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Top 10 Best Kota Kinabalu Tour Options – Fireflies, Night Cruise And More

Looking for Kota Kinabalu tours? You’ve come to the right place. We’ve written this article to help you select the top Kota Kinabalu tours package for you.

As the capital of the state of Sabah, Kota Kinabalu has so much to offer visitors. From jungle walks to exotic islands, to fireflies and Mount Kinabalu (its namesake), this small capital has much to see and do.

Sunset in Kota Kinabalu

How do you make the most of all that Kota Kinabalu has to offer? With a tour!

Whether you’re looking for a Kota Kinabalu jungle tour, a Kota Kinabalu private tour or just a Kota Kinabalu one day tour, you’ll find an option below.

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Why Book Kota Kinabalu Tour Packages?

Kota Kinabalu is not a big city but it does have a lot of attractions. Doing a tour to Kota Kinabalu is an easy way to see the best of the attractions and to explore further afield.

A Kota Kinabalu tour itinerary will fit multiple activities into one day or half a day, making it possible to see more. Also, the planning is all done for you! Kota Kinabalu day tours will take you to the top spots around town, and guides can share their insider tips to help you make the most of your visit.

A Kota Kinabalu travel package is also a great way to visit the islands and fireflies – some of the top attractions Kota Kinabalu offers. There’s also quite a few unique experiences which are best done by tour.

Compare All The Best Kota Kinabalu Tours Package

Here’s a quick comparison of all your Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia tours

You can read more about each of these options below.

Best Day Tour Kota Kinabalu Options

Kota kinabalu city half day tour – best kota kinabalu city tour package.

Floating Mosque, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

If you’re only visiting Kota Kinabalu for a short amount of time, or you’re new to town and want to see the city’s highlights, this tour is a great way to explore some of the top attractions.

This 4 hour Kota Kinabalu half day tour includes hotel pick up and takes you to some of the most visited spots around town. This is a small intimate tour with a friendly guide sharing their city’s history and story.

Two mosques are visited as part of this tour, including the City Mosque. Also known as the floating mosque, it makes for a beautiful photo opportunity. This tour also includes a visit to the Sabah State museum, and the 30 storey tall Tun Mustapha Tower.

End your tour by shopping for souvenirs at the Handcraft Market where guides can help you haggle!

This tour departs at 9am and there is a 4 person minimum. You can have an optional private vehicle for 300 MYR extra if you’re looking for a private tour guide in Kota Kinabalu.

Click here to see the latest prices and tour options.

Sunset and City Night Dinner Cruise With Complimentary Drinks

kota kinabalu sunset

For one of the more unique tours of Kota Kinabalu, this sunset and dinner cruise offers a great way to see the city from a different perspective – the water!

These cruises include live music and an international buffet filled with many delicious options. Drinks are also included which makes this a popular tour Kota Kinabalu offers!

One of the highlights of this tour is the views. You’ll pass city sites and islands located in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park and also enjoy a beautiful sunset – one of the highlights of this tour! The vessel is modern and spacious so there’s room to walk around and grab the best views.

This is a 2 hour trip mostly departing around 8pm, but the Kota Kinabalu tour operators will advise you of the exact time when booking.

Kota Kinabalu City Night Tour with Seafood Dinner

Handicraft Market, Kota Kinabalu

Take a city tour in Kota Kinabalu at night and see the city from a different perspective.

Kota Kinabalu is just as alive at night as it is during the day time, and this tour will take you to some of the best highlights of Kota Kinabalu after dark.

Highlights of this city tour Kota Kinabalu offers include seeing the views from Signal Hill, visiting the Filipino and Handicraft markets, walking along the beautiful Tanjung Aru Beach and enjoying a big seafood dinner. You’ll also have the chance to sample some of the unique fruits and produce from this area.

Round trip hotel pickup and drop off is also provided by the tour company in Kota Kinabalu as well as some beautiful sunset picture opportunities.

Mari Mari Cultural Village Tour with Klias River and Fireflies Cruise

Mari Mari Cultural Village Kota Kinabalu

If you’re looking for culturally enriching day tours Kota Kinabalu Malaysia then this day tour is great as you’ll visit the Mari Mari Cultural Village and meet with local ethnic tribes. These tribes live in their traditional way away from city life, and you’ll get to enter and explore the tribal houses, have lunch and enjoy and partake in a cooking demonstration.

This tour starts at 9am with pickup from your hotel where you’ll take a 2 hour drive to the village. Lunch and dinner are both included on the tour, and this is also an excellent tour for spotting the proboscis monkey.

This is also one of the best day tours from Kota Kinabalu for spotting fireflies as it includes a firefly cruise. The beautiful Kota Kinabalu firefly tour is really the cherry on the top of this tour.

You’ll return to your hotel around 9:30pm. This is a full day but an enriching, interesting and scenic one. Just be sure to bring mosquito repellent on this firefly tour Kota Kinabalu.

Kinabalu Park & Poring Hot Spring

Kipungit Waterfall in Poring Hot Spring, Kota Kinabalu National Park, Sabah

If you want to explore Kota Kinabalu Park, this tour is one of the best options available.

The tour starts at 8:15am with hotel pick up where you’ll head to Nabalu Market and see displays of handicrafts and sample local fruits. Then you’ll take a Kota Kinabalu walking tour through Kinabalu Park and the Botanical Gardens.

The park is home to over 300 bird species, over 100 mammals and a great diversity of plant life, meaning there is much to see. This tour also enjoys a visit to the Canopy Walk and Poring Hot Spring, where you can take a dip and rejuvenate yourself.

You’ll then choose between visiting the butterfly garden or the Desa Cattle Dairy Farm where you can feed the animals.

You will return to your hotel around 5:30pm. This is a tour complete with beautiful views and some phenomenal picture opportunities – just be sure to wear the right walking shoes!

Mount Kinabalu Farm Day Tour – Best Kota Kinabalu Day Tour Package

Desa Cattle Dairy Farm and Mount Kinabalu

This is the best day tour in Kota Kinabalu if you want to see the sites around Mount Kinabalu.

The tour commences at 8:30am with hotel pickup and concludes at 5:30pm. It starts with a visit to Nabalu Town where you can visit the market and buy some of the delicious fresh fruits.

This Kota Kinabalu 1 day tour also includes a Ranau Rabbit Farm visit, a stop at Marakau Fish Spa and Tamparuli to try local (and famous) snacks at roadside stalls.

This Mount Kota Kinabalu tour package is great for exploring the rural life of Kota Kinabalu.

Lohan Paragliding Adventure with Desa Dairy Cattle Farm and Fish Spa

Desa Cattle Dairy Farm, Kundasang, Sabah

If you’re looking for a day tour that packs a lot in, this may be the one for you.

This is a long day tour starting around 7am and finishing at 6pm. It includes a visit to Pekan Nabalu for fruits and handicraft souvenirs and then an awesome paragliding experience in nature where a professional guide will help you soar high above the ground.

After this, you’ll feed the sheep and cattle at Desa Cattle Dairy Farm and enjoy the lovely surroundings, as well as taste some of the freshly made milk and ice cream. You’ll then visit the big fish spa – a natural fish spa for some relaxation time.

Both lunch and paragliding are included in the fare, and it’s inclusive of return hotel pickup and drop-off. This is a great tour for both adrenaline junkies and first time paragliders!

Best Kota Kinabalu Day Tours For Water Adventures

Sunrise & sunset stand up paddle boarding experience with private transfer.

Tanjung Aru beach

Another unique tour is this stand up paddle board experience where your Kota Kinabalu tour guide takes you to the Tanjung Aru beach coast for either a sunrise or sunset paddle.

This is an inexpensive tour and there are two options – a sunrise or sunset tour, either with or without hotel pickup and drop off.

This tour is suitable for people who have never paddle boarded before – guides are super supportive and make this activity suitable for even first timers. They have all the equipment you need and can aid in taking an awesome Instagram worthy photo on the water. There is no better way to see the sunset in Kota Kinabalu!

There are also shower rooms to freshen up after the trip on the water. This is a fun experience. However, it can be subject to the weather.

Tunku Abdul Rahman Island Visit & Boat Snorkeling Experience – Best Kota Kinabalu Island Tour Package

Tunku Abdul Rahman Island

Among the most popular tours is an island hopping tour Kota Kinabalu, and this option is the best Kota Kinabalu hopping tour.

The tour includes return hotel pickup starting at around 8:15am for guests staying in central Kota Kinabalu, and reaches the jetty at 9am. From here, you’ll hop on a 2-storey catamaran and head to Tunku Abdul Rahman Park to experience Manukan, Mamutik, Sapi and Gaya Island.

This Kota Kinabalu island hopping tour is excellent for those looking to snorkel. The tour takes you to some of the best spots for snorkeling, and the double decker boat is great for jumping off into the water.

Snorkeling equipment is provided, as well as water, snacks and lunch on Gaya Island.

You’ll have ample free time on Gaya Island where you can choose to go for a walk or partake in other water activities, such as parasailing.

The tour concludes around 1:30 where you’ll head back to Kota Kinabalu jetty and return to your hotel.

4D3N Kota Kinabalu Tour Package

4d3n sepanggar island dive trip – best tour package to kota kinabalu.

Sepanggar Island

If you’re looking for the ultimate Kota Kinabalu package tour, this might be it! This Kota Kinabalu snorkeling tour includes 3 nights in a 4 star hotel on the island paradise of Sepanggar Island.

This is the best option if you’re looking for a multi day Kota Kinabalu local tour package. The tour includes return airport transfers from Kota Kinabalu International Airport, where you’ll be taken to the jetty for your boat ride to Sepanggar Island.

The reefs around Sepanggar Island are uncommercialised making them some of the best spots to dive and spot marine life. You’ll enjoy multiple dives with this island tour with all equipment included. As full instructions are provided, this diving tour is also suitable for beginners.

The only thing not included with this tour is dinner, but with many inexpensive local vendor stalls available, you’ll have plenty of options.

Final Words

We hope this Kota Kinabalu tour guide has given you plenty of ideas for your trip. There’s so much to see in Kota Kinabalu, and whether you experience the city highlights, the island paradises or the rural side of this city, you’ll no doubt have an awesome time!

You can also check out more things to do in Kota Kinabalu here and exactly where to stay in Kota Kinabalu here . Or find our full Kota Kinabalu travel guide here .

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kota kinabalu walking tour

By Sharon Gourlay

Sharon is a certified Malaysia travel expert and can't get enough of travelling and talking about Malaysia since she first visited 21 years ago. She travels around Malaysia multiple times a year both alone and with her kids. She used to call Penang home and especially loves this food paradise. Sharon also has a Bachelor of Arts in Asian Studies, a Certificate III in International Travel Sales and has been certified by Tourism Malaysia as a Malaysia Travel Expert. Through this site, she'll help you have the perfect trip to this amazing destination.

kota kinabalu walking tour

Daily 09am - 11am MYR120 (Adult)MYR100 (Child 4-11 yrs)

This KK Heritage walking tour was founded by Grace Leong in 2005. This was the first ever Heritage Walking Tour in Kota Kinabalu city with the following perspective and purpose: - Visitors will have knowledge on the history and cultural aspects of Kota Kinabalu city - Visitors will visit 3 of the 4 structures left standing after the Second World War - Initiate new 1/2 day tourism products in the capital city

Itinerary Description

The 2 to 2 1/2 hours KK Heritage Walk itinerary/highlights as follows:

9am starts from Independence Field (Padang Merdeka)

Professional Heritage Tourist Guide will leads visitors with interesting historical and cultural accounts of the beginning of Kota Kinabalu (then, Jesselton) and the events leading to its destruction during second world war, the British colonial era, Independence and the formation of Malaysia.

Iconic landmarks visited includes: - Independence Field (Padang Merdeka) - Atkinson Clock Tower - Malaysia Monument - North Borneo War Memorial - City Hall - Beach Street - Gaya Street - The Jesselton Hotel - Sabah Tourism Board Building - Community Centre - Australia Place

Traditional Tea Break at one of the oldest coffee shops

Gifts include the trademark KK Heritage Walk guidebook and a mysterious gift.

11:am - 11:30am tour ends

## Light summer attire ## Walking shoes

kota kinabalu walking tour

Get in touch

No. 26, Wisma HF, Golden Plaza, Penampang, Sabah, Malaysia

+60128028824 [email protected]

kota kinabalu walking tour

KK Heritage Walk

First stop is Australia Place- one of the oldest established sections of Kota Kinabalu. Today many backpacker lodges are found here as well as printing companies. A quick pit stop at the Museum Kopitiam gives you a glimpse of a bygone era. The Kopitiam (coffee shop) stays true to its original concept back in the 40s, complete with framed photographs of pre and post war days adorning its walls. The walk then brings you to other historical buildings and monuments such as the Atkinson Clock, Community Centre, Sabah Tourism Building, Jesselton Hotel, Malaysia Monument, War Memorial and the City Council Building. For added fun, a short treasure hunt is conducted. This is where you should keep your eyes and ears peeled!

Apart from getting a historical tour of Kota Kinabalu, the walk is a great opportunity to experience the city’s sights and sounds. The KK Heritage Walk conducted by professional licensed tourist guides. It is priced at RM120 a day and includes a tea break, batik bandana and the KK Heritage Walk booklet.

It includes tea break, batik bandana and the KK Heritage Walk booklet. The opening hours is now daily departures Time : 9am – 11:30am (approx) Admission fee is RM120

Product Contact

Ms. Grace Leong KK Heritage Walk

Other Attractions around Kota Kinabalu

Mari Mari Sepanggar Island

Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah (KePKAS)

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Free walking tour of KK

Kota Kinabalu:  Tourists and locals who wish to know more about the history, heritage and culture of the State capital now have an option of doing so with the availability of a walking tour introduced by the Sabah Tourism Board (STB), recently.

The 9am-11am tour, which is free of charge, is presently held once a day every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

A licensed tour guide from the Sabah Tourist Guides Association (STGA) will lead the tour covering places of interest within the city.

The walking tour takes visitors through 11 stops starting from the STB building before heading to the former Land and Survey Building and other places of interest such as the Atkinson Tower, Gaya Street, Central Market, Handicraft Market and ending at STB’s merchandise shop, Kadaiku, at Sinsuran.

Deputy Chief Minister cum Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Christina Liew, who officiated the tour, commended STB for the initiative to further promote Kota Kinabalu.

“I think this is a good initiative that we may look further into. I know in Shanghai they have a whole stretch called Nanjing Walkway where there are no vehicles and where tourists will just be walking around and shopping.

“Other countries are also trying to do something similar, and having the free walking tour here is a good start,” she told a media conference, Thursday.

Christina said for a start it will be conducted three times a week and from there they will see how it goes before looking into the possibility of expanding it.

She also mentioned the roles which the media can play in helping to promote the tour.

“We ought to be able to promote this new tour more effectively. Let the people know that there is such a thing here and I am sure we will be able to increase the number of visitors,” she said.

STB General Manager Suzaini Datuk Sabdin Ghani said the walking tour started on June 23 with about 20 tourists, adding that they are expecting a bigger number next Saturday.

She said the tour is open to anyone, tourists and locals alike, adding that they have so far received a mix of tourists from Europeans to locals, Chinese and Koreans who happen to be in the city and want to learn a bit more about Kota Kinabalu rather than spending time at the mall.

“This is new, my team decided to introduce the free walking tour because we have a beautiful city,” she said.

Also present was STGA President S. F. Chin who said at present it is only for English-speaking visitors and that after the first three months, they will look into the response and perhaps STB may consider opening up for Mandarin-speaking visitors.

She said STGA is honoured for being called by STB to provide guides, adding that normally STGA provides them with senior guides to ensure quality guiding and attract tourists to take part in the walking tour.

She said this also creates extra jobs for STGA guides to assist STB promote Sabah.

A statement from the STB stated that the free walking tour concept is relatively a new way to discover cities compared to the traditional tour concept.

It stated that today’s young travellers are likely to sign up for free walking tours as they have become increasingly popular in other key destinations.

In 2017, Sabah recorded a total of 3.6 million visitors and 52.1 per cent from the total arrivals were Free Independent Travellers. The walking tour is suitable for this group, who are mostly millennial travellers.

Advance booking is required and visitors can book their free walking tour at www.freewalk.sabahtourism.com or email to [email protected]. – Sherell Jeffrey

Source: Daily Express

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Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah (KePKAS)

Top Tours in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Kota kinabalu tours.

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  • Up to 1 hour
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  • 4 hours to 1 day
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  • 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
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  • The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

kota kinabalu walking tour

1. Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour

kota kinabalu walking tour

2. Sky-Mirror Photographing and Proboscis Monkey & Fireflies Watching River-Cruise

kota kinabalu walking tour

3. Guided Snorkeling Day Trip, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

kota kinabalu walking tour

4. Mari-Mari Cultural Village Tour Including Lunch

kota kinabalu walking tour

5. Dinawan Private Island Hopping by Speedboat from Kota Kinabalu Include Lunch

kota kinabalu walking tour

6. Full Day Bongawan River Cruise with Proboscis Monkey Sightseeing

kota kinabalu walking tour

7. 2D1N Mount Kinabalu Climbing

kota kinabalu walking tour

8. Kinabalu Park & Poring Hot Spring & Canopy Walk

kota kinabalu walking tour

9. Mamutik Island Boat Snorkeling Tour

kota kinabalu walking tour

10. PADI Discover Scuba Diving DSD - Try-Dive Experience!

kota kinabalu walking tour

11. Kota Kinabalu ATV Riding and Dairy Farm at Mountain Kinabalu

kota kinabalu walking tour

12. Island Hopping

kota kinabalu walking tour

13. Kiulu White Water River Rafting

kota kinabalu walking tour

14. Scuba Try Dive - PADI Discover Scuba Diving DSD in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

kota kinabalu walking tour

15. Kota Kinabalu K2 Fireflies Sunset River Cruise Tour with Dinner

kota kinabalu walking tour

16. (2 Dives) Discover Scuba Diving Kota Kinabalu

kota kinabalu walking tour

17. Full-Day Kinabalu Park and Poring Hot Spring Day Trip

kota kinabalu walking tour

18. Manukan Island + Sapi or Mamutik Island Trip from Kota Kinabalu

kota kinabalu walking tour

19. Sabah: Ticket to Rainbow island day trip with lunch

kota kinabalu walking tour

20. Kota Kinabalu Leisure Scuba Diving Trip (3 Dives)

kota kinabalu walking tour

21. Kinabalu Park & Poring Hot Spring Tour

kota kinabalu walking tour

22. Kinabalu Park Day Tour

kota kinabalu walking tour

23. Proboscis Monkey and Fireflies River Cruise

kota kinabalu walking tour

24. Mount Kinabalu Climbing 2 Days 1 Night

kota kinabalu walking tour

25. Half-Day Mari Mari Cultural Village from Kota Kinabalu

kota kinabalu walking tour

26. Kudat Peninsula Day Trip to Tip of Borneo from Kota Kinabalu

kota kinabalu walking tour

27. Day Trip Sepilok Orang Utan & Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey

kota kinabalu walking tour

28. Learn to Dive with a PADI Open Water Diver Course (3 Days) in Kota Kinabalu

kota kinabalu walking tour

29. 2d1n Mount Kinabalu Via Ferrata - Walk The Torq

kota kinabalu walking tour

30. Leisure Diving, 3 Dives at Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park in Kota Kinabalu

What travellers are saying.

Jack Day

  • Sky-Mirror Photographing and Proboscis Monkey & Fireflies Watching River-Cruise
  • Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour
  • Guided Snorkeling Day Trip, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
  • Dinawan Private Island Hopping by Speedboat from Kota Kinabalu Include Lunch
  • Kinabalu Park & Poring Hot Spring & Canopy Walk
  • North Borneo Railway
  • Borneo Dream Travel & Tours
  • Adventures in Borneo with Downbelow Marine & Wildlife
  • Scuba Junkie KK
  • Land Below The Wind
  • Borneo Trails Tours & Travel
  • Borneo Eco Tours
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THE BEST Kota Kinabalu Walking Tours

Walking tours in kota kinabalu.

  • Sightseeing Tours
  • Ports of Call Tours
  • Cultural Tours
  • Hop-On Hop-Off Tours
  • Private Tours
  • Literary, Art & Music Tours
  • Historical & Heritage Tours
  • Photography Tours
  • Multi-day Tours
  • Night Tours
  • Walking Tours
  • Self-Guided Tours & Rentals
  • Up to 1 hour
  • 1 to 4 hours
  • 4 hours to 1 day
  • The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

kota kinabalu walking tour

1. Kota Kinabalu by Night and Cultural Dance Show

kota kinabalu walking tour

2. The Kinabalu Park and Poring Hot Spring

Keep the fun going with other experiences in the area.

kota kinabalu walking tour

Cowboy Town & Fireflies River Cruise

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KK (Kota Kinabalu) Free Walking Tour

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KK (KOTA KINABALU) FREE WALKING TOUR - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

KK (Kota Kinabalu) Free Walking Tour

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KK (Kota Kinabalu) Free Walking Tour - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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The PERFECT 3-Day Itinerary For Kota Kinabalu (If You’re Not Into Mountain Climbing) – 2023 Update

September 12, 2023 by Bino 5 Comments

Kota Kinabalu has become synonymous to its namesake mountain, one of the tallest in Southeast Asia. While Mt. Kinabalu often overshadows the city, this cosmopolitan hub stands as an increasingly popular gateway to the exotic island of Borneo, the world’s 4th largest. It’s quite apparent that this destination offers plenty for those with a knack for outdoor pursuits but few realize that KK works just as well even for those not planning to climb a single step up the well-trodden peak. Every time I tell my friends that I’m going to the state capital of Sabah, they ask me if I’m climbing – leaving them with a perplexed expression when I tell them I’m not. Believe me, there are a lot of things to see and do in Kota Kinabalu whether or not you choose to spend a few days to scale Mt. Kinabalu. I have been to the city twice and still feel that there’s much more to do. Here is my suggested itinerary for a short trip to Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, East Malaysia.

Day 1 – Explore the City

Kota Kinabalu, previously known as Jesselton, is one of Malaysia’s most pleasant cities. Sitting on a narrow strip of land between the sea and the mountains, the city has in recent years expanded around the coast leaving plenty of majestic sea views to go around. This relatively small-sized city is walkable although the sweltering heat may deter some. In any case, most rides within the city won’t cost more than MYR 5 or less than US$2 so there’s really no excuse to stay in one place. Obtain your bearings at the city center and visit the local handicraft market which is known as the Filipino Market (daily 9AM to 10PM) due to the foreign origin of most sellers there. In this covered bazaar, you’ll find sarongs, woodwork, jewelry as well as plenty of souvenirs to bring back. The most interesting items in my opinion are the tools and instruments being used by the local headhunting tribes such as the Murut or blowpipe. If you are feeling adventurous, take your pick among the seafood stalls next door and have your fresh crabs, prawns and fish cooked just as you like.

signal hill observation deck

signal hill observation deck

Late morning is just the right time to climb up to Signal Hill for a bird’s eye view of the city. Admission here is free and you can spend some time with a cup of coffee – there is a cafe up there – while admiring the view. Make your way back to the city via the stairs adjacent to the observatory tower and you’ll find yourself at Lorong Dewan – Kota Kinabalu’s burgeoning hipster area. Here, you’ll find plenty of cafes, interesting eats and backpackers’ hostels housed in heritage buildings. Visit Nook Cafe (daily 8AM to 7PM; til 9PM on weekends) for their specialty coffee or Biru Biru (daily 12pm to midnight) for their poke bowls. At the end of the street, you’ll see the Atkinson Clock Tower . Built in 1905, it’s the oldest standing structure in the city. It will be around noon by this time so stop by one of the eateries here for lunch.

Tip: If you are in Kota Kinabalu on a Sunday, don’t miss out visiting the Gaya Street Sunday Market. This market is a bit more interesting than the typical Malaysian bazaars. This particular market starts early at 5AM and lasts until around 2pm. Here, you’ll find plenty of antiques, local handicrafts, coffee beans and even pets. Remember to bargain.

Stop by the Sabah State Museum (daily 9AM to 5PM) to understand the city and the region better. The 3-storey museum contains exhibits related to science, art and even has a heritage village within. From here, the Sabah State Mosque is just next door. Its bulbous dome which is decked in real gold may immediately catch one’s fancy. Do note that the mosque is generally open from 8AM to 12nn and then from 2PM to 5pm daily except for Fridays when it is only open during the afternoon from 2PM to 5PM.

kota kinabalu walking tour

sunset view from the yacht

After a tiring first day exploring the city, you can spend the late afternoon catching the sunset either at the Tanjung Aru Beach or if you’re feeling luxurious you can also charter a yacht which is a popular activity in Kota Kinabalu. North Borneo Yacht Charter offers different types of itineraries including a sunset cruise in the late afternoon with visits to Manukan and Gaya islands. Alternatively, you can also visit the relatively secluded Dinawan Island which offers clear waters for snorkeling, kayaking and even diving.

d'place kinabalu

d’place kinabalu

Try some local Sabah food for dinner at My Native Sabah (Plaza 333 in Lorong 333, daily except Sunday, 11:30AM to 8:30PM). When I say local, I don’t just mean the usual Malaysian food. They serve some pretty exotic meals that come from the indigenous  Kadazan Dusun tribe. These are served in a set so you can try different dishes without necessarily having to overload yourself. Alternatively, you can join a tour that takes you to an actual Dusun tribal village and you can participate in a cooking class there.

Day 2 – Cultural Village & Island Hopping

kota kinabalu city mosque

kota kinabalu city mosque

Start the day early with a visit to the Kota Kinabalu City Mosque . The place of worship which sits next to a pond is best visited in the early morning or late afternoon when the purplish sky is reflected through the still waters. Highly recommended for architecture buffs.

mari mari cultural village

mari mari cultural village

From here, proceed to Mari Mari Cultural Village (MYR 175 per adult) for a quick run through of Sabah’s indigenous people. The place can feel a bit touristy but it’s undeniably fun. There are also few other places in Malaysia that give visitors the same ease to witness local life. Choose one of the two available daily sessions for your visit – 10AM or 2PM. The tours are highly interactive and allow visitors the opportunity to taste local snacks and sample certain elements of local culture.

Mari Mari Cultural Village can be done as a half-day trip which leaves your afternoon free assuming you do it in the morning. The afternoon can be spent on an excursion to Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park . Comprising 5 islands, the park is popular for snorkeling, diving, para-sailing or simply lounging by the beach. 

As mentioned previously, the park comprises of 5 islands. Namely, these are Gaya, Manukan, Sapi, Mamutik and Sulug. Gaya is the largest one and is situated closest to Kota Kinabalu. Depending on where you dock, you can reach Gaya Island in as little as 10 minutes from Kota Kinabalu. 

manukan island

manukan island by amrufm

The most popular among the 5 islands is arguably Manukan Island . The eastern part of the island offers some pristine beaches while the coral reefs offshore are ideal for snorkeling. 

Another well-visited island within the marine park is Sapi . It is considered to have some of the nicest beaches among the 5 islands and it also possesses better facilities for daytrippers. 

You can visit Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park by hiring your boat and crew for the day or if you are traveling as a small group/solo, you can sign-up for a join-in tour here .

If you are not climbing Mt. Kinabalu but have a desire to at least see it or breathe the fresh mountain air, head over to the mountain town of  Kundasang and spend the night there in one of the chalets. Alternatively, you can choose to rest in your Kota Kinabalu hotel and do Kundasang as a day trip in Day 3.

Day 3 – Kundasang

kota kinabalu walking tour

Wake up early when the chances of clear weather are at its highest. You’ll see Mt. Kinabalu directly in front of you as you enjoy the cool weather at 2,000 meters above sea level.

There are many ways to get to Kundasang but a car hire is definitely the most convenient. A popular day tour involves a morning departure from Kota Kinabalu where you will be taken to Desa Cattle Farm for a glimpse of the alpine life. After lunch and some other activities such as a canopy walk and a soak in the hot springs, you return to Kota Kinabalu just before dinner time. You can book such tours here .

Afterwards, head back to Kota Kinabalu and spend your last few hours wandering around town before catching your flight back.

Other Tips for Kota Kinabalu

  • Travel insurance: It may be advisable to get travel insurance, especially in this age of uncertainty. If you come from Singapore, I can recommend checking out Starr TraveLead for its cheap single- trip travel insurance with S$10 cash rebate to help offset the insurance cost here . The coverage amounts for these plans meet the minimum required by the Malaysian authorities. If you are based elsewhere, check out Worldnomads as they have quite an extensive coverage, even including personal accidents into their list of benefits. 
  • Weather: The wettest time of the year is usually in the later months like November and December. That being said, you won’t find it raining all day but plans for outdoor activities may be dampened by strong winds, flash floods and other inconveniences.
  • Practicalities: Kota Kinabalu is not a particularly dense city with few tall buildings. As such, if you walk outdoors during the day; you’ll most likely be baked under the sun. It’s wise to put sunblock even if you’re just staying within the city.
  • Farther afield: Kota Kinabalu serves as a hub for Northern Borneo so if there’s an interest in exploring more, you can fly or take the ferry to Brunei and Labuan . Sandakan and Tawau  are also reachable by air.

Where to Stay in Kota Kinabalu

hyatt centric kota kinabalu

hyatt centric kota kinabalu (source: the hotel)

Tourism has boomed in recent years in Kota Kinabalu with a plethora of new hotels to cater to every budget. One of the most established hotels in the city is the Hilton Kota Kinabalu which is just next to the Star City Mall. Rooms come well-appointed and are among the most tech-forward in the city. If you prefer a hotel with panoramic sea views, you can’t go wrong with the Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu . Among cheaper options, the Hotel Sixty3 in Gaya Street is situated close to the Sunday market and comes with a family room category.

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June 11, 2018 at 10:29 am

Sounds like the perfect itinerary!

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August 26, 2018 at 1:39 pm

Great posts and beautiful photos you got there! Kota Kinabalu is a great place to visit. We got everything in here. You can go scuba diving after 15 minutes after arrive at the international airport. Then, you can go climb the highest mountain peak in south east asia at Mount Kinabalu.

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September 30, 2018 at 8:30 am

Sounds like you had a great time! I really wish I had more time in KK! It feels like I missed out on a lot of stuff to do!

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June 11, 2019 at 9:59 pm

I’m going to KK on next month for 3 days. I think I will skip Kundasang and do water activities. Still looking for ideas..

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January 18, 2020 at 3:27 pm

There are more explore in Kota Kinabalu beside climbing Mt. Kinabalu, such as going for a rivercruise, water rafting (class 1, 2,3,4,) Island hoping are highly recomended here..

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KK (Kota Kinabalu) Free Walking Tour

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