Melaka
Melaka is a compact port city where Portuguese ruins, Dutch-era buildings and Peranakan shophouses sit within walking distance of each other.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Melaka, also spelled Malacca, is a historic port city and state capital on the Strait of Malacca, on the west coast of peninsular Malaysia. Its old town has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008, shared with George Town in Penang. The port traded for centuries, and each power that held it left buildings behind. The Portuguese built the A Famosa fort, and the Dutch built the red Stadthuys and Christ Church. Chinese and Malay traders settled here too, and their descendants, the Peranakan or Baba Nyonya community, shaped the town's houses, food and crafts.
Kuala Lumpur is about two hours away by road, so a day trip works, but the old town rewards a longer stay. Walking the historic core takes a few hours. Jonker Street, with its food stalls and shops, is busiest on weekend evenings. Plan one or two nights for museums, a river cruise and the food streets. The drier spells fall roughly in January and February, and again in June and July, while the city stays hot and humid year round.
Melaka in five
- Install Grab before you landGrab covers hotels outside the old town and trips to the bus station. Add a card or e-wallet to the app before you arrive.Getting around
- Walk the historic core on footDutch Square, Christ Church, Stadthuys and the ruins of A Famosa are within a short walk of each other. St Paul's Hill is a short climb from there. Wear flat shoes with grip, since the pavements are uneven.
- Agree the trishaw fare before you rideTrishaw drivers in the old town set the fare by negotiation, so settle the price and route before you sit down. Keep small notes ready for the ride.
- Visit Jonker Street on a weekend nightThe night market on Jonker Street runs on weekend evenings, when the stalls fill the lanes. Go before dinner for a calmer walk.
- Carry small ringgit notesHawker stalls and trishaws are easier with small notes and coins. Break a large note at a shop or a café first, before you need change.
Things to do in Melaka
See all attractions in Melaka
Need to know
- Currency
- Ringgit (MYR)
- Entry
- Visa-free short stays for many passports; check the current ETA rules Read more
- Emergency
- 999 police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Not expected; some restaurants add a service charge
- Time
- UTC+8, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryDry, pleasant
- FebruaryDry, warm
- MarchHot, humid
- AprilHot, showers
- MayHot, showers
- JuneDrier, warm
- JulyDrier, warm
- AugustHot, humid
- SeptemberShowers
- OctoberWet season
- NovemberWettest months
- DecemberWet, holidays
Right now in Melaka
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
25
- Feels like
- 30°
- Humidity
- 96%
- Wind
- 8 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 93%
Melaka
04:40 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today31°24°93%Tuesday: Rain. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 93%.
- Wed30°24°100%Wednesday: Rain. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Thu30°24°99%Thursday: Rain. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 99%.
- Fri30°23°90%Friday: Rain. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 90%.
- Sat29°23°80%Saturday: Rain. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 80%.
- Sun30°23°91%Sunday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 91%.
- Mon29°23°98%Monday: Rain. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 98%.
Updated 12:17 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 4.057 MYR
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Kuala Lumpurabout 2 hours by road or busThe capital, with the Petronas Towers and Batu Caves. Reachable by bus or road for a day.
- Port Dicksonabout 1 to 1.5 hours by roadA coastal town with beaches, a short break from the old town.
- Serembanabout 1 hour by roadA Negeri Sembilan town on the road to Kuala Lumpur.
Before you go to Melaka
Rules for Melaka, checked
- Malaysia's drug laws are strict, and trafficking carries the death penalty. Carry prescribed medicines in their original packaging with a valid prescription.
- Remove shoes and dress modestly at mosques and temples, covering shoulders and knees. Women may be asked to cover their hair at some mosques.
- Declare cash above the legal limit on the customs form at arrival or departure. Check the current amount with Royal Malaysian Customs before you travel.
Plan around Melaka
Regions, entry rules, transport and money for a Malaysia trip
Read the guideGetting aroundBuses, taxis and Grab between Melaka and other cities
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, cards and e-wallets for hawker stalls and taxis
Read the guideVisas and entryEntry rules and the official checks before you book
Read the guideWhere to stayOld town guesthouses and hotels outside the core
Read the guideTours and ticketsDay trips from Kuala Lumpur and guided walks in the old town
Read the guideMelaka FAQ
Is Melaka worth visiting?
Yes for a walkable old town, Peranakan houses and the food stalls around Jonker Street. It is small enough to see in two days, so it suits a relaxed trip.
How do you get from Kuala Lumpur to Melaka?
By bus or car in about 2 hours or a bit more by road. Check the bus operator and departure station before you go, since traffic can add time at weekends.
Can you visit Melaka on a day trip?
Yes from Kuala Lumpur, but a day covers the old town and little more. Stay a night if you want to see Jonker Street after dark and walk the river in the morning.
How many days do you need in Melaka?
Two nights lets you see the old town on foot, the river and a night market without rushing. One night is enough for the main sights if you arrive by midday.
When is the best time to visit Melaka?
January, February, June and July have the driest spells. Expect heat and humidity all year, and rain on many afternoons in the wetter months.
Is Melaka or Penang better for a first trip?
Melaka is smaller and easier to walk, with a compact old town and Peranakan houses. Penang has more beaches, so pick by whether you want a smaller or larger city.