Things to do in Johor Bahru

More about Johor Bahru

Colloquially referred to as JB, Johor Bahru is the capital city of the state of Johor, Malaysia, and the second largest district in the country. It has an official demonym where people are commonly referred to as “Johor Bahruans”, “J.B-ites”, “J.B-ians”, and “Johoreans”. The Johoreans are mostly Malay, followed by Chinese, Indian, and others; speaking mainly Malay, Mandarin with several dialects: Hokkien and Teochew; as well as Tamil.

Johor Bahru is one of the fastest-growing cities in Malaysia with international tourism as the major contributor of the city’s economic development. Known for its cultural and historical significance, Johor Bahru is filled with popular tourist attractions, like The Royal Abu Bakar Museum, The Johor Bahru Kwong Siew Heritage, The Grand Palace, and many more. Besides those national landmarks, the city features various leisure and conservation areas: The Danga Bay and The Johor Zoo; and shopping centers. You can find any kind of pleasures in every corner of the city, since Johor Bahru is an all-inclusive destination. Seeking other things to do other than cultural adventures? Check out the information below!

Best Things to Do in Johor Bahru

Johor Bahru has more than just historical or cultural attractions; it also provides an array of fun things to do, like some below:

1. Jet Ski Experience by Sea Doo Safari

Want to experience a jet ski at least once in your whole life? While in Johor Bahru, make sure to take a chance with Sea Doo Safari for a jet ski adventure. Learn to ride it under expert guidance and navigate the open waters with confidence. Enjoy the breathtaking coastal scenery and crystal-clear waters while riding a jet ski.

2. Kidz Republic Indoor Theme Park

Get ready for an unforgettable exploration in the largest jurassic-themed indoor park in Johor Bahru! Kidz Republic would bring your whole family to an exciting world of dinosaurs with interactive playgrounds and learning zones. Spend the whole day with various thrilling rides and delectable treats.

3. BabyShark Paradigm Mall

Another fantastic outing for your little ones! BabyShark Paradigm Mall is an indoor playground packed with fascinating play gear, games, and rides. Your kids would have play-and-learn experience nurturing young minds while having a blast at the same time.

4. Blue Ice Skating Rink at Paradigm Mall

Blue Ice Skating Rink at Paradigm Mall is the first largest ice-skating rink in Johor Bahru you can’t miss. Slide on the 20,000 square feet of real ice and learn varied skating skills–and as you’re ready, take an opportunity to sign up for the academy of Figure Skating, Ice Hockey, and Speed Skating.

5. LEGOLAND Malaysia

Located in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, LEGOLAND Malaysia is the first LEGOLAND theme park in Asia. It’s the headquarters of many fun rides, attractions, and shows. Embark on a journey through a realm of imagination in the LEGOLAND Park, dive into the water games in LEGOLAND Water Park, and experience the up-close ocean in the SEA LIFE Aquarium.

Johor Bahru Transportations

As the capital city of Johor, Johor Bahru has a developed public transport system serving many parts of the city for locals and tourists. Some of the transports are:

1. Buses

Buses are a major transport in Johor Bahru. There are some types of bus serving different areas of the city with various rates estimation: cross-border, MyBas, Bas Muafakat, and other bus services. Cross-border bus services operate between Singapore and Johor Bahru at around RM 4 to RM 5 per trip, while MyBas is the local bus service funded by the federal government to connect Johor Bahru city center to various regions of the city at an estimated cost of RM 1 to RM 3 per trip. Bas Muafakat operates the city center, Johor Bahru Tengah, Pasir Gudang, and Kulai. Other bus services, like Maju Bus and Transit Link JB connect to outlying towns: Pontian, Kulai, Senai, Ulu Tiram, Kota Tinggi, Masai, and Pasir Gudang. There are also express buses connecting Johor Bahru to other cities, like Kuala Lumpur and Melaka. They might cost around RM 20 to RM 50 per trip.

2. Taxis

Taxis in Johor Bahru are also popular, yet you may have to prepare lots of money for this transport method: typically RM 10 to RM 20 for a short ride within the city, RM 80 to RM 120 to Singapore, and RM 30 to RM 50 to nearby towns (Skudai and Pasir Gudang). You can hail taxis on the road or book via phone. Make sure to negotiate the rates with the drivers before starting the journey, even if it’s metered taxis.

3. Trains

KTM Komuter and the upcoming Singapore-Johor Bahru RTS are the train systems in Johor Bahru. From the key station, The Johor Bahru Sentral Station, you can reach other parts of Peninsular Malaysia by KTM Komuter at around RM 35 to RM 55 for economy class and RM 70 to RM 120 for business or first class. Meanwhile, the RTS would ease cross-border travel between Johor Bahru and Singapore, which would cost around RM 5 to RM 15, depending on the class.

4. Bicycle Rentals

There are lots of bike rentals available in Johor Bahru. It’s a convenient way to explore trails and sights of the city. With varied rates at around RM 10 to RM 20 per hour, RM 30 to RM 50 per day, and RM 20 to RM 150 for e-bikes, you can choose your own bikes including some gears, like helmets. If you prefer, they would provide the tour guide and transport the bikes to your cycling point at additional charges.

5. Car Rentals

By renting cars in Johor Bahru, you’d have more freedom and flexibility to enjoy the city’s attractions at your own convenience and pace. Starting from RM 114,27, you’d have various options of cars to travel you to lots of surrounding areas of Johor Bahru. Alternatively, Traveloka also offers you car rental service on its app. Open and rent your desired car now!

Recommended Johor Bahru Food

After hours of the best things to do in Johor Bahru, make yourself time to have the city’s culinary excursions. Here are some restaurants you can consider:

1. The Replacement - Lodge and Kitchen

Address: 33, Jalan Dhoby, Bandar Johor Bahru, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Operational hours: 9 am to 4.30 pm daily

The Replacement - Lodge and Kitchen is both a cafe and restaurant serving a mix of Western and Asian fusion in a chic setting. For your breakfast, some platters are perfect to start your day. Don’t forget to complement it with a freshly-brewed, high-quality coffee made by professional baristas.

2. Restoran Kak Nas

Address: 5, Jalan Sri Perkasa 1/4 Taman tampoi utama, Taman Perling, Johor Bahru

Operational hours: 12 to 8 pm daily, except Friday and Saturday

Restoran Kak Nas is a popular Thai and Indonesian eatery in Johor Bahru. It serves good-quality and authentic dishes at affordable prices. Nasi goreng ayam kunyit and nasi goreng campur paprika are several crowd favorites. The excellence of the restaurant is proven by many customers returning to it.

3. Sweet Blossom Coffee Roasters

Address: 28, Jalan Maju, Taman Pelangi, Johor Bahru

Operational hours: 9 am to 5 pm from Saturday to Wednesday

Teatime and snack spots in Johor Bahru? Look no further than Sweet Blossom Coffee Roasters. It’s a specialty coffee shop serving only coffee, yet you’d find the best coffee in town here. Most customers love Ethiopian Alo and a classic flat white. This is exactly an excellent place for coffee aficionados.

Shopping in Johor Bahru

Another thing to do in Johor Bahru is surely going shopping. The city offers you a range of shopping centers that would welcome you with open arms, like:

1. Paradigm Mall

Address: K013, Paradigm Mall, Skudai Hwy, Taman Bukit Mewah, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

As the largest mall in the city, Paradigm Mall stands at an impressive seven-storey with over 500 retail shops operating within the area. It also features an ice-skating rink and state-of-the-art screen cinemas. It provides everything you need from A to Z–your kids would be very content to see this spectacular wide-ranging place.

2. Pasar Karat

Address: 26, 20, Jalan Segget, Bandar Johor Bahru, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Thinking about strolling around the city at night? Pasar Karat is the solution. Also known as Bazar Karat, it’s a night market where you would find an array of retails selling clothes, bags, sneakers, toys, household items, as well as food and drinks. You would also sometimes find musicians and singers performing in the market.

3. Taman Desa Tebrau Night Market

Address: Jalan Harmonium 13, Taman Desa Tebrau, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Another famous night market in the city is the one at Taman Desa Tebrau. Open every Saturday from 5 to 10 pm, this market is a haven for budget-friendly clothes, accessories, and home goods. Besides, don’t you dare to leave the place before trying several local foods, like char kway teow.

Best Time to Visit Johor Bahru

On average, Johor Bahru experiences hot seasons all year round. However, the most ideal times to visit Johor Bahru are in February, June, July, August, and September. The nice weather during those months allows you for outdoor activities and explorations. June, August, and December tend to be the peak tourist season in Johor Bahru. Hence, if you prefer a budget trip, go between January to April.