20 Best Things to Do in Melaka for a Perfect Road Trip

Just two hours' drive south of Kuala Lumpur, Melaka packs centuries of history, colourful streets and some of Malaysia's best food into a compact UNESCO-listed city. If you are wondering about the best things to do in Melaka, this list covers heritage sights, family attractions and hidden corners that are easiest to reach by car.

20 things to do in Melaka

Heritage and history

• 1. Dutch Square (Red Square) with Christ Church and the Stadthuys.
• 2. A Famosa, the surviving gate of the Portuguese fortress.
• 3. St Paul's Hill and its ruined church with views over the city.
• 4. Melaka Sultanate Palace Museum, a wooden replica of the royal palace.
• 5. Maritime Museum, housed in a replica of the Flor de la Mar ship.
• 6. Baba and Nyonya Heritage Museum on Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock.
• 7. Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, one of the oldest Chinese temples in Malaysia.
• 8. Kampung Kling Mosque with its pagoda-style minaret.

Experiences and views

• 9. Jonker Walk Night Market for snacks, antiques and souvenirs.
• 10. Melaka River Cruise, best after dark when the riverside murals light up.
• 11. Menara Taming Sari, a rotating tower with panoramic views.
• 12. The Shore Sky Tower with its glass-floored skywalk.
• 13. Trishaw ride on the famously decorated, music-blaring bikes.
• 14. Kampung Morten, a traditional Malay village right in the city.

Outside the old town

• 15. Melaka Straits Mosque, the "floating mosque" on Pulau Melaka at sunset.
• 16. Klebang Beach and its famous coconut shake stalls.
• 17. Portuguese Settlement for seafood by the sea.
• 18. Zoo Melaka in Ayer Keroh, great for families.
• 19. Melaka Botanical Garden for a green, shady walk.
• 20. Food crawl: chicken rice balls, satay celup, Nyonya laksa and cendol.

Start early to beat the heat, spend the afternoon in museums and save Jonker Walk and the river for the evening.

Driving from KL to Melaka

Take the North-South Expressway (E2) south and exit at Ayer Keroh; the journey usually takes around two hours. Weekends and school holidays bring heavy traffic, so leave before 8am. Parking in the old town is limited, so choose a hotel with parking or use the multi-storey car parks near Dataran Pahlawan. A small, fuel-efficient car such as the Perodua Axia AV or Perodua Myvi AV makes tight heritage streets much easier.

Road trip to Melaka with Kuala Lumpur Rent-A-Car

Pick up an economical hatchback or a family MPV from Kuala Lumpur Rent-A-Car, delivered to your door in KL or collected free at KL Sentral. Book on any car page and enjoy unlimited mileage on rentals of 3 to 30 days.

Keep reading: How to Get to Langkawi in 2026: Flights, Ferries and Driving Tips and 14 Best Stargazing Spots in Malaysia for Dark, Starry Skies. Ready to drive? Browse our rental fleet in Kuala Lumpur or check our delivery coverage areas.