15 Best Things to do in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Discover the 15 best things to do in Kuala Lumpur one of South East Asia’s most magical cities.
Kuala Lumpur is the capital city of Malaysia and a surprising place from start to finish. It is the perfect mix of modern and exotic with a wide range of things to do. Kuala Lumpur has just about everything you could want in a city with its beautiful landmarks, lively nightlife, various cultural hotspots, world-class cuisine, and more.
The best thing is that it’s still an up-and-coming city which means it’s not full of tourists and the prices of hotels, food, and activities are quite low.
Keep reading to discover the 15 best things to do in Kuala Lumpur now!
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15 Best Things to Do in Kuala Lumpur
Visit Batu Caves
The Batu Caves are one of the top tourist attractions in Malaysia and visiting them is one of the best things to do in Kuala Lumpur. They are an impressive and unique place just 20 minutes from the center of Kuala Lumpur in the district of Gombak.
Not only are they a tourist attraction but an important place of pilgrimage and worship for Hindus. In fact, the Batu Caves are home to the largest Hindu shrines outside of India.
The enchanting and intricate shrines are surrounded by striking natural beauty that only adds to this attraction. With the towering limestone cliffs, colorful steps, detailed shines, and huge deity statue it truly is a place you cannot miss.
The best thing about Batu Caves is that it is FREE to enter the main cave which is a complete experience in itself. You can pay to visit more caves but I found just the main one was enough.
Tips for Visiting Batu Caves:
- Go early in the morning if you want to avoid big crowds.
- Women must dress modestly with their knees and shoulders covered.
- You will have to take your shoes off to see some areas – bring extra socks if you don’t want to touch the ground.
- You can get here by bus or taxi. Taxi is the easiest and fastest and only costs around $5 depending on where you are departing from.
- You can also join a tour like the ones below to learn more and delve deeper into the Caves and their history.
Admire the Petronas Towers
The Petronas Towers are one of the most iconic landmarks in Kuala Lumpur. These 88-story twin towers dominate the skyline and are the most notable landmark within the city center.
Visiting them both day and night to admire them is one of the best things to do in Kuala Lumpur. They are conveniently located beside a beautiful park which makes walking around the see them from many angles very easy! One of the best ways to admire the Petronas Towers is from a rooftop .. more to come on that!
Dinner With a View
Going to one of the many rooftop restaurants in Kuala Lumpur to enjoy an amazing meal with an equally amazing view is a MUST. Experiencing the amazing cuisine and restaurants in the city is one of the top things to do in Kuala Lumpur and something that surprised me a lot.
There is a huge foodie scene in the city with countless restaurants servings cuisine from all around the world. The best thing about them is that you can find many rooftop options which allow you to basque in the beauty of the city.
Some of the best rooftop restaurants in Kuala Lumpur are:
- Fuego at Troika Sky Dining
- THIRTY8 Restaurant, Bar & Lounge (pictured above)
- Marini’s on 57
Be sure to make reservations well in advance for all these places as they fill up fast!
Enjoy a Night Out on Changkat Bukit Bintang Road
Changkat Bukit Bintang Road is Kuala Lumpur’s trendy, lively, party area. It is the perfect place to go for a night out with cheap drinks, good music, and plenty of other people around.
The street is home to endless bars and restaurants where you can find exactly what you want. A great restaurant for Italian food is Ciccio and a cool cocktail bar with cocktails on tap is The Rabbit Hole.
Go Cafe Hopping
The cafe culture in Kuala Lumpur is thriving! I have an endless list of cute, aesthetic, and delicious cafes all around the city. Heading to a new cafe and trying the different dishes and the new atmosphere is one of my favorite things to do when traveling.
It really gives you a taste of the city and starts your day off the right way, which is why it is one of the best things to do in Kuala Lumpur. The best thing? The cafes in Kuala Lumpur are super reasonably priced with the egg on toast pictured above costing €3.90.
Some of the best cafes in Kuala Lumpur are:
- Elephant Republic
- Feeka Coffee Roasters
- VCR
- Three Years Old Cafe
- 8Haus
- Cafe ETC
- Merchant’s Lane
- LOKL Coffee Co
And more!
Visit the Thean Hou Temple
Visiting Thean Hou Temple is easily one of the top things to do in Kuala Lumpur. This six-tiered Chinese Temple is architecturally brilliant with its bright colors and intricate designs.
It is one of the largest and oldest Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia located just 15 minutes from the center of Kuala Lumpur by car. It is a peaceful and serene temple and easily one of the most beautiful places in the city.
The temple is open from 8 AM to 10 PM daily and entrance is 100% FREE which is unreal! You can reach it on foot or by taxi. Taxi is best in the heat of the city and it doesn’t cost much at all.
See the Pink Putra Mosque
The Putra Mosque is a unique, pink mosque in Putrajaya, just 35 minutes drive from Kuala Lumpur. Its unique coloring and location on the lake make it one of Malaysia’s most mesmerizing sights.
The mosque can house up to 15,000 people and is an important place of worship for Muslims. Luckily, it is open for non-muslims who would like to visit the mosque but a dress code must be adhered to.
Male visitors should wear long pants and shirts with sleeves. While female visitors should wear clothing that covers their arms and knees. The mosque provides pink robes which you can borrow to wear in the mosque.
Roam Around Chinatown
Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown is an area of the city you do not want to miss. A true explosion of colors, sights and smells that truly transport you to a market in China. It is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the Chinese cultures, traditions, and cuisine that are prevalent in Malaysia. Visiting Chinatown is one of the best things to do in Kuala Lumpur!
Walk in KL Forest Eco Park
KL Forest Eco Park is a rainforest park located in the middle of the city. In fact, this is the world’s only rainforest that sits directly in the middle of a city!
Visiting here is one of the top things to do in Kuala Lumpur to immerse yourself in the unique nature of the region without even venturing outside the city. Here you will find a forest canopy walkway, various nature walks, monkeys, and more.
The entrance price is 40 Malaysian Ringgits (€8.58) and they only take cash.
Admire the Menara Kuala Lumpur
Menara Kuala Lumpur is another one of the iconic structures in Kuala Lumpur that make up its skyline. It is a 421-meter-tall telecommunication tower that stands proudly amongst the other skyscrapers in the city. It is situated beside KL Forest Eco Park and visiting both attractions in one day is a must.
Going to the top of the tower costs 40 Malaysian Ringgits (€10.51) and from here you can admire the city from above on the observation deck. This is one of the best views in the city and one of the top things to do in Kuala Lumpur.
Visit Sultan Abdul Samad Building
The Sultan Abdul Samad Building is a heritage building in Kuala Lumpur popular amongst tourists and photographers. It is a late-nineteenth-century building that boasts beautiful architecture both inside and outside. This is one of the city’s most famous landmarks and a must-visit in Kuala Lumpur.
Try one of the Amazing Restaurant
There is no shortage of amazing restaurants in Kuala Lumpur. It really is a place foodies will fall in love with! From Asian to Italian and beyond you can find just about every kind of cuisine in Kuala Lumpur in stunning settings.
Make a list before your visit and make reservations in advance to ensure you get into the restaurants you want.
Go to Sri Maha Mariamman Temple
Sri Maha Mariamman Temple is Kuala Lumpur’s oldest Hindu temple. It is located at the edge of Chinatown and is well worth a visit.
The intricate design, bright colors, and eye-catching details are unlike anything else. Heading to Sri Maha Mariamman Temple is one of the top things to do in Kuala Lumpur, even just to admire it from a distance!
Stroll around Perdana Botanical Garden
Located in the heart of the city Perdana Botanical Gardens are the perfect place to visit to escape the bustling city life. With 91.6 hectares of beautiful parkland, you can spend a few hours roaming around and admiring all the different sights, gardens, and attractions. It is open 7 AM – 8 PM Monday to Sunday.
Swim with a View
The city skyline view of Kuala Lumpur is simply breathtaking. The best way to experience it is from a rooftop pool. Through the city, many hotels offer access to rooftop pools where you can swim and admire the city from above. The best hotel to stay at for a great view from a rooftop pool is THE FACE Suites.
Where to Stay in Kuala Lumpur
The overall best place to stay in Kuala Lumpur is Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara. Great location, beautiful hotel, and warm hospitality!
Booking.comTravel Insurance
Getting travel insurance before you travel is a MUST. It’s the number one thing you should always pack before travelling that can save you a lot of money, time, and stress. With how crazy travel has gotten recently you need that peace of mind that no matter what happens there is something protecting you from losing out. I always travel with travel insurance and think everyone should.
I always travel with travel insurance and think everyone should. Below is my favorite travel insurer Safety Wings, enter your details to get a free quote!
There are so many amazing things to do in Kuala Lumpur. It really is a surprising and magical place to visit.
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Love,
SSW
