My ALTERNATIVE Weekend Johor Bahru JB Itinerary (2024 Update)

Johor Bahru or JB in the southernmost state in Malaysia is just a causeway bridge away from Singapore annd as such, is heavily familiar to most Singaporeans. As a popular weekend getaway for shopping, food and leisure; Johor Bahru offers a cheaper alternative to the higher cost of living in Singapore. If like me you have been to this city several times and in need of some fresh ideas of things to do in Johor Bahru or JB, check out this easy to follow Johor Bahru itinerary that you can do during a weekend.

Day 1 – JB Old Town, Nature Trails

Explore the Old Town of Johor Bahru

Johor Bahru’s compact old town has recently been renovated and now boasts of charming street art, colorful heritage shophouses that have been repainted, museums and art galleries. It is lined by 3 parallel streets – Jalan Dhoby, Jalan Ismail Sultan and Jalan Tan Hiok Nee – the latter usually considered as the epicenter of the old town.

Start with a most local breakfast of kopi and kaya toast. There are at least 2 very old school coffee shops in the area – the first is Restoran Hua Mui (daily, 8AM to 5:30PM) which is said to be one of the haunts of Johor’s royal family. They serve British Hainanese cuisine such as chicken chop, beef steak and the like. They are also popular for their breakfast offerings such as kaya toast, polo bun and local noodles. Another option is Restoran Kin Hua (daily except Tuesday, 5:30AM to 5PM) just down the street.

When it comes to eating in JB, I would suggest taking light bites in each venue as there are simply too many eateries to choose from. This will allow you to try as many items as possible during a short trip. Not far from Hua Mui is Pacific Kopi (daily 8AM to 9PM) which is known for its 3-in-1 Nian Gao – essentially 3 layers with purple potato, glutinous rice and sweet potato. This is a must try when you are in the area. 

After having your fill of breakfast, proceed to the Hiap Joo Bakery and Biscuit Factory (open Mon to Sat 7:30AM to 5PM) and queue up for the venue’s famous banana cake. Located in Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, you can also take a short stroll and explore the cafes and quirky shops that have opened recently in the area.

Tip: If you intend to bring some of the famous banana cakes home, do note that Hiap Joo is closed on Sundays. You will need to make your purchases on Saturday if you are in JB on a weekend trip.

You can also find some of JB’s best shophouses in the area including the photogenic Red House which now houses a Marrybrown outlet.

Some of my favorite shops in the area include Senso Art Gallery Cafe (daily, 10AM to 6PM) which is run by extremely friendly staff. Here, you can browse through artworks and souvenirs done by local artists while enjoying a cup of coffee. There is usually an exhibition held at the gallery’s second floor. I love hanging out at the upstairs space as it’s usually quite serene and one can catch a nice glimpse of the happenings of the old town from the window. 

To gain a better understanding of Johor’s Chinese diaspora, head to Johor Bahru Chinese Heritage Museum (daily except Monday, 9AM to 5PM). It’s a well-maintained museum filled with dioramas, photos and artifacts showcasing the history of the community in the region. 

From here, it’s a short walk to the old administrative center of Johor Bahru where you can find the Moorish-inspired Sultan Ibrahim Building as well as the Zaharah Botanic Gardens. East of the gardens, the Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque is also a must see for its combination of Islamic and British architectural features. Non-muslim visitors cannot enter the main prayer hall but the exteriors here are the highlight.

Marvel at the Sparkling Glass Temple

One of the less known attractions in Johor Bahru is the Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman Glass Temple (admission MYR 10). One of the major Hindu temples in the city, a must-see is the interiors which are filled with pieces of glass. You’ll also see some reminders of other faiths here. Statues of Jesus Christ, Buddha and even Mother Teresa are found throughout the temple.

Try JB’s Famous Paper-Wrapped Chicken

For lunch, check out Restaurant Teck Sing (3&5 Jalan Sutera Satu, Taman Sentosa) for its paper-wrapped chicken. This is quite a beguiling dish where native chicken is marinated with various Chinese herbs and is baked for hours while wrapped in paper.  

Nature Tripping JB Style

If you enjoy the outdoors, you can also check out Pulai Waterfall located in Gunung Pulai Recreational Forest. On the way, you can also make a detour at the Istana Bukit Serene, the official residence of the sultan. While you won’t be able to enter the palace, you can check out the adjacent gardens. Of note is the crowned archway which serves as a symbol of royal prerogative.

A relatively picturesque tourist attraction in the Pulai area is the Blue Lake of Kangkar Pulai. Located inside a quarry, the lake has a mysterious baby blue hue to it which is quite unusual for a lake in the tropics. To get here, you can take a taxi or a ride-sharing service like Grab which will drop you off at the parking lot. From there, it’s a 15 to 20 minute hike up some pretty steep slopes. The views are worth it. If you are coming here, try to arrive early before 9AM or after 5PM when it’s relatively cooler. Do note the path going up can be really muddy if you visit just after it rains.

End with a Massage

A favorite activity of many Singapore residents visiting Johor Bahru is to go for massage. While there are several massage parlors around town, only a few are worth their salt. One I could recommend is Thai Imperial (201 Jalan Dato Sulaiman, +607 333 1355) which stays true to authentic Thai treatments. The therapists are mostly from Thailand and they offer soothing massages like aromatherapy, traditional Thai massage and foot massage. Expect to pay around MYR 100++ for a one hour massage. Multiple locations of Thai Imperial can be found in town but I suggest going to the outlet near KSL Mall.

Seafood Dinner or Supper

Johor Bahru has a myriad of seafood restaurants that it’d be a separate article to list them all. A reliable (and affordable) one that I always visit is Ong Shun (daily except Monday, 1PM to 1AM). Food is very tasty and you can order a variety of seafood such as crab, oyster, fish, prawns and cuttlefish and have these cooked according to your preferred style. They are halal and they also open until very late. 

Day 2 – Iskandar Puteri, Legoland & Weekend Markets

Nusajaya

One of the most pleasant areas to stay and to start your second day around Johor Bahru is the recently developed Nusajaya which ironically is in the outskirts of Johor Bahru. During my last visit to Johor Bahru, I stayed at the Hotel Jen Puteri Harbour Nusajaya which has the feel of an exclusive marina with yachts parked on the shore. You can easily glimpse Singapore from the higher floors and especially at the rooftop restaurant.

You can head to Legoland (discounted tickets here) if you have kids. Otherwise, the area around Iskandar Puteri (formerly Nusajaya) has a couple of interesting cultural attractions as well. Of note is the newer State Government Building of Johor which is open to the public through guided tours. Like the older Sultan Ibrahim Building in JB itself, the former has a distinct Moorish-Malay influence though its recent construction means that there’s none of the British colonial elements that its predecessor had. A short walk from here is the Masjid Negeri Kota Iskandar.

Explore JB’s Weekend Markets

Alternatively, if you are in Johor Bahru on a Saturday morning, you can check out Pasar Tani – the farmer’s market which is open only during Saturdays. Especially popular among Singaporeans for cheaper seafood and produce, you’ll need to come early. Most goods will be sold out by noon.

In the evening, a market to check out is Taman Ungku Tun Aminah Pasar Malam which is the largest in JB. It is open on Saturdays only from 6pm onwards.

If you prefer to stay in the city center of Johor Bahru itself, the highly convenient Amari Johor Bahru is located right smack in the city centre. If you decide to walk here straight from customs, it’s about 10-15 minutes.

Waterfront Dining on Stilts

One of the most recommended places for seafood around Johor Bahru is Restoran Todak Orang Asli (open daily 11:30AM to 11:30PM). If you are heading here for dinner, try to come before 6PM to avoid the queue. The venue is famous for crabs as well as other live seafood. Despite its plain seaside setting, Restoran Todak does accept credit cards as well.

Getting to Johor Bahru From Singapore

There are a couple of ways to get to Johor Bahru if you are coming from Singapore. Here are the options, excluding having a private car:

• Public Bus: CW1, CW2, Bus 950, 170, 160 will take you to the border crossings up to JB Sentral. If you would like a direct bus connection to Johor Bahru from Singapore’s city centre, you can take CW2 which is a direct bus between Queen Street (Bugis) to JB CIQ.
• Train: It’s a 5 minute journey from Woodlands Train Checkpoint in Singapore to JB Sentral. You can book tickets here. It is now possible to book for train tickets several months in advance. Do note that if you take the train, you won’t be able to take the CW2 direct bus to Singapore’s city area but you can still take Bus 170 which goes to the city with several stops in between.
• Private Bus: The TS3 shuttle bus from Marina Square to JB CIQ is currently suspended. It is not known when it will reopen but you can call the bus company here (+65 6292 9009). 
• Private Transfers: (resumption pending) Yes, it’s possible to hire a private car to bring you to Johor Bahru (JB) from Singapore. This saves you the hassle of queuing with hundreds of people at customs. This also suits folks whose drop off points in Johor don’t lie within the city centre – including Nusajaya, Forest City, Bandar Baru Permas Jaya, etc.

Getting Around

My preferred way of getting around Johor Bahru and the surrounding towns like Iskandar Puteri (Nusajaya) is by a ride-sharing app like Grab. Fares in Malaysia are relatively inexpensive and you don’t have to worry about parking.

Where to Stay in Johor Bahru

The spanking new Holiday Inn Johor Bahru City Centre boasts of functional guest rooms decked in cheery colors. It is also connected to JB Sentral for easy access to transport hubs. A little bit farther out is Capri by Fraser Johor Bahru which is great for apartment style living. The property also has a club lounge.