What to do during a weekend in Melaka (Malacca) with kids in 2025

We decided to do an overland bus mission for our journey from Singapore to Melaka (and then to Kuala Lumpur three days later). Read on to find out what we got up to!

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Traveling from Singapore to Melaka

Taking trains from Singapore to KL is possible, but not direct. Plus, we decided we wanted to check out Melaka, and taking buses was our best and by far the cheapest option.

(We paid 88 RM – the equivalent of about 20 USD for four tickets to Melaka, plus just a few dollars for the buses and trains to reach Johor Bahru – super cheap)!

It wasn’t easy with bags and kids, but certainly a good test of resilience and patience for all!

This was the trip. We left at 11am:

✅ Walk to Great World train station in Singapore (our closest one)
✅ Train to Woodlands in Singapore’s north
✅ Short bus trip to Woodlands checkpoint
✅ Go through Singapore customs
✅ Short bus to Johor Bahru check point
✅ Go through Malaysia customs
✅Bus from JB Sentral to JB Larkin
✅Bus from JB Larkin to Melaka (about three hours)
✅Grab taxi to accommodation

We didn’t book anything as we had no idea how this journey would go. Because we travelled on a Friday, the buses were pretty booked up. So we had to wait two or three hours at JB Larkin before we were able to get on a bus with four seats available (there are buses every 30 minutes).

We took the 5:45pm bus from JB Larkin so didn’t get to our Melaka accommodation until about 9:30pm.

If you asked our youngest what she didn’t like about the day, she would say the smelly squatter toilets, which were the only option at the JB and Melaka bus stations. An experience far removed from what she grew accustomed to in Singapore🤣

Would we do it again? Yes! Although the travel method was somewhat messy, we liked the flexible timing so we could travel at our own pace.

Where we stayed in Melaka

We stayed at Atlantis Residences in Melaka. It’s not a touristy accommodation, yet the swimming pool facilities at Malaysian condominiums always feel somewhat resort-like!

The pools here are rather cold as they’re mostly shaded from the tall towers surrounding them. I realise that is a strange thing to say considering we are in the tropics, so it’s relative😆. We have been spoilt for pool choices living in this part of the world! Anyway, a swim in this one is refreshing for sure.

Atlantis Residences has one-bedroom units, which would not be ideal for our family long term but fine for the few nights we were there. We found the accommodation on booking.com.

Melaka boasts gorgeous sunsets, and although the landscape surrounding the condo isn’t what I’d call beautiful, the sunset itself is stunning to watch.

The condo has a rooftop area on the 40th floor with a lovely breeze and decent views. The sunset is a bit blocked by the towers though, and the vistas are better at level 24. Level 24 has a skybridge you can follow to tower B, which offers the least obstructed sunset views.

Things to do in Melaka with kids

Melaka (or Malacca – English spelling) is a lovely city to wander around. Its old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with plenty of character and sites to see.

Even if you only have one day in Melaka, you can see many of the old town’s main features in that time. They’re in quite a small area so it’s easy to do a walking loop and stop at the places that most interest you.

Jonker Walk, the River, and Dutch Square

We started our old town exploration along Jonker Walk. There’s a bustling night market here every evening, so if you don’t mind crowds it’s a neat local-style experience.

During the day you can check out the shops or jump on one of the family-sized bikes blasting loud music (not for us lol).

Make sure you stop at one of the coffee shops along Jonker Walk and also check out the art and t-shirts at the Orangutan house.

From there, you’ll be at the picturesque riverfront.

After exploring Jonker Street, walk across a bridge over the Malacca River to Dutch Square. Here you can admire the colonial architecture and soak up the vibes. Check out the windmill, cows, and souvenir stalls or jump on a trishaw to explore.

Fire engine display, Church of St. Paul, A Famosa, and the Historical Vehicle Park

From Dutch Square, walk around the corner to the old fire engine truck display before walking up the steps to what remains of the Church of Saint Paul.

This catholic church was originally built in 1521 and you can read the inscriptions on the tombstones inside. It boasts a lovely hilltop position with views of the city.

Next, walk down the steps to A Famosa, a fortress built by the Portuguese. It’s a pretty spot for a photo or two.

Afterwards, the kids will enjoy discovering the historical vehicle park, just a few minutes walk away. There’s a playground there too, perfect for little ones if you want to pause for a while.

Taming Sari (the Malacca Tower) and the Muzium Samudera

The Taming Sari Tower (Malacca Tower) should definitely be on your list of places to visit in Melaka if you want excellent views of the city.

We went on the weekend and the ticket queue was long but it appeared they had a fast track line available. We decided to buy juice from one of the stalls outside and Colin kindly waited in line for us!

The tower seems to be a replica of the one at the Legoland Malaysia theme park. It spins slowly around as it rises and spins a few times at the top before coming back down. It even has seats inside for everyone.

Afterwards, we went to the Muzium Samudera (Flor de La Mar), the ship replica very near the tower. The entry fee is cheap and the kids will enjoy running wild.

There are two museum floors down inside the ship, so it’s a good place to learn a bit about Melaka’s history as a major trading port. It’s air conditioned, so also ideal for escaping the heat!

We finished our walking loop by returning to Dutch Square, walking along the river, and then back along Jonker Street.

We took a long pause at the river before heading along Jonker Street. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy the waterfront ambiance while tucking into a delicious meal.

A weekend in Melaka with kids | In conclusion

Melaka is a fantastic place to visit in Malaysia with family. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and boasts several attractions in the historic town, within easy walking distance of one another. We loved the colors and the architecture.

If you’re visiting Malaysia with kids, check out our tips for Penang (including vegetarian restaurants), Ipoh, the Perhentian Islands, Cameron Highlands, Legoland, and Desaru Beach.

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