It is always a good idea to go for a weekend respite with your family or friends to unwind from work and get away from the fast-paced lifestyle of the city. An underrated neighbouring city bursting with rich history and culture that some of us may overlook is Malacca.

Contrary to popular belief, there is more to this UNESCO World Heritage Site than you may think. While history buffs might fall in love with the rustic charms Malacca can offer, the activities go far beyond just admiring ancient cultural sites.

Give this Malaysian city a chance the next time you are thinking of going on a short trip! You may be pleasantly surprised at what you can find there. Here are 12 Tips On What To See, Do & Eat There.

DAY 1 IN MALACCA

#1 HAVE LUNCH AT THE DAILY FIX

1pm: The Daily Fix is a charming, vintage cafe that is hidden behind a souvenir store at Jonker Street. The cafe serves a menu featuring fusion mains and desserts, complete with house brews and tea. Go for their signature pancakes which come in both savoury and sweet flavours!

Heading to Jonker Street?
Here are 7 fun things to do there.

Photo Credit: Eddy Rush Fat Boy

#2 TRY THE FAMOUS KEBLANG ORIGINAL COCONUT SHAKE

3pm: Cool off from the sweltering heat with the Keblang Original Coconut Shake which is an extremely popular roadside stall visited by both locals and tourists. Expect to queue for their coconut shakes with ice cream and nasi lemak.

Photo Credit: Pantip

#3  TAKE OOTDS AT MALACCA’S WHITE SAND DUNE

5pm: No time for the Sahara Desert? No problem! This hidden attraction in Malacca has recently been gaining attention on social media for looking almost similar to a white sand dune or desert (it is actually a land reclamation project).

Depending on traffic and weather conditions, Padang Pasir Keblang Meleka is about 15 to 30 minutes drive from Malacca’s city centre. Take your OOTDs against the breathtaking landscape!

DAY 2 IN MALACCA

#4 HAVE A MEAL AT CHOP CHUNG WAH

11am: Chicken rice balls are iconic in Malacca and one of the most renowned shops you can find there is Chop Chung Wah. The trick to skipping the infamous long queue under the hot sun? Visit them in the early afternoon during the weekdays!

#5 EXPLORE THE ICONIC SITES AT JONKER STREET

12pm: Religious structures of various faiths are widely respected by the locals in Malacca. You are more than welcome to stop and take a look at the many worshipping places that are located around Jonker Street.

Some of the more well-known ones include the red Christ Church, Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, Kampung Kling Mosque and Sri Poyyatha Vinayagar Moorthi Temple.

Photo Credit: Hotels.com

#6 PAY A VISIT TO THE BABA NYONYA HERITAGE MUSEUM

2pm: Learn more about the Baba Nyonyas and how they contributed to Malacca’s trade industry by visiting the museum. There are daily time slots where you can go for guided tours.

#7 DESIGN YOUR OWN SNACK AT MAMEE JONKER HOUSE

4pm: Feeling a sense of nostalgia? We feel you. Mamee Jonker House is a museum featuring everything Mamee-related here including t-shirts and soft toys. Make some time for the Mamee Cafe and Mamee Gallery as well.

#8 GET CLOSE TO SIBERIAN HUSKIES AT THE HUSKITORY

6pm: Located along Jalan Taman Asean, The Huskitory is about 15 minutes drive away from the city center. The cafe-cum-pet shop is home to more than 20 huskies so expect only chaos from a bunch of extremely excited dogs. Dog lovers have to make it a point to visit this cafe!

Interested to find out more? Read our review here.

DAY 3 IN MALACCA

#9 HAVE BREAKFAST AT KAYA KAYA CAFE

11am: Boasting vintage vibes and a sunny courtyard, Kaya Kaya Cafe is an excellent place for breakfast if you want to skip the crowd at Jonker Street. Fuel up for the day with their Kaya Breakfast!

#10 FILL UP YOUR TUMMY AT HOE KEE CHICKEN RICE

2pm: It is easy to tell that Hoe Kee Chicken Rice is a strong competitor against Chop Chung Wah by the large lunch crowd. Unlike the latter, Hoe Kee Chicken Rice has more variety on the menu which includes sides such as vegetables and soup.

#11 SATISFY YOUR CAFFEINE FIX AT BACKLANE COFFEE

4pm:Spend your afternoon at Backland Coffee with a cuppa and some desserts. We love how spacious the cafe is, with comfortable sofa chairs and floor-to-ceiling window panels that allow natural sunlight to filter in.

This coffee sanctuary is a welcoming place for those who wish to rest their weary feet from a day of shopping at Jonker Street.

#12 DROP BY DATARAN PAHLAWAN MELEKA MEGAMALL

6pm: Who says Malacca does not have modern entertainment? Hop over to this bustling megamall which has everything a shopaholic would want from a shopping spree—fashion, retail and branded goods. You can also find a karaoke studio, 3D Art Museum and Kiddie Rides for the little ones.

Penang is another neighbouring Malaysian city you have to explore and you can plan a trip there with only S$250. 

A trip to Malacca is not considered complete unless you have been to Jonker Street. It is a place where you will find a mixture of holidaymakers learning more about the culture of old Malacca and locals going about their everyday lives.

Weekends are when Jonker Street is most lively and you get to join in the bustling night market. Those who are not a fan of crowds can consider heading there during weekdays when the streets are quieter.

For those who are planning to visit Malacca, here are 7 Fun Things To Do At Jonker Street.

#1 TRY THE FAMOUS CHICKEN RICE BALLS

The reputation of Malacca’s chicken rice balls have spread far and wide. Obviously, this is something you have to try even if you are just stopping by the city for a day.

There are a few famous stalls at Jonker Street namely Chop Chung Wah, Hoe Kee Chicken Rice and Famosa Chicken Rice. Try to make your way there early for some of these shops close before evening!

#2 HAVE BRUNCH AT BEAUTIFUL CAFES

With influences from abroad brought back by the locals, many traditional shops have been replaced by modern cafes at Jonker Street. While it is a pity that some of the original stores are gone, we were pleased to see that some of these cafes have retained the culture and bits of history from the past.

#3 SHOP FOR SECOND-HAND ITEMS AT ANTIQUE STORES

Are you looking for vintage pieces or ornaments to spice up your house decor? Jonker Street is the place to go for antiques. Walk down the lane and you will find yourself spoilt with plenty of choices. Who knows, you may even find a rare gem in there!

#4 CHECK OUT MAMEE JONKER HOUSE

Yes, this is a museum featuring your favourite childhood snack! You can get everything Mamee-related here including t-shirts and soft toys. Also, what is a trip to Mamee Jonker House without leaving with some Mamee snacks?

Besides that, you can also visit the Mamee Cafe and Mamee Gallery.

#5 VISIT THE VARIOUS TEMPLES

Some of Malaysia’s oldest temples can be found around Jonker Street and were built more than a century ago! History buffs will enjoy taking a little tour around the different religious temples such as the Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, Kampung Kling Mosque and Sri Poyyatha Vinayagar Moorthi Temple.

Do read up on the history of these temples before making your way there so you can fully appreciate these magnificent structures.

Photo Credit: Hotels.com

#6 BABA NYONYA HERITAGE MUSEUM

One of the most distinguishable culture in Malacca is Peranakan or also known as the ‘Baba Nyonya’. If you are interested to find out more about their heritage and past, visit the Baba Nyonya Heritage Musuem.

The museum is made up of three houses that was first built for a Chinese tycoon and his family. It was later converted into a museum for the public and guided tours are provided at various time slots.

Photo Credit: Maxpixel

#7 JONKER WALK NIGHT MARKET

Last but definitely not the least, is the Jonker Walk Night Market. Happening every Friday to Sunday, the streets are closed for make shift stalls that sell everything from accessories and souvenirs to Nyonya delicacies. If you really need a reason to visit Malacca, let this be it.

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