It would be a great choice if you travel to Johor Bahru, Malaysia if you have free time and want to spend it with someone special. You can have a fun-filled weekend filled with entertainment. Also, you want to avoid going over budget, right? Traveling to Johor Bahru won’t let you down. Imagine being engaged in your daily activities one moment, and then rushing straight into a world of delicious local food, thrilling amusement parks, and enough shopping to make your pockets tremble with excitement or terror!
Johor Bahru offers something for everyone, regardless of whether you’re a tourist traveling through or a local searching for something new to explore. The best things to do in Johor Bahru, Malaysia are listed in this guide. So, let’s get to know-
Top Best Things to Do in Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Johor Bahru, almost always called JB, is the lively capital of Johor in Malaysia. Johor Bahru, which shares a border with Singapore, has developed rapidly from a rural town to a city with a rich history of culture, innovative attractions, and beautiful scenery. Johor Bahru has a wide range of activities for various trips, whether you’re planning a short trip or a longer stay. Here in this blog, we will be looking at the top things to do in Johor Bahru so that you can live it to the fullest in this southern gem of Malaysia.
Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque
The Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque, Johor Bahru, is on top of this list. This hilltop mosque is a great mix of Victorian, Moorish, and Malay designs. Its slender minarets resemble British clock towers, and it boasts materials as luxurious as Italian marble. The whitewashed exterior and surrounding, peaceful grounds only add to its beauty as a place to visit. This place also offers great views over the Straits of Johor and even across to Singapore in the distance. A peaceful place to just relax and let it envelop your senses.
Johor Bahru’s Historic City Square
Johor Bahru’s Historic City Square, or Dataran Bandaraya, is literally the heartbeat of this city and is definitely a place that historical houses would not want to pass by. Key landmarks encircling this square underpin the very rich history of this city. The Sultan Ibrahim Building impresses with its striking display of both colonial and Moorish architecture. There is another important thing, the Clock Tower which is an honored symbol that increases the square’s old-world beauty. You will find lots of people there because of the many festivals and activities held there. You should go there, especially during the holiday season.
The Istana Besar (Grand Palace)
The beautiful Istana Besar, also referred to as the Grand Palace, is a symbol of the state’s royalty. Erected in 1866 by Sultan Abu Bakar, this palace epitomizes architectural excellence with both Malay and Western influences. A view of the history of the Johor Sultanate can be found at the Royal Abu Bakar Museum, built within the palace’s property. It holds on the inside the regalia of the royals, family pictures, and other memorabilia that will take one back to a time gone by. These are all equipped with garden spaces and lovely landscapes, featuring gardens that are perfect for strolling in the late afternoon or sitting back and relaxing away from the hassle related to the city.
Legoland Malaysia Resort
For every family and Lego enthusiast, a visit to Legoland Malaysia Resort is not to be missed when visiting Johor Bahru. Many exciting rides and attractions can be found within themed areas in this entertaining theme park. While you are there you should not miss out on Miniland. This is the place where famous landmarks are constructed with millions of Lego bricks. Visit the Legoland Water Park for some fun splashing around, complete with slides, wave pools, and lazy rivers, just what one needs to cool off. You can stay at one of their Lego-themed hotels will provide the most Lego fun possible, since children may have their own themed rooms and take part in treasure hunts inside of them.
Danga Bay
You can visit Danga Bay for a seaside adventure which is more fun than trying to fold a fitted sheet. This Johor Bahru hotspot is just like one big playground for big boys and little kids. Stroll along the promenade and soak up those views of the sea. Even the birds seem to thrill with this gorgeous sunset. Have small children? As you wind down, they’ll enjoy the carousel and Ferris wheel. If you feel hungry, you find everything there from expensive dining to street cuisine, which will definitely make you rethink your decisions in life. And mementos, of course, since who doesn’t need a huge shrimp-shaped keychain?
Old Chinese Temple
Enter Johor Bahru’s Old Chinese Temple, where history crashes with a dram of divine drama! Constructed in the 19th century, this temple culturally merges the dialects of five big Chinese kin groups that dominated the city. Picture five deities holding the greatest-ever peace summit while you view their colorful, historic digs. If you visit in February or March, you may catch the Chingay Parade, a colorful display of lion dances and a parade of deities that’s essentially the temple’s version of throwing a fabulous street party. In this situation, it’s like entering a museum; the antique items and vintage pictures tell stories of JB’s interesting past.
Johor Premium Outlets
If you are a bargain hunter and don’t mind a short drive out of town, Johor Premium Outlets is your ideal shop till you drop location. Just off Malacca, down the highway a bit, this outlet mall is essentially a treasure cave filled with discounts on high brands. Imagine a Coach bag at a fraction of the price tag or treating yourself to a Michael Kors watch that didn’t make you need a second mortgage. After all that retail therapy, you can kick back at a café or grab a bite, it’s not like shopping doesn’t burn some calories or anything. Plus, family-friendly, so while you hunt for bargains, the kids can burn off some energy in the play areas.
Desaru Beach
Getting ready to leave the city? After driving for around an hour from Johor Bahru, head to Desaru Beach, where the sun, sand, and water are perfect! Imagine a scene with fine golden sand, and crystal clear blue waters, with barely any people around. Perfect for relaxing like a pro! On the other side, extreme sports including jet skiing, banana boat travel, and parasailing are available. Just remember to shout “Woohoo!” after finishing any of these. You should make sure to eat some fresh seafood before you leave the place. A win-win day would seem to include grilled fish, chili crabs, and perhaps a beach nap.
Taman Merdeka
You can experience fun in a place of green in Taman Merdeka, Johor Bahru’s version of a backyard party place. Suppose there was a place where kids could play, where athletes could practice, and where people could have picnics and just chew on snacks. It’s a very nice place to spend a quiet day, whether you’re relaxing, eating, or just unwinding like a pro. Moreover, this park is not just about peace and quiet but it has a lot of live events and cultural performances to which even your grandma would breakdance. Well, maybe. Find the event calendar and see what kind of party in the park you can crash.
Austin Heights Water & Adventure Park
Looking for a splash-tastic kind of day, full of thrills? Austin Heights Water & Adventure Park will always cover you back! Imagine yourself having a lot more fun in the wave pool and moving down the slides that give you the feeling of flying than you would on a weekend spent at your grandma’s pool. You may not be a water lover then don’t worry, pit yourself against the rock climbing wall, relive childhood at the trampoline park, or try your luck on the obstacle course. You can shout louder if you want to feel more fun. It’s a perfect environment for relaxing, raising your heart rate, and having fun with loved ones.
These are the top things to do in Johor Bahru but some of the other fun spots and best things to eat in Jb are briefly described below-
Street Food Markets and Eating Places:
- Pasar Karat/JB Flea Market: A night market filled with various kinds of street food: local snacks, grilled meats, and seafood are all available here.
- Taman Johor Jaya Night Market: These food stalls sell everything under the sun, from skewered meat to sweet desserts.
- Jalan Dhoby: This is a very lively street with all sorts of traditional eateries and food stalls serving Malaysian and other global cuisines.
- KSL City Mall Food Court: Best for local food such as noodles, rice dishes, and snacks.
- Haji Karim Food Court: Possesses almost all the specialties of the area in one place and is the best hangout for an informal meal.
- Merdeka Park Food Court: The atmosphere over here is claimed to be very vibrant, therefore this is one of the beloved places of locals and tourists.
The popular local dishes that you can try in Johor Bahru, Malaysia are-
- Laksa Johor
- Nasi Lemak
- Mee Rebus
- Rojak
- Satay
- Kway Teow
- Teh Tarik
Conclusion
Johor Bahru is full of fun facts and you can do a lot of things from eating delicious foods to traveling to cultural places or doing spots or fun activities. You will find lots of outdoor activities here as well as the others. If you love those activities, you should never miss these from trying. This place is best for friends and family hangouts. So, don’t miss the chance to explore the best things to do in Johor Bahru Malaysia, and travel as fast as you can.
