Don't miss the experience of hunting for local Melaka handicrafts, souvenirs and delicacies at Taman Merdeka, Jalan Hang Jebat and Jalan Tokong. Infokraf Melaka on Jalan Kota offers a range of batik, bamboo products and ceramic ware made by local craftsmen. For those looking for the convenience of one-stop shopping in air-conditioned comfort, Melaka has its fair share of modern shopping centers. Prominent among these is the extensive Mahkota Parade Departmental Store which has Parkson Grand, a local chain as its anchor tenant. Other popular establishments include Jaya Jusco, The Store, Fajar, Great Wall and Madam Kings.

Dining & Restaurants
Because of its multi-ethnic influence, food in Melaka is largely an exciting combination of Portuguese, Chinese, Indian and Malay style cooking. A blend of Chinese-Malay cooking can be enjoyed when one chooses to eat at a Nyonya restaurant. Some local Nyonya favorites are Acar, Sambal, duck soup with salted vegetables, Chicken Kapitan, and chicken cooked in coconut milk blended with fresh spices and Otak-Otak - a snack consisting of minced fish, coconut milk and spices steamed in a wrapping of banana leaf.

For a taste of Portuguese cooking, one can try Devil's Curry which is a spicy chicken dish with a unique sour and spicy taste. Melaka also offers its own version of the famous Satay, called Satay Celup. It consists of skewered prawns, squid, cockles, fish, meat and vegetables that are dipped into a unique spicy peanut sauce. For Portuguese fare, the restaurants at Portuguese Village Square are worth trying. Portuguese, Nyonya and Chinese restaurants can also be found in Taman Melaka Raya, a newer section of the city close to the Mahkota Parade and the seafront.

For dessert, one can sample a wide range of Melaka sweets. Among them is Sago Gula Melaka, made from steamed sago topped with chilled coconut milk and Gula Melaka Syrup. Other tempting favorites include Kuih Koci, Angku, Buah Melaka, Kuih Lapis and Kuih Talam.

Ikan Bakar or grilled fish, a local Malay favorite dish can be enjoyed at Serkam and Pernu on the coastal stretch just south of Melaka town.


Entertainment & Nightlife
Melaka offers some fun places where you can seek out entertainment. Melaka's string of pubs and night cafes are excellent spots for relaxation and for a person to unwind form the day's activities. For the price of a drink you can relax to live music in one of the many lounges and pubs or belt out your favorite songs in one of the many karaoke lounges. Nightlife in Malacca ranges from relaxing to the soft and soothing strains of melodious music, to gyrating to the wild and pulsating beat of hard music. Most of the international and local hotels offer entertainment with live bands as well as karaoke lounges.

Light and Sound Show
This show held nightly at the Padang Pahlawan re-enacts the highlights of Melaka's history using a combination of lights, narrative, dialogue, music and sound effects.

Getting Around
It is best to take a walking tour of the main historical area located along Jalan Kota and Jalan Gereja as many of the city's attractions are found here. They include the Stadthuys, Christ Church, St. Paul's Church, A Famosa, Museum Rakyat, Malaysia Youth Museum, Infokraf, Proclamation of Independence Memorial and the Cultural Museum. Alternatively, one can take in the sights by hiring a trishaw.

From the Clock Tower opposite Christ Church, one can cross the bridge over the Melaka River and take a brisk walk over to Jonker's Street (Jalan Hang Jebat). In its vicinity are attractions such as the Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum, Sri Poyyatha Vinayagar Moorthi Temple, Kampong Keling Mosque, Hang Jebat's Mausoleum, Cheng Hoon Teng Temple and Hang Kasturi's Mausoleum.

To get to other historical sites and tourist spots, it is advisable to take a taxi or the local bus from the Jalan Tun Ali Terminal located off Jalan Hang Tuah, the town's main thoroughfare.

Melaka's resort islands of Pulau Besar and Pulau Upeh are accessible by a short boat ride from the Shahbandar jetty in Melaka town, situated by the Melaka River close to the Melaka Tourist Information Center. Alternatively, one can also get to Pulau Besar by taking a bus to Umbai on the coast just south of Melaka town and proceed by boat to the island from the Pengkalan Pernu Jetty.