- Duration
- 9 days / 8 nights
- Price Per Person
- From $6,400
Malacca
Set in the South Seas, Malacca has a storied history as an ancient trading route for spices that reached as far as India and China. The capital, Malacca City, is about 150 kilometers southeast from Kuala Lumpur and is home to 800,000 people. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site noted for its multicultural mix of Muslims, Buddhists, Burmese and many others hailing from various heritages. Owing to its hodgepodge of cultures, Malacca is well known for its outstanding cuisine and culinary delights.
The city's recorded history dates back to 1400 A.D, when Malacca flourished as a Sultanate before it became a part of various European Empires. The European foothold was garnered by Francis Xavier, a Jesuit missionary who visited Malacca in 1545. (A church sporting his name still exists today). The Dutch pushed out the Portuguese in 1641 and ruled until 1798. The Dutch did not develop Malacca as a trading outpost as Java and Jakarta were their main focus points. They built the Stadhuys (or The Red Building) which was a major signature for them. The Dutch ceded Malacca in 1824, and it was in fact traded for another outpost, Bencoolen, on Sumatra. There was a time when Malacca was a part of the Straits Settlements along with Penang and Singapore. The Japanese army arrived in 1942 and once again control of Malacca changed hands. Much of the world's oil flows through the Malacca Straits, and as such it remains a global point of interest.
Because of its strategic location near the capital, Malacca makes a great destination to combine with Kuala Lumpur.
Experiences
A handpicked selection of experiences endorsed by our experts. If you can’t see what you’re looking for, let us know, as our extensive network of local contacts can open many doors.
A Famosa Gate
See the A Famosa gate, the only remaining relic of the Portuguese fort that once enclosed the city. Portuguese for “The Famous,” the gate was saved from destruction by Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of Singapore, during the height of the Napoleonic wars.
Beaches
Tanjung Bidara and Pulau Besar are Malacca's two most popular beaches, which attract a good mix of both locals and foreigners.
Christ Church
Christ Church was built in 1753. It shows off Dutch architecture and replicas of the Bible in copper, as well as The Last Supper.
Francis Xavier Church
Built in 1849, this church honors the name of one of Malacca’s first European visitors. He is known as “The Apostle of the East” who came here in the 1500s.
Kampung Kling Mosque
This is one of the very oldest mosques in all of Malaysia, built in 1784. It boasts a hint of Sumatran architecture and has a minaret here that is built like a pagoda. Chinese characters have been carved into the exterior.
Stadthuys
Built in 1650 as the main headquarters of the Dutch Governor, today it remains as the “Museum of History and Ethnography.”
Tranquerah Mosque
The Tranquerah Mosque is the oldest in Malacca, and one of the few mosques with a pagoda instead of a minaret. Alongside it is the tomb of Sultan Hussain Shah, the ruler of the territories of Johore and Singapore in the early 19th century.
Walking tour
Go on a walking tour of Old Malacca’s quaint streets. Some of the most memorable sights among the small houses, shops and temples are Dutch Square and Christ Church, the oldest protestant church in Malaysia; Harmony Street, where the three main faiths of Malaysia, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam, all have houses of prayer; and beautiful architecture, designed after the istana (palaces) of the ancient sultans of Malacca, at the Sultanate Palace.
Malaysia Regions
Explore in-depth information, experiences and highlights by navigating to specific regions using the links below.
Peninsular Malaysia
Sabah
Sarawak
Malacca Itineraries
- Duration
- 14 days / 13 nights
- Price Per Person
- From $12,200
Casa Del Rio
Inspired by Mediterranean design and local, Peranakan aesthetics, the Casa Del Rio sits along the banks of the Melaka River. Its 66 stylish rooms echo the Portuguese heritage of the area, as well as that of the Melaka Sultanate, a powerful kingdom which once held sway over much of the area; each room features air conditioning, high speed Internet, flat-screen televisions, minibars, in-room safes, and coffee and tea facilities. The Casa Del Rio hosts two restaurants, The River Grill, which serves a variety of Western dishes in an informal and upscale setting, and the River Café, a casual eatery that serves snacks and light foods; in addition there is the Bar Rio, a relaxed, atmospheric venue that offers drinks, live music, and sporting events. Amenities include a large infinity pool, a fitness center, and a comprehensive spa.
Majestic Hotel
Housed in an elaborate mansion dating back to the 1920s, the Majestic Hotel sits on the banks of the Malacca River, where Chinese junks, or sailing ships, and other vessels once plied their trade. For three years in a row, the Majestic was awarded the “Best Signature Boutique Hotel” by Expatriate Lifestyle magazine, and for good reason; its atmospheric, elegant halls gives guests a taste of the bygone days when Malacca was a mighty, cosmopolitan city. The Majestic offers a variety of suites and rooms, all of which contain floor-to-ceiling windows, separations between the bathroom and the sleeping area, and tasteful, elegant furniture. The Majestic’s in-house restaurant, the Mansion, serves a fantastic array of diverse dishes, drawing from Dutch, Portuguese, English, Chinese, Indian, and Malaysian cuisines. The Majestic also contains a spa, which offers unique, Peranakan, or Chinese-Malaysian treatments, a swimming pool, fully-equipped gym, and a serene library.
Multi-Country Specialists
Malaysia Goes Well With
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Travelogues
An Asia-focused magazine brought to you by Remote Lands - a platform for adventure, luxury, and authenticity from experts and explorers around the continent.
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