Melaka is one of those places where people always say:
“One day enough lah.”
Technically yes.
You can drive in, take one photo at the red building, eat chicken rice ball, walk Jonker, then balik.
But if that is all you do, honestly quite wasted.
Melaka is better when you don’t rush it.
Start With the Famous Red Area
First stop, just go Dutch Square.
Yes, very touristy.
Yes, everybody takes the same photo.
Still must go once.
Walk around the red buildings, then continue towards St. Paul’s Hill and A Famosa. They are all close enough that you can cover them together without driving around like mad.
St. Paul’s Hill got a bit of stairs, but once you reach the top, at least you get a decent view and some wind.
A Famosa is smaller than most first-timers expect.
You might reach there and go:
“Huh? This one ah?”
Still, you are already nearby. Just see lah.
Jonker Is Better When You Simply Wander
Don’t go Jonker with a strict plan.
That kills the fun.
Walk into random shops, buy something you probably don’t need, stop for coffee, eat one snack, then another snack.
The smaller streets around Jonker are actually nicer when you have time to simply look around.
If you go during the weekend, come back again at night.
Night Jonker is a completely different animal.
Crowded, noisy, people everywhere, food everywhere.
Some stalls are good.
Some are obviously there for tourists.
That is part of the experience also.
Please Don’t Eat One Giant Lunch
Melaka is one place where I would rather eat five small things than one huge meal.
Try some:
- Nyonya laksa
- Cendol
- Nyonya kuih
- Satay celup
- Chicken rice ball
- Asam pedas
See something nice? Share one first.
Otherwise by 2pm you are already too full to eat anything else, then half the trip become walking around regretting your lunch.
Take the River Cruise at Night
Daytime river cruise under Malaysia sun?
I pass.
Go at night.
After walking around the whole day, sitting on the boat while the riverside lights are on feels much better.
It is not some crazy exciting activity.
You just sit there and chill.
But that is exactly why I like it.
Go See Another Side of Melaka
If everything you visit is Jonker, Dutch Square and A Famosa, eventually every photo starts looking the same.
Go Kampung Morten for a while.
Traditional Malay houses in the middle of the city give you something completely different from the usual red-building Melaka.
You don’t need three hours there.
Just walk around, look at the houses and slow down a bit.
Sunset? Go Up Somewhere
If the weather is good, go Menara Taming Sari around sunset.
Daytime view is okay.
Sunset and evening are better.
You get the city, the sea side and all the lights starting to come on.
Then after that, go makan again.
Obviously.
The Best Melaka Plan Is Not Having Too Much Plan
My ideal Melaka trip is simple:
Morning, heritage area.
Afternoon, eat and hide from the sun.
Evening, walk around again.
Night, Jonker, river cruise, supper.
Next morning, Nyonya food and one more walk before heading home.
Don’t try to “complete” Melaka.
You are not sitting for exam.
Walk slowly, eat too much, complain about the weather, buy random stuff at Jonker and go home heavier than when you arrived.
That is a proper Melaka trip.
