Is Malacca Worth Visiting? A Smart Guide for the Best Itinerary
If you are planning a trip through Southeast Asia, you might be tempted to fly directly from Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur to Singapore. But that would be a mistake. We found that the absolute best way to experience the region is to slow down and spend at least two nights in Malacca (also known as Melaka). This small historic city is a UNESCO World Heritage site that feels completely different from the big-city skyline of KL or the bustle of Singapore.
Malacca is a mix of Malay, Portuguese, Indian, Chinese, Dutch, and British influences – and we think it’s the perfect cultural stop as you move between Southeast Asia’s big cities. It has a unique energy that’s more relaxed than the capital but still offers world-class dining and cultural experiences.
We spent two nights exploring the walkable historic center and testing out the local fusion cuisine. We’ll tell you exactly what we did and how much we paid for it, as well as transportation tips.
Where to Stay: The Majestic Malacca
For this leg of our journey, we stayed at The Majestic Malacca, a Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) property that’s part of Hilton. It is a boutique-style hotel situated in a restored 1920s mansion right on the bank of the Malacca River. We thought it set the stage perfectly for this part of the trip with the Malay-Portuguese mix and an old-world feel.
Luxe-for-Less Strategy at The Majestic
Because this is an SLH property, we were able to enjoy high-end service and colonial charm for a fraction of what a similar hotel would cost in Europe or the US. Here is how we maximized the value:
- Redemption Value: This stay was an incredible deal at only 25k Hilton Honors points per night. Considering the points rates (100k or more a night) for other SLH properties, this is an outstanding redemption value.
- Breakfast Hack: One of the biggest wins of the stay was the included breakfast. We had a lovely cooked-to-order meal included with our stay. We usually skip breakfast, but it was served late enough that we were able to arrive after 10 am and skip lunch on both days instead. This is a simple but effective way to save $30 to $40 a day while traveling.
- Pro Tip: Make sure your Hilton account is linked correctly to your SLH booking to ensure you get your on-property benefits like the daily breakfast and potential room upgrades.
Spa Village: A High-End Experience
Even though you can find much cheaper massages at street-side shops in Malaysia, we decided to splurge at the Spa Village located right in the hotel – especially since it was rainy.
We paid $200 for two 80-minute massages. While that might sound high for Southeast Asia, a treatment of this caliber at a luxury property in the US would easily cost $600 for two people.
It was the perfect way to spend a rainy afternoon in a tranquil, upscale setting. And it was a much-needed day of rest and relaxation on a trip packed with travel and full of jet lag.
Exploring Historic Malacca on Foot
Malacca is divided by its colonial past, and you can clearly see the different eras of occupation as you walk through the various quarters. Even on a rainy day, the city is very walkable. We actually bought umbrellas from a street vendor because I lost my raincoat in KL.
The Portuguese and Dutch Heritage
The area around St. Paul’s Hill is where you will find old European ruins. We walked up the hill to see the ruins of St. Paul’s Church, which was built by the Portuguese in the 1500s. At the base of the hill is A Famosa, a small gate remaining from a Portuguese fortress.
Just a short walk from there is Dutch Square. The salmon colored-buildings date back to the mid-1600s. It is a busy spot that shows the Dutch influence on the city’s architecture.
Malay and Multicultural Sights
For us, the real magic is on the Malay side, on the other side of the river. We enjoyed visiting the various temples and other sites:
- Cheng Hoon Teng Temple: This historic and functioning Chinese temple has ornate carvings and gold leaf details that are incredible.
- Kampung Kling Mosque: This mosque is a perfect example of the city’s fusion.
- Sri Poyatha Moorthi Temple: Right nearby is this Hindu temple. Seeing all three of these major religious sites in one location is a reminder of Malacca’s diversity and history as a global trading hub.
A Mix of Walking and Relaxing
Our full day in Malacca was quite rainy, but it didn’t ruin the experience. The city has a slower pace that suits a bit of downtime. We managed a tranquil walk around town and on the river path after breakfast. The architecture is beautiful, especially the temples and colorful murals along the river.
When the rain got too heavy, we headed back to enjoy the hotel’s fitness center and spa. If you visit when the weather is good, there is also a very cute pool area at The Majestic that looks out over the local neighborhood. It’s a great spot to cool off after a morning of walking in the historic area.
Dining: Local Flavors and Fusion
We focused heavily on the food scene here because it is so unique to this specific part of the world. Malacca is the birthplace of Kristang cuisine, a fusion of Portuguese and Malay flavors that you won’t find anywhere else.
Food Tour
On our first night, we did a private food tour for dinner which cost us $125. It was a great way to sample local dishes like chicken rice balls and satay celup while getting a guided journey and learning the history. But a DIY food tour is also easy and way cheaper if you just wander down Jonker Street. Don’t miss the action here at night!
Kristang Fusion
On our second night, we ate at The Mansion, which is the upscale restaurant inside The Majestic Malacca. They specialize in the Malay-Portuguese fusion we were talking about.
We paid a little less than $100 for a full dinner for two, including a nice bottle of wine. It certainly wasn’t cheap, but it was an elevated experience that was a great deal for the quality.
The food was sophisticated and reflected the complex history of the city. Our favorite dish was the Devil Curry (Kari Debal), which is a Kristang staple. It’s a spicy, tangy curry made with vinegar, galangal, and lemongrass.
Getting There and Moving On
You might not think of a bus as a luxe option, but we think it’s the best way to travel through Malaysia and Singapore. You can actually find a true luxury bus, but we just went with 707 Inc., and it was perfect for our needs.
- Comfort: A bus cost us way less than a private driver and, in many cases, is actually more comfortable. We paid only $38 for our tickets from Malacca to Singapore for two people. The seats were large, reclining style chairs with plenty of legroom. And buses had their own expedited lanes though immigration. Although the journey took twice as long as it should have due to a major accident, we were still comfortable the whole time. There’s no bathroom on the bus, but we made a stop at a nice facility halfway through, in addition to immigration.
- Logistics: Expect it to take at least four hours, but don’t plan anything on arrival in Singapore in case there are delays. It often takes 5-7 hours. The bus handles the border crossing logistics quite well, but make sure you have your SG Arrival Card filled out online before you hit the border to save time.
- Leaving the Region: When it came time to leave for Singapore, we journeyed to the famous Changi Airport to check out the Jewel before heading to Bangkok in Thai Airways business class for the price of economy.
Smart Route Summary
Fly into Kuala Lumpur, spend a few nights there, take the bus to Malacca for two nights, and then continue by bus to Singapore before flying on to your next destination.
This allows you to experience two very different sides of Malaysia before heading into the much more expensive Singapore. It keeps your overall trip cost down while still allowing for some high-end experiences.
In an upcoming post we’ll tell you how we booked that Thai Airways business class seat for an unbelievable points deal that works with any major travel credit card.
