Sabah’s largest city, Kota Kinabalu, is a captivating gateway to the rainforest-clad island of Borneo. More than just a transportation hub, Kota Kinabalu is a destination in itself. With access to some amazing Borneo wildlife experiences on its doorstep, make sure that you leave a few days in your Sabah itinerary to explore Kota Kinabalu.

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Drawing on our knowledge of Kota Kinabalu gathered on various trips to this relaxed coastal city, we’ve compiled a family-friendly Kota Kinabalu itinerary showcasing the very best things to do in Kota Kinabalu with kids.

Additionally, we’ve reviewed some of the Kota Kinabalu tours that we’ve taken to help you make an informed decision when choosing what to include in your Kota Kinabalu itinerary.

Kota Kinabalu

Located in the northeast of the island of Borneo. Kota Kinabalu is the state capital of Sabah, the easternmost Malaysian state. The rest of Borneo is divided up between Brunei, Indonesia and the Malaysian state of Sarawak.

Why add Kota Kinabalu to your Borneo with kids itinerary?

It would be easy to skip through Kota Kinabalu (also known as KK) and head straight for the beach or the rainforest but please don’t.

Kota Kinabalu is a great base when exploring Borneo with kids. It is a major transportation hub with an international airport and various ferry services and an increasingly cosmopolitan city. KK offers some great cafes, restaurants and bars serving international and local cuisine.

How long should you spend in Kota Kinabalu with kids?

Kota Kinabalu is a wonderfully relaxed city with very affordable accommodation options, great amenities and lots of child-friendly activities. If you’re travelling through Kota Kinabalu as part of an adventure holiday in Borneo with kids, we’d recommend allocating at least 2 days in Kota Kinabalu.

If you’re travelling long-time in the SE Asia region, KK is a wonderful place to settle down and recuperate for a few weeks (or even months). Many tourists will receive a 3-month tourist visa when visiting East Malaysia so mid-length stays are possible.

KK offers lots for families to do including local beaches, world-class shopping facilities and lots of affordable accommodation and eating options.

3 days Kota Kinabalu with kids Itinerary

We were fortunate to have 3 days in Kota Kinabalu this time and found it ideal so below we’ve written up our 3 day Kota Kinabalu itinerary.

We hope that you find our Kota Kinabalu family travel blog useful.

3 days in Kota Kinabalu itinerary

Our 3 day itinerary for Kota Kinabalu with kids may look packed BUT it is achievable. We completed it ourselves – with a four and six-year-old!

Outline of our Kota Kinabalu Itinerary

Day 1: Exploring Kota Kinabalu – Signal Hill Observation Deck – Sabah Museum and Heritage Village – Tujang Aru Beach for sunset

Day 2: Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park (full-day excursion)– evening on the Waterfront/ night market

Day 3: Kota Kinabalu Wetland Centre – Klias Probicus Monkey and Firefly Tour (afternoon and evening tour)

Keep reading for the in-depth details of our family-friendly Kota Kinabalu with kids 3-day itinerary. We’ll share our top tips for getting around, creating downtime and the best places to eat.

Kota Kinabalu with Kids: Day 1

Start your first day in Kota Kinabalu exploring the city’s historic centre, learn about the history of Sabah, have some relaxation time back at your hotel and sunset at the beach.

Morning

Hop in a Grab car, taxi or walk to Atkinson Clock Tower. It’s not much to see but this tower is the oldest surviving structure in Kota Kinabalu as well as a reminder of KK’s role as the capital of the British colony of North Borneo. Take a quick photo and head to one of the trendy cafes on Lorong Dewan for breakfast just 2 minutes walk away.

Choose from a variety of local and Western-style breakfasts at Nook, October, Woo and Biru Biru. TOP TIP: Biru Biru is also a great dinner option with yummy cocktails on happy hour!

With a full belly, the kids should have the energy to climb the steep rickety wooden stairs up to the Signal Hill Observation Point. Watch out for broken slates and slippery leaves!

In the years since this rather dated viewpoint was built, tall buildings in the city below have obscured much of the seaview. It’s still worth visiting just to spend 5-10 minutes getting your bearings. The large island straight ahead is Gaya Island and you can just make out some of the wooden stilt houses encircling it. The smaller islands are part of Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park (more on those in Day 2 of the Kota Kinabalu itinerary).

Next, hop in a Grab car or a taxi to the Sabah Museum (open daily 9 am-5 pm). It’s easy to book a car to pick you up at the top of the hill if the kids don’t fancy the walk back down the staircase.

Sabah Museum and Heritage Village

The Sabah Museum may be a little dusty around the edges but it’s a great place to spend 45 minutes in the cool air-conditioning learning a little about the head hunters of Sabah, the sad death in May 2019 of Tam (the last Sumatran rhinoceros in Borneo) and little ones will be amazed by the huge whale skeleton in the entrance hall.

The real gem though is the lovely heritage village next door. This is not a museum to visit when it’s raining as you’d miss out on the best parts!

Entrance to the village is included in the entrance fee.

The heritage village includes many replicas of traditional bamboo structures from around Sabah. Our favourite is the Murat Longhouse which includes a ‘lansaran’.

Like a trampoline made of bamboo, this section of bouncing floor in the middle of the longhouse was once used for celebrations and rituals. And yes, of course, you and the kids can have a go!

Children will love clambering in and out of the houses. The area near the lily pond with a traditional Chinese temple is particularly lovely. The wooden bridge across the upper pond is a great taste of rainforest experiences to come.

Unfortunately, we ran out of time but there is so much more to explore. Enticing jungle paths lead off towards the second area of heritage buildings, the Islamic Civilisation Museum and an ethnobotanical garden.

Afternoon

You probably spent the previous day travelling so use the early afternoon as ‘siesta’ time or relax by your hotel’s pool. KK is hot and humid all year round. We live in Kuala Lumpur so we’re used feeling sticky and clammy. If you’ve flown in from overseas, a dip in the pool or a refreshing shower will be just the thing to perk you up.

Evening

Around 4 pm, get ready for a trip to Tanjung Aru Beach. Yep, it’s a little late for sunbathing but going now gives you time for a pleasant stroll along the beach and neighbouring gardens in slightly cooler weather. What’s more, is that you should be there for sunset (roughly around 6 pm all year round).

It’s usually busy down the beach at sunset. Whilst many won’t enjoy the crowds, kids are some of those who will love them. The crowds bring stalls selling everything from bubbles to fresh coconuts to tacky souvenirs.

Bubbles will keep little ones entertained whilst older children will love sipping a fresh coconut as they watch a spectacular Borneo sunset.

Day 2: Kota Kinabalu Itinerary with kids

Day two of our 3 days in Kota Kinabalu itinerary gets you out of the city and on to the local islands. You can either book a family-friendly tour of Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park or buy boat tickets independently.

We travelled independently and it’s so easy that we highly recommend it to other families especially if you’re travelling on a budget.

Head down to Jesselton Pier and inside the ticket hall, you’ll find dozens of desks trying to sell you boat tickets.

We chose one at random and booked tickets. You can buy 1,2 or 3 island tickets. Tickets will cost between 23RM and 43RM per adult and 18RM to 28RM per child (depending on how many islands you visit). Note that on top of this you also need to pay a park conservation fee when you arrive at the islands AND a terminal fee.

The boat companies will also try to persuade you to rent snorkel gear, beach mats and join activities. Fortunately, we had remembered to pack our Decathlon snorkel mask.

If you’re planning on visiting more than one island find out the transfer times before booking. Make sure that you leave enough time on each island to do the activities that you’d like to.

The most popular Tunku Abdul Rahman Park islands to visit are Sapi, Manukan and Mamutik.

Manukan Island – is very popular and often crowded. It has amenities including shops, bars, cafes, changing facilities and hotels. You can snorkel although sadly, the reef near the shore is mostly dead. Go down the far end of the beach for a quieter spot.

There are plenty of huge monitor lizards ambling around to captivate curious toddlers. There is also a jungle walk through the interior. Bring plenty of bug spray if you’re thinking of hiking!

Sapi Island – a favourite with backpackers. We visited Sapi Island many years ago (pre-kids). Although smaller than Manukan, Sapi Island still has all the amenities you might need including bathrooms, cafes and snorkel gear shops. A beautiful island to enjoy snorkelling and hiking.

Mamutik Island – Mamutik is the outlier of Tunku Abdul Rahman Park. Tourists tend to avoid it because of the sometimes murky waters, sharp coral fragments washed on to the beaches (ouch!) and the strong waves. BUT. If you’re after tranquillity, deserted beaches and want to escape the crowds this picture-perfect could be for you.

Evening

If you’re not too exhausted after a full day island-hopping then take an evening trip down to the pasar malam (night market). Right by the water’s edge, this huge market is a kaleidoscope of sights, sounds and definitely smells.

As far as SE Asian markets go, it’s a pretty charming one. There are fish in all shapes and sizes, juicy fresh mangoes and lots of typical dried Malaysian foods.

The Night Market is quite overwhelming for small children so it’s a good idea to anticipate your child’s reaction. Our son hates markets. He was shell-shocked by the noise, smells and children begging from us. He was absolutely desperate to leave the whole time. Our daughter on the other hand happily watched a women gut a fish and pull out its innards.

Either eat dinner at one of the seafood stalls on the front or head to the neighbouring Waterfront area.

The Waterfront is an attractive area of bars and restaurants geared towards tourists. At sunset and happy hour, the liveliest place to be in town.

Family-friendly tip: Mai Yai Thai Orchid restaurant on The Waterfront might be pricy but it does have a small indoor playroom. Great for when mum and dad want a relaxed beer to unwind!

Kota Kinabalu Itinerary: Day 3

This morning, head out to the wonderfully peaceful Kota Kinabalu Wetland Ramsar Site. This captivating mangrove centre is home to many different species of birds including egrets, kingfishers and herons. A stroll around the walkways is a relaxed way to start your final day in Kota Kinabalu.

Wander the rickety boardwalks, climb the precarious observation tower and rest for a while in the bird-watching hut. There is a small exhibition hall by the entrance explaining why mangroves are vital for biodiversity in a child-friendly way. Our kids loved crab-spotting and were captivated by the majestic white egrets that kept crossing our path.

Entrance is 15RM (less for MyKad and i-Kad holders). The centre opens at 8 am and you’ll be likely to see more wildlife if you get there earlier in the day. Whilst you could manage a stroller on the walkways, it’d be incredibly bumpy so opt for a baby or toddler carrier if you can.

This afternoon is a great time to venture a little further out of Kota Kinabalu. The best way to do this (unless you have your own transport) is to book a tour.

The best Kota Kinabalu tours for families

Klias River Cruise

The Klias River is home to lots of wildlife but the two creatures who steal the show are the floppy-nosed proboscis monkeys and the dazzling nighttime fireflies. The long journey is definitely worth it to catch a glimpse of silver-leaf langurs swinging through the trees, sly crocodiles lurking underwater and pairs of hornbills calling through the trees.

North Borneo Railway

If you’re in town on a Wednesday or Saturday and are feeling flush, a ride on a steam train through the paddy fields and mountains of North Borneo is a must. Unfortunately, the times didn’t fit in with our schedule but if your little ones love trains this is a great tour option. For more information on the North Borneo Railway click here.

Mari Mari Cultural Village

The Mari Mari Cultural Village is a fascinating cultural centre to visit with children. Although not exactly authentic – there are 5 tribal cultures on display in one village – the village is educational and gives a good overview of tribes in Sabah. You will see traditional houses, rituals and dances.

You can book directly with the Mari Mari Cultural Village on their website. They offer various tours options. Some combined with white-water rafting trips and a wildlife centre.

The Kota Kinabalu tour we chose

We opted for a Klias River Cruise and absolutely loved it. This is a long half-day excursion and involves a round-trip of 2 hours each way in a mini-van. Our children managed really well. They watched movies on the way there and slept on the way back as it was after dark.

Questions about our Kota Kinabalu Itinerary

Is Kota Kinabalu safe?

Kota Kinabalu is a relatively safe city. It’s small, walkable and friendly. Like any city, keep your valuables close when walking through crowded night markets and take extra care at night.

The main concerns for families visiting Kota Kinabalu with kids are probably health and safety issues. Kota Kinabalu is not in a malarial zone but there are lots of critters about so cover up and wear good-quality insect repellent. There are seasonal outbreaks of dengue fever in many Malaysian cities so keep covered day and night.

Safety standards are not as high as in some countries. Watch where you and your children step – pavements often have unmarked drains, potholes and wooden steps and planks are often rotten. Tread carefully.

What is there to do in Kota Kinabalu with toddlers or babies?

All of the Kota Kinabalu itineraries above are appropriate for families travelling with babies and toddlers.

Here are a few tips on how to have a smooth visit to Kota Kinabalu with toddlers and babies:

• Before boarding any boats, check that their smallest life jackets will fit your child.
• On the islands in Taman Abdul Rahman marine park, keep little ones away from monitor lizards. We were told that their bites are poisonous.
• Bring a baby or toddler carrier rather than a stroller. This will make it easier when visiting places like the Heritage Village at the Sabah Museum, the Wetland Centre and climbing up to the Observation Point.
• The big supermarkets in the malls like Imago and Suria stock international brands of nappies/diapers, baby food and other necessities.
• There is a soft play area in Imago mall and lots of shops selling baby items.

2 day Kota Kinabalu Itinerary

2 days in Kota Kinabalu is a great amount of time. Stroll back up and read through our 3 days in Kota Kinabalu itinerary and select your favourite two days and voila! If you had to skip anything, the mangrove centre (though wonderful) is probably the least interesting activity for children.

Also, the observation deck is an easy elimination. With just 48 hours in Kota Kinabalu, the view is not impressive enough to waste precious time climbing all those stairs!

1 day Kota Kinabalu itinerary

Ok, so you’re in a rush. You only have 24 hours in Kota Kinabalu with the kids. Where would you prioritise?

A lot will depend on where you’re headed next. If you’re headed straight into the rainforest, mix things up by going island-hopping and snorkelling in Tunku Abdul Rahman marine park.

However, if you’re off to Turtle Island then switch things up and explore the Sabah museum and heritage village. Kota Kinabalu is a small city so don’t be too concerned if you only have one day.

Kota Kinabalu family-friendly accommodation

We stayed in an apartment in the Imago Mall complex. We found it on Airbnb. The best thing about the accommodation was the ‘park area’ on top of the apartment block complete with lawns, a play area and a swimming pool. Also, there was very easy access to Imago Mall and its well-stocked supermarket and restaurants.

You could stay on Manukan Island. There are big resorts on Gaya Island too. Check out Booking.com or Airbnb.com to find the perfect accommodation for your family.

Thank you for reading our Kota Kinabalu with kids article, we really hope that you found it interesting. Let us know if you found the Kota Kinabalu itineraries useful in the comments below.

As mentioned, we live in Malaysia so if you’re visiting West Malaysia please head over to our Malaysia section to find out more about this wonderful and diverse country. Some recent articles that you may enjoy are:

50+ amazing things to do in Malaysia with kids

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The Ultimate Guide to KL with kids (by an expat mum)

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Travelling around Southeast Asia with kids? We have been living, holidaying and travelling in SE Asia for almost two amazing years now. Find out our best Asia with kids travel tips, discover the best family-friendly destinations in SE Asia and learn how NOT to make the (many) mistakes we’ve made by checking out our collection of in-depth family travel posts on Myanmar | Thailand | Malaysia | Singapore | Vietnam | Cambodia and more.

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