Best Things To Do In Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is a city of cultural, religious, natural and architectural contrasts. I tell you what are the must-see places and activities in the Malaysian capital.
Best Things To Do In Kuala Lumpur

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    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 Malaysia's wildlife at the National Zoo. You will also have the opportunity to explore the Batu Caves, home to more than 200 years of history and much more.

    1. Explore the city at your own pace on the Kuala Lumpur sightseeing bus

    Kampung Baru| ©zol latiff
    Kampung Baru| ©zol latiff

    Embarking on a sightseeing bus tour of Kuala Lumpur during your stay proves to be a good option to explore the city at your own pace. You will take a scenic ride through the streets of the Malaysian capital, being able to hop off and on at destinations of your interest as many times as you wish.

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

    • Kampung Baru; this is a neighborhood with a history of approximately 100 years. You will see a picturesque atmosphere with traditional wooden houses, some goats and chickens in the streets.
    • The 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-story skyscrapers, built in 1992 in a distinctly post-modern architectural style.

    Once aboard the second 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, whose information will allow you to learn the history of each destination as you pass by.

    Information of interest

    • Price: the price of access to the Kuala Lumpur sightseeing bus with free stops starts at 7€ per person.
    • Duration: the ticket for this bus is valid for 24 or 48 hours, depending on the pass you purchase.

    Buy tickets for the tourist bus

    2. Bird's eye view of Kuala Lumpur from KL Tower

    KL Tower| ©redaleka
    KL Tower| ©redaleka

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

    From the observation decks of this famous communication tower, which rises in the center 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.

    Also, 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 vastness of the Indian Ocean.

    Information of interest

    • Price: the general access to the tower has an approximate value of 8€ per person.
    • Hours: from 9:00 to 22:00 hours (every day).

    Book tickets for the KL Tower

    3. Get a glimpse of marine life at KLCC Aquarium

    KLCC Aquarium| ©Mohd Fazlin Mohd
    KLCC Aquarium| ©Mohd Fazlin Mohd

    If you are a marine life enthusiast and you are in Kuala Lumpur, then you should 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 be amazed in the contact pool, where they will interact with seahorses, bamboo sharks, sea stars, red-bellied piranhas, horseshoe crabs, etc.

    Information of interest

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

    Book tickets for the SplashMania water park

    4. Feel like a kid at the Berjaya Times Square theme park

    Berjaya Times Square| ©Nor Zanariah Zainol Abidin
    Berjaya Times Square| ©Nor Zanariah Zainol Abidin

    A must-see 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 the three floors that make up the park, you will find a great roller coaster Supersonic Odyssey, where you can enjoy a dizzying adventure. There are also virtual arcade games , carnival games, thrill r ides and much more.

    This is definitely an activity that you can incorporate into your itinerary along with :::link|text=the best tours in Kuala Lumpur|element=sc-206-1713:::. 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 stores in this commercial building.

    Information of interest

    • Price: tickets to this attraction have a value of about 19€ per person.
    • Opening hours: Monday to Friday (12:00 to 20:00), Saturday and Sunday (11:00 to 20:00).

    Book tickets for the indoor theme park Berjaya Times Square

    5. Discover the diversity of Malaysia's wildlife at the National Zoo

    National Zoo of Malaysia| ©S.M. Tham
    National Zoo of Malaysia| ©S.M. Tham

    Malaysia is an Asian country characterized 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 will be able to join the streetcar ride through the savannah and freely see giraffes, zebras, sable antelopes, ostriches, white rhinos, among others.

    You will also have access to the panda conservation center, the reptile house, the ape center, aviary, callitrichid center, 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 city holiday, you'll enjoy the shady sea lion show and bird show.

    Information of interest

    • Price: tickets to the National Zoo of Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur cost about 20 euros per person.
    • Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (daily).

    Book tickets for the National Zoo of Malaysia

    6. Taste the gastronomy of Kuala Lumpur in the food stalls of Jalan Alor street.

    Jalan Alor| ©IQRemix
    Jalan Alor| ©IQRemix

    Kuala Lumpur has a great culinary offer, which you should enjoy during your stay. Come to Jalan Alor Street and delight your palate with authentic Malaysian cuisine in the dozens of restaurants and food stalls located there.

    It is a busy street, which you can walk at your own pace as if you were a local and thus embark on a street food tour of Kuala Lumpur. You will find many restaurants with outdoor tables and others with a slightly more intimate atmosphere. You will also see street food stalls where grilled meats and seafood are cooked.

    You can 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.

    Interesting information

    • Price: access to Jalan Alor Street is free.
    • Opening hours: you will find a greater number of restaurants and food stalls open from 18:00 to 23:00 hours.

    Book a street food tour

    7. Take a walk around Kuala Lumpur to learn about its history and culture

    National Mosque of Malaysia| ©ClickSnapShot
    National Mosque of Malaysia| ©ClickSnapShot

    The best way to learn about the history and culture of the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, is to stroll through its streets. You will 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 will see iconic sites such as the following:

    This is an activity that you can do on your own or through one of the :::link|text=guided tours of the city of Kuala Lumpur|element=sc-206-1713:::. 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.

    Book a guided tour of Kuala Lumpur

    8. Enjoy the religious and architectural contrast of Kuala Lumpur at the local mosques

    Jamek Mosque| ©Juan R. Aznar Colino
    Jamek Mosque| ©Juan R. Aznar Colino

    The Malaysian capital offers an interesting religious and architectural contrast, which you can see 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, noted for its impressive structure that combines Islamic, Mughal and Moorish architecture. In it, you will not only enjoy its exotic interior structure, you will also delight your eyes with the natural beauty of the Gombak and Klang rivers, which are located in the surroundings.

    • Price: entrance to the mosque is free.
    • Hours: Saturday to Thursday (10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.). Closed every Friday.

    The 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.
    • Hours: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm (daily). The mosque is closed during the 5 daily prayers, which are governed by the movements of the sun and moon.

    The National Mosque of 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 was devised to represent the 13 states of Malaysia and the 5 fundamental pillars of Islam.

    This visit can be done 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. You will find the mosque closed during daily prayers.

    Book a private tour of Batu Caves and National Mosque

    9. Spend a different day in Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown

    Chinatown| ©Raúl Alejandro Rodríguez
    Chinatown| ©Raúl Alejandro Rodríguez

    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.

    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. You will also find a number of handicraft, fashion and souvenir stores.

    On this Chinatown tour, you will 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 colorful architecture.
    • Kwai Chai Hong Alley, with a series of Chinese tea stores.
    • Lorong Panggung Street, where you will be immersed in an artistic atmosphere, thanks to the street art on the walls of this area.

    10. Experience religious tourism in the Batu Caves

    Inside Batu Caves| ©Dennis Sylvester Hurd
    Inside Batu Caves| ©Dennis Sylvester Hurd

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

    Arriving at the Batu Caves from Kuala Lumpur you will be greeted by a monumental statue of Murugan (about 42 meters 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 representative of the famous epic, Ramayana, among other things.

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

    Information of interest

    • Price: access to the Batu Caves is free.
    • Opening hours: the Batu Caves are open to the public from 6:30 am to 8:30 pm.

    Book a tour of Genting Highlands and the Batu Caves

    11. Climb the Petronas Towers

    Petronas Towers| ©John Mason
    Petronas Towers| ©John Mason

    Another must-see during your stay in the capital of Malaysia is the famous Petronas Towers. Climb this iconic construction erected in 1998, and contemplate the city from the viewpoint of the tallest building in Kuala Lumpur.

    You can access the viewpoint located on the 86th floor and enjoy a 360º view. From there you will identify places such as 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 both towers.

    Information of interest

    • Price: access to the Petronas Towers has an average cost of 37€ per person.
    • Hours: 9:00 am to 9:00 pm (Tuesday to Sunday). Closed on Mondays.

    Book tickets for the Petronas Towers

    12. Go to SplashMania water park in Kuala Lumpur

    Amusement Park| ©AquaVera
    Amusement Park| ©AquaVera

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

    Once you purchase tickets for the 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 descend at full speed on a spiral slide.
    • The Lazy River, through which you will enjoy a quiet boat ride, discovering the whole 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.

    Undoubtedly, this is a must-do activity that you can incorporate in your itinerary along with the best day trips from Kuala Lumpur, the visit to the mosques and gastronomic tours.

    Information of interest

    • Price: the entrance for this water park has an approximate value of 23€ per person.
    • Hours: Thursday to Tuesday (10:00 am to 6:00 pm). Closed on Wednesdays.

    Book tickets for the SplashMania water park

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    The water park offers thrilling slides, playgrounds and pools for all ages, and we had a great time as a family!
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