The full-size ship
A full-scale replica of the Flor de la Mar.
Chongkian — CC BY-SA 4.0 · CEphoto, Uwe Aranas — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Jonashtand — CC BY-SA 4.0
A huge sailing ship moored on the riverbank, a full-size replica of the Flor de la Mar, the Portuguese ship that sank off Sumatra in 1511 laden with treasure plundered from Malacca after its fall, and never found. That lost-treasure story makes the ship the museum's best-known exhibit. You climb onto the deck and down into the lower decks, where ship models and displays tell Malacca's story as a world port in the sultanate era, when ships from Arabia, India and China anchored here. The ticket also covers the neighbouring maritime museum and the Royal Malaysian Navy Museum. Foreigners pay around RM 10 for all three sections, the museum is closed on Mondays, and its published hours vary between sources, so check. Children love climbing aboard and exploring the ship. The ladders inside the ship are steep in places, so watch small children. It stands next to Menara Taming Sari and on the river cruise route, so it pairs easily with both.
A full-scale replica of the Flor de la Mar.
A ship that sank in 1511 laden with Malacca's riches.
Malacca when Arab, Indian and Chinese ships anchored here.
Jalan Merdeka, on the Malacca River
Melaka River CruiseA boat ride of about forty-five minutes on the river Malacca grew up around, pas1 minute walk4.2
Menara Taming SariA round glass cabin holding around sixty-six people rises slowly up a column abo1 minute walk4.5
St Paul's ChurchThe roofless ruin of a church on top of the hill overlooking old Malacca and the4 minutes walk4.5
Baba & Nyonya Heritage MuseumThree adjoining houses behind one ornate facade, turned into a museum of the lif5 minutes walk4.5
Jonker Street Night MarketEvery Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening Jonker Street closes to cars and turns5 minutes walk4.4Yes: climbing aboard and exploring the decks delights children more than any other museum in Malacca. Just watch the steep ladders inside.