5-Day Kota Kinabalu Itinerary | Top Cultural Activities & Tourist Attractions
Plan a 5-day Kota Kinabalu itinerary that includes some of Borneo’s top attractions and best-kept secret getaways. This seaside capital of Sabah, Malaysia, features activities like hiking up Mount Kinabalu and tattoo-making demonstrations at Mari Mari Cultural Village. This adventure-packed list of itinerary ideas guarantees a stop at all the best things to do in Kota Kinabalu!
Best time to visit Kota Kinabalu
December through April is the coolest season in Kota Kinabalu. These are great months to hike Mount Kinabalu and enjoy outdoor activities, but this time of year also warrants crowds of tourists. Travelers who want the same type of weather but fewer tourists should consider a trip to KK between September and November.
Kota Kinabalu Itinerary | Day 1 – Explore the city
Kota Kinabalu is home to several historic landmarks, religious sites and museums, not to mention one fantastic beach. Visitors should spend at least one day exploring the top attractions in Kota Kinabalu.
- Signal Hill Observatory Tower – this trendy snack shop sits atop a cliffside and offers visitors a bird’s-eye view of Kota Kinabalu, surrounding islands and the gorgeous blue waters of the sea.
- Kota Kinabalu City Mosque (Masjid Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu ) – beautiful night and day, this mosque is built on a man-made lagoon and appears to float on the water.
- Sabah State Museum – this state museum houses an art gallery and exhibits about ancient civilizations of the region and features an on-site garden.
- Tanjung Aru Beach – after a day of sightseeing, head to Tanjung Aru Beach to catch a magnificent sunset and enjoy a beachfront dinner.
FIND KOTA KINABALU HOTELS TODAY
Kota Kinabalu Itinerary | Day 2 – Enjoy culture & shopping
If there are two things travelers can count on experiencing in KK, it’s culture and shopping. The two go hand in hand at the many markets and shopping districts in the city. At the end of a shopping spree in Kota Kinabalu, travelers can relax on a cruise down the Klias River.
- Mari Mari Cultural Village – step into a day in the life of five ancient people groups that influence the culture in Kota Kinabalu today.
- Filipino Market – next door to Centre Point Sabah, this diverse market offers local handicrafts, medicinal herbs, souvenirs and fresh produce.
- Chinatown (Gaya Street) – backpackers looking for cheap souvenirs and affordable accommodations will want to stay in Chinatown. The area’s shops and food stalls stay busy all day every day, but sightseers in in Chinatown on Sundays also can catch the Gaya Street Sunday Market.
- Klias River Cruise – for the grand finale of day two in Kota Kinabalu, book a cruise down the Klias River. The river is about an hour and a half west of the city, so tourists need to plan ahead for this activity. Spending the night near the river also is a possibility for guests who want to explore the scenic mangrove forest region more thoroughly.
PREFER COZY APARTMENTS OVER HOTELS?
Agoda’s got you covered!
Kota Kinabalu Itinerary | Day 3 – Island hopping
Kota Kinabalu is surrounded by picturesque islands, making watersports, diving and boating some of the most popular things to do in Kota Kinabalu. Tourists wanting to get a glimpse of some of the majestic isles should consider a trip to nearby Tunku Abdul Rahman Park. This marine park consists of five islands – Gaya, Manukan, Sapi, Sulug and Mamutik, and guests have the option of boating around to each of them, hiking through rainforests or snorkeling in coral gardens. Gaya Island even offers a 5-star resort for travelers who want to spend more time “out to sea.”
FIND KOTA KINABALU HOTELS TODAY
Kota Kinabalu Itinerary | Days 4 & 5 – Climb Mount Kinabalu
Tourists should save the best for last by planning a hike up Mount Kinabalu during days four and five of their Kota Kinabalu itinerary. This beautiful peak – the tallest in Borneo – is the reason many tourists visit KK in the first place. Trekkers can choose from two trails: Ranau Trail and Kota Belud. Most guests opt for the Ranau Trail because much of the pathway is equipped with handrails and man-made steps. Kota Belud is a more rugged trail better for advanced hikers. Plus, trekkers must obtain special permission to hike Kota Belud.
Mount Kinabalu hiking tips
- Only 185 people can ascend the mountain each day. Booking tickets in advance is the best way to guarantee a spot on the day of arrival.
- All climbers must obtain proper permits and secure accommodations at the base camp in Panalaban in advance.
- Trekkers must go with a guide. Guides are provided at the base of the mountain.
Mount Kinabalu is open for hiking year-round but closes occasionally due to weather conditions. If you’re visiting KK during inclement weather, check with park authorities before traveling to the hiking trail entrance.
FIND KOTA KINABALU HOTELS TODAY
Where to stay in Kota Kinabalu
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Plan a 5-day Kota Kinabalu itinerary that includes some of Borneo’s top attractions and best-kept secret getaways. This seaside capital of Sabah, Malaysia, features activities like hiking up Mount Kinabalu and tattoo-making demonstrations at Mari Mari Cultural Village. This adventure-packed list of itinerary ideas guarantees a stop at all the best things to do in Kota Kinabalu!
Best time to visit Kota Kinabalu
December through April is the coolest season in Kota Kinabalu. These are great months to hike Mount Kinabalu and enjoy outdoor activities, but this time of year also warrants crowds of tourists. Travelers who want the same type of weather but fewer tourists should consider a trip to KK between September and November.
Kota Kinabalu Itinerary | Day 1 – Explore the city
Kota Kinabalu is home to several historic landmarks, religious sites and museums, not to mention one fantastic beach. Visitors should spend at least one day exploring the top attractions in Kota Kinabalu.
- Signal Hill Observatory Tower – this trendy snack shop sits atop a cliffside and offers visitors a bird’s-eye view of Kota Kinabalu, surrounding islands and the gorgeous blue waters of the sea.
- Kota Kinabalu City Mosque (Masjid Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu ) – beautiful night and day, this mosque is built on a man-made lagoon and appears to float on the water.
- Sabah State Museum – this state museum houses an art gallery and exhibits about ancient civilizations of the region and features an on-site garden.
- Tanjung Aru Beach – after a day of sightseeing, head to Tanjung Aru Beach to catch a magnificent sunset and enjoy a beachfront dinner.
FIND KOTA KINABALU HOTELS TODAY
Kota Kinabalu Itinerary | Day 2 – Enjoy culture & shopping
If there are two things travelers can count on experiencing in KK, it’s culture and shopping. The two go hand in hand at the many markets and shopping districts in the city. At the end of a shopping spree in Kota Kinabalu, travelers can relax on a cruise down the Klias River.
- Mari Mari Cultural Village – step into a day in the life of five ancient people groups that influence the culture in Kota Kinabalu today.
- Filipino Market – next door to Centre Point Sabah, this diverse market offers local handicrafts, medicinal herbs, souvenirs and fresh produce.
- Chinatown (Gaya Street) – backpackers looking for cheap souvenirs and affordable accommodations will want to stay in Chinatown. The area’s shops and food stalls stay busy all day every day, but sightseers in in Chinatown on Sundays also can catch the Gaya Street Sunday Market.
- Klias River Cruise – for the grand finale of day two in Kota Kinabalu, book a cruise down the Klias River. The river is about an hour and a half west of the city, so tourists need to plan ahead for this activity. Spending the night near the river also is a possibility for guests who want to explore the scenic mangrove forest region more thoroughly.
PREFER COZY APARTMENTS OVER HOTELS?
Agoda’s got you covered!
Kota Kinabalu Itinerary | Day 3 – Island hopping
Kota Kinabalu is surrounded by picturesque islands, making watersports, diving and boating some of the most popular things to do in Kota Kinabalu. Tourists wanting to get a glimpse of some of the majestic isles should consider a trip to nearby Tunku Abdul Rahman Park. This marine park consists of five islands – Gaya, Manukan, Sapi, Sulug and Mamutik, and guests have the option of boating around to each of them, hiking through rainforests or snorkeling in coral gardens. Gaya Island even offers a 5-star resort for travelers who want to spend more time “out to sea.”
FIND KOTA KINABALU HOTELS TODAY
Kota Kinabalu Itinerary | Days 4 & 5 – Climb Mount Kinabalu
Tourists should save the best for last by planning a hike up Mount Kinabalu during days four and five of their Kota Kinabalu itinerary. This beautiful peak – the tallest in Borneo – is the reason many tourists visit KK in the first place. Trekkers can choose from two trails: Ranau Trail and Kota Belud. Most guests opt for the Ranau Trail because much of the pathway is equipped with handrails and man-made steps. Kota Belud is a more rugged trail better for advanced hikers. Plus, trekkers must obtain special permission to hike Kota Belud.
Mount Kinabalu hiking tips
- Only 185 people can ascend the mountain each day. Booking tickets in advance is the best way to guarantee a spot on the day of arrival.
- All climbers must obtain proper permits and secure accommodations at the base camp in Panalaban in advance.
- Trekkers must go with a guide. Guides are provided at the base of the mountain.
Mount Kinabalu is open for hiking year-round but closes occasionally due to weather conditions. If you’re visiting KK during inclement weather, check with park authorities before traveling to the hiking trail entrance.
FIND KOTA KINABALU HOTELS TODAY
Where to stay in Kota Kinabalu
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