Singapore Trip Overview
Malacca is a UNESCO World Heritage Site just hours away from Singapore, but visiting it on a regular tour can mean standing-in-line for an extended time at the notoriously busy Singapore-Malaysia border. This day tour includes the use of the drive-through lane at the border, round-trip transport between Singapore and Malacca, a fully-guided tour of the historical Malacca, admission tickets to the scenic Malacca River Cruise, plus plenty of free time to take in the sights that interest you most.
Additional Info
Duration: 1 day
Starts: Singapore, Singapore
Trip Category: Day Trips & Excursions >> Day Trips
Explore Singapore Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Singapore
Malacca is a UNESCO World Heritage Site just hours away from Singapore, but visiting it on a regular tour can mean standing-in-line for an extended time at the notoriously busy Singapore-Malaysia border. This day tour includes the use of the drive-through lane at the border, round-trip transport between Singapore and Malacca, a fully-guided tour of the historical Malacca, admission tickets to the scenic Malacca River Cruise, plus plenty of free time to take in the sights that interest you most.
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Malacca River, Melaka Malaysia
Begin with an early morning pickup at your Singapore hotel. Relax into the leather seats of your small group, air-conditioned deluxe VIP minivan as your driver crosses the Singapore-Malaysia drive-through border (no standing in line) and enjoy the 2.5-hour chauffeured drive to Malacca River.
Depending on traffic conditions, you will arrive at Malacca city around lunch-time, and the VIP minivan will drop you off at the Malacca River Cruise boarding point.
You may walk to the nearby Halia Cafe for lunch at own expense, or proceed immediately for the Malacca river cruise.
Spanning 10km (45 minutes round-trip), Malacca river was once dubbed the “Venice of the East” by European seafarers as it was a prominent port of entry for traders from Europe and Asia during the late 16th century. You may ask your river cruise boatman to help you spot the monitor lizards residing within the mangrove swamps along parts of the Malacca River.
Duration: 45 minutes
Pass By: Middleburg Bastion, Jalan Merdeka, Melaka Malaysia
During the river cruise, you will sail past the Middleburg Bastion. After conquering Malacca in 1641, the Dutch constructed the bastion which is strategically located at the mouth of Malacca River to strengthen the existing city defence left behind by the Portuguese.
Pass By: Red Square (Dutch Square), Melaka Malaysia
During the river cruise, you will sail past the Dutch Square. Dutch Square is distinguished by a group of bright, terracotta-red colonial Dutch buildings, built between 1650 and 1750, with louvered windows and chunky doors with wrought iron hinges.
Pass By: St. Francis Xavier Church, 12 Jalan Banda Kaba, Melaka 75000 Malaysia
During the river cruise, you will sail past this twin-spired neo-gothic structure that was built in 1849, in honour of St. Francis Xavier, a prominent 16th-century Catholic missionary also known as “Apostle of the East”.
Pass By: Jalan Kampung Morten, Melaka 75300 Malaysia
During the river cruise, you will sail past this historical village (Kampung Morten) which is named after a British land revenue collector during the British Malaya, Frederick Joseph Morten. houses more than 100 traditional Malay houses, many of them built without the use of any nails.
Pass By: Flora de la Mar Maritime Museum, Jalan Quayside, Melaka 75000 Malaysia
After 45 minutes, the river cruise will bring you back to the initial Malacca River Cruise boarding point to find your driver. Next, you may ask your driver for a Malacca walking map for further self-exploration of the nearby Dutch Square (with easy pathways connecting to Jonker Walking Street, A’Famosa Fort and St. Paul’s Church).
You may also walk to see the famous Flora De La Mar which is translated as Flower Of The Sea in English. Situated near the mouth of the Malacca River, this is the site of a replica of the Portuguese ship that sank off the coast of Malacca on its return trip to Portugal in 1512, carrying with it treasures from Malacca. Alternatively, you may walk to the nearby Hard Rock Shop for souvenirs, or the nearby local cafes for dinner at your own expense.
Stop At: Menara Taming Sari, Jalan Merdeka, Melaka 75000 Malaysia
Finally after 2 hours around Malacca, head back to Malacca River Cruise boarding point to find your driver who will bring you to Malacca Tower (Menara Taming Sari) for more breath-taking views of UNESCO Malacca and the Straits Of Malacca, before being chauffeured back to Singapore through the drive-through border (no standing in line). Subject to actual border conditions, you should be back at your Singapore hotel in the evening.
Duration: 15 minutes
