City Centre and Malls in Johor Bahru and Desaru
Part of the Johor Bahru and Desaru travel guide — see every topic in All Johor Bahru and Desaru Guides.
Central Johor Bahru starts right at the border. When you leave the main checkpoint you are already in the city, with malls, hotels and old shophouse streets within walking distance. Further out, newer districts have some of the largest malls in southern Malaysia. Shopping is a big draw for visitors from Singapore, because prices are lower. The city is spread out, so plan to use ride-hailing apps to move between areas.
City Square and JB Sentral
City Square is a large mall joined to the main checkpoint and JB Sentral station by covered walkways. It is the first stop for many visitors. Inside you find fashion shops, phone shops, money changers, a cinema and plenty of restaurants. Komtar JBCC is another mall close by. Because they are so near the border, these malls are very busy at weekends. They are good places to buy a local SIM card, change money and get a first meal before you head further into the city.
The old town streets
A few minutes' walk from the checkpoint is the old part of the city, around Jalan Dhoby and Jalan Tan Hiok Nee. These streets are lined with low shophouses, many of them restored. Today they hold small cafes, dessert shops, art spaces, craft beer bars and old kopitiams. It is a pleasant area to walk in the late afternoon and evening, when the heat drops. There are colourful wall murals for photos. On some evenings there are small street markets. Many cafes close one day a week, so check before you go.
The big malls
Several large malls sit a short drive from the centre. The Mall, Mid Valley Southkey is one of the largest malls in southern Malaysia, with hundreds of shops, a cinema and many restaurants. KSL City is popular for clothes, food and late-night shopping. Paradigm Mall and Toppen, next to a large IKEA, are in the Tebrau area to the north-east. In Iskandar Puteri there is Mall of Medini near Legoland. Most malls open from mid morning to late evening every day. Supermarkets inside are good for snacks and local products to take home.
Waterfront and green spaces
Johor Bahru has a long waterfront facing Singapore across the strait. A walk along the coast road near the city centre gives views of the Woodlands skyline, especially at sunset. Danga Bay, west of the centre, has a waterfront park, seafood restaurants and new high-rise buildings. Small parks and gardens near the state buildings offer some green space in the centre. Puteri Harbour in Iskandar Puteri has a marina with boats and cafes by the water. Evenings are the most comfortable time to be outside.
City Centre and Malls at a glance
| Getting there | City Square and the old town are a short walk from the main checkpoint |
|---|---|
| Hours | Malls open about mid morning to late evening daily |
| Cost | Generally lower prices than Singapore |
| Best time | Weekdays; weekends are very busy |
| Get around | Ride-hailing apps such as Grab; city buses |
| Tip | Buy a local SIM card in City Square |