An irresistible mix of island adventures, local food and culture — this might just be one of Malaysia’s best kept secrets. Here are seven things to do in Kota Bharu!
Kota Bharu is Kelantan’s capital, yet most skip right past it. Admittedly, I too had never heard of the city before. However, after our 4D3N adventure here, this royal city has definitely charmed me.
What fascinated me about this place was its rich and unique history, shaped by its location near the Thai border, and the blending of Thai influences with Malay heritage. Beyond its traditional crafts, markets and local food, we were surprised to discover a booming cafe scene here as well!
For beach lovers, Kota Bharu is also a gateway to the incredibly scenic Perhentian Islands, where pristine waters and vibrant marine life await just off the coast.
So if you’re looking for a chill, laid-back vacation, here are seven things to do in Kota Bharu and the Perhentian Islands for a short getaway from Singapore!
Travel essentials for Kota Bharu
Flights: Scoot flies directly from Singapore’s Changi Airport (SIN) to Kota Bharu’s Sultan Ismail Petra Airport (KBR) under 1.5 hours.
Psst, enjoy 2x weekly flights between Singapore and Kota Bharu with Scoot from S$97/way! One-way, taxes included. Terms and travel periods apply.
Pre-flight: Before your trip, purchase an eSIM on Changi Recommends for high-speed, unlimited data! The best part is that it has a reloadable option — making it effortless to top up on the go, as you only need to set it up once.
Water activities: Bring your favourite swimsuit as you’ll regret not swimming in clear waters or basking under the sun at Perhentian Islands ☀️. If you’re prone to sea sickness, do bring some motion sickness medication.
1) Dive and island-hop around Perhentian Islands
Just 40 minutes away from Kota Bharu lies this unforgettable island escape with lush greenery and clear waters — the Perhentians. There are two main islands: Perhentian Kecil (Small Island) and Perhentian Besar (Big Island).
We stayed on Besar, which felt more peaceful and less touristy. Here’s what you can do there!
Fun dive with Octo Diver Scuba Diving Centre
Get up close with Perhentian’s colourful corals and marine life at Octo Diver Scuba Diving Centre.
With over 10 dive sites across the islands, there’s plenty to explore — whether you’re keen on reef dives or want to venture further to one of the three wrecks.
The islands are part of a protected marine park, and we were lucky enough to spot sea turtles, clownfish, pufferfish, blue-spotted rays and blacktip reef sharks during our dive!
Visibility was near perfect, and we were especially impressed by how healthy and vibrant the corals looked. If you’re diving here, remember to keep your distance and avoid touching or stepping on the corals!
Cost: From RM90/pax (~S$30) for a fun dive
Opening hours: 9AM – 8PM, closed on Fri & Sat
Boat dive times: 7:30AM, 9:30AM, 11:30AM
Address: Teluk Dalam Beach Perhentian Islands, Pulau Perhentian Besar, 22300 Kuala Besut, Terengganu, Malaysia
How to get there: 8min walk from Arwana Perhentian Eco Resort (Google Maps)
*Note: Fun dives are open to certified divers only — you’ll minimally need an Open Water certification to join.
Island hopping tour with Arwana Perhentian Eco Resort
Experience the different beaches of both Perhentian Kecil and Besar through an island-hopping tour. There are plenty of operators and resorts offering packages, making it easy to explore multiple spots in a few hours.
We stayed at Arwana Perhentian Eco Resort, where we could opt for an island-hopping package as an add-on for a fee. Our tour brought us to Romantic Beach, Fisherman Village and Long Beach — some places were more secluded, while others were livelier and lined with resorts.
The entire trip was pretty free and easy, with more than enough time to snorkel with the fishes, chill on the beach and even grab a refreshing coconut shake!
For those who are keen to swim at any of the islands, life jackets are provided and snorkelling equipment can usually be requested from the boat captain.
Cost: From RM90/pax (~S$30) for a 3hr tour
Tour timing: 4PM – 7PM
2) Paint your own traditional Wau at Galeri Wau Pak Sapie and Sons
Get creative with the traditional Malaysian kite and take home your own Wau at Galeri Wau Pak Sapie and Sons, a family-run gallery of over 50 years.
The Wau Bulan, or “Moon Kite”, originated in Kelantan and has become one of Malaysia’s national symbols. Interestingly, different states in Malaysia have their own variations, including the Wau Kucing (Cat Kite) from Penang and Wau Merak (Peacock Kite) from Johor.
We opted for the Wau Colouring Workshop held by second-generation owner Wan Anuar, and learnt about the history of Wau-making in Kelantan, before painting our own using traditional batik-style techniques.
For instance, did you know that the shadow of a Wau was traditionally used by farmers to scare away birds, while their humming sounds were used to lull babies to sleep? Not only that, every Wau is intricately created by hand, taking 2 weeks to 3 months just to complete one.
But don’t worry if you’re not artistically inclined, as design templates are already there for you to choose from!
After getting inspired by Anuar’s own collection of Waus on display, we all locked in to create ombre colours and loved the freedom to paint it based on our own imagination! And if you are up for the challenge, you can also opt for a Wau Making Workshop, where Anuar will guide you through making your very own kite.
*Pro-tip: Bring sunblock and mosquito repellent as workshops are usually held outdoors for better ventilation.
Cost: From RM50/pax (~S$16) for 1hr Wau Colouring Workshop or From RM200/pax (~S$63) for 2hr Wau Making Workshop
Opening hours: 9AM – 3PM, closed on Fri & Sat
Address: Galeri Wau Pak Sapie & Sons, Jalan Pantai Cahaya Bulan, 15350 Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia
How to get there: 11min Grab ride from Kota Bharu Sultan Ismail Petra Airport (Google Maps)
*Note: The Wau Colouring Workshop takes walk-ins, but you’ll need to book the 2-hour Wau Making Workshop a week before your visit.
3) Shop like a local at Siti Khadijah Market
The Siti Khadijah Market is a vibrant hub for locals and visitors looking for a glimpse into everyday Kelantanese life. This four-storey, pentagonal building houses everything from fresh produce and seafood to local snacks, spices and batik clothing.
Opened in 1985 by the Sultan of Kelantan, the market was originally known as Buluh Kubu Market. It was renamed Siti Khadijah in 1997, after Prophet Muhammad’s wife — a renowned businesswoman. The name fittingly reflects the market’s character today, where the majority of traders are women.
Before you leave, don’t forget to try some local Kelantanese snacks at the food court on Level 2. We had the Pandan Kuih koklu from Nida Kek Anje Abii Bakery (Stall No. 847), which was delightfully sweet and chewy!
*Pro-tip: Visit early in the morning when most vendors are open and the market is at its liveliest.
Entrance fee: Free
Opening hours: 7:30AM – 5:30PM
Address: Jalan Buluh Kubu, Bandar Kota Bharu, 15000 Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia
How to get there: 19min Grab ride from Kota Bharu Sultan Ismail Petra Airport (Google Maps)
4) Indulge in Kota Bharu’s vibrant cafe scene
Kota Bharu’s cafe scene reveals a surprisingly youthful side of the city. Scattered around the town centre are plenty of cafes serving creative fusion food, reflecting the entrepreneurial Kelantanese spirit. Here are some of our favourites:
Brew by Atas
Brew by Atas stands out for its dreamy lighting and striking metallic interiors, but the food is just as memorable. We enjoyed the Spicy Miso Chicken Ramen, which was rich and well-seasoned, as well as the Banoffee Pie and Pistachio Kunafa Croissant (RM14 each) — both were super comforting treats that felt thoughtfully made.
As an amateur home-cafe drink maker, I rarely find cafe drinks worth spending money on. However, the Strawberry Hojicha was worth every cent.
With over 30 specialty drinks from RM9 — like Jasmine Matcha and Strawberry Chocolate Latte — you could dine here for a month and try a different drink every day! 🫢
Opening hours: 12PM – 10PM
Address: Lot 1838, Jalan Abdul Kadir Adabi, Taman Kenangan, 15200 Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia
How to get there: 13min Grab ride from Kota Bharu Sultan Ismail Petra Airport (Google Maps)
To The Moon
To The Moon is where industrial meets vintage — with its high ceilings, bright neon signboards and old-school shop signages. Not only that, they serve up a wide variety of Insta-worthy food too.
The highlight of the cafe is its adorable Meow Meow Panna Cotta (RM19), a vanilla caramel jiggly pudding that almost looks too cute to eat. Besides desserts, they serve unique fusion dishes like Tom Yum Pasta (RM33) and Peanut Butter Burger (RM28), so you can easily make this a proper meal stop rather than just coming by for dessert.
Opening hours: 12PM – 12AM, 12PM – 3PM on Fri
Address: 2707, Jalan Temenggong, Bandar Kota Bharu, 15000 Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia
How to get there: 8min Grab ride from Siti Khadijah Market (Google Maps)
5) Admire Kota Bharu’s famous street art along Jalan Dato Pati
Take a stroll down Kota Bharu’s famous mural-lined alley, Jalan Dato Pati, and see the city’s stories come to life. What started off as a small group project for local students now stretches across an 80ft-long wall, with its colourful artwork depicting the capital’s vibrant culture.
Beyond just being an eye-catching photo spot, I thoroughly enjoyed this rare glimpse into the community’s perspectives and everyday life — from portraits of local traders to an intricate batik-inspired artwork painted across the floor like a colourful carpet.
Entrance fee: Free
Address: 3631, Jalan Dato Pati, Bandar Kota Bharu, 15000 Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia
How to get there: 5min walk from Siti Khadijah Market (Google Maps)
6) Get a taste of Kelantanese cuisine at Ulang Corner
Opened since 2004, Ulang Corner is known for its Nasi Kerabu (or Khao Jam) and Laksam.
Nasi Kerabu (RM8) is a special Kelantanese fragrant rice dish mixed with over 20 fresh herbs and vegetables. Think Thunder Tea Rice but slightly more savoury and umami. Paired with crispy kerepok, homemade chilli paste and fried spiced fish or chicken, it was so addictive that we ordered a second round of the rice alone!
Don’t miss out on its Laksam (RM5) as well, with handmade kway teow noodles slathered in a full-bodied creamy coconut gravy. It tasted like a mix of Singaporean Laksa and Tom Kha Gai, with an explosion of tangy and rich notes.
While we were lucky to grab a seat, do note that they only open for dine-ins on Friday, while the rest of the days are takeaway only.
Opening hours: 11:30AM – 3PM, closed on weekends
Address: 232, Jalan Wakaf Mek Zainab, Bandar Kota Bharu, 15300 Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia
How to get there: 9min Grab ride from Siti Khadijah Market (Google Maps)
*Pro-tip: Bring cash as Ulang Corner does not accept any other forms of payment.
7) Explore Dataran Bandaraya, Kota Bharu’s bustling night market
Recommended by locals, Dataran Bandaraya is where Kota Bharu comes alive after dark.
It’s a popular gathering point for the community, where you can indulge in street snacks like churros and corn dogs, shop for crochet handicrafts, or even enjoy live performances by local buskers.
With spacious seating and a cool evening breeze, it’s a lovely spot to end the day!
Entrance fee: Free
Opening hours: 8:30PM – 12:30AM
Address: Bandar Kota Bharu, 15000 Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia
How to get there: 8min walk from Siti Khadijah Market (Google Maps)
Getting to and around Kota Bharu
From Singapore to Kota Bharu
We took a ~1.5-hour direct flight from Singapore to Kota Bharu with Scoot, perfect for an easy weekend escape. The 10kg cabin baggage allowance gave us plenty of room for all our beach essentials, while the surprisingly spacious Stretch Seats made it easy to kick back and get comfortable throughout the flight.
To keep ourselves fuelled, we also pre-ordered some light bites — the chicken sausage and apple cinnamon puffs were such a treat that we’d almost forgotten we were about to land!
Planning a weekend getaway? Enjoy weekly 2x flights between Singapore and Kota Bharu with Scoot from S$97/way! One-way, taxes included. Terms and travel periods apply.
Kota Bharu and Perhentian Islands
Within Kota Bharu: Grab was our go-to way of getting around, thanks to its wide coverage and short waiting times. Most rides took around 10 minutes and cost roughly RM6 (~S$2), making it an easy and affordable way to get around town.
To Perhentian Islands: We took a ferry from Kuala Besut Jetty (~S$26/round-trip), which we booked online beforehand. Do note that there is also a Service and Jetty access fee (~S$6.50/pax) and a Marine Park conservation fee (~S$9.50/pax) — cash payment at the Jetty. Additionally, we’d recommend arriving 45 minutes before the ferry departure timing.
Within Perhentian Islands: The easiest way to get around to different island points is to take the water taxi, with prices ranging from RM20-50 per ride (~S$6-15/pax).
Why Kota Bharu should be your next getaway
Kota Bharu may not be the first place that comes to mind when planning a trip to Malaysia, but that’s exactly what makes it worth discovering! I was undeniably blown away by our dive in the crystal-clear waters of Perhentian Islands, and I’ll fondly remember my first bite of Nasi Kerabu, which opened up a whole new world of flavours.
The trip was equal parts cultural discovery and a much-needed island relaxation. So if you’re looking for somewhere that feels authentic, welcoming and away from large crowds, this underrated corner of Malaysia is worth being on your radar!
Know of any other things to do in Kota Bharu? Let us know in the comments!
This post was brought to you by Scoot and Changi Airport Group.
