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Top 6 Night Markets in Kota Kinabalu for a Bustling and Aromatic Evening
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The tourist attractions of the city of Kota Kinabalu might have excited you. But do you know what would interest you even more? The night markets of the city! No matter how many posh and fancy malls come up, they do not match the excitement of shopping on the streets, do they? You can bargain from almost all the vendors in the market, and if you have a knack for bargaining, then there is no stopping you.
Here are the top night markets in Kota Kinabalu -
1. Filipino Market
One of the best markets in Kota Kinabalu is the Filipino Market, which becomes a fantastic place once the night starts to fall. You can easily get lost in the hundreds of tiny stalls the market is made up of. Food, accessories, clothes, souvenirs, handicrafts – you name it and you can find it here. If you are looking to take back home bits and pieces of the city with you, this is the right place for you.
Address: Jalan Tun Fuad Stephen, Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
Timings: 9 AM - 10 PM
2. Night Food Market
Straight and fresh from the sea, you get all kinds of seafood meat at the Night Food Market in Kota Kinabalu. You also get all kinds of ready to eat delicacies here at very reasonable prices. This place is known majorly for its food market and does not have other markets here. One thing to note about this market is that it can get very smelly due to the meat and it might get overwhelming for some people due to the cramped and loud environment. We also suggest you wear simple clothes so that it doesn’t get ruined from all the water puddles formed.
Address: Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
Timings: 5:30 PM - 11 PM
3. KK Container Street Food Night Market
Also known as the ASquare Container Street foods night market, you get to experience traditional Malaysian cuisine and other delicacies here. This is the perfect spot to catch up with your mates while nibbling on some tidbits. The market is designed in an innovative way where the food stalls are set up in containers, which makes it eco friendly and unique. Even though the stalls start opening at around 4 pm, we suggest you visit after 7 pm so that more shops open and you have a lot of options to choose from.
Address: Api-api Centre, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
Timings: 4 PM - 11 PM
4. Api Api Night Food Market
This is hands down one of the most beautiful night markets in Kota Kinabalu. The market is clean, colorful, and aesthetic and is one of the most attractive tourist platforms. One of the newer markets in the city, it was started to promote the business of the local people. We suggest that you eat a little from each stall so that you can have a taste of everything. Apart from the food, you also get handicrafts that are made by the natives of the city. The market also showcases the talents of the native people by hosting events that show the native culture. This place is a must-visit if you want to have an authentic experience of the native Malaysian culture.
Address: Jalan Bandaran, Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
Timings: 6 PM - 2 AM, only on Friday and Saturday
5. Jesselton Artisan Market
Jesselton Artisan Market in Kota Kinabalu is unlike the other regular markets, for they are situated inside a mall-like building. This market is set once every two months and you should definitely give the place a visit if you have an eye for handicraft products such as lamps, jewelry, art pieces, display items, bags, umbrellas and so on. This place also has stalls inside to cater to your hunger needs when you go hungry from all your shopping.
Address: Jalan Riverson 1, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Timings: timings differ from time to time
6. Sinsuran Night Market
Vibrant and colorful, this night market in Kota Kinabalu is located in an easily accessible place in the city. This market is a heavenly abode for all those who love to go on a shopping spree, especially women. You get varieties of bags, clothes, footwear, handicrafts, electronic accessories, fashion accessories – beads and pearls in particular. You can easily bargain with the vendors, or if you can’t, take a local resident there who will help you out. You can also get your hands on varieties of raw and cooked seafood here. This is the place to go if you are looking for a budget-friendly all in one market.
Address: Sinsuran Kompleks, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Timings: 6 PM - 12 AM
We have picked up some of the best night markets in Kota Kinabalu. We hope this article was useful to you. Do let us know in the comments about your experience of visiting any of the markets mentioned here. Happy shopping!
