Kota Bharu, located in the northern part of Peninsular Malaysia, serves as the capital of Kelantan. Because of its geographic position, Kota Bharu's culture is distinct from the rest of Malaysia as it is adjacent to Thailand. If the hustle and bustle of city living has left you tired, think about paying a visit to Kota Bharu. Kota Bharu boasts a variety of religious and architectural buildings, museums, and a thriving Islamic legacy.

Kota Bharu is renowned for its lively cultural hub that showcases its rich Malay heritage, offering numerous traditional and exciting attractions to explore. The city offers a range of activities that are appropriate for travelers as well as families. Here are some recommendations for things to do in Kota Bharu.

First place you can go while in Kota Bharu is Wakaf Che Yeh Night Market. This market offers a variety of products for sale such as bolts of fabric for clothing, food, and other items. You should make sure you have enough energy before coming here because this market is vast and extensive. They also offer food for sale, and all the food served here is incredibly tasty. Random eyes select from an abundance of choices.

Address: 2028, Jalan Kuala Krai, Wakaf Che Yeh, 15150 Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia

Opening Hours: 6PM - 1AM

A popular and charming location in Kota Bharu. Not far from Kota Bharu's town center, this beach is worth visiting with your family. The translation of Cahaya Bulan is "moonlight". The beach was filled with locals, and there were various vendors selling food and toys along the coast to appreciate the beach's beauty, as the name implies. Stalls offering traditional cuisine and batik products were spread out along the esplanade, contributing to the lively atmosphere. Multiple dining options are available on the beachfront to suit a range of palates. This beach is perfect for admiring the scenery, flying kites, but not appropriate for swimming.

If you appreciate art or desire to experience the pulse of a city, think about strolling along the Streets Art of Kota Bharu. You can visit in the afternoon to witness the city's cultural diversity and artistic flair showcased through its lively street art scene. The city's murals are frequently inspired by its deep roots, merging elements of Malay traditions, Islamic designs, and modern urban concepts to craft a captivating story through visuals. An excellent place to visit for a unique viewpoint of Kota Bharu.

Address: 3631, Jalan Dato Pati, Bandar Kota Bharu, 15000 Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia

Opening Hours: 24 hours

The best time to visit Min Fireflies Garden is during the firefly season from March to October! Kayaking offers a delightful new opportunity to witness fireflies twinkling in the dark. Although it's dark, the water is shallow, so there's no need to worry or be scared. Have a wonderful time watching the mesmerizing sight of fireflies! Advice: You should apply insect repellent cream.

Address: Min House Camp, Lot 1287, kampung Pulau, 16150 Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia

Opening Hours: Everyday, 8PM - 10PM

Kota Bharu is home to many beautiful mosques because of its thriving Islamic heritage. The Great Mosque, also known as Muhammadi Mosque, functions as the official mosque of Kota Bharu. The building of this mosque goes back to 1887. It has beautiful architecture and adds to the atmosphere of ancient Mecca as a historical location. Following several renovations, the mosque has expanded and now accommodates up to 2,400 worshipers simultaneously.

Address: D1, Bandar Kota Bharu, 15000 Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia

Opening Hours: 5AM - 10PM

Menara Jam Tambatan Diraja is among the most well-liked tourist spots in Kota Bharu. The clock tower stands by the Kelantan river on the riverside. The Clock Tower also serves as an observation tower. It provides a panoramic perspective of Kota Bharu town. This is a great spot to chill and enjoy the sunset. The sights are the most beautiful in the city and a lively spot after dark. Many stores and street vendors operate during the evening hours by the river.

Address: Jalan Sultan, Bandar Kota Bharu, 15400 Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia

Opening Hours: 24 hours

As previously stated, Kota Bharu is famous for its numerous architectural landmarks, museums, and a diverse Islamic heritage. Below are some spots in Kota Bharu for you to explore, but please note that they are only open until early evening, approximately 5PM-6PM. Make sure to include this destination in your plans sooner rather than later!

A trip to Kota Bharu isn't finished without purchasing souvenirs. Discover the lively and traditional Siti Khadijah Market. A variety of items are available for purchase including fresh fruits and vegetables, pantry staples, clothing, and kitchenware. Start from the market's entrance and move towards the center to find vegetable and fruit stalls outdoors, dry goods and cooked food on the second level offering Kota Bharu's famous dishes and traditional cakes, and textiles and clothing on the third level.

Address: Jalan Buluh Kubu, Bandar Kota Bharu, 15000 Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia

Opening Hours: Everyday, 7.30AM - 5.30AM

It is essential to try this one-of-a-kind experience when visiting Kota Bharu. You can choose to take a boat on the river to get to the Pantai Suri Floating Market, where you can explore various stalls and enjoy genuine local cuisine and handmade items. After you finish at the market, the boat will transport you back to the Kuala Besar jetty. More than 30 kiosks are available, with a few being run by traders who are on boats. You need to get there early because the line for the boat sale will be extensive and twisty! The journey offers a unique chance to discover the local culture and lifestyle along the river in Kota Bharu.

Address: Jln Kok Majid, Pulau Suri, Kota Bharu 16200 Tumpat, Kelantan, Malaysia

Opening Hours: Saturday, 8AM - 5PM and Friday 8AM - 12 PM, 2PM - 5PM

A village with a museum that is both informative and interesting. A visit to the museum in the Handicrafts Village of Kota Bharu is recommended when in Kelantan. It provides a comprehensive look at Kelantanese Batik, including its unique characteristics and diverse designs. The primary focus of the museum revolves around Batik and its diverse patterns. The location exhibits batik attire as it would have been donned by various individuals in the community. If you want to attempt making batik, you have to fork out RM10. There are a few shops that also sell inexpensive souvenirs.

Address: Jalan Merbau, Bandar Kota Bharu, 15000 Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia

Opening Hours: Saturday - Wednesday, 8.30 AM - 4.45 PM, Thursday, 8.30 AM - 3.30 PM, Friday Closed

Bazar Tok Guru is a great option if you want to buy clothes like leggings, silk, batik, scarves, caftans, various prayer tools, batik, and other clothing items - and the best part is, you can negotiate the price! This market is well-known for offering lower prices compared to other markets. Consider purchasing something from here for the upcoming Eid celebration!

Address: 3, Jalan Padang Perdana, Bandar Kota Bharu, 15200 Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia

Opening Hours: Saturday - Friday, 9.30 AM - 6 PM

Fascinating small museum with a diverse range of displays. The ideal location to discover the history of World War 2 is in Kelantan, Malaysia, where the Japanese entered after crossing through Thailand. During that period, this location functioned as a bank and served as the base for the Japanese Kempeitai.

The ground level showcases the impact of World War II in Kelantan, focusing on the conflicts between the British and Japanese forces. There are military vehicles like helicopters, airplanes, tanks, and cars displayed outside for visitors to explore. The second level contains mainly aged photos of Kelantan from the early 1900s and various items from the former British offices, with no relation to war.

Address: Jalan Pejabat Pos Lama, 15300, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia

Opening Hours: Saturday - Thursday, 8.45AM - 4.30 PM

The Kelantan State Museum in Kota Bharu is another notable historical spot and museum to explore. It is filled with fascinating displays that showcase Kelantan's history from its beginnings to the present, along with cultural arts like traditional music tools, mak yong and menorah dances, and the distinctive wayang kulit. This includes the tradition of sharing captivating folklore using shadow puppets, an art form that is sadly becoming scarce in Malaysia. Renovations are ongoing, however, the second floor remains accessible for visits.

Address: Jalan Hospital, Bandar Kota Bharu, 15000 Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia

Opening Hours: Saturday - Thursday, 8.30 AM - 4.45 PM

As previously stated, Kota Bharu possesses a robust Islamic culture. To witness the strength of Islamic culture in Kota Bharu, you can explore The Islamic Museum. The museum features a diverse assortment of Islamic artifacts, household items, precious jewelry, artifacts, models, replicas, and a map detailing the history and growth of Islam in the State, as well as other intriguing items from the royal family of Kelantan state.

Address: UTC, Aras 3, Jalan Hamzah, Bandar Kota Bharu, 15050 Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia

Opening Hours: Saturday - Thursday, 8.30 AM - 4.45 PM

Is it even a proper visit if you don't try the local cuisine? You have the option to visit the Capital Restaurant for a taste of authentic Kota Bharu cuisine. Nasi Kerabu is highly recommended by numerous individuals, however, there are also other dishes like nasi dagang, fried chicken, teh tarik, toast, laksa, coffee, and numerous others that are equally popular!

Address: Jalan Tengku Besar, Bandar Kota Bharu, 15000 Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia

Opening Hours: Saturday - Sunday, 9AM - 5PM, Monday Closed, Tuesday - Friday, 9AM - 5PM

A location where performances showcasing culture are held in Kota Bharu. It would be a unique performance but consistently engaging. Make sure to visit the Kelantan tourism webpage to confirm the location's operational status and activities before your trip.

Address: Jalan Mahmood, Bandar Kota Bharu, 15200 Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia

Opening Hours: Saturday, Monday, Wednesday 3 PM - 5.30 PM.

These are our recommendations for the activities with your family in Kota Bharu. To make things more convenient, you can simply book your flight, make a reservation for hotels, and get other recommended activities with a few clicks on Traveloka. Purchase your tickets for visiting Kota Bharu now and avail exclusive promotions and discounts offered only by Traveloka!