Kuala Lumpur is an attractive metropolitan city. Its mix of Malay, Indian and Chinese culture is fascinating and the variety of food is one of the best. Kuala Lumpur has tall modern skyscrapers and shopping malls, a lot of green parks as well as old traditional areas. Continue reading my Kuala Lumpur City Guide to figure out the ultimate things to do in Kuala Lumpur. I recommend to stay 5 days in KL.
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Ultimate Things To Do In Kuala Lumpur
Quick Overview
Petronas Twin Towers & KLCC Park
KLCC
Menara KL Tower
Merdeka Square
Batu Caves
Heli Pad Lounge Bar
SkyBar on Traders Hotel
Visit an Infinity Pool
Botanical Garden
Titiwangsa Lake
Bukit Bintang
Chinatown
Little India
Bangsar
Petronas Twin Towers & KLCC Park
The Petronas Twin Towers are the number one landmark in Kuala Lumpur or even whole Malaysia. Make sure you visit the area by day and night for stunning views.
The surrounding green KLCC park is a nice park to stroll along and get away from the big city feeling. Many locals walk or run around the park to exercise.
kuala lumpur city guide Things to do Kuala Lumpur Malaysia petronas twin towers night
kuala lumpur city guide Things to do Malaysia Kuala Lumpur KLCC park water fountain
KLCC
Kuala Lumpur City Center is the heart of KL. Entertainment, tourist and business district in one place. Sightseeing, shopping, food and business.
kuala lumpur city guide Things to do Kuala Lumpur Malaysia KLCC park twin towers
KL Sentral
KL Sentral is the main transportation hub from Kuala Lumpur. If you are going to the airport, to the Batu Caves or to another area in town, it will go through KL Sentral.
Menara KL Tower
The Menera KL Tower is another iconic building in Kuala Lumpur. It is 421m high! You can go up to the observation deck to have a great view all over the city.
Merdeka Square
Merdeka Square is a square opposite of the Sultan Abdul Samad building. The Union Flag was taken down on this square and the Malaysian flag was raised for the first time at midnight on August 31, 1957. Since then, Merdeka Square has been the usual venue for the annual Merdeka Parade. If you are there by that day, make sure to take place at the parade. It holds one of the tallest flagpoles in the world with almost 100 meters.
Next to the Merdeka Square is the “famous” “I love KL” sign. If you are up to, don’t forget to take that classic tourist picture.
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kuala lumpur city guide Things to do Kuala Lumpur Malaysia i love KL sign
Batu Caves
The Batu Caves are another must visit while being in KL. They are located in Gombak. That’s a distrcit only 25 minutes up north of Kuala Lumpur City Center. The Caves are all limestones and the Batu Caves have a 100-year old temple inside. You will see as well many monkeys around. They are pretty cheeky, so be carefull that they don’t eat/steel your food.
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Heli Pad Lounge Bar
The Heli Pad lounge is my favorite rooftop bar in KL. Their set-up is simple, but super cool! The bar is just made on the top of the roof of the building. As the name says, before it was a Helicopter landing place. You will have a stunning 360 degree view, as everything is open air. They don’t even have railings or anything. So better don’t get too drunk up there.
kuala lumpur city guide Things to do Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Heli Pad Lounge skyline
SkyBar On Traders Hotel
The SkyBar is my second favorite rooftop bar in KL. SkyBar is a fancier cocktail bar inside the Traders Hotel, on the 33rd floor. You can enjoy the city view while sitting at the bar or around the SkyBar pool. Make sure to get dressed-up 😉
Visit An Infinity Pool
Stay one night the the Regalia Flyover apartment building (or know somebody who stays there) to have a breathtaking view over the KL skyline and swimming at the same time in an infinity pool. Unbeatable!
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Botanical Garden
The Botanical Gardens has the largest collection of flower gardens and animal parks in Kuala Lumpur. It’s definitely a good change to be “out in the green” after being all the time in the noisy city.
Titiwangsa Lake
If you have enough time, take the train up north to the Titiwangsa lake to have a break from the bustling city.
Mosques
Visit some of the several Mosques in and around Kuala Lumpur.
kuala lumpur city guide Things to do Kuala Lumpur Malaysia KL Mosque
Neighborhoods To Visit In Kuala Lumpur
Bukit Bintang
Bukit Bintang is the area for shopping, even the prices are not so low as in Chinatown or Little India. To find cheap(er) food go to the Lot 10 Shopping Mall Food Court. It has a huge variety of all kind of Asian food.
Changkat street
Changkat in Bukit Bintang is the street for bars and partying. Havana Bar & Grill is my favorite place to go if you want to dance (in the 2nd floor). Twentyone is a nice bar to have some drinks before dancing.
Jalan Alor
At Jalan Alor you can find cheap food and at night it is a big street food market.
Insider Tip 1
The only place I know to get cheap alcohol is at the “Bottlez Houz”, this little shop is located a little bit hidden at the corner of Jalan Berangan and Jalan Nagasari.
Insider Tip 2
At night you can eat the best chicken wings with great live music outside on the street in front of the 7-eleven! 🙂 It is at the corner of Changkat street and Tengkat Tong Shin.
Chinatown
Go to the Jalan Petaling (Petaling street) for some cheap shopping and great inexpensive Chinese food. You might be overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle, but it’s a must visit. At night it is even more lively and vibrant than during the day.
The Sri Mahamariamman Temple should be next on your list. The temple is one of the oldest Hindu temple in Kuala Lumpur.
kuala lumpur city guide Things to do Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Jalan Petaling chinatown
kuala lumpur city guide Things to do Malaysia Kuala Lumpur little india
Little India
You will find what you expect regarding food, means of course cheap and delicious Indian food. Just WOW, the food you will get for the amount of money is amazing.
Bangsar
If you are up for some more western and upscale bars, head to Bangsar area. I can recommend “The Social” bar at Bangsar.
What To Do In The Suburb Putrajaya
Visit the Putra Mosque
kuala lumpur city guide Things to do Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Putra Mosque
Iron Mosque Putrajaya
kuala lumpur city guide Things to do Kuala Lumpur Malaysia iron mosque putrajaya
Putrajaya Lake & Bridge
Seri Perdana Complex (Prime Minister’s Residence)
What To Do In The Suburb Subang Jaya
Check out the many restaurants and outdoor food courts
Visit the Sunway Pyramid Shopping Mall (Cinema, food courts, Shops)
Eat Pontian Wanton Noodles
Stay at the De UPTOWN Hotel (Subang Jaya SS15 Branch)
Where To Stay In Kuala Lumpur
The most important is that you stay at a Hostel close to a subway station. As you will need it sometimes to travel around in the city.
I recommend to stay in Kula Lumpur at the Bukit Bintang shopping and entertainment area. From there you are close to everything like Changkat, KLCC, Twin Towers and Chinatown.
Transportation In Kuala Lumpur
In Kuala Lumpur I recommend to get a “Touch ‘n GO” top up card. It’s the easiest and cheapest way to get around in Kuala Lumpur with the Metro, Monorail or the Komuter (train).
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Curious about whole Malaysia? My post about the Top 6 things to do in Malaysa – Ultimate Itinerary will give you some useful advice