Top Rated Shopping in Malacca

This store is worth visiting even for the most casual tourist. Done up in the style of a Straits Chinese house, the interior presents an enriching display of relics from that era without the admission charge required by the Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum nearby. Behind the main hall guarding the entrance, the renovated courtyard retains the unique charms of living in a shop-house, made all the more arresting by the rich collection of surviving artifacts, including numerous porcelain, cabinets, chests and knick-knacks.

For unique, one-of-a-kind apparel, this renowned local shop is the place to go. Charles Cham draws his own motifs and prints, and his fresh creations are widely popular. The brightly painted storefront is one of the most recognizable in the city. The interior matches the outside, with rows of original designs lining the wood paneled walls.

Malacca's largest shopping mall, the Mahkota Parade is separated from the historical core of Bandar Hilir by a huge green field called the Padang. The complex is a reddish-brown, elongated, multi-storied building met at one end by the posh Hotel Equatorial. Boasting 1.2 million square feet of built-up area, it has dominated the local shopping scene from day one. Anchored by Parkson Grand, a local chain of department stores, it also counts on a large souvenir and handicraft center, a supermarket, a cineplex, a food court, numerous restaurants and cafes, a bowling alley and amusement arcades to draw in the crowds.

Reigning supreme in the local shopping complex landscape before the lively Mahkota Parade came along, Plaza Hang Tuah's biggest draw is its location, being right in front of the congested central bus and taxi terminals. Popular with the lower income populace, there is a comprehensive range of shops and convenience stores, a mid-sized department store, as well as a good number of eateries.

One of the oldest and most established players in the field, this grandmother of local emporiums has grown from a one-story shop to a sprawling, multilevel shopping edifice across the road. Holding its own against a relentless onslaught of competition, she has the look and feel of a veteran retailer with her somewhat uncommon selection of merchandise. Stocking anything from fashion apparel, children's clothing, textiles, home furnishings, kitchenware and utensils to tourist souvenirs, handicrafts and collectibles, this is one place worth checking out.

For a greater insight into local culture and traditions, come on in to the Infocraft Centre. The complex is a showcase of Malacca's rich craft and cultural heritage. Delight yourself with the wide variety of carefully selected items on display, such as batik, canes, bamboo, ceramic and many others, all crafted by local artisans. Look around; you may find something which interests you or which you may want as a memento of your visit here. For some enlightening moments, pop by the archive corner where you can learn a thing or two about local handicrafts.