Day 1

St. Paul’s Hill area: Get it over with, and visit the historical sights, preferably early in the day because it can get hot for those stairs! You are headed to St. Paul’s Hill. On the way you can see A Famosa, a centuries-old fortress (well, only the gate of it…) built by the Portuguese in the 16th century. Although the gatehouse is not much of a sight, it serves as a poignant reminder of Melaka’s strategic importance during the age of maritime trade. Right after the gate, you will find stairs leading up to the hill, where you’ll find the ruins of St. Paul’s Church overlooking the city. Take in panoramic views of Melaka from this vantage point and explore the historic tombstones and the architecture of the church.

Dutch buildings: As you walk towards the next stop, you will inevitably bump into and recognize the red square with the iconic red Dutch buildings that feature on many a postcard and fridge magnet depicting the city. Stadthuys and Christchurch were built using bricks shipped over from the Netherlands during the period of Dutch rule and are, well, in the trademark Dutch style. I think you can give up the naive idea of visiting this place without crowds and just stroll by right before heading to Jonker street area for lunch.

Jonker Street: Wander through the iconic Jonker Street, known for its vibrant atmosphere and colorful shophouses. Shopping is fun here and (still?) cheap, so don’t hold back as you browse through antique stores, souvenir shops, and local handicraft stalls. Here you can also get lunch, either at open air stalls (some are there even when the market is closed), but I recommend a sit-in restaurant more (read more about eating below!).

Museum time: After lunch, discover the Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum. Marvel at the beautifully preserved interiors of this traditional Peranakan house and learn about the unique heritage of the Baba Nyonya community through guided tours and exhibits.

Explore the famous night market: If you happen to be here Fri-Sun, this is definitely your top activity in Melaka. The market opens at 6pm and lasts until midnight. There are many stalls for trinkets and gizmos, mixed with the occasional food stand. If you’re headed straight for the food section, you can find it at the very “end” of the market, in this corner where there are a lot of stalls selling food (a LOT of seafood too!), and seating areas.

Day 2

Continue your faithful dedication to eating on the second day, you probably won’t be able to try all the good things even in 2 days anyway. The most interesting thing here is Peranakan (or Nyonya) Cuisine. Most famous dishes include ayam pongteh (chicken stew), otak-otak (fish cakes), and cendol (a refreshing dessert) and Melaka’s signature dish, chicken rice balls.

Walk around the streets and bump into street art: there are some cool colorful murals and graffiti to discover, like the huge one of an orangutan on the side of the aptly named Orangutan House (where you can even buy posters and souvenirs with said iconic animal of Malaysia).

Visit Cheng Hoong Teng Chinese temple: The oldest operating temple in Malaysia and is quite different from the rest of Melaka’s architecture. If you’re lucky you might even be able to witness a ceremony, like I did. (Remember to be respectful and remain in the background, and position yourself strategically to dodge the worst of the fumes of about a thousand burning incense sticks.)

Pick your tacky treat: Either take a leisurely cruise along the Melaka River (popular with locals!) or take a lit up tuk tuk to take you around (even more popular with locals!).

Experience the Melaka Sultanate Palace Museum: Conclude your trip with a visit to the Melaka Sultanate Palace Museum, a replica of the 15th-century palace of the Melaka Sultanate. Delve into Melaka’s royal history as you explore the museum’s exhibits, artifacts, and multimedia presentations, offering insights into the region’s cultural heritage.

How much time you need

Make it a day trip | Malacca makes a great day trip from Singapore or Kuala Lumpur. This tour from KL is a great option and includes almost everything!

Stay overnight | You can definitely spend 2 days in Malacca, especially if you’re keen on trying the local foods.

How to get there

By car| Melaka is very close to both Singapore and Kuala Lumpur and makes for a great stop on your road trip if traveling either way.

By plane | Surprising, but there used to be an international airport in Melaka. It operated until 2023 September, but is no longer open due to high costs and low demand (makes sense, as both Singapore and Kuala Lumpur are very close).

By train | Unfortunately there is no train connection to either Singapore or Kuala Lumpur.

By bus | It’s very easy to catch a bus from Singapore city and airport (3-4h) or Kuala Lumpur city and airport (2-3h). There are tons of options daily. You can book your bus ticket from Singapore here, or from Kuala Lumpur here.

How to get around

Once you arrive in Melaka, almost everything can be done on foot as all the main landmarks are within walking distance of each other. For those sights that are further away (such as Melaka Straits Mosque), take a taxi. The best way to do this is to use Grab (the local Uber), it is safe, easy and very cheap!
The easiest way to travel in Malaysia (except Kuala Lumpur, which is way too hectic for driving!) is by car. This way you can be really flexible and decide how long to stay, and explore additional less touristy spots. A great option is to rent a car through Discovercars, where it’s easy to find the best deal.

Where to next?

If this guide helped you understand what it’s really like to travel in Malaysia, the next step is planning your route. Start here for a complete overview:

→ Malaysia Travel Guide
(destinations, transport, costs, and practical tips)

Planning your itinerary?

2-week Malaysia itinerary: ideal for first-time visitors

3-week Malaysia itinerary: slower pace with Borneo or islands

Further reading for Malaysia:

If you prefer to plan by destination, these in-depth guides cover some of Malaysia’s highlights:

Best Things to Do in Cameron Highlands

The Best Hike in Cameron Highlands

A Short Guide to Kuala Lumpur

Cave Temples and White Coffee in Ipoh, Malaysia

The Ultimate Guide to Bako National Park, Malaysia

Best Things to do in Georgetown, Penang