Fernweh: Home
    ExploreTravel GuidesPlan a tripMy tripLast visited
    de|en
    All Places & RegionsAll highlightsAbout FernwehFAQPrivacy PolicyImprint
    ExploreTravel GuidesPlan a tripMy tripLast visited
    Little India (Melaka)
    Chongkian / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

    Malaysia

    Little India (Melaka)

    Point of InterestCulture

    Melaka's small Indian Quarter is located a few minutes' walk north of Dutch Square. In the shophouses, vendors sell saris, Punjabi suits, fabrics, and spices, interspersed with banana leaf restaurants.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Malaysia
    7. Melaka
    9. Little India (Melaka)
    Melaka's small Indian Quarter is located a few minutes' walk north of Dutch Square. In the shophouses, vendors sell saris, Punjabi suits, fabrics, and spices, interspersed with banana leaf restaurants. Not far away stands St. Peter's Church, dating from 1710.The quarter is smaller and quieter than Little India in Kuala Lumpur, but is well-suited for lunch away from the main tourist routes.

    Sehenswürdigkeiten

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    St. Peter's Church
    Church

    1St. Peter's Church

    The church was built in 1710 on land donated by a Dutch convert, following a relaxation of the Dutch administration's stance on Catholics. It is regarded as Malaysia's oldest continuously used Catholic church. Its facade blends European and Asian architectural elements with a hint of Portuguese Baroque. Preserved inside are the original high altar, a barrel vault, and numerous colorful stained-glass windows.
    Open in Google Maps

    Essen & Trinken

    1

    Selvam

    The Banana Leaf eatery serves South Indian food: rice with several vegetable curries on a banana leaf, and meat and fish curries. Vegetarians eat well here too.
    Show on Google Maps

    History and Culture

    Indian traders, especially Tamils, were already trading in Melaka during the time of the Sultanate. Their descendants continue to shape the district today with temples, shops, and eateries.St. Peter's Church commemorates another community: Catholics of Portuguese descent, who were long persecuted under Dutch rule, were granted their own church here in 1710.

    Exploring locally

    You can walk to Little India from Dutch Square or Jonker Street. To get there from the bus station Melaka Sentral, take a bus or Grab.

    Accommodations in Little India (Melaka)

    Find perfect stay in Little India (Melaka)

    Booking.com* (Affiliate link)
    Search Hotels
    Agoda* (Affiliate link)
    Search Hotels
    Airbnb
    Vacation Rentals

    * Affiliate link: if you book through it, we earn a small commission. The price stays the same for you.

    Nearby

    Melaka River

    Melaka River

    The Melaka River was for centuries the lifeblood of the port city. Today, a riverside promenade passes restored warehouses, cafes, and large murals. At night, the banks are illuminated, and tour boats slowly cruise by.Upstream is the Malay village Kampung Morten with its wooden houses. You can easily explore the route on foot or by boat in one evening.
    Dutch Square

    Dutch Square

    The Dutch Square is the heart of Melaka's Old Town. Surrounding the square are the red-painted buildings from the Dutch era: the Stadthuys, formerly the governors' administrative seat, and the Christ Church from 1753. From the British period come the clock tower, built by merchant Tan Jiak Kim in 1886 in honor of his father Tan Beng Swee, and a fountain commemorating Queen Victoria.In front of the church, trishaws await, bicycle rickshaws adorned with plastic flowers, fairy lights, and loud music. Early in the morning, you'll have the square almost to yourself.
    Jonker Street

    Jonker Street

    The Jonker Street, officially Jalan Hang Jebat, is the main street of Melaka's Chinatown. In the narrow shophouses, you'll find antique shops, cafés, galleries, and food stalls. In the parallel street, the Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, a mosque, and a Hindu temple stand just a few steps from each other.From Friday to Sunday evenings, the street transforms into a night market. During the week, it's quieter, allowing you to peacefully admire the facades.
    Melaka

    Melaka

    Melaka was one of Asia's most important ports in the 15th century. Portuguese, Dutch, and British left their mark on the Old Town, while Chinese, Indian, and Malay communities built their temples, mosques, and kitchens. Since 2008, the Old Town, along with George Town, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site.The distances are short: From the red Dutch Square, you cross the river to Jonker Street or head up St. Paul's Hill. Two days are enough for the city; many visit as a day trip from Kuala Lumpur.
    St. Paul's Hill & A Famosa

    St. Paul's Hill & A Famosa

    The St. Paul's Hill, known in Malay as Bukit St. Paul, is the historical heart of Melaka. Around the hill, the Portuguese built their fort A Famosa after 1511. On its summit stands the ruin of St. Paul's Church, while at its foot are the Porta de Santiago gate and several museums.The ascent takes only a few minutes. From the top, you have a view over the rooftops of the old town.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Wikimedia Commons, Google Maps. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI