Malaysia

Five things to do and see in Malacca, Malaysia

Nick Morris

Jun 3, 2015 — 3 min read

My top 5 to do and see in Malacca, Malaysia

This blog post is also available as a video on YouTube:

1. Take in the history

Very few places I visited in Malaysia have any surviving history. Most of it has vanished. I once asked a guide about this in a museum, and he shrugged and replied, ‘pretty much everything was built of wood and has rotted away.

Malacca, like Malaysia, has a long and troubled past of colonisation and invasion.

There was the Portuguese Empire 1511; Dutch Empire 1641; British Empire 1824; Straits Settlements 1826; Crown Colony 1867; Japanese occupation 15 January 1942; Malayan Union 1 April 1946; Federation of Malaya 31 January 1948; and final, the country became Malaysia on the 16 September 1963.

And in Malacca, a lot of the history survives in the buildings and can still be seen.

Start with a visit to the Kompleks Muzium Maritim (Samudera / Flor de La Mar), as that will help give you some context. Then move on to look at:

St Paul’s Church
Porta De Santiago (A Famosa Fortress)
River Fort
The Dutch Graveyard
Christ Church
Queen Victoria Fountain
Church of St Francis Xavier’s

Photo by Author — Porta De Santiago (A Famosa Fortress), Malacca,

All these sites are within walking distance of each other, even in the heat of the Malaysian sun.

2. Explore the architecture

As you walk around Malacca, particularly if you are following a ‘heritage trail’ as outlined above, take the time to look at the architecture, Malacca is a beautiful town.

The area around Heeren Street is worth a look for some classic Malaysian architecture.

Photo by Author — Heeren Street, Malacca, Malaysia

3. Walk the river

The river walk is great and worth doing.

The houses along the river are colourful and interesting, and the artwork is fantastic.

Photo by Author — the well — Riverside, Malacca

4. Eat the local food

There are tons of great local food to sample, from Custard Tarts and Pineapple Tarts to excellent street food at the Night Market and local cafés and restaurants. You are spoilt for choice. Enjoy.

Photo by Author — satay — Night Market, Malacca, Malaysia

5. DON’T ride the trishaws

OK. I know I said this was a list of things to do in Malacca, but please don’t use the types of trishaws shown in the photo below. Yes, I know people want to make money from visiting tourists, but the trishaws detract from the town. They are everywhere, they are noisy and garish, and they are a nuisance.