72 Hours in Melaka: Where to Stay and What to Do

Planning that long weekend getaway to Melaka and need a game plan? Well look no further have just what you need: Our 72 hour Melaka itinerary!

Planning that long weekend getaway to Melaka may be tough when it seems like there’s so much to do and so little time! It’s always good to have a game plan so that you make the most of your precious few days there. No time to plan? Fret not, we have just what you need: Our 72 hour Melaka itinerary!

One thing that you may notice about all the recommended accomodations in this itinerary is that they belong to Hatten Hotels Worldwide, a brand of hotels that began in Malaysia and is slowly taking over Asia. This is because Hatten Hotels Worldwide has its finger on the pulse of hospitality and it shows in their hotels across Melaka that are superbly located and all delivering the same Hatten standard of impeccable service. As a brand that is committed to going above and beyond the call of duty for their guests, you can be assured that a stay with them will make your holiday even more enjoyable!

Where to stay

Hatten Hotel Melaka

Image credit: Hatten Hotel Melaka

One of the best accommodation options for when staying in Melaka is Hatten Hotel Melaka because of its fabulous location. Just outside the cultural hotspot of Melaka City, you won’t have to go very far to take in some of the state’s best sights. A luxurious hotel that will make you feel incredibly pampered, especially after a long day of walking, Hatten Hotel is so convenient, you won’t have to walk any more than you need to!

Image credit: Hatten Hotel Melaka

Not only is this hotel only about a five-minute walk away from everything you need to see on the first day of this itinerary, it also promises a brilliant accommodation experience with state-of-the-art facilities. Want to end your night in style? Head to the Alto Sky Lounge on the 22nd floor for a gorgeous view of Melaka’s skyline at night as you chill out to the tunes of a live band with a drink of your choice in hand.

Address: Hatten Hotel Melaka, Jalan Merdeka,75000, Bandar Hilir, Melaka, Malaysia.
Website  

Estadia Hotel Melaka

Image credit: Estadia Hotel Melaka

Another brilliant accommodation that’s suitable for this itinerary is Estadia Hotel Melaka. Not too far off from Hatten Hotel, all the important attractions are conveniently nearby! Just a 15 minute walk away from Jonker Street Night Market, you’ll travel around with ease thanks to this hotel’s great location.

Image credit: Estadia Hotel

Moreover, experience Peranakan culture at its finest with Estadia’s home-style nyonya elements. Eat at Makan Nyonya, the hotel’s Peranakan dining establishment and admire the colourful furnishings that add to the vibrancy of this accommodation.

Address: Estadia Hotel, Jalan Merdeka, Bandar Hilir, 75000 Melaka
Website

Hatten Place

Image credit: Hatten Place

Sights like the Portuguese Settlement and Masjid Selat might seem a little further out compared to the rest of the itinerary, but it certainly won’t feel like that if you choose to stay in Hatten Place! Conveniently located on the coast of Melaka and a mere 10 minute drive away from the Portuguese Settlement, all the sights on this itinerary are easily accessible should you choose to stay here.

Image credit: Hatten Place

This accommodation option also offers a magnificent panoramic view of both the historical city and Straits of Melaka. Just head up to the Sky Deck on the 44th floor, which all guests have complimentary access to, and wind your evening down while taking in the gorgeous views. You also have ELEMENTS shopping mall right below you as Hatten Place is built within this behemoth shopping paradise, perfect for any of your retail needs!

Address: Hatten City, Jalan Melaka Raya 23, Taman Melaka Raya, 75000 Melaka, Malaysia
Website

What to do

Now that you’ve gotten your accommodation settled, you’re already one step closer to have an awesome getaway in Melaka! You’ll be glad to know that all three hotels provide complimentary shuttle services to famous tourists attractions like The Stadthuys and Jonker Street. Now on to all the great things you can do while you’re there… Provided you can pull yourselves away from your luxurious hotel!

Day 1

Immerse yourself in culture at the ruins of St Paul

Melaka was deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008 and if you’re looking to get in the thick of the cultural and historical display, head over to the ruins of St Paul which sits atop St Paul’s Hill.

A regular haunt of St Francis Xavier back when he lived in Malaysia, anything about its rich historical significance and breathtaking architecture has not been exaggerated. So prepare to be captivated by this church and the incredible view it offers!

Address: Jalan Kota, Bandar Hilir, 75000 Melaka, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 24/7 daily
Entry Fee: Free

Feed your nostalgia at Pin Pin Hiong

Stop by this buzzing little eatery that dishes out Hainanese cuisine for lunch. You may have to wait for your food but that extra time and effort spent on making sure each dish is just as delicious as the one before is worth it. The mee sua is done to just the right amount of softness and it speaks of the elderly uncle’s dedication to perfecting his craft.

Image credit: 陳姩𡝗 (left), See Ee Lew (right)

Loved for their food that takes you back to childhood days and reminds you of home, Pin Pin Hiong is comfort food at its best. So our advice is to brave the wait and be rewarded with an absolutely delightful meal that sings with home-cooked flavour.

Address: 786, Lorong Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 07:30 - 14:00 (Mon-Sat)

Tick A’Famosa off your holiday bucket list

Image credit: Namimatisa

Turned over from the Portuguese to the Dutch to the British, A’Famosa is one of the oldest vestiges of European presence in the East. What was once an entire settlement that housed Portuguese administration became a fortress which was written off for destruction in the early 1800s.

Efforts to salvage it were a little too late, resulting in only a fraction of battered architecture being rescued and remaining standing until today. Take your time to explore the aged walls and crumbling structures while learning more about the significance of this magnificent fortress as you go.

Address: Jalan Parameswara, Bandar Hilir, 78000 Alor Gajah, Melaka, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 24 hours
Entry Fee: Free

Hit up Jonker Street Night Market

Image credit: SurLaRoute.fr

One of the must-do things in Melaka is visiting the Jonker Street Night Market, which boasts a bustling number of stalls hawking clothes, handicrafts, knickknacks and most importantly, street food. The food found along Jonker Street is legendary by virtue of being some of Melaka’s most authentic and mouthwatering dishes. Some of the awesome foods you should look out for while meandering through this night market are sizzling fried quail eggs, nyonya laksa and popiah and curry fishballs! Drooling already?

Image credit: Jonker88

For dessert, head to Jonker 88 for some sinfully good gula melaka cendol. Made with gula melaka, pandan flavoured jelly, coconut milk and ice as the main ingredients, this is a refreshing sweet treat that’s a crowd favourite among locals and tourists alike!

Image credit: angelaautumnheng

Don’t worry if you run out of stomach space, just get some of the traditional Asian pastries from Tian Hup Seng to take home with you! Popular as souvenirs and great as snacks, these biscuits are more like stuffed pastries, with the bestseller being the Heong Peah (filling made of malt, shallots and sometimes sesame), which is slightly sweet with a distinct delicious flavour.

Jonker Night Market

Address: 75200 Malacca, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 18:00 - 00:00 (Fri-Sun)

Jonker 88

Address: 88, Jalan Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 09:30 - 18:00 (Sun-Thu), 09:30 - 21:00 (Fri-Sat)
Facebook

Tian Hup Seng

Address: 130, Jalan Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 10:00 - 19:00 (Mon-Thu), 10:00 - 22:00 (Fri-Sun)

Day 2

Get your shot of the iconic Stadthuys

Image credit: Jerine Lay

Possibly the oldest Dutch building in Asia, the Stadthuys or city hall, is one of Melaka’s signature spots, marked by the striking red building and insta-worthy clock tower. The building, situated in Dutch Square, is free of charge if you’re simply taking photos of the exterior.

However, you may want to explore the Museum of History and Ethnography inside for a peek into the colourful past of this amazing city, on display in the form of relics and traditional clothing. The cost of the ticket to this museum also covers entry to the Museum of Literature which is just behind Stadthuys, so head on over to find folklore and local tales told through various mediums!

Address: Jalan Gereja, Bandar Hilir, 75000 Melaka, Malaysia
Opening hours: 09:00 - 17:30 daily
Entry fee: RM 10 (foreigner, adult), RM 5 (local, adult), RM 4 (foreigner, child), RM 2 (local, child)
Website

Have retail and food therapy at a megamall

At Dataran Pahlawan Melaka Megamall you can shop to your heart’s content and then some. This gigantic mall is perfect for your retail therapy needs and is split into three wings so you can wander around this huge shopping centre and let yourself get lost in brands upon brands of your favourite goods and services!

At the same time, get lunch at one of the numerous food outlets there. With a wide range of cuisines, choose between sweet and savoury to satisfy any craving! It’s your one-stop destination for fantastic shopping and yummy food so make sure you’re wearing comfortable shoes and shop away!

Only a stone’s throw away from Hatten Hotel and Estadia Hotel, you can walk back to either of these accommodations when you want to rest your feet and you won’t have to carry your loot very far!

Dataran Pahlawan Melaka Megamall

Address: Jalan Merdeka, Bandar Hilir, 75000 Malacca, Melaka, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 10:00 - 22:00 daily
Website

Be captivated by the amazing view at the Sky Deck

Image credit: Hatten City

Sky Deck @ Hatten City is Melaka’s latest, tallest and most stunning panoramic observation platform that offers incredible views of Melaka City and the Straits of Melaka. Standing at an impressive 195m, the Sky Deck is not to be missed for the experience of feeling as though you’re on top of the world.

Image credit: Hatten City

Catch the mesmerizing sunset from up high and then head over to Gales which is a fine dining restaurant on the 44th floor to continue your appreciation of the fantastic night scenery with a mindblowing gastronomic experience. Serving Western fusion food, Gales is the perfect way to end your evening as you overlook the sea of lights and sparkling waters of the straits below you.

Address: Hatten City, Jalan Melaka Raya 23, Taman Melaka Raya, 75000 Melaka, Melaka, 75000 Melaka City, Melaka, Malaysia
Opening hours: 10:00 - 22:00
Entry fee: RM 15 (introductory offer)

Day 3

Discover an alcove of culture in the Portuguese Settlement

After the Portuguese colonial rule, there remained a community of Malaysian Portuguese in Melaka that struggled to preserve their Portuguese ancestry in Malaysia. In the Portuguese Settlement, find a bastion of Portuguese tradition as cultivated by the residents. The old architecture is melded with modern aspects as they remain afloat of current technology, but they ultimately maintain the air of European styles gone by. Do beware of pushy touts and be prepared to firmly reject them.

Within walking distance from Hatten Place, you can easily explore the Portuguese culture, religion and more as you stroll around this settlement that transports you back in time. Don’t forget to explore the museum that carries relics and artifacts that depict the history of the Portuguese in Malaysia. While you’re there, sample some authentic Portuguese cuisine and have lunch at one of the eateries in the settlement!

Address: 14, Jalan Daranjo, Perkampungan Portugis, 75050 Melaka, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 24 hours daily
Entry Fee: Free

Find new perspectives at an Upside Down House

At Upside Down House Gallery Melaka, you get the disarming experience of walking through a house… With everything topsy turvy! Designed with a real house in mind, this gallery offers a strange, yet fun experience that will have you confused and laughing at the same time. It’s great for taking cool, gravity defying photos that will have your friends and followers clamouring for explanations. Step into this house to have your world turned upside down!

Upside Down House Gallery Melaka

Address: G12&G14, Jalan PM 7, Plaza Mahkota, Bandar Hilir, Melaka, Melaka 75000
Opening Hours: 10:00 - 19:00 (Mon-Thu), 10:00 - 21:00 (Fri-Sun)
Entry Fee: RM 20 (foreigner, adult), RM 16 (foreigner, child), RM 15 (local, adult), RM 10 (local, child)
Facebook

Spend dusk on a floating mosque

Image credit: Davidlohr Bueso

Just off the coast of Melaka, on the man-made island of Pulau Melaka sits Masjid Selat, a gorgeous mosque that looks like it’s suspended above the straits when the tide comes in. Lauded for its elegant design, radiant golden dome with striking azure trimmings and captivating stained glass at the entrance, this mosque will take your breath away.

Image credit: -ARING-

The best time to go is at dusk, when you will catch the dying rays of the sun illuminating the stained glass, as well as the way the entire mosque lights up after dark, turning it into yet another stunning spectacle. What’s more is that the minaret doubles up as a lighthouse, making an even more sublime sight. Do note that if you intend to go inside the mosque, you need to be modestly dressed as this is a place of worship.

Address: Jalan Pulau Melaka 8, 75000 Melaka, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 07:00 - 19:00 daily
Entry Fee: Free

Dine on authentic nyonya delicacies

Image credit: Estadia Hotel

Peranakan culture is one of Melaka’s most prominent in the diverse sets of heritage that the city boasts so it’s only right that you indulge in some of the best nyonya food in town at Estadia Hotel’s Makan Nyonya. Prepare to be blown away by the wide selection of mouthwatering traditional nyonya dishes that look colourful and taste amazing! Address: Estadia Hotel, Jalan Merdeka, Bandar Hilir, 75000 Melaka

With a luxurious accommodation, an itinerary packed full of Melaka’s best sights and most delicious of foods, you’re all set to have an incredible 72 hours in Melaka. So book your flights and accommodation and start packing!


EXCLUSIVE STAYCATION DEALS DIRECT TO YOUR MAILBOX
SIGN UP & BE THE FIRST TO KNOW!
Please enter a valid email address.
Thanks for subscribing!
Back To Top