https://https://uk.trip.com/toplist/tripbest/recommend/kota-kinabalu/best-things-to-do/100000002289
Best Things to Do
Top 20 Best Things to Do in Kota Kinabalu [2025]
Show All Photos
Tanjung Aru Beach
4.8
/5
2225 reviews
7.1
Based on 500 reviews
Tanjung Aru | 5.3 km from downtown
Phone +60168330678
Address: Tanjung Aru Beach Resort, Tanjung Aru, 88100 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-3 hours
No.1 of Night Attractions in Kota Kinabalu
Highlights:
World-class sunset & 1.2-mile beach
Stunning sunset view | Burning clouds
Saved by 781 users1334 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Stunning Sunsets: Ranked as one of the world's most beautiful beaches for watching sunsets by National Geographic, it boasts the second-most beautiful sunsets in the world, offering stunning views of the fiery clouds. As the sun sets, the sky glows red, and the sea shimmers.
Soft and Fine Sand: The sand is as soft as carpet and feels comfortable on bare feet. The waves are gentle, perfect for playing in the water, and you can even spot small crabs crawling around on the beach.
• Convenient Location: Located west of Kota Kinabalu city, it's only a 10-15 minute drive from the city center and close to Kota Kinabalu Airport, making it easily accessible for both locals and tourists.
• Abundant Amenities: The beachfront promenade often hosts evening barbecues with live bands. Nearby is King Philip Park, featuring gardens, recreational facilities, a children's playground, a jogging path, and a central artificial lake with a musical fountain show.
Public beach with a long coastline, fairly white sand, if you want to sit you have to pay at a table that has been prepared, only the table area is cleaned, while on the beach, there is a lot of rubbish strewn about, but overall it is very good.
Show All Photos
Mengalum Island
4.6
/5
572 reviews
6.7
Based on 27 reviews
58.2 km from downtown
Phone +60109447777
Address: Sabah, Malaysia
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
No.1 of Family-Friendly Attractions in Kota Kinabalu
Highlights:
Love & eternity symbolized island
Enjoy white sands & island views
Saved by 624 users135 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
1. It is worth going. If you are in Kota Kinabalu, you can choose a one-day tour to Pulau Mantan, which is about 500 including pick-up and drop-off.
2. The boat takes 2 hours, so you must take seasickness medicine in advance. It is basically very bumpy and half of the people may vomit.
3. Sunscreen is a must, it is very sunny, going out to sea.
4. There is food on the one-day tour, which is actually OK. If you think it is not OK, bring some food with you.
5. There are places to change clothes, toilets and wifi on the island.
Huantan Island is very beautiful!
Especially when the weather is clear
The white sand beach + jelly sea are really too beautiful!
The ride to Mermaid Island is long (the pier is far from the city), and the boat ride takes 30 minutes
The ride to Huantan Island is short (the pier is close to the city), and the boat ride takes 1 hour
Ps: The boat is really shaking, if you are prone to seasickness, you should choose Mermaid Island
Also, the sea water here is too salty, and snorkeling babes should be prepared to drink a lot of sea water~
But you must experience it when you come, it's really great
The island and mountain facilities are basically complete, so don't worry too much, but there is no signal~
Show All Photos
Masjid Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu
4.5
/5
1694 reviews
6.4
Based on 1,183 reviews
3.7 km from downtown
Phone +6088205418
Address: Jalan Pasir, Jalan Teluk Likas, Kampung Likas, 88400 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
No.2 of Night Attractions in Kota Kinabalu
Highlights:
Golden mosque reflection at sunset
White water mosque with azure skies
Saved by 564 users302 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Kota Kinabalu City Mosque is a stunning architectural gem that appears to float on its surrounding lagoon, creating a mesmerizing sight at sunrise and sunset. Inspired by the Nabawi Mosque in Medina, its elegant blue and gold dome, along with its towering minarets, makes it one of the most picturesque mosques in Malaysia. The peaceful atmosphere, combined with the opportunity to explore the mosque by paddle boat, adds to its unique charm. Whether visiting for prayer, photography, or quiet reflection, this mosque is a must-see landmark in Sabah. Five stars – A blend of spiritual beauty and breathtaking scenery. #KotaKinabaluMosque #FloatingMosque #SabahTravel #MalaysiaBeauty
Buy tickets in the small room on the right side of the gate. There are two types of tickets: outdoor tickets and indoor tickets (you need to change into local clothes for the indoor tickets). I bought an outdoor ticket for 5 Malaysian ringgits. I walked along the wall for a quarter of the rectangle and it was gone. There were some seats and swings along the way. It took five minutes to walk. If you don't mind the sun, you can watch for half an hour and enjoy it.
ps: Life is short, the filter is bold
No.
4
Show All Photos
Gaya Street
4.5
/5
556 reviews
6.0
Kota Kinabalu City Center | 297m from downtown
Phone +6088232121
Address: Jalan Pantai, Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
Sunday market: local life experience
Numerous restaurants & snack bars
Saved by 384 users170 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Gaya Street is great, with many delicious foods. You don't need to look at the guide. Any store you go to is delicious. The food in the night market is just average, similar to our night market.
Gaya Street exchange money, the exchange rate is very cost-effective, much more cost-effective than Semporna! But in Kota Kinabalu, you almost don't need to exchange money, Alipay is universal.
It is very convenient to eat durian in Gaya Street. You can sit in the store and eat slowly. They will prepare paper towels and gloves for you.
Gaya Street has many souvenirs and gifts, and you can pay with Alipay.
Gaya Street is also close to the pier.
It is recommended to stay in Gaya Street. You can go back to the hotel to rest at any time when you are tired of shopping. It is very convenient.
There are many vendors on weekends, and the atmosphere is very lively. Locals also come to shop. If you like snacks, you can come to taste them on weekends. There are shops on both sides of the street: durian shops, souvenir shops, pearl jewelry shops, coffee shops, restaurants... It is still quite good to visit. After all, there are too few places like pedestrian streets in Kota Kinabalu.
No.
5
Show All Photos
Manukan Island
4.6
/5
263 reviews
6.0
Based on 2,156 reviews
8.4 km from downtown
Phone +60198831165
Address: Malaysia
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
No.2 of Water fun & Cool Retreats in Kota Kinabalu
Highlights:
One of five islands
Parasailing & underwater walks experience
Saved by 281 users35% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Pulau Manukan is the second largest island in Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park and is also the headquarters and office of the park. The island has complete tourist facilities, including hotels, tennis courts, water skiing centers and wooden houses for accommodation. Pulau Manukan is famous for its wide range of water entertainment projects and is well located between Sapi Island and Mamudi Island, so it is often chosen as one of the destinations for a day trip.
pulau manukan ini antara pulau yang cantik di sabah. just about 15 minutes from jesselton point ferry terminal is manukan island. popular for its white sandy beaches and snorkelling spots, manukan is also famous for its complete facilities that enable visitors to fully enjoy in the island.
No.
6
Show All Photos
Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park
4.6
/5
393 reviews
6.0
8.5 km from downtown
Phone +6088486430
Address: Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 days
Highlights:
Amusement facilities | Snorkeling
Night tour: marine nightlife exploration
Saved by 194 users
Verified user reviews
Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park is the first marine national park in Malaysia. It is located in the South China Sea off the coast of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, about a 20-minute boat ride from Kota Kinabalu. The park consists of five main islands: Manukan Island, Sapi Island, Mamutik Island, Gaya Island and Sulu Island. These islands are famous for their beautiful beaches, clear waters, rich corals and marine life, and are a paradise for snorkeling, diving and water activities. Visitors can choose two or three islands to visit. Among them, Gaya Island and Manukan Island have accommodation facilities, but the price is relatively expensive.
Tunku Abdul Rahman Park has beautiful natural scenery and clear waters, which are suitable for various water activities. Sapi Island and Manukan Island are the most popular islands. Sapi Island is loved by tourists for its fine white sand beaches and rich marine life. It is a good place for snorkeling and beach leisure. Manukan Island is favored for its complete tourist facilities and beautiful beaches. There are resorts, restaurants and diving centers on the island, which are suitable for family and couples to vacation.
In addition, tourists also need to pay attention to some matters when playing, such as water safety and beach safety. When snorkeling or doing other water activities, you should wear a life jacket and follow the instructor's instructions. There may be ants and mosquitoes on the beach, so mosquito repellent is a must. In addition, due to the strong sunlight on the island, it is recommended that tourists wear long sleeves and long pants and apply sunscreen regularly.
Exclusive review of Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park
Traveling in Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park is like walking through a primeval forest. The air there is fresh and the scenery is picturesque, which makes people feel relaxed and happy. I especially like those unique natural landscapes, such as spectacular waterfalls and mysterious caves, which make people linger.
In general, Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park is a tourist destination that is very worth visiting. The natural beauty and rich wildlife resources here have given me a deeper understanding and awe of the magic of nature. Hehe, if I have the opportunity, I will definitely go there again and continue to explore this beautiful land!
No.
7
Mari Mari Cultural Village
4.5
/5
86 reviews
5.6
Based on 1,310 reviews
14.2 km from downtown
Phone +60138814921
Address: Jalan Kionsom, Inanam, 88450 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Recommended sightseeing time: 3-4 hours
Highlights:
Try bamboo cooking & local specialties
Visit longhouses & taste delicacies
Saved by 258 users37% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
This cultural village definitely should be visited by all tourists that go to Sabah.First of all, the village is really nice located in a forest. This makes the stay very comfortable because there is always a place where you find shadow.At the beginning, they build little groups that each get one tour guide that speaks your language. Due to the little group, we could ask all the questions that we had.
In the village, you will be introduced to various traditional homes from Sabah’s 5 major ethnic communities—the Bajau, Lundayeh, Murut, Rungus and Dusun. —which are built by descendants of the tribes which they represent.For a more hands-on experience, check out the little huts in the village where daily routines of traditional Sabahan life come alive. Grab the chance to see blowpipe-making demonstration, fire-starting demonstration using bamboo, tattoo-making demonstration, and so on.
No.
8
Show All Photos
Manutik Island
4.7
/5
153 reviews
5.5
Based on 924 reviews
7.2 km from downtown
Phone +60198831165
Address: Malaysia, Pulau Mamutik、
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
Highlights:
Parasailing & island entertainment
Underwater walking & scooter adventure
Saved by 144 users26% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
A good place to take kids snorkeling. There are a lot of fish in the sea, and it's not deep and safe. You can feed the fish with bread on the beach, or go swimming with the instructor to a farther place. There are all kinds of fish, and the kids are very happy! But it's a pity that there is a lot of garbage on the island, and people don't seem to cherish the beautiful environment.
Mamudi Island was the first island we chose for our island hopping trip. The weather was pretty good at the time. We were on the island for a short time, mainly to play activities on the island. We played parasailing, which was fun and a bit exciting. After the project, we went directly to Sapi Island. I heard that you can see clownfish when snorkeling in Mamudi Island, but we didn't see it, which was a pity. The scenery is OK, but the disadvantage is that the organization of the island hopping trip is really chaotic. You have to wait a long time to go to other islands and return.
No.
9
Show All Photos
University Malaysia Sabah Mosque
4.4
/5
5 reviews
5.5
8 km from downtown
Phone +6088320000
Address: Jalan UMS, 88400 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-2 hours
Highlights:
Guided cultural tour inside the mosque
Pink Mosque Photo Hotspot
Verified user reviews
The University of Sabah is really big, and walking is not recommended. We drove there by ourselves, but you can also charter a car. The Pink Mosque is known as the most beautiful university in Southeast Asia. There are many young ladies taking pictures, which is really photogenic. But this is a mosque after all, so everyone should pay attention to respecting religious beliefs when entering.
Buy tickets at the kiosk on the left side of the entrance, and you can also buy transportation (driver pick-up, single electric scooter, double electric scooter) at the same time. The ticket seller speaks Chinese. It is recommended to rent a car, which is more convenient and you can stroll around. It is really comfortable to walk around the campus. The Pink Mosque🕌 cannot be entered, and it doesn’t mean much to look at it at the door; the beach in the university is good, and it is quite pleasant to sit on the beach and buy an ice drink. Other attractions are okay. The best physical examination is the scooter shuttle (one car couldn’t drive halfway and asked them to change cars, and the other car ran out of power halfway.) So, you must pay attention to the battery level of the car and add the ticket seller’s WeChat in case of emergency.
No.
10
Kota Kinabalu City Centre 0 km
4.7
/5
61 reviews
5.2
Kota Kinabalu City Center | 241m from downtown
Address: Sabah Tourism Board, 51, Jalan Gaya, Kota Kinabalu, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5 hour
Highlights:
4 elements of seat plaque patterns
Sabah elements & granite plaque
28% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Located near Sabah Tourism Board. Can get all the brochures needed to tour around sabah. Strategic location with many eateries around.
Lovely place with a wonderful restaurant. Very friendly staff. Hotel is full of great art. Just a charming place.
1
2
