The city of Malacca is home to unique sites that unite a dual culture and history: Malay besides the colonial influence of the Portuguese, Dutch and British. The city center is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Visitors will find many of the attractions focus on old architecture, shops, museums and other structures that were left behind by previous rulers, making the city a kaleidoscope of styles and aesthetics. The heritage area of the Old Town is the most popular tourist zone, with much of the city’s museums, galleries, shops and historical attractions found here.
Red Square (Dutch Square)
Located a 2-minute walk from the Jonker Street Night Market, Red Square reflects the colonial Dutch history of Malacca, with hints of Chinese rule and British colonization.
The square offers a carnival-like atmosphere that is popular with tourists and locals alike. Sites of cultural significance include the Christ Church, Queen Victoria’s fountain and the Tan Beng Swee Clock Tower while A Famosa signals to its Portuguese past. The square is famous for its countless photo opportunities as well as surrounding souvenir shops.
Address: Jalan Gereja, Bandar Hilir, 75000, Melaka
Phone: +606 – 232 8402
Operating Hours:
– 24 hours daily
Admission Cost:
– Free of charge
Website
Jonker Street Night Market
One of the most popular destinations in Malacca— famous throughout Malaysia—the Jonker Street Night Market is a busy outdoor market that sells everything from food to souvenirs, entertainment and more. With 10,000 visitors in a single day on weekends, Jonker Street is the main artery through Malacca’s Chinatown. Though locked with traffic on weekdays, the weekends are a traffic-free zone with food and drink stalls for pedestrians only.
Visitors can find everything here—food, toys, jewelry, artwork—there are no limits to the types of products on sale. Some of the more famous items include curry fish balls, mango smoothies and homemade laksa. In addition to shopping, entertainment for adults and children are often on display, such as music, dancing and more. Making Jonker Street Night Market a must-see attraction for visitors in Malacca.
Address: Jonker Street/Jalan Hang Jebat, 75300, Melaka
Phone: +606 – 232 8402
Operating Hours:
– Friday – Sunday: 6:00pm – 12:00am
Admission Cost:
– Free of charge
Website
A Famosa
A legacy of the Portuguese, A Famosa was a fortress built in Malacca in 1512. While much of the original structure was destroyed by the British in 1807, the Porta de Santiago and Middleburg Bastion still exist today. The fort is most famous for its oldest aspects of European architecture that remain in Southeast Asia today. The structure has been partially restored, with the discovery of the Middleburg Bastion in 2006. It is understood that the fortress originally contained four major towers and was once the tallest building in the region. Today, visitors can view the remaining parts and marvel at the last traces of Portuguese architecture in Malaysia.
Address: Jalan Parameswara, Bandar Hilir, 78000, Melaka.
Phone: +606 – 232 8402
Operating Hours:
– 24 hours daily
Admission Cost:
– Free of charge
Website
