Malacca Shopping and Districts

(Malacca / Melaka City, Malaysia)

Although a sizeable town, most of the shopping in Malacca is courtesy of markets and shop houses, as opposed to shopping malls. This is a big plus for puritans, who can duck in and out of a myriad of streets and pick up wonderful items.

Malay handicrafts and antiques are a popular buy in Malacca, along with items from around Asia. Prices for these goods are high, however, with bargains tough to secure. Batiks (wax-painted / dyed fabrics), souvenirs and other tourist tack are also well represented.

When to Shop and Where

Without a doubt, the local crafts scene is the main highlight of shopping in Malacca. The place is overrun with items from various cultures, including Malay, Indian and Chinese. Traditional handicrafts and antiques are best had at open-air markets, but only consider buying perceived genuine items in shops.

Jonker Street is good for antiques, with many shop houses holding fantastic items often going back 200 or 300 years. It is mostly coins, porcelain and furniture, although there are also some unique finds. Know what you are buying and go for a serious haggle, as getting the price reduced can be tough-going.

Little India, to the north of Chinatown, is good for Indian products, such as saris and silk suits. For handicrafts and textiles, there is also the Intocraft Centre, with ceramics and batik being good buys, along with Nyonya beaded slippers for the ladies.

The enormous Dataran Poahlawan on Jalan Merdeka is the main shopping mall in Malacca and is a good bet for getting out of the heat. It is loaded with shopping outlets and is also good for eateries and entertainment.