15 Unique Things To Do In Melaka For First-Time Visitors
Looking for fun and unique things to do in Melaka? We’ve got you covered.
Melaka is one of the most colourful cities in Malaysia and one we instantly fell in love with. As the country’s oldest city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, there’s no shortage of things to do in Melaka.
While the street art and colonial architecture get most of the attention (and rightly so), Melaka has so much more to offer. Best of all? You can explore almost everything on foot.
Whether you’re ticking off the must-see sights or slowing down with a good coffee and soaking up the atmosphere, Melaka has something for you.
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Short On Time? Read This First
Short on time but still want to know the best things to do in Melaka? Here’s our top 5 suggestions:
Like the sound of those? We’ve got plenty more fun things to do below!
Best Things To Do In Melaka
Melaka has so many amazing places to visit and unique attractions that we haven’t seen anywhere else in Malaysia. This city has a rich history as one of the most important trading ports in Southeast Asia. It swapped hands between the Dutch, Portuguese, and the British, amounting to almost 450 years of occupation.
Each country left their own stamp on the city, as well as the traders who called Melaka home.
Melaka is a vibrant city, filled with a melting pot of different cultures. Even by simply wandering the streets, you’re bound to see beautiful buildings, artwork, and cute cafés. So, let’s jump into all the best things to do in Melaka.
Historic Places To Visit In Melaka
1. Red Square & The Stadthuys
At the heart of Melaka’s Old Town stands Red Square, aptly named for the red-painted buildings surrounding it. Also known as Dutch Square, this is one of the most iconic parts of the city. The buildings were painted red in 1910 to harmonise the look of the square.
Red Square is home to many different sights, though the most imposing is the Stadthuys. Built in 1650, the Stadthuys was originally the Dutch administrative centre of Melaka. This is thought to be the oldest Dutch building in Southeast Asia and is now an ethnographic museum.
Around the square, you’ll also see a clock tower and a fountain.
2. Christ Church Melaka
Within Red Square, you’ll also find Christ Church. Christ Church was similarly built by the Dutch in 1753. It is much newer than the Stadthuys, but no less iconic. The Church is free to enter.
Inside, it is basic, but beautiful. The stained glass windows are in a geometric pattern, the walls are whitewashed, and the pews are stained dark. It is still an active Church today, and is lovely to see. It’s also a great place to duck inside if you want to escape the crowds!
Read More – 17 Things To Know Before Visiting Malaysia
3. St Paul’s Church & A Famosa
St Paul’s Church is the oldest Church in Southeast Asia, built by the Portuguese in 1521. Built on top of a hill overlooking the city, you’ll need to climb a number of steps to get to the Church.
On the way, you’ll see the remains of A Famosa, a historic fort built by the Portuguese in 1511 to protect the city. There is very little of it left standing today, but it is very cool to see.
When you reach St Paul’s Church, it’s like you’re standing in history itself. The Church has not been very well maintained, and the roof is long gone, but it is incredible to see.
Around the inside of the Church are large gravestones with a little bit of information next to each of them about who the gravestone is for. It was fascinating to walk around and read all about these people who lived 500 years before us. The oldest gravestone we found dated back to 1568.
4. Saint Francis Xavier Church
The Saint Francis Xavier Church is completely different to the other Churches mentioned in this guide. Built in 1859 by some of the first Catholic Missionaries in Southeast Asia, it was dedicated to Saint Francis Xavier, who visited Melaka several times in the 16th Century.
The structure remains largely authentic, with both the interior and exterior looking almost exactly like it did when it was built. Unfortunately, when we visited, the Church was undergoing restoration so we were not able to go inside. However, it’s still beautiful to see from the outside.
Street Art In Melaka
5. Lorong Seni Street Art
Lorong Seni feels like a bit of a hidden gem. We stumbled upon it by chance and we’re so glad we did! Tucked away down a quaint little ally, Lorong Seni has multiple murals, some of which are interactive.
My favourite was the larger mural depicting what Melaka was like when it was a vibrant trading port many hundreds of years ago. It showed all the different traders from all corners of the globe, and it almost felt like you were there (or maybe that was just my creative imagination).
The street also has a couple of cute cafés, and beautiful bougainvillea spilling over the walls. It really gives Europe vibes in the heart of Malaysia.
6. Kiehl’s Colourful Mural Wall
Kiehl’s Colourful Mural Wall is probably the most famous street art in Melaka, located right next to the river. It was painted by a local street artist, Fritilldea, in 2015 as part of an initiative celebrating 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Malaysia.
Made up of geometric patterns and bright colours, this is an iconic site and a must-visit photo spot!
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Melaka River & Trishaw Experiences
7. Walk Along The Melaka River
Walking along the Melaka River was honestly one of our favourite things to do. Melaka is a bustling city, and it’s easy to be caught up in the flow of people moving from one attraction to the next. Going for a stroll along the river really gives you a chance to slow down and relax.
The river is absolutely stunning, lined with flower pots and colourful colonial buildings. The further you go down the river into town, the prettier and quieter it gets in our opinion. There’s a path that follows it for a mile and a half, and it’s so worth following. This was our daily running route!
It’s also great for photos, with the colourful buildings reflecting in the still waters. You might also be able to spot some monitor lizards!
8. Take a Trishaw Ride in Melaka
The trishaws in Melaka are on a whole different level. They’re decorated in bright colours, with figurines, toys, plushies, and all sorts of stuff cable-tied to them. At night, they’re lit up in bright neon lights, flashing, blaring music. You certainly can’t miss them!!
The trishaws tend to gather around Red Square, and you can pay for the driver to take you on a short tour of the town. Even if you don’t go for a ride, they are certainly a sight worth seeing!
Trishaw Cost – 25 MYR for a 15-minute ride, 45 MYR for a 30-minute ride
Temples & Mosques In Melaka
9. Harmony Street
If you want to witness the religious harmony in Melaka (pun intended), there is no better place to go than harmony street. This street is home to a Buddhist temple, a Hindu temple, and a mosque, all just a short walk from each other.
Cheng Hoon Teng Temple
Cheng Hoon Teng Temple is a must-see place in Melaka. This is the oldest operating Chinese temple in Malaysia, dating back to 1645. It has been in use for over 380 years. Whilst small, this temple is incredibly ornate. The details in every aspect are incredible, from the lanterns to the carvings in the walls. I was completely taken aback by how beautiful it is.
The temple is free to enter, but please dress respectfully.
Sri Poyyatha Vinayagar Moorthi Temple
This is Malaysia’s oldest Hindu temple, built in 1781. As you would expect with a Hindu temple, it’s brightly coloured, but much simpler in design than many. Inside, it is small, but beautiful. It’s worth popping in and having a quick look.
Kampung Kling Mosque
Kampung Kling Mosque is one of Melaka’s oldest mosques, built in 1748. It looks completely different to other mosques you might have seen, with a unique blend of architectural styles. The minaret looks like a pagoda, whilst the mosque roof is multi-tiered. It is very unique.
10. Melaka Straits Mosque
One of our favourite mosques in Melaka, if not Malaysia, was the Melaka Straits Mosque. Set a little outside of the old town, this mosque is unique in that it is built on stilts over the sea. At high tide, it looks like it is floating on the water, earning it the nickname “the floating mosque”.
This mosque is actually pretty new compared to the majority of places on this list, having been built in 2006. It has stained glass windows, and an elegant modern design. It is also incredibly peaceful with its position over the sea. I stood on the walkway over the sea for ages, listening to the waves lap against the shore and watching the fish swim below.
You can visit the mosque for free outside prayer hours, but you must cover up appropriately.
You can hire appropriate clothes at the entrance for 5 MYR.
Food & Coffee In Melaka
11. Jonker Street & Night Market
Jonker Street is one of the main attractions in Melaka. Lined with cafés, traditional restaurants, boutique and tourist shops, there is no excuse not to visit it when you’re in Melaka. The street is lined with traditional shophouses, and is very beautiful during the day, but if you’re visiting on a weekend, this is where the magic is.
At 6pm every weekend, Jonker Street is closed off to cars and transforms into one of the best night markets in Malaysia. It is loud, it is busy, it is chaotic, but you have to visit. The street food in Malaysia is some of the best in the world, and Jonker Street Night Market is one of the best places to experience it.
And its not only food. You’ll find artists selling their work, clothes, souvenirs, and the typical tourist tat you would expect in a Southeast Asian market.
Click HERE To Watch Our YouTube Video About Jonker Street Night Market!
12. Coffee Shops In Melaka
This may be an unpopular opinion, but I think Melaka might have some of the best coffee shops in Malaysia. Throughout the city, you’ll find traditional shophouses that have been transformed into specialty coffee shops, where the food is as good as the drinks.
We particularly loved The Stolen Cup on Jonker Street. It’s decorated in a traditional style, with plenty of plants and greenery. The service was amazing, and the pastries are insane!
Make sure to try a ‘Gula Melaka Latte’ – it’s a popular local drink made with palm sugar
13. Pak Putra Tandoori
We have to give a shoutout to Pak Putra Tandoori on this list. It was one of the highlights of our trip and a must-visit place in Melaka if you’re after some really good Indian food. Located a short walk out of the city centre, on the side of a road, is Pak Putra Tandoori. I’ll be honest, it’s not the sort of place we normally eat but we’d heard good things and gave it a go.
By the time we arrived at 6:30pm it was packed. There must’ve been over 100 people already there. We managed to grab a table, ordered their famous tandoori chicken, their famous cheesy naan bread, a garlic naan bread, and a daal. What. A. Feast.
The food here is next-level good. Those cheesy naan breads? To die for. And Nat says the tandoori chicken was some of the best he’s ever had. Plus, the portions were massive!! We ordered WAY too much food and left absolutely stuffed. Honestly, if you like Indian food, do yourself a favour and go to Pak Putra Tandoori. You won’t regret it.
Museums In Melaka
14. Melaka Sultanate Palace Museum
The Melaka Sultanate Palace Museum is a reconstruction of a 15th-Century Royal Palace, built in the traditional style, entirely without nails. Inside, it shows exactly what the Royal Palace would have been like in the pre-colonial era. It has displays of traditional clothes, weaponry, and musical instruments.
It is quite information-heavy, and I feel like you have to be quite interested in history to visit this museum, but even from the outside it’s impressive!
Entry Fee – 10 MYR per adult
15. Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum
Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum is a beautifully preserved Peranakan Townhouse from the late 19th Century. It’s more of an immersive museum, like a real lived-in home. Your ticket includes an audio guide, which adds a lot of informational value. You can really understand what it was like for a wealthy family to live in Melaka during that time.
Entry Fee – 25 MYR per adult
Where To Stay In Melaka
When visiting Melaka, we highly recommend staying in the old town, in close proximity to all the best things to do. We would recommend staying a little away from Jonker Street, however, as it can get pretty loud when the night market is on.
There are a range of accommodation options to suit every budget, though these would be our recommendations.
✅ Best Budget Stay – Old Town Guest House
This guesthouse is cute and quirky, with a large common area for guests to enjoy. It is located just a 5-minute walk from the river, in a peaceful area. The hosts are wonderful, offering detailed information on the area and onward travel. Plus, they’re known to bake fresh chocolate banana bread for breakfast!
✅ Best Mid-Range Stay – JonkeRED Heritage Hotel
JonkeRED Heritage Hotel is located in the perfect position to explore Melaka, moments away from the Red Square, with virtually everything reachable on foot. It is decorated in a traditional style, with cozy touches. Despite its central location, guests say it is very quiet inside the hotel.
✅ Best Luxury Stay – Liu Men Melaka
Liu Men is a beautifully restored antique building. It is decorated in an old-world style, but with modern polish. It is exceptionally beautiful, comfortable, and conveniently located in the heart of the old town.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Still have a few questions about all the best things to do in Melaka? We’ve answered the most common questions below.
What Is The Best Time To Visit Melaka?
The best time to visit Melaka is between March and October when the weather is warm and sunny, and there is little rain. If you want to avoid the crowds, visit between Monday and Thursday, though you will miss the Jonker Street Night Market.
How Long Should I Spend In Melaka?
We recommend spending 2 days in Melaka. Most sights can be seen within a day, however 2 days allows you to slow down, enjoy the café culture, and try lots of good food.
Can I Do A Day Trip To Melaka From Kuala Lumpur?
Yes, you can do a day trip from Kuala Lumpur to Melaka. However, we would recommend spending at least one night there if possible to really experience the city.
Wrap Up
Melaka is one of Malaysia’s most historical and beautiful cities. Located right on the coast, there are so many unique attractions to see in Melaka. From the floating mosque to the red square, and a special shoutout to the colourful trishaws, there really is no city quite like Melaka.
Whether you’ve got just one day to spare, or longer to explore, we’re sure you’ll love everything there is to do in Melaka.
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