Explore Malacca in a Day: Ultimate Guide for Cultural and Historical Tourists

Many tourists from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and JB arrive at Melaka Sentral, the central bus station in Malacca. It is recommended to use Grab for a taxi from the bus station to the city center, which costs around 50 RMB.

1️⃣ Jonker Street
This is Malacca’s “Chinatown.” The street in the early morning is less bustling than at night, with an added touch of nostalgia. Cobblestone paths are flanked by colonial-style shophouses. It is also a very lively place, with many stalls selling snacks and handicrafts on both sides of the street, similar to a night market in China.

2️⃣ Stadthuys (Dutch Square)
Next to Jonker Street is the Dutch Square, a cluster of brick-red buildings left over from the Dutch colonial period, which is like a postcard of Malacca.
Christ Church: The most prominent building in the red house complex, it houses a 17th-century Dutch organ inside.
Murals along the Malacca River: Colorful murals and colorful old houses by the river next to the red houses, where you can easily take photos that capture the essence of Nanyang.

3️⃣ St. Paul’s Hill
Climb up St. Paul’s Hill from behind the Dutch Square.
Ruins of St. Paul’s Church: An ancient church built by the Portuguese in 1521, where you can see statues of missionaries and colonial-era tombstones among the ruins.
From St. Paul’s Hill, you can overlook the Strait of Malacca: The textbook image of the Strait of Malacca becomes tangible here!

! (Though, to be honest, it’s not as impressive as the Singapore Strait, which has excellent free viewpoints; see my previous notes for details 🆓)

4️⃣ Malacca Sultanate Palace
After descending the hill, walk for 5 minutes to reach this replica of a 15th-century wooden palace. The museum displays clothing, weapons, and daily life scenes from the Malay sultanate period, with an entrance fee of only 2 Malaysian Ringgit.

5️⃣ A Famosa
Only a stone gate remains of this castle, but it is the site of the earliest European military fort in Southeast Asia, with its weathered walls bearing the marks of time.

6️⃣ Masjid Selat Melaka (Malacca Straits Mosque)
In the evening, take a 20-minute taxi ride to this mosque built on the sea. The pure white structure turns golden under the sunset, and when the tide recedes, you can walk out to the rocks and experience the interplay of waves and prayer sounds.

Actually, Malacca is not very large. Except for the Malacca Straits Mosque, which is a bit further away, all the other attractions are basically in the same area and can be visited within 2 hours. A one-day trip is more than enough. As a friendly reminder, bus tickets purchased through Easybook cannot be changed or refunded, unlike in China, so please plan your time wisely!