8 Palaces to Explore in Malaysia

Istana Bukit Serene is the royal palace and official residence of the Sultan of Johor, located in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. The palace faces the Straits of Johor and has a bird's eye view of Singapore, a former possession of the Sultanate. The palace has a huge sprawling garden which is a common site for many royal gatherings and celebrations. The palace is well guarded by the Royal Johor Military Force, the Sultan's own private army.

Istana Besar or Grand Palace is the royal palace of the Sultan of Johor which is located in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, which was built in 1866 by Sultan Abu Bakar. The palace overlooks the Straits of Johor. The Grand Palace's most distinctive feature is its Anglo-Malay architecture, characterized by its dome of Malay design contrasted with its blue roof of Anglo influence.

Istana Melawati is the second national palace of Malaysia's Yang di-Pertuan Agong in Putrajaya after the Istana Negara in Kuala Lumpur. It serves as a royal retreat for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

The Istana Besar, is the primary palace of the Yang Di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan. It was built and completed in 1932, and officiated by Tuanku Muhammad ibni Almarhum Tuanku Antah who moved there after it was completed. The Istana Besar complex has extensive facilities to support the residence of the Yang Di-Pertuan Besar. In the main building, there is a grand hall, waiting and audience rooms, residential apartments spread over three floors.

The Istana Jahar was a royal residence in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia. It was built in 1855 by Sultan Muhammad II of Kelantan for his grandson Long Kundur. The palace has a pentagon-shaped porte-cochère with the first-floor balcony from which members of the royal family could watch ceremonies held in front of the palace. Today, the palace houses the Museum of Royal Traditions and Customs of Kelantan.

A modern reconstruction of the palace of the Melaka Sultanate showcasing the history of the region.

The Istana Negara is the official residence of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the monarch of Malaysia. It is located along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim in Segambut, northwestern Kuala Lumpur. The palace opened in 2011 and replaced the old Istana Negara which was located at a different compound in central Kuala Lumpur. The palace complex has an area of 97.65 hectares, 22 domes, and is split into three main portions: the Formal Component, Royal Component, and Administration Component.

The Astana is a palace in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, on the north bank of the Sarawak River, opposite the Kuching Waterfront. It is the official residence of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak, the Governor of Sarawak. The name is a variation of 'Istana', meaning 'palace'.