Background of Melaka

Founded by a young adventurous and enterprising prince some 600 years ago, the historical city of Malacca is strategically located along the Straits of Malacca on the western coast of the Malay Peninsular rose to become the seat of the Malay Sultanate Empire in the 1400's. The city, once dubbed the "Venice of the East", served as a crucial trade link between East and West and a cultural melting pot for the Malays, Chinese, Indians, Arabs, Portuguese, Dutch and English.

As others and we know that Melaka is about 120 km south east of Kuala Lumpur and about 250 km. northwest of Singapore and is easily accessible by road via the North-South highway. Bandar Hilir is the most prominent area in Melaka and is surrounded by major tourist attraction, SMI and corporate business centre.

The history of “Portuguese Settlement”

Located at the “Portuguese Settlement” has the advantage of numerous icons related to Melaka as a historical city. Portuguese Settlement is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Melaka. The history and legacy of the Portuguese in Melaka and Far east may have begun with their initial arrival to Melaka in 1509, but plans for eventual conquest of the ancient port city by the Portuguese Viceroy of India ‘‘Alfonso de Albuquerque’’ on 24th August 1511, was plotted within the corridors of the rising maritime powers of Renaissance Europe more than a decade before that fateful day.

Portuguese Settlement covers approximately 28 acres and located about 2 kilometers south of historic city of Melaka’s along the coast of Ujong Pasir. The village comprises 118 homes with about 1,200 residents. It’s the only such village in Malaysia and was declared a Heritage Village by the State Government of Melaka in 2002 under the state’s Preservation and Conservation Enactment.

Today, as with the vestige of the famous Portuguese Settlement and its community remains the las bastion where Portuguese Eurasian descendants continue to preserve centuries old traditions and customs that form part of historic Melaka’s rich and colorful living heritage. As an honoured to the community in the Settlement, the hotel was named as “The Lisbon Hotel Melaka” in consensus of the capital of Portugal.

Melaka Today

Today, under the management of Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam, we can see that the development of Melaka are booming well, comprising three districts covering a land area of about 1,650 square kilometers with a racially diverse population of 648,500 & continues to serve as a meeting point for international trade and commerce while also recognized as one of the world's favoured tourist destination.

As a favourite international tourist destination, Melaka charms are second to none. The state showcases the country's living heritage and offers a myriad of exotic sight & sounds and taste covering ten sub-sectors within the tourism industry. Visitors can experience Melaka’s history and culture including savouring its exotic cuisines and vast varieties of local fruits while enjoying world class educational, medical, shopping, convention, sports, golf and theme park facilities. With this in mind, Melaka has adopted the very apt slogan by our lovely Chief Minister "Visit Historic Melaka Means Visit Malaysia". A stay here will surely leave visitors and guests with a lifetime of memories of Melaka and its warm and friendly people.

How to Get There

Malacca is located on the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia facing the Straits of Malacca, about 147 kilometres from Kuala Lumpur between the states of Negeri Sembilan and Johor. It covers an area of 1,638 sq. metres and is divided into three region namely Alor Gajah, Central Malacca and Jasin.

If you are in West Malaysia, the best way to travel to Malacca is by road. Travelling down sourth via the North-South Highway from the KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport) takes only a mere 90 minutes. If you are travelling from K.L., the journey is about 2 hours. From Johor Bahru heading north, it's only 2 1/2 hours away. You will also get to enjoy the greeneries of oil palm plantation and some evergreen tropical landscape along the North-South Expressway. There are many public rest areas, stop-overs, petrol kiosks and strategic view points along the highway so the journey will be quite pleasant if one needs to have a rest from the long distance driving.

Toll Gate Exits

From the North (from Kuala Lumpur) : (Last 2 toll gate exits)
Pedas/Linggi Toll --> Tampin/Alor Gajah Toll --> Air Keroh Toll

From the South (from Johor Bahru) : (Last 2 toll gate exits)
Muar/Pagoh Toll --> Tangkak Toll --> Air Keroh Toll

By Road

The best method of getting to Malacca in order to enjoy the scenic view is by road. With the many highways and expressways going through Malacca, driving and / or travelling via road is fast, efficient, economical and easy.

For your convenience, here are some car rental company for you to choose from :

Intercity coaches from various location in Malaysia plys Malacca city. The following are some
guides :