If you search any article on the internet for ‘top things to do in Kuala Lumpur’, there’ll be dozens of travel bloggers claiming to have the best ‘top 50’. Although if you ask any expat, they’ll probably struggle to name a handful!

Personally, I find that KL is one of those places that’s better to live in than come for a holiday. It’s a very liveable city that’s incredibly expat-friendly and you can definitely spend a few days well here as a visitor. But it doesn’t necessarily flood you with a ton of things to do that other ‘more established’ capitals offer. Let’s not forget that KL is just a baby when compared to the likes of London or Paris, at only 169 years young.

But whilst it may not be the most thrilling, prettiest or oldest city in the world, it does have its own unique vibe that you can’t find anywhere else in Southeast Asia.

Kuala Lumpur is essentially a ‘modern-Asian’ melting pot that’s as diverse and multicultural as its food.

It was 87 Chinese traders who led the first expedition up the Klang River in 1857, and a prominent ‘Kapitan China’ called Yap Ah Loy who developed much of KL in its early years.

Later, the city was moulded by the British, brutally occupied during WWII by the Japanese (still evident in parts of Chinatown) and has thrived since gaining independence in 1957.

With its sizeable Chinese and Indian population, who have been emigrating here for the past two centuries, they’ve significantly shaped KL into a wonderful eclectic hub of cultures alongside the Malays. From mosques to Hindu temples, Taoist temples and Christian churches, you’ll find many different places of worship sitting harmoniously together, and there’s always a religious festival or celebration happening!

As you walk around, you’ll find that the streets are usually pretty chilled as it’s too hot for mass congregation, but you’ll probably run into a few lively areas.

The centre- KLCC, Chinatown and Bukit Bintang- have a few heritage gems to check out on your visit (featured in this article), and there are some great rooftop spots for marvelling at the Petronas Towers.

But if possible, I’d recommend trying not to spend your whole time in KLCC. Similarly to Melbourne, the suburbs have lots of character and much to offer, and in my opinion they’re nicer places to walk around.

So that’s my little intro, now let’s crack on with the fun stuff!

The only way for me to recommend things to do in the city is to take you to places that I like to go, doing things that I like to do as an expat here. You could probably squeeze out a thousand and one things to do in KL, but I’m not going to suggest anything I haven’t enjoyed personally, multiple times. Rather, I’ll be listing activities and places I’d tell to my friends.

If you’re visiting Malaysia on a two-week holiday, then I’d suggest setting aside 3-5 nights in KL. 🤙🏻

I hope you have fun in the city, and please comment below to let me know what you enjoyed, even if it’s not on this list!

Shezz.x

10 Best Things to Do in Kuala Lumpur (2026)

1. Self-Guided Tour

Just before I left KL, I realised that I’d never properly visited Chinatown. By this point I’d been living in the city for two years, so cockily thought I knew all I needed to know!

So in a bid to finally catch up on some touristy stuff, I grabbed a history book and scored a few pinpoints on Google Maps before hitting the old heart of KL – Chinatown and Merdeka Square (aka, the Colonial District). As it turns out, I knew very little.

I was amazed by what I discovered about KL’s rich history and surprisingly it changed my outlook on the city. I was even one of the first few to stumble across a new heritage feature, Kwai Chai Hong, which is now an icon in Chinatown.

There’s definitely more substance to Kuala Lumpur than its glitzy Petronas Towers and secret cocktail bars, and it’s got far more soul than just being born out of tin mining. So do yourself a favour, and if you only get to visit two places in KL (of course, the first one is the Petronas Towers) – make your second stop here.

When I moved here, DBKL (aka City Hall) held free walking tours in Merdeka Square. Yet despite being popular, they were abruptly cancelled in May 2018. Unfortunately, sudden closures of businesses, services or parks are not uncommon in the city.

So I decided to create my own “forever-available” and “free” self-guided walking tour, taking you through the best bits of Chinatown and Merdeka Square. It’s rich with plenty of photo ops, saucy architecture and forgotten stories. I’ve included a selection of food stops too, so don’t go wild on the breakfast buffet!

Tap here to access my walking tour. It also featured in Travel + Leisure Asia magazine last year. ☺️

2. Get Stuck into the Street Food

If you’re a foodie like me and virtually every Malaysian, then you’ll probably be spending most of your time in KL either planning where you’re going to eat, feasting, then thinking about your next meal!

Malaysian food is as diverse as its people- from Malay to Nyonya, Indian and Chinese-inspired dishes. To help you experience some awesome local fare, I’ve rounded up my favourite Malaysian dishes to try and listed where to find them in KL. If you’re quite new to the street food scene and are a bit shy to check out local eateries, then this should ease you in nicely.

3. Find KL’s Secret Bars

Kuala Lumpur’s burgeoning bar scene includes an awesome selection of speakeasies that I had a lot of fun researching, a few times over. 😉

Rooftop bars in the city are also a thing, but personally I’ve yet to find one that’s not overly commercial or that serves better cocktails than the speakeasies on my list. Advice? Head to a sky-dining restaurant like Fuegos instead to gawp over the twin towers, then hit the secret bars 🙌🏼.

Find the speakeasies.

4. Visit a Mosque

As a muslim majority country, Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia are home to some stunning mosques. I’d never visited one until I came to KL, and found it to be such a peaceful & beautiful place. I also had a great guide who showed us around and happily answered my many questions.

Conveniently, many mosques around KL provide headscarves and robes for the ladies, and some offer tours. I visited the Blue Mosque in Shah Alam [map]-aka ‘Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz’- which was gorgeous, but the traffic back was a nightmare, so I’d only suggest it if you’re staying nearby.

Otherwise, Masjid Negara [map], Malaysia’s National Mosque, is a good central alternative. Check their opening hours before heading out: Mon-Sun (except Friday) open 9:30 am-12:30 pm and 3- 6 pm. Friday only: 3-6 pm.

5. Go Wakeboarding!

Okay, so not your typical tourist attraction, but if you’re a bit of a thrill-seeker like me and want a cooling, water-based activity to beat KL’s icky heat, this could be your thang!

Many people head to Putrajaya to wakeboard on its lake, but there’s one much closer to home- still within KL- with an awesome instructor called Aaron.

Starting out a lawyer, he packed it in to pursue his love of wakeboarding and he’s honestly the best instructor I’ve ever had! He talked us through each step and gave great feedback, so the Sailor and I made heaps of progress. We had a pukka morning of riding here, just expect to feel knackered afterwards!

Check out his website, Wakeboard Malaysia, for his contact details to book your spot.

6. LOL at a Comedy Club

I’m a sucker for a good comedy club. But particularly in KL, where the entertainment is somewhat ‘thin on the ground’ and usually pretty bland and inoffensive, Crackhouse has been a massive saving grace.

The host, Rizal Van Geyzel, is hilarious and has performed on the comedy circuit for years in Malaysia and worldwide, including Edinburgh’s Fringe Fest.

When I first arrived in the city and visited this place, it was kind of a KL culture lesson, with host Rizal’s funny anecdotes about Malaysian life, and I also got to see Sri Lankan-Aussie comic Dilruk Jayasinha.

Crackhouse is based in TTDI and usually hosts three acts every Friday & Saturday night, which includes an international headliner. They also have the occasional improv night with AI-IA, who are awesome.

7. Go Jungle Hiking

Just to think this city used to be nothing but jungle with potential. This is one of my highly recommended activities in KL, so don’t forget your trainers!

There are quite a few pockets of bush in and around KL that you can visit. Personally, I was fiercely loyal to Bukit Kiara because I lived right in front of it.

Guaranteed are feel-good vibes, rugged trails and wildlife sightings before refuelling at one of TTDI’s eateries afterwards (check my list of eats coming up for suggestions 👇🏼).

Here’s my Bukit Kiara trail guide with all you need to know.

2026 update: I couldn’t wait to do this hike again when I returned to KL earlier this year. Although now, for about the first half of the trail, you can hear bulldozers and building works as more condos are being built on either side- I was so fcking sad to see how much jungle had been taken away. The trail is still there, and the second half hasn’t been affected, but the first stretch isn’t the quiet haven it used to be, at least until works finish.

8. Visit Hip Markets

I moved to Kuala Lumpur from Melbourne so was kind of spoilt with its cool selection of markets. But I was happy to find similar alternatives in KL, even though they’re not permanent fixtures.

Riuh market is my favourite to check out. Their curated platform houses only local brands, complete with food vendors and live music. They don’t have a fixed spot but pop up in some cool areas, like APW in Bangsar (who also do occasional pop-ups themselves).

The more artsy Publika Mall regularly sports a decent line-up of markets on the Ground Floor, as well as boutique shops and events.

Otherwise, if you’re around Chinatown, the art hub The Zhng Shan Building is worth a peek, followed by a stop at BookXcess Rex KL for the bookworms.

On the whole, you need to keep your ear very close to the ground to find out about upcoming happenings, as they’re usually announced late in the day or the marketing is a bit bleak. Keep an eye out on What’s On KL!

9. Dine at Cracking KL Restaurants

Now I’m bringing you a list of all those awesome non-Malaysian restaurants! Great for your dinner options whilst in town, it’s taken me two years to accumulate this array of beauties- including some epic Modern Asian eateries that are seriously not to be missed.

Click here to access my favourite eats (and pay special attention to the first six!)

10. Shop at a Megamall!

I actually can’t believe I’m putting megamalls on here! 🙈 But since living in Malaysia, I’ve found myself in them virtually every weekend, for one reason or another.

Unlike in Europe or the West, where they’re mainly just for clothes shopping, here they’re more lavish affairs that do just about everything. So I visit them to eat, get a haircut, do my weekly food shopping, go to the cinema, get a pedicure and massage (check out Thai Odyssey and Hammam), and attend the odd event…you get my point.

They’re also beautifully air-conditioned. To be honest, I’d be surprised if you don’t end up visiting one during your time in KL. So here are some of my favourites.

1. Mid-Valley Megamall and The Gardens Mall: These two are right next to each other, so I’ve included them together. It’s conveniently located between KLCC and Bangsar and pretty much has the best selection of shops combined in KL. Mid-Valley houses more mid-range high-street shops like Zara to Uniqlo, while Gardens is for your designer divas. There’s food outlets here too, but they’re a bit average so maybe save yourself for eating nearby in Bangsar instead.
2. Pavilion: This huge mall is central and plush, so it’s popular with out-of-towners. It houses many mid-to-high-end shops, including designer brands and some retailers that you can’t find anywhere else in KL. There’s also a large selection of food options here.
3. 1 Utama: This one is closer to my home, so I regularly visit for “wardrobe shopping” as it has a large selection of high-street shops. It’s also a good cinema and food stop- I love the sushi house Sushiya (formerly known as Ichiro) and getting a good glass of vino with cured meats at Luretta D.O.P.
4. Publika: Although not technically not big enough to be a megamall, this Mont Kiara based ‘artsy’ mall has a selection of good eats, boutique shops, and hosts regular markets and events.

Bonus! Batu Caves

Okay okay, so I only went here once just before leaving KL, when realising I’d missed a lot of the touristy stuff! Is it worth seeing? I’d say, if you’re here for a longer trip and have more time to spare, then it’s something different and unique to the city. 

From the colourful stairs to the enormous gold statue out front, and the millions-of-years-old cave, it’s the most striking Hindu temple I’ve seen. Reaching the top is a sweaty 272-step climb in KL’s heat, but the cave is nice and cool once you’re there. 

You could also combine your visit with a trip to Kanching Waterfall for a rainforest hike and refreshing swim, which is just a bit further north. It’s a moderate 2.3km out-and-back trail, and the falls are pretty impressive- see more deets on AllTrails // G-Maps.

For more info on Batu C, head to their website. Note, ladies should cover shoulders and knees, but if you forget, you can buy a scarf at the entrance for a few ringgit. Also, watch out for the hobo monkeys!

* * *

I hope you found some cool things to do in Kuala Lumpur. ⭐️

I really enjoyed being back again this year, and couldn’t believe how much the city has changed since Covid. It’s developed a lot in the past 8 years! But it’s still really chilled and laid-back, especially compared to where I now live in Ho Chi Minh City. (Maybe I should have done a KL Part 2 instead!)

If you’re heading out of the city and are looking for great staycations on the Malay Peninsula, then check out my article on relaxing getaways from KL.

Shezz.x

Fun FAQs

How many days do you need to spend in Kuala Lumpur?

I’d say between 3-5 nights, but it depends on what you want to do.

On our recent trip, I really wanted to check out old haunts in Chinatown and Bukit Kiara, as well as take advantage of the many things I can’t do in Saigon! I could have easily spent a week here, and to do most stuff on this list without rushing and needing another holiday, perhaps you could too.

Is it worth visiting KL for shopping, health and beauty?

Short answer, yes!

Shopping 🛍️

Compared to Ho Chi Minh City, shopping in KL feels like Christmas. There’s so much more on offer here, from the brands to megamalls and bookstores, and KL is also much less hectic than Bangkok. If you’re coming from major cities in the west, however, you probably won’t find as much variety.

Functional Medicine 🩺

I visited a functional doctor on my recent visit (as progressive, root-cause medicine doesn’t exist in HCMC yet). I saw a really awesome practitioner, Dr Deanna at The Rosewood Clinic in TTDI, who I highly recommend. I had a virtual consult with her a month before I arrived, and then I took tests at the clinic and had a couple of infusions (iron, B12). The whole experience was excellent, and I was very pleased with the level of care and protocols I received. They also gave me much more time and better guidance than a clinic I used in Sydney, Australia (and it was a lot cheaper).

Hairdresser 🦄

The thing about teaching is that it keeps you young on the inside, but not on the outside, lol!

To cover the greys, I prefer to use a more natural colour that’s as toxin-free as possible. I’ve been going to Aveda salons for the past 8 years, but as there’s none in Saigon, I took advantage in KL.

I was super happy with my cut and colour with David at Hair Atelier, and left feeling like a pampered Queen. The salon is really chilled too, everyone’s lovely, and I willingly had about 3 massages. Check out David’s gram here, or see the salon’s location.

Skin Clinic

Through a recommendation, I had a consultation with Dr Wong at Beverly Wiltshire Clinic. He is a really lovely and experienced practitioner who gave great recommendations. Although I didn’t end up getting anything done, as a series of treatments was required, I would be confident to go back to him in the future if I had more time.

What's the best time of year to Visit KL?

Unlike Malaysia’s coasts, KL doesn’t have a strict wet/dry season. It’s hot and humid year-round with rain most months.

June to August offers the driest, sunniest stretch (but still, with curly hair triggering, 80% + humidity!), while October to November tends to be wettest. Even then, rain usually comes as a short, heavy afternoon downpour rather than an all-day washout, so it rarely ruins a trip.

Other than that, hotel and flight prices spike around major holidays, so book early if your trip overlaps with one. These are the major ones to consider:

1. Hari Raya Aidilfitri: marks the end of Ramadan. It shifts by about 10 days each year (10 March in 2027) and is Malaysia’s biggest travel period, as locals head home to family, so flights and hotels outside KL get squeezed hardest.
2. Chinese New Year (7 February in 2027) and Christmas/New Year also bring noticeable rate hikes, especially around Chinatown and KLCC. Booking 2-3 months ahead, or timing your trip just before or after, gets you the festive atmosphere without the peak prices.

Plan Your KL Trip

Now that you know how to keep yourself out of trouble in KL, here are a few tips for planning your stay if you’re an out-of-towner.

Where to Stay

Most activities on this list are around KLCC and Chinatown, as well as popular expat burbs like Bangsar and TTDI, so basing yourself more centrally will save time and Grab fares.

Bangsar

Bangsar has always been my favourite KL burb. It’s leafy, laid-back and only 15-20 minutes away from Chinatown and KLCC. It’s got some of the best restaurants in the city too (see my restaurant guide). We stayed at Alfa for about $120 AUD per night on a recent trip (approx. 345 MYR/ £65)- check out Airbnbs in Bangsar here. Otherwise, Alila would be my top pick for a great-value, mid-range hotel.

Chinatown

If you’d rather be in the thick of it, I’d opt for Chinatown over KLCC. It feels less commercial and is a cool place to explore, with heaps of restaurants and bars. Here are my top picks for great mid-range stays within walking distance of Petaling Street:

1. Shero’s Four Points: right opposite Ps150 secret bar 😉, for your nightcap ease – see more. 
2. Robertson Panorama Suites: has spacious apartments- over 48 m², with awesome city views (I’d go for one with a balcony)- take a peek.
3. Else Kuala Lumpur: for stylish rooms, perched inside a beautifully restored historical building that’s refreshingly not in a high-rise. It also features a pool, gym, and wellness offerings (including flotation pods and regular mindfulness sessions), which is surprisingly great value- have a look.

Hotel Price Hack

When I tried booking hotels in Malaysia from Australia a few years ago, I noticed prices were higher than when I browsed from KL. Turns out that travel sites can show different prices for the exact same room depending on where in the world you’re browsing from.

If you want to save a few extra ringgit on your stay, I’ve started using a new handy browser extension called PriceMice (from the makers of NordVPN, who I’ve been using for years). It’s really simple to set up and use, and it compares the price of the same room in different countries. If there’s a cheaper alternative, it will let you know and you can just switch your VPN to that country. No catch or funny business! 

For example, I just checked the Four Points Hotel in Chinatown from my current location, and could save almost $30 AUD for a 2-night stay.

The extension itself is free, and you only need a free Nord account to use it. Though of course, to actually switch regions and book the cheaper rate, you need an active VPN. PriceMice only works on Booking.com for now, but more sites are expected to roll out. Check it out here.

KLCC

I know some of you will be interested in a place with a view of the Petronas Towers. For a fancier KLCC pad that’s got a ripper view, Banyan Tree is hard to beat. It comes with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the towers from your bed, a rooftop bar with the same backdrop, and direct access to Pavilion Mall. Worth it for at least one night if you’re celebrating something. [Check rates here.]

Getting Around

Grab (Southeast Asia’s Uber) is how I get around all of the time, usually RM10-25 between areas. One thing to note, if you’re visiting during the month of Ramadan, expect longer wait times and possible surge pricing in the hour or two before iftar (the evening meal when Muslims break their daily fast, usually 6-7:30 pm), as demand spikes and driver availability temporarily drops. I remember waiting hours for food sometimes with Grab, lol! Outside that daily window, it runs as normal.

For a cheaper and greener option around the city, KL’s public transport (LRT/MRT) is well-connected- plan routes on the MyRapid journey planner.

Stay Connected

If your phone supports eSIM (mine’s a dinosaur and doesn’t!), I’d go with Saily. I’ve partnered with them because they’re part of Nord Security (whose VPN I’ve used for years as an expat), and unlike other providers, they include virtual location protection, an ad blocker, and built-in web security.

Otherwise, if your phone is incompatible, I’ve always used a local SIM with Hotlink, which has good coverage across Malaysia.

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