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Wondering what to get up to in Kuala Lumpur? This guide has got you covered!
Malaysia’s bustling capital city offers plenty to do, and we’ve explored every corner of this dynamic city on our many trips here. So now, we’re here to give you the lowdown on what to get up to, so that you can make the most of your time here.
What we love about Kuala Lumpur is that it offers a fascinating blend of modern skyscrapers, colonial architecture, and traditional street culture. With our top 10 list, you’ll be able to check out the most unique attractions, delicious food, and even spot some wildlife. Let’s get into it!
Don’t Miss Out On Our Top Choice!
The tour we loved the most and suggest booking ASAP is this one:
Our personal FAVORITE thing we was this Kuala Lumpur temple tour! We visited the iconic Batu Caves, Thean Hou Temple, and National Mosque, while learning all about the city from our local guide.
- Don't Miss Out On Our Top Choice!
- Things to do in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- 1. Take a tour of the city and go up the Petronas Towers
- 2. Explore the Batu Caves and other temples
- 3. Visit the historic city of Malacca
- 4. Eat your way through Kuala Lumpur
- 5. See the tea plantations in the Cameron Highlands
- 6. See Malaysia's unique wildlife – elephants, fireflies, deer, and monkeys
- 7. Ride the cable cars to the Genting Highlands
- 8. Bicycle around Kuala Lumpur
- 9. Learn how to cook Malaysian food
- 10. Escape the city and go trekking in the rainforest
- Where to Stay in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Thanks for reading!
- Why We Book Tours with Viator
- Don't Forget Travel Insurance!
Things to do in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
1. Take a tour of the city and go up the Petronas Towers
- Price: $90 – $175 USD
- Duration: 8 hours
- Time: 8 am – 12 pm
- Highlights: Batu Caves, Petronas Towers, Independence Square, the National Mosque, shopping at Central Market, Chinatown, the Lake Gardens, Royal King’s Palace, Thean Hou Temple, private tour
- Inclusions: hotel pickup and drop-off, private English-speaking driver and guide, Petronas Twin Tower admission
- Rating: 4.9 stars (check 800+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
If it’s your first time in Kuala Lumpur, then we think that this full day tour is the best way to get to know the city! We got to cover so much ground in just one day with our own private driver and guide. So if you’re short on time here, booking this tour is definitely the way to go.
The day definitely started on a high note, with a visit to the Observation Deck up the Petronas Twin Towers. We even got to walk on the Skybridge between the two towers, which was an insane experience!
Next up, we visited the Batu Caves, where we got quite sweaty climbing up the 272 colorful steps! It was worth the effort, though, as we got to see the temples hidden inside the cave complex.
We also loved visiting the Central Market and exploring Chinatown with our guide, Janar. It’s such a vibrant and lively area, and Janar took us to his favorite street food stands to buy lunch. He also taught us a lot about KL’s unique melting pot of cultures and shared lots of stories with us as we visited places like Lake Gardens and the National Monument.
We ended the day at Thean Hou Temple, which was just magnificent. We really felt as though we got to see the best of Kuala Lumpur on this tour. In fact, if you only had one day here, this tour would be the perfect way to spend it, so don’t hesitate to book!
Book this tour with over 750 5-star reviews here!
2. Explore the Batu Caves and other temples
- Price: $25 – $35 USD
- Duration: 4 hours
- Time: 8 am, 9 am, or 2 pm
- Highlights: learning about religious landmarks from a private guide, Batu Caves, Thean Hou Temple, National Mosque
- Inclusions: hotel pickup and drop-off, private English-speaking driver and guide, private transport
- Rating: 4.9 stars (check 1,750+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
When we visited Kuala Lumpur for the first time, we were super keen to dive deep into its unique religious tapestry. We booked this tour so that we could visit the city’s major Hindu, Muslim, and Buddhist landmarks and learn about them in-depth from a private guide.
Our adventure began with a scenic drive through Little India and then we went to the Batu Caves, where we got to see intricate Hindu shrines inside a cave complex. We saw tons of monkeys on the colorful steps on the way up, which definitely added a bit of fun to the experience!
Then, it was onto the Buddhist Thean Hou Temple, which is dedicated to Mazu, the Chinese sea goddess. Gazing out at the city’s modern skyline from this traditional temple really highlighted what a city of contrasts Kuala Lumpur is.
Finally, we visited Masjid Negara, Malaysia’s National Mosque. It looked much more modern than we expected from the outside, but the stained glass windows inside created stunning tricks with the light. We also learned a lot about Malaysia’s Islamic heritage and the country’s aspirations as it gained independence.
If you really want to dive deep into Malaysian culture, then this tour is a must-do! We had so much fun, and we got to see all of the city’s major religious landmarks in just half a day. It’s a true must-do while you’re in the city, so book it now and thank us later!
Reserve this tour here and access FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go!
3. Visit the historic city of Malacca
- Price: $47 USD
- Duration: 10 hours
- Time: 8 am
- Highlights: Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, St. Paul’s Hill and Church, Famosa Fort, Red Square, Jonker Street, Malacca River, lunch at a local restaurant
- Inclusions: English-speaking driver and guide, hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned transport, lunch
- Rating: 4.8 stars (check 1,100+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
Malacca is one of the most historic and interesting cities in Malaysia, so visiting is a must while in Kuala Lumpur! It’s around 2 hours away by car, so we booked this full-day tour to go and check out the city’s historic highlights – and let me tell you, there were plenty of them.
Our guide, Alan, was so charismatic and full of fascinating stories about Malacca’s history. Our first stop of the day was Bukit China, where we visited St. Peter’s Church – the oldest functioning Roman Catholic Church in the country!
As if that weren’t enough, we also got to visit Malaysia’s oldest operating temple, too. This was one of my favorite stops of the day, as we got to learn about the philosophies that underpin Chinese culture and society.
We climbed up St. Paul’s Hill for panoramic city views, and we also saw the ruins of St. Paul’s Church. It was also super interesting to learn about Portuguese colonial history at the Famosa Fort and we absolutely loved the Red Square and Jonker Street. They were so energetic and pretty scenic, too.
To top it off, we got to enjoy the most delicious local lunch at a cute little family-owned restaurant. It was honestly a perfect day!
You really can’t miss Malacca while you’re in Malaysia. We’re clearly not the only ones who think so with over 900 5-star reviews!
This tour is likely to sell out – book it in advance here!
4. Eat your way through Kuala Lumpur
- Price: $49 USD
- Duration: 4 hours
- Time: 4:30 pm – 6 pm
- Highlights: exploring the backstreets of Kuala Lumpur, visiting Chow Kit Market, eating lots of local favorite dishes, small group tour
- Inclusions: 15+ food tastings, bottled water and soft drinks, English-speaking local guide
- Rating: 5 stars (check 1,200+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
We had the best time on this evening food tour in Kuala Lumpur! If you’re a foodie and want to discover authentic local street eats, then I promise you, this tour is a must. We got to eat like locals and try so much amazing food. A piece of advice: come hungry.
We met our guide, Kiran, just outside the Chow Kit Market. The area was traditionally a red light district and is home to a large Indonesian community, so it was super interesting to hear some of the history!
But what was even better was diving into the market and sampling local street food gems, such as traditional meals like nasi lemak and roti canai or mackerel grilled in banana leaves. I’m getting hungry just remembering it all.
As we made our way through the market and Kuala Lumpur’s winding backstreets, we learned so much about the Malay, Chinese, and Indian influences on the local food. The tour was not only a delicious adventure, but it also gave us a ton of confidence to go out and explore the city’s street food scene on our own.
When it comes to street food, nothing compares to having a local lead the way. And honestly, I don’t think we’ve ever done such a generous food tour, so it’s truly a steal for only $49 USD! Seriously, don’t miss out on this one.
Book this tour here and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go!
5. See the tea plantations in the Cameron Highlands
- Price: $91 USD
- Duration: 12 hours
- Time: 7 am
- Highlights: visiting a butterfly farm, enjoying breathtaking views at the Cameron Valley Tea Plantation, picking fruit at a strawberry farm, swimming at Lata Iskandar Waterfall, lunch at a golf resort
- Inclusions: hotel pickup and drop-off, English-speaking driver and guide, lunch, admission
- Rating: 4.7 stars (check 300+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
I’m not exaggerating when I say that the Cameron Highlands are an absolute dream. We couldn’t wait to see the rolling green landscape for ourselves so we booked this tour, and it was even better than we imagined!
Honestly, you just have to see it for yourself. It books up fast though, so be sure to book in advance!
We loved the scenic drive through the highlands, and once we got to a decent height, we definitely enjoyed the break from Kuala Lumpur’s heat. Our first stop of the day was Agro Market, which is a must when in the area. It had everything from fresh produce and a Floral Park to a Mini Santorini.
We had a huge, tasty lunch at a well-kept golf resort with killer views, and then in the afternoon, we got to explore the beautiful Cameron Valley Tea Plantation. We also stopped at a strawberry farm, where we got to pick and eat them straight from the bush. Then, the last stop of the day was Lata Iskandar, a peaceful, hidden waterfall where we got to go for a swim, so bring your swimsuits.
If you want to experience the Cameron Highlands, then we think that this is hands down the best way to do it. We love Kuala Lumpur, but it was so nice to get out of the busy city and be surrounded by greenery. This was our favorite day trip from the capital, so make sure that you book it before it sells out.
This tour is popular, so reserve your spot now and pay later when you book it here!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
6. See Malaysia’s unique wildlife – elephants, fireflies, deer, and monkeys
- Price: $129 – $186 USD
- Duration: 12 hours
- Time: 9 am
- Highlights: visiting the Batu Caves, Kuala Gandah Sanctuary, seeing silverleaf monkeys at Bukit Melawati, spotting deer in Deerland Park, seeing the fireflies after dark at Kampung Kuantan Park, watching freehand batik drawing
- Inclusions: hotel pickup and drop-off, transport by air-conditioned minivan, private driver and guide, lunch, dinner
- Rating: 4.8 stars (check 150+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
This private day tour is our number one pick for animal lovers visiting Kuala Lumpur. You might think that a capital city wouldn’t have much in the way of wildlife, but you would be wrong!
The adventure kicked off at the Batu Caves, which is not only a major religious landmark, but a great place to see playful long-tailed macaques. Just don’t feed them!
Then, the fun really got started when we visited the Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary. We were able to get up close to these beautiful gentle giants in their natural habitats and see the bond they have with their caretakers. We even got to feed baby elephants, which was beyond cute.
We also saw silverleaf monkeys at the sanctuary, but there were even more of them in the traditional town of Bukit Melawati. We also got to stop by Deerland Park, where we were able to spot deer and some beautiful birds. Finally, the day wrapped up at Kampung Kuantan Firefly, where we took a boat across the lake and watched the night sky light up with thousands of glowing fireflies. It was surreal and left us both speechless.
And as if all of that weren’t enough, we got a seafood dinner before we headed home! It was a pretty long day, but it was truly incredible. This tour is an absolute must for wildlife enthusiasts – who knew that there were so many amazing creatures right here in the city?
Check availability and book this unique tour here, before spots fill up.
7. Ride the cable cars to the Genting Highlands
- Price: $40 USD
- Duration: 10 hours
- Time: 9 am
- Highlights: riding the cable car up Mount Ulu Kali; free time to visit the resort’s theme parks, casinos, and restaurants; visiting Batu Caves on the way back to the city
- Inclusions: hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned transport, return cable car tickets, English-speaking driver
- Rating: 4.9 stars (check 500+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
Looking for a fun-filled day out? Then this Genting Highlands tour is a must while you’re in Kuala Lumpur.
This epic resort sits at the top of a mountain, and to get to it, you can ride up there on the fastest cable car in Asia. We couldn’t say “no” to that!
The views were breathtaking as we swept up the mountainside, and we even got to stop and see the pagoda at the Chin Swee Station on the way up. Talk about an amazing photo opportunity!
Once we arrived at Genting Highlands, the fun really began. There’s something for everyone at this resort, from thrill rides and shopping to putting your luck to the test at the casino. We enjoyed a few hours feeling like big kids at the theme park and we couldn’t resist the shops.
But honestly, we were able to do whatever we wanted there. That’s the beauty of this tour – it takes care of everything for you, but you get to explore the Genting Highlands at your own pace.
There was also a stop at the Batu Caves on the way back, which is super convenient, as it’s Kuala Lumpur’s biggest must-see attraction. Honestly, this tour is perfect for any traveler who likes to explore independently but doesn’t want the hassle of handling the logistics. The Genting Highlands are very popular, though, so make sure to book this tour in advance, because it’s very likely to sell out.
Book this tour here and access FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go!
8. Bicycle around Kuala Lumpur
- Price: $62 USD
- Duration: 4 hours
- Time: 8 am
- Highlights: exploring back alleys, Chow Kit Markets, Kampong Bharu, the Sin Sze Si Ya Temple, Petronas Twin Towers, lunch at a local restaurant, Kuala Lumpur Forest Eco Park, Independence Square
- Inclusions: Dutch-style bike, helmet, two English-speaking local guides, lunch, bottled water, local fruit, admission fees, small group size
- Rating: 5 stars (check 400+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
Sightseeing in Kuala Lumpur is guaranteed to be a blast with this cycling tour! We loved exploring on our cheerful orange Dutch-style bikes and we got to see so much in just 4 hours. In fact, if you’re short on time, we’d say that this is the perfect way to see the city.
We began at Merdeka Square where our guide, Hing, shared stories about Malaysia’s colonial past. Then, we pedaled onto Chow Kit Market. It was a bit of a sensory overload at first, but Hing soon had us shopping like locals and sampling fresh tropical fruits.
It was also lots of fun to explore Kampong Bharu, a charming Malay enclave, whose residents have firmly resisted urban development over the years. As a result, it’s basically a traditional village surrounded by a big city, and we loved it! The Sin Sze Si Ya Temple was captivating, too, as it has basically been frozen in time since 1864.
After seeing some city highlights, we also got to explore the KL Forest Eco Park. We had so much fun crossing the suspension bridge and seeing the city’s skyscrapers peeking over the forest canopy. And of course, no tour of KL would be complete without a stop outside the iconic Petronas Twin Towers.
This tour was an amazing blend of adventure, culture, and local flavor. We got to see the city from a whole new perspective and covered so much ground in just a few hours. You won’t regret booking this one!
Check availability and secure your spot on this tour here.
9. Learn how to cook Malaysian food
- Price: $130 USD
- Duration: 5 hours
- Time: 8:30 am
- Highlights: local market tour, learning how make local dishes, enjoying a 3-course lunch,
- Inclusions: market tour, all ingredients and equipment, lunch, individual cooking station, local market guide, English-speaking instructors, transfers from market to cooking school
- Rating: 4.9 stars (check reviews here)
- Free cancellation: no
We’re big foodies, so we couldn’t think of a better way to spend a morning in Kuala Lumpur than learning how to make authentic Malaysian food with this cooking class – and we were right!
The day kicked off bright and early with a morning market visit. Our guide, Zeera, showed us how to choose quality ingredients and haggle like locals, so we ended up having a lot of fun.
Then, we were whisked back to the kitchen, where we met Irene and Ana, who gave us a warm welcome and took us through the day’s menu. We did the class on a Friday, so we got the “Southern Favorites” menu, but it varies from day to day. Then, before we knew it, we were getting hands-on making chili paste, chicken rendang, and kueh cara berlauk – aka delicious savory pancake bites!
Irene and Ana made sure that we understood every step of the cooking process, which meant that we crafted a perfect Malaysian meal! We loved eating local dishes that we had actually made ourselves, and I especially enjoyed the kueh ketayap for dessert. These are Indonesian coconut pancakes, and they are absolutely delicious!
The best part (well, after eating the meal, of course) was that we got to take home the recipes so that we could recreate them, and impress our friends. We loved this class, and it definitely made us fall in love with Malaysian cuisine. We can’t recommend it enough!
Don’t miss out on this authentic Malaysian experience – book this tour here.
10. Escape the city and go trekking in the rainforest
- Price: $88 USD
- Duration: 10 hours
- Time: 6 am
- Highlights: exploring the rainforest, crossing rivers, navigating bamboo thickets, swimming in waterfalls, enjoying a picnic lunch, small group tour, traditional Chinese dinner
- Inclusions: hotel pickup and drop-off, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, bottled water, driver and guide, tea and coffee, all activities
- Rating: 4.9 stars (check 200+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
As adventurous travelers, we often crave a day away from the city to get out in nature, and this full-day rainforest trek fit that bill perfectly. The scenery was stunning and we had so much fun going full Indiana Jones and navigating our way through bamboo thickets and swimming in crystal-clear rivers.
Chen, our driver and guide, picked us up at 6 am, but the early start was more than worth it. He took us for a hearty Malaysian breakfast in a countryside town on our way out to the jungle, so we had plenty of fuel for our trek!
It started with easy terrain, but as we ventured further into the jungle, things got more challenging. The setting was magical – we heard a symphony of birdsong, dipped our toes in a brook, and enjoyed a picnic lunch right next to a scenic waterfall.
We had plenty of time to enjoy a swim in the waterfall, too, and then we began our descent. There were several stops for swimming and photos along the way, though, and Chen never made us feel rushed. We had the chance to shower and freshen up at Chen’s family-owned B&B, then we enjoyed a sensational Malaysian-Chinese dinner, family-style.
Honestly, we loved every second of this tour – in fact, it was easily one of my favorite days we’ve ever spent here. If you love adventure, do yourself a favor and book this tour before it sells out – which it will!
Check out the 200+ 5-star reviews and book this tour here!
Where to Stay in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Now that you have the best activities to fill your Kuala Lumpur itinerary, you need somewhere comfortable to stay! There are a lot of different neighborhoods in KL and each has its own perks. I’ve picked out three excellent hotels in central areas for a luxury, mid-range, or budget traveler.
Luxury – $$$
For the luxury traveler, the Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur will be a memorable stay! Located in the heart of KL, you’ll be a short walk from the Petronas Towers and main shopping areas. The hotel is top tier with incredible city views and rooms equipped with amenities for a lavish stay. They offer double rooms, king rooms, or full suites.
Prices start at $240 USD and go up depending on the room. Check all the options and book this hotel on Booking.com.
Mid-range – $$
Hotel Indigo Kuala Lumpur on the Park is a 5-star stay at a moderate price point. You can enjoy the outdoor pool and sun terrace, as well as the convenient location in central Kuala Lumpur. The rooms offer stunning city views and offer a range of standard hotel and suite style rooms. Prices range from $90 to $250 USD per night.
Check availability and book this stay on Booking.com.
Budget – $
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly stay, the BIG M Hotel is my top choice! Located in central KL, this hotel is next to the LRT station and a short distance from the main city sights. The rooms are very comfortable, clean, and the staff are friendly and helpful. Rooms range from twin to queen rooms and you can choose to have a window or not, which saves some money!
Prices start around $45 USD per night and can be booked on Booking.com.
For more options, see all of Kuala Lumpur’s hotels here.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
Kuala Lumpur is a seriously underestimated city. It’s full of history and charm, paired with the modern perks of a mega city! We had so much fun exploring KL, and I know that if you follow this list, you will too.
Be sure to check out our other blogs before you head out. We’ve traveled all over the world and love sharing our favorite places and experiences with fellow travelers. Here are a few related blogs that might help plan your next great adventure – cheers!
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