Kuala Terengganu is the administrative capital, royal capital and the main economic centre of Terengganu, on the east coast of peninsular Malaysia. The city is also the main gateway to many of the state's tourist destinations, including Kampung Cina, Pasar Besar Kedai Payang, Terengganu State Museum, and Batu Buruk Beach. Even though the city is not spared from modernity and development, Kuala Terengganu retains strong Malay influences that are intermixed with other cultures from its long history as a port.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Kuala Terengganu is about 440 km northeast of Kuala Lumpur. The city sits at the estuary of Terengganu River, facing the South China Sea. It had a population of 426,500 in 2020.
The only way you can get to the town from the airport is by taxi The local municipality provides buses that roam around the town up to Kuala Ibai, Taman Tamadun Islam and a few other attraction areas. The market jetty has ferries to Seberang Takir (70 c) and Pulau Duyung (70 c). The Seri Malaysia jetty has a ferry to Pulau Duyung (1RM).
1 Terengganu State Museum. The largest museum complex in Malaysia, with detailed exhibits on textiles, the history of the petroleum industry and nature. It contains a park by the river with maritime exhibits. The museum also houses the Batu Bersurat Terengganu (Terengganu Stone), which contains the oldest example of classical Jawi Malay writing. Entrance fee: 5 RM (Malaysian citizens), 15 RM (non-citizens). (updated Apr 2019) 2 Masjid Kristal (Crystal Mosque). Unique looking mosque for 1500 worshippers. (updated Jul 2020) 3 Taman Tamadun Islam (Islamic Heritage Park). An Islamic-themed recreational park near the state museum.
Go to the Pasar Payang (Big Bazaar) and the covered open-air market across the street and buy some delicious fresh fruits. Ride a special bus called Bas Bandar, beautifully designed mirroring a moving traditional house Take a short small boat trip from Kuala Terengganu jetty to the fishing village of Seberang Takir, which will cost you RM1. The jetty is located beside the floating restaurant in front of Terengganu Tourism office at Pasar Besar Payang. Catch some local foods in one of the Night Markets in the city: At the park near Dataran Shahbandar jetty on weekend nights On Pulau Warisan behind Jalan Kapung Cina In front of the City Hall (MBKT) along Jalan Sultan Ismail on Friday nights
Keropok lekor, a kind of fish sausage served with sweet chili sauce, is a must-try. Many traditionally prepared Malay cakes (kuih) are sold in Kuala Terengganu - among other places, in the Pasar. Laksa Terengganu, the state's version of the pan-Malaysian spicy noodle soup Nasi dagang, the most famous dish in Terengganu, is often served as breakfast or lunch at small stall and restaurants. This is a dish of delicious sweet and spicy sauce with glutinous rice.
You can find locally popular fruit juice in a big mug known as "air buah gelas besar". Many choices of fresh fruit juice are available. You can find it in Seberang Takir (about 5 km from KT on the road heading to Kuala Terengganu airport). It operates from 5PM to midnight. You can also buy a variety of different fresh fruit juices, coconut water, etc. from vendors outside the Pasar Besar in Kuala Terengganu. There are reportedly no more than 10 bars in the city. Kris n Cheng, near the waterfront, has pleasant owners and is good for darts, drinks and light singing. Most locals are Muslims, but you can find alcohol in the Chinese restaurants around Chinatown.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
Top-rated tours and tickets from €109 — book ahead for the popular ones.
Tours and tickets provided by Viator (a Tripadvisor company). Some links earn Stayonomy a commission.
In Jul, Kuala Terengganu typically sees ~32°C daytime highs and 24 rainy days.
Cheapest destinations travellers searched recently — refreshed daily.
Flight prices are real fares travellers found in the last 48 hours, refreshed daily — the booking site confirms the final price. Train, bus and ferry fares are shown on the operators' booking sites. Weather data by Open-Meteo; exchange rates: ECB reference. Data updated 2026-07-31. Some links earn Stayonomy a commission at no cost to you.
stayonomy