Things to do in Johor Bahru

Where locals actually go — culture, neighbourhoods, nature and a few hidden gems.

Editor's picks

A local's shortlist — the places worth your time first, each with a tip.

Johor Bahru City Square & Jalan Wong Ah Fook

Landmark · City centre

The commercial heart beside the Causeway CIQ — malls, the riverfront promenade and the redeveloped spine of the old town.

Local tip: Come on a weekday. On Singapore public holidays this area is completely overrun by day-trippers and the queues at everything double.

Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque

Culture · Jalan Skudai

A Victorian-Moorish mosque completed in the 1890s, sitting on a rise above the strait with Singapore visible across the water.

Local tip: Visit late afternoon for the light and the view. Modest dress required, and robes are usually available at the entrance.

Johor Bahru Chinese Heritage Museum

Culture · Jalan Ibrahim, old town

A small, well-made museum on the five Chinese dialect groups who built JB, in a restored shophouse in the old quarter.

Local tip: Pair it with a walk through the surrounding old streets — the heritage quarter around Jalan Tan Hiok Nee is where JB is most itself.

Kukup & the Pontian coast

Food · Pontian district, southwest Johor

A stilt fishing village out over the mangroves, famous across Malaysia and Singapore for seafood eaten above the water.

Local tip: Go for a late lunch on a weekday and drive back before dark. Weekends bring Singaporean coach parties and the prices follow them.

Gunung Pulai & the Kota Tinggi waterfalls

Nature · North and east of the city

Forested hills and waterfall parks within an hour of the city — the closest thing JB has to a weekend escape that is not a shopping mall.

Local tip: Start early. These are humid lowland trails and by ten in the morning the heat is genuinely punishing.

Tanjung Piai National Park

Hidden gem

Nature · Pontian district

The southernmost tip of continental Asia — a boardwalk through mangroves out to a point where the shipping lanes pass close inshore.

Local tip: Almost no visitors come from JB, which is why it is worth the drive. Time it for low tide and bring insect repellent that actually works.

Explore 94 places across Johor Bahru

Museums, landmarks, monuments, heritage sites and parks — mapped, with photos. The most notable spots first.

Museum · 16Landmark · 8Monument · 6Religious · 28Archaeological · 4Park · 28Attraction · 4Open in OpenStreetMap

Museums & galleries

(16)
Figure MuseumMuseum

Figure Museum

Museum in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

WikipediaChongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Johor Art GalleryMuseum

Johor Art Gallery

Art gallery in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

WikipediaChongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Johor Bahru Chinese Heritage MuseumMuseum

Johor Bahru Chinese Heritage Museum

Museum in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

WikipediaChongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
KTM MuseumMuseum

KTM Museum

Museum in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

WikipediaChongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Glulam GalleryMuseum

Glulam Gallery

Gallery in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

WikipediaChongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Tan Sri Datuk Chang Joo Chiang Museum and Art GalleryMuseum

Tan Sri Datuk Chang Joo Chiang Museum and Art Gallery

Nuseum and art gallery in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Chongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Mini Kuso Trick ArtMuseum

Mini Kuso Trick Art

Former gallery in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Chongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Johor Bahru Kwong Siew Heritage GalleryMuseum

Johor Bahru Kwong Siew Heritage Gallery

Gallery in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Chongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Johor Craft ComplexMuseum

Johor Craft Complex

Craft center in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Chongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Museum of 24 Festive DrumMuseum

Museum of 24 Festive Drum

Museum in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Chongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Art 52 GalleryMuseum

Art 52 Gallery

Art gallery in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Chongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Senso Art Gallery CafeMuseum

Senso Art Gallery Cafe

Art gallery and cafe in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Chongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Museum

Our Museum @ Taman Jurong

Museum.

Museum

World of Birdnest Museum

Museum.

Museum

Mangrove Gallery

Museum.

Museum

Chinese Heritage Centre

Museum.

Landmarks & architecture

(8)
Johor Grand PalaceLandmark

Johor Grand Palace

Palace in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

WikipediaAngMoKio · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Johor Bahru City SquareLandmark

Johor Bahru City Square

Public square in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

WikipediaChongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Serene SquareLandmark

Serene Square

Square in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Chongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Iskandar Puteri SquareLandmark

Iskandar Puteri Square

Square in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Chongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
White Rainbow BridgeLandmark

White Rainbow Bridge

Bridge in Jurong East, Singapore

Zairon · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Double Beauty BridgeLandmark

Double Beauty Bridge

Bridge in Jurong East, Singapore

Zairon · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Mahkota SquareLandmark

Mahkota Square

Square in Johor, Malaysia

Chongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Landmark

Istana Bukit Serene

Castle.

Monuments & memorials

(6)
VOA MonumentMonument

VOA Monument

Monument in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Chongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Monument

Shonan Chureito World War II Memorial

Memorial.

Monument

Sarimbun Landing Memorial

Memorial.

Monument

Sarimbun Landing Site

Historic site.

Monument

Twin Pagoda

Historic monument.

Monument

Statue of Confucius

Public artwork.

Places of worship

(28)
Sultan Abu Bakar MosqueReligious

Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque

Mosque in Malaysia

WikipediaChainwit. · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Abu Bakar Royal MosqueReligious

Abu Bakar Royal Mosque

Mosque in Pekan, Pahang, Malaysia

WikipediaKleingrothe, C.J. (Kleingrothe, Carl Josef, 1864-1925) / Medan · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Masjid Ahmad IbrahimReligious

Masjid Ahmad Ibrahim

Mosque in Singapore

WikipediaDanialrosli. · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Kota Iskandar MosqueReligious

Kota Iskandar Mosque

Mosque in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

WikipediaChongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Sultan Iskandar MosqueReligious

Sultan Iskandar Mosque

Mosque in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

WikipediaChongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Masjid Darul MakmurReligious

Masjid Darul Makmur

Mosque

WikipediaGoAheadFan95 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
An-Nur Kotaraya MosqueReligious

An-Nur Kotaraya Mosque

Mosque in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

WikipediaChongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Masjid Al-ImanReligious

Masjid Al-Iman

Mosque in Singapore

WikipediaActuall7 · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
Masjid Al-FirdausReligious

Masjid Al-Firdaus

Mosque in Singapore

WikipediaMuhammad Adrian · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Masjid Yusof IshakReligious

Masjid Yusof Ishak

Mosque in Singapore, named after the Prime Minister (Yusof Ishak)

WikipediaRonggy · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Bandar Baru UDA Jamek MosqueReligious

Bandar Baru UDA Jamek Mosque

Mosque in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

WikipediaChongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Kolam Ayer MosqueReligious

Kolam Ayer Mosque

Mosque in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

WikipediaChongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of JesusReligious

Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Church in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

WikipediaChongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Masjid Al-MuttaqinReligious

Masjid Al-Muttaqin

Mosque in Singapore

WikipediaGoAheadFan95 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Pasir Pelangi Royal MosqueReligious

Pasir Pelangi Royal Mosque

Mosque in Johor, Malaysia

WikipediaChongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Church of the Holy Immaculate ConceptionReligious

Church of the Holy Immaculate Conception

Church in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

WikipediaChongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Church of St Mary of the AngelsReligious

Church of St Mary of the Angels

Church in Bukit Batok New Town, Singapore

WikipediaSnhaetnhlaonncg (Nathan Choe). · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Saint Joseph's ChurchReligious

Saint Joseph's Church

Church in Bukit Timah, Singapore

WikipediaActuall7 · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
Masjid Al-MukmininReligious

Masjid Al-Mukminin

Mosque in Singapore

WikipediaChainwit. · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
India MosqueReligious

India Mosque

Mosque in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Chongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Ulu Tiram Town MosqueReligious

Ulu Tiram Town Mosque

Mosque in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Chongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Sultan Ismail MosqueReligious

Sultan Ismail Mosque

Mosque in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Chongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Bukit Indah MosqueReligious

Bukit Indah Mosque

Mosque in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Chongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
As-Solihin Jamek MosqueReligious

As-Solihin Jamek Mosque

Mosque in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Dekoelie · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Al-Ikhlas MosqueReligious

Al-Ikhlas Mosque

Mosque in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Chongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Majidee Malay Village Jamek MosqueReligious

Majidee Malay Village Jamek Mosque

Mosque in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Chongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Taman Perling Jamek MosqueReligious

Taman Perling Jamek Mosque

Mosque in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Chongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Church of PraiseReligious

Church of Praise

Church in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Chongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Heritage & archaeology

(4)
Archaeological

Pump House

Historic ruins.

Archaeological

Ruins

Historic ruins.

Archaeological

Shelter Ruin

Historic ruins.

Archaeological

Former Power Station

Historic ruins.

Parks & nature

(28)
Chinese Garden, SingaporePark

Chinese Garden, Singapore

Park in Jurong East, Singapore

Erwin Soo from Singapore, Singapore · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Bishan-Ang Mo Kio ParkPark

Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park

Park in Bishan and Ang Mo Kio, Singapore

WikipediaAtelierdreiseitl(= www.dreiseitl.de; OTRS confirmation) · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Bukit Batok Nature ParkPark

Bukit Batok Nature Park

Park in Singapore

WikipediaHekege at en.wikipedia. · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Bukit Batok Town ParkPark

Bukit Batok Town Park

Park

Wikipediamailer_diablo · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Sembawang Hot Spring ParkPark

Sembawang Hot Spring Park

Sole hot spring park in Sembawang, Singapore

WikipediaTheGreatSG'rean · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Hindhede Nature ParkPark

Hindhede Nature Park

Park in Singapore

WikipediaMx. Granger · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
Merdeka ParkPark

Merdeka Park

Park in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

WikipediaChongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Admiralty ParkPark

Admiralty Park

National park in Singapore

WikipediaGemsdare · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Kranji Reservoir ParkPark

Kranji Reservoir Park

Park in Singapore

Wikipediaedwin.11 · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Eco-Link@BKEPark

Eco-Link@BKE

Ecological bridge in Singapore

WikipediaJnzl's Photos · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Bukit Indah Recreational ParkPark

Bukit Indah Recreational Park

Park in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Chongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Adda Heights ParkPark

Adda Heights Park

Park in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Chongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Setia Indah ParkPark

Setia Indah Park

Park in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Chongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Taman Pelangi Indah Lake and ParkPark

Taman Pelangi Indah Lake and Park

Park in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Chongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Taman Seri Alam Lake GardenPark

Taman Seri Alam Lake Garden

Park in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Chongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Tun Jeanne Abdullah Lake ParkPark

Tun Jeanne Abdullah Lake Park

Park in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Chongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Gaya Community ParkPark

Gaya Community Park

Park in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Chongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Bamboo Grove and WaterfallPark

Bamboo Grove and Waterfall

Garden in Jurong East, Singapore

Brhb25 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Edible ParkPark

Edible Park

Park in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Chongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
MBIP City ForestPark

MBIP City Forest

Park in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Chongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Sireh ParkPark

Sireh Park

Park in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, Malaysia

Chongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Heritage ForestPark

Heritage Forest

Park in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Chongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Taman Eko Flora Urban ParkPark

Taman Eko Flora Urban Park

Park in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Chongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Country Garden Central ParkPark

Country Garden Central Park

Park in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Chongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Pandan Lake ParkPark

Pandan Lake Park

Park in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Chongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Setia Tropika Town ParkPark

Setia Tropika Town Park

Park in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Chongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Nusa Bayu Lake ParkPark

Nusa Bayu Lake Park

Park in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Chongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Austin Perdana ParkPark

Austin Perdana Park

Park in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Chongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

More to explore

(4)
Attraction

Jelutong Tower

Viewpoint.

Attraction

Aerie

Viewpoint.

Attraction

Singapore Zoo

Zoo.

Attraction

Sanrio Hello Kitty Town

Nusajaya

Theme park in Nusajaya.

Data from Wikidata (CC0) & OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Images via Wikimedia Commons — see each credit. Listings are community-maintained and may be incomplete or out of date — verify hours and access before visiting.

Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.

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