Dutch Square
The iconic Dutch Square is the centrepiece of historic colonial Melaka and the most famous tourist spot.
It is also known as the "Red Square" due to its eye-catching buildings with red-ochre facades, all of which have their origins in the city's colonial past.
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Dutch Square is located directly across the bridge from the famous Jonker Street.
What to see in Red Square?
You shouldn't miss these attractions in the square:
Stadthuys
The old Dutch Town Hall is one of Malacca's most famous landmarks and was the main town building between the 17th and 19th centuries.
Today, the Stadthuys building houses a café and an ethnographic museum (official website: virtualmuseummelaka.com). You can visit the balcony of the town hall for free, from where you get the best view of the entire square.
Christ Church
The dominant feature of the square is the Anglican church from 1776, also built by the Dutch.
It is the oldest Protestant church still in operation in Malaysia and survived the British rule in the 19th and 20th centuries unscathed.
You can visit the church for free every day between 9am-4pm.
Clock Tower
In the middle of the square is a popular tourist attraction, the 15-metre-high clock tower was built in 1886 and is therefore the only major landmark in Dutch Square that does not date back to Dutch rule, but was built under British rule.
The windmill
On the waterfront part of the square, a model of the windmill so typical of the Netherlands refers to Malacca's Dutch past.
In front of the mill stands a classic tourist statue of a cow.
Accommodation in the surroundings
Dutch Square's central location makes it a great choice for accommodation.
From here you can reach all the historical sights of Malacca within 15 minutes on foot.
We would recommend these well rated yet cheap hotels with prices up to 75 usd per night.
What to see around
Discover all the places to see in Malacca.
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