Melaka sightseeing attractions guide - top 10
A'Famosa Gate is a must-see tourist attraction
Malacca is a historical city which is blessed with a vast variety of tourist attractions and because of its long and often-bloody history. Considered by many to be the cultural heart of Malaysia, Portuguese, Dutch and British colonisers have all controlled the settlement over the centuries. This, along with an influx of Chinese and Indian immigrants who married into the local Malay population, has bequeathed Melaka a unique mix of ethnicities.
Touring the city is simpicity itself with most Melaka sightseeing attractions within a brief stroll from one another. Traditional trishaws, often brightly adorned with flowers, are always on hand if you need a break from the blistering heat, but just getting lost in maze of narrow alleyways of the old town is a thrilling prospect. Check out our comprehensive list of the top Melaka sightseeing attractions for a thorough guide to the city.
Christ Church of Melaka
Built in 1753, this church is the oldest place of worship for Protestants in Malaysia and was originally built to mark 100 years of Dutch colonial rule in Melaka. Decorated in deep red and with an enormous white cross in the front-centre, the original structure has undergone many alternations over time. (Jalan Gereja, open daily 09:00 - 17:00)
A’Famosa Gate
Iconic A'Famosa Gate, built in 1511, is the only remnant left of Portuguese fortifications to protect Melaka from Dutch attack. But when the British took over they dismantled much of the fort before eventually ceding Melaka to the Netherlands in 1810 towards the end of the Napoleonic Wars. But Singapore-founder Sir Stamford Raffles – who was then an officer in the British army – stopped the Romanesque gate being destroyed. This imposing piece of local history is an obligatory stop on any tour of Melaka attractions.
Maritime and Naval Museum
Flora de la Mar contains the museum
This Melaka museum is contained within an accurate replica of the Portuguese ship Flora de la Mar which was wrecked near the city's port. It is home to ancient scrolls, models of colonial vessels, weaponry and countless naval artefacts spanning the lifetime of the city. (Jalan Merdeka, Tel: +60 (0)6 283 0926, open 09:00 - 17:30, admission: RM2)
People's Museum (Muzium Rakyat)
This large Melaka museum contains several impressive collections including the third floor's Enduring Beauty display which is especially worth seeing. It demonstrates the different methods local people employed to alter their appearances over the centuries, including head deformations, dental mutilation, scaring, tattoos and foot binding. (Jalan Kota, open 09:00 - 18:00, closed Friday 12:15 - 14:45, admission: RM2)
Stadthuys
This former governor’s house and colonial administration centre is understood to be the oldest remaining Dutch building in the whole of Asia. Constructed around the middle of the 17th century, its pink facade, grand staircases and high windows are typical of the Netherlands. Today the acclaimed History and Ethnography Museum lies within (admission: RM2) which boasts Chinese and Malay weaponry, pottery and a detailed account of the history of Melaka. (Town Square, Tel: +60 (0)6 282 6526, open 09:00 - 18:00, closed Friday 12.15 - 14:45)
Cheng Hoon Teng Temple
This is the oldest Chinese-Buddhist temple in Malaysia having been built in 1646. Boasting elaborate carved woodwork frontage and a brightly coloured interior, it is dedicated to goddess of mercy Kwan Yin. This Melaka temple remains a focal point for the city's Oriental community and is often packed with worshippers. (25 Jalan Tokong, Tel: +60 (0)6 282 9343, open daily 07:00 - 19:00)
Melaka Sultanate Palace
Based on descriptions within the Malay Annals of the 15th century palace belonging to Sultan Mansur Shah, this wooden replica currently contains a fascinating cultural museum. The elaborately-carved woodwork is complimented by historic exhibits explaining the court structure of the time and the life story of the Sultan. (Jalan Kota, Tel: +60 (0)6 282 7464, open 09:00 - 17:30)
