MY
Kota Kinabalu
Sabah’s capital: island hopping, Sunday markets and the gateway to Mount Kinabalu
Sabah’s capital: island hopping, Sunday markets and the gateway to Mount Kinabalu
Five islands, Gaya, Sapi, Manukan, Mamutik and Sulug, lie a short boat ride from the Jesselton Point jetty, with beaches, snorkelling and walking trails.
Boats charge per island; a park conservation fee is collected separately.
Photo: Mx. Granger, CC0
Every Sunday morning, Gaya Street fills with stalls selling fruit, plants, handicrafts, snacks and souvenirs.
Go early before it gets hot.
Photo: Bahnfrend, CC BY-SA 4.0
The large mosque by Likas Bay appears to float on its surrounding lagoon. Visitors can enter outside prayer times with appropriate dress; robes are provided.
Photo: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, CC BY-SA 4.0
The waterfront is the place for sunsets, bars and restaurants. Nearby, the evening market sells grilled seafood, satay and fruit.
Choose your seafood and agree the price before it is cooked.
Photo: Bahnfrend, CC BY-SA 4.0
Malaysia’s highest mountain (4,095m) rises about 50km from the city. Kinabalu Park, at its foot, is known for its plant diversity. Climbing to the summit is usually a two-day trip that must be booked in advance with a licensed operator.
Day visits to the park headquarters are easy from KK.
Photo: Anton Zelenov, CC BY-SA 4.0
KK is known for seafood and for Sabah dishes such as tuaran mee (fried egg noodles), ngiu chap (beef noodle soup) and hinava (a Kadazan-Dusun dish of raw fish cured in lime). Chinese, Malay and Indian food is everywhere.
The night market and the many coffee shops (kopitiam) offer cheap, good meals.
Kota Kinabalu International Airport is one of Malaysia’s busiest, with flights from Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and other Asian cities. Sabah has its own immigration control, so you go through passport checks even when arriving from Peninsular Malaysia.
Ride-hailing apps are cheap and widely used. Boats to the islands leave from Jesselton Point; buses and minivans connect KK with Kinabalu Park and other towns.
Malaysia uses the ringgit (MYR). KK is affordable, though island trips and climbing Mount Kinabalu add costs.
Island hopping costs extra for boats and fees.
Snorkel gear can be rented on the islands.
Mount Kinabalu climbs are sold as packages with permits, guide and hut.
Three days covers the city, the islands and a trip to Kinabalu Park.
Visit the Sunday market if it is a Sunday, then the City Mosque and Signal Hill viewpoint, and finish at the waterfront night market.
Take a boat to Sapi and Manukan for snorkelling and beaches.
Bring reef-safe sunscreen.
Day trip to the park headquarters for walking trails and views of the mountain, with a stop at a local market on the way.
Start early for the clearest views.
Expect a passport check even from Peninsular Malaysia.
Mount Kinabalu permits are limited; book well ahead.
Seas can be rough in the wetter months.
Apps are cheap and reliable.
Quick answers for planning time in Kota Kinabalu.
About 50km in a straight line; the drive to Kinabalu Park takes around two hours.
Yes. Climbs are limited and usually booked as a package with permits, a guide and mountain accommodation.
February to April is usually the driest period.
Gaya, Sapi, Manukan, Mamutik and Sulug in Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park.
Foreign visitors do, because Sabah has its own immigration control.
Planning a wider trip? Our Malaysia travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.