurely way to tour Melaka/Malacca is by doing the Melaka River Cruise, operating daily from 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM. The journey takes about 45 minutes, and includes sightseeing of the following attractions: Red Building, Stadthuys, Colorful Murals, Jonker Streets, Middleburg Bastion, Pre-War Buildings, Morten Village, Kampung Hulu Mosque, Church of St. Francis Xavier, The Shore Shopping Gallery, and the Mangrove Route. You can purchase tickets at the Spice Garden Jetty or Melaka River Square Jetty.

Here’s the 2023 Melaka River Cruise Prices:

You can also rent an entire boat for the Melaka River Cruise if you are large group.

WHERE TO STAY IN MELAKA

You’ll never run out of places to stay in Melaka/Malacca.  There’s a wealth of accommodations here and they are mostly reasonably priced. When looking for a hotel, consider the location. If you’re a first-timer in Melaka, and you’ll spend your days touring, best to find hotels near the tourist attractions like the Red Square and Jalan Hang Jebat (Jonker Walk). From the bus terminal, you can easily book Grab or take a taxi to your hotel.

Here’s some of the top-rated hotels in Melaka, I grouped them according to their location:

✔ Hotels near Jonker Street (Jalan Hang Jebat)

If you want to stay near the tourist attractions in Melaka, book a hotel in or near Jonker Walk (Jalan Hang Jebat), Melaka’s Chinatown District. To get to Jonker Walk from Melaka Sentral Terminal, see the Getting Around (Melaka by Bus) section above.

Here are some of the top-rated hotels around Jonker.

•  Jonker Red Heritage Hotel
• CHECK RATES HERE or RESERVE HERE

• Swiss Hotel Heritage
• CHECK RATES HERE or RESERVE HERE
  
•  Quayside Hotel
• CHECK RATES HERE or RESERVE HERE

• Styles Hotel Malacca
• CHECK RATES HERE or RESERVE HERE

• Baba House Melaka
• CHECK RATES HERE or RESERVE HERE

• Discovery Malacca Hostel
• CHECK RATES HERE or RESERVE HERE

✔ Hotels near Melaka City Center and Mahkota Medical Center 

If you happen to ride a bus that terminates at Mahkota Medical Center, then finding a hotel near this location will be more convenient for you. It’s also quite close to the Red Square (about 12-minute walk), and is a stone’s throw away from Dataran Pahlawan Shopping Mall, and restaurants.

• Fenix Inn
• CHECK RATES HERE or RESERVE HERE

• Imperial Heritage Hotel Melaka
• CHECK RATES HERE or RESERVE HERE

• Hatten Hotel Melaka
• CHECK RATES HERE or RESERVE HERE

• Estadia Hotel
• CHECK RATES HERE or RESERVE HERE

• The Straight Hotel and Suites
• CHECK RATES HERE or RESERVE HERE

• MidCity Hotel Melaka
• CHECK RATES HERE or RESERVE HERE

MELAKA TOP TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

 As I mentioned above, most of Malacca’s top tourist attractions are situated around the Dutch Square (Red Square) and Jonker Street (Chinatown District), so they are walking distance of each other.

Here’s a list of some of the places to see in Malacca that you can add on your Melaka itinerary.

1. DUTCH SQUARE (RED SQUARE)

The Dutch Square, also known as the Red Square, is probably the most recognizable attraction of Melaka, hence, it’s a must-visit on your Melaka itinerary. It is peppered with age-old buildings and structures built during the Dutch colonial period in Melaka from 1641 to 1825.

Here you’ll find the following historic structures:

• Christchurch Melaka
• Open Hours: Daily 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
• Entrance Fee: FREE

• Stadthuys
• Open Hours: Mon – Thurs 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Fri, Sat, & Sun – 9:00 AM – 8:30 PM
• Entrance Fee:
• Foreigners – Adult – RM 10 (₱126 / SGD 3 /$2.31), Child – RM 5 (₱50 / SGD 23 /$ 0.92),
• Malaysians – Adult RM 5 (₱63 / SGD 53 /$1.15), Child -RM 2 (₱25 / SGD 0.61 /$ 0.46

• Tan Beng Swee Clock Tower
• Deutscher Grabenmorser
• Dutch Square Fountain/Queen Victoria Fountain
• Dutch Graveyard

2. ST. PAUL’S HILL

At and near St.Paul’s Hill, you’ll find the following tourist destinations:

• FRANCIS XAVIER STATUE
• FAROL DE ALVENARIA DE MALACCA
• CHURCH OF ST. PAUL, MALACCA
• A’FAMOSA
• PROCLAMATION OF INDEPENCE MEMORIAL
• DUTCH GRAVEYARD

3. JONKER WALK (JALAN HANG JEBAT)

Jonker Walk is the Chinatown area of Melaka and a must-visit during your Melaka itinerary. It’s now officially renamed as Jalan Hang Jebat Street, the former antiques center in Chinatown. It’s a bustling street just right across the Melaka River from the Dutch Square, dotted with age-old Chinese shophouses revamped into museums, shops, and restaurants.

Jonker Walk, Melaka

On Fridays and Weekends, from 6:00 PM to 12:00 midnight, the street opens the lively Jonker Night Market, where a variety of food are being sold. Be there early as some food gets sold out easily.

Here are the other Melaka tourist attractions at Jonker Walk /Chinatown District area:

(Cheng Ho Cultural Temple, Melaka)

• Cheng Ho Cultural Museum
• Location: 51 Lorong Hang Jebat (1 min walk from Jonker Night Market)
• Open Hours: Daily (Except Monday) 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Entrance Fee: Adult – RM 20 (₱252 / SGD 6 /USD 5), Child – RM 10 (₱ 126 / SGD 3 /$2.31)

(Sri Poyyatha Vunayaga  Moorthy Temple, Melaka)

•  Sri Poyyatha Vinayaga Moorthy Temple
• Location: 5-11 Jalan Tukang Emas
• Open Hours: Daily 7:00 AM – 11:30 AM, 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM
• Entrance Fee: FREE

• Cheng Hoon Teng Temple
• Location: 25, Jalan Toong, Kampung Dua
• Open Hours: Daily 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Entrance Fee: FREE

(Kampung Kling Mosque, Melaka)

• Kampung Kling Mosque
• Location: Junction of Jalan Tukang Emas (Goldsmith Street) and Jalan Masjid
• Open Hours: 24 hours
• Entrance Fee: FREE

• Jonker Walk World Heritage Park & Dr.Gan Bong Leong Statue
• Location: Jalan Hang Jebat
• Open Hours: 24 hours
• Entrance Fee: FREE

• Hang Kasturi Mausoleum
• Location: Jalan Hang Jebat
• Open Hours: 24 hours
• Entrance Fee: FREE

(Baba and Nyonya Heritage Museum, Melaka)

• Baba and Nyonya Heritage Museum, Melaka
• Location: 48-50 Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock (3 min-walk from Jonker Night Market)
• Open Hours: Thurs to Sun: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM, 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
• Entrance Fee: Adult – RM 16 (₱201 / SGD 5 /USD 4), Child (5-12 y.o) – RM 11 (₱ 138 / SGD 4 /USD 3

4. MELAKA MUSEUMS

Melaka is oozing with museums, that said, plan ahead which museum you want to enter, otherwise, museum hopping will eat up 1-day of Melaka Itinerary. Here’s a list of some well-known museums in Melaka (see the list above for the museums in Chinatown).

(Museum Samudera (Flor de la Mar), Melaka)

• Museum Samudera (Flor de la Mar)
• Location: Jalan Merdeka, Bandar Hilir, Melaka
• Open Hours: Weekdays 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM, Friday and Weekeneds 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
• Museum Samudera (Flor de la Mar) Entrance Fee:
• Foreigner: Adult – RM 20 (₱252 / SGD 6 /USD 5), Child – RM 10 (₱126 / SGD 3 /USD 2.31)
• Malaysian: Adult – RM 10 (₱126 / SGD 3 /USD 31), Child – RM 5 (₱ 63 / SGD 1.53 /USD 01.15),
• Tickets include entrance to 3 attractions: Replica of Flor del Mar, Maritime Museum Phase 2, Royal Malaysian Navy Museum.

• Melaka Royal Marine Museum
• Location: Jalan Merdeka, Bandar Hilir, Melaka
• Open Hours: Weekdays 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM, Friday and Weekeneds 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
• Entrance Fee: Use same ticket as Museum Samudera (Flor de la Mar)

• Melaka Sultanate Palace Museum
• Location: Jalan Kota, Bandar Hilir
• Open Hours: Daily 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM (except Tuesday)
• Melaka Sultanate Palace Museum Entrance Fee:
• Adult: (Foreigners) RM 5 (₱63 / SGD 53 /$1.15)
• Adult: (Malaysians) RM 3 (₱38 / SGD 92 /$0.69)
• Children: RM 2 (₱17 / SGD 0.61 /$0.46)

(The Stadthuys Museum, Melaka)

• The Stadthuys Museum
• Location: Bandar Hilir,Melaka
• Open Hours: Mon to Thurs 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Fri,Sat, & Sun 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
• Stadthuys Museum Melaka Entrance Fee:
• Foreigners (Adult) RM 10 (₱126 / SGD 3 /$2.31)
• Foreigners (Child) RM 4 (₱50 / SGD 23 /$0.92)

• Melaka Art Gallery
• Location: Bandar Hilir, Melaka
• Open Hours: Daily (Closed on Mondays) 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
• Melaka Art Gallery Entrance Fee:
• Adult – RM 3 (₱38 / SGD 92 /$0.69)
• Child – RM 2 (₱17 / SGD 0.61 /$0.46)

5. MALACCA TOWER (TAMING SARI TOWER) 

A gyro tower in Bandar Hilir with a rotating viewing platform with an extensive view of Melaka.

(Malacca Tower)

Location: Jalan Merdaka, Bandar Hilir

Open Hours: Daily 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM

MALACCA TOWER:  DISCOUNTED TICKET HERE

6. KAMPUNG KETEK MALACCA 

This is located right in front of Xian Ling Si temple near Jonker Walk.  You can make a detour here while on a walking tour in Jonker. One of the oldest villages in Melaka. You can visit the Munshi Abdullah House, a traditional Malay house while you are here.

• Munshi Abdullah House

6. KAMPUNG MORTEN (MORTEN VILLAGE)

There’s a living museum in Melaka, where you can see Malay traditional houses and witness Malay traditional lifestyle. The village is named after a British Land Commissioner – J.F Morten who was involved in developing this village from a former mangrove swamp. But the village is believed to be founded by Othman Mod Noh.

It is recommended to add a visit to a traditional Malay village on your Melaka itinerary, and Kampung Morten is an interesting community to explore. The village is composed of roughly 85 houses, and 52 of these houses are Melaka traditional houses. The most famous is Villa Sentosa, which is now a museum open to the public called The Malay Living Museum.

• Villa Sentosa (The Malay Living Museum)
• Location: Lorong Tun Mamat 1, Kampung Morten, Melaka
• Open Hours: Daily (Except Friday) 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Lunchbreak from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM, Friday – 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
• Entrance Fee: FREE but donations are highly encouraged.

7. PORTUGUESE SETTLEMENT MELAKA (KAMPUNG PORTUGIS)

Located in Ujong Pasir, about 35 minutes away from downtown Melaka, is a Kristang (Portuguese-Eurasian or Malacca Portuguese) community. Malacca was a Portuguese colony from 1511 to 1641, and during that period, Portuguese men settled in Melaka and married Malay women.  Later on, they intermarried with Dutch, British, Chinese, and Malay.

Sometime in 1933, about 11 hectares of land in Melaka was cleared in what was previously known as the St. John Village, a sleepy fishing community. Here, about 11 wooden houses was built for the Kristang people. Eventually, it attracted more Kristang indigenous people from all over Malaysia. Unfortunately, today, only 1 traditional Kristang house stood the test of time. It is located along Jalan D’ Aranjo.  There’s not much to see or do in this quiet part of Melaka during the day, but at night tourists flock at the Portuguese Square to eat Portuguese seafood at the seaside.

(Portuguese Settlement Heritage Museum)

Here are some places to see while You’re in Portuguese Settlement Melaka:

• Portuguese Settlement Heritage Museum
• Traditional Kristang House (Portuguese Eurasian House)
• Portuguese Square
• Christ the Redeemer Statue

• Portuguese Settlement Heritage Museum
• Location: C-18 Portuguese Square, Portuguese Settlement
• Open Hours: Daily (Close on Sundays) 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
• Entrance Fee: RM 2 (₱17 / SGD 0.61 /USD 0.46), Children: FREE under 10 years old

8. CHITTY VILLAGE (CHETTI VILLAGE) & CHITTY MUSEUM (CHETTI MUSEUM)

There’s a Chitty Village in Jalan Gaja Berang, Melaka, which is home to a small, close-knit community of Hindu Peranakans who are descendants of the original Tamil traders in Melaka. Chitty (also Chetti) are Tamil traders from Southern India who reached Melaka back in the 15^th century to trade spices and other goods. Some of them married local residents (Malays, Chinese, Batak, Javanese) in Melaka. They resided in Melaka, and eventually adapted to local customs and language, while still retaining their belief in Hinduism.

Today, there are more or less 30 families residing in Chitty Village, Melaka.  You can visit the community while in Melaka, which is home to 3 Hindu Temples, the most popular is the approximately 190-year-old temple – Sri Maha Mariamman Temple.  And while you are it, do drop by at the Chitty Museum to get a glimpse of the artifacts, handicrafts, photographs, and learn the history and customs of the Hindu Peranakas in Melaka.

• Chitty Museum
• Location: Jalan Gajah Berang, Kampung Chetti
• Open Hours: Daily (Except Mon & Tues) 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Chitty Museum Entrance Fee:
• Adult – RM 2 (₱17 / SGD 0.61 /$0.46)
• Child – RM 1 (₱13 / SGD 31 /$0.23)

9. MELAKA STREET ARTS

(Street Art at Melaka River Side)

In recent years, ingenious murals mushroomed in Melaka, particularly along Melaka River, a must-see during your Melaka itineray. Tourists enjoy taking photos and interacting with these artworks as they walk along the riverside.  Perhaps the most famous street art in Melaka is My Kiehl’s Heritage Mural, painted by artists Kiehl and Fritelldea (Mohd Anuar). While you are at it, drop by at The Orangutan House, a gallery selling artworks and graphic shirts, painted with a gigantic mural art. Other street arts include Melaka’s Street Art (The Well), the Melaka Street Art (Horses) 2 lovely horses further down Jalan Kasturi, and the Melaka 3D Street Arts. They are walking distance to Jonker Walk.

OTHER ATTRACTIONS IN MELAKA

• THE SHORE SKY TOWER: DISCOUNTED TICKET HERE
• UPSIDE DOWN HOUSE GALLERY:DISCOUNTED TICKET HERE
• ILLUSION 3D ART MUSEUM: DISCOUNTED TICKET HERE
• MAGIC ART MUSEUM: DISCOUNTED TICKET HERE
• WONDERPARK MELAKA: RESERVE HERE 
• JAYA MATA KNIFE GALLERY: DISCOUNTED TICKET HERE   

MELAKA DAY TRIPS

1. MELAKA STRAITS MOSQUE (MELAKA FLOATING MOSQUE)

Melaka Straits Mosque is a visually-appealing mosque located on Malacca’s artificial island, about 1 hour away from Melaka city center. This gorgeous modern-day mosque has a golden dome and turrets. As its nickname suggests, it seems like a floating mosque during high-tide. Make sure to add this on your Melaka Itinerary!

(Melaka Floating Mosque)

Malacca Straits Mosque

Location: Jalan Pula, Melaka

Open Hours: Daily 8:30 AM – 6:30 PM

Entrance Fee: FREE

How to get there: Grab or taxi from Melaka City center.

2. HANG TUAH CENTER

This museum and tourism complex in Kampung Duyong is devoted to the famed Malay warrior Hang Tuah, who was born in Kampung Duyong. Gabled-roof traditional Malay houses dominates the Hang Tuah Center where visitors can learn more about Hang Tuah’s life history, as well as see traditional Malay weaponry and handicrafts.

• Hang Tuah Center
• Location: Kampung Jambatan Duyong, Melaka
• Open Hours: Daily 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Closed 12:45 PM – 2:45 PM on Friday for prayer)
• Entrance Fee:
• Foreigners (Adult) RM 10 (₱126 /SGD 3/ $2.31), (Child 7-10 y.o) RM 5 (₱63 / SGD 1.53 /$ 01.15),
• Malaysians: (Adult) RM 5 (₱63 / SGD 1.53 /USD 01.15), (Child 7-10 y.o) RM 3 (₱38 / SGD 0.92 /$0.69)
• How to get to Hang Tuah Center:
• By Taxi or Grab: Grab or taxi from Melaka City center. There’s a bus, but schedule is erratic.
• By Bus:
• Make your way to BSN, Jalan Munshi Abdullah bus stop.
• Take Panorama Bus #8 to Tangkak.
• Get off at SRA JAIM (Kandang Jalam Bukit Lintang), 11^th stop and travel time is about 14 minutes.
• Walk to Hang Tuah center, about 18 mins. Bus fare is roughly RM 5.20 (₱65 / SGD 57 /USD 1.17).

ALSO READ:  HANG TUAH CENTER MELAKA

3. MALAYSIA HERITAGE STUDIOS (TAMAN MINI MALAYSIA & ASEAN CULTURAL PARK)

Malaysia Heritage Studios, formerly known as Taman Mini Malaysia & ASEAN Cultural Park, is a cultural theme park in Ayer Keroh, Melaka that features a cultural museum, traditional Malay house replicas, and traditional houses replicas from every member of the ASEAN. You rarely see this on the usual Melaka Itinerary since it’s quite a distance from Melaka city center, if you have the luxury of time, you can visit Malaysia Heritage Studios.

• Malaysia Heritage Studios Melaka (Taman Mini Malaysia)
• Location: Exit Lebuh, Ayer Keroh, Melaka Malaysia
• Open Hours: Mon to Thurs 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Cultural Show Times: Weekday- 11:00 AM, 2:30 PM, Weekend -11:00 AM, 2:30 PM, 4:00 PM
• Entrance Fee:
• Foreigners (Adult) RM 90 (₱1,124 / SGD 27 /USD 20), (Child 4-12 y.o) RM 70 (₱874/ SGD 21 /$16)
• Malaysians (Adult) RM 45 (₱562 / SGD 14 /USD 10), (Child 4-12 y.o) RM 35 (₱437 / SGD 11 /$8)
• Senior Citizens – RM 35 (₱437 / SGD 11 /$8)
• PWD – RM 30 (₱375 / SGD 9 /$7)

RELATED BLOG:  MALAYSIA HERITAGE STUDIOS (TAMAN MINI MALAYSIA )

MELAKA FOOD: WHAT TO EAT IN MELAKA?

The ancient shophouses dappled around Jonker Street were once antique shops, but now they’ve been turned into cafes and restaurants.  Malacca is a foodie haven, a perfect place to try Nonya, Malay, Indian and Chinese cuisines, you’ll never run out of places to eat here. Be warned though about the queue especially on weekends and holidays, so if you want to skip the long line, either you eat early or late for lunch. Make sure to add food trip to your Melaka Itinerary.

• Chicken rice balls
• Cendol
• Nyonya laksa/ Nyonya asam laksa
• Gula Melaka

MELAKA ITINERARY (3 DAYS 2 NIGHTS WITH BUDGET)

It is possible to do a Melaka Day tour from Kuala Lumpur, but I recommend an overnight stay or at least 2 days 1 night Melaka itinerary. I would even stay here for 3 or 4 days, taking things at a leisurely pace while exploring the town’s outskirts.

Melaka Itinerary Day 1 is mostly walking tour, all sights are close to each other, so better go there on foot or hire a disco trishaw.  On the other hand, most attractions listed on Melaka Itinerary Day 2 (see other attraction listed above) are located outside Melaka’s historic district and are far from each other (see Google Maps).  So, it means, either you take the local bus (will eat up our time) or take a cab or book Grab to those destinations.

Here’s my sample 3 day/ 2 nights Melaka itinerary with budget.

IMPORTANT: The sample budget below doesn’t cover accommodation, the airfare going to Kuala Lumpur from your country, drinks, souvenirs and shopping expenses.

This 3 days 2 nights Melaka Itinerary covers most of the top attractions in Melaka for first time tourists. It’s a jampacked Melaka itinerary, but if you want a cheaper and more laidback itinerary, feel free to skip some attractions or activities above.  I’ll be writing another Melaka itinerary for 2 days 1 night soon.

IMPORTANT: I personally wrote the above Melaka Itinerary; it took me a week to finish it. Feel free to use it for your personal trip. But since this blogpost is copyright-protected, you are NOT allowed to copy this Melaka itinerary (or any other itineraries in this blog) in whole or in parts.  You can share the link to this blogpost instead, so others can read this too, and that will help me write more comprehensive trip itineraries to help you plan your future trips. Thank you for reading!

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KUALA LUMPUR TRAVEL GUIDE + ITINERARY 

CAMERON HIGHLANDS ITINERARY (3 DAYS 3 NIGHTS)

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