Field notes from
the heritage zone.
Long-form writing about Melaka. Food stories, historical deep-dives, neighbourhood walks, and the occasional unhinged opinion on cendol toppings.
Melaka's Best-Loved Ikan Bakar Spot Returns With a RM5 Million Makeover.
D'Muara Punggur at Sungai Punggur in Alai has reopened after a complete RM5 million overhaul, bringing back eight stalls of fresh grilled fish with seating for 1,000 diners and new facilities.
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Three New Flight Routes Are Being Planned for Melaka Airport: Batam, Kota Bharu and Penang
Melaka is in talks with airlines to add three new routes from its international airport by the end of 2026, covering Batam in Indonesia and two domestic stops in Kota Bharu and Penang.
A Free Three-Day Festival Hits Morten Walk This Weekend
Karnival Hebatkan Perniagaan Malaysia sets up at Morten Walk from 19 to 21 June with concerts, batik-making, trishaw rides, outdoor film screenings, and happy hour deals. Entry is free.
Fiesta San Pedro: Melaka's Portuguese Settlement Festival on 29 June
The Kristang community's 67-year-old fishing festival returns to Melaka's Portuguese Settlement around 29 June, with a boat blessing, Branyo dance, and a new milestone toward national heritage recognition.
The 41st Melaka Dragon Boat Festival Races on 27 and 28 June
The 41st Melaka International Dragon Boat Festival brings more than 100 teams to Jeti Quayside for endurance and sprint races on 27 and 28 June.
Melaka's RM5 Tourism Passport Saves You Up to RM268 at 63 Venues
A RM5 Tourism Passport unlocks discounts of up to 80% at 63 Melaka attractions, hotels, restaurants, and shopping centres throughout 2026.
Melaka River Festival 2026 Runs Through September With Dragon Boats, River Events and Beach Fun
Melaka River Festival 2026 has started, with more than three months of river and beach events across Melaka Tengah, Jasin and Alor Gajah.
Melaka River Debuts China’s Shuang Rao Dragon Boat Culture Outside China
Melaka River is now the first place outside China to showcase Shuang Rao dragon boat culture, with a 100-foot friendship boat launched at Quayside Jetty.
Free Robotics and AI Expo Lands at Malim Food Town in Melaka
A free one-day robotics and AI expo at Malim Food Town brings robot shows, drone football and hands-on tech for families in Melaka.
MIIEX 2026 Brings 900 Innovation Projects to Melaka This June
MIIEX 2026 lands at UiTM Alor Gajah on 24 and 25 June with more than 900 innovation projects from Malaysia and abroad.
Pekanbaru to Melaka Flights Are Back, With Direct Wings Air Service Three Times a Week
Wings Air has resumed direct Pekanbaru to Melaka flights, giving travellers a faster new way into the city three times a week.
Zoo Melaka Draws School Holiday Crowds With Animal Feeding and Family-Friendly Experiences
Zoo Melaka is pulling in strong school holiday crowds with hands-on animal encounters, live shows and family-friendly ticket offers.
The Melaka River Cruise at RM10 Is Worth Every Minute of the Queue
The Melaka River Cruise drew long queues during the June Melaka Bila Larut Malam event, with RM10 promotional tickets pulling families and first-time visitors to the water after dark.
Menara Taming Sari Is Melaka’s Hottest Late-Night Attraction Right Now
Menara Taming Sari drew record crowds during Melaka Bila Larut Malam, with RM10 tickets and long queues for night views.
Muzium Samudera Is the Smartest RM10 You Can Spend at Melaka Bila Larut Malam
Muzium Samudera joined the Melaka Bila Larut Malam June lineup with RM10 admission, giving visitors a clear and immersive read of Melaka's maritime past after dark.
The Melaka Compass: June 2026
Use June for a real Melaka weekend, with stronger night walks, better river time and one sharp meal beyond the core.
Melaka to Pekanbaru Flights Return, Making City Breaks Easier for Indonesian Travellers
Wings Air will resume Melaka-Pekanbaru flights on June 10, giving Indonesian travellers a faster route into the historic city.
Sea Silk Creative Exhibition in Melaka Gives Peranakan Heritage a Fresh New Look
A new Melaka exhibition turns Peranakan culture, Nyonya design and maritime history into bold contemporary art and design.
Banda Hilir’s New Colour Lights Turn the Red Square Walk Into Melaka’s Freshest Night Stop
Banda Hilir now shines after dark, with new colour lights along the Red Square walk adding a fresh reason to visit at night.
Melaka’s Trishaws Turn Up the Bhangra for Sikh Pilgrims in Bandar Hilir
Bandar Hilir’s famous trishaws switched to Bhangra beats this weekend, giving Melaka’s heritage core an upbeat new soundtrack.
Melaka River Phase 2 Upgrade Will Add Waterfront Walks, Water Taxi Stops and Cleaner Views
Melaka River’s Phase 2 cleanup and beautification will bring new waterfront paths, river cruise facilities and a cleaner stretch for visitors.
The Melaka Compass: May 2026
Skip the postcard loop this May and follow Melaka's older trading roads, community quarters, and one strong dinner table.
The Best Sunset Views in Melaka - Ranked
Five places to watch the light go gold over Melaka's rooftops, from the obvious to the quietly earned.
The Melaka Compass: April 2026
April suits weekday Melaka, with market breakfasts, long Nyonya lunches, and a quieter river after dark.
A First-Timer's Guide to Nyonya Food in Melaka
Peranakan cuisine is the result of four centuries of culinary negotiation between Malay spice tradition and Chinese cooking technique, and Melaka is where it began.
The Melaka Compass: March 2026
March in Melaka runs on a fasting clock, with early walks, bazaar evenings, and Hari Raya energy building by the week.
The Melaka Compass: February 2026
Lantern nights, temple drums, and family dinners shape Melaka’s best February days.
The Melaka Compass: January 2026
Catch Melaka in its working rhythm, with weekday street life, rain-ready museums, pre-festival shops, and a calm night walk.
Melaka's New Parking App is Here
A unified smart parking app simplifies payment across Melaka's four local councils.
Free Parking in Melaka: Celebrate Malaysia Day and Visit Melaka Year 2024
Free parking across 34,764 bays through September 27 welcomes visitors to explore Melaka's history and culture.
Scoot to Launch Flights to Melaka from 23 October 2024
Scoot launches Singapore-Melaka flights this October, making Southeast Asia's UNESCO heritage city more accessible than ever.
Fan Bingbing: Melaka's Newest Tourism Ambassador
Acclaimed Chinese actress Fan Bingbing brings international prominence to Melaka's heritage and cultural attractions.
Discover Melaka After Dark: The Melaka Nightlife Program Unveiled
A new initiative unlocks Melaka's nocturnal charm, extending iconic landmarks' hours and launching monthly nighttime events and performances.
Panggung Bangsawan Melaka Reopens with the Epic Tale of Hang Tuah
A historic theater reopens with a classical Malay performance of legendary warrior Hang Tuah, reviving traditional arts in Melaka.
Fu Ning: A Majestic Wooden Sailboat Docks in Melaka
The world's largest traditional Chinese wooden sailboat arrives in Melaka to trace Admiral Cheng Ho's Maritime Silk Road legacy.
Melaka Traffic Update: Extended Car-Free Zone During Hari Raya Aidilfitri Holidays in April 2024
Extended car-free zones transform Melaka's historic quarter during the festive Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations.
Experience the Joy of Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2024 and School Holidays in Melaka
Melaka's Hari Raya festivities blend spiritual traditions, culinary delights, and warm hospitality during April school holidays.
Celebrate Chinese New Year 2024 in Melaka: Lanterns, Lions, and Festive Cheers!
Melaka readies for the Year of the Dragon with thousand lanterns, lion dances, and centuries-old temple traditions.
Pesta Gendang Nusantara 2024: Celebrating Melaka's Rhythmic Heritage
Melaka's historic plaza comes alive with five days of drums, dance, and Nusantara rhythm celebrating the region's cultural soul.
Melaka's Weekend Transformation: Extended Car-Free Zone from Friday Evenings to Sunday Midnights Begins 22 December 2023
Over 50 hours of car-free weekends invite visitors to walk Melaka's UNESCO-listed streets freely.
Melaka's Spectacular End-of-Year 2023-2024 Countdown Celebrations
Melaka rings in 2024 with fireworks, hot air balloons, and performances from Malaysia's finest artists.
Melaka's Upcoming Tram System: A New Era of Eco-Friendly Travel
A new 20-kilometer tram network launches in 2026, connecting Melaka's historic and modern attractions.
Discover the Magic of Melaka in December 2023: Your Ultimate Travel Guide
December transforms Melaka into a luminous tapestry of festive celebrations, historic exploration, and culinary traditions worth discovering.
New Traffic Update for Tourists Visiting Melaka - Adjustments on Saturday Evenings from 16 December 2023
Strategic traffic adjustments preserve Melaka's pedestrian charm while managing vehicular flow on Saturday evenings.
Christmas 2023 at the Portuguese Settlement in Melaka: A Festive Celebration
The Portuguese Settlement transforms into a festive beacon where centuries-old traditions meet dazzling holiday lights and community warmth.
Welcoming More Travellers to Melaka: Malaysia's 30-Day Visa-Free Entry
Malaysia opens its doors with 30-day visa-free entry for travelers from five new regions, inviting deeper exploration of Melaka's heritage.
The Ultimate Guide to Melaka's Culinary Delights
Melaka's cuisine weaves Peranakan tradition and local innovation, from hawker stalls to sky-high dining overlooking historic streets.
A Weekend in Melaka: A Cultural and Historical Adventure
A carefully designed itinerary weaves historical sites, Peranakan heritage, and contemporary leisure into one unforgettable weekend.
Discover Melaka's Unique Stays: A Guide to Exceptional Hotels in 2023
Melaka's exceptional hotels merge heritage and modern comfort, from Peranakan boutiques to riverside art galleries and colonial elegance.
Exploring Melaka's Attractions: A 2023 Guide for Every Traveler
April's gentle weather invites exploration of Melaka's timeless landmarks, hidden gems, and culinary delights for every traveler.
You can read about Melaka, or you can come and taste it. Both are good. One is better.The TourismMelaka editorial team
The Melaka Compass
Weekly field notes from inside the heritage zone, covering new openings, seasonal eats, and things worth the trip.
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