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| Malacca captured by Yen Hau (My Road Planner) |
With just a weekend in Malacca, you can definitely make the most out of this town. Malacca is a historical town recognized as a UNESCO world heritage site. It’s a town where you can see a good mix of the heritage world and the modern development. Just a two hour drive either down south from Kuala Lumpur or up north from Singapore, one can definitely see a change from the hustle-and-bustle metropolis to a much slower pace of life. Let me share a little about this destination and hopefully, this guide might help you plan your weekend getaway.
HOW TO GET THERE?
- Drive – The North-South Highway is definitely the easiest way to get to Malacca. The highway has been widened in the recent years, so driving to Malacca is definitely a pleasure. Malacca is situated off this main highway and you’ll not miss it if you follow the signs along this highway. If you fly into KLIA, it’s very easy for you to rent a car and drive to Malacca. If traffic is light, it’ll only take you about 1.5 hours of driving time.
- Bus – There are a few reliable bus companies around town. I’ve personally tried Delima and they’re great! Check out www.singaporemalaysiabus.com for a detailed schedule. Pick one that is convenient for you.
- Flight – I recently found out that one could actually fly to Malacca. Getting a taxi to the Malacca town is fairly easy so you don’t have to worry about transportation in Malacca town itself.
WHERE TO STAY?
This is one thing that Malacca is not lacking. You can choose from affordable priced hostels to luxury hotels, depending on your budget. Travelokacan help you to find your perfect accommodation. Staying in the town of Malacca itself is great, as a lot of touristy places will be within walking distance. Here are a few of my picks:
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| Hattan Hotel (photo taken from Travelog) |
- Hattan Hotel – I’ve stayed in this one and it’s considered luxurious. Everything is in a walking distance and you’ll not need to worry about being stuck in a jam while driving or using a public transportation.
- Bayview Hotel – Worth the price, as it’s affordable and clean. Slightly out of the central area, but food accessibility is not a problem.
- Novotel Hotel – This hotel is brand new and it’s on the newer side of town. That means you do need to have a car or arrange for transportation to get to town. The plus side is that everything is new and clean.
- Olive Flashpackers Hostel – If you’re really on a budget and thinking that you wouldn’t stay in the room too much, you should look into this one. It’s clean and very well kept for a hostel.
- Mahkota Hotel Homestay – If you have a group of 6-8 people, it’s a great choice to pick a homestay like this one. A few years ago, I had a girls’ trip with six of us and we rented 2 rooms at this place. We definitely had a great time staying up till late and were able to have access to a private kitchen where we cooked supper.
WHAT TO DO?
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| A’Famosa (photo by Diva In Me) |
Visit the historical sites:
- A’Famosa – It is a Portuguese fortress and among the oldest surviving European architectural remains in Malaysia. It was built in 1511.
- Christ Church – I called it the “Red Church” because the whole building is painted red. It’s an 18th Century Anglican Church and the oldest functioning Protestant Church in Malaysia.
- Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum – This is worth a visit as there’s not many in town anymore. These are homes to many Straits Born Chinese. They’re the descendants of Chinese immigrants who came to Malaysia (Malaya back in the days) between 15th – 17th centuries mainly due to trading reasons and they’re able to communicate in multiple languages such as Chinese, Malay and English.
- Malacca Zoo – It’s located just off the highway and towards the town of Malacca. You’ll not miss it. It’s worth a visit because the zoo is well kept and there are animals of more than 200 species in there.
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| Malacca Christ Church (photo by Diva In Me) |
Jonker Street
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| Jonker Street captured by Yen Hau (My Road Planner) |
- This street has an old charm. It’s best if you can walk on foot from the beginning of the street till the end.
- Food here is pricier as it’s a touristy place, but if you want to try some local food, this is a good place to start.
- Souvenirs and snacks are available here as well.
Cheng Hoon Teng Temple
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| Cheng Hoon Teng Temple captured by Yen Hau (My Road Planner) |
- This temple is a hop and skip away from Jonker Street. It’s on Jalan Tokong and it’s the oldest functioning temple in Malaysia
Ride The Trishaw
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| Trishaws lined up waiting for passengers (photo by Diva In Me) |
- MUST-TRY! Yes, they’re getting more expensive as days go by, but it’s worth to take a ride, especially at night. The whole trishaw would lit up with neon lights! Also, negotiating prices are allowed, so bring on your bargaining power.
Go on a River Cruise
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| River Cruise captured by Yen Hau (My Road Planner) |
- This river tour takes about 45 minutes on The Malacca River, which cuts through the town while making its way to The Straits of Malacca.
- For more details about the River Cruise, go to www.melakarivercruise.com
WHERE TO EAT?
This is what Malaysia is famous for! We’re not lacking of food at any given time of the day. It goes the same with Malacca. Here are some of my personal recommendations:
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| Portuguese Settlement Seafood (photo by Diva In Me) |
- Portuguese Settlement Seafood at Portuguese Square, Ujong Pasir. They’ve really good and affordable priced seafood cooked in Portuguese style.
- Starlite Seafood Restaurant at Jalan Parameswara. I would highly recommend this restaurant for their good seafood and Chinese cuisine.
- Newton Foodcourt at Jalan Parameswara serves some great local hawker-style delicacies. There are a variety of foods to choose from and you can even pack it for supper to satisfy those hunger pangs later at night.
- Baba Charlie Nyonya Cakes is a must-visit! I packed so many cakes and finger food home the last time I was there. That is after I had my lunch there. You can only imagine if I was there with an empty stomach!
HOW TO GET AROUND?
- The best way to move around Malacca is by cycling. There are many hotels that offer bicycle rentals for their patron’s convenience. The places of interest and eateries are all close-by and one can practically cycle from one place to another.
- If your hotel is around the city center, it’s easier if you walk to the UNESCO heritage tourist destinations, as well as restaurants. Most are within walking distance.
- The latest way to move around is with KMB Twizy Electric Car. It fits two people and you can carry your shopping goods without issues. For more info on this smart vehicle, please visit www.kmb.com.my
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| Twizy Electric Cars (photo by Diva In Me) |
I hope this mini-tour and insight to Malacca will help you in your next visit to Malacca. I also hope you’ve enjoyed the virtual tour. Maybe it’s time to plan your next holiday to Malacca in the very near future.
