19+ top places to visit & best things to do in Kota Kinabalu for First Time Visitors

Where to go, what to do, what to eat when traveling to Kota Kinabalu for the first time? Check out the beautiful and interesting Kota Kinabalu tourist attractions, top and best things to do in Kota Kinabalu suggested by Klook.

Kota Kinabalu is located in the state of Sabah on the island of Borneo, Malaysia. This is an outstanding tourist destination with a wonderful combination of pristine nature, diverse culture and unique adventure experiences. This place is surrounded by the beauty of endless mountains and forests and the ecstatic green of clear beaches.

Kota Kinabalu promises to be a beautiful tourist land for tourists to relax and immerse themselves in many interesting activities to explore nature, experience rich culture and diverse cuisine. If you are coming here for the first time, let Klook tell you about Kota Kinabalu tourist attractions, so you can enjoy all the beauty here and create memorable memories on your travel journey!

Watching the Sunset at Tanjung Aru Beach – Kota Kinabalu (#best things to do in Kota Kinabalu)

In Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, watching the sunset at Tanjung Aru Beach is a wonderful experience that visitors should not miss. Tanjung Aru Beach is located only about a 10-minute drive from Kota Kinabalu city center, attracting locals and tourists alike to enjoy peaceful and beautiful moments as the sun gradually sets.

 

As the sun gradually sets, the beach space is illuminated by the orange-red and warm yellow of the sunset, creating a magical and romantic scene. To make your sunset viewing experience even more memorable, you can experience exciting activities like stand-up paddleboarding, sunset kayaking, or thrilling water sports at Tanjung Aru on Klook for a memorable memory of this beautiful orange sky!

Sunrise & Sunset Stand Up Paddle Boarding Experience with Private Transfer in Kota Kinabalu

Island Tour at Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park

Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park not only attracts tourists by its beautiful natural beauty but also by its quiet, clean space and cool fresh air. This is the ideal place to rest, relax and enjoy peaceful moments amidst the pristine nature of Malaysia.

Tunku Abdul Rahman Island Visit & Boat Snorkeling Experience

The most accessible islands in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park are Pulau Sapi, Pulau Manukan, Pulau Mamutik, Pulau Gaya and Pulau Borong. You can get here by speedboat from Kota Kinabalu or join day tours. Here, visitors can relax and enjoy many activities such as sunbathing, snorkeling to explore coral reefs, windsurfing, walking on the beach or simply resting under the blue sky and The fresh sea of ​​this beautiful island.

Luxury Resort at KK Waterfront – Kota Kinabalu

KK Waterfront is the perfect place to relax after a long day. Located along the beach and lined with bars, restaurants and clubs, it offers refreshing drinks, live music in the evenings and stunning sunsets. If you want, you can also book a room at one of the hotels located on the riverbank to have a wonderful and comfortable stay here.

Visit Kota Kinabalu Handicraft Market

Kota Kinabalu Handicraft Market is an ideal destination to shop for souvenirs, jewelry, clothes, bags and more at reasonable prices. Coming here, you can freely challenge your bargaining ability and find valuable items. You should buy unique local handicrafts such as traditional musical instruments, handwoven bags, paintings and many other products to preserve memories of this beautiful land.

Admire the Scenery from Above at Le’One Kokol Elf

Le’One Kokol Elf is located on top of Kokol Hill, just a 30-minute drive from KK city centre. Dubbed Sabah’s “little Bali”, this is an ideal destination for those who want to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and admire the beautiful scenery. This destination also attracts photography enthusiasts with super beautiful check-in angles from above.

Kokol Elf Admission with Instagrammable Photo Taking Experience in Kota Kinabalu

You can easily get here by renting a car from Klook or taking a short tour with shuttle from your hotel.

Visit the Mosque in Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu Mosque is one of Malaysia’s unique religious buildings, located on the southwest coast of Kota Kinabalu city. In particular, the prayer hall of Kota Kinabalu Mosque can accommodate up to 12,000 people at the same time, and is an important place for Muslims to pray and perform religious rituals.

The Kota Kinabalu Mosque is also open to the public, allowing visitors to explore and admire its exceptional architectural beauty. Remember to dress politely and appropriately if you want to go to the Church to take photos and check-in.

Beautiful Sunset Dinner Cruise – Kota Kinabalu

Another experience worth trying when traveling to Kota Kinabalu is take a cruise tour to watch the sunset and have dinner. It’s not a new experience, but it always brings excitement and fun. Especially when you can eat delicious food, see beautiful scenery, but also have beautiful photos to take home, it’s worth the money, right! The 2-hour cruise tour is available on Klook and includes a buffet dinner, free drinks, as well as entertainment from live musicians on board for you to choose from!

Take the North Borneo Train – Kota Kinabalu

With railway lines connecting Kota Kinabalu and Papar, the North Borneo Railway offers visitors a classic steam train experience from the 1900s. On this train, you will admire the rice fields immense and extremely beautiful traditional villages.

This train has full amenities and has been refurbished to suit the needs of customers traveling to experience it. This railway operates with two departures per week, each lasting 4 hours. Don’t forget to check the schedule and book your trip in advance to avoid inconvenience!

Visit Signal Hill Platform – Kota Kinabalu

Signal Hill Platform is a must-see spot for visitors to this beautiful city of Kota Kinabalu. This is the highest point in Kota Kinabalu, you can easily get here by walking uphill for about 20 – 30 minutes or driving a short distance. It is famous for its stunning panoramic views of the city, including Inanam Bay, Gaya Island and the Crocker Mountains.

Unlimited Data eSIMs for Singapore/ Thailand/ Malaysia (QR delivered via email)

Explore Dinawan Island – Kota Kinabalu

Dinawan Island, also known as Ara Dinawan Island, is a beautiful small island in the Kudat archipelago, Sabah, Malaysia. This place is famous for its pristine beaches, clear blue water and colorful coral reefs, attracting tourists who love beach tourism and nature exploration. You can spend a night on the island by camping on the beach, but if you prefer a day trip to the island, you can book a package trip on Klook that includes boat transfers, a buffet lunch option from activities like stand-up paddleboarding, snorkeling and kayaking!

Dinawan island with Snorkelling Daytrip – Private island in Kota Kinabalu

Explore Mengalum Island – Kota Kinabalu

Mengalum Island is a beautiful island located off the coast of Kota Kinabalu. Famous for its white sand beaches and clear waters, this is truly a paradise where you can find adventure, relaxation and re-energize yourself.

Premium Mengalum Island Snorkeling Day Tour in Kota Kinabalu

Coming here, you can freely swim, sunbathe, participate in water sports activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking,… Besides, don’t forget to enjoy fresh seafood dishes, prepared in local style at restaurants on the island.

Visit Sunday Market at Gaya Street – Kota Kinabalu

Gaya Street Sunday Market – “shopping paradise” attracts a large number of tourists and locals every Sunday morning.

Here you can find items such as clothing, jewelry, souvenirs, and handicrafts at extremely affordable prices. In addition, the market also has many stalls selling Malaysian street food for people to fill their hungry stomachs after a long day of shopping.

Travel to Kundasang

Kinabalu Park & Poring Hot Spring Tour

Kundasang, located about a two-hour drive southeast of Kota Kinabalu, is a tourist destination with its beautiful natural scenery and cool climate. Surrounded by the Kinabalu Mountains and green hills, Kundasang offers a sense of relaxation and peace, perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

ATV Adventure in Kundasang

Kundasang’s highlight is its cool air, which is often colder than other areas at lower altitudes. Take 2-3 days to explore all the beauty of this place. Don’t forget to visit the following locations to fully explore Kundasang:

• Desa Dairy Farm
• Sosodikon Hill
• Poring Hot Springs
• Sabah Tea Garden
• Kundasang War Memorial
• Nabalu handicraft market

Each of these locations has special experiences and gives you memorable moments when exploring Kundasang.

Paragliding Experience in Ranau – Kota Kinabalu

You can add paragliding experience to your list of things not to miss when visiting Sabah! Surrounded by majestic mountains, lush green vegetation and clean rivers, Ranau is a paradise for nature lovers and experience panoramic views of the city from above with a parachute flight. Glide with a professional guide.

Borneo Paragliding Experience in Ranau

Book your paragliding package through Klook and be assured of insurance and all the necessary safety equipment now!

Have Fun at Mari-Mari Cultural Village

Mari-Mari Cultural Village, located on the beautiful island of Borneo, is an ideal destination for visitors to explore the unique cultural beauty of Sabah’s indigenous peoples. This place recreates the traditional lives of five main tribes in Sabah: Kadazan-Dusun, Rungus, Lundayeh, Bajau and Murut, giving visitors an authentic and impressive experience.

Mari Mari Cultural Village Half Day Tour

Visitors can participate in traditional cultural activities such as watching dance performances, listening to ethnic musical instruments, learning to make handicrafts, and even trying on traditional ethnic costumes. The experience at Mari-Mari Cultural Village will be a memorable experience to learn more about the knowledge, history and culture of Borneo.

Sky-Mirror Experience in Sabah

Sunset Point at Dream Beach Bongawan is likened to a version of the salt flats in Bolivia, thanks to its unique ability to reflect the sky like a mirror. In fact, this is a rare marine location that only appears at low tide, revealing a vast sandbank that creates great opportunities for photos, especially at sunset.

Bongawan Mangrove River Cruise, Fireflies, Sky Mirror Tour in Sabah

Bongawan is also famous for other unique sights such as mangrove rivers and fireflies. Plan your long trip to explore Dream Beach Sky Mirror, experience a cruise on the mangrove river and enjoy the firefly scene at night!

Boat ride in Bongawan Mangrove Forest

Located just 2 hours from Kota Kinabalu, Klias Wetland is a mangrove reserve that is home to many species of plants and animals. With the Klias River boat ride service to see fireflies and proboscis monkeys on Klook, you will be able to see and enjoy all the beauty of this place. From taking a river cruise to enjoying a sumptuous dinner overlooking the Klias River, as well as taking a boat ride to see beautiful fireflies at night. This will be a memorable activity and leave many memories in your mind when remembering your trip to Kota Kinabalu.

Klias River Proboscis Monkey & Fireflies Cruise

Climb Mount Kinabalu

Mount Kinabalu, located in Kinabalu National Park, Sabah, Malaysia, is the pride of Malaysians as the highest mountain in Southeast Asia with an altitude of 4,095 meters and has been recognized by UNESCO. This place attracts a large number of tourists who are passionate about climbing mountains and exploring wild nature, making Kota Kinabalu an ideal destination for this journey of conquest.

On the journey to conquer, visitors will admire beautiful natural scenery, from lush tropical forests to towering, cloud-covered mountain peaks. Conquering Mount Kinabalu is not an easy challenge but also extremely proud and memorable. Most climbers embark on a 2 or 3 day trek and hire a mountain guide to follow and help them achieve this goal.

Mount Kinabalu Climbing Via Timpohon Trail Experience

So if you are planning to conquer this majestic mountain, please check out the services available on Klook for a safe and memorable experience!

Enjoy Seafood In Kota Kinabalu

Thanks to its coastal location, Kota Kinabalu has an abundant and diverse seafood supply. Visitors can enjoy fresh seafood just caught from the sea, ensuring freshness and great flavor. Compared to other tourist cities in the area, seafood prices in Kota Kinabalu are relatively cheaper, so you can enjoy delicious food without worrying about the price.

KLIA Ekspres Airport Train Tickets (QR Code Direct Entry)

Suggestions for some ideal places to enjoy seafood in Kota Kinabalu:

• Gaya Market
• Fatt Kee Seafood Restaurant
• Gayang Seafood Restaurant
• Suang Tain Seafood Restaurant
• Sasa Seafood Restaurant (for Muslims)
• Fish Market Restaurant (for Muslims)
• Welcome Seafood Restaurant (for Muslims)
• Tung Fong Seafood Restaurant (for Muslims)
• He Jia Fo Seafood Restaurant (Halal certified)

Check-in at Beautiful Cafes in Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu is not only famous for its attractive tourist destinations but also attracts visitors with its lovely and unique cafes. Suggesting some beautiful cafes in Kota Kinabalu that you should visit to enjoy drinks, delicious desserts and also rest after a long day of exploring the city.

• Biru Biru Cafe
• October Coffee Gaya
• Nook Cafe
• Woo!
• Coastal Coffee Club
• Tamaha Kitchen
• Ampersand Specialty Coffee

Above are beautiful Kota Kinabalu tourist attractions for first-time visitors. Kota Kinabalu promises to bring visitors interesting experiences and unforgettable memories here.

The post first appeared on Klook Vietnam and was translated and edited by Living Nomads. If you find any images or text that belong to you, please contact us, so we can credit you or give us permission to use them. Thank you very much!

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, to from Kota Kinabalu you can refer to

• Kota Kinabalu City Half Day Tour
• Bongawan Mangrove River Cruise, Fireflies, Sky Mirror Tour in Sabah
• Kota Kinabalu City Night Tour with Seafood Dinner
• Kinabalu Park & Poring Hot Spring
• Kota Kinabalu City Culinary and Shopping Tour
• Private Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) Transfers for Hotels in Kota Kinabalu
• Manukan Island and ATV Sunset Full Day Adventure
• Kinabalu Park & Poring Hot Spring Tour
• Mantanani Snorkeling or Scuba Diving & Kawa Kawa River Cruise
• Mari Mari Cultural Village Half Day Tour
• Sapi/Manukan Island Hopping with Private Group Tour Guide
• Borneo Paragliding Experience in Ranau
• Sunset and City Night Dinner Cruise with Complimentary Drinks in Kota Kinabalu
• KL TravelPass (Metro Card) in Kuala Lumpur
• [SALE] 4G Prepaid SIM Card (MY Airports Pick Up) for Malaysia
• 4G WiFi (MY Airport Pick Up) for Malaysia

Are you looking for more top things to do in Sabah and Kota Kinabalu: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Let’s check it out at here. And Malaysia here.