From heritage-lined streets and old-school bakeries in Johor Bahru to the polished beachfront resorts of Desaru Coast, Johor offers an easy and surprisingly varied getaway packed with food, family attractions, café culture, golf, and seaside relaxation.
This post contributed by David Bowden | Additional text by Chad Merchant
Johor has long lived in the shadow of neighbouring Singapore, often viewed merely as the southern gateway to Malaysia. Yet for travellers willing to spend a few days exploring the state properly, Johor offers a surprisingly rewarding mix of urban heritage, modern attractions, beach resorts, offshore islands, and easy-going coastal charm.
For Kuala Lumpur residents especially, Johor makes for an appealing short escape. The drive south is straightforward, and once there, visitors can split their time between the bustling streets of Johor Bahru and the increasingly polished resort enclave of Desaru Coast.
DOWNTOWN ON FOOT
Johor Bahru’s historic centre is still best explored on foot, despite the traffic, tropical heat, and energetic crowds that characterize the city. Much of the old downtown retains a gritty authenticity that has disappeared from many Southeast Asian cities.
While countless Singaporeans cross over every weekend for shopping and dining, first-time visitors will discover there is enough here to fill several enjoyable days. The crossings at the Causeway and Tuas remain busy, particularly during holidays and weekends, but once inside the city proper, JB reveals a character quite distinct from its ultra-modern island neighbour.
One of the city’s most interesting pockets remains Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, where traditional Chinese shophouses sit stubbornly amid an ever-growing forest of high-rise towers. The heritage street continues to attract locals gathering for strong kopi, traditional breakfasts, and bowls of Johor laksa. Though development pressure around the district is intense, the area still manages to preserve much of its old-world charm.
Chinese food is popular in several kopitiams, with Teochew and Hokkien regional cuisines dominant in the city. Hiap Joo Bakery and Biscuit Factory located here is joyfully trapped in a time warp, not least in their use of a huge, wood-fired oven to bake the freshest breads, richest cakes, and tastiest pastries. This is a JB baking tradition that is over a century old, as its oven’s blackened interior walls testify. The locals are happy to queue for baked buns filled with kaya, red bean, and coconut. These buns are delicious, with a slightly smoky flavour from the unique bread-baking technique adopted. The shop, however, is perhaps most famous for its moist banana cake and, like all its products, no preservatives are used.
CAFFEINE CULTURE
Traditionally, kopitiams dominated Johor’s coffee scene, but these days, trendy young urbanites have more focused tastes, often driven by social media buzz. While international coffee concepts have made an impact, several vibrant coffee outlets cater to more sophisticated palates.
Faculty of Caffeine is one that stands out. Equipped with a sophisticated La Marzocco coffee machine, the staff brew rich cups of coffee accompanied by light snacks (waffles plus bacon and eggs). Its walls are decorated with modern art and there is an alluring and comfortable outdoor section.
Additionally, Doi Chaang coffee, from the hills of northern Thailand, has several outlets in JB and its coffee is one cut above those found at most international concepts.
FAMILY FUN AND MODERN JOHOR
Families visiting Johor often make a beeline for LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort, the first LEGOLAND theme park in Asia. The attraction remains one of Johor’s strongest tourism drawcards, particularly for younger children, with rides, water attractions, interactive exhibits, and themed accommodation all located within the sprawling complex.
Improved highways and infrastructure linked to the massive Iskandar Malaysia development corridor have dramatically shortened travel times throughout southern Johor. What once required a lengthy journey can now often be reached within an hour or so from central Johor Bahru. If you haven’t been in many years, you will definitely be pleasantly surprised at the improvements.
This focus on better accessibility has helped fuel the growth of Desaru Coast, now one of Malaysia’s premier integrated beach destinations.
Stretching along Johor’s eastern shoreline facing the South China Sea, Desaru Coast combines lovely wide beaches with upscale resorts, golf courses, and family attractions.
The area’s headline resorts include Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast, The Westin Desaru Coast Resort, Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas, and the newly rebranded Mandarin Oriental, Desaru Coast, which previously operated under the One&Only banner. The transition to Mandarin Oriental management was completed earlier this year as part of a broader repositioning of the ultra-luxury beachfront property.
Families gravitate towards Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark, while golfers are drawn to the scenic Els Club championship courses designed in part by Ernie Els.
The Westin Desaru Coast Resort remains a popular choice for travellers seeking a full-service beachfront stay. The large resort overlooks the South China Sea and offers multiple dining venues, a substantial spa, fitness facilities, and spacious rooms with sea-facing views.
Nearby, Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast takes a more energetic approach. Its music-themed interiors, lively atmosphere, family-friendly facilities, and direct connection to the waterpark continue to make it especially popular with younger travellers and families. Music memorabilia, live performances, and casual dining concepts contribute to the resort’s upbeat personality. The hotel’s luxe suites are a particularly impressive category of accommodation, affording plenty of space and access to the property’s club lounge, as well.
For something more refined, Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas offers a quieter, more luxurious atmosphere. Set along a lengthy stretch of beachfront, the resort blends low-rise accommodation with villas, lagoon-style landscaping, and several quality dining outlets. Its villas and residences remain among the more exclusive accommodation options in Desaru.
The newly rebranded Mandarin Oriental, Desaru Coast occupies 128 acres of rainforest and beachfront. The property retains much of the striking Kerry Hill-designed architecture introduced under its previous management while incorporating Mandarin Oriental’s service standards and wellness-oriented luxury approach.
Desaru Coast is near Iskandar Malaysia and is easily accessible via a 45-minute drive from Malaysia’s Senai International Airport, or slightly over an hour from central JB.
BEYOND THE MAINLAND
Off Johor’s east coast, a scattering of islands offers a completely different pace of travel.
Islands such as Pulau Rawa, Pulau Sibu, Pulau Besar, Pulau Tinggi, Pulau Aur, and Pulau Tengah attract divers, snorkellers, and travellers seeking something more rustic and disconnected.
Accommodation ranges from simple chalets to boutique island resorts, and the slower pace is very much part of the attraction. Compared with some of Malaysia’s more heavily visited islands, these eastern Johor islands remain relatively low-profile.
Meanwhile, Johor’s broader transformation continues through developments linked to Iskandar Malaysia and Danga Bay, with large-scale residential, commercial, and leisure projects steadily reshaping parts of the state.
Still, despite the rapid growth and modernization, Johor’s appeal ultimately lies in its variety. Few Malaysian states combine heritage streets, modern urban energy, family attractions, coastal resorts, offshore islands, and easy accessibility quite so effectively.
