Malacca
Discover Malacca
Malacca City (Malay: Bandaraya Melaka, and officially Melaka City) is a city and the capital of the state of Malacca, Malaysia. Malacca is a vibrant old city with a unique historical and cultural background. The city centre is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with George Town, Penang. Malacca was the capital of a powerful Malay kingdom before the colonial era, and was influenced by subsequent Portuguese, Dutch and British rule.
What to Experience in Malacca
Taste of Malacca...
Besides the usual Malaysian fare, you'll be able to sample some rather peculiar Malaccan food. On top of the list is of course Peranakan or Baba-Nyonya food, which used to be totally uncommercialised and confined to the kitchens of old grandmothers. Now, there is a string of restaurants claiming to serve Peranakan food, but most unfortunately seem to be on the tour bus circuit. The dishes are slightly different from those of the Penang Peranakan. Usual ones include babi pongteh (pork belly in bean sauce, or sometimes a halal variant known as ayam pongteh that uses chicken instead), ayam buah keluak (chicken cooked with a bitter nut) and a whole array of desserts. Another famous Malacca dish is what is commonly called "chicken rice ball". Although it is called Hainanese chicken rice, it is not from Hainan, China, but invented by the Hainanese immigrants to Malaysia a long time ago. The chicken for this dish is very much the same as the boiled chicken offered throughout Malaysia; what is unique is the rice - it comes in ping-pong sized balls. Yet another Malaccan speciality is satay celup. It is like lok-lok found in other parts of the country but instead of dipping your skewered food (fishballs, crabsticks, meat, prawns, etc.) into boiling water, you dip them into a boiling vat of satay sauce. The sight of boiling satay sauce may not appeal to you but the crowds at the satay celup outlets seem to suggest that many have overcome their phobias.
A Rich Past
Explore the historical roots that shaped Malacca into what it is today.
Before the arrival of the first Sultan, Malacca was a simple fishing village inhabited by local Malays. The Malacca Sultanate was founded by Parameswara, also called Iskandar Shah or Sri Majara, the last Raja of Singapura (the Malay name of Singapore) following a Majapahit attack in 1377. Parameswara found his way to Malacca in 1400 where he found a port, accessible in all seasons and on the strategically located narrowest point of the Malacca Strait. This later became Malacca. There are some interesting legends surrounding the foundation and naming of Malacca. According to the 16th century Malay Annals, the city was founded by Parameswara. Some believe it more likely that he was a Hindu prince and political fugitive from nearby Java. The legend goes that Parameswara was out on a hunt in the region and had stopped to refresh himself near what is now the Malacca River. Standing near a melaka (Indian gooseberry) tree he was surprised to witness one of his hunting dogs so startled by a mouse deer that it fell into the river. Parameswara took this as a propitious sign of the weak overcoming the powerful and decided to build the capital of his new kingdom where he stood, naming it for the tree under which he had been resting. Another account says Malacca is derived from the Arabic word Malakat, meaning "market". Malacca had a navigable harbour sheltered by nearby Sumatra across the narrow straits....
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsKuala Lumpur International Airport KLIA, (KUL) is the nearest major airport and is 1½-2 hr away by car. The bus company Transnasional runs 4 direct buses daily at 09:15, 11:45, 16:15 & 20:15 (RM22/16 adult/child), travelling time 2½ hours, but if you miss them, you'll have to detour via KL or take a taxi with travelling time about 1½ hours (fixed "budget" fare RM159, one-way, counter inside Domestic Arrivals, the guard will happily let you and your trolley of luggage back into this area from outside). Southbound buses now leave from new bus terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS), which is next to LRT station and KTM Komuter station Bandar Tasik Selatan. Easiest way to get there from Chinatown is walk to Kuala Lumpur old railway station (opposite side of canal from LRT Pasar Seni station, use overpass) and take KTM Komuter train for RM1.10 or take LRT from Masjid Jamek station....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Malacca is by no means a small city, but most of the main sites are within easy walking distance from each other and are best explored on foot. Be mindful not to hold up traffic while taking pictures of buildings. The locals have generally good driving sense and adhere to traffic laws. Streets in the older/historical part of the city are very narrow, so they quickly become clogged during peak hours. This is especially so during the weekends, when cars from other parts of Malaysia and from Singapore flood to the city. Finding a car park lot is also extremely difficult during weekends. Most of the roads are also one-way, so plan your route properly. Avoid taxis if possible and use e-hailing Uber or Grab rides. Taxis are known to be rude and aggressive, and refuse to use meters and overcharge passengers. Chartered taxis would cost about RM20 to go anywhere in the city whereas an e-hailing ride may be lower than half the price for a much safer and cleaner car and driver.
Where to Stay
Malacca is a very safe place with a low crime rate. However, do watch out for pickpockets in crowded areas and bags snatching on the roadside by motorbikes. Carry your identification papers (passport) with you always because there are random checks by the police for illegal immigrants.
Money & Budget
Malacca is famed for its antiques, with many a beautiful shophouse interior now filled to the brim with artefacts from all around the Asia Pacific region. Your chances of finding a bargain here are minimal though; prices in many of the tourist-oriented places are absurdly high by any standard, and although many items are touted as being 'more than a hundred years old', most is brand new but 'aged' at the back of the shops. For restaurants, cafes and dining see the Eat section below. Besides the usual Malaysian fare, you'll be able to sample some rather peculiar Malaccan food. On top of the list is of course Peranakan or Baba-Nyonya food, which used to be totally uncommercialised and confined to the kitchens of old grandmothers.
Language & Talk
Malacca is a culturally diverse city, and this is reflected in the number of languages in use in daily life. As in other parts of Malaysia, Malay is the lingua franca, and English is widely spoken in tourist areas and among upper-class locals. The ethnic Chinese community mainly speaks Hokkien, though many are also able to speak Cantonese and Mandarin. The ethnic Indian community mainly consists of Tamil speakers, though there is also a significant Sikh minority that mainly speaks Punjabi. The Peranakan community speaks a distinctive Malay-based creole with strong Hokkien influences known as Baba Malay, while the Portuguese-Eurasian community speaks a Portuguese-based creole known as Kristang.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Malacca is a very safe place with a low crime rate. However, do watch out for pickpockets in crowded areas and bags snatching on the roadside by motorbikes. Carry your identification papers (passport) with you always because there are random checks by the police for illegal immigrants.
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Malacca
A river running through a city next to tall buildings
boat with tourists sailing along the street with painted buildings
A modern mosque in Melaka, Malaysia
A quiet street with red lanterns in Malacca, Malaysia
A mosque above the waters
M A L A C C A
A group of people walking down a street next to tall buildings
A boat packed with tourist cruising the Melaka River from Tan Kim Seng Bridge point of view during daytime.
Roundabout at Bandar Hilir, Malacca with H&M building at the background.
Built-in the 18th century when the Dutch took over Malaysia, the christ church is a go-to place for tourists
A river running through a city next to tall buildings
boat with tourists sailing along the street with painted buildings
A modern mosque in Melaka, Malaysia