MY · Melaka · 2.29°N 102.08°E

al-khawarizmi astronomy complex

Planetarium and 3D shows, an observatory and moon-sighting history by the sea at Tanjung Bidara.

Best time
Any day but Sunday, when it's closed. Shows run from mid-morning to late afternoon, with fewer on Fridays. Clear evenings, more common around February, are best for the telescopes.
How long
Half a day
Getting there
About 2 hours' drive from KL on the North–South Expressway; leave at Simpang Ampat and head for Masjid Tanah and Tanjung Bidara. It's about 45 minutes from Melaka city.
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MY · Melakaal-khawarizmi astronomy complex2.29°N 102.08°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Planetarium and 3D shows, an observatory and moon-sighting history by the sea at Tanjung Bidara.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingAl-Khawarizmi Astronomy ComplexMY, Melaka
KLal-khawarizmi astronomy complex
≈ 104 km from KL, as the crow flies
Al-Khawarizmi Astronomy Complex, Masjid Tanah, Alor Gajah, Melaka, Malaysia

Photo: Chongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0

Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Kompleks Falak Al-Khawarizmi, run by the Melaka Mufti Department at Kampung Balik Batu near Tanjung Bidara, is one of the official sites where the new moon is sighted for Ramadan, Syawal and Zulhijjah. Visitors get an observatory dome with a 16-inch telescope, galleries on falak (Islamic astronomy) and Malaysia's first digital planetarium, with planetarium and 3D shows through the day.

Makan

  1. Ikan bakarGrilled fish with sambal at the Malay stalls along the Tanjung Bidara coast.Map ↗
  2. Asam pedasSour, spicy fish stew at the Malay restaurants in Masjid Tanah on the way back.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. The planetariumLie back under the dome for a sky show; 3D films alternate with it through the day.Map ↗
  2. The observatoryVisit the dome housing the 16-inch telescope used for sun and crescent-moon sightings.Map ↗
  3. The falak galleriesSundials, astrolabes and the tools used to work out prayer times, the calendar and the qibla.Map ↗
  4. The interactive zoneHands-on exhibits and a VR ride aboard the International Space Station, a hit with kids.Map ↗
  5. Night-sky sessionsTelescope evenings for Venus, Jupiter, Saturn and the Moon's craters, booked in advance.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Finish with sunset on Tanjung Bidara beach, five minutes down the road.
  • Ring the complex a few days ahead to book a night-sky session; they need a clear sky and enough takers.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.