Tamu Sabah: Which Tamu Is On Today? Weekly Market Schedule by Day
What is a Tamu?
A tamu is a traditional open-air market unique to Sabah and Sarawak. Unlike regular wet markets, tamus are periodic — they happen on specific days of the week in each town. Villagers from surrounding areas bring produce, handicrafts, and homemade food to sell.
Tamus are where you'll find ingredients and products you can't get anywhere else: wild jungle ferns, freshwater fish, homemade pickles, tuhau, bambangan, local honey, and traditional medicines.
Tamus are busiest between 6:00-9:00 AM. The best produce sells out early. By noon, most vendors have packed up.
Weekly Tamu Schedule
Which tamu is on which day, from the list published by the Sabah Tourism Board (checked 10 October 2026; the board last reviewed the list in June 2024). Some towns appear on more than one day. The list gives no opening hours, and days can change, so check locally before a long drive.
Sunday / Ahad
- Tuaran
- Sook
- Kota Marudu
- Kota Belud
- Kota Kinabalu (Gaya Street)
- Tambunan
- Putatan
- Keningau
- Telupid
- Membakut
- Papar
Monday / Isnin
- Kampung Pukak, Kiulu
Tuesday / Selasa
- Kiulu
- Kuala Penyu
- Pandasan
- Tamparuli
Wednesday / Rabu
- Ranau
- Nabawan
- Tamparuli
- Kudat
- Kota Belud
- Membakut
- Donggongon (Penampang)
Thursday / Khamis
- Donggongon (Penampang)
- Bingkor (Keningau)
- Tambunan
- Telipok
- Sumangkap (Matunggong)
- Tenghilan
- Pekan Nabalu
- Taginambur
- Papar
- Sipitang
Friday / Jumaat
- Sepulut
- Taginambur Batu 10
- Beaufort
- Kundasang
- Donggongon (Penampang)
Saturday / Sabtu
- Ranau
- Nabawan
- Kinarut
- Matunggong
- Putatan
- Inanam
- Mansiat (Sook)
- Telupid
- Apin-Apin (Keningau)
- Beaufort
- Papar
- Tamu KPD (Fresh Mart, KPD)
Kota Kinabalu's Sunday tamu is the Gaya Street Sunday Market.
Some tamus shift schedule during public holidays or Ramadan. The Gaya Street Sunday Market is the most reliable — it runs every Sunday rain or shine.
Top Tamu Markets to Visit
Gaya Street Sunday Market (KK)
The most accessible tamu. Runs every Sunday morning along Gaya Street in central KK. Mix of plants, pets, food, handicrafts, and local produce. Very popular with both locals and tourists. Get there by 7:30 AM for the full experience.
Kota Belud Tamu
The largest and most traditional tamu in Sabah. Bajau cowboys, livestock, fresh produce, traditional textiles. About 1.5 hours from KK. This is the real deal — arguably the most culturally significant market in Sabah.
Donggongon Tamu (Penampang)
Just 15 minutes from KK. Strong Kadazan-Dusun character. Great for local vegetables, tuhau, bambangan, and home-cooked food. Popular with locals doing their weekly shopping.
Tambunan Tamu
Interior market in the heart of Kadazan-Dusun country. Jungle produce, freshwater fish, rice wine (tapai), and traditional food. Combines well with a drive through the Crocker Range.
Tips for Visiting
- Bring cash — most tamu vendors don't accept cards or e-wallets.
- Bring a bag — no plastic bags at many tamus now.
- Try the food stalls — tamu food is often the best, most authentic local food you'll find.
- Bargaining is not really expected at tamus. Prices are generally fair and fixed.
- Parking fills up fast at popular tamus. Arrive early.