12 Things to Do in Kuala Lumpur

The capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, is a lively metropolis that is home to natural and cultural attractions , as well as fascinating architecture. Whether you venture out to explore the city on your own or through a guided activity, you will discover truly interesting destinations.

During your stay in Kuala Lumpur , you will discover many things to see and do. You can enjoy a panoramic tour on the tourist bus, visit the KLCC Aquarium to discover 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, which are home to more than 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 panoramic tour of the streets of the Malaysian capital, stopping at the destinations of your choice as often as you like.

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

• Kampung Baru, a neighbourhood with a history dating back approximately 100 years. You will see a picturesque setting with traditional wooden houses, goats and chickens in the streets.
• The Perdana Botanical Gardens, an important natural oasis with an extensive collection of tropical plants.
• The National Palace of Malaysia, a building from 1931 that has been converted into a royal museum.
• The Petronas Towers, a pair of 88-storey skyscrapers built in 1992 with a striking postmodern architectural style.

Once aboard the second floor of the Kuala Lumpur hop-on hop-off tourist bus, you will see the city from a different perspective. You will also enjoy an audio guide, which will provide you with information about the history of each destination as you pass by.

Useful information

• Price: the price of the hop-on hop-off bus in Kuala Lumpur starts at £6 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 see the city from a bird's eye view from the KL Tower observation deck, some 300 metres above the ground. You'll get a unique perspective of the urban and natural landscape of the Malaysian capital.

From the observation decks of this famous communications tower, which stands in the centre of the city, you'll appreciate the scenic beauty of Kuala Lumpur. You'll 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 other sights.

What's more, if you visit the KL Tower in Kuala Lumpur at sunset, you'll be treated to a real visual spectacle. You'll see the sun slowly set, merging with the horizon and the waters of the Strait of Malacca in the immensity of the Indian Ocean.

Useful information

• Price: general admission to the tower costs approximately £8 per person.
• Opening hours: 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (every day).

If you are a marine life enthusiast and you are in Kuala Lumpur, then you should include a visit to the KLCC Aquarium in 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 venue. For example, the Living Ocean, with bull sharks and sea turtles; the Flooded Forest, which is home to fish from South American countries such as the pirarucu, which inhabits the Amazon River.

What's more, if you're in Kuala Lumpur with children, they'll be amazed by the touch pool, where they can interact with seahorses, bamboo sharks, starfish, red-bellied piranhas, horseshoe crabs, and more.

Useful information

• Price: the average cost of tickets for the Kuala Lumpur Aquarium is £18 per person.
• Opening hours: every day from 10:00 to 20:00.

An unmissable leisure destination in Kuala Lumpur is the indoor amusement park located in the Berjaya Times Square shopping centre. It is a lively place with mechanical entertainment for all ages. You will feel like a kid again.

Upon entering the park, you will have several options for fun. Spread over three floors, you'll find a huge Supersonic Odyssey roller coaster, where you can enjoy a dizzying adventure. There are also virtual arcade games , carnival games, thrillers and much more.

This is definitely an activity you can add to your itinerary along with :::link|text=the best tours of Kuala Lumpur|element=sc-206-1713:::. After spending a unique and fun time at the Berjaya Times Square indoor theme park in Kuala Lumpur, you can take the opportunity to check out the shops in this commercial building.

Useful information

• Price: tickets to this attraction cost around £16 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 known for its rich wildlife, including elephants, orangutans, tigers and much more. During your stay in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, you will have the opportunity to see around 450 species up close at the Kuala Lumpur National Zoo.

As you explore this natural park, you will see impressive natural landscapes that are home to more than 5,000 protected animals. You can join the tram ride through the savannah and see giraffes, zebras, sable antelopes, ostriches, white rhinos and other animals roaming freely around you.

You will also have access to the panda conservation centre, the reptile house, the ape centre, the aviary, the hornbill centre, the mammal kingdom and much more. And if you purchase tickets to the National Zoo in Kuala Lumpur to visit on a weekend or public holiday , you can enjoy the spectacular sea lion and bird shows.

Useful information

• Price: tickets to the National Zoo in Kuala Lumpur cost around £18 per person.
• Opening hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (every day).

Kuala Lumpur has a wide range of culinary delights to enjoy during your stay. Head to Jalan Alor and treat your taste buds to authentic Malaysian cuisine at the dozens of restaurants and food stalls there.

This is a very busy street that you can explore at your own pace, just 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 slightly more intimate atmosphere. You'll also see food stalls in the middle of the street, where meat and seafood are cooked over charcoal.

You can try Nasi Lemak (rice cooked in coconut milk), siew bao (roasted chicken buns), dim sum (dumplings filled with meat, fish or vegetables) and Teh Tarik (Malaysian tea). You will also have the opportunity to eat a variety of hand-cut noodles and the famous chicken curry, among other delicacies.

Useful information

• Price: access to Jalan Alor is free.
• Opening hours: most restaurants and food stalls are open from 6pm to 11pm.

The best way to discover the history and culture of the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, is to take a stroll through its streets. You will discover a vibrant and large metropolis that combines the modern with the traditional: imposing skyscrapers coexist with traditional temples, museums and natural spaces.

As you walk through the streets of Kuala Lumpur, you will see iconic places such as the following:

• The National Mosque of Malaysia, a religious symbol of modern architecture.
• The National Museum of Malaysia, with interesting exhibitions that will allow you to learn about Malaysian history.
• The Petronas Towers, designed by Argentine architect César Pelli. This pair of skyscrapers has 88 floors and two observation decks.
• The Sultan Abdul Samad Building, which combines neo-Arabic, Indo-Saracen and Mughal architecture. You will see its clock tower, which houses a one-ton bell.

This is an activity you can do on your own or through one of the :::link|text=guided tours 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 guide who will take you directly to each of the destinations, saving you time.

The Malaysian capital offers an interesting religious and architectural contrast, which you can see in the local mosques. During your stay in Kuala Lumpur, visit these impressive buildings and delve into their history.

Jamek Mosque

The Jamek Mosque is considered one of the oldest in the city and stands out for its impressive structure, which combines Islamic, Mughal and Moorish architecture. Here, you will not only enjoy its exotic interior, but also feast your eyes on the natural beauty of the Gombak and Klang rivers, which are located nearby.

• Price: admission to the mosque is free.
• Opening hours: Saturday to Thursday (10:00 to 12:30 and 12:30 to 16:00). Closed on Fridays.

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 Malaysian 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 (every day). The mosque is closed during the five daily prayers, which are governed by the movements of the sun and moon.

The National Mosque of Kuala Lumpur

The National Mosque of Kuala Lumpur 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 dome of the building, whose 18-point design was conceived to represent the 13 states of Malaysia and the five pillars of Islam.

You can visit this on your own. However, there are some guided activities that include 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.
• Opening hours: every day from 9:00 to 18:30. The mosque is closed during daily prayers.

Spend a different day in Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown

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

On this self-guided adventure in Chinatown, you can explore the historic central market, where you'll find a wide range of culinary delights: fresh produce and ready-to-eat food. There are also several craft, fashion and souvenir shops.

On this tour of Chinatown, you'll also visit the following must-see places:

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

A must-see 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 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 reach the interior.

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

You can go on this religious tourism adventure on your own. However, due to the great popularity of this destination, you will find several guided activities that include it in their itinerary. For example, the tour of Genting Highlands and the Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur, among others.

Useful information

• Price: Access to the Batu Caves is free.
• Opening hours: Batu Caves are open to the public from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Another place you can't miss during your stay in the Malaysian capital is the famous Petronas Towers. Climb this iconic building, built in 1998, and admire the city from the viewing platform of the tallest building in Kuala Lumpur.

You can access the viewing platform on the 86th floor and enjoy a 360º view. From there, you can see places such as the National Zoo of Malaysia, the KL Tower, the National Mosque of Malaysia, the Kampung Baru area with its picturesque traditional houses, and more.

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

Useful information

• Price: admission to the Petronas Towers costs an average of £37 per person.
• Opening hours: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (Tuesday to Sunday). Closed on Mondays.

SplashMania Water Park is the ideal destination if you're looking to get your adrenaline pumping. You can slide down approximately 29 slides of different heights, climb onto a surfboard and slide down artificial waves, among other things.

Once you have purchased your tickets for the Splash Mania water park in Kuala Lumpur, you will have around 15 attractions at your disposal, including the following:

• The Twister, where you will descend at full speed on a spiral slide.
• The Lazy River, where you can enjoy a peaceful boat ride and discover the whole park.
• The children's area, which offers mini slides and interactive games.
• The Wave Pool, a wave beach that will make you feel like you're in the ocean.

This is definitely an unmissable activity that you can add to your itinerary along with the best day trips from Kuala Lumpur, visits to mosques and food tours.

Useful information

• Price: admission to this water park costs approximately £20 per person.
• Opening hours: Thursday to Tuesday (10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.). Closed on Wednesdays.