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Kota Bharu (also Kota Bahru or Kota Baru) is the state capital of Kelantan, on the east coast of peninsular Malaysia. Many travellers simply pass through on their way to the Perhentian Islands, but those who spend a few days in KB have the chance to go to some of the museums mentioned below, eat some delicious food, look at a unique style of traditional architecture and get a little bit of the feel of a city that has an interesting cultural identity all its own - albeit one built on relatively strict religious adherence.
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Handicrafts Museum, with attached gift shop selling handicrafts
State Museum, see above
Bank Kerapu Second World War Memorial
This is not just a memorial but a small museum, housed in a former bank building that was used by the Japanese as a secret police station when they occupied Malaya. It's worth a quick visit for history buffs.
Royal Museum, which contains photos of the current and previous Sultans and such-like
Museum of Islam
Museum of Royal Kelantanese Traditions, which contains interesting artifacts and exhibits for those interested in cultural history
Masjid Kampung Laut)
There is also a historic mosque in Kampung Laut, Tumpat district, across the Kelantan River, which is accessible if you have a car. The Kampung Laut Mosque, of wooden construction, is said to date back to the 15th century, although it was greatly enlarged in the second half of the 19th century.
Huge reclining Buddha
Selling wines, spirits and beers. Address: 5565-D Jalan Pengkalan Chepa (in city center, on the way to Thai Consulate). Operating: 10:30-18:30.
Wifi and TV.
Clean, friendly and comfortable guesthouse. 5 minutes walking distance to the Hospital University. Free internet facilities and satellite television in the living room, cooking facilities available. The hotel provides airport to the Wakaf Bharu Train Station and Central Bus Station pickup services to the guesthouse. From RM75 to RM180. Can also arrange trip or boat ticket & transfer to Perhentian Island, Cameron Highlands and Taman Negara.
Jalan Kubang Kerian. Safe, peaceful and clean village environment for small group, up to family gathering. No limit of occupancy, free extra bed. RM70 for triple-room, RM120 for connected 2- triple room & RM170 for a big house.
Small, quiet guesthouse in the centre of Kota Bharu. Cheap rooms and friendly staff. Some rooms have a small ensuite bathroom and air-con. The staff can arrange transfer to the Perhentian islands by minivan + boat. Some dodgy wiring and maintenance work, but a nice place overall. Has a fan dorm.
Simple but clean guest house with narrow room, small living room and terrace, free Wi-Fi, filtered water, central quiet location, single room for RM30; double RM40, double AC RM50, dormitory with 2 bench RM30 all with outside shared bathroom.
Fan 4-bed mixed dorm. Single/double rooms. Free Wi-Fi.
Dorm beds and single/double rooms.
A/C, wifi, free breakfast buffet, laundry service, rooftop terrace for relaxing and taking in the city.
Breakfast, wifi. Has an appealing facade with arches from top to bottom. Balconies, massage service.
Has Chinese touches in styling, and an impressive frontage along the river. Fitness center, outdoor pool, pretty sumptuous free offerings for breakfast with fruits and rolls, wifi.
Resort with Malay building style kind of out in the country with pool and laundry service and a/c.
Huge bungalows for RM250 per night.
This has quite the inviting pool and is a modern structure with some Malay carvings. Nice sitting areas inside and outside, and quite a buffet spread for breakfast.
A highrise hotel, but needs some maintenance.
This behemoth hotel that used to be a Marriott property adds to the skyline pretty boldly and has an indoor and outdoor pool, fitness center, wifi, and restaurant with breakfast (extra charge).
4 rooms condominium. It affords an unrivaled view from above the Kelantan River, though it might not be so great if you're agoraphobic.
formerly TESCO
By train
5 kilometers away from the city center. Take bus D20 to Kota Bharu Bus Terminal in the city centre.50 in Sep 2025) or just ask your hotel/guesthouse to arrange a taxi for you (RM35 in Feb 2011).
By bus
The state-run SKMK and Transnasional is the largest bus company, and operate all the city and regional buses, and most of the long-distance buses.
BAS.MY (route info in Malay) runs several local bus routes connecting Kota Bahru and surrounding towns.
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Kota Baharu · Regional · KBR
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