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Fort Margherita
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Fort Margherita

See all things to do
See all things to do
Fort Margherita
4
#15 of 97 things to do in Kuching
History Museums
9:00 AM - 4:45 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:45 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:45 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:45 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:45 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:45 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:45 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 4:45 PM
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1-2 hours
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405 within 5 kms
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Attractions
57 within 10 kms
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181
23 mHistory Museums
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
111 reviews
Excellent
42
Very good
46
Average
19
Poor
3
Terrible
1
jes K
1 contribution
Fort access update Oct 23
Oct 2023 • Couples
Access update. 2023-10

You can see the fort from the Kuching waterfront.
Most obvious way to get here would be to walk across the bridge and access the fort from the highly visible feature staircase leading up to it

HOWEVER ,
The riverfront promenade on the other side is blocked by two steel gates and even if you could access the promenade , the staircase is cut in two ( barricaded ) by the construction site for a new water feature under the flag pole .
The Kuching Information Center had no idea on how to get there after we told them the staircase was blocked.
However a nice local gave us excellent advise reflecting what others have listed here before.

From the jetty in front of Hotel Margherita, take a ferry (sampan ) across to Kampong Boyan on other side.
From there , it is a easy ( uphill ) , well sign posted walk to top of hill adjacent to the fort

NB ; there are no longer ferries operating from the jetties in front of the old Courthouse as in the past .Are either further upstream to Astana or fore mentioned ones from in front of the hotel
Written 8 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Donald F
Edinburgh, UK618 contributions
Fascinating museum detailing the era of the White Rajas of Sarawak
Mar 2023 • Solo
If you like history, visit both this Fort and the exhibition at the Old Courthouse. They detail the Brooke family who ruled Sarawak for 100 years. Take a sampan over the river to the Fort - only 1 ringgit each way.
Written 6 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
YH
17 contributions
Learn about the Brooke Dynasty and their Impact on Sarawak
Oct 2022
Small and informative. Learn about Sarawak from mid 19th Century and about the people who were living here before the First White Rajah
Written 7 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
STELLA08Auckland
Auckland Central, New Zealand470 contributions
Loved it - & I'm not a "museum person"
Sep 2022
Definitely recommend this. We hired a boat to go across the river & walked up the hill (slowly in the heat) to the Fort. I would usually spend about 5 minutes on each floor & exit in a museum, but this one really captured our imagination. It has been done really well, and the photographs & captions describe the history of Sarawak so well. The stairs between each floor aren't easy, but it's well worth exploring all floors. It really whet our appetite to find out more about the history of Borneo.
Written 27 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AmyWoon
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia79 contributions
A quick visit
Sep 2022
A good place to recap some history. But just hope that they can do a good maintenance in their toilet. Horrible view
Written 22 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shaukat A
Sydney, Australia78 contributions
Amazing dive into history of Sarawak
Apr 2021
A must visit location if you are visiting Kuching City. The fort is easily accessible by river crossing from Sarawak Waterfront. A brief walk takes you to the fort premises.

The building is well-maintained and an entry fee of RM 15 provides access to various levels of the fort housing rich history of colonial occupation and history o rajahs of Sarawak.

The rooftop commands amazing views of the surrounding and distant views of the Sarawak River.
Written 2 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jessica Lee
Ipoh, Malaysia111 contributions
Interesting fort for history lovers
Nov 2021
The fort is refurbished and converted into a museum which showcases the beginning of Sarawak and the development it has gone through. A good place to go for history lovers! The building is also well maintained and there are certain areas which display the bricks used to build the fort. However, it will be more convenient to get there by car.
Written 24 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
waget
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia400 contributions
it is good
Apr 2021
It is an iconic structure and it is worth crossing the river to see what it is about and what is inside it.
Written 11 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christine B
Fordingbridge, UK1,413 contributions
OK
Feb 2020
Nothing to shout about. I went inside the Fort & visited the museum/gallery which was OK.
I wouldn't put it on my 'must see' list.
Written 8 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BGallery
Dear christine b, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback on your recent visit to one of our Museums, the Brooke Gallery at Fort Margherita. We regret that you had felt that way with regards to your visit to Fort Margherita. We are always open for suggestions from visitors on ways to improve the visiting experience. We hope to welcome you again at any of our Museums in the future. Thank you. Kind regards, Adams
Written 9 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
LRMcK
Cairns, Australia1,820 contributions
Interesting old historical fort
Feb 2020 • Couples
Not easy to get to.... From the Kuching Waterfront, facing the river, walk to the right until you get to the big brown Grand Margherita Hotel. Go down to the jetty in front of the hotel and take the boat straight across the river. Price is 1 ringgit per person. At the other side of the river, head inland from the dock about 30 meters and you will see a big blue sign directing you to the fort. Go left and up the stairs. Keep heading uphill and veering left and eventually you will see the fort. Entry fee is 20 ringgit per person. You can wander around the small museum called Brooke's Gallery and the ramparts at your own pace. There are many historical documents, artifacts and photographs.
Written 20 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BGallery
Dear LRMcK, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback and experience on your recent visit to Fort Margherita as well as the Brooke Gallery. We are glad that you had enjoyed your journey to the fort. We also would want to welcome you to our other museum, The Ranee Museum at the Old Court House. You would be able to learn more on Ranee Margaret, the consort of the second Rajah, Charles. We look forward to welcome you again to any of our museums in the future. Thank you. Kind regards, Adams
Written 22 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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FORT MARGHERITA: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Fort Margherita
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