Wondering what’s the easiest way to travel to Melaka?

Melaka is located between the Malaysian capital city of Kuala Lumpur and Singapore—which is where many of its visitors are from! If you are travelling to Melaka from either city, you can drive to Melaka via the North-South Highway, also known as the PLUS Expressway. When exiting the PLUS highway, take the Ayer Keroh exit to reach Melaka’s city centre.

Get driving directions from Singapore to Melaka (3h 31min drive)

Get driving directions from KL to Melaka (2h 18min drive)

Prefer not to drive? You can book an express bus or coach ticket to get to Melaka—you will likely be dropped off at the Melaka Sentral bus terminal, which is located about 5km from Melaka’s city centre. From there, you can catch a local bus, taxi, or use ride-hailing apps like Grab to get to your hotel. (For greater convenience, look for a coach service that can take you directly to your Melaka hotel!)

The first stop for many visitors to Melaka is Dutch Square (or Red Square), where you’ll instantly recognise its Instagram-famous red buildings, which served as administration offices during Melaka’s Dutch colonial period from the mid-1600s to the early 1800s.

While here, look out for the Stadthuys complex, modelled after a Dutch stadhuis or town hall. This is the oldest-known Dutch building in all of Asia, and it currently houses five cultural museums (including the enriching History and Ethnography Museum), which you can visit for the price of one ticket!

Get directions to Stadthuys

Next to the Stadthuys is Christ Church Melaka, thought to be the oldest Dutch church outside of the Netherlands. Built in the mid-1700s, the church’s nave—or central area—features wooden ceiling beams that were carved from a single tree. Also noteworthy are the tombstones on the church floor, as well as the mural of The Last Supper above the church altar.

Get directions to Christ Church Melaka

Before the Dutch, it was the Portuguese that ruled Melaka. After the Portuguese landed in Melaka in 1511 and overran the city, they built a fort called A Famosa (“the famous”) to protect the city. This fort would help them to secure Melaka for over a century, until the Dutch claimed the territory in 1641. 

Today, all that remains of A Famosa is the Porta de Santiago, or the Santiago Gate. Look hard enough and you’ll spot a small inscription on the gate that reads “Anno 1670”—this subtle engraving was actually added by the Dutch to symbolise their presence in Melaka!

Get directions to Porta de Santiago

Known to locals as the “floating mosque,” the Melaka Straits Mosque is built on stilts in water—when the water rises, it magically appears to float.

Naturally, the Melaka Straits Mosque makes for a captivating photo subject, especially during the golden hours of sunrise and sunset. Its main dome is said to be modelled after a Middle Eastern architectural style, while the four corner turrets are capped with typical Malaysian roofs. Non-Muslim visitors are permitted to enter the mosque, but do be mindful to dress modestly, remove your shoes, and don a headscarf (available for rent) if you are a woman.

Get directions to Melaka Straits Mosque

Also known as Jonker Street, this is the prime attraction in Melaka’s Chinatown, best known for its convivial atmosphere and street vendors hawking food, clothes, and souvenirs. Although Covid-19 shutdowns briefly turned Jonker Walk into a ghost town, stalls have since reopened and the night market has resumed operations—bringing back its glory days.

Beyond the street vendors, the Jonker Street neighbourhood is also famed for having some of Melaka’s most popular eateries. These include: Hoe Kee Chicken Rice Ball, famed for serving succulent, moist, and flavoursome chicken eaten with a ball of rice cooked in chicken fat; Straits Affair, a Peranakan tea room with delectable desserts; and Poh Piah Lwee, which serves delicious popiahs (spring rolls filled with turnip, egg, peanuts, and more) flavoured with bits of pork lard. 

Get directions to Jonker Walk

Curious about Peranakan culture? The term “Peranakan” originated in the 1400s, purportedly after a Chinese princess wedded the Sultan of Melaka, and their children became known as “peranakans,” or “native born” in Malay. Thereafter, Peranakan men were called “Baba,” while Peranakan women were referred to as “Nyonya.”

And how did the Peranakans live? The Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum invites you to wander through the home of Baba Chan Cheng Siew, whose eclectic taste offers a glimpse into the opulence that was fashionable in wealthier Peranakan homes during the pre-WWII days. 

For a more immersive experience, be sure to take an audio tour, or sign up for a guided visit.

Get directions to Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum

Surrounded by a tranquil landscape of rolling hills, PARKROYAL A’Famosa Melaka Resort is a 40-minute drive from Melaka city. 

The resort offers 413 rooms and suites designed with a touch of local inspiration, wrapped with the familiar warm and engaging PARKROYAL service. Dining options include a lobby lounge, an all-day dining restaurant, a Chinese specialty restaurant, a club lounge, and a pool cafe. 

For families, child-friendly facilities include a kids’ club and activity centre, as well as outdoor swimming pools and playgrounds.

For booking enquiries or trip assistance, please contact our team today!