Top 20 Best Things to Do in Kota Kinabalu
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Top 20 Best Things to Do in Kota Kinabalu

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Trip.Best is a collection of travel rankings that takes into account the travel choices and genuine preferences of hundres of millions of Trip.com users. It is updated monthly based on real data.
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  • Tanjung Aru Beachtop_1
    󰺂7.0
    Kota Kinabalu.Tanjung Aru5.3 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoStand-up paddleboarding now available at Tanjung Aru Beach
    trip best small logoNo. 1 of Night Attractions in Kota Kinabalu
    Highlights:
    󰋄World-class sunset & 1.2-mile beach
    󰋄Stunning sunset view | Burning clouds
    󱨠Saved by 838 users󱨠1322 positive reviews
    4.8/5
    BonnieBonnie

    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.

  • Mengalum Islandtop_2
    󰺂6.7
    Kota Kinabalu58.2 km from downtown
    trip best small logoNo. 2 of Night Attractions in Kota Kinabalu
    Highlights:
    󱓊Love & eternity symbolized island
    󰋄Enjoy white sands & island views
    󱨠Saved by 649 users󱨠123 positive reviews
    4.6/5
    randyjunrandyjun

    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.

  • Masjid Bandaraya Kota Kinabalutop_3
    󰺂6.0
    Kota Kinabalu3.7 km from downtown
    trip best small logoNo. 3 of Night Attractions in Kota Kinabalu
    Highlights:
    󱓊Golden mosque reflection at sunset
    󱓊White water mosque with azure skies
    󱨠Saved by 589 users󱨠292 positive reviews
    4.5/5
    Mr.TouristMr.Tourist

    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

  • Gaya Street
    4
    󰺂5.7
    Kota Kinabalu.Kota Kinabalu City Center297m from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoGaya Street Sunday Market | Kota Kinabalu
    trip best small logoNo. 4 of Night Attractions in Kota Kinabalu
    Highlights:
    󱓊Sunday market: local life experience
    󱓊Numerous restaurants & snack bars
    󱨠Saved by 404 users󱨠166 positive reviews
    4.5/5
    虱子多了不怕咬虱子多了不怕咬

    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.

  • Mari Mari Cultural Village
    5
    󰺂5.5
    24.28
    Kota Kinabalu14.2 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoMari Mari Cultural Village Traditional Culture Experience
    Highlights:
    󱓊Try bamboo cooking & local specialties
    󱓊Visit longhouses & taste delicacies
    󱨠Saved by 276 users󱨠37% positive reviews
    4.5/5
    gary leung123gary leung123

    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.

  • Manukan Island
    6
    󰺂5.4
    Kota Kinabalu8.4 km from downtown
    Highlights:
    󰋄One of five islands
    Parasailing & underwater walks experience
    󱨠Saved by 290 users󱨠33% positive reviews
    4.6/5
    ㅤ  ㅤ朝花夕拾ㅤ  ㅤ朝花夕拾

    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.

  • Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park
    7
    󰺂5.4
    Kota Kinabalu8.5 km from downtown
    Highlights:
    Amusement facilities | Snorkeling
    󰋄Night tour: marine nightlife exploration
    󱨠Saved by 201 users
    4.6/5
    ㅤ  ㅤ朝花夕拾ㅤ  ㅤ朝花夕拾

    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.

  • Manutik Island
    8
    󰺂5.3
    Kota Kinabalu7.2 km from downtown
    Highlights:
    Parasailing & island entertainment
    󱓊Underwater walking & scooter adventure
    󱨠Saved by 149 users
    4.6/5
    _M1***35_M1***35

    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.

  • Filipino Market
    9
    󰺂5.2
    Kota Kinabalu.Kota Kinabalu City Center752m from downtown
    trip best small logoNo. 6 of Night Attractions in Kota Kinabalu
    Highlights:
    Daytime crafts & evening food stalls
    󱓊Open-air market in downtown Kota Kinabalu
    󱨠Saved by 285 users󱨠79% positive reviews
    4.5/5
    miel@999tovmiel@999tov

    Great place for those who are seafood lovers, easy to find fresh fishes , crabs, lobsters in this place with a good price. Fresh vegetable and fruits stall located just beside this building .

  • North Borneo Cruises
    10
    󰺂4.9
    Kota Kinabalu.Kota Kinabalu City Center3.1 km from downtown
    trip best small logoNo. 7 of Night Attractions in Kota Kinabalu
    Highlights:
    Blue Sea Star Luxury Yacht Dinner
    󰀆Night party with live band carnival
    4.9/5
    Marsaulina SMMarsaulina SM

    I had an amazing experience! I prefer the sunset cruise, the buffet was great, wonderful live music, friendly and helpful crews. Reasons to Recommend: It’s a really enjoyable activity to do in Kota Kinabalu and I highly recommend it! Worth the money!

Best things to do in Kota Kinabalu (2025)

Looking for the ultimate experiences in Kota Kinabalu? From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, Kota Kinabalu offers an exceptional collection of activities and attractions that cater to every type of traveler.

Whether you’re here for sightseeing, adventure, or cultural exploration, these top-rated activities promise unforgettable memories.

Top-rated things to do in Kota Kinabalu

If you want to make the most of your trip, these activities deliver the full Kota Kinabalu experience. Expect popular attractions, unique local experiences, and must-see spots that capture the essence of the city.

Tanjung Aru Beach

• Kota Kinabalu.Tanjung Aru | 5.3 km from downtown

• : World-class sunset & 1.2-mile beach,Stunning sunset view | Burning clouds

Mengalum Island

• Kota Kinabalu | 58.2 km from downtown

• : Love & eternity symbolized island,Enjoy white sands & island views

Masjid Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu

• Kota Kinabalu | 3.7 km from downtown

• : Golden mosque reflection at sunset,White water mosque with azure skies

Things to do for unique experiences

These activities provide memorable experiences beyond the ordinary. Enjoy cultural tours, adventure sports, guided excursions, and immersive local experiences designed for all interests.

Things to do near Kota Kinabalu

If you want to explore attractions just outside Kota Kinabalu, there are plenty of activities that combine scenic surroundings with convenient access to the city, perfect for day trips or short excursions.

Each of these activities offers a unique escape within 1–3 hours of Kota Kinabalu, ideal for travelers who want to combine sightseeing with local experiences.

What makes things to do in Kota Kinabalu special

• Iconic landmarks: Visit must-see sights that define the city.
• Local experiences: Engage in culture, crafts, and unique activities.
• Accessible adventures: Easily reachable attractions for all travelers.
• Diverse options: From relaxing experiences to adventurous outings.

Tips for booking things to do in Kota Kinabalu

1. Plan ahead for popular attractions to avoid long queues.
2. Book early for guided tours or seasonal events.
3. Compare prices and packages on Trip.com for exclusive deals and bundled experiences.
4. Consider weekday visits for a quieter and more personalized experience.

Experience the best things to do in Kota Kinabalu

Ready to explore the best of Kota Kinabalu? Discover Trip.Best's curated list of things to do and experience adventure, culture, and unforgettable memories.

Book your perfect activities on Trip.com today, where excitement and discovery awaits.

What Best Things to Do are there in Kota Kinabalu?
These are all Best Things to Do in Kota Kinabalu:Tanjung Aru Beach, Mengalum Island, Masjid Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu, Gaya Street, Mari Mari Cultural Village
What are some highly-rated Best Things to Do in Kota Kinabalu?
Some highly-rated Best Things to Do in Kota Kinabalu include:Tanjung Aru Beach:4.8, Mengalum Island:4.6, Masjid Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu:4.5, Gaya Street:4.5, Mari Mari Cultural Village:4.5
At what locations in Kota Kinabalu can Best Things to Do in Kota Kinabalu be found?
The Best Things to Do in Kota Kinabalu are mainly located in:Tanjung Aru Beach:Kota Kinabalu, Mengalum Island:Kota Kinabalu, Masjid Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu:Kota Kinabalu, Gaya Street:Kota Kinabalu, Mari Mari Cultural Village:Kota Kinabalu
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