Holiday in Johor Bahru

What makes Johor Bahru special as a destination?

Johor Bahru — known locally as JB — is Malaysia's southernmost major city and the gateway to Singapore, separated only by the narrow Johor Strait and the 1,056-kilometer-long Causeway. Every day, hundreds of thousands of commuters cross the border in both directions, making JB one of the most frequented border cities in the world. However, Johor Bahru is much more than just an affordable neighbor to Singapore. The Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque, completed in 1900, majestically sits on a cliff overlooking the Johor Strait and is one of the most beautiful mosques in Southeast Asia. Its architecture combines Victorian, Moorish, and Malay elements, and from the terraces, there is a wide view over the strait to Singapore. The adjacent Royal Abu Bakar Museum and Grand Palace document the history of the Johor Sultanate. Legoland Malaysia, the first Legoland park in Asia, is located in the southern part of the city and is a magnet for families from the entire region: Over 70 rides, a water park, and Miniland (Asian landmarks made from over 30 million Lego bricks) provide all-day entertainment. Nearby, Hello Kitty Town and the Thomas Town theme park in Puteri Harbour attract visitors as well. The street food scene in JB is legendary and a major reason for the weekend invasion from Singapore: At Restoran Hua Mui (since 1946), the aroma of Hainanese Chicken Chop fills the air, while in the hawker centers of Jalan Wong Ah Fook, Satay, Nasi Lemak, and Mee Rebus sizzle at prices that would be unthinkable in Singapore — often just a third of what they cost in the neighboring city. The Desaru Coast, about an hour's drive to the east, offers 17 kilometers of pristine sandy beach along the South China Sea: Luxury resorts, a water park, and an adventure park make it an emerging beach resort destination in Southeast Asia, away from the crowds of Langkawi or Bali.