MY · Kelantan · 6.13°N 102.24°E

istana batu royal museum

A 1939 royal palace with its rooms still laid out, a short walk from KB's craft and war museums.

Best time
Any time of year. It's all indoors, so the royal quarter is a good plan for a wet day in the November–January monsoon. Go in the morning, before the walk between museums gets hot.
How long
Half a day
Getting there
Fly from KL to Kota Bharu (about an hour), then it's about 15 minutes by car to the city centre. By car from KL it's about 7 hours via Gua Musang. The palace is beside Padang Merdeka, a few minutes' walk from Pasar Siti Khadijah.
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MY · Kelantanistana batu royal museum6.13°N 102.24°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,A 1939 royal palace with its rooms still laid out, a short walk from KB's craft and war museums.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingIstana Batu Royal MuseumMY, Kelantan
KListana batu royal museum
≈ 338 km from KL, as the crow flies

Istana Batu, the stone palace, was built in 1939 as Sultan Ismail's wedding gift to his nephew, the future Sultan Yahya Petra, and became the royal museum in 1991. The rooms are kept much as the family used them. It sits in Kota Bharu's old royal quarter by Padang Merdeka, so the craft village, the war museum and Istana Jahar are all a few minutes' walk away.

Makan

  1. Nasi kerabuBlue rice with herbs, fish and sambal, the Kota Bharu breakfast to have before you start.Map ↗
  2. Kuih at Siti KhadijahAkok, jala mas and the rest of the Kelantan kuih trays at the market, a few minutes' walk away.Map ↗
  3. Ayam percikGrilled chicken basted in spiced coconut sauce, for lunch after the museums.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. The palace roomsA dining table laid for 16, a red drawing room full of silver, glass and Thai Benjarong porcelain, and the royal bedroom.Map ↗
  2. Gifts and family photosA room of presents the royal family was given over the years, plus portraits, ceremonial dress and the family tree.Map ↗
  3. Kampung KraftanganThe craft village across the road: a small museum of Kelantan weaving, batik, embroidery and songket in carved timber buildings, with crafts for sale.Map ↗
  4. Bank KerapuKelantan's first bank, used by the Japanese military police in the occupation, now a small museum on the war that began with the landing on the Kota Bharu coast on 8 December 1941.Map ↗
  5. Istana JaharThe carved timber palace next door, now the museum of Kelantan's royal customs.Map ↗

Good to know

  • The state museums open every day except Friday, Kelantan's day off.
  • Park once around Padang Merdeka and walk; all the museums here are within a few minutes of each other.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.