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Kota Bharu - Grand temple and cultural heritage site

Best Time to Visit Kota Bharu

The best months to visit Kota Bharu are Jan, Feb, Mar. Here is the full monthly breakdown.

💰 From MYR 100/day

Photo: Florian Wehde / Unsplash

☀️

Best Months: Jan, Feb, Mar

These months offer the best balance of comfortable temperatures and low rainfall for visiting Kota Bharu. Expect highs of 28°C to 29°C to 30°C with relatively dry conditions.

Warmest Month

April

32°C high

Coldest Month

January

23°C low

Driest Month

March

18 rain days

Wettest Month

November

33 rain days

Monthly Weather

January

High: 28°C / Low: 23°C

29 rain days

28°
23°Jan

February

High: 29°C / Low: 23°C

20 rain days

29°
23°Feb

March

High: 30°C / Low: 24°C

18 rain days

30°
24°Mar

April

High: 32°C / Low: 25°C

22 rain days

32°
25°Apr

May

High: 32°C / Low: 25°C

31 rain days

32°
25°May

June

High: 32°C / Low: 25°C

26 rain days

32°
25°Jun

July

High: 32°C / Low: 25°C

26 rain days

32°
25°Jul

August

High: 31°C / Low: 24°C

33 rain days

31°
24°Aug

September

High: 31°C / Low: 24°C

28 rain days

31°
24°Sep

October

High: 30°C / Low: 24°C

32 rain days

30°
24°Oct

November

High: 29°C / Low: 24°C

33 rain days

29°
24°Nov

December

High: 28°C / Low: 24°C

29 rain days

28°
24°Dec
Best monthsTemperatures in °C (high/low)

Tourist Seasons in Kota Bharu

🌟

Peak Season

January, February, March

  • +Best weather conditions
  • +Most activities and events
  • -Higher prices and larger crowds
  • -Book accommodation well in advance
⚖️

Shoulder Season

April, December

  • +Good weather, fewer tourists
  • +Better value for accommodation
  • +More authentic local experiences
  • ~Some attractions may have reduced hours
💰

Off Season

May, June, July, August, September, October, November

  • +Lowest prices of the year
  • +No crowds at attractions
  • -Weather may be less favourable
  • -Some seasonal businesses may close

Month-by-Month Breakdown

MonthHighLowRain DaysSeason
January
28°C23°C
29
Peak Season
February
29°C23°C
20
Peak Season
March
30°C24°C
18
Peak Season
April
32°C25°C
22
Shoulder Season
May
32°C25°C
31
Off Season
June
32°C25°C
26
Off Season
July
32°C25°C
26
Off Season
August
31°C24°C
33
Off Season
September
31°C24°C
28
Off Season
October
30°C24°C
32
Off Season
November
29°C24°C
33
Off Season
December
28°C24°C
29
Shoulder Season

Season Timeline

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
PeakShoulderOff Season

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best month to visit Kota Bharu?
The best months to visit Kota Bharu are Jan, Feb, Mar. These months offer the most comfortable temperatures with relatively low rainfall.
What is the weather like in Kota Bharu?
Kota Bharu has temperatures ranging from 23°C to 32°C throughout the year. Summer (June to August) is the warmest period.
When is peak tourist season in Kota Bharu?
Peak tourist season in Kota Bharu is typically around Jan and Feb and Mar. For lower prices and fewer crowds, consider visiting during shoulder season months.
Is Kota Bharu worth visiting in winter?
Winter in Kota Bharu (December to February) sees lows of around 8°C. Winters are mild, making it a reasonable time to visit with fewer tourists.

Our Top 5 Favourite Tours in Kota Bharu

Make the most of your trip by booking popular tours and activities in advance.

Guided walking tour through a European city
1

Kota Bharu Walking Tour: Highlights & Hidden Gems

Discover Kota Bharu on foot with a local guide who knows every backstreet and story. You will cover the must-see landmarks and stumble upon places most visitors never find.

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Local street food and cuisine
2

Kota Bharu Food Tour: Street Food & Local Favourites

Eat your way through Kota Bharu with a local foodie as your guide. From bustling markets to tucked-away restaurants, taste the dishes the city is truly known for.

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Famous museum and attraction entrance
3

Best of Kota Bharu: Skip-the-Line Top Attractions

Skip the queues and get straight into Kota Bharu's top attractions with pre-booked access. An expert guide brings each site to life with stories and context you would not get on your own.

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Scenic countryside day trip
4

Day Trip from Kota Bharu: Scenic Excursion

Escape Kota Bharu for the day and explore the stunning surroundings. Transport, guide, and itinerary are all sorted so you can relax and enjoy the scenery.

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Local cultural experience and traditions
5

Kota Bharu Cultural Experience: History & Traditions

Go beyond sightseeing and connect with Kota Bharu's living culture. From hands-on workshops to historic neighbourhood walks, this is the side of the city most travellers miss.

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Top 3 Areas to Stay in Kota Bharu

Liveliest areas for nightlife, culture, and entertainment

Central Kota Bharu area in Kota Bharu
1

Central Kota Bharu

The bustling heart of the city, offering a blend of historical sites, markets, and government buildings.

Our top picks in Central Kota Bharu

🏨
Hotel Grand Riverview$$

Offers good river views and is a reliable mid-range option.

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🏨
Renaissance Kota Bharu Hotel$$$

A more upscale choice with modern facilities and a swimming pool.

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KB Boutique Hotel$$

Offers stylish, individually decorated rooms in a convenient location.

Book Now
🛡️ Generally safe during the day;...Mid-rangefirst-timersculture
View Hotels in Central Kota Bharu
Pengkalan Chepa area in Kota Bharu
2

Pengkalan Chepa

An industrial and airport-adjacent area that is less developed for tourism but offers proximity to the airport.

Our top picks in Pengkalan Chepa

🏨
The Room - Pengkalan Chepa$

A no-frills, clean hotel ideal for short stays near the airport.

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🏨
OYO 90118 Pengkalan Chepa$

Affordable and basic accommodation, good for short layovers.

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🛡️ Safe during the day; at night,...Budgetbudgetsolo travelers
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Kubang Kerian area in Kota Bharu
3

Kubang Kerian

A developing area known for its university and medical facilities, offering a more local residential feel.

Our top picks in Kubang Kerian

🏖️
Perdana Resort Kota Bharu$$

A comfortable resort with good amenities, popular with families.

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🏢
Homestay Kubang Kerian$

Offers basic, affordable rooms and apartments for longer stays.

Book Now
🛡️ Safe for day and night; primar...Budgetbudgetdigital nomads
View Hotels in Kubang Kerian

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