Gaya Street Sunday Market: Kota Kinabalu Guide

Every Sunday morning, Jalan Gaya in the old centre of Kota Kinabalu closes to traffic and fills with stalls. Gaya Street Sunday Market runs from about 6am to 2pm according to Sabah Tourism, and it is the liveliest few hours of the week in the city. Locals come for plants, fruit and coffee beans; visitors come for breakfast, souvenirs and a look at everyday Sabah life.

What to buy at Gaya Street Sunday Market

The stalls run the length of the street and spill into side lanes. You will find:

• Handicrafts and souvenirs: beadwork, woven baskets, fabrics and small souvenirs.
• Plants: potted plants, seedlings and bags of potting soil.
• Fresh produce: tropical fruit, Sabah tea and locally grown coffee beans.
• Antiques and bric-a-brac: old coins, ceramics and vintage odds and ends.

Behind the last block of shops at the far end of the street, near Signel Poshtel, a smaller section has farmers selling vegetables, jungle ferns and traditional ingredients. It feels more local than the main strip.

What to eat

Arrive hungry. Snack stalls sell fried banana fritters, kuih (small cakes), grilled corn and fresh coconut water, and the coffee shops lining Jalan Gaya open early. Order a kopi or Sabah tea and a plate of tuaran mee or a bowl of ngiu chap (beef noodle soup) for a proper Kota Kinabalu breakfast before you browse.

Shopping tips

Prices on crafts and souvenirs are usually open to a little friendly bargaining, especially if you buy several items from the same stall; produce and food are sold at fixed prices. Walk the whole street once before buying, as the same items often turn up at several stalls. Bring a reusable bag, a hat and water, because there is little shade between the shophouse arcades.

If you are only in the city on a weekday, the shops and coffee shops on Jalan Gaya still make a pleasant morning walk, but the market atmosphere is a Sunday thing.

Getting there and when to go

The market is in the city centre, within walking distance of most hotels around the waterfront and Jalan Gaya itself. Grab drivers drop off at either end of the street. Come between 7am and 9am, before the heat and the crowds build; by late morning it is hot and slow-moving, and stalls start packing up after midday.

How it fits your trip

Plan your time in Kota Kinabalu so you are in the city on a Sunday morning. It pairs well with an afternoon boat to Tunku Abdul Rahman Park. Our Sabah itinerary and the 2 weeks in Malaysia route both start in the city, and the Sabah guide covers the rest of the state.