14 Things To Do In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia In 2024
Looking for the best things in Kuala Lumpur in 2024?
Malaysia’s capital city is a fabulous mix of beautiful architecture, world-class shopping and international cuisine. The city was one of our first stops when we travelled through Southeast Asia and we even had the pleasure of spending New Year’s there.
I feel that Kuala Lumpur is definitely an underrated city. Some may even call it boring, with only skyscrapers and shopping as the highlights. Yes, some of the most impressive sights in KL are its beautiful tall buildings and huge shopping malls. Yet there are also religious caves & temples, historic towns and incredible cuisine to be found in the Malaysian capital.
Kuala Lumpur is sometimes called the world’s melting pot. When you see Malays, Chinese and Indians all living in this huge city it’s easy to see why. The city’s unique atmosphere really cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
With so much to see and do in KL, it’s not easy to know where to start. That’s why I’ve put together this list of the best things to do to help you get the most out of your visit. I’ll answer some FAQs at the end too so you guys are fully covered!
Things To Do In Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur may have some impressive buildings and shopping malls but due to its diverse melting pot of cultures, you’ll find plenty of culture and history too.
From religious caves and temples to mega shopping malls, here are the best things to do in Kuala Lumpur in no particular order.
1. Visit the Batu Caves
The Batu Caves are one of the best things to do in Kuala Lumpur. It was certainly our favourite attraction while we were there!
The caves themselves are inside hills of limestone and are said to be over 400 million years old. Once you’ve climbed the colourful stairs you’ll be the entrance to a 100-year-old Hindu temple.
Located just on the outskirts of KL, the caves are easily reached by train. There’s even a Batu Caves Station.
Even though this is a cave, you should still dress as if you’re visiting a religious site. That means no bare shoulders or knees. Also, be aware of the wild monkeys (they generally leave you alone) and watch out for bat droppings!
2. See The Petronas Twin Towers
These iconic twin towers are the most instantly recognisable landmark in Kuala Lumpur. They were the tallest towers between 1998 and 2004 and are still the tallest twin towers to this date.
A visit to these towers is a must in KL. Not only can you catch a glimpse of one of the most famous buildings in the world but you can also shop in the high fashion stores of the Suria KLCC and relax in the surrounding KLCC Park.
The Petronas Towers experience offers visitors views from the sky bridge that connects the two buildings as well as the observation deck on level 86.
The towers are beautifully lit up at night so make sure you stop by when the sun goes down!
3. Explore the sights and Sounds Of Chinatown
The best place to stay for budget travellers, Chinatown a full of cheap street food and reasonably priced accommodation.
Like many Chinatowns around the world, there are numerous temples, markets and street food stalls. And no visit is complete without a stroll through Petaling Street.
Make sure you check out the Sri Mahamariamman Temple, the oldest Hindu temple in KL. Even though the temple is of Indian origin, it is located on the edge of Chinatown.
4. Go Shopping At Suria KLCC Mall
If shopping is your thing then the Suria KLCC will surely satisfy even the most hardcore shopaholics among you.
The Suria KLCC, located at the foot of the Petronas Towers, is the largest shopping mall in KL, and supposedly Malaysia! It offers around 300 stores on its 6 levels.
All the high-end fashion labels are here, from Louis Vuitton to Gucci. If you don’t have the hundreds, or thousands, of dollars to spare it’s ok just to browse, like we did.
5. Take A Walk Around KLCC Park
Just outside the mall is the KLCC Park. The fifty-acre green space with nearly two thousand trees and a huge lake makes the park one of the best free things to do in Kuala Lumpur.
It’s a great place to have a peaceful walk and the park has many footpaths, benches, sculptures, water fountains and even a 1.3km jogging track.
6. Experience The nightlife At Bukit Bintang
The place to go for late-night shopping and entertainment. Bukit Bintang is famous for its lively nightlife and is filled with bars and nightclubs. It’s the only place to be if you’re after a late-night party.
There are also numerous shops and eateries located in Bukit Lawang (including Jalan Alor) and, like most of KL, is well connected by public transport.
7. Sample The Street Food At Jalan Alor
This is surely one of the top things to do in KL.
Southeast Asia is famous for its street food and Kuala Lumpur doesn’t disappoint. At Jalan Alor, the food vendors start welcoming visitors at 5 pm and the whole street turns into a food haven for locals and tourists.
This street was once the light district but now Jalan Alor is the most famous street food location in KL. There’s a huge range of Asian cuisine available from Malay to Thai including lots of delicious desserts and fruit.
8. Haggle For Bargains At Petaling Street
At the core of Chinatown is Petaling Street with its bustling market of hawkers and food stalls. It’s so easy to get lost between the rows of t-shirts, mobile phone accessories, pirated DVDs and grilled snacks.
You’ll find everything here from Ray Ban sunglasses to North Face jackets. It’s the perfect place to practise your haggling skills for those genuine fakes!
9. Visit The Top Of The KL Tower
Standing at a height of 421m, the KL Tower is the tallest building in Southeast Asia.
It’s so easy to spend a whole day at the tower with its mini zoo, aquarium, 360° restaurant, cinema and F1 simulator. It’s a fun day out for the whole family.
Visitors can take in the 360° views of the city by taking the lift to the observation deck, at the top of the tower, in just 54 seconds!
There is even an annual BASE jump event for the really adventurous!
10. Get Cultured At Merdeka Square
A must-see in Kuala Lumpur, Merdeka Square was where the Union Jack flag once stood. That was until 31st August 1957 when the Malaysian flag (one of the tallest flagpoles in the world) was raised for the first time.
The square is surrounded by historic buildings and is the perfect place to immerse yourself into Malaysian culture. These include the National History Museum, Royal Selangor Club and St. Mary’s Cathedral.
Originally housing the British colonial administration, the beautifully designed Sultan Abdul Samad Building is probably the most recognisable of all the buildings in the square.
Today the Ministry of Communications & Multimedia and the Ministry of Tourism & Culture of Malaysia offices are located in the building so visitors can only enter certain parts of the building.
11. Take A Walk At KL Forest Eco Park
Located just next to the KL Tower, the KL Forest Eco Park is a small piece of ancient forest right in the middle of the city.
The highlight of the eco-park is the 200-metre-high canopy walk above the park. Not only will you have great views of the rainforest below and the KL skyline above but you may encounter a cheeky monkey too!
If you prefer lush forests rather than tall skyscrapers you may be interested to read more about the Cameron Highlands. An old hill station that’s become famous for its tea plantations and boasting a cooler, more refreshing climate.
12. Relax On A Rooftop Pool
KL is one of the few places where you can relax in a rooftop infinity pool without blowing your travel budget. This is surely one of the top things to do in Kuala Lumpur.
There are many hotel pools that offer stunning views across the city. You don’t necessarily need to be a guest there either!
The Upper View Regalia Suites have many rooms on Booking.com and AirBnb. We managed to bag ourselves a hotel room with pool access for less than $40 a night! During New Year’s Eve too.
13. Relax At Perdana Botanical Garden
If you need a breather from the city then this 220-acre green space offers a welcome escape from the KL crowds and traffic.
The gardens were formerly known as Perdana Lake Gardens and are still often referred to as Lake Gardens. You’ll often see locals practising Tai Chi in the mornings next to the lake while the afternoon brings in picnicking families and couples.
There are a variety of sculptures around the park as well as rest points for you to just sit and relax while enjoying the peace and quiet around you.
You can also visit the specially enclosed deer park and hibiscus (Malaysia’s national flower) garden while you’re there.
14. Visit The Old Mosque in Kuala Lumpur – Jamek Mosque
Officially named the Sultan Abdul Samad Jamek Mosque, this place of worship is one of the oldest mosques in Kuala Lumpur.
The mosque was built in 1907 by a British architect and there is an Islamic Experience Centre next door making this a great place to learn about Islamic culture.
Wrapping Up: Things To Do In Kuala Lumpur
Although KL is often said to be an underrated city, we really enjoyed our time there.
It’s true that KL doesn’t have the reputation of Singapore or even Bangkok, but that doesn’t make this city any less interesting. We ended up spending New Year’s Eve in Kuala Lumpur and the people really know how to enjoy themselves!
There are so many places to visit in Kuala Lumpur that I would recommend you spend at least a few days exploring the city. I hope that, after reading this list of things to do, you’ll think of Kuala Lumpur as more than just a stopover.
