My Favorite Things To Do In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Wondering What To Do In Kuala Lumpur!?

Malaysia is a beautiful, culturally and geographically diverse country and it’s cosmopolitan capital city, Kuala Lumpur, or KL, is fast becoming a major flight hub and cheaper alternative to Singapore and there’s many interesting things to do in Kuala Lumpur.

From the ultra modern sky scrapers of Kuala Lumpur the iconic Petronas Twin Towers rise above the skyline. In the shadow of these modern skyscrapers, the monorails and a classy new malls, nestle old, crumbling colonial buildings and buzzing Chinatown – the heart of old KL.

Although officially an Islamic country people of many different ethnicities and religions bustle through the modern malls and through Chinatown and Little India shopping, snacking at food stalls and worshipping at the variety of temples, mosques, shrines and churches throughout multicultural Malaysia.

I love Malaysia but during my visits to the capital city I came across many travelers who were just waiting for a flight and seemed stuck for ideas of things to do in Kuala Lumpur, which is a shame because it’s a really interesting, multi cultural and cosmopolitan city to explore. I recommend spending at least 3 days in Kuala Lumpur to explore everything this fascinating city has to offer.

So here’s 10 of my favorite things to do in Kuala Lumpur to give you some inspiration.

The Best Things to do in Kuala Lumpur

1. See The Petronas Twin Towers

One of the top attractions in Kuala Lumpur is the Petronas Twin Towers, Malaysia’s most famous landmark. The towers, completed in 1998, used to hold the title of the tallest building in the world until surpassed by Taipei 101 in 2004. They still retain the title of the tallest twin towers and the icon of KL.

The towers look their best at night and there are many places to admire the view and take some obligatory touristy pics. You can go up inside the towers for 80 Ringgit (£15 / $25) and admire the view over the city . You can get an even better view from the Menara Kuala Lumpur ( KL Tower) for 49 Ringgit or from one of KL’s amazing rooftop bars.

The Suria KLCC is a fancy mall underneath the towers, check out the cool, musical, multi coloured fountains outside and catch a shuttle across the park to the rooftop bar of the Traders Hotel where you can enjoy drinks while getting an awesome view of the Petronas Towers. There’s even a swimming pool in the stylish bar and on Wednesday’s ladies get free margaritas!

2. Visit The Batu Caves

One of the most interesting cultural attractions and things to do in Kuala Lumpur is take a train 13km north of the city to the Hindu Batu Caves, a complex of 3 caves set high into the cliffs. Climb the steep 272 steps to explore the colourful Hindu temples and shrines with their pantheon of gods and deities.

The Batu Caves are guarded by an impressive and imposing 43m high golden statue of Murugan – the largest in the world. There is also a 15 meter high statue of Hanuman, the monkey devotee to Lord Rama, and Batu Caves is one of the most popular Hindu shrines outside India.

You can also take a guided tour to Batu Caves if you don’t want to worry about finding your own way there and would like a local guide to explain it.

3. Shop till you drop.

From shopping in the classy, high end and elaborately decorated ultra modern malls, buying souvenirs and arts and crafts in the historic art deco central market to exploding your senses in the wet markets or chow kit market and haggling for a bargain in China Town’s Petaling Street market. KL is fast becoming a shopping destination and there is even a roller coaster and theme park in the Berjaya Times Square Mall.

4. Learn about Islam

Malaysia is a culturally, ethnically and religiously diverse country but Islam is the state religion. Visit the Museum of Islamic Art where art and history collide through the intricate artifacts.

Check out the 1907 Masjid Jamek (Friday Mosque) with it’s quaint onion domes and minarets within a grove of palm trees and non Muslims can also enter the unique contemporary Masjid Negara (National Mosque) which is one of the largest in SE Asia and has a 16 pointed star roof.

You can also visit the new bridge and spectacular floating mosque in Putrajaya a new, futuristic and eco-friendly, planned city that is now the administrative capital of Malaysia.

5. Take a Walking Tour

If you want to learn more about the interesting multicultural history and culture of Malaysia then one of the best things to do in in Kuala Lumpur is to explore the history and culture through a walking tour.

See the heritage architecture, explore gritty, frantic Chinatown the oldest part of the city, experience cultural diversity through the food and temple hop from mosques to Chinese temples and elaborately decorated Hindu temples and see the colonial architecture in Merdeka Square.

Various tours depart from the Central Market or you can book in advance on Viator.

6. Try The Street Food

Food in Malaysia is wonderfully tasty and varied due to all the different cultures that make up Malaysia. Try something new, look around the wet markets, food courts and night markets and surf the street food stalls on bustling Jalan Alor for tasty, varied, diverse, cheap and safe food.

One of the best ways to explore Malaysian culture is through it’s food so a street food tour is really worthwhile as you’ll have a expert local guide who will take you to all the best stalls and you’ll learn a lot as well as enjoying the diverse tastes.

7. Visit the Parks and Museums

KL is a surprisingly green city. In the center rises up the Lake Gardens Park. Escape the city and visit the excellent KL Bird Park, KL Forest Eco Park and National Museum.

Here you can practice (or just watch the locals) doing tai chi in the morning, walk across the jungle canopy bridge, explore the nature trails around the bottom of the KL Tower, or rent a boat on the lake while getting great views of the skyline. It’s a nature escape in the heart of the city!

8. Experience Little India

Little India comes alive with the feel of a bazaar. Browse brightly coloured sari shops, listen to the beats of Bollywood music, eat Indian food the proper way (with your hands) and get a mehndi (Indian henna tattoo) There is also a free walking tour of Little India from the City Hall on Saturdays.

9. Visit KL City Gallery

One of the best free things to do in Kuala Lumpur is to visit the Kuala Lumpur City Art Gallery, situated in a heritage building in Merdeka Square. It’s free, with free wifi, and has a model of the city and galleries showing some of the history and memories of Kuala Lumpur as well as maps and walking tours information and some stylish souvenirs.

10, Make Friends!

Malay people are welcoming and genuinely open and friendly and a good level of English is spoken so it’s  easy to strike up a conversation and make new friends with Malaysians. We made some awesome new friends who showed us a secret heli pad rooftop bar with amazing views and had such a good time getting to know them.

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I hope you have now found that there are many fun things to in Kuala Lumpur and that this post encourages you to spend a few days exploring the city.

If you need to book your accommodation, check out my guide on where to stay in Kuala Lumpur first. And, if KL is the start of your Malaysia trip, then check out my ultimate itinerary for backpacking Malaysia for all the tips you need for an epic trip around the underrated country.