The lit banks
Coloured lights on the banks and bridges at night.
Wasquewhat — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Marcin Konsek — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Marcin Konsek — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Bjørn Christian Tørrissen — CC BY-SA 3.0
A boat ride of about forty-five minutes on the river Malacca grew up around, passing old houses painted with colourful murals, under small bridges and beside Kampung Morten, a traditional Malay village of wooden houses on stilts, covering about nine kilometres there and back. This river was once the artery of a world port, and its banks have been restored in recent years with a clean promenade and waterside cafes and restaurants. The night cruise is the finest, when both banks and the bridges are lit in colour and reflected in the water. Non-Malaysian adults pay around RM 49, and boats leave roughly every half hour from nine in the morning until late, with the last departure around ten at night. Cruises pause on Fridays for Friday prayers, from a quarter past twelve to a quarter to three. The boat is partly open, so daytime trips are hot and evening ones much pleasanter. It suits families and older visitors since it takes no effort, and a walk along the riverside promenade afterwards rounds off the evening.
Coloured lights on the banks and bridges at night.
Wooden Malay stilt houses on the riverbank.
Old riverside houses painted with colourful murals.
River cruise jetty, Malacca
Maritime Museum (Flor de la Mar)A huge sailing ship moored on the riverbank, a full-size replica of the Flor de 1 minute walk4.3
Menara Taming SariA round glass cabin holding around sixty-six people rises slowly up a column abo3 minutes walk4.5
St Paul's ChurchThe roofless ruin of a church on top of the hill overlooking old Malacca and the3 minutes walk4.5
Jonker Street Night MarketEvery Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening Jonker Street closes to cars and turns3 minutes walk4.4
Baba & Nyonya Heritage MuseumThree adjoining houses behind one ornate facade, turned into a museum of the lif3 minutes walk4.5Night, without hesitation: it is cooler, and the lights on the banks make the ride far lovelier. Take a boat after sunset, then stroll the promenade.