Malacca

Region · 🇲🇾 Malaysia

Population 998,400

Area 1,673 km²

Time zone Asia/Kuala_Lumpur

Official website www.melaka.gov.my

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Featured Lists

Nation kingdom / Public domain

Malacca's Absolute Essentials

Malacca’s historical core features a concentrated collection of colonial landmarks, including the 16th-century A Famosa fortress and the red-hued Dutch Stadthuys. The city’s cultural heritage is preserved in the Peranakan architecture of Jonker Street and the Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, the oldest functioning Chinese temple in Malaysia. Modern additions include the revolving Taming Sari Tower and the Malacca Straits Mosque, built on a man-made island. Culinary traditions are represented through regional specialties like satay celup and chicken rice balls.

19 places

Ahmad Rithauddin / CC BY 2.0

Malacca's Hidden Gems

Malacca's history is preserved through diverse architectural landmarks, including the 16th-century Portuguese A Famosa Fortress and the 18th-century Cheng Hoon Teng, Malaysia's oldest functioning Buddhist temple. The city features a unique blend of religious sites like the floating Malacca Strait Mosque and the traditional Sumatran-style Kampung Kling Mosque. Specialized museums, such as the Maritime Museum housed in a replica Portuguese ship and the Museum of Enduring Beauty, provide deep cultural insights alongside the final resting places of legendary 15th-century warriors.

15 places

MS / CC-BY-SA

Cultural Heritage Museums

Malacca's cultural landscape is defined by its colonial past and diverse heritage. This collection features the iconic Dutch-built Stadthuys and the Flor de la Mar ship replica at the Maritime Museum. Specialized exhibits include Peranakan traditions at the Baba and Nyonya House, naval history within a decommissioned submarine, and the Ming Dynasty voyages showcased at the Cheng Ho Cultural Museum. Architectural landmarks like 8 Heeren Street demonstrate local restoration efforts, while the Malaysia Prison Museum offers insight into the region's penal history.

12 places

Public domain

Historic Religious Sites

Melaka's religious landscape features a diverse range of historic sites reflecting its multicultural history. The 18th-century Christ Church showcases Dutch colonial architecture, while the Kampung Kling Mosque highlights a unique blend of Sumatran and Chinese styles with its pagoda-like minaret. The Cheng Hoon Teng Temple stands as the oldest functioning Chinese temple in Malaysia, practicing a mix of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. Sri Poyatha Moorthi Temple remains the country's oldest intact Hindu temple. In contrast, the modern Malacca Strait Mosque sits on a man-made island, appearing to float during high tide.

5 places