The Historical and Ethnography Museum is located at the
Stadhuys at the junction of Jalan Kota and Jalan Gereja, Melaka. In front of
the building, in an area known as Dutch Square, is the Victoria Water Fountain
and the Tan Beng Seng Clock Tower built in the year 1886. The Historical and
Ethnography Museum is on the second floor of the Stadhuys building.

Overview
getting-around-melaka2

As any other historical city, Malacca is very interesting, original and special. It offers delicious local cuisine, amazing attraction places and many astonishing photo shoot points. No matter how curious or eager you can be, this state will fulfill your whims. If you choose Malacca as your tourist destination you won’t be disappointed. As soon as you reached this city, don’t waste your time, just find a conveyance and explore, learn, eat, drink, have fun and feel Melaka.

Whether you are travelling alone, as a couple or in a group, the best way to get around the prime of Malacca is on foot. First of all visit Baba-Nyonya Heritage Museum and Malacca Sultanate Palace Museum. These 2 places will tell you everything about Malaccan history. It is very important to know its past. The good part about Melaka is almost 70% of the major attractions are within 1km radius. There is no better way to have a good feel about Melaka by walking. It’s also a good free way to burn calorie without too exhausted.

If you are running out of time, rent a bicycle or join a cycling tour group. Some hotels offer bicycle rental for their guests. Each corner in Malacca denotes history, but at the same time, it is a modern city. The drawback of cycling within the city area is there is limited tracks for bicycle so sharing roads with cars and buses may become a bit dangerous. Also, do take note that some attractions in the hill side like St. Paul’s Hill are not reachable in bike.

When you reached Malacca River, try to look for Muara Jetty, which is next to Quayside Heritage Centre. This is the where the river cruise journey starts. In the 45-min sightseeing tour, you’ll cruise past historic buildings, old warehouses(godowns) and graffiti art on the buildings. Melaka River Cruise is one of the best ways to see the city’s beauty. If you haven’t got enough of the river view, pick a restaurant by the river and see how the environment changes color when the sky turns dark.

An unusual transport within Melaka is a trishaw. It is a small vehicle with a pedal and three wheels. You can find them at the Dutch Square. This non-pollute vehicle driver and at the same time guide, will acquaint you with every touristic point in the city.

No doubt a car is the faster way to explore a city. For most visitors who wants to explore Melaka outside the prime city area, hail for a taxi and the driver will take you anywhere you want. If you prefer chartered taxi services, they are available at the end of Jalan Kee Ann. A taxi can carry up to 4 passengers. As most taxi drivers don’t use meter, it is best to negotiate the price before hopping in the taxi. You are being ripped off if a ride less than 5 mins is charged RM15. A personal car is the most convenient vehicle. You have everything you may need at hand, especially when you travel with kids.

Any transport vehicle you choose will help you to explore the beautiful and unique Malacca.


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2 Responses to Getting around Melaka

  1. Anne Liltved says:

    I have tried to find a bus from Malacca to Mersing on July 8, but it seems as if they are all fully booked. Could it still be a chance to find bus transport or do we need to take a taxi (family of five)?

    • Go Admin says:

      You may want to search for the bus availability at Easybook and see if you can secure the seats. If bus transport is not possible, taking a taxi is an option.


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Malacca Malaysia heritage did not remain unnoticed by the appreciating eyes of UNESCO. In 2008, Malacca was listed as a UNESCO world heritage site along with Georgetown Penang. There are plenty of heritage sites, ruins of fort, colonial buildings, temples, churches and old architecture that can be found in Malacca.

History of Malacca Malaysia

Malacca Malaysia was not historically connected to other countries through traded networks alone. In late 1500, there was a huge interest of Chinese emperor in Melaka due to it’s strategical location for trading. The Chinese migrated to Malacca and their inter-marriages with the local Malay people start a new generation known as “Baba Nyona”.

In 1511, Malacca was conquered by Portugese followed by Dutch in 1641. In 1795, Malacca was handed over to British India Company. Later in 1826 it came under British administration and in 1827 it became a British colony. In 1956, Tunku Abdul Rahman became first prime minister of Malaysia and in 1957, Federation of Malay was formed.

Malacca Malaysia was built several times and destroyed too. All the rulers have left their footprints in the area which add to the beauty of Malacca. What could not be destroyed was its pure air and walkable land. There is much more to see in Malacca besides the water and parks. The tourists are excited to see the Dutch Square and miles of area.

Cultural Hub

Melaka is culturally similar to Malaysian island Georgetown, on Penang. Thus the two share UNESCO World Heritage status. Melaka touches shipping routes that connects Indian Ocean with the Far East. Malacca experiences monsoonal winds and thus the weather is very pleasant during monsoon season. Historically, visitors came to Malacca from India, Arab, China and Iran for trade purposes. It was a hub of traders for exchanging silk, spices and dyes. Every trader and every nation that came to Melaka added some value in it that enhances its grace till today.

Heritage Sites


You will find many historical buildings while roaming in Malacca like Churches, Ruins of Forts, Palaces, Temples and Graveyards. The Melaka administration has remarkably saved its heritage and apart from destroyed centuries old forts, the Dutch, Chinese, Malay and Muslim buildings are nicely preserved.

The Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum is one such site that offers an insight to the lifestyle, dressing and rituals of the old Chinese Malay people. The Heeren heritage house was a warehouse that today serves as a guesthouse. The Sultanate Palace Malacca is another heritage currently being used as a museum.

There are many other heritage sites which attract tourists including Christ Church Melaka, St. Paul’s Hill, the Stadthuys, A Famosa Fort, St. John Fort, Cheng Hong Ten Temple, St Peter’s Church, Maritime Museum others.

It is also recommended to do one of the activities for the heritage exploration in Melaka:

  • Explore central Malacca on foot
  • Take a trishaw ride
  • Take a Melaka river cruise ride

Read More: Top 10 historical places to visit in Melaka

Popular food in Melaka

Tourists seldom forget what they ate while travelling. You will also collect some great memories of Malay, Chinese and Nyonya food from Melaka. The popular food of Melaka includes Chicken rice balls, Satays, Cellups (local deserts), Coconut shakes, Noodles, Soups and Fried Fish. Melaka people love their half cooked seafood dishes dipped in Satays. The one-bite puffs are great and fabulously fresh confectionery food item of Melaka.

Night life in Malacca

Walking in the street markets of Melaka is best night time activity. You would love the walk in Jonker Street and Jonker walk where you can shop around on the stalls selling things from artifacts to food, clothing and jewelry. This is one of the best places to buy a gift for your family and friends as well.


Photo Credit: Symphonex