A brief and precise guide to getting away at Malacca for a fun-filled weekend..
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IN BRIEF
DAY 1
Arrive at Malacca Main Bus Terminal
Check-in to “Relish The Moment” Hostel (also a Restaurant) (RM 25/night)
Visit St. Paul’s Church Ruins (No cost)
Visit the Malacca Maritime Museum (Replica of the Sunken Portuguese Ship) (RM 3)
Walk along the Canals of Malacca to witness amazing street art (No cost)
Visit the wild Jonker Street Night Market (Food: RM 25-40, Shopping: additional cost)
DAY 2:
Boat Ride in the Malacca Canal (RM 30)
Visit the Taming Sari Tower (RM 23)
Visit the Dataran Pahlawan mall for shopping and relaxing
Ride in a Trishaw (Tuk-Tuk) within the city (RM 40/hour)
Visit Jonker Street Night Market Relax at ‘Reggae on the River’ (RM 15/beer)
INDICATIVE BUDGET
RM 400 (equivalent to INR 7000 approximately)
HOW TO REACH
If you are in Malaysia, the best option to reach Malacca is by road. The options available are bus or self-drive.
You can take the 9:30 AM bus from Kuala Lumpur to Malacca. It’s a two hour journey priced at RM 15 (extremely affordable for Malaysian standards).
WHAT & WHEN TO DO
DAY 1 (FRIDAY)
- Arrive at Malacca Main Bus Terminal (RM 15 from KL to Malacca; RM 30 round-trip)
- Use Grab (Taxi service provider) to go from Bus Terminal to Hostel (RM 20)
- Check-in to “Relish The Moment” Hostel (also a Restaurant) (RM 25/night)
- Have Breakfast at Relish the Moment Cafe (RM 15-20)
- Walk to St. Paul’s Church Ruins (No cost)
- Visit the Malacca Maritime Museum (Replica of the Sunken Portuguese Ship) (RM 3)
- Have Lunch at Restaurant Nancy’s Kitchen (RM 15-20) (One can skip if they are not hungry)
- Walk along the Canals of Malacca to witness amazing street art on buildings (No cost) This is also the best place to relax and watch a sunset (though it’s covered by buildings)
- Visit the wild Jonker Street Night Market (Food: RM 25-40, Shopping: additional cost)
- Head back to “Relish the Moment” Hostel and have a night stroll along the Malacca canal right behind the Hostel
DAY 2 (SATURDAY)
- You surely will be tired, so wake up later in the morning. If you wake up early, you can witness the sunrise behind “Relish the Moment” cafe.
- Have brunch at Restoran Nyonya Makko (favorite dish: Ayam Pong Teh)
- Take a Boat Ride in the Malacca Canal (RM 30)
- Visit the Taming Sari Tower (RM 23)
- Visit the Dataran Pahlawan mall for shopping and relaxing (We used the massage chair, spent one hour at karaoke and watched a movie)
- Ride in a Trishaw (Tuk-Tuk) within the city (RM 40/hour)
- Visit Jonker Street Night Market again (One night is not sufficient)
- Relax at ‘Reggae on the River’ (RM 15/beer)
- Head back to “Relish the Moment” Hostel and have a night stroll along the Malacca canal right behind the Hostel
DAY 3 (SUNDAY)
- Take Grab (taxi service provider) from “Relish the Moment” cafe to “Malacca Main Bus Terminal”. Food can be bought at the bus terminal.
- Depart Malacca (RM 15 from Malacca to KL; RM 30 round-trip)
WHERE TO STAY
Hostel: Relish the Moment
Perks: Free Wi-Fi
Instant discount of RM 5 provided for food purchased from the restaurant as well as an additional 15% discount on all purchased items
Free bicycles
The Malacca river/canal is right behind this hostel
WHERE TO EAT
Malacca is a small city and one can roam around on foot. Hence, almost all restaurants are easily accessible. There are multiple cafes and stalls.
DAY 1:
Breakfast / Brunch: Relish the Moment Cafe, Jalan Kampung Pantai
Lunch: Restoran Nancy’s Kitchen, Taman Kota Laksamana
Dinner: Jonker Street Night Market (wide variety of food), Jonker Street
DAY 2:
Brunch: Restoran Nyonya Makko, Malacca
Lunch: Locahouse, Jalan Bukit Cina
Dinner: Jonker Street Night Market, Jonker
Street Snacks: As there are multiple stalls, it is easy to pick up food along the way.
HOW TO TRAVEL AROUND
- Rental Cars/ Bikes
- Taxis/ Auto-rickshaws
- Walking/ Hiking
THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND
- The ideal time to be in Malacca is 1-2 days.
- Malacca is a hot place and therefore one should remember to be hydrated all the time. Coconut water is ideal!
- Malacca can be an economical travel destination if one does not shop or drink. A budget of RM 200/day is sufficient.
- Walking across the city is the easiest way to explore Malacca. One can take a tri-shaw (easily accessible) and taxis (through the Grab app) to travel within the city. From the city to the Main Bus Terminal, Grab (Taxi service provider) is the best option.
- Jonker Street Market sells not only food, but is also a flea market. One can bargain in the flea market. Remember that the night market is open only on Fridays and Saturdays. On other nights, one can enjoy the Malacca canals and artwork by sitting at cafes/stalls nearby.
- Malacca is an absolutely beautiful place and one can appreciate its beauty if you understand its history! Make time to read up!
MY STORY
Malacca has two unique spectrums within small distances of one another. You have the vibrant loud night market and within 500m, you have the Malacca river with small cozy cafes. One falls in love with Malacca immediately upon arrival.
It is a potluck of cultures and it’s distinct architecture is impressive.
Food available in Malacca includes Malaysian, Chinese, Portugese, Dutch, French and Indian food. While I did not try eating baby octopus, clams and other exotic seafood, my friends did and they enjoyed it.
PICTURES FROM THE TRIP
This Trip was contributed by Amrutha Harish
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This trip can be taken if you are in Malaysia or in nearby Countries like Singapore.
