Johor is one of Malaysia’s hidden gems filled with amazing historical sites such as the Johor Ancient Temple; fun theme parks, one of which is the famous LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort; and the beautiful untouched nature of Hutan Lipur Gunung Pulai. There is also a great variety of local cuisine you can enjoy while in Johor, such as freshly grilled seafood, the Fish Head Curry, or the famous Johor Laksa.
While visiting Johor, do not miss out on great discounts at the Johor Premium Outlets which has a variety of products from an estimated 150 stores for you to choose from. Before you leave Johor, go for a moonlit cruise at Kota Tinggi Firefly Park and be fascinated by the enchanted lights of fireflies, which makes for a perfect ending to your trip. Read on to discover the 8 best things to do in Johor before you embark on an exciting weekend adventure.
What is the history of Johor?
Johor was founded by Sultan Mahmud Shah and his son Alauddin after the Malaccan kingdom fell to the Portuguese. The state is linked to Singapore by causeways and is known for beaches and rainforests. Because of Johor’s shallow harbours, its trade depends on Singapore’s port facilities. Commodity movements are mainly by roads, all converging on the state’s main city, Johor Bahru.
Johor is often underestimated as a low-cost retreat for Singaporeans and foreigners alike. However, with the oil and gas project in Pengerang and with other upcoming development projects under the Iskandar Malaysia economic corridor, Johor has become the latest trade focus in Malaysia. This would eventually lead to more job opportunities and economic growth in Johor.
8 Best Things To Do in Johor 2026
1. Explore The Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman Glass Temple
The Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman Glass Temple was established in 1922 and it is Asia’s first temple covered in glass and glass mosaics. On 12th May 2010, the temple was listed in the Malaysian Book of Records as the nation’s first and only glass temple. The temple sparkles like a diamond because at least 90 percent of the temple is embellished by a mosaic of 300,000 pieces of red, blue, yellow, green, purple, and white glass. There are also 10 white marble statues of Gautama Buddha, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Sai Baba, and Mother Teresa to cater to visitors of other faiths.
Operating Hours: 7am to 12pm, 7pm to 10pm daily
Address: Jalan Tun Abdul Razak 1/1, Wadi Hana, 80300 Johor Bahru, Johor
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2. Visit The Johor Ancient Temple
The Johor Ancient Temple is one of the oldest structures in the city and dates back to as early as the 19th century. It eventually became the symbol of unity among 5 Chinese ethnic groups, which are the Teochew, Hokkien, Cantonese, Hakka, and Hainanese people. Therefore, the temple has a mixture of shrines for deities worshipped by these Chinese ethnic groups. The entrance is painted in red which contrasts beautifully against the predominantly white background of the front wall and the front of the building has intricate paintings of the Chinese Zodiac. The Chinese deity Yuan Tian Shang Di is the main deity of the temple and the shrine is located within the main central building of the temple.
Operating Hours: 7am to 5pm daily
Address: Lot 653, Jalan Trus, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor
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Google Reviews: Here
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Johor.Ancient.Temple/
3. Go Hiking At Hutan Lipur Gunung Pulai
Hutan Lipur Gunung Pulai is a great location for a hike. The beautiful greenery, clear streams, and a breath of fresh air will recharge your mind, body, and soul. You can either use the steep paved road or jungle trail to reach the peak. However, using the jungle trail would require a permit. You would be able to spot monkeys and squirrels along the trail and there is also a majestic waterfall along the way for those who wish to have a refreshing dip or even a picnic.
Operating Hours: All-day
Address: Hutan Lipur Gunung Pulai, 81000 Kulai, Johor
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Website: https://www.mpkulai.gov.my/ms/pelawat/rekreasi/hutan-lipur-gunung-pulai
4. Tour The Desaru Fruit Farm
The Desaru Fruit Farm was awarded the “Best Agro-Tourism site” in Malaysia in 2006. At the farm, there is a guided farm tour of the 180 acres of land with tropical fruit, a visit to the agricultural gallery, the fish pond, and the vegetable and herb garden. There is also a petting Zoo for children, an educational talk about bees, and the opportunity to taste fresh raw honey. You will be gifted with a box of freshly picked fruits at the end of the tour. It is certainly a great place to visit with family and friends.
Operating Hours: 9am to 6pm daily
Address: 92, 82200, Johor
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Website: https://dff.world/
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5. Experience LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort
LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort is Malaysia’s first international theme park, which houses over 40 interactive rides, shows, and attractions. Legoland Malaysia is divided into several themes, each featuring attractions of its own. The Technic-themed area includes some of the fastest attractions in the park, while The LEGO Kingdom has a medieval theme. The Land of Adventure, on the other hand, is based on colonial exploration and discovery. The most popular attraction of all would be the water park, which includes more than 20 water slides and 70 LEGO models. Be prepared to spend the whole day with your loved ones at the park, as the variety of attractions will require some time to be explored.
Operating Hours:
- 10am to 6pm (Friday – Monday)
- 10am to 5pm (Tuesday and Thursday)
- Closed on Wednesday
Address: 7, Persiaran Medini Utara 3, 79100 Nusajaya, Johor
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Website: https://www.legoland.com.my
Refer Price at: shopee.com
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6. Have Fun At Danga Bay
Danga Bay is the largest recreational park in the city of Johor Bahru. There is usually a live band playing and it is a great hangout spot for families with children. There is a mini amusement park for children and adults within Danga Bay which has some fun rides such as bumper cars, a mini train, a merry-go-round, a pirate ship, and more. The view is beautiful at night and the lights of the amusement park brighten up the place to give it a cheerful ambiance. There are also food stalls nearby where you can enjoy local delicacies and fast food. Other activities include renting bicycles to explore the area around Danga Bay. Your trip to Danga Bay would undeniably be a memorable one for you and your family.
Operating Hours: 7pm to 12am daily
Address: Jalan Bertingkat Skudai, Danga Bay, 80200 Johor Bahru, Johor
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Website: https://www.facebook.com/Danga-Bay-Theme-Parkl
7. Shop At Johor Premium Outlets
The Johor Premium Outlets is a mall in Indahpura, Malaysia, housing an impressive 150 stores as of 2019. The outlet is aimed at targeting visitors from Malaysia and Singapore with luxury brands such as Bally, Salvatore Ferragamo, Furla, Ermenegildo Zegna, and Coach. The outlet is based on an open-air design concept and is beautifully put together with nice open shaded walkways and greenery. Visitors can also join in group tours where they can own a complimentary Savings Passport to earn more discounts.
Operating Hours: 10am to 10pm daily
Address: Jalan Premium Outlets, Bandar Indahpura, 81000 Kulai, Johor
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Website: https://www.premiumoutlets.com.my
Refer Price at: klook.com
8. Watch Fireflies At Kota Tinggi Firefly Park
Witness a spectacular view of the sky being lit up by thousands of magical fireflies at the Kota Tinggi Firefly Park. You will be brought on a moonlight cruise along the wetlands where you will see fireflies spread along the riverbank, lighting up the mangrove tree leaves like Christmas lights. Flash photography is not allowed, however, you can take videos of the beautiful dancing lights of the fireflies in the night’s sky. You might even get lucky and see some fireflies up close. This is indeed an extraordinary vision that one has to witness once in a lifetime.
Operating Hours: 1pm to 11pm daily
Address: Jalan Kota Tinggi, 81900 Kota Tinggi, Johor
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Google Reviews: Here
Website: https://www.facebook.com/ktfireflypark
Refer Price at: klook.com
Disclosure: This list was compiled by the team at My Weekend Plan after extensive research and shared opinions to suggest helpful recommendations for the public. The sequence of brands is in no particular order so if you have any other great suggestions too, please email us support@myweekendplan.com.my. For more information, kindly refer to our copyright, privacy & disclosure policy.
