Best Things To Do in Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia's capital, Kuala Lumpur, is a bustling metropolis, home to natural and cultural sites as well as fascinating architecture. Whether you venture out to explore the city on your own or through a guided activity, you will discover some really interesting destinations.

During your stay in Kuala Lumpur you will discover many things to see and do. You can enjoy a scenic sightseeing bus ride, visit the KLCC Aquarium to discover its more than 150 species and learn about the diversity of Malaysian wildlife at the National Zoo. You'll also have the opportunity to explore the Batu Caves, home to over 200 years of history and much more.

Taking a sightseeing bus tour of Kuala Lumpur during your stay is a great way to explore the city at your own pace. You'll take a scenic ride through the streets of the Malaysian capital, hopping on and off at destinations of interest as often as you wish.

You'll pass by at least 60 of Kuala Lumpur's most iconic landmarks, such as:

• Kampung Baru; this is a neighbourhood with a history of approximately 100 years. You will see a picturesque atmosphere with traditional wooden houses, some goats and chickens in the streets.
• Perdana Botanical Garden, an important natural lung with a large collection of tropical plants.
• The National Palace of Malaysia, a 1931 building that has been converted into a Royal Museum.
• The Petronas Towers, a pair of 88-storey skyscrapers, built in 1992 in a distinctly post-modern architectural style.

Once on board the first floor of the Kuala Lumpur sightseeing bus, with free stops, you will see the city from a different perspective. You will also enjoy an audio guide, which will give you information about the history of each destination as you pass by.

Useful information

• Price: The price of the Kuala Lumpur hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus starts at €7 per person.
• Duration: The ticket for this bus is valid for 24 or 48 hours, depending on the pass you purchase.

Another thing you can do on your 2-day trip to Kuala Lumpur or longer is to get a bird's eye view of the city from the KL Tower observation deck at a height of about 300 metres. You will get a unique perspective of the cityscape and natural landscape of the Malaysian capital.

From the observation decks of this famous communication tower, which rises in the centre of the city, you will appreciate the scenic beauty of Kuala Lumpur. You will be able to see the National Zoo of Malaysia, the picturesque traditional houses of Kampung Baru, the National Mosque of Malaysia, the King's Palace, among others.

Moreover, if you visit the KL Tower in Kuala Lumpur at sunset, you will enjoy a real visual spectacle. You will see how the sun slowly sets, merging into the horizon next to the waters of the Strait of Malacca in the immensity of the Indian Ocean.

Useful information

• Price: general admission to the tower is approximately €8 per person.
• Opening hours: 9am-10pm (daily).

If you are a marine life enthusiast and you are in Kuala Lumpur, then you must incorporate a visit to the KLCC Aquarium into your itinerary. There, you will have the opportunity to discover more than 150 species of animals: sharks, fish, starfish, among others.

With tickets to the KLCC Aquarium in Kuala Lumpur you will have access to the different areas of this enclosure. For example, the living ocean, with bull sharks and sea turtles; the flooded forest, which houses fish from South American countries such as the pirarucu, which inhabits the Amazon River.

Also, if you are in Kuala Lumpur with children, they will have a blast in the touch pool, where they will interact with seahorses, bamboo sharks, starfish, red-bellied piranhas, horseshoe crabs, etc.

Useful information

• Price: The average cost of tickets to the Kuala Lumpur Aquarium is €18 per person.
• Opening hours: daily from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm.

A must-visit entertainment destination in Kuala Lumpur is the indoor amusement park located in the Berjaya Times Square shopping mall. It is a lively place with mechanical entertainment for all ages. You will feel like a kid.

When you enter this park you will have several options for fun. Throughout its three floors, you will find a great roller coaster Supersonic Odyssey, where you can enjoy a vertiginous adventure. There are also virtual arcade games , carnival games, thrill r ides and much more.

This is definitely an activity you can add to your itinerary along with the best Kuala Lumpur tours. After spending a unique and fun-filled time at the indoor theme park Berjaya Times Square in Kuala Lumpur, you can take the opportunity to browse the shops in this commercial building.

Useful information

• Price: Tickets to this attraction cost around €19 per person.
• Opening hours: Monday to Friday (12:00 to 20:00), Saturday and Sunday (11:00 to 20:00).

Malaysia is an Asian country characterised by a rich fauna: elephants, orangutans, tigers and much more. On your visit to the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, you will have the opportunity to see some 450 species up close at the Kuala Lumpur National Zoo.

As you explore this natural park, you will see breathtaking natural landscapes typical of the habitat of the more than 5,000 animals protected in this enclosure. You can join the tram ride through the savannah and freely see giraffes, zebras, sable antelopes, ostriches, white rhinos and more.

You will also have access to the panda conservation centre, the reptile house, the ape centre, aviary, callitrichid centre, the mammal kingdom and much more. And, if you purchase tickets to the National Zoo of Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur to attend on a weekend or public holiday in the city, you'll enjoy the shady sea lion show and bird show.

Information of interest

• Entry fee: Tickets to the National Zoo of Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur cost around €20 per person.
• Opening hours: 9am-5pm (daily).

Kuala Lumpur has plenty of culinary offerings to enjoy during your stay. Head to Jalan Alor Street and indulge your taste buds with authentic Malaysian cuisine at the dozens of restaurants and food stalls along the street.

It is a busy street that you can stroll down at your own pace like a local and embark on a street food tour of Kuala Lumpur. You'll find many restaurants with outdoor seating and others with a more intimate atmosphere. You'll also see street food stalls cooking grilled meats and seafood.

Try Nasi Lemak (coconut rice pudding), siew bao (grilled chicken dumplings), dim sum (dumplings stuffed with meat, fish or vegetables), Teh Tarik (Malay tea). You will also have the opportunity to eat a variety of hand-cut noodles, the famous chicken curry, among other delicacies.

Useful information

• Price: Access to Jalan Alor Street is free.
• Opening hours: You will find more restaurants and food stalls open from 18:00 until 23:00.

The best way to learn about the history and culture of the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, is to stroll through its streets. You'll discover a vibrant and grand metropolis that combines the modern with the traditional: towering skyscrapers coexist with traditional temples, museums and natural spaces.

As you walk through the streets of Kuala Lumpur you'll see iconic landmarks such as the following:

• The National Mosque of Malaysia, a religious symbol of modern architecture.
• The National Museum of Malaysia, with interesting exhibits that will give you an insight into Malaysian history.
• The Petronas Towers, a work of the Argentinian architect César Pelli. This pair of skyscrapers has 88 floors and a pair of observation decks.
• The Sultan Abdul Samad Building, which combines neo-Arabic, Indo-Saracenic and Mughal architecture. You will see its clock tower, which houses a one-tonne bell.

This is an activity you can do on your own or through one of Kuala Lumpur's guided city tours. In fact, if you choose the latter option, i.e. the guided tour of Kuala Lumpur, you will be accompanied by a local person, who will take you directly to each of the destinations, saving you time.

The Malaysian capital offers an interesting religious and architectural contrast, which is evident through the local mosques. During your stay in Kuala Lumpur, visit these impressive sites and immerse yourself in their history.

Jamek Mosque

The Jamek Mosque is considered one of the oldest mosques in the city and is noted for its impressive structure that combines Islamic, Mughal and Moorish architecture. Not only will you enjoy its exotic interior structure, but also the natural beauty of the surrounding Gombak and Klang rivers.

• Price: Entrance to the mosque is free.
• Opening hours: Saturday to Thursday (10am-12.30pm and 12.30pm-4pm). Closed every Friday.

Wilayah Mosque

Another place not to be missed is the Wilayah Mosque, whose design was inspired by the Taj Mahal and the Blue Mosque in Istanbul. It also incorporates Malay details in its arcades. There, you will experience an atmosphere of peace and grandeur.

• Price: admission is free.
• Opening hours: 10:00 to 18:00 (daily). The mosque is closed during the 5 daily prayers, which are governed by the movements of the sun and moon.

The National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur

The Kuala Lumpur National Mosque is a place with a history dating back to the 1960s. There, you will find landscaped areas, an impressive prayer hall and a library. You will also be amazed by the building's dome, whose 18-pointed design is meant to represent the 13 states of Malaysia and the 5 fundamental pillars of Islam.

You can do this tour on your own. However, there are some guided activities that incorporate this destination. Such is the case of the private tour of the Batu Caves and the National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur.

• Price: Admission is free.
• Hours: daily from 9:00 am to 6:30 pm. The mosque is closed during daily prayers.

During your time in Kuala Lumpur you won't have to worry about what to see and do, as there are plenty of destinations to discover. Such is the case of Chinatown in Petaling Street. This is a vibrant place where you can experience cultural diversity. You will have a different and fun day out.

On this self-drive adventure in Chinatown, you can explore the historic Central Market, where you will find a great gastronomic offer: fresh produce and ready-to-eat food. There are also a number of handicraft, fashion and souvenir shops on offer .

On this tour of Chinatown, you'll also stroll through must-see places such as the following:

• Sin Sze Si Ya Temple; this is a Taoist Buddhist temple with picturesque statues and carvings.
• The Sri Mahamariamman Temple, dedicated to the veneration of some Hindu deities. This is a place with ornate and colourful architecture.
• Kwai Chai Hong Alley, with a number of Chinese tea shops.
• Lorong Panggung Street, where you will be immersed in an artistic atmosphere, thanks to the street art on the walls of this area.

A must-visit destination in Kuala Lumpur is the Batu Caves, which house a series of temples dedicated to the god Murugan and other Hindu deities. It is a complex of caves approximately 100 metres high, sculpted by nature itself over more than 200 years.

When you arrive at the Batu Caves from Kuala Lumpur you will be greeted by a monumental statue of Murugan (about 42 metres high). You will then have to climb a staircase of at least 272 steps to access the interior.

During this visit, you will discover a series of chambers where spiders and bats are kept. You will also find a giant sculpture of Kumbhakarna lying down and other sculptures representing the famous epic, Ramayana, among other things.

This religious sightseeing adventure can be undertaken on your own. Also due to the great popularity of this destination you will find several guided activities that incorporate it in their route. For example, the Genting Highlands tour and the Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur, among others.

Useful information

• Price: Access to the Batu Caves is free.
• Opening hours: The Batu Caves are open to the public from 6.30am to 8.30pm.

Another must-see during your stay in the Malaysian capital is the famous Petronas Towers. Climb this iconic building erected in 1998 and see the city from the observation deck of the tallest building in Kuala Lumpur.

You can access the observation deck located on the 86th floor and enjoy a 360º view. From there you can see places like the National Zoo of Malaysia, the KL Tower, the National Mosque of Malaysia, the Kampung Baru area with its picturesque traditional style houses, etc.

In addition, with the tickets for the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur you will have the opportunity to be on the Skybridge, on the 41st and 42nd floor. You will walk on a glass bridge that connects the two towers.

Useful information

• Price: access to the Petronas Towers costs an average of €37 per person.
• Opening hours: 9am-9pm (Tuesday to Sunday). Closed on Mondays.

SplashMania water park is an ideal destination if you're looking to test your adrenaline. You will be able to slide down approximately 29 slides of varying heights, ride a surfboard and slide down artificial waves, among other things.

Once you purchase tickets for Splash Mania water park in Kuala Lumpur you will have around 15 attractions at your disposal, some of them being the following:

• The Twister, where you will speed down a spiral slide.
• The Lazy River, where you can enjoy a leisurely boat ride and discover the entire park.
• The children's area, which offers mini slides and interactive games.
• The Wave Pool; this is a wave beach that will make you feel like you are in the ocean.

Without a doubt, this is a must-do activity that you can incorporate into your itinerary along with the best day trips from Kuala Lumpur, mosque visits and food tours.

Useful information

• Price: entrance fee for this water park is approximately €23 per person.
• Opening hours: Thursday to Tuesday (10am-6pm). Closed on Wednesdays.