Located at the southern tip of Malay Peninsula with a causeway linking Singapore and Malaysia, Johor Bahru is a home of almost 500,000 locals and some Singaporeans who decided to live in the city. With its beautiful tourist sites, this fast-growing city has been attracting travelers not just from Singapore but the other parts of the world as well.
If you are still undecided where to go on your next holiday adventure, take your time to read this list of the top 10 things you can do in Johor Bahru. This might help you decide to put the city on top of your checklist.
Visit Historical Landmarks
One of the very first things to do after arriving in Johor Bahru is to visit some of their cultural and historical sites. Sultan Abu Bakar Royal Museum is among the places that should not be taken out of your itinerary.
Built in 1866, the museum displays a collection of artworks, rare artifacts, jewelries, and other personal possessions of Johor’s early royal family. To get to the museum, you can ride a cab from the downtown area at an affordable rate.
If you still have time, you can also visit Bugis Museum, Pasir Gudang Kite Museum, and other landmarks to learn more about the city’s history and culture.
| Address: | Royal Abu Bakar Meseum, Grand Palace, 80500 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia |
| Office Number: | +607 223 0555/ 607 223 0222 |
| Fax: | +607 224 8476 |
| Opening Hours: | +Open daily except Fridays – 9am to 5pm (ticket counter closed at 4pm) |
Shopping!!!
If you are looking for affordable and quality goods, Johor Bahru is the right place for you. Have an exciting shopping experience by visiting some of the city’s famous shopping malls. One of the most notable shopping malls in the city is Aeon Tebrau City Shopping Mall. You will enjoy shopping from a variety of stores and outlets from the world’s most popular brands.
You might also want to go shopping at Johor Premium Outlet, City Square Johor Bahru Shopping Mall, Holiday Plaza, and more!
Jalan Premium Outlets
Indahpura, 81000 Kulai
Johor Darul Takzim
Tel: +607 661 8888
Fax: +607 661 8810
Kick Off Your Shoes and Sunbathe
Johor Bahru is the tourists’ access point to the beautiful beaches of the southeastern part of the country. Desaru, one of the most famous beaches in the area, has been popular to the tourists since 1980s. Aside from relaxing in the sand, you can also enjoy surfing, snorkeling, and other activities the beach offers.
Danga Bay and Stulang Laut are also famous to the tourists, and you might want to check them out as well.
Lotus Desaru Beach Resort
Lot 1854, Jalan Desaru
Bandar Penawar
81930 Kota Tinggi
Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
Tel : +607-884 2800
Fax : +607-884 2998
Email : [email protected]
Enjoy Theme Park Rides
With seven theme areas and 40 interactive rides, Legoland is the first international theme park that is built in Malaysia. One of the most visited areas in the theme park is the MiniLand. Visitors of all ages enjoy the display of true-to-life miniature versions of iconic landmarks from different Asian countries including the Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Taj Mahal in India. All miniature landmarks were built with more than 30 million LEGO bricks.
You can also visit Hello Kitty Town, Wet Worlds, Angry Birds Activity Park, and other beautiful theme parks around the city.
LL Malaysia Taman Tema Sdn Bhd
7 Jalan LEGOLAND
Bandar Medini Iskandar Malaysia
79250 Iskandar Puteri (Nusajaya),
Johor Darul Takzim,
Malaysia.
+607 597 8888. (Daily, 9.00am – 7.00pm, Malaysia time)
[email protected]
Go For A Massage
Credit: Appreciate Goods
After a tiring day of shopping and enjoying rides in a theme park, you might want to relieve your body tensions and get energized. The best way to do it is to get a massage.
Known as an Asian massage paradise, Johor Bahru has some of the best massage places in Asia. One of the most popular massage places in the city is Spa Manja. With a group of skilled massage therapists and friendly staff, this spa offers clients a gentle and relaxing massage experience at affordable rates.
You may need to call the spa for a reservation because the spa is popular with both tourists and local people you might not be entertained without prior reservation.
Century Garden
162 Jalan Dato Sulaiman Century Garden 80250
Johor Bahru Malaysia (opposite Mutiara Hotel)
Hotline: +607- 3333-111 | +6016 7233 836 (emergency)
Operating Hours: 11.00 AM – 11.00 PM (Last Appointment @ 10.30 PM)
Email: [email protected]
Coffee Shop Hopping
Johor Bahru has many trendy coffee shops that serve a variety of skillfully blended coffees and delectable cakes. If you love cakes and coffees, you might want to go café hopping while in the city.
Among the most visited coffee shops in the city is the Faculty of Caffeine. This Halal-certified coffee shop brews 100% Arabica beans coffee served in unique eye-chart resembled takeout cups.
Coffee lovers also love to hang out in Maco Café & Bakery, The Replacement-Lodge and Kitchen, and other local cafes that have been making waves in the market.
106, Jalan Trus
Johor Bahru 80000
Operation Hour: EVERYDAY 9AM-6PM
Email: [email protected]
Contact Number: +60 10-400 5407
Wine & Beer Tasting
Credit: http://www.sillyepiphany.com/
If you are one of those few people who doesn’t like coffee, you might want to unwind and relax after an exhausting day with a glass of delicious wine. If you are looking for a place that serves a wide variety of wines, Vino Vino Bistro is the best place for you. Groups of friends and couples love to gather here to relax. Aside from serving wines, they also serve cold beers and a variety of Western and Japanese dishes.
Johor Bahru 81100
Walk Around The Zoo
If you are an animal lover, you will surely love to visit the Johor Zoo. The zoo is located in the heart of Johor Bahru, Jalan Gertak Merah near to the other famous landmarks of the city like Royal Museum. It has 100 species of animals, some of them are endangered, which makes the place one of the favorite spots for children and families.
The zoo also offers a variety of animal shows and other activities to entertain visitors including horse riding and boat paddling.
| Address: | Jalan Gertak Merah, 80000 Johor Bahru |
| Office Number: | +607 223 0404 |
| Opening Hours: | 09:00am – 06:00pm (Daily) |
Bargain In Their Night Market
If you love adventure, you would surely love to go night shopping in Pasar Karat. The place which means a rusty market is a huge bazaar with hundreds of stalls selling different types of products including pets. Local store owners are friendly, and it won’t be difficult for you to negotiate with the price. Remember: Always bargain!
6PM–12AM
Taste Their Local Food
Johor Bahru has a couple of must-try places that visitors would love to dine to have a taste of Malaysia’s local foods. Aside from high-end restaurants offering local cuisines, you can also find all kinds of traditional foods in their local markets like Pasar Karat.
After reading this article, you now have ideas why you must choose Johor Bahru as your next travel destination. Now, start saving and plan your itinerary!
Recommended Book to Read
Johor Bahru city view from top during dusk – Johor Bahru, malaysia
MASJID BANDAR DATO ONN, JOHOR BAHRU
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