Overview
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1. Batu Caves
The Batu Caves are one of the most famous places in Kuala Lumpur, and perhaps even in the whole of Malaysia. You can climb the 272 rainbow steps to reach the limestone caves and the temples inside. The caves themselves are not very impressive, but it is mainly the setting of the colored stairs with the large golden statue in front of them that make this place so unique. Try to visit as early in the morning as possible and avoid weekends and public holidays. Discover more practical tips for visiting the Batu Caves in our guide.
Practical
There's no entrance fee. Only the effort of climbing the 272 steps.
Daily open from 07:00 am until 09:00 pm
The Batu Caves are located a little outside the center. You can take the train, Grab or join a tour.
2. KL Forest Eco Park
In the Kuala Lumpur Forest Eco Park, you can enjoy a bit of nature in the middle of this diverse city. It’s a small park, where you can follow a few short hiking trails and a canopy walk among the tree tops. It’s a strange feeling to walk through a forest in the middle of a city, but definitely one of the fun things to do in Kuala Lumpur.
Practical
The entrance fee for the Kuala Lumpur Forest Eco Park is 40 MYR per person.
The KL Forest Eco Park is daily open from 08:00 am until 04:30 pm and closed on Friday.
3. Petronas Twin Towers & KLCC Park
The Petronas Twin Towers are the symbol of Kuala Lumpur and the most famous landmark in Malaysia. With their 452 meters height, they are the largest twin towers in the world. During the day they are already super impressive to see, but in the evening the lighting creates an even different atmosphere over the towers.
The towers are connected by the Skybridge, a glass walkway on the 41st floor. You can take an elevator to the skybridge and to the observation deck on the 86th, to get an incredible view over the city. You can get your online tickets here.
In front of the Petronas Twin Towers, you find the KLCC Park, from where you have an impressive view of the twin towers, can relax a bit, and watch the local life.
Practical
The entrance fee for the Petronas Twin Towers skybridge is 98 MYR per person.
The KL Forest Eco Park is daily open from 09:00 am until 09:00 pm and closed on Monday.
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4. Central Market
Go souvenir hunting in the Central Market. It is an indoor market, full of nice market stalls and shops with souvenirs, crafts and clothes. If you don’t find your souvenir here, you won’t find it anywhere.
Hotels
Find the best places to stay in Kuala Lumpur and enjoy a comfortable trip.
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
via Booking.com
5. Sri Maha Mariamman Temple
The Sri Maha Mariamman Temple is the oldest and most famous Hindu Temple in Kuala Lumpur. It was founded in 1873 and it is located at the edge of China Town. The entrance of the temple consists of a very colorful 5-tiered ‘gopuram’ or tower, decorated with 228 small sculptures of Hindu Gods. It’s impossible to walk past this 22,9m pyramid-shaped tower gate without noticing it.
6. Petaling Street in China Town
Tucked away in Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown, you find the Jalan Petaling or Petaling Street. It is a big pedestrian-only street and it is basically just a large covered market. This bustling area is filled with hundreds of market stalls, selling everything from clothes and shoes, to sunglasses, bags and watches.
7. Kuala Lumpur Tower
Another gigantic tower in Kuala Lumpur is the Kuala Lumpur Tower or Menara Kuala Lumpur. With its 421m, it is the tallest telecom tower in Southeast Asia. Also in this tower, you can take the elevator to enjoy a beautiful view of the city. You can either go up to the 360° observation deck at 276m or to the sky deck and sky box, a glass cube about 300m above the ground.
The real daredevils can go for a skywalk, an outdoor walk around the tower at a height of 305m. Prices are often cheaper if you book your tickets online in advance. Make sure you get the right tickets for the deck you want to visit.
Practical
Observation Deck: 55 MYR
Sky Deck + Sky Box: 94 MYR
Skywalk: 42 MYR
The Kuala Lumpur Tower is daily open from 09:00 am until 10:00 pm.
8. The Federal Territory Mosque
One of the most beautiful mosques we have ever seen, is without a doubt the Wilayah Persekutuan Mosque or Federal Territory Mosque. The mosque’s design is a blend of Ottoman and Malay architectural styles, inspired by the Blue Mosque of Istanbul in Turkey. It is a huge and impressive building and yet there is a serene atmosphere. For us, it was definitely one of the most beautiful places in Kuala Lumpur.
You can visit the mosque for free during a super interesting guided tour and they provide appropriate clothing for men and women.
Practical
Free
The Wilayah Persekutuan Mosque is daily open from 10:00 am until 03:00 pm.
On Fridays from 10:00 am until 11:30 and from 03:00 am until 04:30 pm.
9. Hole in the wall café - Jamboo
If you’re looking for a unique bar experience, you should grab a drink an from the ‘hole in the wall’ café. As its name suggest, you order, pay, and get your drinks through a tiny hole. This unique and Instagrammable concept is part of Jamboo café, where you can also just sit and enjoy your drink.
10. Thean Hou Temple
The Thean Hou Temple is one of the largest Chinese temples in Southeast Asia. It consist out of 6 levels and is build on a small hilltop, just outside the main center. The temple not only has a fascinating architecture, but it also offers a beautiful view of the skyline of the city.
Practical
The entrance to the Thean Hou Temple is free.
The Thean Hou Temple is daily open from 08:00 am until 10:00 pm.
Hotels
Find the best places to stay in Kuala Lumpur and enjoy a comfortable trip.
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
via Booking.com
11. Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad & Merdeka Square
The Merdeka Square, also known as Independence square, is an historic place located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. It is the square where Malaysia declared its independence, hence the name “Merdeka”, which means independence in Malay. It is not only a historical site but also a popular public space where various events, parades, and cultural activities take place.
On this square, it is impossible to miss the high flagpole. With its 95 meters, it is one of the tallest flagpoles in the world.
Right in front of the Merdeka Square, you find the Sultan Abdul Samad Building. It’s a very beautiful building with a blend of Moorish, Indo-Saracenic and Victorian architectural styles. It served as the administrative center during British colonial rule and is still an important symbol of the independence of Malaysia
12. Perdana Botanical Gardens
In the Perdana Botanical Gardens, you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city. You can take a stroll around the lake and wander through the different parts of the park, such as the Orchid Garden, the Hibiscus Garden or the Deer Park. There’s also a Butterfly garden and a Bird park, but you have to pay an entrance fee for this.
Practical
The entrance to the Perdana Botanical Gardens is free.
The Perdana Botanical Gardens are daily open from 07:00 am until 06:00 pm.
13. Sultan Abdul Samad Jamek Mosque
The Masjid Jamek Mosque opened its doors more than 100 years ago, making it one of the oldest mosques in Kuala Lumpur. The name “Jamek” is the Malay equivalent of the Arabic word jāmi, which means a place where people come together to worship. It is located where the Klang River and the Gombak River come together, the place that is considered the birthplace of Kuala Lumpur. The mosque was designed by the same British architect as the Sultan Abdul Samad Building and therefore has a similar style.
The entrance is free and they’ll provide you with appropriate clothing.
Practical
The entrance to the Sultan Abdul Samad Jamek Mosque is free.
The Sultan Abdul Samad Jamek Mosque is open from 10:00 am until 12:30 pm and from 02:30 pm until 04:00 pm. The mosque is closed on Fridays.
14. Jalan Alor
If you are looking for the best street food in Kuala Lumpur, you should definitely go to Jalan Alor at night. In this bustling street, you find one food stall after another, offering very tasty Malaysian street food. It is not only tasty, but also cheap!
If you want to explore more Malaysian cuisine, you can also join a KL food tour.
15. Saloma Link Bridge
The Saloma Link Bridge is a short bridge of 69 meters for pedestrian and bicyclist over the Klang River. It was built to provide a better connection between two districts of the city. During the day, you can enjoy the beautiful architecture of the bridge, but it is especially in the evening that it is a must visit in Kuala Lumpur. As soon as the sun goes down, the bridge is beautifully illuminated with changing colors, often themed in special shades for public holidays or events. From one side of the bridge, the Petronas Twin towers provide a beautiful backdrop.
Practical
The entrance to the Saloma Link Bridge is free.
The Saloma Link Bridge is open from 05:00 am until 01:00 am.
16. River of Life
The River of Life is the name of a project to regenerate and restore the place where the Gombak and Klang River come together. It was once a muddy, murky and filthy place, but the Malaysian Government initiated the River of Life project to transform the polluted Klang River into a thriving and lively waterfront. It is now one of the best places to visit in Kuala Lumpur, with beautiful gardens, scenic bicycle lanes, impressive mural arts, cozy cafés and the Jamek Mosque as stunning backdrop.
One of the highlights of the River of Life Project is the nightly light show when the river gets covered in a mysterious blue mist with water fountains and lights dancing to music. There are usually multiple shows running between 9 pm and 10 pm. It is definitely one of the best things to do in Kuala Lumpur at night.
17. Symphony Lake Water Show
In the KLCC Park, right in front of the Petronas Twin Towers, you find the KLCC Symphony Lake. There is a free nightly fountain show every half hour between 07.30pm to 10.00pm, although we heard that the shows at 8.00pm, 09.00pm and 10.00pm are with music and the others without music. The combination of music, light and water from the dancing fountains creates a beautiful spectacle with the illuminated Twin towers as an impressive background.
Practical Information
Best Time to visit Kuala Lumpur
You can visit Kuala Lumpur year round. It has a hot and humid climate, with temperatures between 25 and 35 degrees Celcius. Officially, wet season runs from October to March. However, due to its humid climate, you can expect some rain all year round. Luckily, the rain usually doesn’t last long.
How to get to Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur has its own international airport with a large number of international flights arriving from other major cities, so flying to Kuala Lumpur is very simple.
When arriving at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, which is located quite a distance from the city, there are two main ways to reach the city center. The KLIA Express, a fast train service between the airport and Kuala Lumpur, will take you to the Central Train Station. Alternatively, you can take a Grab ride to the KL center.
It is also possible to get to Kuala Lumpur by bus or train from other places in Malaysia, as well as from Thailand and Singapore.
How to get around in Kuala Lumpur
Getting around in Kuala Lumpur is very easy and you have a few different options.
The best way to get around Kuala Lumpur is by metro. After walking, it is the cheapest way to get around and it is super easy and convenient.
Another option is using the shared taxi service Grab, which is slightly more expensive but still accessible. Just keep in mind that traffic in Kuala Lumpur can sometimes be very busy. Additionally, you can join various tours around the city, which often include local experiences, hidden gems, food tours, and more.
The city of KL is also very pedestrian-friendly, making walking a great option for visiting highlights that are within walking distance of each other.
Where to Stay
Bukit Bintang, the city center, KLCC, and Petaling Street (China Town) are the most famous areas to stay. You will find plenty of accommodations in these areas for every budget. This is also where many bars and restaurants are located and it’s close to some famous sights or the metro.
Hotels
Find the best places to stay in Kuala Lumpur and enjoy a comfortable trip.
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
via Booking.com
How many days for Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is a destination where you can easily spend a week. We spent 3 days in the city and perhaps thought this was too short because there is so much to do. We therefore recommend that you spend 3-5 days in Kuala Lumpur.
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However, you still pay the same and therefore have no extra costs! So a win-win for everyone. This way, we can continue to add even more travel inspiration and tips to this blog for your next adventure. Thanks a lot!
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Win-Win for everyone
Did you know that, if you buy or book something through our links, we receive a small commission?
However, you still pay the same and therefore have no extra costs! So a win-win for everyone. This way, we can continue to add even more travel inspiration and tips to this blog for your next adventure. Thanks a lot!
