Is Melaka worth adding to a Malaysia trip?
Melaka can be worth it when it fits naturally between KL and the south, but it is easy to over-allocate. One good overnight can give you the atmosphere; forcing it into a tight trip can feel like homework.
Answer
Melaka is appealing for history, riverfront wandering, food and a slower old-town feel, but it needs the right weight. If your Malaysia trip already includes George Town, KL and limited days, Melaka has to earn its space rather than appear because it is famous enough to recognise. A single overnight can work well, especially if you enjoy heritage streets and evening atmosphere. A rushed day trip may leave you with heat, traffic and a shallow version of the place. Add Melaka when it smooths the route or gives you a different pace; cut it when it turns an already busy peninsula itinerary into a relay race.