Kota Kinabalu is a good place for travelers to roam around for a few days without an agenda. Rather than seeking an experience or something out, leave time to let things find you. However, with three days or less, there are three things that you should prioritize while in the town of Kota Kinabalu (+ 1 bonus item).
You’ll most likely get in by flight, and you can get around via the Grab e-hailing mobile application. Be aware that there can be traffic jams entering or leaving KK but the airport is so close, so transit there won’t be affected too much. Kota Kinabalu does not feel overwhelming for a “city” and the people there are quite nice, with a strong command of English. Don’t worry if you can’t speak Malay, but try to learn how to say thank you – Terima Kasih!
3 Eat your Quota in Kota (Kinabalu)
It’s always a good idea to get your day started at a Kedai Kopi (Coffee House) which almost always offer a variety of delicious local dishes, along with coffee.
There are some famous restaurants in KK like Yee Fung Laksa, Kedai Kopi Fatt Kee, or Sri Latha Curry House where you might have to queue up.
Unlike Sarawak, which is synonymous with 3-4 unique dishes (like Sarawak Laksa), Kota Kinabalu does not have a single dish that makes it famous. However, KK is the place Malaysians go for seafood.
On the edge of the infamous South China Sea, you will see a colorful and diverse set of options for dinner when you stroll down to the KK Waterfront or to the nearby Central Market.
Choose your fish, crustacean (lobster), or even ray, and tell the restaurant how you want it cooked – grilled with butter, stir-fried with sambal, steamed with lime and herbs. Have yourself a seat by the water and enjoy a luxurious seafood dinner at a bargain price.
2 Get the Most off the Coast
Starting off at the Jesselton Point Ferry, you can easily skip over to the four nearby islands. It is a luxury of convenience to be able have an island getaway while in proximity to the town. Once you arrive on the islands however, you feel far away from the mainland, for a very relaxing time.
Check out my post here on how easy it is to island hop!
Recommendation – You should start your trip in morning to give yourself more time. Sapi Island is the place that is popular for snorkeling.
1 Leave nothing but footprints – Explore the town by foot
You will need to burn all the calories from eating nasi lemak, lobster, and your daily cendol. There is no better way to learn about a town than to walk in it. Kota Kinabalu is a good place to wear down the soles of your shoes, plus it feels more manageable than a large city like Kuala Lumpur.
There are several historical buildings like the Atkinson Clock Tower, interesting spots for photo ops like the Pillars of Sabah, and plenty of food stalls and markets where your nose can pick your next meal.
Bonus: Nature Tour outside of Kota Kinabalu
This list would not be complete if it excluded exploring Borneo’s biodiversity, beyond the city limits of KK. Some of the popular options are the Klias Wetlands Tour and a tour of Kinabalu National Park.
Some of you may be inclined to climb the incline of Mount Kinabalu, which will take at least two days. If you want to get up close to the mountain and breathe the mountain air without climbing to the peak, you can check out my post on a one-day tour of Kinabalu Park and Poring Hot Springs (+ Canopy Walk).
For those wondering, when I visited KK, I stayed right in the middle of town at the CJ Residence (affiliate link). It is not a hotel, but more of a serviced apartment, so you get a real local feel. There are tons of food shops nearby and it is a convenient location to start a morning walk.
Whatever your reason is when visiting Kota Kinabalu, remember to leave nothing but footprints!