Kuala Lumpur is such an exciting place! Full of delicious food, beautiful temples and green parks and gardens.

In addition to all this, Kuala Lumpur also offers fantastic shopping opportunities, from street markets to amazing shopping malls that will satisfy any shopaholic.

Although most people who plan a trip to the Malaysian capital imagine the city as an urban jungle, this city can certainly surprise visitors. Aside from the amazing skyscrapers, it is a diversified city that is a beautiful mix of cultures such as Malaysian, Indian and Chinese.

These influences can be seen in the temples in different parts of the city. One day you are able to visit a Muslim mosque, as well as a Hindu or Chinese temple. And while most people who plan a trip to the capital have the Petronas Towers mainly in mind, Kuala Lumpur has much more to offer.

Malaysia’s capital is a huge city, so putting together an itinerary can be a challenge for travelers traveling to this city for the first time. Thats why in this post, you’ll learn about 20+ places in this amazing city divided into four days to save time for planning and fall in love with Kuala Lumpur.

During our six-month travel through Southeast Asia, we had the opportunity to visit such metropolises as Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh, and while we loved both cities, Kuala Lumpur made such an incredible impression on us that it’s hard to put into words.

This city is incredibly diversified, you can see the mix of cultures at every turn. Thanks to which everyone speaks English, thats why Kuala Lumpur is a very easy place to visit. From the amazing sights, green parks, huge shopping malls, to the delicious street food, Kuala Lumpur is a fantastic place that will stay in our hearts forever.

#1 Climb the stairs to Batu Caves

Start your adventure in Kuala Lumpur with Batu Caves. This place is a Hindu shrine, but it gained its popularity among tourists thanks to the 272 colorful steps leading to the limestone cave, which houses several small Hindu shrines. It is one of the most important Hindu shrines outside India.

Batu Caves is best visited early in the morning, when the place is not yet as crowded and the temperatures are a bit cooler. Remember to dress appropriately, legs and arms must be covered, if not on the site the lovely ladies will gladly sell you a sarong to cover yourself.

This place is ruled by monkeys, so avoid taking food with you, as you can get rid of it very quickly. In front of the temple you’ll meet numerous pigeons, and in the cave’s gloom several roosters that have been offered to Lord Murugan, whose huge statue painted in gold stands right by the stairs.

Entrance to this place is free of charge.

#2 Visit the amazing Federal Territory Mosque

This gorgeous mosque is fairly new, as it opened in 2000 and is not yet as popular with tourists, so take advantage of this fact while you can. The building combines elements of the Ottoman and Malay styles, was inspired by the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, and has a total capacity of 17,000 praying worshippers.

The mosque can be visited by anyone, but only with a guide who speaks excellent English and who will gladly acquaint you with the history of the place, as well as the Muslim religion. The building is huge and full of beautiful details that will take your breath away.

Entrance is free, and both men and women can also rent covering clothes for free on site.

#3 Take a walk around Bukit Bintang

This modern neighborhood is an ideal place to shop, go out to one of the restaurants or bars located here, or even listen to music. Because in the very center of the neighborhood, across from MC Donalds, street artists give an amazing performance in the evening. And we’re talking about great, powerful playing with hits by Metallica, Rolling Stones or Red Hot Chilli Peppers.

Full of billboards, with a train going over the heads of passersby and a huge cross walk in the middle, Bukit Bintang is the perfect place to visit both during the day and in the evening, when the whole street lights up. It’s hard to shake off the impression that the place is more reminiscent of New York than Malaysia.

#4 Go for shopping to Pavilion Shopping Mall

The most popular street in Bukit Bintang district will lead you to Pavilon Shopping Mall, so if you’re looking for designer clothes, shoes or accessories head to this mall. And even if you don’t need to buy anything at the moment, come in at least for a moment to admire the amazing interior design both outside of the building and inside. The installations change every season and are truly spectacular.

#5 Eat at Jalan Food Street

At the end of the day, after visiting so many amazing places head to Jalan Food Street and enjoy some amazing Malaysian cuisine. Jalan Food Street opens just after dusk and there is something for every foodie here. Prices are a bit higher for street food, but the atmosphere is definitely worth it.

#6 Walk on canopy walk in Eco Forest Park

Start your second day of sightseeing with Eco Forest Park. Located in the heart of the city, this park is a great place to escape the busy city streets. Inside the park you can walk on several designated trails among the greenery, but the canopy walk is the biggest attraction of the place. The 200-meter route leads through the treetops and is an amazing experience. This lush green forest is the only place in the world with a natural rainforest in the middle of the city!

Ticket to get to the park costs $9 (40 MYR) and the entrance is quiet hidden, so maybe you need to look for it for a while. Remember to have a bit of cash to pay the entrance, as it is „cash only“ place.

#7 Look at the city from above in Menara KL Tower

After a green adventure among the trees, you’ll emerge from the park opposite Menara KL Tower, a perfect opportunity to see the city from above! Menara KL Tower is a 421-meter-tall telecommunication tower, opened to the public in 1996, and it is one of Malaysia’s most iconic architecture.

Observation Deck offers unobstructed 360-degree views of city of Kuala Lumpur and is one of the best places to take some amazing pictures. The ticket price is around $18 for the Sky Deck and Sky Box, while if you only care about the Observation Deck the price is a bit lower, costing only around $9.

Buy tickets to Menara KL Tower before your trip to Kuala Lumpur online to get the most attractive price.

#8 Walk around KLCC Park

Located behind the Petronas Towers, KLCC Park is the perfect place to take unforgettable photos of the towers. If you’re struggling to find the best photo spot, there are boards set up in the park, so you know where to shoot the nicest pictures.

It’s also the perfect place for families traveling with children, as the park offers a huge playground, as well as a small wading pool where kids can cool off.

#9 Shop in Suria Shopping Mall

If you’re still in the mood for shopping, right next to the Petronas Towers is the Suria Shopping Mall, with 300 stores capable of satisfying any shopaholic, as well as a wide variety of dining options.

Just before the entrance to the shopping mall there is a fantastic Symphony Lake where the fountain show takes place. The most beautiful show can be observed just after dark when the fountains are beautifully illuminated in different colors.

#10 Visit the iconic Petronas Towers

End your second day of Kuala Lumpur sightseeing with a view of the Petronas Towers, which are a major landmark of Kuala Lumpur. Standing 451.9 meters tall, they are the tallest twin towers in the world. Although the towers look impressive during the day, when you can view the details, in the evening they are beautifully illuminated and are an unforgettable spectacle. Be prepared for crowds and numerous photographers eager to take your iconic photo with the towers for a small fee.

If you are tempted to enter the Twin Towers’ observation deck, you must expect to pay about $22. Entrance to the towers is limited, so be sure to buy your tickets at least a week in advance. Unfortunately, the towers can only be visited till the afternoon, as there is currently no possibility to visit the towers in the evening.

#11 Visit the beautiful Thean Hou Temple

This beautiful six-story Chinese Temple, is dedicated to the Chinese sea goddess Mazu and is one of the largest Chinese temples in Southeast Asia. The dominant color in this temple is red, as this color in Chinese belief brings good luck. Red are the pillars, the façade roofs and the countless lanterns with which the temple is decorated. Visit this place in the morning, when it is still empty or at the evening when all the lanterns are illuminated.

Entrance to the temple grounds is completely free.

#12 Try Indian delicacies at Little India / Brickfields

The spice-scented Little India, also known as Brickfields, is perhaps the most colorful neighborhood in Kuala Lumpur, as in other cities such as Singapore, Little India is the perfect place for those who love Indian cuisine.

Don’t be surprised if you’re accosted on the street with an offer to try small, spicy snacks or sweet desserts for a few ringgit. If you fancy a sweet breakfast, try the delicious roti boom, at one of the restaurants in Little India, this breakfast is truly delicious.

#13 Take a stroll through the green Botanical Garden

For those who love nature, the Botanical Garden in Kuala Lumpur will be the perfect place for a stroll. The Botanical Garden is an amazingly green place, and because of the climate in Malaysia, the garden has a myriad of amazing plants. Walk among the trees, hide in the shade from the sun under the conopy, or admire the lake and the amazing city skyline behind it.

Entrance to the Botanical Garden is free, however, there are several places in the garden area where entrance is charged.

#14 Visit the elegant National Mosque building

Built in 1965 and renovated in 2003, the National Mosque is certainly one of the most modern mosques in Kuala Lumpur. Full of simple geometric shapes, the building, with a pool in the middle and an amazing turquoise roof, can accommodate as many as 15,000 praying worshippers. Admire this elegant building while walking barefoot through the corridors, by the pool or between the pillars.

Entrance to the mosque is completely free, and you can also rent covering clothes on site for free.

#15 Admire the amazing building of Old Railway Station

Adopting a mixture of Eastern and Western designs, Old Railway Station in Kuala Lumpur was the main train station in the city until 2001. And although intercity trains continue to pass the station, they no longer stop there. The station building can only be admired from the outside, but it is so unique and beautiful that it is worth stopping by at least for a moment to see the unique details, beautiful roofs, and nice shaped windows.

#16 Take a stroll around Merdeka Square

Merdeka Square otherwise known as Independence Square, is where Malaysia’s independence was first celebrated. On August 30th, 1957, the British flag located in the square was lowered and the Malayan flag was raised for the first time. Since then, the Merdeka Square has been the usual venue for the annual Independence Day Parade in Kuala Lumpur.

In addition to fields of grass, Merdeka Square has nice white pavilions, magnificently overgrown with colorful flowers, and the beautiful Victoria Fountain, which sits near the flagpole. Near Merdeka Square there is also the St Mary’s Cathedral, which once again shows how religiously diverse Kuala Lumpur is.

#17 Admire Sultan Abdul Samad Building

Built in the 19th century, the building originally simply called Government Offices originally housed the offices of the British colonial administration. The building is now called the Sultan Abdul Samad Building in honor of the reigning sultan of Selangor at the time when construction began.

Although the building can’t be toured from the inside, just admiring the building from outside and all the amazing details is quite a treat for those who love architecture.

Behind the building is a small park by the River of Life where there are several benches to sit in the shade of the trees, as well as a lovely fountain. River of Life is the perfect place to walk around and admire the building of Masjid Jamek Sultan Abdul Samad Mosque.

#18 Visit Masjid Jamek Sultan Abdul Samad Mosque

Located at the confluence of the Klang and Gombak River, Masjid Jamek Sultan Abdul Mosque is considered the oldest mosque in Kuala Lumpur. The beautiful building, in white and beige colours, is definitely worth a visit. In addition to the main building full of beautiful details, there is a star-shaped fountain in front of the mosque’s entrance and numerous white umbrellas that allow visitors to relax in the shade.

Remember that as a tourist you can only visit the mosque when prayers are not taking place. Entrance is free and both men and women can rent covering clothes on site also for free.

#19 Shop at Central Market

After this dose of amazing sites and buildings, the next place on your list should be Central Market, which is famous for its incredible amount of beautiful handmade souvenirs, furniture, and trinkets. Central Market is the perfect place to buy souvenirs for loved ones, if you haven’t already.

Trading takes place in a pleasantly cool building, and there are restaurants on the first floor, as well as places where you can buy amazing Malaysian dyed fabrics and clothing. On the right side outside of the building there is a market where you can buy fresh fruits or coconut juice.

#20 Visit Petaling Street in China Town

After visiting Central Market, head to China Town on Petaling Street full of clothes, shoes and accessories. This place unfortunately offers only some imitations, but it’s still worth checking out and stocking up on some bits and bobs.

#21 Take a look on murals in Kwai Chai Hong

Don’t miss out Kwai Chai Hong as your last stop in this amazing city. This relatively short street proofs once again that all it takes is a little paint, interesting decorations or murals to turn an uninteresting place into a tourist destination.

It is said that this street used to be a place where you could meet a street gang called Kwai Chai, hence the name of the street, which in translation means Little Demon Alley. Today this place is full of interesting murals that are meant to bring back the golden age of Chinatown.

• Simple Life | Healthy vegetarian
• Sala | Amazing vegan/vegetarian
• Jama | Delicious burger and pasta
• Malaya Garden | Best breakfast place
• Bubble Bee Cafe | Incredible waffles
• One Fine Bowl | Yummy healthy bowls
• Nourish | Delicious bakery and coffee
• KGB (Killer Gourmet Burger) | Amazing burgers

Flight

Easiest way to get to Kuala Lumpur is by air, as Kuala Lumpur International Airport handles many flights from different parts of the world.

Bus

If you are already in the country, check you bus connections to Kuala Lumpur .

The most affordable means of transportation around the city is the metro. However, if you care about time, order Grab, which is the Asian equivalent of Uber. It is fast, affordable and trustworthy.

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‎Grab: Taxi Ride, Food Delivery

Developer: Grab.com

Price: Free

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Grab - Taxi & Food Delivery

Developer: Grab Holdings

Price: Free

Although Kuala Lumpur is a place you can visit year-round, the very best time to visit is from May to July when is relatively dry,  and December to February when the Christmas and New Year decorations are still on, and they add some charm to the city.

The most popular places to stay in Kuala Lumpur are apartment buildings, or hotels overlooking the amazing Petronas Towers. Keep this in mind when booking your accommodation. We had the opportunity to enjoy two accommodations and both places were affordable, well located and comfortable. First Airbnb was located at Regalia Residence and second at D’majestic .

Kuala Lumpur is a great destination and those who have visited the place find it hard to leave, so book at least a few days, optimally 3-4 days. But the truth is that the more time you are able to allocate to Kuala Lumpur the better.

Entry to Malaysia is in many cases uncomplicated and no visa is required. For example, EU and US citizens can stay up to 90 days visa free in Malaysia. This also applies to many other countries as well. Some other countries travel visa-free up to 30 days. Check your Malaysia visa requirements before your travel.

In general it can be said that Malaysia is a card-friendly country. In most places in Kuala Lumpur such as restaurants, stores and some attractions you can easily pay by card. On the other hand, it is a good idea to carry some cash with which you to pay for your purchases on Petaling Street, or to pay for the entrance to Eco Forest Park.

Since in most situations such as finding a Metro connection, ordering a Grab or just to stay connected to the world, you will need internet, it is worth getting a sim card. We feel that provider Hotlink Maxis offers the best option for internet in Malaysia.

The prices are per person, except for the accommodation and taxi, which we rent for 2 people.

Accommodation: $22 – $30 / night

Restaurant: $7 – $13 / meal

Snack: $1 – $3 / meal

Pleasure: $3 – $5 / event

Taxi: $1 – $3 / ride

Activity: $5 – $9 / event