Petronas Towers Kuala Lumpur
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4 Days in Kuala Lumpur: The Ultimate Kuala Lumpur Itinerary

Last Updated: January 13 2024

Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia and is known for its striking skyscrapers, cultural attractions, and fantastic food scene!

It’s a city that we could visit again and again and it’s honestly one of the best places that you’ll visit in Southeast Asia.

However, if you’ve only got 4 days in Kuala Lumpur then how do you decide where to visit?

Whether you’re looking to admire the views from KL Tower or wander through botanical gardens, this city has something for everyone!

We’ve put together the ultimate KL itinerary so let’s dive right in…

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A Quick Overview of Your 4-Day Kuala Lumpur Itinerary

Day 1:

Petronas Twin Towers, KLCC Park, Aquaria KLCC, Suria KLCC Shopping Mall, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, visit a Rooftop bar, Bukit Bintang.

Day 2:

Menara Kuala Lumpur, KL Forest Eco Park, Merdeka Square, Central Market, Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, Flea Market Petaling Street, eat street food!

Day 3:

Perdana Botanical Garden, National Mosque of Malaysia, KL Bird Park, Islamic Arts Museum, National Museum of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur Railway Station, relax in an infinity pool.

Day 4:

Batu Caves, Taman Tasik Titiwangsa, Thean Hou Temple, Wilayah Mosque, Jamek Mosque.

Your 4 Days in Kuala Lumpur: Day One

The first day of our itinerary for Kuala Lumpur focuses on the area around the Petronas Twin Towers. This is a very popular part of the city with lots of things to see, so we better get started!

Petronas Twin Towers

Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur

Arguably the best thing to do in Kuala Lumpur is to check out the iconic Petronas Towers. Found in the centre of Kuala Lumpur city, these towers are a sight to behold.

Upon their completion in 1996, the towers became the tallest twin towers in the world. Between 1998 and 2003, they were also the tallest buildings in the world. However, they were overtaken in 2004 when Tapei 101 was completed.

Today, the Petronas Towers are a popular tourist destination and the third tallest building in Kuala Lumpur. Both towers stand at an impressive 1,483 feet tall so they’re quite the attraction.

During a visit to the Petronas Towers, visitors can ride the high-speed elevator to level 86. Here you’ll find an observation deck that offers spectacular views of the city.

You can also step onto the highest 2-story bridge in the world. These bridges can be found on the 41st and 42nd floors. During your visit, you’ll also have plenty of time to learn more about the history of the towers.

You can buy your entrance tickets for the towers in advance from Get Your Guide if you wish. Just make sure you don’t leave this place off your Kuala Lumpur itinerary! 

KLCC Park

KLCC Park, Kuala Lumpur

Exploring a city can sometimes get a bit full-on, especially somewhere as busy as Kuala Lumpur. Therefore, it’s always nice to add somewhere you can relax to your travel itinerary. KLCC Park is definitely that place!

During your visit to Kuala Lumpur, you need to leave plenty of time to explore KLCC Park. You’ll find it at the base of the Petronas Towers, so it’s in an ideal location.

Due to the park’s close proximity to the towers, it can get quite busy, but there’s still plenty of green space to explore and relax in. This urban park was designed to bring greenery to the area that surrounds the towers and it’s done just that!

Aside from lush greenery, the park also has a rather impressive water fountain and some food stalls. We personally found the park to be a great place to take a minute, sit back, and relax.

Aquaria KLCC

The next place to visit on the first day of this Kuala Lumpur itinerary is Aquaria KLCC. Situated below the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Aquaria KLCC is a 60,000 square feet aquarium that is split into two levels.

It’s a great place to visit with your family and offers a perfect wet weather plan. Inside the aquarium, visitors will find more than 5,000 aquatic and land animals, more than 250 species, and a 300-foot underwater tunnel.

Aside from giving tourists a great opportunity to learn more about Malaysian wildlife, Aquaria KLCC also gives us a great chance to learn more about animal conservation. The aquarium has plenty of interactive exhibits and a fish and turtle conservation centre.

The aquarium is open 7 days a week. It opens at 10 am and shuts at 7 pm.

There’s also an array of food options and gift shops inside the aquarium so you don’t need to worry about not being able to grab a bite to eat.

Suria KLCC Shopping Mall

Suria KLCC, Kuala Lumpur

After visiting Aquaria KLCC, you might want to head to Suria KLCC Shopping Mall. This shopping mall is found at the base of the Petronas Towers, less than a 10-minute walk away from the aquarium.

The reason we tell you to head here after visiting the aquarium, as opposed to seeing it straight after the tower is that the aquarium is, in our opinion, a more important place to visit. It’s by no means the most important place to add to your Kuala Lumpur itinerary, but it’s well worth a visit if you have the time.

The Suria KLCC Shopping Mall has 6 levels. It’s a popular shopping destination that has more than 300 stores. This magnificent location is completely free to enter too so what are you waiting for?

Popular stores found inside the shopping centre include Gucci, Balenciaga, Kenzo, and Longchamp. The shopping centre also has a wide range of food options and a cinema. If the weather is really against you, you could stop here and take in a film!

Pavillion Kuala Lumpur

If you really love shopping and you’re keen to pick up some great deals, you should also leave plenty of time to visit Pavilion Kuala Lumpur. This is another one of Kuala Lumpur’s popular shopping malls that can be found in the Bukit Bintang area.

This shopping centre is just a 15-minute walk away from the Petronas Towers. Interestingly, it’s built in the location where Bukit Bintang Girls’ School once was. It opened in 2007 and consists of a premier shopping centre, an apartment complex, and a luxury 5-star hotel.

For those reasons, it should definitely be on your Kuala Lumpur itinerary!

More than just a shopping centre, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur also hosts regular seasonal events and has a large cinema. Those of you who love shopping will appreciate the variety of stores and places to eat.

Popular stores and restaurants include Tom Ford Beauty, Running Lab, Food Republic, and Burger King!

Booking.com

Enjoy the views from Heli Lounge Bar or the SKY Bar

During your trip to Kuala Lumpur, you simply have to visit Heli Lounge Bar or the SKY Bar. Both of these locations are found in the heart of Kuala Lumpur and are just a short walk from the Petronas towers.

Heli Lounge Bar is a unique venue that sits atop a large building. It’s a large helicopter landing pad by day and a luxurious bar by night. As you can imagine, the views from the bar are pretty special.

In fact, the view of the Petronas Towers from this bar might just be the best view in the city. Of course, the view from SKY Bar challenges it though!

SKY Bar is only a 15-minute walk away from Heli Lounge Bar. Like the Heli Lounge Bar, the SKY bar offers impressive skyline views of Kuala Lumpur and the Petronas Towers. You’ll also find a range of accommodation options as it’s located in the Trader Hotel.

Either location is a great place to stop for a romantic drink and a relaxing evening!

Look out for street art in Bukit Bintang

Bukit Bintang street art

The last thing to look for on your first day in Kuala Lumpur is the Bukit Bintang street art. This isn’t necessarily something you have to add to your Kuala Lumpur itinerary, but it’s definitely something you need to keep your eyes open for.

One of the most interesting things about the Bukit Bintang area is its unique street art. It isn’t uncommon in this part of Kuala Lumpur to come across whole streets and buildings decorated with vibrant paintings.

Most paintings include animals, but some are simply all about colour. One of our favourite streets was jungle themed. The street was painted like a fast-flowing river and the walls were like a jungle!

We were lucky enough to stay in a guesthouse that was painted bright yellow and decorated with bird paintings. You can find most of the street art by searching for Colorstreet on Google Maps.

Your 4 Days in Kuala Lumpur: Day Two

The second day of this Kuala Lumpur itinerary focuses on an area found to the southwest of the Petronas Towers. The area you’ll be exploring on day two is only a 25 to 30-minute walk away from the towers and Bukit Bintang.

Menara Kuala Lumpur (Kuala Lumpur Tower)

KL Tower, Kuala Lumpur

If you know a little bit about Kuala Lumpur, you might also know Menara Kuala Lumpur as Kuala Lumpur Tower or KL Tower. Menara Kuala Lumpur is a telecommunication tower that has 15 stories.

Standing at more than 420 meters tall, this tower is the 7th tallest tower in the world, the tallest tower in Malaysia, and the tallest tower in Southeast Asia. As you can imagine, the views from the top are magnificent.

It could be argued that KL Tower has views that rival the Petronas Towers, Heli Lounge Bar, and Sky Bar. The Tower also has an excellent revolving restaurant, where top-class food and amazing views can be enjoyed.

Whilst you eat, you’ll be treated to sweeping views of the city. This place also happens to act as the Islamic Falek Observatory!

Some of you may also be interested to know that this is the highest viewpoint in Kuala Lumpur that is open to the public. You can buy your entrance tickets in advance with Get Your Guide!

KL Forest Eco Park

KL Forest Eco Park

The KL Forest Eco Park is just a 3-minute walk away from Menara Kuala Lumpur. In fact, you can actually see the KL Tower from the park.

The KL Forest Eco Park is a wonderful green space that consists of a small rainforest, a forest canopy walkway, and several nature trails. The park is also part of a larger area called Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve.

The whole area is magnificent. Aside from offering a great place to unwind and escape the hustle and bustle of the city, this forest offers awesome views. On top of that, it also offers a unique insight into Asian rainforests.

It may not be as impressive as the wild jungles of Malaysia, but it’s certainly interesting. You could always see the Eco Park and some other locations in Kuala Lumpur on this private half-day tour!

Dataran Merdeka (Merdeka Square)

The next location on the second day of this Kuala Lumpur itinerary is Dataran Merdeka. Also known as Merdeka Square or Independence Square, Dataran Merdeka is one of the most impressive pieces of architecture in Kuala Lumpur, if not the whole of Malaysia.

This unique square has a large green area at the front and a wonderful central building. You’ll find the square in front of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building.

The building was once known as the Selangor Club Padang or Padang for short. The green was used to play cricket. It was at this location that the Union Flag was lowered and replaced with the Malaysian flag to mark independence!

For obvious reasons, this is why the square is now known as Independence Square. If you time your visit right, you might be lucky enough to watch the annual Independence Day Parade here.

Central Market

After checking out Dataran Merdeka, you should head over to Central Market. Central Market is only a 5-minute walk away from Dataran Merdeka, so you really don’t have an excuse not to visit.

This market is a hub for Malaysian culture, arts, and crafts. It’s found in the heart of the city and is set in a building of great historical importance in Kuala Lumpur. In 1888, it was a wet market, frequented by shoppers, art lovers, and tourists.

Today, Central Market is one of the hottest tourist destinations in the city. This unique shopping destination offers more than 350 stores and kiosks, all offering something different.

What we love most about this market is how it offers a wonderful insight into Malaysian culture. A lot of the stalls and kiosks are visually amazing. They’re full of handmade arts and crafts, and plenty of colour!

The market is probably the best place to buy some souvenirs or gifts for your family and friends. You’ll find stunning textiles, unique souvenirs, and collectables. Some of you might also be pleased to hear that the market has several top-tier restaurants too.

Sri Maha Mariamman Temple

This next one is perfect for the temple hunters amongst us. Sri Mahamariamman Temple is Kuala Lumpur’s oldest Hindu Temple. It was founded in 1873 and sits in Jalan Bandar!

You can find the temple close to Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown.

As far as appearances go, this temple looks incredible. Extremely colourful, the temple features an ornate ‘Raja Gopuram’ tower that’s been constructed in a South Indian temple style.

Aside from being a hugely popular tourist destination, Sri Maha Mariamman is also an important place of worship. It was originally a place early Indian immigrants would worship, but it now has cultural and national heritage importance too.

This temple can get very busy, so we do recommend heading here early. The temple opens at 6 am, so arrive as early as you like!

Flea Market Petaling Street 

Flea Market Petaling Street

If you’ve visited Malaysia before, or anywhere in Asia for that matter, you’ll know there are street markets everywhere. Kuala Lumpur is no different. Whether it be a street food market or a shopping market, Kuala Lumpur has plenty.

While most of the markets Kuala Lumpur has to offer are pretty great, Kuala Lumpur’s Flea Market at Petaling Street takes some beating. Like Central Market, the Petaling street market is packed with handmade crafts, arts, and unique souvenirs.

If we’re being honest though, this Flea Market feels more authentic. Despite not being as old as Central Market, Flea Market Petaling Street feels a little bit more local.

This shopping district is more lively and intense. The vendors here sell anything from food and drink to clothing and souvenirs. It’s worth noting that most vendors will want to haggle with you too!

Haggling might seem daunting at first, but it’s all part of the adventure. Besides, it definitely offers you a more unique Malaysian experience.

Grab some street food from one of the city’s markets 

Kuala Lumpur street food

The final thing we recommend doing on day two of this Kuala Lumpur itinerary is to grab some food at one of the nearby food markets. This may seem like a cliche thing to include in a Kuala Lumpur itinerary, but when you see what the food market scene in the city has to offer you’ll understand why it’s here.

Kuala Lumpur’s food market scene is awesome. The city landscape is scattered with wonderful places to eat. No matter where you are in the city, there will be a delicious food market to check out nearby.

In relation to day two of this Kuala Lumpur itinerary, you can find plenty of yummy food options at Central Market, Flea Market Petaling Street, and Chinatown. For those interested, Chinatown is less than a 3-minute walk away from Central Market.

If you want to check out other popular food markets, we recommend Jalon Alor Street Food, Taman Connaught, and Hutong Lot 10.

All of these markets sell authentic Malaysian cuisine at a great price. We strongly recommend trying char kway teow as it’s delicious. You can explore Kuala Lumpur’s best food markets on this awesome food tour.

Your 4 Days in Kuala Lumpur: Day Three

Day three of our Malaysia itinerary is also designed to maximize what you see in one area of the city. Once again, you won’t have to travel too far between these attractions. Most locations are within a 10-minute walk of each other.

Perdana Botanical Gardens

Perdana Botanical Gardens

Perdana Botanical Gardens is another of Kuala Lumpur’s open green spaces. Formally known by the name Lake Gardens or Tamik Tasik Perdana, the gardens are part of Heritage Park.

Interestingly, Perdana Botanical Gardens was the first large-scale recreational park in Kuala Lumpur. Opened in 1888, the park offers a huge area for locals and tourists alike to escape busy city life.

Measuring more than 220 acres in size, the park is full of large lawns, pristine gardens, sculptures, attractions, and a large lake. The park also has some of the best panoramic views of the city!

You’ll enjoy the park if you love wildlife too, as the area is teeming with Malaysian birds and reptiles.

We definitely recommend spending a couple of hours here as there’s plenty to look at and it’s a great place to unwind. Viator has some great tours that will show you everything this park has to offer.

National Mosque of Malaysia 

Kuala Lumpur is home to the National Mosque of Malaysia. As you can probably imagine, this is a popular destination that you have to check out. Aside from being a popular tourist destination, the mosque is obviously a religious site with strong religious significance too.

The National Mosque of Malaysia looks amazing. It has breathtaking architecture and beautiful grounds. It’s also very large and unbelievably, has a capacity of 15,000 people.

Covering 13 acres of land, the mosque’s key feature is its minaret. Standing at 73 meters tall, this minaret looks wonderful. Another important feature is the mosque’s 16-pointed star roof!

Simply admiring the mosque is great, but if you really want to experience everything it has to offer, you should also take a walk around the compound. The compound surrounding the mosque has lush gardens, reflective pools, and stunning water fountains.

KL Bird Park

KL Bird Park

Those of you who love wildlife have to visit KL Bird Park. KL Bird Park is a world-renowned eco-tourism destination found not too far away from the centre of Kuala Lumpur.

It’s one of the best places to visit during your trip to Perdana Botanical Gardens as it also happens to be located in the Lake Gardens. In terms of what you’ll find at the park, you’ll be able to observe more than 3,000 local and foreign birds.

The park actually claims to have birds from more than 200 different species. The park covers 20 acres of land and is split into 4 zones. Zones 1 and 2 make up a free-flight zone. Zone 3 is known as the Hornbill Park and zone 4 is where you can check out the mini aviaries and smaller cages.

We love how zones 1, 2, and 3 allow the birds to fly freely. This is a nice touch that gives you the chance to watch the birds in their natural habitat. For the best experience, you can take a private guided tour!

Islamic Arts Museum 

The Islamic Arts Museum in Kuala Lumpur is just a 3-minute walk away from the National Mosque of Malaysia. Open to visitors in 1998, this museum is the largest Islamic art museum in South East Asia.

The museum itself looks pretty magnificent and that’s before you head inside. As for inside the museum, you’ll find more than 7,000 artefacts taken from all over the world. As you would expect, these artefacts all centre around the Islamic world.

The museum contains 12 galleries that are split between two levels. The galleries on level 1 focus on architecture, manuscripts, and the Qur’an. Here, you can find exhibits that contain artefacts from China, India, and the Malayan Peninsula.

Level 2’s galleries are devoted to textiles, coins, jewellery, arms, and armour. There are also 3 galleries dedicated to various types of artwork. Categories of artwork here include wood, ceramics, and metal.

National Museum of Malaysia

You’ve probably already come to realize that Kuala Lumpur is home to many of Malaysia’s national attractions. As the capital city of the country, this isn’t really a surprise. Another one of these national attractions is the National Museum of Malaysia.

The museum can be found near Perdana Botanical Gardens and it offers an interesting look into Malaysian culture and history. One great thing about the museum is how it’s comprised of both traditional and modern exhibits.

This gives you a wonderful chance to learn about the country and its rich history, whilst also seeing how things have changed. You’ll want to spend a few hours at the museum because there are 3 floors to explore.

Split across the three floors are four main galleries. The galleries are dedicated to natural history and ethnology. Things you’ll find amongst the displays include costumes, traditional weddings, festival history, weapons, arts, crafts, and plant life native to Malaysia.

 

 

Kuala Lumpur Railway Station

Including a railway station on a Kuala Lumpur itinerary might seem pretty strange, however, it’s actually well worth paying a visit. In fact, we’d argue that Kuala Lumpur Railway Station is one of the most amazing train stations in the world.

The train station has an architecture that follows themes from Eastern and Western cultures. In our opinion, it looks a lot like a Mosque.

You can find the railway station on Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin. If you’re familiar with Kuala Lumpur, you might know this area by the name Victory Avenue instead.

Don’t worry about saving too much time to visit the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station. It’s a place you only need to spend 15 minutes at. Simply take in the wonderful architecture, have a wander around, and move on to your next location!

Admire the views from an infinity pool

Kuala Lumpur infinity pool

A great way to unwind and relax in Kuala Lumpur is by spending a couple of hours at one of the many infinity pools. Whether it be a whole afternoon or just a few hours in the evening, this is a great way to enjoy a good relax, and an even better way to enjoy the best views in Kuala Lumpur.

Kuala Lumpur has hotels, bars, and restaurants that come with infinity pools all over the city. A lot of the places that have infinity pools offer day passes, accommodation options, and fun-filled evenings that include delicious food and cocktails.

Some of the best locations in Kuala Lumpur that have infinity pools are Wet Deck, Mandarin Oriental, and Capri by Fraser.

All of these locations offer insane views, plenty of laughs, cocktails, and food. They also offer a great selection of luxury rooms, so you might even want to spend the night at one of them.

Your 4 Days in Kuala Lumpur: Day Four

We’ve now come to the last day of this Kuala Lumpur itinerary. Like the rest of this itinerary, you won’t have too far to walk if you want to visit all of the following spots on the same day. Having said that, you might have to get up earlier than usual.

Take a trip out to Batu Caves

Batu Caves Malaysia

The first stop on day 4 of this Kuala Lumpur itinerary is Batu Caves. The Batu Caves isn’t actually in Kuala Lumpur but it’s definitely somewhere you have to visit.

The Batu Caves are approximately 15 minutes away from Kuala Lumpur by car and roughly an hour away by train. Both journeys are super easy and cost very little, so you have no excuse not to visit the caves.

Batu Caves are one of the biggest attractions in Malaysia. They are a unique series of caves and cave temples in the Selangor region of Malaysia. The site is primarily a place of Hindu worship, but it’s also a popular tourist destination.

Here you’ll find a wide range of caves to explore, statues, and incredible cave temples. However, one of the main attractions is arguably the wonderful rainbow-coloured staircase that leads visitors to the main temple, which can be found inside the top cave.

You’ve also got the huge golden Murugan statue which is the tallest statue of a Hindu deity in the country!

If you’d prefer not to visit independently then this half-day tour is a fantastic option!

Taman Tasik Titiwangsa

Taman Tasik Titiwangsa

If you visit Batu Caves early enough, you’ll have plenty of time to get back to Kuala Lumpur and explore more of the city. One of the things you should do is check out Taman Tasik Titiwangsa!

Also known by the name Titiwangsa Lake Park, Taman Tasik Titiwangsa is a large set of gardens that has a big lake in the middle. The gardens were given their name because the park is built on a mountain range that helps form Peninsular Malaysia.

The park has a wide range of things to do and plenty of green space for you to enjoy. This area also has some fantastic views!

Some of the most popular attractions include a canopy walkway, tropical gardens, cycling tracks, jogging tracks, kayaking facilities, and much more. There’s even a children’s playground which your little ones can enjoy.

Thean Hou Temple

Thean Hou Temple

Kuala Lumpur is also one of the most diverse cities in Malaysia. As a result, there’s a wide range of temples from an array of different cultures found all over the city. One of the most unique cultures is the Chinese culture.

This can be seen in abundance at the Thean Hou Temple. This stunning temple sits atop Robson Heights and overlooks Jalan Syed Putra. The mosque first opened in 1989.

Since then, it has been a popular place of worship and a much-visited tourist attraction. It’s actually one of the biggest temples in Southeast Asia!

If you’ve seen Chinese temples before, you’ll already know what to expect from Thean Hou Temple, as it’s made in a very traditional way. Tourists are free to walk around the temple, so make sure you stop by. The architecture on offer is wonderful too!

The temple opens at 8 am and closes at 10 pm every night.

Wilayah Mosque

Wilayah Mosque, Kuala Lumpur

The next location we have for you on the fourth day of this Kuala Lumpur itinerary is Wilayah Mosque. Also known by the names Masjid Wilayah Mosque and Federal Territory Mosque, Wilayah Mosque is a stunning piece of architecture with significant religious meaning.

Constructed between 1998 and 2000, this mosque covers a five-hectare plot of land found near the Government Office Complex on Jalan Duta. The main reason you would visit the mosque is so that you can admire the wonderful architecture.

Of course, some of you might also like to visit the temple to worship!

Large enough to hold 17,000 worshippers, Wilayah Mosque was the 44th mosque built in Kuala Lumpur. It has a unique design that blends Malayan and Ottoman architectural styles. It’s another temple that has been influenced by Turkey’s Blue Mosque.

We definitely recommend spending at least an hour taking a look around the mosque’s grounds. Taking a look inside is worthwhile too!

Jamek Mosque

Jamek Mosque, Kuala Lumpur

The final location on the fourth day of this Kuala Lumpur itinerary is also a mosque. This time we have Jamek Mosque.

Known officially as Sultan Abdul Samad Jamek Mosque, Jamek Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in Kuala Lumpur. It was built in 1909.

Interestingly, the mosque was built on an old Malay burial site. As you can imagine, this only adds to the history of the building!

Jamek Mosque can be found at the confluence of the Gombak River and Klang. You can access it via Jalan Tun Perak.

Designed by Arthur Benison Hubback, this mosque is a place of worship. It’s often referred to as the “Friday Mosque” by the locals as this is when most locals worship here.

Visitors are more than welcome to take a look around the mosque or worship, so make sure you add it to your itinerary.

Helpful Information for Your Kuala Lumpur Itinerary

How to get to Kuala Lumpur

The most popular way to reach Kuala Lumpur is by air and you’ll likely be flying into KL International Airport. In fact, KUL is one of the main airline hubs in Southeast Asia so there are tons of flights coming in daily.

The airport is around 45 km (28 miles) from the city centre, and the fastest way to get there is by catching the KLIA Ekspres. It takes around 28 minutes or you can catch the transit train instead!

There’s also the Express Coach that will take you into the city centre or you can catch a taxi instead. We downloaded the Grab app as it’s one of the cheapest taxi apps in Southeast Asia.

There are also a couple of overland options if you’re not planning to fly to Kuala Lumpur. If you’re not in Malaysia already then you can choose to catch the bus or train from Singapore or Thailand.

Travelling around Malaysia is extremely easy too so you’re covered if Kuala Lumpur isn’t your first stop in the country. There are bus routes from Cameron Highlands, Taman Negara, Ipoh, and Penang Island among other destinations!

How to get around Kuala Lumpur

You’ll have no problems getting around Kuala Lumpur as the city has a very efficient transport system. Here are the best ways to get around…

LRT/MRT & Monorail: This mode of transport is the equivalent of a metro service and it’s the easiest way to get around the city. Fares are extremely cheap and there are five lines!

KTM Kommuter: The KTM Kommuter service is more for exploring the suburbs and taking day trips out of the city centre. This service isn’t as frequent as the LRT/MRT so just keep that in mind.

Public Bus: Kuala Lumpur has a free service called Go KL which has two circular routes. There’s also RapidKL which is a comprehensive bus network that runs throughout the city!

Hop-on hop-off bus: This service is also known as Ronda-Ronda KL and there are 19 stops in total. This includes popular tourist attractions like KL Forest Eco Park, the Petronas Twin Towers, and Central Market.

Taxi: There are plenty of taxis in Kuala Lumpur and a lot of them run on a meter so you won’t be ripped off. However, we recommend downloading the Grab taxi app as it’s so convenient and the journeys are super cheap!

The best time to visit Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur can be visited at any time of year as the weather is hot all year round due to the city’s location on the equator. However, the rainfall is a very different question!

Generally, May to July tends to be the best time to visit as this time of year is relatively dry. You’ll also encounter plenty of blue skies which is perfect for exploring. This goes for December-February too!

March-April and October-November tend to be the wettest months in Kuala Lumpur so just keep that in mind. You’ll still be able to visit all the popular attractions but you’ll want to pack an umbrella!

Just keep in mind that if you’re travelling during the peak season then prices will naturally be more expensive. The temperatures can reach up to 33° during the dry season too so you’ll encounter plenty of heat and humidity.

Exploring Kuala Lumpur by tour

Exploring the city by yourself is one of the best ways to experience Kuala Lumpur. You’ll get to find some of the capital’s hidden gems, eat delicious food, and admire the striking city views this way!

However, there are some fantastic tours in KL where you’ll get to learn so much about the local area.

Here are some of the most popular tour options in Kuala Lumpur:

  • Private food tour – 10 tastings with locals: This fantastic tour will allow you to eat your way through Kuala Lumpur and you’ll get to enjoy the city’s most delicious foods! Be prepared to visit some of KL’s most authentic foodie spots.
  • Half-day city tour: This sightseeing tour will take you to some of the city’s most popular attractions including the Petronas Twin Towers, the National Mosque, and Merdeka Square. It includes a private guide and round-trip transportation.
  • 4-hour tour & KL Towers visit: One of the highlights of this tour is taking in the views from KL Tower, but you’ll also get to visit Merdeka Square, the Petronas Twin Towers, and the National Museum. If you don’t want to explore by yourself, then this is a great option!
  • Kuala Lumpur Instagram Tour: This private tour will take you to the city’s most scenic spots including Batu Caves, Thean Hou Temple, Merdeka Square, and the National Mosque. Lunch is included, and so are entrance tickets and taxes.
 

 

Where to stay in Kuala Lumpur

In our opinion, Kuala Lumpur is one of the cheapest cities in Southeast Asia when it comes to accommodation. So, whether you’re looking for a cheap hostel or a luxury getaway, you’ll get plenty of bang for your buck!

Here are a couple of our recommendations:

Luxury: EQ Kuala Lumpur

This 5* hotel is known for its beautiful suites, great location, and fantastic facilities. With an on-site spa, fitness centre, shared lounge, and bar, this place has a lot to offer!

The highlight of this hotel though has to be its rooftop infinity pool which offers stunning views of Kuala Lumpur.

Mid-range: KLoe Hotel

KLoe Hotel is located in the popular area of Bukit Bintang and offers an outdoor swimming pool, a restaurant, and a bar. You’ve also got a variety of rooms to choose from and each one is beautifully decorated.

Many of these rooms offer striking city views and plenty of amenities too!

Budget: Chinatown Hostel by Mingle

Chinatown Hostel is in a great location as it’s just a short walk from Petaling Street Night Market and Central Market. There are dormitory beds and private rooms available so there’s something for every budget too!

There’s also a 24-hour front desk at the hostel that can organise tours for you which is always handy.

Booking.com

Frequently Asked Questions about Kuala Lumpur

How many days do I need in Kuala Lumpur?

For the best experience, we’d recommend spending at least 4 days in Kuala Lumpur as there’s so much to do! You could probably see the highlights in 2-3 days, but you might find yourself rushing around.

Not only are there plenty of awesome attractions in Kuala Lumpur, but there are endless foodie spots to visit!

Is Kuala Lumpur safe for tourists?

Kuala Lumpur is one of the most-visited cities in Southeast Asia and is considered to be a very safe destination. As with any city, there are a couple of things you’ll want to keep in mind though!

Stay aware when walking around at night and keep your belongings close to you, as petty theft is known to occur.

Which is the best area to stay in KL?

When visiting Kuala Lumpur it can be difficult to decide where to stay! There are so many fantastic areas in the city including KLCC, KL Sentral, Chinatown, and Brickfields (Little India).

However, Bukit Bintang is probably the most popular area for tourists and that’s where we personally stayed during our trip!

What is a good budget for Kuala Lumpur?

Malaysia as a country is very cheap and the same goes for its capital city! Accommodation, food, transport, and even activities are extremely well-priced in KL.

For that reason, we’d recommend allowing a budget of between £35-£40 per person per day! If you’re planning to visit a lot of attractions then you might want to increase that amount.

Where to go after Kuala Lumpur

Taman Negara, Malaysia

When exploring Malaysia, often the first stop is Kuala Lumpur as you’ll often fly into KL International Airport. Not only is it a great place to start your trip in general, but the transport links from here to the rest of the country are incredible!

After spending some time in the capital you’ve got plenty of options for onward travel.

Many people choose to head to the Cameron Highlands which is known for its lush tea plantations, delicious food, and awesome hiking trails.

Or, why not head to Taman Negara if you’re looking to spend some time in nature? Taman Negara is one of the oldest tropical rainforests in the world and it’s teeming with wildlife!

If you’re short of time then you can always head straight up to the gorgeous island of Langkawi, or the state of Penang which is home to Georgetown and Batu Ferringhi.

Final Thoughts on this Kuala Lumpur Itinerary

You’ll find endless things to do in Kuala Lumpur so what are you waiting for? This fabulous city has it all and it’s still one of our favourite places to date!

In this KL itinerary, we’ve grouped together the places and attractions in the best way that we can. This is to shorten your travel time so you can make the most of your 4 days in Kuala Lumpur.

From towering skyscrapers to gorgeous temples, this city truly has it all and we can guarantee that you’re going to have an incredible time.

If you have further questions about Kuala Lumpur then don’t hesitate to contact us via Instagram, Facebook, or in the comments below! 

Planning a trip through Asia? Here are some travel guides that you might find helpful:

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I’m one half of Acouplescalling. I'm passionate about all things travel and photography and I love sharing my experiences with others. I've seen a lot of the world already and I want to help as many people as I can do the same thing!

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