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Malacca
A colonial port town of shophouses and river walks
- Best time to visit
- Jan, Feb, Jun, Jul, Aug
- Currency
- MYR
- Time zone
- UTC+8
- Country
- Malaysia
A UNESCO-listed port town shaped by Malay, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch and British rule, with a lively night market and riverside cafés.
- Kuala Lumpur
- Johor Bahru
- George Town
- Ipoh
- Kota Kinabalu
Quick facts
- Country
- Malaysia
- Capital
- Kuala Lumpur
- Province population
- 1M
- Population of Malaysia
- 34.1M
- Country area
- 330,803 km²
- Official language
- Malay
- Currency
- Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) · 1 USD ≈ 4.09 MYR
- Time zone
- UTC+8
- Calling code
- +60
- Drives on the
- Left
- Elevation
- 10 m
- Plugs
- G · 240V
- Emergency numbers
- 999 · 112
- Best time to visit
- Jan, Feb, Jun, Jul, Aug
Temperatures through the year
Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.
Temperatures through the year
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 31° | 32° | 33° | 33° | 32° | 32° | 31° | 31° | 31° | 31° | 31° | 31° |
| Low | 23° | 23° | 24° | 24° | 24° | 24° | 23° | 23° | 23° | 23° | 23° | 23° |
Best time to visitOther months
Approximate daily cost
Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.
- ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$35
- HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$80
- LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$190
Top things to do
- Free
Dutch Square, St Paul's Hill and A Famosa
The red Stadthuys and Christ Church, a hilltop church ruin and the gate of the Portuguese fort, all within a short walk.
- Half day
- Dutch Square and St Paul's Hill
- Good for kids
- ≈ $5
Jonker Street night market
Food stalls and crafts along the old Chinese street on Friday to Sunday evenings.
- Half day
- Jonker Street
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
- ≈ $8
Melaka River cruise
A 45-minute boat ride past murals, old warehouses and the Kampung Morten village; nicest after dark.
- Half day
- Melaka River
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
- ≈ $12
Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum
A Peranakan family townhouse kept as it was, shown on guided tours.
- Half day
- Jonker Street
- Indoors
- Free
Melaka Straits Mosque
A mosque on stilts at the water's edge on a reclaimed island; beautiful at sunset.
- Half day
- Melaka River
- Good in the evening
Before you go
Entry and visas
Most visitors must submit the free Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online within 3 days before arriving. Visa rules depend on your passport; check with the Immigration Department of Malaysia.
Official websiteFrom the airport
Buses from Kuala Lumpur's TBS terminal and from KLIA take about 2 hours to Melaka Sentral; a Grab to the old town takes 15 minutes.
Getting around
The heritage core is small and walkable. Decorated trishaws with music are a fun, if pricey, ride.
Local tips
- Visit on a weekday for fewer crowds, but come Friday to Sunday for the night market.
- Try chicken rice balls and cendol, local favourites.
- Midday is very hot; museums are air-conditioned.
- Agree trishaw prices before you set off.
Areas worth knowing
- Dutch Square and St Paul's Hill
- Melaka River
- Jonker Street
The UK Foreign Office last updated its advice for this country on March 19, 2026. The advice includes warnings against travel to some areas. Read it before booking.
Read the advice on GOV.UKMore cities in Malaysia
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Sources: Immigration Department of Malaysia: MDAC · Tourism Malaysia