Of course you should visit Melaka with kids – just a quick bus ride from Kuala Lumpur and accessible from all over Malaysia, Melaka is a fun stop for families to recharge, enjoy great food, and ride the hilariously decorated trishaws around town.
Vibrant, historical Melaka is one of the most fun-filled cities we have ever visited. Its energy and pride – obvious in its motto “Don’t mess with Melaka’ – will sweep you up as it love-bombs you with diverse, exciting and loud activities. From top-40-blaring trishaws covered in fluffy toys and coloured lights to the bustling night markets of Jonker Street and its ancient churches and riverside trading areas, Melaka has it all.
Emmie and I had the best time in this wonderful Malaysian riverside town. With its friendly locals, fascinating history, fabulous food and diverse attractions, Melaka gets our vote for a family stay of around three to five days. However if you only have a day you can book a day trip from Kuala Lumpur and see most of the sites and with your 90 minutes of free time you’ll be able to take some trishaws, grab a coconut shake and devour some delicious food.
Other places we LOVE in Malaysia includes all of Borneo – read all about it and I bet you’ll be booking a flight in no time – Rawa Island, Ipoh and The Lost World of Tambun, and Batu Ferringhi – we just love Malaysia.
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A quick history
For years Melaka was a safe haven. The sea people, the orang-laut, first settled here and merchants and trading partners stopped at this strategic port. Chinese, Burmese, Hindus and Muslims all lived here peacefully until the Dutch and then the British colonised the area, impacting the trade routes and changing Melaka’s destiny. The convergence of culture is evident in the architecture, food and people of this historical city, particularly the Peranakan of the Baba-Nyonya culture – a fusion between Chinese and Malay.
So what does Melaka have to offer families?
Here are our favourite things to do in Melaka. Grab your map from the tourism centre right near the bridge and jump into this incredible little city.
Melaka’s amazing trishaws
Our favourite Baby Shark trishaw
I’m starting with the best as you simply cannot miss taking at least one ride on a Melaka trishaw…and believe me you will want to take more! You won’t be able to miss the trishaws as they are the most colourful, loud and fun mode of transport I’ve ever seen. Climb aboard your soft-toy covered ride – in the night time they’re also lit up with flashing lights – and take a tour around Melaka for less than $10…you could probably bargain but it is hard work peddling for the drivers so we were always appreciative. Baby Shark and Hello Kitty were our favourite songs and like most people we have a soft spot for Celine.
Riding through the streets on a Hello Kitty covered trishaw with My Heart Will Go On pumping at volume 11 is an experience everyone needs to have.
Melaka River Cruise
Melaka was an important trading port in the 1400’s and a day or night-time cruise is an excellent way to see the river and the town. During the day you can admire ancient buildings and street art, while at night time you will see the riverside sparkling with colourful lights. Cruises depart every 20 minutes or so from the wharf down near the Maritime Museum.
Jonker Street Night Markets
Enjoy the Jonker Street markets every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from around 6.00pm. The street is closed down and market stalls are set up, selling everything from nicknacks and gifts to lots and lots of food! Stroll around and take your time tasting and wandering – if you’re lucky like us there will be a stage show to watch as you stuff yourself.
Check out the street art
Wander the streets along the riverbank and check out all the amazing street art. There are lots of little cafes where you can stop for a bite to ear or a beer and many gorgeous little walls and doorways for cute pics.
Eat, eat eat!
Hit up Jonker Street and the riverside for plenty of cafes and restaurants selling delicious traditional Malaysian dishes like rending and satay. The Chinese influence in Melaka is strong with Nyonya restaurants everywhere and it was super easy to find one of our favourites Hainanese chicken rice. Try the chicken rice ball sat the Melaka Chicken Rice Ball restaurant just on your left once you cross Melaka Bridge. We ate here lots! Nyonya laksa is a popular dish and pork char sieu was one of Emmie’s favourites. Make sure to eat the sambal and when you visit Jonker markets go with an empty tummy so you can try all the food you find there. We also loved a little shop called Bikini Toppings where we had the best ever coconut shakes. Enjoy!
Melaka Wonderland Theme Park and Resort
We didn’t visit this park, and had we known about it I’d say we would have probably stayed at extra day to explore. It looks like lots of fun, especially with so many slides. Tickets are around $14 for adults and $10 for kids. We might have to go back, just for this.
The floating Mosque – Masjid Selat Puilau Melaka
If you visit the Melaka Straits Mosque in the afternoon you’ll be able to explore inside the Mosque and then watch the sun set behind it. At high tide this Mosque looks like it is floating on the ocean, and it has the most beautiful stained glass and patterned walls. It is such a beautiful sight. It’s about 15 minutes by car from downtown Melaka. Make sure your taxi or car waits for you as it is hard to get one after the sun has set.
Melaka Alive
This is a kind of random activity but so much fun and it’s definitely worth going. Melaka Alive is an interactive pirate display – at certain times of the year there are pirate stage shows here but while we were in Melaka only the exhibit was open. It’s still super fun to walk through and explore the pirate chambers plus there is a movie at the end and beware of scary pirates jumping out when you least expect it (don’t tell the kids in advance). At the end you can dress up as pirates and have your photo taken. Ticket prices are around $10 for adults and $7 for kids. Malaysian nationals are a little cheaper. If you buy here they’re a little cheaper at $7 AUD per adult.
St Paul’s Hill & Church
On the top of St Pauls Hill is St Paul’s church, built in 1521 and the oldest church in Malaysia and south east Asia. The ruins are beautiful and if you come here early in morning it is quiet and peaceful with lovely views over the Strait. The hill is surrounded by remnants of the Portuguese-Built fortress and at the bottom you can find museums – we saw the Human Body exhibition while we were here.
Christ’s Church Melaka
This 18th century Anglican Church is still functioning – you can find it in the small square opposite the bridge. The I love Melaka sign is also there so make sure to grab a few pics.
Kampung Morten- a traditional village on the river
This is a traditional village you can visit just downriver from the city. Check out traditional houses and food, and you can take tours of the village on certain days – check at the visitors centre in town. It’s a lovely look at traditional life on the riverfront and if you;re lucky you may see a wedding or celebration.
Manara Taming Sri
This is the needle-like tower in the centre of Melaka that you can go up on a revolving platform, sitting in seats that look out as you rise up, up, up to the top of the needle and spin around to see every part of the view. We LOVED it – it gave us such a great view of the city.
This ride is lots of fun and gives you a fabulous view over Melaka. Tickets to this and the Duck Tours are available just underneath the tower.
Melaka Duck Tours
The truck that floats! This tour takes you from land into the Melaka Strait in the one vehicle. You enter the water near the Melaka Mosque. Tickets are $14 for adults and around $8 for kids. It was also so much fun, and kids LOVE a truck that’s also a BOAT!
There is so much more to do here we will have to go back. What are your favourite things to do in Melaka? Let me know and I can add them to this post.
Melaka (or Malacca) is a two hour bus ride from Kuala Lumpur’s airports and only three hours from Singapore (+ border crossing time). The city is hot most of the year round, with activities advised during the morning and afternoon, with rest or swim time in the middle of the day. If you don’t have a pool at your hotel there’s a public swimming pool (you will have to ask around for directions, I spotted it from the top of Taming Sari Tower! It was just below so right in the city).
Where to stay:
We stayed at the Hatten Hotel cause we were after a little bit of luxury and a pool – which BTW we hardly used cause we were so exhausted from busy days we just rested in aircon! The hotel is in a great location, walking distance from all the sights and close to the malls and coffee.
Check out our favourite places to stay in our post Best family hotels in Melaka.
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