Johor Bahru, Malaysia: travel guide
Malaysia's southern gateway, with temples, malls and theme parks
Gateway to Singapore — a dynamic city known for malls, local culture, and as a jumping-off point for island adventures.
About Johor Bahru
Johor Bahru sits at the southern tip of peninsular Malaysia, directly across the strait from Singapore, and most visitors arrive on their way somewhere else. It deserves a little longer, because the city carries a mix of Malay, Chinese and Indian heritage that shows up in its places of worship and its food.
The Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque, the Glass Temple of Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman and the old Chinese temple are the cultural stops, while Legoland Malaysia Resort draws families. Farther east, Desaru Beach offers a sea-and-sand break within reach of the city.
It suits families, short stopovers and travellers combining Singapore with Malaysia. Conditions are warm and humid throughout the year, with the drier months around May to September the easier time for outdoor plans.
- Country
- Malaysia
- Currency
- MYR
- Time zone
- Asia/Kuala_Lumpur
- Nearest airport
- JHB
Last updated
Top places to visit in Johor Bahru
Legoland Malaysia Resort
family theme park · 4.4 rating · about 6 h · check the fee at the gate
Asia's first Legoland resort, opened in 2012, sprawls over 76 acres in Iskandar Puteri (formerly Nusajaya), 25 km west of JB city centre. The park comprises over 70 rides, shows, and attractions built around Lego themes including the Lego…
Sultan Ibrahim Building
colonial government building · 4.2 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Completed in 1940 in Saracenic-Moorish style and modelled loosely on the White House, the Sultan Ibrahim Building (State Secretariat) crowns Bukit Timbalan above the Johor Strait and remains one of Malaysia's finest colonial-era government…
Danga Bay Waterfront
waterfront park · 3.9 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A sprawling waterfront recreational park and leisure zone along the Johor Strait, Danga Bay is JB's most accessible outdoor escape. The area includes a theme park, carnival rides, a floating mosque, hawker stalls, and a nightly food…
Sultan Abu Bakar State Museum
royal palace museum · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
Built in 1866 as a royal palace for Maharajah Abu Bakar, the Sultan of Johor, this Victorian-Moorish palace on a hilltop overlooking the Johor Strait is considered one of the finest royal residences in Malaysia. The Istana Besar now houses…
Desaru Beach
beach · 4.4 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
Long golden-sand resort beach on the South China Sea east of JB.
Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman Glass Temple
hindu-temple · 4.2 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Dazzling Hindu temple covered inside with nearly 300,000 glass pieces.
Johor Bahru Old Chinese Temple
chinese-temple · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
19th-century temple honouring five deities of JB's founding dialect groups.
Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque
mosque · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Majestic white Victorian-Malay mosque (1900) overlooking the Straits of Johor.
Johor Bahru City Square
shopping · 4.3 rating · about 2 h · free entry
Major downtown mall by the CIQ, a shopping and dining hub.
Johor Premium Outlets
shopping · 4.3 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Large designer-outlet shopping village off the highway.
Johor Zoo
zoo · 4.1 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
One of Malaysia's oldest zoos, set in former royal gardens.
The View @ KOMTAR JBCC
skydeck · 4.2 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Observation deck atop JB's tallest tower with views to Singapore.
Things to do
- Legoland Malaysia Resort Entertainment · 8 h · from MYR 205 per person
- Kukup Fireflies Night River Cruise Nature · 5 h · from MYR 4 per person
- Legoland Malaysia Full-Day Ticket Sightseeing · 8 h · from MYR 140 per person
- Johor Bahru Royal Heritage Walk Cultural · 2.5 h · from MYR 2 per person
- Desaru Coast Day Trip Nature · 9 h · from MYR 120 per person
- JB Heritage & Street-Food Walking Tour Food · 3 h · from MYR 70 per person
- Johor Premium Outlets Shopping Trip Sightseeing · 4 h · from MYR 37 per person
- Pulau Kukup & Tanjung Piai Nature Day Trip Nature · 8 h · from MYR 100 per person
Day trips and tours
- Legoland Malaysia & JB City Highlights Day Package 11 h · from MYR 205
- JB Royal Heritage Walk & Kukup Fireflies Night Tour 10 h · from MYR 134
Where to stay in Johor Bahru
- City Center about MYR 2,000 per night
Gateway to Malaysia with accommodation
Hotels
- Amari Johor Bahru 5-star · MYR 300 to MYR 650 per night
- Desaru Coast... Anantara Desaru 5-star · MYR 600 to MYR 1,500 per night
- Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel 5-star · MYR 350 to MYR 750 per night
- DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Bahru 5-star · MYR 280 to MYR 600 per night
- The LEGOLAND Malaysia Hotel 4-star · MYR 400 to MYR 900 per night
- Holiday Inn Johor Bahru City Centre 4-star · MYR 250 to MYR 520 per night
Where to eat
- Hiap Joo Bakery Bakery, Nyonya, Chinese · about MYR 8 per person
- Restoran Permas Seafood Chinese, Seafood, Malaysian · about MYR 65 per person
- Danga Bay Night Market Seafood Malay, Seafood, Hawker · about MYR 30 per person
- Restoran Hua Mui Malaysian, Hainanese · about MYR 18 per person
- Restoran Kin Wah Kopitiam Malaysian, Cafe · about MYR 12 per person
- Restoran Todak (Senibong) Seafood, Chinese · about MYR 55 per person
- IT Roo Cafe Malaysian, Western · about MYR 20 per person
- Restoran Mui Kee Roasted Chicken Chinese, Hainanese · about MYR 20 per person
Getting to Johor Bahru
Airport: Johor Bahru (JHB)
Getting around
- Bus
- Car Rental Self
- Ride Hail
- Taxi
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Motorcycle Snatch Theft (Ragut)
City centre pedestrian streets, near JB Sentral, City Square
A motorbike (usually with two riders) rides close to the kerb and the pillion snatches bags, phones or jewellery from pedestrians. Victims who resist risk being dragged or injured. JB has a higher incidence of ragut (snatch theft) than most Malaysian cities.
How to avoid it: Carry bags cross-body on the building side of the pavement, away from the road. Do not use phones while walking near busy streets. Keep jewellery tucked in. Walk in well-lit populated areas at night. Report snatch theft immediately to PDRM: +607-221-2222.
Currency Exchange Fraud at Causeway Checkpoint
JB CIQ Customs Checkpoint, Jalan Wong Ah Fook licensed moneychanger row
Touts offer to exchange SGD to MYR (or vice versa) at 'special rates' that appear favorable but include hidden charges, short-counting of notes, or slightly lower denominations. The actual rate delivered is 5-10% below the licensed market rate.
How to avoid it: Exchange currency only at licensed moneychangers displaying a Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) licence. Compare rates on Google or xe.com first. CIMB and Maybank branches near Jalan Wong Ah Fook offer reliable rates. Never exchange with individuals at the Causeway.
More in Malaysia
Frequently asked questions about Johor Bahru
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Johor Bahru?
- The highest-rated places in our Johor Bahru guide are Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque, Johor Bahru Old Chinese Temple, Legoland Malaysia Resort, Desaru Beach, Johor Bahru City Square.
- Where should I stay in Johor Bahru?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Johor Bahru: City Center.
- How do I get around Johor Bahru?
- Ways to get around Johor Bahru covered in our guide: City bus, Self-drive car, Ride-hailing app, Taxi.
- What scams should I watch out for in Johor Bahru?
- Scams reported to us for Johor Bahru include Motorcycle Snatch Theft (Ragut); Currency Exchange Fraud at Causeway Checkpoint. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- Which airport is nearest to Johor Bahru?
- The nearest airport to Johor Bahru has the code JHB.