13 Best Things to Do in Muar Johor -- Itinerary & Travel Guide
Muar is a charming riverside town in Johor, Malaysia. For many Malaysians, it is best known for its local flavors, colonial-era buildings, and relaxed riverside vibe.
I had never been to Muar before, so when my best friend who was born and raised there suggested a road trip to her hometown, I jumped at the chance. For her, it was a nostalgic journey, a chance to revisit her old school and walk the streets, restaurants, and spots her grandfather used to take her to.
For me, it was all about trying the legendary mee bandung Muar straight from its place of origin and, of course, experiencing Muar through a local’s eyes.
Geography
Muar is located in the northwestern part of Johor, right along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, bordering Melaka.
The town sits at the mouth of the Muar River, which flows westward into the Strait of Malacca and has historically shaped how the town developed.
Because of this river setting, Muar feels very much like a river town, with bridges, waterfront parks, fishing villages, mangroves, and coastal stretches all forming part of its wider landscape.
The surrounding area is relatively flat, with a mix of urban neighborhoods, agricultural land, and small coastal settlements.
History
Muar’s roots go back centuries, but it began taking shape as a modern town in the late 19th century.
It was officially opened in 1885 and later renamed Bandar Maharani in honor of Maharani Fatimah, the wife of Sultan Abu Bakar of Johor.
During the era of the Johor Sultanate and British colonial administration, Muar served as an important trading and administrative center, thanks to its strategic position along the river.
In 2012, Muar was formally declared a royal town of Johor, reinforcing its historical and symbolic importance within the state.
Population
Muar District is home to just over 300,000 people, with Malays forming the majority, alongside significant Chinese and smaller Indian communities.
Islam is the dominant religion, while Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity, and Hinduism are also practiced. Malay is the main language used in daily life, but you’ll also hear Chinese dialects such as Hokkien and Cantonese, especially in older neighborhoods and food establishments.
Best time to go to Muar
Muar has a warm, tropical climate throughout the year, so there isn’t a single “perfect” season, but some months are more comfortable than others.
In general, April to September tends to be slightly drier. That said, rain in Muar is usually short and sporadic rather than constant.
The wetter months toward the end of the year can still be a good time to visit if you don’t mind occasional showers, and you may find fewer visitors and better hotel rates. Temperatures stay fairly consistent year-round, between 25°C and 32°C.
How to get to Muar
By car
Muar is easiest to reach by road. If you are driving, it is well connected to the North–South Expressway (PLUS), with common exits at Tangkak, Bukit Gambir, Pagoh, or Yong Peng, depending on your direction of travel. We drove from Kuala Lumpur, which took us roughly 2.5 hours.
From Melaka, the drive is also short and straightforward, making Muar a popular stop on a west coast road trip. Once you reach town, the Sultan Ismail Bridge and the newer second bridge make crossing the Muar River simple and help ease traffic around the centre.
By bus
If you are travelling by public transport, buses are the main option. There are regular express bus services linking Muar with Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, Melaka, Batu Pahat, and other major towns.
Buses arrive at Hentian Maharani or Bentayan Express Bus Terminal. Muar does not have a railway station, so trains are not a direct option; the nearest KTM station is in Segamat, which still requires onward travel by bus or car.
How to get around in Muar
Getting around Muar is fairly easy, especially if you stay near the town center. Many of the main sights, including the riverfront, Tanjung Emas Park, Sultan Ibrahim Jamek Mosque, the clock tower, mural lanes, and eateries are close enough to explore on foot.
For places further out, having a car is the most practical option. You can drive yourself, rent a car, or rely on taxis and ride-hailing services like Grab, although availability may vary depending on time and location.
Public buses exist but may not be very convenient for visitors. For flexibility and time-saving, especially beyond the town center, private transport is the easiest choice.
Top 13 things to do in Muar
1. Snap photos at the Muar Clock Tower
The Muar Clock Tower is a simple colonial-era structure that’s been part of the town for decades.
Its light, muted colors give it a vintage feel, and while it’s nothing elaborate or impressive, it’s a popular spot for photos, even if it’s just to say, “Hey, I’ve been to Muar!”
Sitting right across from the Sultan Ismail Bridge, it makes for a nice frame in pictures and gives a sense of how the town is laid out.
And it’s more than just a landmark.
The clock tower hints at Muar’s colonial past and is also a handy reference point when you’re wandering around the town center.
Even if you’re not into history, stopping here lets you watch the daily flow of locals going about their day and makes for a good starting point if you want to explore nearby murals, shops, and eateries.
2. Cross the Sultan Ismail Bridge
The Sultan Ismail Bridge is hard to miss. It stretches across the Muar River and links the town center to the areas north of it. Opened in 1967, it replaced the old ferry crossing and made daily travel and trade a lot easier for locals.
Crossing the bridge gives you a real sense of how wide the river is, and how it shapes the life here, with small boats passing below and the town unfolding on both sides.
3. Admire Sultan Ibrahim Jamek Mosque
Right by the river sits the Sultan Ibrahim Jamek Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in Muar. It was completed in 1930, and its design is an interesting mix. You’ll see Western-style arches alongside a traditional minaret, which isn’t something you come across every day.
Even now, this mosque is still part of daily life in Muar, not just something people come to look at. Come outside of prayer times to enjoy a calm and unhurried atmosphere.
4. Stroll & relax at Tanjung Emas Park
Tanjung Emas Park is a wide riverside park at the mouth of the Muar River. The park is a local favorite for leisurely walks, jogging, chilling on benches, or simply watching boats drift by on the river, especially in the late afternoon as the sun mellows down and the breeze picks up.
Tanjung Emas is also the hub for the Muar River Cruise, a short but scenic boat ride that departs from the jetty here, but only on weekends and holidays. The cruise lets you see the river from a new perspective, with views of key riverside landmarks.
5. Walk the Maharani Mural Lane (Cultural Walk)
Muar’s Maharani Mural Lane and the wider Cultural Walk areas are where the town’s walls come alive with art. Walls along lanes and alleys, especially around Jalan Meriam and Jalan Sisi, are painted with murals that depict aspects of local history, culture, and everyday life.
For us, this felt like a scavenger hunt. You turn a corner and suddenly there’s a bigger‑than‑life painting telling a story about a local industry, historic moment, or just fun characters. Best of all, many of them have some 3D elements that you can interact with, like bicycles you can pretend to ride, wheelbarrows you can pretend to push, and other scenes designed so you look like part of the artwork.
6. Visit Nan Hai Fei Lai Temple
A few blocks from the riverfront is the Nan Hai Fei Lai Temple, dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy (Guanyin) and one of Muar’s oldest Chinese temples. The temple’s riverside location and traditional ornamentation make it a peaceful stop. Even if you aren’t familiar with Buddhist practice, it gives you a glimpse into the multicultural layers of this town.
Inside you’ll find detailed carvings and bright colors. It’s a living place of devotion, so observing respectfully and quietly will make your visit feel more grounded and authentic.
7. Step back in history at Bukit Kepong Emergency Gallery
If you’re curious about Malaysian post‑war history, the Bukit Kepong Emergency Gallery (Galeri Darurat Bukit Kepong) is worth the trip upriver from Muar town. This gallery commemorates a major 1950 conflict during the Malayan Emergency, where a rural police station was surrounded in a violent encounter that left many officers and their families dead.
The gallery is a tribute to the brave officers who sacrificed their lives defending the police post against communist insurgents. The exhibits include artifacts, photos, and stories that illustrate both the battle and its broader historical context. Many Malaysians learn about Bukit Kepong in school, and seeing the place in person gives an extra layer of meaning to that piece of history.
8. Enjoy a good soak at Gersik Hot Spring
If you want a break from walking and heritage trails, Gersik Hot Spring (also spelled Grisek) is a natural stop between Parit Jawa and Batu Pahat on the old road out of Muar. The hot springs are free to enter and offer pools of naturally heated water of up to 40°C, surrounded by greenery and simple facilities.
Locals often come here on weekends and there’s plenty of space for kids. The temperature and mineral content make it feel therapeutic even if you’re just dipping your feet.
9. Walk through Donhu Jurassic Garden
If you’re traveling with kids or just in the mood for a bit of fun, Don Hu Jurassic Garden is a small themed park featuring dinosaur models and interactive displays. As its name suggests, it’s more of a casual recreational spot than a full-scale theme park, but it offers a unique way to break up the town sightseeing routine.
You can spend an hour or two wandering, letting the kids (or your inner kid) roam the life-like prehistoric setup.
10. Take evening strolls on the riverfront
Muar’s riverside comes alive in the evenings. After the day’s heat dies down, locals and visitors like to gather along the river to take walks, enjoy street food, or just sit and watch the river traffic. The lights from the Sultan Ismail Bridge reflect on the water, giving a different mood than the daytime.
11. Go birdwatching at Leka Beach
For nature lovers, Leka Beach (Pantai Leka) in Parit Jawa is a quiet coastal escape. It’s not a beach for swimming or sunbathing though, but more of a mangrove sanctuary that’s known for migratory birds and quiet observation spots.
The area protects vital mangrove habitat, and recent sightings of birds like the Chinese egret and great knot make it especially interesting for birdwatchers. It’s an easy add‑on if you’re already headed to Parit Jawa for seafood or onward to Batu Pahat.
12. Shop & browse at Wetex Parade
For a more urban, everyday experience, head to Wetex Parade. This shopping complex is where locals go for groceries, clothing, and casual dining. While it’s not a high-end mall experience, walking through the aisles gives you a feel for contemporary Muar life, local brands, and community spots.
It’s an easy way to immerse yourself in the rhythm of the town without being a tourist. Just follow the locals, see what they buy, and maybe pick up a snack to try.
13. Sample local flavors on a food walk
Muar’s culinary scene is one of the town’s biggest draws for local tourists, so a self-guided food walk can be an activity in itself. You can hop between traditional kopitiams, local seafood stalls, and small eateries, trying iconic dishes like mee bandung Muar, asam pedas, or otak-otak.
To burn off the calories and make more space for the next dish, walk from one spot to the next and take the time to notice street signs, murals, and small architectural details you’d otherwise miss.
What & where to eat in Muar
A friendly note to my Muslim readers: Not all of the restaurants listed here are halal or Muslim-friendly. Please do your due diligence before visiting.
- Mee Bandung Abu Bakar Hanipah — serves Muar’s signature dish: the creamy and spicy mee bandung.
- Muar Soup House — their crowd’s favorites are mutton soup, gearbox soup (beef bone marrow soup, where you suck the marrow right from the bone using a straw), mee bandung, rojak, and mee rebus.
- Bako-Bako & Salai-Salai Haji Olie — specializes in smoked & grilled meats as well as other Muar specialties like asam pedas.
- Otak-Otak Cheng Boi — local favorite for freshly made otak-otak. Takeaway only; no dine-in.
- Kopi 434 Muar — a kopitiam that produces its own charcoal-roasted coffee, so not only can you drink coffee there, you can also bring home some as a souvenir.
- Asam Pedas Jalan Joned — specializes in asam pedas but has a variety of dishes and free-flow drinks.
- Glutton Street — for a variety of local snacks, light bites.
Where to stay in Muar
We stayed at Muarar 99, a decent budget hotel located right smack in the city center, with free parking. Here are a few other top-rated hotels in Muar for different budgets:
Budget
- Milux Hotel — Clean, air-conditioned rooms, each with a TV, work desk, and private bathroom.
- Elite Hotel — Air-conditioned rooms with private bathrooms
Mid-range
- Amoris Grand Event Space — Features a swimming pool, shared kitchen, lounge, and free private parking.
- Streetview Hotel — Offers a fitness center, lounge, and free parking.
- The Wood Boutique Hotel — A beautifully decorated hotel with an in-house restaurant and private parking.
- Remington Hotel — Some rooms come with a bathtub, fridge, work desk, and seating area.
- Muo Boutique Hotel — A vintage-themed hotel housed in a historic building, with an in-house cafe. Some rooms have balconies.
How long to stay in Muar
Muar is compact enough to be seen quickly, but it’s more enjoyable if you don’t rush it. If you’re short on time, one day is enough to cover the town center, walking the riverfront, visiting the mosque and murals, and eating your way through a few local specialties.
However, two days is a much better fit for most travelers. With an overnight stay, you can slow down, explore places outside town, and enjoy the riverside in the evening without watching the clock.
Three days works well if you prefer a more relaxed pace, want to include historical stops like Bukit Kepong, or simply like having downtime between meals and sightseeing. Beyond that, Muar is best paired with nearby destinations such as Melaka or Batu Pahat rather than treated as a long standalone stay.
Suggested Muar itinerary
Day 1
- Morning: arrive, check into hotel, have a local breakfast at a kopitiam
- Late morning: walk from Tanjung Emas Park → Sultan Ibrahim Jamek Mosque → Muar Clock Tower → Maharani Mural Lane
- Lunch: try mee bandung or asam pedas with rice
- Afternoon: visit Nan Hai Fei Lai Temple, then Wetex Parade for shopping / browsing
- Evening: return to riverfront, enjoy sunset along Tanjung Emas, dinner at riverbank seafood / ikan bakar place
If visiting on a weekend, consider taking a cruise along the river.
Day 2
- Morning: head out to Leka Beach and mangrove birdwatching area
- Late morning / noon: have seafood / local mixed rice
- Afternoon: visit Bukit Kepong (Galeri Darurat) or Grisek Hot Spring (depending on your interest)
- Mid-late afternoon: return to town, grab coffee, revisit murals or shops you missed
- Evening: final dinner, stroll riverside one more time, catch night lights of the bridges
If time allows, you could squeeze in Don Hu Jurassic Garden (especially if traveling with kids) somewhere in Day 2.
Additional tips for visiting Muar
- Some attractions, like river cruises, run only on certain days. Check before going.
- Carry umbrella / raincoat, sunscreen, hat, and water. It can get hot or rainy. Or both. Read my guide on dealing with Malaysia’s weather.
- Bring some cash, as small stalls may not take cards.
- Respect local customs, especially around mosques and temples. Remove shoes when entering sacred places or people’s homes.
- Be cautious in mangroves or coastal areas with tides.
Final thoughts
Exploring Muar with a native guide made the trip feel like a mix of nostalgia and a mini scavenger hunt. I got to follow her down streets she hadn’t walked in years, peek into restaurants her grandfather once dragged her to, and, most importantly, eat my body weight in Muar specialties without judgment.
After filling up on memories and noodles, we hit the road to Kluang next ([link to post coming soon]), ready for the next adventure and more local food, of course. If you enjoyed this peek into Muar, dive into the rest of the blog for more Johor gems or even a full Malaysian road trip fix.
