Amanda LimLooking for a sweet escape from Johor Bahru that doesn’t require crossing the border too early? Just 40 minutes away lies Pekan Nanas, literally “Pineapple Town”, a sleepy spot with golden fields, heritage cafés and all the tropical charm you didn’t know you needed.
It’s the perfect short getaway for nature lovers, café hoppers and curious explorers alike. Here’s a full-day itinerary that peels back the best of Johor’s pineapple paradise!
Also read: 3D2N Kukup Itinerary From Singapore: The Perfect Food & Nature Escape
8am: Getting there
Image credit: businterchange.net Official Website
Start your day by catching the myBAS T50 from JB Sentral or Larkin Sentral. It’s an easy, scenic ride westward along the Skudai–Pontian Highway that takes about 40–50 minutes. Tickets are inexpensive, and the route runs frequently throughout the day.
Prefer more control? A Grab ride will set you back about RM25–35, depending on traffic. Just enter “Pekan Nanas” or “Nictar Pineapple Park” as your destination.
9am: Local breakfast in town
Image credit: Lcc54613 via Canva Pro
Ease into the day with a local breakfast in Pekan Nanas town centre. For something hearty, go for claypot bak kut teh, a herbal pork rib broth served bubbling hot at simple roadside stalls.
Pair it with steamed rice and strong kopi for a traditional start. Stalls usually open early and start winding down by 11:00!
Also read: One Day Itinerary in Muar, Johor: Best Things to See, Eat and Do
10am: Visit the Pineapple Museum
Image credit: Attractions in Malaysia Official Website
Next, head to the Pineapple Museum (Muzium Nanas), where you’ll get a light but engaging look into the town’s agricultural roots. It’s small and low-key, but exhibits on pineapple cultivation and canning history help explain why this fruit is such a big deal here.
You’ll be in and out in about 30–45 minutes, depending on how deep you go into pineapple trivia.
11am: Coffee & ceramics at Platform
Image credit: Platform coffee & homestay Official Facebook
Time to relax. Make your way to Platform Coffee & Homestay, one of the town’s loveliest shophouse cafés. Expect wooden interiors, handcrafted mugs and a slow-paced vibe. Their Baileys latte, Vietnamese drip coffee, and sourdough toast are local favourites.
If you’re visiting on a weekend, check if there’s a pottery workshop happening, as they occasionally run beginner-friendly sessions. It’s the perfect place to wind down and relax.
12.30pm: Explore Nictar Pineapple Park
Image credit: Nictar Pineapple Park Official Facebook
Hop into a Grab or ask for directions to Nictar Pineapple Park (about 10 minutes away). This charming working farm, which doubles as a mini attraction, is undoubtedly the heart of your pineapple-themed day.
Image credit (L-R): Nictar Pineapple Park Official Facebook
For an entrance fee of around RM8–10, you can join a guided tour through fields growing over ten unique pineapple varieties. Along the way, sample fresh, juicy pineapple slices and savour refreshing pineapple juice made on-site.
Visitors can also explore other crops like bananas, yams and sugar cane, and feed friendly ducks and chickens in the petting area. It’s a hands-on farm experience perfect for families or anyone curious about tropical farming.
2pm: Pineapple dessert & gift shopping
Image credit (L-R): Nictar Pineapple Park Official Facebook
After your tour, grab a bite at Nictar’s café and don’t forget dessert! Cool down with a scoop of pineapple ice cream or the pineapple popsicle. Bright, refreshing, and made with fruit from the farm itself, these treats are perfect for Johor’s midday heat. The café also serves Liberica coffee, a rare Malaysian-grown bean with bold, earthy notes that pairs well with tropical treats.
Next, visit the farm shop next door for pineapple-themed treats: fresh pineapples, dried fruit, bottled juice (some with peel), chilli sauces, pineapple honey and jam. Bring a tote, because you’ll definitely want to take some home!
3pm: Explore the town
Image credit: Chongkian | Wikimedia
Return to town and take some time to soak in Pekan Nanas’ small-town rhythm. Pop into a local bakery like Teo Soon or Kilang Roti for old-school buns and coconut rolls.
You can also take a quiet stroll past shophouses, minimarts and weathered temples. It’s a great time for a photo walk or a last round of kopi before heading off.
4pm: Head back to JB
Catch the T50 bus from the town centre or book a Grab for your return journey. You’ll be back in Johor Bahru by around 5pm, with plenty of time to unwind at a nearby mall or beat the rush back to Singapore.
Also read: Underrated Day Trips from Singapore (That Aren’t Johor Bahru)
Why go?
Pekan Nanas isn’t your typical go-to spot, but it’s surprisingly full of flavour. With pineapple farms, quiet streets, friendly locals and cafés that feel like home, this is Johor’s answer to slow travel.
So if you’re craving a sweet, sun-drenched day that doesn’t break the bank, this little fruit town is ripe for the picking.
