We’ve been lucky enough to visit Kuala Lumpur several times, and honestly, we can never get enough of it. Why, you ask? Well, let’s start with the food, because it’s that good! But it’s not just the food that keeps us coming back. The friendly locals, the incredible mix of cultures, and the endless things to do make this city truly special. In this post, we’re sharing our top 10 favorite things to do in Kuala Lumpur, perfect for first-time visitors (or anyone looking for a little travel inspiration). Let’s dive in!
1. Petronas Twin Towers
Let’s start with a classic: a visit to the Petronas Twin Towers. These impressive towers are the only joined twin towers in the world and they have a magnetic effect every time we see them. Going up the observation deck you’ll have a beautiful view of the city center and you’ll even get the opportunity to enter the connecting bridge between the tow buildings.
Entrance Fee: MYR 98 for adults, MYR 50 for kids (for international visitors)
Bonus Tip: if you’re looking to go up the towers during a popular time such as sunset, be sure to make a reservation for a specific time-slot on the website. Calculate an extra 30 to 60 minutes so you can see the city by daylight, sunset and night.
2. Suria Mall & KLCC park
Once you’re done visiting the Petronas Towers and you aren’t ready yet to leave the cool AC, then you can go on a shopping spree in the Suria Mall. This is one of Kuala Lumpur’s premier malls and also houses many restaurants and food court stalls for a well deserved treat.
If you exit the mall you’ll enter KLCC park, a beautiful green oasis in the middle of the city. A perfect place for a leisurely stroll and a break from the city’s concrete. For kids there’s a free water play area in the park.
Entrance Fee: free (excluding food and shopping)
Bonus Tip: Save on a Grab and avoid the crowds by using the under- and above ground walkway connection to the luxurious Pavillion Mall in Bukit Bintang. Which leads us to our next tip:
3. Explore Bukit Bintang
Bukit Bintang is a lively part of Kuala Lumpur and it’s perfect as a destination for a mix of shopping, dining, and exploring. The area has something for everyone, from high-end malls like the Pavilion to the bustling food street of Jalan Alor, which really comes alive at night. It’s an easy place to spend an afternoon wandering around or grabbing a bite, and the energy of the place is great for people-watching.
Entrance Fee: free
Bonus Tip: If you’re looking for local food stalls, but don’t want to wait for night time until the Jalan Alor food street open, you should take the escalator down to the food court at LOT 10. Here you’ll find many stalls offering delicious local dishes that are somehow all worth a try.
4. Visit the Batu Caves
Entrance Fee: Free
Bonus Tip: be sure to dress appropriately as shorts and tank-tops are not allowed in the temple. Make sure your knees and shoulders are covered and you should be good to go. If not, you’ll be able to rent a sarong at the entrance for about 5 Malaysian Ringgit.
5. Central Market
Central Market in Kuala Lumpur was built as a wet-market in 1888, but now it’s a a cultural hub full of local souvenirs, arts and crafts. The market’s beautiful art deco architecture adds to its charm, and we enjoyed walking around here and looking for some souvenirs. On the second floor you’ll find a food court with personal favorites such as chicken and beef satay, and wantan mee.
Entrance Fee: Free
Bonus Tip: Combine your visit to Central Market with China Town which is only a few minutes’ walk away.
6. Wander around China Town
Chinatown in Kuala Lumpur is a lively area full of history, culture, and great (bargain) shopping. It’s located along Petaling Street, where you’ll find the market stalls that this area is known for. Here you’ll find many things for sale, such as fresh produce, souvenirs and a surprising amount of luggage.
Chinatown is the perfect spot to experience a mix of local culture, heritage, and delicious flavorsThe area is also home to traditional.
Entrance Fee: Free
Bonus Tip: In China Town you’ll find an enormous bookstore called REX XL. It’s beautifully designed and well worth a visit.
7. Merdeka Square
Merdeka Square, or Independence Square, is a historical site where Malaysia declared independence in 1957. Surrounded by colonial-era buildings, it’s a beautiful spot to learn about Malaysia’s history and admire the architecture. The square is often used for public events and celebrations, making it a lively and significant part of Kuala Lumpur’s heritage.
Entrance Fee: Free
Bonus Tip: Walk along the Heritage Trail to see even more beautiful and historic building’s of KL!
8. Bicycle Tour
Defeat your jet lag with some exercise and explore Kuala Lumpur from a whole different point of view!
A bicycle tour is a great way to explore this city’s exciting streets and will lead you to places you wouldn’t have found out about yourself. We really enjoyed cycling around in the city and learning more about the city, it’s history and inhabitants.
Price: Varies; expect to pay around 250 MYR per adult for a 4 hour tour
Bonus Tip: If you enjoy cycling, but don’t enjoy doing so in the heat we recommend doing an evening tour! Cycling around and seeing KL’s building is an amazing experience.
9. Thean Hou Temple
Thean Hou Temple is one of Kuala Lumpur’s most beautiful and oldest Chinese temples. Located on a hill, it offers panoramic views of the city, the temple features detailed carvings, bright red and gold colors, and peaceful gardens. It’s a little further from the city center, but easily reachable by taxi.
Entrance Fee: Free
Bonus Tip: Even though the temple is worth a visit throughout the year, it’s especially beautiful during Chinese New Year when you can admire hundreds of lit red lanterns.
10. Perdana Botinical Gardens
The Perdana Botanical Gardens is a large green space in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. The botanical gardens offer walking trails, lush gardens, and serene lakes, which makes it perfect for some peace and quiet away from the bustling city.
Entrance Fee: Free
Bonus Tip: While the entrance is free, the park’s really large and we recommend buying a ticket for the park’s trolley service that drives around the gardens for a few ringgit.
So that’s it, our top 10 list of things to do while visiting Kuala Lumpur! Thanks for sticking with us and if you want to see more about Kuala Lumpur, specifically accommodation tips, then be sure to check-out our Youtube channel @yesandexplore
If you’re looking for a hotel in Kuala Lumpur and don’t know where to stay yet, be sure to check out our Must-Stay Hotels in Kuala Lumpur for more!
