12 Amazing Historical Places in MELAKA

Read on for a list of the best historical places in Melaka.

The term ‘melting pot’ is thrown around a lot to describe a multicultural place, but I can’t think anywhere that better meets that description than the Malaysian city of Melaka.

For at least 1000 years the region has been torn culturally between India and China, adopting a little of both. By the 9th century, traders all the way from Arabia brought Islam, which spread like wildfire, leaving hints of Arabic culture wherever it went. Then came the Europeans, first the Portuguese, then the Dutch, followed by the British, each leaving their mark.

Throw in a touch of some other nearby cultures, like Indonesia & Thailand, and what you end up with is the colourful city Melaka. All that rich multicultural history is alive & well today through the many historical places the city has to offer. If you’re a history buff, there is no better place in Malaysia than Melaka.

With 500-year-old ruins, European colonial-era buildings, and museums-galore, this city has a lot to offer. In this list I’ve broken it down to the absolute 12 best historical places in Melaka.

A Very Brief History of Melaka

To get the most out of the historical places on this list, it helps to have a little context.

The Malay peninsular has been inhabited for at least 40,000 years but Melaka itself is relatively young. The founding of the city, which was around 1400 CE, is detailed in a famous historical source called the Malay Annals, and it goes something like this.

In 1398 the Kingdom of Singapura (Singapore) was invaded by a massive force from Java, forcing its last ruler to flee North. The king travelled up the Malay Peninsular until he came across the perfect spot to start a whole new kingdom of his own, founding Melaka.

He saw the potential of this place as a port, and started building all the facilities needed to attract passing ships and get them to stop here. However, this new settlement was still under threat from the Javanese that forced them from Singapore, and were now threatened by Siamese (Thais) to the North.

To the rescue came the Chinese. Within the first year of its founding, Melaka received a visit from the legendary Chinese sailor Admiral Zheng He, on one of his many expeditions. This established a close relationship between Melaka and the Ming Dynasty, providing the new settlement with much needed protection, as none of the local kingdoms dared start a war with China.

Now that it was safe from would-be invaders, Melaka quickly became the most important city in the Malay Peninsula, and one of the most important in South-East Asia. This was all thanks to the bottleneck created by the islands around the Peninsula, forcing all the shipping routes to pass right by the new settlement. Melaka offered a place for them to replenish their supplies and trade their goods, which came from as far away as Japan and East Africa.

All this success, however, attracted the attention of a new power in the region: the Portuguese. The Portuguese had recently sailed around Africa and set up shop in India, and now they were looking to expand East. In 1511 they sent a armada and took the city within a day, beginning a 130 year rule, and building some of the oldest historical places in Melaka today, such as A Famosa and St Paul’s Church.

Following an invasion in 1641, the Portuguese were kicked out and replaced by the Dutch, who would go on to rule Melaka for over 150 years. Unlike the Portuguese, the Dutch didn’t put much effort into developing Melaka as a trade hub, instead preferring Java, but you can still see their legacy with sites like the Dutch Square, the Stadthuys and St Johns Fort.

The people of Melaka would see yet another colonial ruler in 1824 when Melaka was handed over to the British in a trade deal, but, while it was still a busy trade hub, it would once again be overshadowed, this time by Singapore.

Aside from a brief period of Japanese occupation during WW2, the British held Melaka until 1957 when it finally gained its independence, becoming the nation it is today.

All-in-all, Melaka spent the vast majority of its history as a European colony, but this mix of cultures has made it one of the most interesting places in South-east Asia and given it some of the best historical places in South-East Asia.

Now that you know a little about the city’s interesting past, lets dive into the 12 best historical places in Melaka.

12 Amazing Historical places in Melaka

1 | A Famosa Fort

Want to see the oldest European colonial structure in South-East Asia?

When the Portuguese took Melaka in 1511 they immediately built a fort to secure the latest jewel in their empire. Built a decade before Magellan reached Asia from the other direction, this makes A Famosa (Portuguese for ‘the famous’) the first known thing Europeans built anywhere East of India.

It was from A Famosa Fort that the Portuguese, over the next 140 years, extended their influence across South East Asia. It really was the epicentre of European power in the region.

Back in the day the fort was made up of 4 walls with a tower on each corner, one being almost 60m tall, with various buildings inside for storage and accommodation but, due to years of warfare and deterioration, what remains today is predominantly just the old gatehouse.

Still, thanks to its age and historical significance, its a popular tourist site and one of the best historical places in Melaka.

2 | St Paul’s Church

Atop the hill overlooking the oldtown of Melaka lies the oldest church in South East Asia.

In typical European style, one of the first things colonial empires build when they settle in a new place is a church, and Melaka was no exception. St Paul’s church was built by the Portuguese in 1521, and it was from here that they led missionary expeditions and spread Christianity throughout East Asia, as far away as China and Japan. For a long time this church was the centre of Christianity in the region.

The church fell into disrepair while the Dutch were in charge, then was downgraded to a munitions storage by the British. Even though large portions of the structure have deteriorated or been destroyed, it’s still in better shape than nearby A Famosa, both built around the same time.

What’s left are walls of the church hall, a small tower once used as a lighthouse, and the surrounding courtyard.

You can start the short walk up the hill from A Famosa or the opposite side if you’re coming from Dutch Square. Once you’re up there you can explore the interior of these 500 year old ruins and also get one of the best views of the city.

3 | Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum

Chinese culture has long held an important role in Melaka history.

Since Admiral Zheng He arrived in the early 1400s, Melaka and China have had a close relationship, and over the years the city has welcomed many Chinese immigrants.

The Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum (Baba Nyonya is the local term for Chinese descendants) celebrates this part of Melaka history. It’s a living museum, a re-creation of the home of the Chan family, wealthy Chinese-Malay immigrants who lived in this house from 1861 up until it was turned into a museum in 1986.

The home is re-created in the way it would have looked in the late 19th and early 20th century, complete with all the furniture and belongings that were passed down through the generations.

Visiting this museum is the closest you’ll get to time travelling to 19th century Melaka, and a great way to learn more about Chinese heritage in Melaka.

The museum is located in the old town itself, one street over from the popular Jonker Street, and at the time of writing is open 10-5 everyday except Mondays.

4 | Dutch Square

The legacy of the Dutch is still very much alive in Melaka and its painted bright-red.

It’s hard to miss the Dutch Square, also called the Red Square, with its distinct red buildings standing out amongst the surrounding old town. This square, and its adjacent buildings, were the centre of the Dutch government in Malaysia and it was from here that they ruled over Melaka for longer than any other power.

There are 2 major historical buildings you can visit at the Dutch Square.

The first is the Stadthuys. Built in 1650, it is the oldest Dutch building in Asia and served as their administrative capital throughout their rule. Today, the Stadthuys holds the History and Ethnography Museum, which commemorates Melaka history from before European arrival all the way until its independence in 1957.

The other historical building found at the Dutch Square is the Christ Church. When the Dutch took Melaka from the Portuguese, the official religion of the city changed from Catholicism to Protestant Christianity. Christ Church was built in 1753 to replace the now redundant St Paul’s Church, and it served as the religious centre of the city for centuries after this.

Fun Fact: While the distinct red-painted buildings have become a hallmark of the Dutch colonial buildings in Melaka, it was actually the British who painted them this colour in 1911. Before this, the Dutch Square and its buildings were painted white.

Whether you’re a history buff or not, you need to visit the Dutch Square, which is among the most iconic historical places in Melaka.

5 | Maritime Museum

Melaka’s past is centred around maritime trade, and there’s no better way to get to know this core part of its history than at the Maritime Museum.

It’s impossible to miss this museum as you’re exploring the old town, all thanks to its main attraction: the Flor De La Mar. This majestic vessel is a replica of a 16th century Portuguese nau, one of the most important ships in the Portuguese navy as they expanded into Asia. It took part in both the conquest of Goa and Melaka, before later sinking during a storm off the coast in 1511.

Between the exhibits inside the ship and the main building, the museum’s collection traces the evolution of the city’s maritime industry, from the time of the Melaka Sultanate, through the periods of Portuguese, Dutch, and British rule. You’ll find models of ships that sailed these waters centuries ago, artefacts recovered from shipwrecks, and historical maps and documents that illustrate the city’s strategic importance in regional trade and politics.

If you’ve only got time to visit one museum during your time in Melaka, make sure it’s this one. It’s open daily for a small entrance fee. Keep in mind, it’s unsurprisingly a popular tourist site, so it’s recommended that you visit early in the day to avoid the crowds.

6 | Royal Malaysian Navy Museum

After you’ve visited the Maritime Museum and explored the Flor de La Mar, head across the road to learn about more recent naval history at the Royal Malaysian Navy Museum.

The Museum TLDM, as it’s also called, is dedicated not to the old wooden ships that used to sail these waters hundreds of years ago, but instead focuses on the Royal Navy, which has existed since the 1930s, so its collections are distinctly WW2 or Cold War era.

The exhibits focus on the Royal Navy’s evolution over time, including its formation from the British Navy, and its many, mostly peacetime, operations throughout South East Asia, such as fighting pirates and local militant groups.

It features an impressive collection of hardware that will delight anyone interested in military technology. Some examples include a small gunboat, which you can walk onto and explore its interior, an old navy helicopter, a deck cannon and machine gun, and an assortment of uniforms and other tools used by the navy.

Given that Malaysia is a historically naval-based country, this museum covers an important part of its modern history, and is a great way to learn about the evolution of its navy which is tied in heavily with the history of other nations like Britain and Australia.

Tip: This museum is best visited in combination with the Maritime Museum across the street. Buying a ticket at either one gets you entry into both.

7 | St John’s Fort

A Famosa may be the more famous of the old forts in Melaka, but it’s not the only one because about 2 km east of the old town lies St John’s fort, an old remnant of Dutch rule.

This historical site was originally a chapel built by the Portuguese, dedicated to St John the Baptist, which is where it gets its name. The endless wars around this time led to its destruction and after the Dutch took over they built a fort on the remains of this chapel.

Exactly when the Dutch built the fort is unclear, but the consensus is that it was sometime in the 18th century.

One thing you’ll notice here, that’s different from most coastal forts, is the cannons are predominantly facing inland. This is because the Dutch, whose fleet secured the seas, were more concerned about land attacks from the Malyan sultanates, who were not too happy about their new European neighbours.

The fort is located away from most of the other historical places on this list. It’s close enough to walk and should take no more than 30min, even passing by the Malaysian Prison Museum on the way. Although if that South-East Asian heat is too much, you can always get a taxi or rideshare.

Entry is free, and being the less popular of the old forts, it’s rarely busy.

8 | Islamic Museum

With all these old forts, Christian churches and other colonial sites, it’s easy to forget that Melaka was founded as an Islamic Sultanate. Its origins go hand-in-hand with Islam and there’s no better way to learn more about this than at the Melaka Islamic Museum.

This little museum is located at the foot of St Pauls Hill, opposite the Historical Vehicle Park, along a stretch of road containing a whole series of little museums.

Its exhibits are set up in chronological order, starting with general information on Islam, then taking you on a journey through the religions history in the region, from its arrival via Arabic traders, to its spread throughout South-east Asia.

Keep in mind, while this museum does have a small collection of artefacts, such as weapons, clothing and pottery, its exhibits are mostly limited to documents and information. While it may not be the most grand of museums, it’s certainly the best place to learn about this key aspect of the city’s history.

9 | Submarine Museum

Melaka is steeped in maritime history, and it isn’t just limited to the colonial era.

If you’re willing to get a taxi and travel a few km outside of downtown, away from all the other historical places in Melaka, you’ll get a chance to explore a real cold-war era submarine.

The Melaka Submarine Museum is one of the most recent additions to the city’s many historical sites, only being opened in 2011. The star attraction here is the SMD Ouessant, an Agosta Class 70 submarine made by the French in 1978. This particular vessel was in active service in the French Navy up until 2001, and was then used as a training vessel for the Malaysian navy until 2009.

Now the submarine sits here on dry ground for history buff’s like you to enjoy. You can explore the cramped interior of the vessel and get a sense of the living and working conditions of the 54 crewmembers, and no doubt become baffled as to how many people could live in such a small space.

The full interior is open for you to explore, including the sleeping quarters, kitchens, navigation centre, engine room, and torpedo launchers.

The submarine is no doubt the highlight but it’s not all. Right next to the vessel you can get up close with 2 Northrop-built, 1960s-era jet fighters that were once used by the Malaysian Navy for reconnaissance.

There’s a small entrance fee but keep in mind the ticket booth only accepts cash (at the time I visited in late 2022), and there are no ATMs in the area, so come prepared.

10 | Cheng Ho Cultural Museum

Want to learn about the greatest explorer in Chinese history? You can do just that at the Cheng Ho Cultural Museum.

Don’t be confused by the name, Cheng Ho is just an alternative translation of the more common name for this legendary sailor: Zheng He.

If you haven’t heard that name before, then you’re in for a treat when you visit this museum. During the Ming Dynasty in China, this sailor led 7 expeditions as far as East Africa, which at the time was the edge of the known world for China.

His ships were said to be so large that they carried 1000 sailors and were larger than any ship in history before the 20th century. Zheng He and his fleet spread China’s influence and riches across the world and brought back with them all manner of exotic things, including a giraffe.

Why is there a museum to a Chinese legend in Melaka? Because on many of his expeditions, Zheng He stopped here and established a strong relationship between Melaka and China, something which became an important part of the city’s history and allowed it to thrive.

The museum itself is inside a building that’s said to be a warehouse built by Zheng He and it commemorates the life of the admiral, his visits to Melaka, and the relationship between Melaka and China. You’ll see miniatures of the treasure fleet, maps of his voyages, and countless related artefacts, from cannons to pottery.

The relationship between Zheng He and Melaka is one of the most interesting chapters in the city’s history, something you’ll definitely enjoy learning about here.

11 | Historical Vehicle Park

For something a little different as you’re exploring ancient forts and colonial sites, stop by the Historical Vehicle Park, found right at the base of St Philips Hill and on the road between the Maritime Museum and A Famosa.

It’s hard to miss as you’re passing by. An 80 year old aircraft sitting in a public park tends to stand out. You can enter this park for free and get up close with a seemingly random selection of old vehicles, such as a 1950s British aircraft, a colonial-era train carriage, and an old fire truck.

For a small fee you can even explore the interior of the aircraft and train carriage.

Why are these vehicles sitting in a public park in downtown Melaka? I was unable to find a real answer to that, but they are no doubt leftovers from British rule. Thankfully, instead of leaving them to disrepair, the Melakan government keeps them here, for the enjoyment of history buffs like us.

At the time of writing, the park is open to the public from 6am to 11pm everyday.

12 | Melaka Sultanate Palace Museum

Before the Portuguese takeover, Melaka was an Islamic Sultanate, and the Sultan ruled the land from his palace. This palace was described in great detail in a historical text called the Malay Annals, a famous collection of documents written as far back as the 15th century. In 1984 the Malaysian government used these descriptions to re-create that Palace in all its glory, resulting in the Melaka Sultanate Palace Museum.

This majestic building was designed to look as accurate as possible to the original palace, both inside and out. Many of its rooms are set up in the way they would have been during the Sultanate, like the bed chambers & audience hall.

In addition to this, it has a bunch of displays, mostly using life-sized mannequins, depicting what life was like for those in the Sultan’s court.

Many other historical sites and museums require you to use your imagination to picture what the place would have looked like. Not here. If you want to take a glimpse into the past and see what Melaka was like before the Europeans, this is the closest you’re going to get.

Visiting the re-creation of a 500 year old palace is a real treat for history buff’s, which makes this place a must-visit when in Melaka. The museum is easy to reach, being located right next to A Famosa, at the base of St Paul’s Hill.

At the time of writing it’s open 9-5 everyday except Mondays, but these things can change so be sure to check online before planning your visit.

How to get to Melaka

Melaka is located almost smack-bang in the middle between Singapore and the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur, making it easy to reach no matter which direction you’re coming from.

Your best mode of transport is the bus. While Melaka does have a train station, it’s located about 40km away from the city centre & old town, whereas the bus will drop you off about 5km away with little difference in how long the journey takes.

Bus from Singapore to Melaka

The bus ride from Singapore to Melaka takes at least 4 hours, although it can take longer. This is due to the border crossing, where you will exit the bus & go through customs before getting back on the bus and continuing. Buses leave from various places around Singapore, can be booked easily on 12GO Asia cost between $15 – 25USD. The bus will drop you off at Melaka Central, which is about 5km from the city centre & old town, so you’ll need to get a taxi/uber from here.

Bus from Kuala Lumpur to Melaka

Fly to Melaka

While it’s small and only a couple of airlines go there, Melaka does have its own international airport, so flying directly to the city is also an option. You can check out the cheapest flights to Melaka on Skyscanner.