Weather in Kota Bharu

About Kota Bharu

Kelantan's capital preserves traditional Malay arts and crafts culture where silk-weaving, batik-making, and wood-carving continue in family workshops. The wet market overflows with tropical produce and seafood while mosques and palaces reflect Islamic sultanate heritage. Kota Bharu remains the heartland of Malay cultural tradition.

Country

Malaysia

Best months to visit

Year-round

Currency

MYR

Language

Malay

Things to do in Kota Bharu

Watch silk weaving on traditional looms Learn batik-making from artisans Explore wet market's tropical abundance Visit Islamic museums and palaces Attend traditional Malay music performances Shop for batik textiles and handicrafts

Weather by month

Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.

January

28C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

February

29C

Warm and pleasant, with some rainy days.

March

30C

Hot and humid, with some rainy days.

April

31C

Hot and humid, with regular rainfall.

May

31C

Hot and humid, with frequent heavy rain.

June

31C

Hot and humid, with frequent heavy rain.

July

31C

Hot and humid, with frequent heavy rain.

August

31C

Hot and humid, with frequent heavy rain.

September

30C

Hot and humid, with frequent heavy rain.

October

29C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

November

28C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

December

28C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

Kota Bharu, near Malaysia's border with Thailand, is the cultural heart of Kelantan state — a city of vibrant markets, traditional batik and songket weaving workshops, and shadow puppet performances, with a noticeably more conservative, religiously observant atmosphere than the west coast. It also serves as the main jumping-off point for the Perhentian Islands' clear-water beaches.

Best areas to stay in Kota Bharu

Pasar Siti Khadijah

The city's iconic central market, spread over several floors with produce, snacks and textiles.

Wakaf Che Yeh

A sprawling night market area known for Kelantanese street food and local snacks.

Kampung Kraftangan (Handicraft Village)

A cluster of workshops and small museums showcasing batik, songket and silverwork production.

Kuala Besut

The jetty town an hour away, used as the departure point for boats to the Perhentian Islands.

Getting to Kota Bharu

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Flights

Sultan Ismail Petra Airport in Kota Bharu has domestic flights from Kuala Lumpur; it's also reachable overland from the Thai border at Rantau Panjang.

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From London

~15-17 hours from London via Kuala Lumpur plus a domestic flight.

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Getting around

Taxis and Grab cover the city; buses and taxis connect onward to Kuala Besut for Perhentian Islands boats.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to the Perhentian Islands from Kota Bharu?

Take a taxi or bus (about 1-1.5 hours) to the Kuala Besut jetty, then a speedboat (around 30-45 minutes) to Pulau Perhentian.

What is Kota Bharu's central market like?

Pasar Siti Khadijah is a multi-storey market famous for its colourful displays of produce, spices and dried goods, mostly run by women traders.

Is Kota Bharu conservative compared to other Malaysian cities?

Yes — Kelantan is governed by a more religiously conservative administration, so modest dress is appreciated and alcohol is harder to find than elsewhere in Malaysia.

What crafts is the region known for?

Hand-woven songket and batik textiles, silverwork, and wau bulan (giant kites) are all Kelantanese specialities, with workshops open to visitors near the city.

When is the best time to visit?

March to October avoids the northeast monsoon, which brings heavy rain and rough seas (closing the Perhentians) from November to February.

Traveler reviews

★★★★☆

Loved the central market — so many things we'd never seen elsewhere in Malaysia, and the food stalls around it at night were excellent.

Farah A. · April 2024

★★★★★

Stopped here en route to the Perhentians and ended up staying an extra night just to explore the batik workshops and try the local Kelantanese dishes.

Pete S. · August 2023

★★★★☆

A more traditional side of Malaysia than KL or Penang — appreciated the calmer pace, though do dress modestly out of respect for local norms.

Noor I. · May 2024