Bordering Thailand, Kelantan is neighboured by Terengganu (to the East), Pahang (to the South) and Perak (to the West), and you’ll feel the warmth of its people all around. These are the spots to suit your holiday mood at any time.
Credit: Tourism Kelantan
Here are 40 interesting tourist spots in Kota Bharu for every kind of visitor to Kelantan.
Pasar Besar Siti Khadijah
You could call it a ‘one-stop centre’. Pasar Besar Siti Khadijah has 3 floors with different sections. The ground floor gathers shops selling kitchen goods and a wet market. The first floor has shops selling dry foods such as fish crackers, dodol, dried fish, spices and serunding (meat floss). The second floor is a haven for cloth by the metre, batik cloth, sarongs, telekung (prayer garments), all kinds of headscarves, women’s clothing, t-shirts and more.
Pasar Terapung Pulau Suri
As the name Floating Market suggests, there’s no land route to get there except by boat from Kuala Besar jetty or Kok Majid jetty. This market, located in the Tumpat district, also only operates on Saturdays. There’s not just food but also activities like batik colouring, sewing nipah-palm thatch and many other interesting things.
Pantai Nami Bachok (Pantai Senok)
Pine trees growing close together make the whole stretch of coastline look like ‘Nami Island’ in South Korea. The rows of trees also provide a shady effect, perfect for picnics, relaxing or a photography session.
Min House Camp
If you love nature-themed holidays, this is surely the place for you, as it is surrounded by and built on the riverside. Visitors can also enjoy kayaking, firefly-watching, archery and much more.
Camp Site & Recreation Telaga Bijih
Camp Site & Recreation Telaga Bijih is suitable for family activities such as picnics and camping while bathing. The place is also considered large, as it can hold 500 people at one time. Entry is free!
Pantai Cahaya Bulan
If you’re already in Kota Bharu, it’s worth dropping by Pantai Cahaya Bulan to fly kites or ride horses along the beach.
Gelanggang Seni Kelantan
One of Kelantan’s cultural heritage centres, presenting wayang kulit (shadow puppet theatre), silat dance and top-spinning games. Each performance has its own schedule, so check the timing and type of performance before coming.
Kedai Kopi White House
Phew! At 87 years old (established in 1935), it’s perfect for enjoying a classic coffee-shop experience. Visitors can try the heirloom coffee recipe with a set of toast and half-boiled eggs.
Pasar Borong Wakaf Che Yeh
Two different concepts: during the day, this market is a wholesale wet-goods market, while at night it shifts to all sorts of goods such as cloth by the metre, mattresses, towels and much more.
Rumah Api Pantai Senok
For those who love taking in sunset moments while having a barbecue or camping, suitable for visitors who enjoy tranquillity, come to the Pantai Senok Lighthouse.
Gunung Stong
Fans of challenging activities can try climbing to the summit of Gunung Stong, which reaches 1,422 metres and is served up with views of the South China Sea and rolling clouds.
Air Terjun Jelawang
Once at Gunung Stong, visitors can also enjoy Jelawang Waterfall, which is the tallest in Southeast Asia, and rest near Baha’s Camp.
Sungai Kenerong Dabong
Still in a nearby area, Sungai Kenerong is suitable for various adventurous activities such as water tubing, rafting, kayaking, rock climbing, abseiling, ATV rides and much more, and you can stay overnight at Jelawang Pipe Resort!
Taman Negara Kuala Koh
This location is perfect for bird enthusiasts, as you can watch birds such as the White-rumped Shama, Rhinoceros Hornbill, Great Argus and Wreathed Hornbill.
Bank Kerapu (War Museum)
Suitable for visitors to commemorate the Second World War, which marked the start of World War Two in Malaya. Originally a commercial bank, it was used as the headquarters of the Japanese Kempeitai.
Kota Bharu Street Art
Street art with a variety of murals, perfect for visitors who love taking photos. It’s not just one alley but many alleys whose walls have become a space to celebrate street art.
Masjid Jubli Perak Sultan Ismail Petra (Beijing Mosque)
Its other name, the Beijing Mosque, comes from its architecture, which resembles the Niujie Mosque in Beijing, China. This mosque is also fully equipped with a dining hall, a clinic, a multipurpose hall and a library on the first floor, and a prayer space on the second floor.
Jambatan Keretapi Guillemard
Beyond being a spot with a classic mood for a photography session, it is also the longest railway bridge in Malaysia. Be careful while taking photos, as it also crosses the Kelantan River!
Pantai Tok Bali
One of the beaches where fishermen unload their catch, such as fish, squid and prawns, all perfectly fresh!
Tok Aman Bali Beach Resort
This resort is located at Pantai Bisikan Bayu, Pasir Puteh, far from the town, perfect for visitors to enjoy the cool seaside atmosphere. Unique in its design, with a spacious swimming pool, evening activities and much more!
Air Terjun Jeram Linang
The waterfall area that was developed earliest by the Kelantan State Government, equipped with facilities such as a surau, public toilets and a restaurant. Best visited from April to September when the weather is clear.
Balai Seni Lukis Kelantan
Fine paintings depicting town scenes across Kelantan; all the artwork at the Kelantan Art Gallery is produced by the Kelantan Fine Arts Activists Association (PELUKIS).
Gua Ikan
Visitors who love exploring caves can try visiting Gua Ikan and see for themselves the presence of fish in the water flowing inside the cave. Gua Ikan is also easily accessible by vehicle.
Pasar Tani Terapung Pangkalan Datu
Located 10km from Kota Bharu, visitors can enjoy a variety of food and fresh seafood at this floating market. This floating market also operates on Saturdays, starting from 8 am.
Taman Air Splash
If you’re holidaying with family and children, bring them here, as there are three different sections with different depths. Prices range from RM3 to RM7.
Kota Sultan Ismail Petra
It’s not complete if you’ve reached Kelantan but don’t drop by here, because this is where historic monuments are gathered, such as Bank Kerapu, Bank Pitis and Istana Balai Besar, all within walking distance.
Rantau Panjang Duty-Free Zone
Usually if we bring our mums along, they’re sure to love shopping for crockery, pots and pans, and cutlery sets at reasonable, duty-free prices!
Muzium Wau
Already in the home state of the wau (kite) game, it’s of course a must to drop by the Wau Museum. A variety of wau is on display, and you might get the chance to watch the wau-making process by an expert.
Masjid Ar-Rahman (green technology)
Built with cengal wood and 90% hand carving, this mosque also adopts green technology, using no air conditioning thanks to its floor-to-ceiling windows that open up airflow passages.
Bird Singing Contest
Every year at the end of August at Padang Perdana, a Bird Singing Contest is held. But if you come on another day, don’t worry, visitors can still enjoy the birds singing in action on Friday and Saturday mornings at Padang Burung Nyanyian.
Wayang Kulit Crash Course
An expert in wayang kulit, Pak Din offers a course on making shadow-puppet leather from A to Z, from 10 am to 5 pm, and participants will take home their own artwork!
Jungle Train
If you’re a backpacker, this is surely the perfect activity, as this train winds through villages, rivers and hills from one place to another, to explore Malaysia in a different way.
Tokong Wat Machimmaram (Sitting Buddha)
Although this temple features a Sitting Buddha, its height is equivalent to a 10-storey building. Just like visitors who explore mosques, visitors can also see the carvings and artistry around this temple.
Tokong Wat Phothivihan (Reclining Buddha)
Located in Tumpat, bordering Thailand, Buddhism is among the religions with a high number of followers around the world. As such, they have also built several large Buddha statues to honour their religion.
Siam Restaurant
Being neighbours, there’s surely an influence in terms of flavour too. Using a food-court concept, a variety of special Siamese and Thai dishes can be found here.
Restoran Nasi Ulam Cikgu
The surroundings of this restaurant are beautiful and unique, as it is the site of a former Kelantan royal palace. Famous for its spread of various ulam (herbs and salads) with an array of traditional Kelantanese dishes.
Keropok Lekor Z
The making is shown to customers by the owner himself, so visitors can taste keropok lekor (fish crackers) fried hot and fresh, served directly with authentic chilli sauce.
Pantai Bisikan Bayu
Lokcing, satay and otak-otak are available around Pantai Bisikan Bayu while you enjoy the refreshing beauty of the beach. The food there is also full of authentic flavour, as it’s made directly by the local residents there.
Pok Loh Milo Tonggeng
Like a Milo dinosaur, this stall is famous for the mountain of Milo heaped on every cup. Besides the Milo Tonggeng, the special breakfast menu features Nasi Kerabu, Satay Sets, Laksam and much more.
KST Ikan Bakar Wakaf Che Yeh
Located near Wakaf Che Yeh, perfect for seafood lovers to enjoy seafood dishes prepared in a variety of ways. Besides grilled fish, there are menu items such as flour-fried squid, spiced grilled grouper, tom yam and other Thai-style dishes.
That’s plenty in terms of food, nature, goods, adventurous activities, Malay heritage culture and so much more for visitors to explore in the land of Cik Siti Wan Kembang! Don’t forget to drop by the best spots in Kota Bharu. For accommodation, Hotel Ma’Wa is located right next to Pasar Siti Khadijah, Hotel Salaam Suites is in the heart of the city from RM 128/night, and Troika Residences offers premium suites with an infinity pool in the tallest building in Kelantan.
