Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, is an emerging, culturally diverse city that is on the rise among tourists. Kuala Lumpur is a mix of Chinese, Indian, and Malay people which is the reason why the food is fantastic, and English is a commonly spoken language. The city is well-known for its skyscrapers and shopping malls, but it has so much more to offer. Follow this 3-day guide of things to do in Kuala Lumpur.
Day 1 – Hidden Kuala Lumpur
The first full day in Kuala Lumpur is meant to give you a surprising taste of the city. The city is similar to Singapore, just much more affordable.
1. Batu Caves: The Rainbow Stair
Rise and shine in the early morning to visit the colorful Batu Caves. Enter the enormous Batu Caves via a 272-step rainbow-colored stair up to the limestone hill. In front of the caves is a large gold-colored statue.
Oh, and don’t have anything hanging out of your bag because the sneaky little monkeys will try to take it. The Batu Caves are easy to reach by Grab Taxi or local bus. Tip: It is best to avoid a visit during weekends and public holidays.
2. Walk Bridges in the Eco Forest
In the center of the city, hidden from the busy streets, multiple hanging bridges create a walking route through the forest. The relatively short and fun eco-walk is a great thing to do in Kuala Lumpur and costs 40RM (~9.10 USD) to enter. An important thing to know is the right entrance to the park.
Read the 2-week Malaysia Travel Route
3. Lunch at Leaf & Co.
You must be hungry after that walking. Recharge with a delicious lunch at Leaf & Co. They offer delicious local and western dishes. We highly recommend the chicken satay sandwich.
4. Sultan Abdul Samad and Merdeka Square
Merdeka Square is a small green square that owns a 95-meter-high flagpole with the Malaysian flag. That is where independence for Malaysia started. Nowadays, the stretch of green is occupied by locals relaxing in the afternoon.
Right in front of Merdeka Square is one of Kuala Lumpur’s most beautiful buildings; Sultan Abdul Samad. Have a walk around this former courthouse. On the backside is a walk along the river. You can also visit this building on a half-day city tour of Kuala Lumpur (book your tour here).
5. Visit the Most Hidden cafe in Kuala Lumpur
There is one cafe in Kuala Lumpur that is so hidden that you would never find it without the guidebooks or a local who tells you. Merchant’s Lane Cafe can be entered via a tiny blue door next to a local newspaper store. It is a great place to relax, have a coffee or a bite. Merchant’s Lane Cafe is a 15-minute walk from Merdeka Square.
Day 2 – Cultures in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is a city of many cultures. No matter what religion, race, culture and skin color, everyone is living in harmony, sitting on the same table and respect each other. We can see this on day two of our Kuala Lumpur Guide.
6. Thean Hou Temple
With its six levels, Thean Hou is one of southeast Asia’s largest Chinese temples. Build on a small hilltop just outside the main center you can overlook the entire city from the temple top.
Have an incredible relaxing wake-up moment on the top of the temple at 7:30 AM when there are no other visitors. One of our favorite things to do in Kuala Lumpur.
The entrance is free; there is a donation box inside the temple.
7. Little India
If you love Indian food, this is the place to go. In the evening, the streets will be filled with small restaurants selling tasty dishes. Little India, also known as Brickfields, is located just a few minutes from KL Sentral, the city’s main railway station.
8. Lunch at VCR
VCR is a cool minimalistic look lunch cafe and considered as one of the best coffee cafes in Kuala Lumpur. They offer a tasty breakfast and lunch and the yummiest carrot cake we had in Kuala Lumpur. VCR is a bit dislocated but surely worth the visit.
9. Markets in Kuala Lumpur
No matter if you are looking for a souvenir or a pair of imitation Nike shoes, Central Market and Petaling Street Market in Chinatown are great for this kind of shopping. Different from Chinatown, Central Market is inside and feels a bit like a flea market.
Also read: The Best Market in Bangkok
10. Shop ’til You Drop
Kuala Lumpur has enormous shopping malls with all your favorite brands. The mega malls like Pavilion and KL Sentral are the most popular. For anything from food, electronics, and fashion, visit Pavilion and get lost.
Tip: Nearby Pavilion Shopping Mall is a small tasty lunch spot named Purple Miao.
11. Jalan Alor Night Market
The best street food in Kuala Lumpur can be found at Jalan Alor Night Market. Right after the sun has set, loads of food stalls open their doors. Taste the real Malaysian cuisine for cheap prices. Join a local street food tour to explore this lively night market and taste the local dishes.
12. Wilayah Mosque – One of our favorite Things To Do in Kuala Lumpur
In 2000, the Wilayah Mosque opened its doors. The architecture of the Wilayah Mosque, also known as the Federal Territory Mosque, is inspired by the Blue Mosque of Istanbul in Turkey.
The details on the walls and ceilings in this huge complex will make your jaw drop. During the morning you probably see just a handful of other tourists, which makes it one of the most unestimated things to do in Kuala Lumpur.
13. Lunch Local
Ali, Muthu & Ah Hock Kopitiam offer the best Malaysian breakfast and lunch, such as the Nasi Lemak Ayam and Hainanese Chicken Rice. Expect to pay around 12 MYR (2.85 USD) for these yummy dishes. Ali, Muthu & Ah Hock Kopitiam is small and gets packed quickly, so being there a little before lunchtime is the smartest choice.
14. Perdana Botanical Garden
The Perdana Botanical Garden of Kuala Lumpur offers a refreshing walk through the park away from the buzzing city. Walking around the entire park takes about an hour featuring many flora and fauna, art, deer, and birds.
Discover the green tea plantations of the Cameron Highlands
There is no entrance fee, however, the bird park or butterfly garden have their own entry fee.
15. Petronas Towers
The Petronas Towers are the second-highest twin towers of the world and the famous landmark of Malaysia. In the evening these 452-meter high towers are lit for an even more beautiful impression. The KLCC Park on the backside of the towers offers a beautiful view of the Petronas Towers. Get your tickets online here.
Tip: Traveling with children? KLCC park features a large playground with an open-air swimming pool.
Kuala Lumpur International Airport
You either arrive at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) or KLIA2.
The train that connects both locations takes you to KL Sentral in about 30 minutes. The price of a ticket is 55 MYR (13 USD). In addition, there is also a bus connection (Skybus) from KLIA2, which costs 15 MYR (3.5 USD) and takes 45 minutes.
Getting Around the City
The easiest and most affordable way to get around Kuala Lumpur is by metro. It is best to check your destination by Metro on Google Maps. If it includes a lot of walking, you might want to consider Grab Taxi instead.
We recommend to rent a car in Malaysia through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here.
Where to Stay in Kuala Lumpur
Bukit Bintang and Brickfields are the two main areas to find a hotel in Kuala Lumpur. They are close to the city center, connected to the metro, and some sights are doable on foot.
Kuala Lumpur is also a hub for backpackers starting their journey through Malaysia. You can find all hostels here.
Stay in the Center
Ritz Carlton is right in the middle of the city, next to the shopping mall. It offers multiple pools, a spa, a gym, comfortable beds, and a delicious buffer.
How Much Does Kuala Lumpur Cost?
Like any capital city, Kuala Lumpur has higher prices than anywhere else in the country. That being said, if you find the right spots, you can cut costs on your trip. For example, by eating street food at markets or staying in guesthouses away from the center.
Sim Card in Kuala Lumpur
To use services like Grab or Google Maps to find your way in the city, you will need to have a sim card. We recommend Celcom, which offers a 30-day 40GB data bundle for 45 MYR (~9.75 USD).
Best Time to Visit Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is a year-round destination with temperatures between 25 – 35 degrees. From December till March, there is a bigger chance for short rain and thunderstorms.
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This is such an interesting and complete guide! i can’t thank you enough for these lists that helps me arrange my itinerary. kudos!