Best Tours of Kuala Lumpur

There are many things to see and do in Kuala Lumpur, one of Malaysia's most important cities, where Chinese, Indian and Malay cultures converge. The tours you can take in the city are a chance to delve into its culture, art, history and architecture, which will undoubtedly enrich your stay in the city.

In the Malaysian capital you can admire the contrast between the modern Petronas Towers or the KL Tower and the ancient temples, such as the Masjid Jamek Sultan Abdul Samad Mosque or the Hindu temple Sri Mahamariamman, on the various tours you can take in the city. There are also plenty of music and light shows and food tours, which are sure to add a new experience to your stay in Kuala Lumpur.

A tour of the city's main attractions is a must during your visit to the Malaysian capital, especially if you are only staying for a few days. These guided tours can be half-day tours, and usually include transport and pick-up from your hotel. They are ideal for people of all ages and can be taken every day of the year. In addition, you are usually accompanied by a local guide who will provide you with a wealth of information about the sites you visit.

Some of the must-see sites you will see on these tours include the Petronas Towers and the KL Tower, which offer panoramic views from 300 metres up and more. The best Kuala Lumpur city tours include entrance fees to these towers, but they may not be included, or may only include entrance to one of them.

Other popular attractions include Chinatown, the Chinese quarter, and Little India, the Hindu quarter, where in addition to colourful shops and street food stalls, you'll also see ancient temples such as the Sri Mahamariamman (Hindu) and Guan-Di (Chinese) temples. You may also have the opportunity to visit the Bukit Bintang neighbourhood, which is noted for its amazing street art.

There is also no shortage of historically significant sites, such as Merdeka Square, also known as Independence Square, or the National Palace, which was the residence of Yang di-Pertuan Agong. The Masjid Jamek Sultan Abdul Samad Mosque is another popular site, as is the River of Life, where the Klang and Gombak rivers meet and where one of the city's best light shows takes place at night.

Interesting details

• Price: from 30 € per person.
• Duration: about 4 hours.
• Means of transport: air-conditioned vehicle.
• Advantages of this option: in addition to the view from the Petronas Towers, you will see the must-see attractions of the city, as well as its most emblematic neighbourhoods, historic squares and ancient temples.
• Disadvantages of this option: entrance to the attractions may not be included in the price of the tour.

If you prefer to explore the city at your own pace, a convenient alternative is to travel around the city on board one of the Kuala Lumpur sightseeing buses and visit the attractions that interest you most. These buses operate every day of the year, both day and night, and stop at the city's main attractions.

You can usually hire these buses for 24 or 48 hours, or even longer if you'll be in the city for longer. You can hop on and off the buses as often as you like. For example, you can go to the Petronas Towers, go up to the bridge that connects the two towers, enjoy the panoramic view from the 86th floor, and then get off and take another bus to go to the next attraction.

On most of these buses, you can listen to an audio guide that tells you about the sites the bus passes through, and provides you with a lot of historical and cultural information. They also usually have a panoramic view of the city, so you can better enjoy the ride.

What attractions can you visit on a tourist bus?

• The Petronas Towers, 452 metres high. They are a must-see both during the day and at night.
• The KL Tower, 421 metres high, which also offers panoramic views of the city and the Petronas Towers.
• KLCC Park, a green space located near the Petronas Towers.
• Merdeka Square, a historic square also known as Independence Square.
• Masjid Jamek Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in the city, with free admission.
• Bukit Bintang, a neighbourhood noted for its street art.
• Chinatown, the Chinese quarter, where the Guan-Di (Chinese) and Sri Mahamariamman (Hindu) temples are located, both free of charge.
• Little India, the Hindu quarter, where there are many bazaars, street food stalls and colourful shops.

Interesting details

• Duration: You can book sightseeing bus passes for 24 or 48 hours or more.
• Price: from €16 for adults and about €8 for children over 5. Children under 5 years old travel for free.
• Means of transport: by tourist bus with panoramic view.
• Advantages of this option: You can explore Kuala Lumpur's most popular attractions at your own pace.
• Disadvantages of this option: Buses may be slightly longer at peak times.

One of the most interesting ways to experience the city of Kuala Lumpur is to sample the foods that make it unique, especially those sold at street stalls. That's why it's recommended that you take a guided food tour of the city and learn all the culinary secrets from an expert guide, who can also teach you about the history and culture of the Malaysian capital.

These tours usually last 2-3 hours and take place in the evening or at night. They usually include tastings of typical Malaysian foods, both sweet, savoury and sweet and sour, as well as drinks and herbal teas, such as the traditional Malaysian tea Teh Tarik, made with condensed milk and sugar.

One of the most popular places to go for local food is Jalan Alor, a bustling street lined with street food stalls and restaurants in the Bukit Bintang shopping district. Here you can try some of the country's most delicious dishes, such as satay, a skewered dish with peanut sauce, or hokkien mee, fried noodles served with seafood or fish.

Interesting details

• Duration: about 2 to 3 hours.
• Price: from €85 per person.
• Means of transport: by car and on foot.
• Advantages of this option: You will get to see the main sites of the city to enjoy typical food, as well as learn about the history and culture of Kuala Lumpur.
• Disadvantages of this option: Tastings may or may not be included in the tour price.

If you're only in Kuala Lumpur for a few days, you can join one of the guided tours that show you the city's most important attractions along with the Batu Caves, a complex of Hindu temples and shrines that are located on a hill about 13km from the city. Visiting these caves is one of the best tours you can do from Kuala Lumpur.

This type of tour usually takes you to some of the city's landmarks such as the Central Market, where there are many shops and street food stalls, and the Malaysian National Mosque or Masjid Negara, which combines Arabic, Malay and modern architecture. They also usually take you to Chinatown with its bustling Petaling Street full of shops and street food stalls.

But the pearl of this tour is undoubtedly the Batu Caves, which are dominated by the imposing 43-metre-high golden statue of the god Murugan. There a staircase of some 272 colourful steps takes you to the limestone caves, of which there are three: Cathedral Cave, Ramayana Cave and Cave Villa. It is a place of great beauty, where natural amphitheatres combine with spirituality.

Many, but not all, of these tours include lunch and a transfer service to and from your hotel. This is definitely one of the best ways to get to the Batu Caves, as you will be accompanied by an expert guide who will give you valuable information about the town and the caves. Please note that there are dress code rules for entering the temples, such as no shorts or short skirts.

Interesting details

• Duration: about 4 hours.
• Price: from €60 per person.
• Means of transport: by air-conditioned vehicle.
• Advantages of this option: You will see some of Kuala Lumpur's main attractions and the Batu Caves, a complex of temples set on a hill in limestone caves.
• Disadvantages of this option: You need to be in average physical condition to be able to climb the stairs to the caves.

One of the best city tours of Kuala Lumpur is the one that takes you around the city's most iconic sites at night, when the illumination takes centre stage. As well as the modern buildings and ancient temples lit up, you can enjoy shows that combine lights and music in the open air.

To explore the city at night, you can hop on an open-top tour bus, where you can admire the city's skyline. With these tours you can admire the unique illumination of city landmarks such as the Petronas Towers, KL Tower, National Palace, Palace of Culture and KL Sentral Railway Station. You are usually accompanied by a local guide who will show you the most representative sites and give you information about each of them.

The highlights of these tours are undoubtedly the light shows at River of Life and Lake Symphony, where lights and music create memorable atmospheres in the Malaysian capital. River of Life is the confluence of two rivers whose waters are illuminated at night, framing the Masjid Sultan Abdul Samad Mosque, while Symphony Lake consists of two fountains that display a show of water, music and lights.

Details of interest

• Duration: approximately 2 hours.
• Price: from €16 for adults and about €8 for children over 5 years old. Children under 5 years old travel for free.
• Means of transport: by tourist bus with panoramic view or private minibus.
• Advantages of this option: You will be able to admire the Kuala Lumpur skyline at night and the unique lighting of the main attractions.
• Disadvantages of this option: Admission to the Petronas Towers or KL Tower may not be included in the tour.

Although not really a tour, a visit to the KL Tower, one of the city's iconic landmarks, is an experience not to be missed, offering panoramic views from a height of 300 metres. In the building, which is dedicated to broadcasting and telecommunications, you will also find shopping malls, restaurants, a revolving bar and spaces where recitals, parties, shows and other events are held.

On its roofed observation deck, you can admire the city from a height of 275 metres, or go up a few more metres to Sky Deck, an open-air terrace, or Sky Box, a kind of suspended cube with a floor and glass walls, located at a height of 300 metres. Another option is Tower Walk 100, an ideal hike for those who are not afraid of heights. If you're interested in accessing all the observation decks, you can buy discounted ticket packages, but be sure to book them in advance.

After enjoying the view, you can have lunch or dinner at the 275-metre-high revolving bar, where you can admire the unique 360-degree view of the city. And if you're visiting Kuala Lumpur with kids, you'll find plenty of entertainment options for them, including an aquarium and XD cinema, and the Upside Down House, a completely upside down house at the base of the Tower.

Interesting details

• Duration: about 2 hours.
• Price: from €11 for adults and about €7 for children under 12. Children under the age of 4 are free of charge. Packages for access to all the viewpoints cost about €35 per person.
• Means of transport: not included.
• Pros of this option: You can admire Kuala Lumpur from a unique observation deck located almost 300 metres above sea level, and add other experiences such as Sky Deck, Sky Box and Tower Walk 100.
• Disadvantages of this option: You can be at the top of the KL Tower for about 20 minutes. The ticket price does not include the transfer to the Tower.

Without a doubt, your tour won't be complete if you don't climb the Petronas Towers, the two identical buildings that are connected by a bridge and are one of the most photographed icons of the city. That's why a great option is to join a guided tour of the city's main attractions, including admission to the Petronas Towers.

These tours are usually conducted in small groups of people, accompanied by an expert local guide who provides interesting information about the attractions you visit, such as the Palace of Culture, Merdeka Square, the National Mosque, the KL Tower and the iconic neighbourhoods of Chinatown and Little India. You also usually visit temples such as Sri Mahamariamman and Guan-Di.

These are half-day tours, which can be taken every day of the year except for some public holidays and Mondays, when the towers are not open to the public. If you want to go on your own, you can reach the towers comfortably on the Kuala Lumpur sightseeing buses, which also take you to the city's main attractions, and operate both day and night.

The Petronas Towers, at 452 metres and 88 floors, are one of the tallest in the world. There you can walk across the SkyBridge, the bridge that connects the two towers, and then go to the observation deck on the 86th floor at 370 metres above sea level. Before you go down, you can visit the tower information exhibits on the 41st floor.

Details of interest

• Duration: between 4 and 6 hours.
• Price: from €100 per person. The price varies according to the number of people joining the private tour.
• Means of transport: air-conditioned vehicle.
• Advantages of this option: You will be able to see the main attractions of Kuala Lumpur and climb the iconic Petronas Towers. Transfers and guide service are usually included.
• Disadvantages of this option: It does not usually include lunch and/or snacks. As it is a private tour, the cost is higher.

Another option for a trip to the Batu Caves is to join an excursion that includes a tour of Genting Highlands, a resort located on a jungle hill at an altitude of 1740 metres. This tour includes several entertainment options, as the resort has a theme park, casino, cinema, shops and even a skydiving simulator.

During the tour, you'll be immersed in the Titiwangsa Mountains, Malaysia's premier mountain range. Then, when you ride up to the top of the hill in the resort's cable car, you'll discover the great panoramic view of the jungle mountains.

This tour of Genting Highlands is usually combined with a visit to the Batu Caves, a natural limestone cave where temples are located. There you will see the golden statue of the god Murugan, one of the most important statues in Malaysia, and the colourful 272-step staircase leading to one of the caves. Please note that shorts or short skirts cannot be worn to enter the temples.

Throughout the tour you will be accompanied by alocal guide who will be able to tell you a lot about the sites you visit. Most of these tours include transfer to and from your hotel in Kuala Lumpur, and are full day tours. Many may include lunch, or you can choose a local dish at the resort. This tour is ideal if you are looking for an option that combines fun, scenery, temples and local culture.

Details of interest

• Duration: around 10 hours.
• Price: from €80 per person.
• Means of transport: air-conditioned vehicle.
• Advantages of this option: you will get to see the Batu Caves and the Genting Highlands Resort, which offers many fun options, with transfer included and a local guide.
• Disadvantages of this option: Many tours do not include lunch and/or drinks.