Melaka (Malacca) Travel Guide

Located on the west coast of Malaysia, Melaka (also spelled Malacca) is one of the most historically interesting places in Southeast Asia.  Don’t let the city’s modest size fool you – it played a major role in the history and colonization of the region. 

Its prime location overlooking the Straits of Melaka made it a coveted shipping port, and from the city’s beginnings in 1400 until the 1940s it was fought over by the Malaysians, Dutch, Portuguese, British and Japanese.  You can read a fuller account of Melaka’s colorful past in the History & Politics section.

Melaka has embraced its past and preserved historic sites and buildings dating as far back as the 16th century.  Melaka’s architecture is as diverse as its history with traditional Malay wooden houses, Portuguese fortresses, Chinese temples and Dutch governor’s mansions all coexisting in the same neighborhood. 

Meleka’s efforts to conserve the relics of its past were recognized by UNESCO in 2008 when it was designated a World Heritage Site.

Today, Melaka is a modern city with busy highways and big shopping malls, but its well-preserved historic sites, plentiful museums, unique shopping, and diverse cuisine make it a big hit with tourists from around the world.  Melaka certainly has enough to offer to warrant a 2-3 day stay. 

Must-see sights include the Maritime Museum, Old Dutch Square, and shopping along Jonker Street.

Melaka is located at the southern region of Malaysia. Melaka (or Malacca), a city well-known for its rich history, contributed a great deal in the development of Malaysia and its neigbouring countries as a whole.

The city of Melaka (Malacca) is unique, with the blend of multi-racial cultures found on her local lifestyles, cuisines and languages, creating a harmonious atmosphere. The locals (Melakans or Malaccans) are generally very friendly and helful people.

The cost of living here is not high, making it a good place for both local and foreign investors to setup their businesses here, especially in terms of manufacturing.

Climate & When to go

Like the rest of Malaysia, Melaka is firmly in the tropical zone with hot and humid weather year-round.  Expect the temperature to swing from the low 30s Celcius at the peak of the day to a more comfortable 27 C in the evening.  As Melaka is right on the coast rain is common, but most of it falls from October to December.  If you're hoping for a rain-free visit, the best time to go is from January to April. 

Melaka is a popular weekend destination for city-dwellers from Kuala Lumpur or Singapore and gets noticably busier on the weekend. If you prefer to have the city to yourself, we suggeest visiting on a weekday.  Since the weekends are so busy, many of Melaka's small museums, popular restaurants, and shops take their day of rest on Tuesday.