Here’s how you can spend 3 AMAZING days in Kuching!
I’ve always loved visiting Kuching because it provides an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. The sad reality, though, is that it’s not as easy to visit since it’s located on another island.
Also, with its quirky cat attractions, bustling food scene and historic landmarks, it’s almost impossible to experience everything that Kuching has to offer in one day. We did try to plan a day trip to the city, but it felt more like a chore than a vacation so we don’t recommend it at all.
So to make sure that your travel doesn’t go in vain, I’ve decided to create a three-day itinerary in Kuching that covers its best offerings. I’ve also included some solid restaurants and hotels that you may find handy during your short but fulfilling stay!
Without further ado, here’s what you can do in Kuching for 3 days:
Best Time to Go
Contrary to what most people think of when talking about Malaysian weather, Kuching features a wetter season than usual.
It averages 247 days of rainfall per year. If you think about it, it takes up most of the year!
The driest months in the city are from April to October, so it would be best to schedule your visit then. This is especially important to remember if you’re planning on spending most of your time exploring the outdoor attractions of the city!
If you don’t mind a little rain here and there, however, you can easily visit Kuching at any month of the year. Just be sure to bring an umbrella to keep yourself as dry as possible and wear some layers to avoid freezing your butts off.
Meanwhile, if you’re looking to make your trip more worthwhile, we recommend visiting from June to July. This way, you’ll be just in time for the annual Rainforest and Gawai Dayak festivals.
Things to Know
Currency: Malaysian Ringgit (Check the current exchange rate)
Language: Malay, English
Calling Code: +60
How to Get Around
Buses: Riding the City Public Link bus is the cheapest way of getting around Kuching. You can easily recognise these buses by their bright green appearance and you’ll find them at various stops across the city.
Taxis: If you want a convenient way of getting around, you can hail a taxi at almost every hotel and mall in the city. Beware though, as some drivers will insist on not using the metre.
Grab/Uber: Grab and Uber are also readily available in the city and you can use them to pin your location and be dropped off at any location in Kuching. This is a great alternative to taxi cabs if you want to be presented with reasonable fares upfront.
Car rentals: You can also rent a car if you’re travelling in groups and you want a more convenient, comfortable and private way of getting around the city. This is also a great option if you want to be in charge of the routes to take during your trip.
Walking: If you’re planning on exploring Kuching’s city centre, you can easily get around by walking since it’s a fairly small and pedestrian-friendly city. It’s also a great way to get active, so win-win!
Bicycles: If you want a more convenient way of getting around while remaining active, you can also use a bicycle to get around the city. There are tons of bike rentals across the cities (including your hotels) and the city is mostly flat, making it easy to cycle through.
Day 1 Itinerary
Watch the sunrise from Taman Negara Santubong
Address: Q100-2, Santubong
Phone: +60 82-846 108
Website
Estimated budget: RM125+
Recommended length of stay: 3+ hours
How to get there: Taxi, self-drive, K1T bus from Kuching Sentral Bus Station
There’s nothing better than starting your day with a peaceful hike! Consider making Taman Negara Santubong your first destination as soon as you wake up to get your blood flowing and to get a taste of the beautiful natural landscape that the outskirts of Kuching possesses.
We do recommend taking your breakfast at home for this one to make sure that you have sufficient energy to complete the hike. We also recommend doing this activity early in the morning to enjoy cooler weather.
Pro tip:
Make sure to check their website regularly to see if they’re open for the season. The park will usually be closed during monsoon season to avoid accidents.
Be immersed in the Sarawak Cultural Village
Address: Pantai Damai Santubong, Kampung Budaya Sarawak
Phone: +60 11-6573 0730
Website
Estimated budget: RM125+
Recommended length of stay: 2+ hours
How to get there: Taxi, self-drive
Exploring the Sarawak Cultural Village is one of the best things you can do on your first day at Kuching. It’s one of the city’s most famous attractions and it allows you to familiarize yourself with the indigenous people of the state.
It’s one of those places where learning is made fun by letting you engage in traditional Malay arts and crafts. Furthermore, you can also admire the beautiful architecture of the indigenous longhouses while you’re here.
Before or after exploring Sarawak Village, you can also head to the nearby Escobeach restaurant to grab some lunch while admiring spectacular views of the glistening sea. This restaurant serves a variety of seafood, but we highly recommend the grilled prawn pasta!
Pro tip:
The weather can be extremely hot during your visit to this village and unfortunately, there’s little to no shade available so make sure to bring an umbrella!
Chill by Damai Beach
Address: Unnamed Rd, 93010 Kuching
Estimated budget: RM20+
Recommended length of stay: 2+ hours
How to get there: Walk, self-drive
Damai Beach is one of Malaysia’s most beautiful beaches and it’s the best spot to catch your breath after a whole morning of activities. The water itself isn’t suitable for swimming, but you can stroll along its shores and catch glimpses of the stunning sea.
You can also stop by Damai Central after your exploration to grab a quick bite. It’s a great food court that offers both local and international delicacies.
Pro tip:
Be sure to wear sunscreen to protect yourself from the harmful effects of direct sunlight! If you can, we also recommend bringing an umbrella.
Experience a majestic cruise along the Sarawak River
Address: Waterfront, Jalan Main Bazaar
Phone: +60 11-5983 7313
Website
Recommended length of stay: 2+ hours
Estimated budget: RM68+
How to get there: Bus going to Main Bazaar stop, self-drive, Grab/taxi
There’s no better way to cap off your first day in Kuching than by experiencing a peaceful cruise along the Sarawak River. You can choose from various cruise providers located at the waterfront, but you can’t go wrong with any of them.
This is the best way to admire the sunset with your friends and family. Plus, if you book a cruise with Royal Kuching Cruise, you’ll have access to an upper deck where you can take stunning photos!
We also recommend doing this at the end of your first night, as they offer packages that include dinner meals! These river cruises often feature buffet-style dining—perfect for replenishing your energy after a whole day of activities!
Pro tip:
As much as possible, we recommend booking a ticket online hours or even a day before your intended cruise. This way, you can skip the lines and secure your slot!
Day 2 Itinerary
Explore and spot amazing wildlife at Bako National Park
Address: Sarawak, Malaysia
Phone: +60 11-6572 9229
Website
Recommended length of stay: 4+ hours
Estimated budget: RM10+
How to get there: Self-drive, bus from Kuching Sentral Bus Station going to Bako Bazaar (Kampung Bako)
The Bako National Park is easily one of Kuching’s most breathtaking attractions. Although it poses a bit of a challenge in terms of exploration, the beautiful natural landscapes that you’ll get to witness will make up for it!
From the glistening South China Sea to lush greeneries and more, you won’t run out of things to admire here. Plus, if you keep your eyes peeled, you may even be lucky enough to see some proboscis monkeys!
Pro tip:
As much as possible we recommend hiring a guide to make sure that you get the most out of your trip! You can do this by booking a travel package from the national park’s official website.
Replenish your energy at Bako Seafood Restaurant
Address: Jalan Kampung Bako, Kampung Hijrah
Phone: +60 19-849 8976
Recommended length of stay: 1+ hours
Estimated budget: RM20 – RM40
How to get there: Walk from the national park
After spending your entire morning at Bako National Park, you can return to the car park and head to Bako Seafood Restaurant. Here, you can feast on your favourite seafood, from prawns to squid, crabs and anything in between!
The best thing about eating here is that the seafood themselves are as fresh as they come. Plus, they’re masterfully prepared in various ways, creating flavours that we’re certain you’ll love!
Pro tip:
If you’re coming with more than 10 pax, you can make reservations to secure your slot!
Interact with orangutans at the Semenggoh Nature Reserve
Address: KM 20, Jalan Puncak Borneo, 93250 Siburan
Phone: +60 82-618 325
Estimated budget: RM10+
How to get there: Grab/Taxi, self-drive, City Public Link (CPL) bus number K6 from Mosque Road Bus Stop
If the wildlife and natural greenery at Bako National Park weren’t enough to satisfy your inner adventurer, we recommend making your way to Semenggoh Nature Reserve! Here, you’ll have a blast while hiking, birdwatching and best of all, interacting with orangutans!
Pro tip:
If the sole purpose of your visit is to interact with the orangutans, be sure to visit during their feeding times (3:00 PM and 9:00 AM).
Drink the night away at the Sakugei Yakitori Rooftop Bar
Address: F25, 3rd floor of Parent Lot 3257, Block 16 KCLD
Phone: +60 10-798 0588
Website
Recommended length of stay: 2+ hours
Estimated budget: RM20 – RM40
How to get there: Grab/Taxi, self-drive
Sakugei Yakitori Rooftop Bar is a great spot we recommend for those looking for nightlife and good food rolled into one. As you may have gleaned from its name, this bar will treat you to majestic views of the city while providing refreshing cocktails at the same time.
In terms of food, they don’t disappoint as well since their menu doesn’t fall short of amazing Japanese dishes. Of course, their bestseller is the titular yakitori, which is basically barbequed meat, which we’re not complaining about at all!
The restaurant also features a lively atmosphere, which is more apparent once the sun sets. It’s during this time when the place turns into a full-blown bar, featuring only good vibes and equally good music.
Day 3 Itinerary
Enter a feline world at the Cat Museum
Address: Bangunan DBKU, Jalan Semariang, Petra Jaya
Phone: +60 82-512 200
Website
Recommended length of stay: 1+ hours
Estimated budget: RM10
Food to try: Super Salad at Mr Domus
How to get there: Bus via Petra Jaya Transport No. 2B or 2C, self-drive, Grab/Taxi
The Cat Museum is the best stopover if you’re looking to get an idea of what Kuching is all about. It perfectly encapsulates the city’s love for these titular felines by showcasing over 4,000 pieces of art that feature their likeness, from photos to sculptures, paintings and more.
Personally, one of my favourite exhibits here is the one where they showcase some of the cats that have made it into popular media.
Pro tip:
Leave your professional cameras at home and capture all the pictures and videos you want on your phone so that you won’t have to pay the camera fee of RM3.
Take a lovely stroll along Carpenter Street
Address: Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
Recommended length of stay: 2+ hours
Estimated budget: RM15+
How to get there: Any City Public Link bus that passes through Waterfront Kuching, self-drive, Grab/Taxi
You can compare Carpenter Street to Ipoh’s Concubine Lane in the sense that it’s also this long, old-timey street lined with vintage houses, stores, cafes and more. You won’t have to spend too much time here unless you want to enter one of its beautiful establishments.
Overall, it’s a great spot to spend your slow afternoon if you don’t want to engage in exhausting activities but still want to bask in the beautiful culture of the city. Also, it’s a great spot to go shopping for souvenirs!
You can also take your lunch while you’re here, as it’s littered with hidden restaurants that offer amazing local dishes! One perfect example of this is the Curry House Carpenter Street where you can get their famous naan and curry!
Pro tip:
Be sure to wear comfortable shoes if you’re planning an in-and-out trip to this street! Also, it wouldn’t hurt to wear light pieces of clothing, especially if you’re planning on visiting in the middle of the day.
Spend a peaceful afternoon at Malaysia-China Friendship Park
Address: Jalan Song, Tabuan Heights
Recommended length of stay: 1+ hours
Estimated budget: RM10+
How to get there: Any City Public Link (CPL) bus route that goes to Jalan Batu Kawa, Grab, Taxi, self-drive
After learning about the indigenous folk at the cultural village, you can then spend a nice and peaceful afternoon at the Malaysia-Chinese Friendship Park. Some of the most notable sights here include the Chinese garden, the many ponds and the oriental arches,
It’s the perfect way to end your last day in Kuching since it’s located near the airport!
Pro tip:
If the heat is proving to be too much for you, we recommend stopping by Chagee to order one of their delicious refreshing drinks! You can also wind down inside their store to enjoy their air conditioner.
Where to Stay in Kuching
Imperial Hotel
Address: 76, Jalan Datuk Tawi Sli, Taman Seng Goon
Phone: +60 82-588 999
Pricing: $$$
Book Now
The Imperial Hotel is one of the most luxurious places you can choose if you’re planning to splurge on accommodations during your visit to the city. As soon as you enter its doors and be greeted by its premium lobby and world-class customer service, you’ll know what you’re in for.
It offers lavishly designed and spacious rooms that come complete with all the modern amenities you need for a comfortable stay. Even the cheapest suites will make you feel like royalty when you stay in them!
What’s more impressive is that almost every room features amazing panoramic city views. If you’re not satisfied with the views from your room, don’t worry because there’s also a roof deck pool that overlooks the bustling city.
Hilton Kuching
Address: Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman
Phone: +60 82-223 888
Pricing: $$$
Book Now
The Hilton is a name that’s synonymous with high-quality hotels around the world, and fortunately, the Kuching brand doesn’t disappoint. Trust us, it’s not all about the hype with this one, as it features everything you want from a hotel.
For starters, it features huge rooms that overlook the beautiful Sarawak River, allowing guests to wake up to a wonderful view every morning. Furthermore, these rooms come with all the modern amenities you can expect today, from flat-screen TVs, to free- Wi-Fi and more.
The facilities of this hotel aren’t too shabby as well, especially the cocktail bar and the outdoor pool, which makes you feel like you’re in Bali. If those aren’t enough reasons to check out this place, you should also know that it sits at a prime location!
Damai Beach Resort
Address: Teluk Bandung, 93756 Kuching
Phone: +60 82-846 999
Pricing: $$$
Book Now
If you’re looking to stay somewhere you can escape the city altogether, then Damai Beach Resort should be right up your alley. It provides guests with a different kind of luxury: staying amidst beautiful natural landscapes.
It’s located by the beachfront, so you can expect beautiful views and relaxing sounds of waves crashing into the shore during your stay. Plus, this also means that you’re always seconds away from swimming and other fun water activities—perfect for families and groups of friends!
Its surroundings aren’t the only thing it has going on, as the rooms themselves are worthy highlights themselves! Staying in one of their chalets will make you feel like you’re in a modern hotel room, which is the perfect contrast to the overall nature-centric vibes of the resort.
Apps to Download for a Trip to Kuching
Travel Malaysia: A pocket travel guide to Malaysia
iOs | Android
Maps.me: Offline map of the world
iOs | Android
XE Currency App: Real-time currency exchange rate app
iOs | Android
Grab: Ride-hailing app of Southeast Asia
iOs | Android
Google Translate: word translation with offline capabilities
iOs | Android
CatchThatBus: Bus ticket booking app
iOs
Sarawak Travel: Regularly-updated app that provides users with everything they need to know about Sarawak
iOs | Android