MARELLA CRUISES

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Malacca Cruises, Malaysia

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Malacca – which is also known as Melaka – started out as a pint-sized fishing village before the 15th century. Although it’s grown since then, and has earned itself UNESCO recognition, it’s still small enough for you to explore its colourful streets on foot. Thanks to its colonial past, you’ll find a mixture of cultural influences scattered around in the architecture of the city, including Chinese, British, Dutch and Portuguese.

  • Go for a ride up to the top of the Taming Sari Tower. This gyro tower’s the first, and so far the only, in Malaysia. You’ll be greeted with panoramic views over Melaka city when you reach its highest point.
  • Pause for a picture at the remains of A’Famosa Fort, which was originally built by the Portuguese in the 16th century. It was later taken over by the Dutch, and then the British, so it’s a good place to see the city’s blend of cultural influences.
  • Make sure the Dutch-built Christ Church is on your to-do list. Its bright-pink colour and impressive size make sure that you won’t struggle to spot it.

Map of Malacca

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Historic Malacca

Malacca’s nicknamed ‘The Historic State’, and this tour reels off a bunch of the region’s most iconic sights. To kick things off, you’ll drive through the city to the aptly named Dutch Square. The colonial architecture here’s a deep shade of red, and a windmill and bright flowerbeds are a nod to the former European settlers. Next, you’ll learn about a different set of predecessors at the ornate Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum – which tells the story of Chinese-Malay ancestors. Pay a visit to the Cheng Hoon Teng temple – the oldest temple in the country – in Malacca’s old town. Things wrap up with a final dose of culture, courtesy of the Villa Sentosa – a living museum which offers a snapshot of how a Malay family lives. Once you’ve had a good nose around, you’ll head back to the port.

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Scenic Malacca by road and river

Age-old architecture’s the starting point for this trip, as you pay a visit to Malacca’s berry-red Dutch Square. Pose for pictures in front of the colonial ring of buildings, and bag a souvenir or two from the surrounding shops. Next, you’ll take to the water on a boat trip along the Malacca River. Hop off a little way along, and you’ll have a chance to visit one of the city’s highest points – the Menara Taming Sari. When you reach the top of this needle-like tower, you’ll have panoramic views across the rooftops. Back at ground level, you’ll make a stop at the ruins of A Famosa – an ancient fort built by the Portuguese. And we’ve saved the best for last – a chance to see the modern Malacca Straits Mosque. When the tide comes in, this orange-domed structure looks like it’s floating on the surface of the water.

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Cultural snapshot

This tour’s topped and tailed by a couple of major religious landmarks, with traditional stop-offs wedged in between. You’ll start with a visit to the white-and-green Al Azim Mosque in the city’s northern reaches. After you’ve snapped a photo or two of the grand exterior, you’ll make tracks for Mini Malaysia – a cultural park that celebrates the country’s 13 states. Different houses showcase the various styles and traditions of each region, so you’ll get a flavour of life outside Malacca. The nation’s oldest Chinese temple, Cheng Hoon Teng, is next on the to-see list, before you head to the remnants of an ageing Portuguese fort. To finish off, you’ll plot a course for St Paul’s Church. This hilltop relic has stood tall for centuries, and offers sweeping views of the skyline.

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