Top Melaka Attractions
What are the top Melaka attractions? The state of Melaka (Malacca) is one of the smaller states in Malaysia and it does not have lofty mountains or the best beaches but it more than makes up for this with its rich history and wealth of tourist attractions.
The founding of Melaka is usually attributed to an exiled Sumatran prince called Parameswara who arrived around the year 1400AD having earlier been ejected from Temasik (Singapore).
Melaka's strategic position at the narrowest part of the Straits of Melaka, together with the sheltered estuary of the Melaka River, meant that a thriving trading entrepot was soon established with a lucrative spice trade.
In due course the success of Melaka attracted the Portuguese who conquered the state in 1511 and held it until the Dutch took over in 1641. The British in turn ruled Melaka from 1826 until Malaysia's independence in 1957.
These layers of invaders left their marks on the city of Melaka and there are a few other colonial remnants elsewhere in the state.
Melaka city is a UNESCO World Heritage site and to add to the area's allure, the state government and private enterprises have created many newer tourism attractions around Melaka state.
Here are my suggestions for the Top Melaka Attractions based on those that I have visited so far. I may add more to the list as I explore further.
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Click on the photo or link for further information on each attraction.
A lengthy walk around the heritage sites in the heart of this historic city. Highlights include Christ Church, the Stadthuys, St. Paul's Hill, Melaka Sultanate Palace, Sam Poh Kong Temple, Kampung Kling Mosque and the famous Jonker Walk.
Melaka is crammed full of museums, most of them in close walking distance of each other. Favourites include the Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum, Maritime Museum, Islamic Museum, the Stamp Museum and Governor's House.
The Dutch built a fort on the northern edge of Melaka state on a headland with views overlooking the Straits of Malacca and the River Linggi. Some of the original walls still stand.
Cape Rachado (Tanjung Tuan) is a small promontory of Melakan territory surrounded by Negeri Sembilan state. After a pleasant walk through a forest reserve you can see an old lighthouse and take a steep flight of steps down to a secluded beach.
Descendants of the Portuguese settlers can still be found in a small community in Melaka and they strive to maintain their cultural heritage. At Portuguese Square you can visit a small museum and sample some of their cuisine.
This is a rather quirky choice for a Top Melaka Attraction - a small cemetery containing 36 graves dating from 1911 to 1944 of former Japanese residents of Melaka (and one dog). Seldom visited and little known. Read about it on my blog.
A 45 minute, 9km river cruise down the historic Melaka River opens up vistas of the city that cannot be seen from the road. A comfortable and inexpensive way to see the sights.
Calls itself the 'First Revolving Gyro Tower in Malaysia'. Located in the city centre it provides a panoramic 360 degree view of Melaka.
Masjid Selat Melaka is a modern mosque in a hybrid Arab/Malay style on a reclaimed island (Pulau Melaka) close to the town centre. At high tide the mosque appears to be floating above the sea and it has been nicknamed the Floating Mosque.
This place promotes itself as a 520 hectare integrated resort. Highlights include A Famosa Water World, A Famosa Safari Wonderland and A Famosa Cowboy Town. The Water World has some exciting slides and we enjoyed the other two attractions.
St. John's Fort Melaka is a small white 18th century fort built by the Dutch on a low hill with views over the city of Malacca.
Melaka Zoo is one of the best zoos in Malaysia. Read my review here and see details of entrance fees, opening hours and directions.
The Chitty Village is home to a unique hybrid community of Hindu Peranakans, descendants from Tamil traders who settled in Melaka over 500 years ago.
Pulau Besar is part beach resort and part Islamic pilgrimage site. There are also legends of elves, goblins and strange rocks. Worth a visit.
St. Peter’s Church in Melaka is the oldest functioning Roman Catholic church in Malaysia. You can read about on my blog.
Other Top Melaka Attractions include:
Ayer Keroh Recreation Attractions:
- Melaka Wonderland Theme Park & Resort
- Melaka Butterfly & Reptile Sanctuary
- Mini Malaysia & Mini ASEAN Park
- World's Bee Museum
- Ayer Keroh Lake
- Ayer Keroh Botanical Park
- Orang Asli (Aborigines) Museum
- Crocodile Farm
- Ayer Keroh Extreme Motorsports
Jasin Museum
Traditional Melaka House
Megalithic Stones
Alor Gajah Museum of Traditional Customs
British Graveyard, Alor Gajah
Dol Said's Grave
Auyin Hill Resort & Durian Tunggal Recreational Lake
Hang Tua's Mausoleum, Tanjung Kling
Pulau Upeh
Tun Teja's Mausoleum
Gadek Hot Spring
Accommodation
There is far too much to see in Melaka to cover in a day trip so you will need somewhere to stay.
I recommend you stay in a hotel which matches the city. This means not a boring tower block managed by an international hotel chain but a distinctive local hotel with charm and character, possibly quirky, definitely with a bit of history.
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