Where to stay in Malacca

Malacca (Melaka in Malay) was one of the great trading ports of Asia, ruled in turn by a Malay sultanate, the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British. Its historic centre, listed by UNESCO in 2008 together with George Town in Penang, packs red-painted Dutch buildings, Chinese shophouses, temples, mosques and churches into a few walkable streets either side of the Malacca River.

It is a city for eating and wandering: Nyonya cooking, chicken rice balls and cendol are local specialities, and the Jonker Walk night market draws crowds at weekends. The hotels we list range from heritage shophouse guesthouses in Chinatown to modern towers near the malls. Filter them by area below, or start with the guide.

From Kuala Lumpur
About 2 hours by express bus to Melaka Sentral
Nearest railway
KTM ETS trains stop at Pulau Sebang/Tampin, about 40 minutes inland by road
Getting around
On foot in the old town; ride-hailing apps and taxis further out
Busiest times
Weekends and school holidays

Places to stay in Malacca

17 hotels

"Our order" puts hotels we have fully written up first. Commission doesn't affect the order.

Where to stay in Malacca, area by area

The heritage core is small enough to cover on foot. Chinatown and Jonker Street lie on the west bank of the river, the Dutch Square and St Paul's Hill on the east bank, with Melaka Raya and the malls just to the south and quieter neighbourhoods further out.

Jonker Street & Chinatown

Best for heritage stays and street food

Across the bridge from the Dutch Square, Chinatown is the heart of old Malacca. Jalan Hang Jebat, better known as Jonker Street, is lined with antique shops, cafés and clan houses, and turns into the Jonker Walk night market on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings. Parallel Heeren Street holds the Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum in a grand Peranakan townhouse, and Jalan Tokong has Cheng Hoon Teng, often called the oldest working Chinese temple in Malaysia.

Many hotels here are converted shophouses with plenty of character. It is the most atmospheric place to stay and everything is on foot, but weekend nights are loud and crowded, and parking is very tight.

Bandar Hilir & Melaka Raya

Best for malls, restaurants and drivers

On the east bank, the Stadthuys and Christ Church face each other across the red Dutch Square, and steps lead up St Paul's Hill to a ruined church and down to the Porta de Santiago, the last gate of the Portuguese A Famosa fortress. South of the hill, on land reclaimed from the sea, are the Mahkota Parade and Dataran Pahlawan malls and the revolving Menara Taming Sari observation tower.

Melaka Raya, a grid of newer shophouses behind the malls, is packed with restaurants, cafés and bars. Hotels here tend to be larger and more modern, parking is easier, and the heritage sights are still a short walk away.

Riverside & Kampung Morten

Best for river walks and a quieter evening

North of the old town, a paved walkway follows the Malacca River past painted murals, cafés and small hotels, and the river cruise boats pass by all evening. Kampung Morten, a traditional Malay village of stilted wooden houses, sits on a bend of the river within the city.

It's a calmer alternative to Jonker Street that is still within walking distance of it, and the riverside is especially pleasant after dark when the banks are lit.

Ujong Pasir, St John's Fort & the outskirts

Best for seafood and a local feel

A couple of kilometres east of the centre, the Portuguese Settlement at Ujong Pasir is home to Malacca's Kristang community, people of Portuguese-Malay descent, and is known for its seafood restaurants by the water. Nearby, St John's Fort, a small 18th-century Dutch fort on a hilltop, gives views back over the city.

In the other direction, the Melaka Straits Mosque stands on the reclaimed island of Pulau Melaka and seems to float on the water at high tide. Hotels out here are usually cheaper and quieter, but you will want a car or ride-hailing app to reach the old town.

Questions about staying in Malacca

Which area of Malacca is best for a first visit?

Jonker Street and Chinatown, if you want to step straight out into the heritage streets and the weekend night market. If you are driving or want a bigger, more modern hotel, Bandar Hilir and Melaka Raya are within walking distance of the main sights and much easier for parking.

When is the Jonker Walk night market on?

It usually runs on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, when Jonker Street is closed to traffic. Times can change around holidays, so check locally.

How do I get to Malacca from Kuala Lumpur?

Express buses run frequently from Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) in Kuala Lumpur to Melaka Sentral and take about two hours, depending on traffic. From Melaka Sentral, a taxi or ride-hailing car to the old town takes around 15 minutes. Buses also run from Singapore.

Is a weekday or weekend better for visiting Malacca?

Weekdays are calmer and hotel prices are often lower. Weekends bring the night market but also big crowds and heavy traffic, particularly during Malaysian and Singaporean school holidays.

Do I need a car in Malacca?

Not if you stay in or near the old town, which is best explored on foot. A car or ride-hailing app is useful for the Portuguese Settlement, the Straits Mosque and hotels on the outskirts.

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