Best places in Kota Tinggi 2026

Desaru Beach

🏖️ Beaches · Desaru, Kota Tinggi, Johor

🆓 Free☪️ Surau🧒

A long, clean beach on Johor's east coast, backed by resorts, Desaru Coast and a casuarina-lined shore. Quieter than Port Dickson and a good weekend run from Singapore and JB.

Don't miss: A sunrise walk before the resort crowd wakes up

Kota Johor Lama Historical Complex

🏯 Heritage Sites · Kampung Johor Lama, Kota Tinggi, Johor

🆓 Free

After Melaka fell in 1511, the sultanate regrouped here on a bend of the Johor River and built Kota Batu, a fortified royal capital that the Portuguese and Acehnese fought over. Today a stilted Malay-house museum sits beside the old earth-and-stone fort site, with displays on Johor's sultans, river forts and archaeological finds. Quiet, breezy and surprisingly moving for history buffs.

Don't miss: The riverside fort remains (Kota Batu) after the museum's gallery on the Johor River forts

⚠️ Not yet re-verified for 2026. Check fees, hours and that it is open before you go.

Lepak Sepak Campsite

⛺ Glamping & Campsites · Sungai Sepak, Kota Tinggi, Johor

🧒

A small privately-run riverside campsite with a pool, cafe and powered pitches. Loud on weekends, peaceful on weekdays.

Don't miss: Cooling off in the river and the pool

⚠️ Not yet re-verified for 2026. Check fees, hours and that it is open before you go.