Why Honeymoon in Melaka
Melaka gives a honeymoon depth. Few places in Southeast Asia pack so much layered history into a walkable old town, from Portuguese ruins on St. Paul's Hill to the Dutch-era Stadthuys and the ornate Peranakan houses of Heeren Street.
The food is the other draw. Melaka is a center of Nyonya cooking, the fusion of Chinese and Malay traditions created by the Straits Chinese community. Its spicy, aromatic dishes are found in few other places. Some families have cooked the same recipes for generations.
Finally, it is easy. The old town is compact and flat, so you can walk or cycle everywhere. Hotels are good value and the atmosphere is relaxed. After the intensity of Kuala Lumpur, a night or two here feels like slowing down.
When to Go
Melaka is hot and humid all year, with daytime highs around 90°F and frequent afternoon showers. There is no dramatic season, so plan around your other destinations.
Rain tends to be heavier from about October to December. Showers are common in spring as well. Mornings and evenings are the best times to explore at any time of year.
The bigger factor is crowds. Weekends and public holidays bring large numbers of visitors from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, especially around Jonker Street. The Friday to Sunday night market is lively and crowded. If you prefer quiet lanes, visit midweek and come back to the market on a weekend evening if your schedule allows. Chinese New Year brings lanterns and festive decorations to the old town but also heavy traffic.
Where to Stay
Stay in or near the old town so you can walk to dinner and enjoy the river at night. The Majestic Malacca, a restored 1920s mansion with a modern wing on the river, is the most romantic choice, with a spa, a colonial lounge and a well-regarded Nyonya restaurant.
Casa del Rio Melaka, also on the riverbank, has a rooftop pool overlooking the old town and spacious rooms with Portuguese and Moorish touches. It is a good choice for couples who want a pool for the hottest part of the day.
The old town also has many small boutique hotels in converted shophouses, often with courtyards, wooden floors and antique furnishings. They are full of character, though rooms can be compact and some lack elevators. Read recent reviews for noise near the weekend market.
Romantic Things to Do
Take an evening river cruise, which glides past murals, riverside cafes and old warehouses under strings of lights. It is short and touristy. It is lovely all the same.
Walk the old town in the morning, starting at the red Christ Church and Stadthuys, then climbing St. Paul's Hill to the ruined church and down to the Porta de Santiago gate of the old Portuguese fort.
Tour the Baba and Nyonya Heritage Museum, a restored Peranakan townhouse full of carved wood and porcelain. Visit Cheng Hoon Teng, the oldest working Chinese temple in Malaysia, then the nearby Kampung Kling Mosque.
At sunset, head to the Straits Mosque, built on a small island at the edge of the sea. On a weekend night, wander the Jonker Street market for snacks and souvenirs.
Getting There and Around
Melaka has no useful international airport, so most couples arrive by road. Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) is about 1.5 hours away by car. Central Kuala Lumpur is about two hours. Frequent express buses run from Kuala Lumpur's southern bus terminal to Melaka Sentral, where a short taxi or Grab ride reaches the old town.
From Singapore, the drive takes about three to four hours depending on the border crossing and traffic.
In town, walk. The old town is compact and flat. Grab is useful for reaching the Straits Mosque or restaurants outside the center. Decorated trishaws, covered in flowers and cartoon characters with loud music, are fun for a short ride if you agree the price first.
Food and Drink
Nyonya cooking is the reason to linger. Try ayam pongteh, a sweet and savory chicken stew with fermented soybean. Then order Nyonya laksa, a coconut curry noodle soup. Kuih, colorful bite-sized cakes made with coconut and pandan, are an afternoon treat.
Melaka's signature street food is chicken rice balls, where the rice is shaped into small rounds and served with poached chicken. Satay celup, skewers you dip into a pot of bubbling peanut sauce, makes a fun shared dinner.
Cendol, shaved ice with coconut milk, green rice flour jelly and gula Melaka palm sugar syrup, is the best cure for midday heat. The Portuguese Eurasian community has its own dishes, including the fiery devil's curry. Seafood restaurants line the shore at the Portuguese Settlement.
Honeymoon Tips
Stay at least one night. Day-trippers see the old town at its busiest. Evenings and early mornings are when it is most romantic.
Cover shoulders and knees for mosques and temples. Both of you should remove shoes before entering. The Straits Mosque may lend robes to visitors.
Carry water and sunscreen. The heat is intense in the middle of the day, so plan museum visits or a nap for the afternoon.
Dengue occurs in Malaysia. Use repellent at dusk near the river. If you're pregnant or hoping to be soon, check CDC travel health notices.
Book dinner at popular Nyonya restaurants in advance on weekends. Some close one day a week, often midweek, so check opening hours before you plan your evening.
