Best Tours of Kuala Lumpur

There are many things to see and do in Kuala Lumpur, one of the most important cities in Malaysia, where Chinese, Indian and Malay cultures converge. The tours you can do in the city are presented as a chance to delve into its culture, art, history and architecture, which will certainly 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, in the various tours you can do in the city. There are also music and light shows and gastronomic tours, which will undoubtedly add new experiences to your stay in Kuala Lumpur.

A tour of the main attractions of the city can not miss on your visit to the Malaysian capital, especially if your stay will be a few days. These guided tours can be half-day, and usually include transportation and pick-up from your hotel. They are ideal for people of all ages and can be done every day of the year. In addition, you are usually accompanied by a local guide who will give you a lot of information about the sites you visit.

Some of the must-see sites you will see on these tours are the Petronas Towers and the KL Tower, which offer panoramic views from 300 meters high and more. The best city tours in Kuala Lumpur include the entrance fees to these towers, but it is also possible that they are not included, or that only the entrance fee to one of them is included.

Other places of interest that you usually visit are Chinatown, the Chinese quarter, and Little India, the Hindu quarter, where besides seeing colorful stores and street food stalls, you can also see ancient temples such as the Sri Mahamariamman (Hindu) and the Guan-Di (Chinese). You may also have the opportunity to visit the Bukit Bintang neighborhood, which is noted for its incredible 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 of the most visited sites, as well as the River of Life, where the Klang and Gombak rivers converge and at night one of the best light shows in the city takes place.

Details of interest

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

If you prefer to get to know the city at your own pace, a very convenient alternative is to tour the city aboard 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 have stops at the main attractions of the city.

Usually, you can hire these buses for 24 or 48 hours, even more, if you will spend more time in the city. They are buses that you can hop on and off as many times as you wish. For example, you can go to the Petronas Towers, go up to the bridge that joins both towers, enjoy the panoramic view from its 86th floor, and then get off and take another bus to go to the next attraction.

In 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 you can visit by tourist bus

• The Petronas Towers, 452 meters high. They are a must-see both during the day and at night.
• The KL Tower, 421 meters, 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 neighborhood noted for its street art.
• Chinatown, the Chinese quarter, where the Guan-Di (Chinese) and the Hindu Sri Mahamariamman (Hindu) temples are located, both with free admission.
• Little India, the Hindu quarter, where there are many bazaars, street food stalls and colorful stores.

Details of interest

• Duration: you can hire sightseeing bus passes for 24 or 48 hours, or more.
• Price: from 16 € for adults and about 8 € for children over 5 years. Children under 5 years old travel for free.
• Means of transport: by tourist bus with panoramic view.
• Advantages of this option: you can visit at your own pace the attractions that interest you most in Kuala Lumpur.
• Disadvantages of this option: the buses may be a little more delayed at peak hours.

One of the most interesting ways to get to know the city of Kuala Lumpur is to try the foods that make it unique, especially those sold at street stalls. That is why it is recommended that you sign up for 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 are tours that usually last about 2-3 hours and take place at dusk or in the evening. They usually include tastings of typical Malaysian foods, both sweet and savory and sweet and sour, as well as drinks and infusions, such as the traditional Malaysian tea Teh Tarik, made with condensed milk and sugar.

One of the places where they usually take you to taste typical foods is Jalan Alor, a lively street full of street food stalls and restaurants, located in the commercial district of Bukit Bintang. There you can try the country's most delicious dishes, such as satay, a skewer 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 know 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 your stay in Kuala Lumpur will be for a few days, you can take the opportunity to join one of the guided tours that show you the most important attractions of the city along with the Batu Caves, a complex of Hindu temples and shrines that are located on a hill about 13 km 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 representative sites of the city such as the Central Market, where there are many stores and street food stalls, and the National Mosque of Malaysia or Masjid Negara, which combines Arabic, Malay and modern architecture. They also usually take you to Chinatown, the Chinese quarter, with its lively Petaling Street full of stores and street food stalls.

But undoubtedly the pearl of this tour are the Batu Caves, which are presided over by the imposing golden statue of the god Murugan, 43 meters high. There a staircase of about 272 colorful steps takes you to the limestone caves, which are three: the Cathedral Cave, Ramayana Cave and Cave Villa. It is a place of great beauty, where natural amphitheaters combine with spirituality.

Many of these tours usually include lunch, though not all, and shuttle service to and from your hotel. This is undoubtedly one of the best ways to get to the Batu Caves, because you are accompanied by an expert guide who provides valuable information about the city and the caves. Please note that to enter the temples there are dress rules, such as no shorts or short skirts.

Details of interest

• 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 the main attractions of Kuala Lumpur and the Batu Caves, a complex of temples located on a hill and in limestone caves.
• Disadvantages of this option: you need to be in average physical condition to be able to climb the stairs leading to the caves.

One of the best city tours of Kuala Lumpur that you can do is the one that takes you to visit the most emblematic places of the city at night, when the illumination becomes the protagonist. In addition to the modern buildings and ancient temples illuminated, you can enjoy shows that combine lights and music outdoors.

To explore the city at night, you can get on a tour bus with open roof, where you can better admire the skyline of the city. With these tours you can admire the unique illumination of the city's landmarks such as the Petronas Towers, KL Tower, National Palace, Palace of Culture and KL Sentral Train 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.

Undoubtedly, the stars of these tours are the light shows that take place in 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: about 2 hours.
• Price: from 16 € for adults and about 8 € for children over 5 years. 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 can admire the skyline of Kuala Lumpur at night and the unique lighting of its main attractions.
• Disadvantages of this option: the entrance to the Petronas Towers or the KL Tower may not be included in the tour.

Although it is not a tour, a visit to the KL Tower, one of the icons of the city, is an experience not to be missed, as it offers panoramic views from about 300 meters high. In the building, which is dedicated to broadcasting and telecommunications, you will also find shopping malls, restaurants, a revolving bar and spaces where concerts, parties, shows and other events are held.

On its roofed observation deck, you can admire the city from a height of 275 meters, or go up a few more meters to Sky Deck, an open-air terrace, or Sky Box, a kind of suspended cube with a floor and glass walls, located at 300 meters above sea level. Another option is Tower Walk 100, an ideal walk 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-meter-high revolving bar for traditional Malaysian dishes and admire its unique 360-degree view of the city. And if you're visiting Kuala Lumpur with children, you'll find plenty of entertainment options for them, including an aquarium and XD cinema, and the Upside Down House, a fully inverted house at the base of the Tower.

Details of interest

• Duration: about 2 hours.
• Price: from 11 € for adults and about 7 € for children under 12. Children under 4 years old do not pay admission. Packages to access all the viewpoints cost about 35 € per person.
• Transportation: not included.
• Advantages of this option: You will be able to admire Kuala Lumpur from an exclusive observation platform located almost 300 meters high, 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 go up to 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 to see the main attractions of the city, with admission to the Petronas Towers included.

These tours are usually conducted in small groups of people, accompanied by a local expert 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 emblematic neighborhoods 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 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 main attractions of the city, and operate both day and night.

The Petronas Towers, with its 452 meters and 88 floors, are among 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 meters above sea level. Before descending, you can visit the exhibits with information about the towers located 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 can visit 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, its cost is higher.

Another option to go to the Batu Caves is to sign up for an excursion that includes a tour of Genting Highlands, a resort located on a jungle hill at 1740 meters above sea level. This tour includes several entertainment options, as the resort has a theme park, casino, cinema, stores and even a skydiving simulator.

During the tour, you will immerse yourself in the Titiwangsa Mountains, Malaysia's main mountain range. Then, when you ride up to the top of the hill in the resort's cable car, you will 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 in Malaysia and the colorful staircase of 272 steps that leads 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 many things 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. Without a doubt, this tour is ideal if you are looking for an option that combines fun, scenery, temples and local culture.

Details of interest

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