Last Updated on September 28, 2019 by Nancie
Kota Bharu: Why You Should Visit This Charming Malaysian Town, contributed by Jub who blogs at Tiki Touring Kiwi, is the seventh small town expose in the series Small Town Explorer. You can find Jub’s bio and social media links at the end of this post.
The villages and towns we visit in our travels are often the hidden gems of a country or region. In this series readers are introduced to small centers around the globe, from travel bloggers who have experienced the location firsthand; featuring their uniqueness, their history, what to see and do, and often where to stay and where to dine.
Previous towns featured in the series:
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“Where are you going next?”
“Kota Bharu.”
“Where is that?”
That happened multiple times in the Cameron Highlands, my destination before travelling to Kota Bharu. Most people were headed to the Perhentian Islands, Taman Negara, or Penang afterwards. Why was I going to Kota Bharu? Because:
- It’s a smaller city off the tourist trail
- It’s in the conservative north of the country
- I like going to random destinations
I came away from Kota Bharu quietly surprised. The two things I was most impressed by:
- The incredibly friendly people (who had some of the best smiles across the board)
- The best street art street I’ve visited
If you’re planning your trip to Malaysia, I wouldn’t make Kota Bharu a must visit city, but it is something to consider. No Malay has told me to visit Kota Bharu, let alone a tourist, so I’ll now be making an effort to mention Kota Bharu when chatting Malaysian travel destinations in the future.
The following is a guide of things to see, where to eat, and where I stayed in Kota Bharu.
[su_button url=”https://www.booking.com/searchresults.html?city=-2401743&aid=1528226&no_rooms=1&group_adults=1″ background=”#fa3078″ size=”10″ center=”yes”]Check Out Where to Stay in Kota Bharu [/su_button]
Kota Bharu: Things To Do
- An Entire Street Of Street Art
There is street art throughout the city, but if you head to one spot (see below) you can see an entire street full of some of the best art I’ve seen (it’s better than the street in Ipoh). The painted carpet on the concrete was so life like I’d love to have that in my house one day. At one end of the street, the art reflected happiness and dreams but as I went to the other end there was some rather graphic art relating to politics and war. It was all so well done.
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/sgCDprff5hn
The Biggest Sitting Buddha In Malaysia
Buddha statue in a city where 93% of the population is Muslim? Yup. You’ll find the Wat Machimmaram temple on the main road heading north out of Kota Bharu towards the Thai border (hence the link to Buddhism). To get here catch bus No.27 from the Central Bus Station (2.60 RM each way). It’s a 440-minute bus ride each way, so if you’re templed out it’s a long way to go but is a cool spot nonetheless. When you’re inside the temple, be prepared for some graphic artwork depicting Buddhist Hell.
[su_button url=”https://www.booking.com/searchresults.html?city=-2401743&aid=1528226&no_rooms=1&group_adults=1″ background=”#fa3078″ size=”10″ center=”yes”]Check Out Where to Stay in Kota Bharu [/su_button]
Kota Bharu: Museums
There are several museums in the city centre. I visited the Islamic Museum and for someone who isn’t a big fan of cultural museums was happy enough to see all the exhibits in 45 minutes. There wasn’t anything interactive but there is plenty of information to read (in Malay and English) about Islamic culture in Malaysia.
Other museums in Kota Bharu include:
- The Royal Museum (pictured above)
- Handicraft Village & Craft Museum
- Kelantan State Museum (free)
The entrance fees for international visitors is 4 RM for each except for Kelantan State Museum which is free.
Kota Bharu Central Market
This isn’t any ordinary market it turns out. It’s full of colour and most of the shop vendors are women. I loved looking out from the third floor down to the produce stalls below watching all of the activity. I got there at about 11 am on two days and the market was still busy with people passing through (it begins early in the morning).
Kota Bharu: Experience Performances at the Cultural Center
I was really looking forward too this. At 3.30pm on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday’s events are held at the Cultural Center to promote local traditions and activities. Turns out they don’t run the activities the week after Ramadan (while school holidays are still going on) so I missed out.
This blog post makes it look like a great time though. If you go, send me a story via Instagram of what you’re doing 🙂
Kota Bharu: Kelantan In The Malaysian Super League
I always like to watch a local football match when travelling. I got lucky that Kelantan FC was playing while I was in town and I’ll remember the match for all of the friendly people there. It took me forever to leave the pink and white stadium (a sponsor requested the colour scheme) with everyone wanting a selfie having chatted with several for the entire match. If you want to get chatting to locals, head to the football.
Kota Bharu: Where To Eat In Kota Bharu
As a vegetarian, I tend to seek stick to the same restaurants so for my five days in Kota Bharu I ate at these three spots (I cooked at the hostel sometimes).
The Main Open Air Night Market
From what I gather the night market I frequented was the main one in the city. It’s an open-air affair, with most of the stalls not opening before 7.30 pm. You’ll find many of the stands serving the same dishes (think rice and noodle-based dishes) but after taking a short walk around there was some variety for the adventurous eaters out there). I stuck to the Malay way and had Nasi Goreng Sayur (vegetable) for 4 RM every night while watching the World Cup on the TV’s they had set up.
Google Maps Location: https://goo.gl/maps/WXxDfpcaku12
Natural Vegetarian Food
Located a short walk from the street art street, this is a Chinese vegetarian restaurant set up like lots of others you’ll find in Malaysia. There is a set menu, but the buffet is where you want to be. It’s a self-serve system with lots of different dishes including several that are tofu based (side note: I give Malaysia the vote for the most varied ways of cooking tofu).
When it comes to paying they look at what you’ve got on your plate and determine an amount. On average I pay 6-7 RM for rice and three items on my plate. It’s a good size serving with good tasting food at an affordable price.
Google Maps Location: https://goo.gl/maps/EasirqmdkSP2
Vege Food Station
Same as above. Maybe slightly more expensive but just as good.
Google Maps Location: https://goo.gl/maps/XLaeirPUNmB2
Kota Bharu: Where To Stay In Kota Bharu
Most of those who come to Kota Bharu are only passing through for a night on the way south to the Perhentian Islands or north into Thailand. I spent four nights in the dormitory at KB Backpackers Lodge ( https://goo.gl/maps/VrqHdErmS5U2 ) which is in a central location with a super friendly and helpful owner. They also have private rooms available.
Kota Bharu is a conservative city that isn’t on the bucket list for the vast majority of people in Malaysia. It had a charm that I really liked on my visit, and would happily go back to visit. If you can squeeze it into your itinerary, you can enjoy two days exploring.
[su_button url=”https://www.booking.com/searchresults.html?city=-2401743&aid=1528226&no_rooms=1&group_adults=1″ background=”#fa3078″ size=”10″ center=”yes”]Check Out Where to Stay in Kota Bharu [/su_button]
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BIO
Jub is a kiwi traveller who got the travel bug in 2013 and hasn’t stopped. He tends to travel slowly, often returning to the same destination to see familiar faces. The one thing he wishes more people would do when they travel is to watch local sport, as he thinks the subculture is one of the most genuine experiences you can get. You can read his blog at TikiTouringKiwi.com or follow his Instagram adventures.
75 responses to “Kota Bharu: Why You Should Visit This Charming Malaysian Town”
I have never heard of this place. Looks like a good guide.
Hey Meghan,
Not many people have! It’s a nifty little spot 🙂 Something too keep in mind when you get to Malaysia.
Cheers,
Jub
What a cool place! That big Buddha is amazing@
Hey Heather,
It’s pretty cool huh. It was a fair mission to get to, but having been a couple weeks since I was there…totally worth it 🙂
Cheers, Jub
I have been lucky enough to visit Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Langkawi and Jahore Bahru in Malaysia. I have a good friend who lives in Ipoh and my fiance says that Cameron Highlands is also worth a visit. But I must admit I hadn’t heard of Kota Bharu before reading this post. From everything I can see here it looks like a wonderful place to visit near the Thai border. Love the street art and would see the museums as well as enjoy the lovely Malaysian food again and interact with the friendly locals. Lovely post – can’t wait to visit Malaysia again.
Hey Nicole,
A lot of people haven’t heard of Johor Bahru either!
Definitely consider Kota Bharu on your visit, still can’t believe that street article. So.Good.
Cheers, Jub
It looks like a nice place to visit and exploring it is such an amazing experience. Hope to see this colorful and beautiful place someday!
Hey Geraline,
Definitely try and make it to Kota Bharu, the locals are so incredibly friendly. There smiles reflect the colour of the time, full of joy!
Cheers, Jub
Looks like a great place for next travel plan! I want to check out Kota Bharu Central Market!
Hey Karla,
I have a love-hate relationship with markets, but this one I literally just stopped to watch for ages! Was soo fun and even better people watching.
Cheers, Jub
Looks like such a cool place to visit! That wall of art looks amazing!
I’ve also seen the street art in Kota Bharu, and it is some of the best I’ve seen in Asia.
oh my goodness, I will enjoy my time in the museum and to eat the various delicious foods. I hope I get to visit this place one day. thank you for sharing this guide 🙂
Hi Nina. I hope you do get to visit. It’s an interesting small city with lots to see and do. You won’t be disappointed with the food.
What a fun trip. It looks like you had a great time. Such beautiful photos…I definitely want to visit!
Hi Nina. I visited Kota Bharu a few years ago and loved the town. I was excited when Jub asked to write about the city for our Small Town Explorer Series.
Kota Bharu looks like a really lovely place to visit and explore. There looks like so much colour and culture to enjoy. Definitely one to add to a travel bucket list!
Hi Elizabeth. It is a wonderful city. I visited a few years ago and had a great time.
I love to travel a lot. Climbing the Mount Kinabalu is one in my bucketlist. Maybe I should visit Kota Bharu too. Thank you for sharing this guide
Hi Jenn. I have also been to Kota Bharu, and highly recommend that you go there if you’re in Malaysia.
This place sounds amazing. You’ve convinced me that I have to go, and now I have a to-do list!
Hi Lisa. Enjoy your visit. I’ve also been to Kota Bharu and totally agree with everything Jub mentions in his article.
Oh! this is one part of Malaysia that I didn’t go thru yet. There are truly a lot of lovely places there and delicious food too. Thanks for sharing
Hi Eliza. It’s a lovely part of Malaysia and well worth visiting.
Good for you for going off the beaten path! I can’t believe that more people don’t flock to see the largest sitting Buddha in Malaysia, it’s so beautiful!
Hi Ann. Like Jub, I have also traveled a lot in Asia and it is easy to get off the beaten path. There are many small town and cities worth visiting.
That looks like a great vacation. Thank you for sharing these amazing photos. It is a blessing learning more about all these various places in the world.
Hi Valerie. Thanks for dropping by. I’m happy you enjoyed this guest post from Jub.
This looks like it would be an amazing place to travel to. I am so in love with all the culture.
Hi Becca. I’ve seen quite a bit of Malaysia and it’s a lovely country.
I bave been to Malaysia three times and I never got to visit nor hear about this place. I would consider dropping by on my next trip to Malaysia!
Hi Kevin. I’ve traveled to Malaysia 4 or 5 times. It’s a huge country, and I discovered Kota Bharu on my second visit.
Asia is so overlooked in travel, I love this guide to get you in even deeper! To really see a country for more than a takeout menu, I feel the pull to travel here from your review. Thank you! Saving this to my travel board on pinterest!
Hi Monica. I’m pleased you enjoyed Jub’s post. Thanks for pinning.
Soon enough I will head to that part of the world again but probably not for a few years thanks to the fact that I am carrying a little something something right now. That being said, it will NOT stop me from exploring the world!
Congratulations, GiGi. You’ll have to get your “travel fix” from reading travel blogs until you can hit the road again.
I have never yet traveled to this part of the world… it looks and sounds like an absolutely wonderful and intriguing place to visit!
Hi Daisy. I have been to Malaysia a few times and it’s a wonderful country.
I had never heard of this city before! I had a friend in college who went to boarding school in Malaysia and she always talked about how wonderful the country and the people were during her time there. It made me want to visit there one day!
Hi Reese. Malaysia is an amazing destination. There’s something for everyone.
I have never been to Malaysia. This place Kota Bharu sounds new to me. Nevertheless, I would still want to visit the place if and when I get the opportunity to travel to Malaysia. The sitting Buddha is definitely a sight to see!
Rice and noodle based dishes are my favorite. I bet I’d like the open air market.
LIke so many others, I’ve not heard of this town but it sure looks like a worthwhile place to visit. Love the small town series!
Would LOVE to visit, all the colors are so beautiful and it looks full of hustle and bustle to explore.
Hi Noelle. Worthing does look like the perfect place for a holiday by the sea.
I go anywhere in Asia to see the amazing buddhist temples and that large staue in Malaysia is on my list. I love taking photography of these amazing places. Good post and good suggestions on where to find the street art. Malaysia is known for it and its pretty 🙂
To be honest, I’ve heard of this place, but it looks cute and definitely goes to my bucket list! When I plan my trip there I will remember this post 🙂
Never heard of Kota Bharu before, but that statue of the sitting Buddha is impressive as is the street art. Nice to know.
I have never heard of this place and it seems like a really good one. i love going to random destinations too especially the ones that are less crowded. the open air market is very interesting! hope i can visit one day 🙂
I never realised there are so many things to do in Kota Bharu. It looks like tourism in Kota Bharu has certainly grown over the past few years. Sounds like a lovely destination to explore, especially if you’re on a budget.
I’ve never been to Malaysia, but I do have a bucket list, so I’m definitely adding this place!
I had never heard about this place before and it does look charming. A weekend would be ideal to visit Kota Bharu.
That’s interesting that they charge by what”s on your plate! My daughter would love the street art. 🙂
It looks like such a colorful place!
Wow this is a good place to visit. It’s so nice and the view is beautiful.
It’s wonderful to get off the beaten path when you travel and explore a little deeper. Looks like you found such an amazing city.
Sounds like a fascinating place to visit. I know this has been on my bucket list for a while!
I adore this little spot. I’ve never been there but the fact that it’s not overly crowded is what draws me to it.
Like most of the people in the US, i’ve never heard of Kota Bharu. You’re incredibly brave to travel and enjoy so many wonderful places. The best part is being able to see and interact with people from other cultures.
Kota Bharu sounds and looks like an incredible city. However, I’m sure, I’m like most people who didn’t know much about it prior to your post. I think it’s great that you find places to visit that are not on my tourist radar.
This is a very great travel guide and so well put together! I would love to visit!
What a cool place!! I have always wanted to visit malaysia! I am not familar with this city but seems like a cool area. When is the best time to visit malaysia?
Charming is the perfect word for this town. It sounds like such a great place to visit and you really sold it with your great guide!
Wow! What colorful places – I want to visit! Thanks for sharing, this is a gem I would have never even thought of!
Hi Megan. If you can get to Kota Bharu, don’t hesitate. It’s a lovely destination.
I am in KL right now and what a good time I bump in to your post. Look forward to using all the tips here thanks 🙂
Hi Anna. Kota Bharu is a great town. This is a guest post, but I also spent time there a couple of years ago, and thoroughly enjoyed my stay. Another town I highly recommend is Kuching. You can see the orangutans in Kuching, and they are awesome!!
I have never been there in Malaysia but loved to visit it someday. I love to see the stunning sculptures and scenery there. I’m just waiting for my son to grow up.
I like to visit off beat places which do not figure on the standard tourist trails. One discovers so many hidden gems in such places. Kota Bharu is one such charming town. The street art is one thing that had me riveted, it looks so fascinating. Street art is a wonderful mirror of the culture of a place and is a great medium for the expression of talent.
This is cool you like to explore places off the tourist beaten path. The market looks really cool and I would love to see he live performance as well.
Looks like a fab place. I love that you decided to head off the beaten track and didn’t follow the crowds to the Perhentian Islands. It is often the places that are off the beaten track that are the true gems. Thanks for sharing, I have only scratched the surface of Malaysia and will for sure be going back and will be including this place on my itinerary 🙂
Ooh seems like a cool place! I never heard of it even while I was in Malaysia so it seems like a nice, off the beaten path destination! Might have to check it out next time I’m in the area!
I’ll be super honest with you. I wouldn’t have mentioned Kota Bharu to a foreigner either, because it has no ‘nightlife’ and most Westerners pass on places with no nightlife, unless maybe if it’s a world class spot. But if you’re one of the rare ones who are indifferent to that, there are SO MANY obscure charming small towns and nooks of Malaysia to explore! The locals might be baffled to see you, but that’s not a big deal. The entire state of Perak has interesting stuff, and the East Coast heartland too.
P.S. I didn’t know KB has street art now! It’s been years. If I return to Perhentian to visit the Marine Conservation folks there, I’ll add a couple days for KB to see for myself!
Ooh! This looks like a very cool city! That street art is indeed some of the coolest I’ve seen. Sounds amazing, adding it to the list!
I had heard of this place before but reading about it for the first time. Love the street arts..haven’t explored much of Malaysia yet.hope to visit soon.