Top 10 things what to do in Malacca (Melaka) - Malaysia travel guide

Planning a trip to Malacca (also commonly spelt Melaka)? This guide to the very best things to do in Malacca is exactly what you need.

We’ll cover some things to do in Melaka whether you’re there for a quick visit or staying a few days, including things to do in Melaka with family if you’re there with kids, and some ideas for a more romantic time if you’re there for a break with a loved one. As a bonus we’ll also introduce Wise as the perfect way to save money when spending at home and abroad, so you can avoid foreign transaction fees and do more with your money.

Table of contents
Enjoy Malacca’s marvellous makan Catch sunset at Taming Sari Tower Chen Hoon Teng Temple Check out the night markets for some amazing hawker fare Take a trishaw tour and night cruise Catch a show at Encore Melaka Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum A’Famosa Safari Wonderland A’Famosa Water Theme Park Taman Mini Malaysia

1. Enjoy Malacca’s marvellous makan

Where else to start the walkthrough of what to do in Malacca than with food? Malacca is home to plenty of amazing restaurants including of course Nyonya food as a representation of the area’s heritage. But as you’d expect in such a cultural melting pot, there are also plenty of nods to other influences on the city, past and present, with Portuguese, Eurasian and Chinese food plentiful, as well as international cuisine from Mexican to tapas and more.

Your biggest issue when it comes to food is likely to be picking between all the marvellous options. Depending on your personal tastes, there are some handy blogs out there with the very best of local food - plus ratings on Google give a good insight into the very latest places to be. Check out this guide to food in Melaka or try this guide to Melaka’s best places to eat as a starting point.

2. Catch sunset at Taming Sari Tower

The Taming Sari Tower has a 360 degree rotating platform at 80 metres high which gives you a beautiful view of the whole area. It’s open all day, but if you’re looking for things to do in Malacca for couples, catching the sunset at the tower is a romantic option which allows you to feel on top of it all with views of the city right down to the Straits, and beyond.

The glass cabin can accommodate 66 people at a time, but booking in advance online may be a smart plan to ensure you get the session you want.

Address: Jalan Merdeka, Banda Hilir, Malacca

Opening hours: 9:00am - 10:00pm weekdays, open until 11:00pm on weekends

Learn more: Taming Sari Tower

3. Chen Hoon Teng Temple

Chen Hoon Teng is the oldest still functioning temple in the whole country. You can wander around the prayer halls and other buildings on your own if you’d like to, but you can also get a guide if you want to learn more about the significance of this location, and its place as a home to living traditions which have been carried on for generations.

Address: 25, Jalan Tokong, 75200, Malacca

Learn more: Chen Hoon Teng Temple

4. Check out the night markets for some amazing hawker fare

Jonker Walk is the place to head if you’re interested in eating at a night market and getting a taste of the flavours of Malacca. It’s a pretty area in its own right, with beautiful architecture which has been well preserved, but the time to get there for the best of the street food is a weekend evening after about 6:00pm. You’ll be treated to all sorts of delicious makan - but bear in mind that while the night market is on, the area gets pretty crowded with vehicles. Arriving on foot might be the easiest solution if you’ve got the option.

Address: Jalan Hang Jebat, 75200 Malacca

Opening hours: Night market on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, starts to set up from late afternoon or early evening, fully underway by 6:00pm

Learn more: Tourism Malacca - Jonker Walk

5. Take a trishaw tour and night cruise

Malacca is home to some of the most colourful, blinged up trishaws you’re ever likely to see. From flowers and butterflies, to neon lights, cartoon characters and anime favourites, these trishaws look more like parade floats than simple ways to get around the city. While you can hire a trishaw just to get from A to B, you can also choose to take a tour of the sights, or pair a trishaw experience with a night cruise. Lots of providers offer various packages so you can pick the one that suits your party and your needs - whichever you pick, it’s definitely one of the top fun things to do in Malacca which you’re unlikely to see anywhere else!

Learn more: Klook Trishaw tour/Cruise

6. Catch a show at Encore Melaka

Encore Melaka is a multi-venue performing art centre, home to shows, music and theatre, and also hosting other events such as markets and conferences. It’s a huge building down by the waterfront, which is pretty easy to spot thanks to its eye-catching design from an award winning architect. The exterior is made up of thousands of panels, said to be like fish scales, which reflect the sky and the water throughout the day.

It’s worth seeing if there’s anything on the schedule you fancy when you’re in Malacca, to get a look round and enjoy a night out doing something a bit different.

Address: Impression City, No. 3, Jalan KSB – Impression 8, Kota Syahbandar, 75200 Malacca

Opening hours: Check on what’s on and when on the Encore Melaka upcoming shows page

Learn more: Encore Melaka

7. Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum

Learn more about the local history of Malacca in this fantastic museum. The Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum was home to a local family from the 1860s, and is now packed full of interesting and informative displays and items to get a sense for life in days gone by. The museum is still owned and managed by the family which lived in it for generations, and shows the opulent lifestyle enjoyed by many in the prosperous times of the area pre-World War 2. You can take a self guided tour, or book a tour in advance - you’re recommended to book a month before you plan to visit if you have fixed times for a tour as slots are limited.

Address: No. 48 & 50 Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, 75200, Malacca

Opening hours: 10:00am - 5:00pm daily except Mondays

Learn more: Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum

8. A’Famosa Safari Wonderland

A’Famosa Safari Wonderland isn’t in Malacca city - it’s about an hour drive from the very centre - but if you’re looking for fun things to do in Malacca with kids it’s worth the trip. You’ll find areas where kids can interact with the (gentle) animals, places where you can walk through enclosures to get a little closer to the bigger wildlife, and a full safari experience where you ride around in a vehicle to get the best views of the animal residents of the park.

Pair your visit here with the A’Famosa waterpark for a full day of family fun in Malacca (more on that option, next)

Address: A'Famosa Resort, Jalan Kemus, Simpang Empat, Alor Gajah, Malacca

Opening hours: 10:00am - 5:00pm daily except Tuesdays

Learn more: A’Famosa Safari Wonderland

9. A’Famosa Water Theme Park

If you’re planning a fun day trip around Malacca with kids, the A’Famosa Water Theme Park is a good option to pair with the safari attraction - plus if the grown ups still have any energy there’s a great outlet shopping area close by, too.

In the water theme park you’ll find wave pools, a lazy river, slides of all sizes to suit kids big and small, a sandy beach and plenty of areas to kick back and relax.

Address: A'Famosa Resort, Jalan Kemus, Simpang Empat, Alor Gajah, Malacca

Opening hours: 10:00am - 6:00pm daily except Tuesdays

Learn more: A’Famosa Water Theme Park

10. Taman Mini Malaysia

Taman Mini Malaysia is in Ayer Keroh, a few kilometres outside of the Malacca city centre. You’ll be able to wander around mini versions of traditional houses from throughout Malaysia which have been erected in this outdoor museum, and get full explanations of where the buildings originated and how and why they were used.

If you have your own vehicle, this is a very easy trip from Malacca - plus it’s right next to Melaka Zoo if you want to extend your stay and take in another kid-friendly attraction.

Address: Lebuh Ayer Keroh, Malacca

Opening hours: Check on Taman Mini Malaysia social media pages for the latest information

Learn more: Taman Mini Malaysia Instagram; Taman Mini Malaysia Facebook

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