10 Underrated Things To Do In Johor Bahru Aside From City Square Mall

Most of us Singaporeans have visited Johor Bahru to death and the usual hotspots like City Square Mall and Replacement Lodge cafe has become our regular weekend hangouts. If you’re getting tired of that routine, here are some fresh new ideas for things to do in Johor Bahru. Ride on horseback along palm plantations, or discover locally made clothes and vintage accessories for a change!

If you enjoy hassle free journeys, pre-book your Klook private car charter and let the driver take you to all these places and more! You can even hit your driver up for some food recommendations and he’ll be happy to make pit stops along the way.

Toppen Shopping Centre is Johor Bahru’s newest shopping haven to hit the streets this November 2019. The shopping complex boasts a TGV Cinema with inbuilt speakers in each seat for a booster in sound quality. Not to be missed, it also houses Malaysia’s LARGEST IKEA yet, an outdoor escapade for rock climbing, skateboarding, and an IG-worthy rooftop garden.

Talk about an inclusive spot for family time, an Instagram revamp and a place to simply sweat it out!

Address : Toppen Shopping Centre, No. 33, Jalan Harmonium, Taman Desa Tebrau, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Opening hours : Daily, 10am-10pm

Cross the border and you’ll find an old school fun fair costing just a meager amount. Danga World Theme Park may not be the most happening and hipster spot as most local bazaars do, but this escapade is everyone’s childhood memory with classic rides like bumper cars, Ferris wheel, and even a pirate ship!

The best part? Each ride costs less than $2!

Address : Danga Bay, 80200 Johor Bahru, Johor

Opening hours : 3pm-12am

Located just 10 minutes away from the Johor/Singapore causeway is Horse Valley Riding Academy. There are various courses for riders ranging from beginners to advanced riders. Whether you’re looking to enter a professional horse racing competition or just want an enjoyable joy ride, you’ll find a course for you here.

Address : PTD 109057 Kampong Plentong Baru, 81750 Masai, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Opening Hours : Tuesdays to Sundays: 7:00am – 11:00am/ 4:00pm – 7:00pm | Closed on Mondays

Little Paris in Johor is the solution for those itchy for some European flavour but don’t have the time (or cash) to fly there yet! With rows of shophouses that mimic the Parisian streets, this place makes for the perfect OOTDs!

There are plenty of quaint little cafes and bakeries as well as high fashion clothing stores for those looking to shop. At night, the place illuminates with rows of hanging fairy lights all around.

Address: Jalan Jaya Putra 1/1, Bandar Jaya Putra, 81100, Johor Bahru

The Old Town in Johor Bahru has plenty of murals and heritage buildings and you can easily spend the day roaming about the streets and snapping lots of photographs. Red House is the place for all you artsy-fartsy. Host to cultural and art events, this place is not just beautiful on the outside, you’ll find plenty of beauty inside as well.

Address : Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, 80000, Johor Bahru

The Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman Glass Temple is the only glass temple in Malaysia! This Hindu temple in Johor is covered entirely with colorful pieces of glass inside and out. The walls are fully covered with over 300000 Rudraksha beads that were specially flown in from Nepal.

Address :22 Lorong 1, Jalan Tebrau, Johor Bahru

Visiting hours: 1pm to 5pm daily

Prayers Time: Mon-Fri 7:30am – 12:00pm, 7:00pm – 10:00pm; Sat-Sun 7:00am – 10:00pm

You’ll find super salads, quinoa bowls and salmon avocado bagels all at the Roost Juice Bar.Once you’ve had your fill of fish head curry and lok lok, if you’re looking to detox, this is a great place to start. The space is stuffed with books on lopsided shells which make for a great photo.

Address : 35C, Jalan Wong Ah Fook, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Opening hours : Daily 1pm to 10pm

This 2 storey coffee mecca caused quite a stir when it opened in JB. The Factory 30 by Just Want Coffee is housed inside a refurbished factory and the interior is decorated to suit that factory look. With hand brewed coffees comprising of beans from a house blend of Mandheling, Brazilian, Colombian, and Indonesian, you can approach any of the baristas for more information about their brews.

The desserts and breakfast items are a great pairing for the complete experience.

Address: No 30, Jln Mutiara Emas 5/3, Taman Mount Austin, Johor Bahru

Opening hours: Daily 2pm to 12mn

Just a stone’s throw away from Legoland and Kitty Town, FANPEKKA is the solution to pacifying every parent’s wishlist; an educational theme park focusing on problem-solving and learning. Now you can learn and play at the same time!

Address : 2nd Floor Aeon Mall Tebrau City (New Wing), No.1, Jalan Desa Tebrau, Taman Desa Tebrau, 81100, Johor Bahru, Johor

Opening Hours : Daily, 10am to 10pm (last admission at 9pm)

The largest open to public organic farm in Malaysia is the Zenxin Organic Park! You can join the “organic farmer” programme to cultivate your green fingers or feed the furry farm animals or go fishing in the “lokang”!

Address : No.8, Jln Teknologi 1, Kws Perindustrian Mengkibol, 86000, Kluang, Johor, Malaysia.

Opening hours: Daily 9am to 6.30pm