Top 19 Best Things To Do In Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia [2024]

The east coast of Malaysia is great to explore. However, with all the beautiful tropical islands, it can be easy to forget that there is far more to explore here. Like Kuala Terengganu!  There are plenty of things to do in Terengganu, so it’s well worth a visit if you can spare the time.

Kuala Terengganu is a city with over 250,000 people located towards the northern end of the east coast and close to the popular island of Redang. Many people that come through here just to go straight to Redang, which is a shame! There are many places to visit in Terengganu, making it worth a stopover even if you can only spend a night.

Kuala Terengganu is in a pretty spot centred on a promontory on the South China Sea. It was a fishing village before oil was found here. Now rapid development has lead to a great waterfront area. You’ll also find one of the best Chinatowns in Malaysia. This is also the best place in Terengganu for yummy food!  The area is picturesque, with kampong-style stilt houses.

And that’s not even mentioning the best aspect of this city – its friendly people. It’s the friendliest place I have been to in Malaysia and that’s saying a lot.

If you are exploring the east coast of Malaysia, definitely add Kuala Terengganu to your list as there are plenty of interesting places in Terengganu to visit.

Below, I give you 20 reasons why with our best things to do in Kuala Terengganu. I also help you plan your trip with the best hotels in Kuala Terengganu, how to get there, how to get around and what we thought of our visit here. You can also see where all the best attractions in Kuala Terengganu are located on a handy map!

Let’s start!

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Top 19 Best Things To Do In Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia [2023]

Below are our suggestions for what to do in Kuala Terengganu. Note that the state of Terengganu has weekends on a Friday and Saturday. Opening hours to many of the interesting places to visit in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia are limited or closed on Fridays. So if you only have one day in this city, try to make it a different day.

It’s also worth noting that when we visited, many attractions we planned to visit were actually closed down so be weary about reading older publications, like Lonely Planet. Everything below was definitely available when we updated this article. Be wary of anything published earlier.

Visit The Tengku Tengah Zaharah Mosque

When it comes to what to do in Terengganu, I recommend starting with a visit to the Tengku Tengah Zaharah Mosque.  This stunning mosque, known as the Floating Mosque, is on an artificial island surrounded by water about 4.5 kilometres south east of the centre of Kuala Terengganu.

The mosque is pretty at any time of day, but it’s particularly beautiful at sunset when the traditional white, Moorish design looks spectacular against the setting sun.  Definitely, a top place to visit in Terengganu.

Explore Taman Tamadun Islam And The Crystal Mosque

When you visit Kuala Terengganu, definitely take a look at Taman Tamadu Islam – the world’s first Islamic civilisation park. There are two parts to it.

Zone A is the first part. It is free. Here you can visit the Crystal Mosque pictured above. Made out of steel and glass, it is quite unique. It is named after the huge crystal chandelier in the main prayer hall.

Zone B has an entry fee and is home to a series of miniature models of famous Islamic buildings from around the world such as Mecca’s Haram Mosque and India’s Taj Mahal. They are built to a scale between 1:17 and 1:22. There are also river cruises.

The mosque is located about 2.5 kilometres from central Kuala Terengganu and there are bus and taxi options.  This is one attraction that should be on your list of Terengganu places to visit.

Explore Chinatown

After the serenity of the mosques, the next best place to visit in Kuala Terengganu is bustling Chinatown. This compact area is centred on Jalan Kampung Cina and is home to heritage buildings, temples and alleys with street art.  It’s charming and makes for a lovely walk.

It’s a fun place for a quick stroll and, below, you will find some Kuala Terengganu things to do while you are there.

Find Some Street Art

More and more cities in Malaysia seem to be adding some fabulous street art to their alleys and streets and, thankfully, Kuala Terengganu has too!

The best place in Kuala Terengganu to see street art is in Chinatown.  While you’re there check out every alley you see and you’ll find many will have street art. When I tried to find examples I had looked up beforehand, they just weren’t where they were publicised. It’s much easier (and more fun) to just look out for it as you go.

Visit Ho Ann Kiong Temple

Also located in Chinatown, the attractive Ho Ann Kiong Temple is another Terengganu place to visit as you wander around.

This red and gold temple dates back to 1796, although it was rebuilt in both 1801 and 2010 after a fire. It’s smaller than I expected. Make sure you check out the stone carvings inside and outside the temple.

And when you are finished, walk around the back. There is a cool “wishing tree”.

Learn Chinese Peranakan History At Teck Soon Heritage House

In a previous life, this Chinatown shophouse was owned by the Teck Soon Trading Company. Now, it is a much more interesting place in Terengganu as it is a history museum focused on Chinese Peranakan culture in this city. Painted beautifully in three shades of blue, even if you don’t want to enter, it’s worth checking out the outside.

Entry is free. However, it is unclear what the opening hours of the museum are now. Still, wander past when you are exploring Kuala Terengganu as it looks great.

Shop At The Central Market

Another one of the things to do Kuala Terengganu offers is the Central Market. This is the place to go for a lively atmosphere, to sample local food and buy fruit.

There’s also a wide range of batik and locally weaved fabric here. Many stalls are shut on Fridays.

Visit The Zainal Abidin Mosque

For a mosque closer to the city centre, the Zainal Abidin Mosque is a Kuala Terengganu tourist attraction just a short walk from Chinatown. It’s pretty inside with 9 domes letting light in and pretty latticed windows.

Non-Muslims can enter if dressed appropriately.

Check Out Istana Maziah

Near the Central Market on the side of a hill is the Sultan’s Palace.

You can’t go inside to visit, but it’s still one of the Kuala Terengganu places to visit – you can check out the outside as you walk past on Jalan Masjid Abidin.

Visit Bukit Puteri

Another one of the places to go in Terengganu which is located by the Central Market and Istana Maziah is Bukit Puteri. Here, there are a few Kuala Terengganu activities including a 200 metre hill you can walk up to get great views of Kuala Terengganu, the Sungai Terengganu river mouth and out to the South China Sea.

There are also historical remains here from when the sultan used this area during the civil war as a fort. There are still cannons, a flagpole, large bell and remains of defence walls. You can also find a lighthouse at the top of the hill.

Entry costs RM1. It was closed at the time of publishing so we couldn’t check it out.

Walk Along The Waterfront Area

For your Kuala Terengganu sightseeing list be sure to add the area by the river near Chinatown. There are pretty bridges and walkways and even a huge “I <3 KT” sign.

It’s a nice place to walk in the evening, and there are some food stalls to fill your belly as well.

Explore Pulau Duyung

Pulau Duyung is an island in the estuary close to the centre of Kuala Terengganu. It’s quite different from the other options of what to see in Kuala Terengganu as it feels like you go back in time if you walk around the older areas.

It is just a short taxi, bus or ferry (from behind Central Market but just once a day) from the centre and, unfortunately, modern housing estates are starting to take over the island. However, there are still old wooden houses and it can feel like you are in a smaller village.

You can walk around and soak up the island as well as visit old boat-building yards where boats are often built using old tools and techniques. Pulau Duyung is certainly another one of the interesting places in Kuala Terengganu to visit.

Learn History At The Muzium Kompleks Negeri Terengganu (Terengganu State Museum)

This is a top tourist attraction in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia if you want to learn more about the history of the area and to see traditional houses. It’s actually the largest museum in Malaysia with 4 interconnected buildings built on stilts and based on ancient Terengganu palace designs!

The highlight is definitely the buildings themselves and other traditional buildings that are here.

Inside, you will find information on natural history including rocks, minerals, flora and fauna found in the state, local textiles, traditional handicrafts, the Terengganu royal family, petroleum, the arrival of Islam into the Terengganu area and the history of human development in Terengganu. There are also old cars, boats and planes to check out. It’s a lot!

The only shame is that it could be better maintained and put in some type of order so you can get as much as possible from a visit. Still, it’s definitely one of the Kuala Terengganu tourist attractions worth visiting, even just for the buildings alone.

This tourist attraction in Terengganu is located about 6 kilometres from the city, so you need to bus or take a Grab taxi. Foreigner entry is currently RM15 for adults or RM10 for kids. It’s a fair bit cheaper for Malaysians.

Eat Everything At Town City Food Court

The best place to visit in Terengganu when you start to get hungry is Town City Food Court.  Located on the edge of Chinatown, it’s the perfect place to kick back for lunch or dinner. There are some good Chinese food options. There is also a relatively good selection of cold beer and fans to keep things cool.

When I first entered, I was overwhelmed by some menus being only in Chinese, but people speak at least some English so don’t let that stop you!

Taste The Great Coffee At Star Anise

One of the top 10 things to do in Kuala Terengganu is to pop into Kuala Terengganu’s best coffee joint!

Open from midday to midnight in Chinatown, this is the perfect place to grab a sweet coffee or to take a break between sightseeing for some pie or cheesecake.

Relax at Batu Buruk (Beach)

Looking for some beach time with your Kuala Terengganu main attractions? Then head to Batu Buruk.

Located a short drive away, this is where you will find a long sandy beach with nice water although it’s a better place to picnic than swim. There are also cultural performances sometimes and swings right on the beach!

It is popular with locals, particularly on weekends, so weekdays can be a better time to visit with the absolute best time to visit being on Friday nights when there is a delicious night market.

While Batu Buruk is not the best place at Terengganu if you’re looking for a swim, it’s still well worth a visit to hang out with the locals.

Take A Cruise

A great way to explore Kuala Terengganu is from the water, especially if you are short on time.

On this two hour cruise, you can see many of the things to do in Kuala Terengganu from a different angle and take some great photos.

This cruise visits the Crystal Mosque, Duyong Island, Sekati Island, the big drawbridge and more. It departs throughout the day so you can choose your perfect time slot.

Click here to see the latest prices and to book.

Visit Redang Island

Redang Island is the place to go for gorgeous beaches and great snorkelling and diving. Visiting here is a great to intersperse the city attractions of Kuala Terengganu with some amazing natural attractions. It’s one of the prettiest places I have been in Malaysia.

While at least an overnight stay is best (read our guide to the best resorts here), it is also possible to day trip to Redang Island. Find our full Redang travel guide here.

You can also read exactly how to get to Redang from Kuala Terengganu here.

Visit A Fisherman’s Village In Seberang Takir

Found just off the coast of Kuala Terengganu, Seberang Takir is a fisherman’s village which is the best places in Terengganu for visitors to get a glimpse of authentic local culture in the area. 

Hire a local boat and driver to take you to the village, as you immerse yourself and observe the everyday lives of locals in the village. Visitors here are always welcome.

Just make sure that you’re respectful with the locals because Seberang Takir is a real working village.

Kuala Terengganu Itinerary

The downtown area is home to many of the attractions and activities in Terengganu which are mentioned above.  They are all just a short walk from each other.

Below, I have listed a short circuit you could do on foot to visit all the Terengganu interesting places. You only need a couple of hours to do this.

Visit the Terengganu points of interest in this order to save your legs and see a lot in a short time:

1. Istana Maziah
2. Zainal Abidin Mosque
3. Bukit Puteri
4. Central Market
5. Walk through Chinatown, looking for street art and while visiting the following attractions.
6. Star Anise
7. Ho Ann Kiong Temple
8. Town City Food Court
9. Waterfront area

Top it off with this river cruise, and you can see a lot of Kuala Terengganu in half a day.

Best Hotels In Kuala Terengganu

A plus about visiting Kuala Terengganu is that there is a range of accommodation and it is all good value.

I recommend staying somewhere central where you can walk to most tourist attractions in Terengganu mentioned above. Make sure you are close to Chinatown and that will tick this box.

MIDRANGE – Grand Puteri Hotel Review

The Grand Puteri Hotel is my top choice because it is so centrally located, has great facilities and is incredibly good value.

You can easily walk to most Kuala Terengganu attractions listed above from here and then cool down in the pool when you are done. There is also a restaurant and a business centre.

There are a few different room types. We stayed in the cheapest, which is fine – although you do somewhat get what you pay for. There are suites if you want a treat! I was very happy with the price we paid.

Click here to see the latest prices or read our full review here.

BUDGET – Arena Boutique Hotel Review

For a great priced option, consider the clean, tidy and comfortable Arena Boutique Hotel on the edge of Chinatown. It’s only a budget hotel in terms of price, not what is offered.

There is a great range of room types of solo travellers, couples and families with bedding for up to five. Rooms come with free wifi, tea and coffee making facilities, flatscreen TV and comfortable bedding. There is also an executive suite with its own living area.

On-site, you can also find a fitness centre and a restaurant.

Click here to see the latest prices.

Find our full guide to the best hotels in Kuala Terengganu here.

Getting To Kuala Terengganu

Kuala Terengganu is easy to reach from anywhere in Malaysia. There is an airport where you can fly direct from Kuala Lumpur or you can catch buses from many points.

You can find direct buses to Kuala Terengganu from Kuala Lumpur here.

You can also read our full guide to getting to Kuala Terengganu from Kuala Lumpur here.

At the time of writing this, direct buses from Singapore to Kuala Terengganu were not running. Your best bet is to get a bus to Johor Bahru and then catch a direct one from there.

Click here for latest timetables and prices from Johor Bahru to Kuala Terengganu.

An even easier way to get to Kuala Terengganu from all over peninsular Malaysia is to take a private, long-distance taxi.

We can book one for you with a safe and trustworthy local operator. Click here for the details.

Getting Around Kuala Terengganu

Most things to do in Kuala Terengganu are close together so it’s easy to walk between many of the attractions here.

For others, there is a good bus system in Kuala Terengganu which should get you to most places of interest in Kuala Terengganu listed above. However, if you have limited time, it’s much easier to use taxis and they are affordable as well.

Use the Grab app (easy to install and get started if you don’t already have it) to get taxis. This works like Uber (in fact, Grab bought Uber in Malaysia) and makes life very easy.

Map Of Attractions In Kuala Terengganu

To help you plan your itinerary below is a map which shows where all the places to go in Kuala Terengganu are located.

Kuala Terengganu With Kids

I visited Kuala Terengganu with my kids and found it a very easy place to be. Most places to visit Kuala Terengganu are short and sweet which is excellent for kids with short attention spans!

They also particularly loved the Muzium Kompleks Negeri Terengganu thanks to all the buildings, cars, planes and boats.

The night market at Batu Buruk is also a winner, particularly if you’re after a Kuala Terengganu night activity.

There is also a playground out the back of the Town City Food Court perfect for a play while you get something to eat. The riverfront area is also good to get rid of some energy. There is another great playground near Shahbandar Jetty.

Final Words

It can be easy to skip over Kuala Terengganu on your way elsewhere but don’t! A visit here is an easy way to see a different slice of Malaysia with some low key attractions and great food.

Even if you can only spare a night on your way to Redang Island, it’s worth it! Especially as many of the Kuala Terengganu activities are a short walk from each other meaning you can explore a lot in even just a morning or evening. This city is great for walking around in and people are very friendly and helpful.

Don’t miss it!

Click here to read our guide to the best places to stay in Kuala Terengganu. You can find our full travel guide to Kuala Terengganu here.

Heading to Redang Island afterwards? Find all our Redang Island guides here.

Planning a trip to Malaysia? Have any questions? Join our Malaysia Travel Planning Facebook group here now! It’s the perfect place to ask any questions and to be inspired!