The best museums Kota Bharu

This former royal palace, built in 1939 for the Sultan's wedding, has a much more modern face. We recommend that you end your visit to Kota Bharu with this monument in order to appreciate the architectural progression of the Malay style. The visit gives an insight into the life of the royal family between 1940 and 1960. Old photos, costumes, gifts from foreign delegations, vintage cars... the whole is quite anecdotal.

The museum is housed in a beautiful building that combines colonial and Malayan styles. It is the former town hall of Kota Bharu built in 1930 and has undergone some modifications since then. The various rooms illustrate the history, culture and crafts of Kelantan. The collection forms an interesting bric-a-brac, with beautiful pieces such as delicately painted Chinese porcelain, traditional musical instruments, antique textile pieces or basketry.

The Kelantan Royal Ceremonies Museum is housed in a former royal palace, better known as the Istana Jahar. Built in 1887, the palace is a veritable jewel, bearing witness to the skill and expertise of the craftsmen of the time. The museum introduces visitors to royal rituals such as marriage and birth ceremonies, circumcision and head shaving. The interior of the house is very elegant, with a splendid veranda and wrought-iron staircases.

Just a stone's throw from Independence Square, in the museum district, this beautiful wooden building is bound to catch your eye. More than the contents of the museum, which traces the arrival of Islam in Kelantan and tells the story of the region's muftis, the interest lies in the building itself. Built in 1902 as the main residence of the Prime Minister of Kelantan, the house features beautiful carved wooden panels both inside and out. The multi-storey roof is covered with clay tiles from southern Thailand.