Malacca Museums and Art Galleries

(Malacca / Melaka City, Malaysia)

Malacca has a good selection of museums and galleries. They cover many ethnicities, including Malay, Chinese and Peranakan, along with a look at the cultures of the Dutch, Portuguese and British.

The History and Ethnography Museum is the most visited in Malacca as it resides in the Stadthuys. Also very popular are the house museums, such as the Malacca Sultanate Palace, Villa Sentosa and the Baba and Nyonya Peranakan, while the Cheng Hoon Art Gallery is less touristy and contains some unusual rice-paper art works.

Malacca Sultanate Palace Museum

Address: Bukit Saint Paul, Jalan Kota, Malacca, Malaysia, MY
Tel: +60 06 282 6526
Better known as the Malacca Cultural Museum or the Muzium Kebudayaan is this impressive structure along Jalan Kota. Opened in 1986, this is part of the Malacca Sultanate Palace and is a reconstruction of Sultan Mansur Shah's lifestyle. The three-storey, all-wood building has three galleries and comes with over 1,300 artefacts, which range from photographs and drawings to weaponry and elaborate Malaysian wedding dresses. There is also a grand Islamic hall and other large rooms, decorated in an opulent fashion.
Open hours: Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday to Monday - 09:00 to 18:00, Friday - 12:15 to 14:45
Admission: charge

Villa Sentosa

Address: Kampong Morten, Malacca, Malaysia, MY
Tel: +60 06 282 3988
The main attraction in the old village of Kampong Morten, on the Malacca River, is this beautifully preserved villa. The Villa Sentosa functions as an unofficial museum and features exhibits from the 1920s period, including an old Quran (Koran), antique Chinese ceramics and a royal certificate from King George V. Tours are given by the owners and allow you to gain more of an understanding of the items on display, with questions always being welcomed.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 13:00, 14:00 to 17:00
Admission: free, donations appreciated

History and Ethnography Museum

Address: Stadthuys, Jalan Gereja, Malacca, Malaysia, MY
Tel: +60 06 284 1934
Malacca's History and Ethnography Museum can be found in the old Dutch town hall known as the Stadthuys. Exhibits are located on the second floor and include objects from the Portuguese, Dutch, Malays, Chinese and Indians, with musical instruments, porcelain and ancient weapons all in good supply and clearly labelled. Out front is the main attraction, Dutch Square.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 08:30 to 17:00
Admission: charge

Baba Nyonya Peranakan Museum

Address: 48 Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, Malacca, Malaysia, MY
Tel: +60 06 283 1233
The interesting Baba Nyonya Peranakan Museum stands right in Chinatown and makes for a good place to stop-off during a visit of the Jonker Walk. It is a quintessential version of a Peranakan-heritage townhouse and features a quaint courtyard and balconies. Of note, you often have to go round with a guide and no photography is allowed.
Open hours: Wednesday to Monday - 10:00 to 12:30, 14:00 to 16:30
Admission: charge, discounts for children, guided tours are available to meet demand

Cheng Ho Cultural Museum

Address: 51 Lorong Hang Jebat, Malacca, Malaysia, MY
Tel: +60 06 283 1135
A must for anyone with an affinity for the Chinese story in Malacca, the Cheng Ho Cultural Museum is a popular attraction and covers the exploits of discovery of Admiral Cheng Ho, who opened up the region to Chinese immigrants. The exhibits comprise a fantastic collection of photography and carvings, and also look at the growing Chinese communities in Africa.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 09:00 to 18:00
Admission: charge, discount for children

Cheng Hoon Art Gallery

Address: Jalan Tokong, Malacca, Malaysia, MY
Tel: +60 06 283 5602
This fun gallery is just up from the Cheng Hoon Teng Temple and displays works by Kwok Se and his son, Titi Kwok. The latter runs the gallery and is responsible for creating many of the works on display, while other local Malaysian artists are also exhibited here. Expect to find many detailed Chinese ink brush creations, painted on fine rice paper.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 18:00
Admission: charge

Maritime Museum

Address: Malacca, Malaysia, MY
The city's Maritime Museum is located within an impressive recreation of the Portuguese ship named the Flor de la Mar (Flower of the Sea), which sadly sank not far from the coastline some 500 years ago, in November 1511, loaded with priceless treasures. As you clamber around the decks, you will learn more about this ship and the many unsuccessful attempts to locate its final resting place, while the adjacent building features further naval artefacts, exhibits and nautical memorabilia.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 17:30
Admission: charge

8 Hereen Street

Address: Malacca, Malaysia, MY
A popular museum-type attraction, 8 Hereen Street is operated by the Heritage Trust of Malaysia and is steeped in character, dating as far back as the 18th century. The house itself is typically Dutch in its appearance and has been carefully restored as part of a conservation project. Various books, brochures and maps are available for purchase here, including a highly recommended booklet entitled 'A Walking Tour of Malacca's Living Heritage', which details the perfect route for a self-guided walking tour of the city.
Open hours: Tuesday to Saturday - 11:00 to 16:00
Admission: free