Being the largest and the biggest city in Malaysia, there are certainly a lot of activities to do in Kuala Lumpur. Uncover the Best Guide: Top 30 Things To Do In Kuala Lumpur with us, your favourite foodie! ☺️
Top 30 Things To Do In Kuala Lumpur
Don’t know what to do in Kuala Lumpur? Don’t worry! Read today’s blog now!
1. Visit the Petronas Twin Towers
Petronas Twin Towers was designed by an Argentinian architect, Cesar Pelli. The building was once the tallest building in the world from 1998 until 2004. When you are in Kuala Lumpur, it is certainly a must-see! There are many activities to do around the two corn-shaped building!
You can go shopping at Suria KLCC. There are so many wonderful stores to be discovered. Personally, we love Kinokuniya, a Japanese bookstore chain. The two storey bookstore has an extensive collection of all genres. Super fun! Apart from that, there’s child-friendly activities like Aquaria KLCC and Petrosains, The Discovery Centre.
Take a stroll at KLCC Park! KLCC Park is 50 acre garden with Lake Symphony being the star. The lake has water fountains that can shoot up to 42 meters in height. Another great place to visit is their Observation Deck and Skybridge of Petronas Twin Towers. That is, if you’re not afraid heights.
Google Map | ⏰ Opens daily, 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Website | ?03 2331 8080
2. Feast at Jalan Alor
Fam bam, have you heard of the famous Jalan Alor before? It’s located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, there’s a variety of food and it’s forever crowded, we love it! There’s a mixture of street food, coffee shop, and restaurant. Let’s have a quick breakdown of what you can have there!
Do you like barbecue chicken wings? You have to taste them at Wong Ah Wah Chicken Wings, they will not disappoint you. How about some grilled stingray? You can try them at Restaurant Sai Woo. Up for some curry noodles? Taste them at Alor Corner Curry Noodle!
Apart from coffee shops, there are many street food around. You can have a fun street food hopping here! Pick up some colourful dim sum, choose your lok-lok, and there’s even fried durian! We can’t think of a better way to spend the night in Kuala Lumpur.
3. Explore Central Market
History time! In the year 1888, a person by the name of Yap Ah Loy, built the area as a wet market. Approximately 100 years later, the wet market was relocated but the Malaysian Heritage Society managed to petition against the demolition. Not long later, the building went through a facelift and became the hub of culture, arts and handicrafts.
That’s like a short history the place. You can read more about it here! So, what will you find at Central Market? Some common things you can find are shopping and dining. You can find toys, souvenir, batik, antiques, and many more! Taste Malaysia local delicacies such as ais kacang, putu bamboo, and muar chee!
Here comes the fun part! Central Market offers Kuala Lumpur Must Visit Trail Card. It allows you to collect fun stamps while you explore Kuala Lumpur. Fancy to make your own batik print? You can participate in DIY Batik Art Workhop by Ainna Artwork. Do you want to know more about your future? Try Master Chin Palm Reading at Lorong Cina.
Google Map | ⏰ Opens daily, 10:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Website | ?1-300-22-8688
4. See Animals At National Zoo
With a total of over 5137 specimens from 476 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish, you know you have to stop by Zoo Negara! Although it is only 5 kilometers away from the city of Kuala Lumpur, the place is huge with 110 acres of land. The zoo has an open concept with more than 90% animals kept in spacious exhibits.
There are so many exhibits to discover. Let’s break it down! You will see cute pandas at Giant Panda Conservation Centre. Adorable! See seven out of ten hornbills you can find in Malaysia at the zoo. Did you know that they have a strange nesting behaviour? Apart from that, you can look forward to penguins, bears, and hippopotamuses!
Aren’t Facebook videos of animals eating really adorable? See it real life and not on screen during feeding time at Zoo Negara at Children’s World and Javan Deer. Be amazed by sea lions and macaws (that’s a type of bird) as they performed right in front your eyes! Fun for the whole family!
Google Map | ⏰ Opens daily, Weekdays, 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Weekends, 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Website | ? 03 4108 3422
5. Learn About Malaysia at National Museum
Literally, history time! Did you know? The first museum in Malaysia is located in Perak and it was established in the year of 1883? Just five years before Central Market was built as a wet market. These are some of the facts you will find out in Malaysia’s National Museum! The building that you will be heading to was built in the year 1962!
The building itself has a character that resembles a traditional Malay palace and the design was chosen by the first prime minister of Malaysia. There are 26 columns in total that has been modified to retain traditional Malay palace aesthetic.
In Muzium Negara, it is separated into indoor and outdoor exhibitions. In the indoors, it is broken down into a few galleries, Pre History, Malay Kingdoms, Colonial Era, and Malaysia Today. The outdoor exhibition showcases some of the transportation that was used in the yesteryear.
Google Map | ⏰ Opens daily, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Website | ? 03 2267 1111
6. Go Ice Skating
Take a break from learning everything you need to know about Malaysia and go ice skating! There are not many places in Malaysia that offers ice skating and you need to grab this opportunity while you are here in Kuala Lumpur. If you never ice skate before, it is going to be a little bit hard, and you have to be prepared to fall.
You can find ice skating rinks in Subang Jaya, Petaling Jaya, Putrajaya, and Cheras. They are located in large shopping malls so expect shopping malls operating hours. Remember to bring your own pair of socks if you want to save some bucks!
7. Visit Royal Selangor Visitor Centre
In the year of 1885 (Clearly, the 1880s was a remarkable time for Malaysia), a pewtersmith by the name of Yong Koon arrived in Malaya from the Chinese port of Shantou. With not more than a set of tools and determination to succeed, his humble enterprise became the world’s famous quality pewter, Royal Selangor. #MalaysiaBoleh
Royal Selangor continuously pushes the boundaries of design while staying true to their craftsmanship and you can head down to their Visitor Centre to learn everything about pewter. You can wander through their museum and gallery to see all their designs!
The Petronas Twin Towers is high and mighty with an impressive height of 9.1 metres, the Guiness World Records-worthy Giant Tankard, a wall full of handprints, and many more in their showrooms! Aside from that, there are real-time pewter crafting and workshops available for you to participate!
Google Map | ⏰ Opens daily, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Website | ? 03 4145 6350
8. Climb Rainbow Stairs at Batu Caves
Batu Caves, one of the most famous tourist attraction in Malaysia, recently went through a facelift. The vibrant new look comprises of all 272 steps to be repainted. You’re going to feel like you’re stepping on layers of rainbows! The new colourful steps surely reflects the religion.
At the entrance, you will notice a monumental statue of Hindu deity Lord Murugan before the colourful steps in the background. While you work your way up the steps, you will notice monkeys just hanging around and there will be bats flying around in the cave!
By the way, the temple itself is approximately 100 years old whereas the limestone formation is 400 million years old. Wow! The Cathedral Cave, the main cave, has several Hindu shrines. At the foot, there are Art Gallery Cave and Museum Cave, which has Hindu statues and paintings.
Google Map | ⏰ 0:600 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Website | ? 1 300 88 5050
9. Bungee Jump at Sunway Lagoon Theme Park
Bloop bloop! Take another break and have the best day ever (that’s their motto) at Sunway Lagoon Theme Park. There are many attractive attractions (that sounds like a tongue twister) waiting for you! In a nutshell, there are 90 attractions, 150 species of animals, and 6 parks in total! Let’s break some down.
Nickelodeon Lost Lagoon is Asia’s first ever Nickelodeon-themed land. You will find slime time at Spongebob’s Splash Adventure! You know, the iconic green slime you always see in Nickelodeon? Children (or adults, we are not judging) will have the opportunity to meet the gang from Bikini Bottom during the meet and greet sessions!
If you are a thrill seeker, there’s bungee jumping available at the Extreme Park! Paintball target shooting and archery are available here too. If you are into tigers and lions, a great place to visit will be their Wildlife Park. There are daily animal shows!
Google Map | ⏰ Opens daily, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Website | ? 03 5639 0000
10. Visit Merdeka Square
Hands down, Dataran Merdeka is the best historical landmark in all Malaysia! If you are a Malaysian, you will know because you read this ten thousand times in the history book. But, have you taken your time to visit the iconic landmark? It is time!
Dataran Merdeka was the location that the Union Flag was lowered down and the Malayan flag was hoisted for very the first time on 31st August 1957. #Merdeka! It is also the usual venue for all Merdeka Parades. If that’s not good enough for you, there are more reasons!
This landmark is great for photographs with perfectly green lawns and the tallest flagpole in the world. It is standing 95 meters tall! On top of that, there’s the picturesque nineteenth-century building Sultan Abdul Samad Building right at the background. What are you waiting for?
11. Hike Bukit Tabur
Bukit Tabur has a spectacular view! The hike is going to be so worth it once you reach the top. If you are done with the bustling city life and you need to get away just a little bit, Bukit Tabur will do the trick! Or, if you have been eating a little too much, this is what you need!
The hike up Bukit Tabur is not an easy one. Hence, you will need proper gear as safety is always a priority! Ideally, you need to wear proper clothing and hiking shoes. To pack, bring along water, food, mosquito repellent, and some plasters just in case. If you have hiking sticks, bring them along too!
It will be best if you do not hike alone, go with friends, locals or even guided tour! Fatal accidents happened before. Safety first! There are a few trails available and the West Trail is considered the easiest. All the planning for this hike will be worth it once you see the breathtaking view!
12. Go to Sepang Circuit
Sepang Circuit is located pretty far away from the heart of Kuala Lumpur as it is close to Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The famous circuit is designed by Herman Tilke, who went to design other layouts in Shanghai, Istanbul, Valencia, and many more.
You will probably be wondering, what is there to do in Sepang Circuit since that there are no more Formula One events in Malaysia? Well, well! There are other events! Yay! Some of the upcoming events include Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix, Malaysia Championship Series, and Sepang 1000km Endurance Race.
A cheaper event to go to will be track day events where people from all walks of life are able to participate by driving and riding in circuits. So many modified cars to see! Plus, it is pretty cool to stand on the same ground as Lewis Hamilton did before, right?
Website |? 03 8778 2200
13. Buy Cheap Books at Book Xcess
Have you heard of The Big Bad Wolf Sale before? Book Xcess is the proud parent company of the traveling book sale. Therefore, you can find amazing books at a discounted rate at Book Xcess! How did they manage to sell books at such a cheap price?
They purchase unsold books (all wrapped up and in mint condition) from publishers and bookstores at a low price. They have all kind of titles ranging from fiction, non-fiction, and children’s books! Some of the titles you can find there include
Apart from that, they have stationery, educational, and art supplies. What a treat! They have a few stores in the region and the best one to visit is Tamarind Square. It has tables for people to work on, ample of parking space, and a beautiful interior. It is time to kick start your reading habit!
Google Map | ⏰ Open 24 hours
Website | ? 03 2726 2438
14. Shop and Dine at Mitsui Outlet Park
If you are planning to head down Sepang Circuit or flying from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, stop by Mitsui Outlet Park for a shopping treat! There are so many brands on discount such as Ermenegildo Zegna, Furla, Carlo Rino, Under Armour, and Sacoor Outlet.
If you are leaving Malaysia, there are flight and travel essentials which you can purchase here too! Go to Watsons and Sasa if you need any toiletries, Samsonite for luggages for your shopping treat, and Universal Traveller for winter clothings!
Feast here too! There’s Bari-Uma, Padi House, Sushi King and many more! If you are on a budget after all that shopping, there’s a food court that offers a wide range of dishes too! By the way, there’s a free shuttle from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Mitsui Outlet Park!
Google Map | ⏰ Opens daily, 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Website | ? 03 8777 9300
15. Eat Iconic Meatballs at IKEA
The Scandinavian chain sells ready-to-assemble furniture and housewares, in a warehouse-like space. So, if you don’t need to buy anything for your house, is IKEA still worth exploring? Yes, yes it is! IKEA is constantly innovative and they always find new methods to make your house, more you.
If you don’t plan to anything, have a stroll and see new ways to manage space, decorate, and more! Once you are done, head down to the iconic warehouse hallway for a snap and post it up on your Instagram. There are countless possibilities for photographs!
Apart from that, IKEA has a really good food as well. They are so yums! There’s salmon, soup, bread, and their iconic meatballs! Vegetarian balls are now available on their menu too. Perfect for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and everything else in between.
Google Map | ⏰ Opens daily, 9:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Website |?03 7952 7575
16. Pub Crawl at Changkat Bukit Bintang
Changkat Bukit Bintang becomes alive at night! It is considered as one of the most vibrant places. There are so many options; it is no wonder it is a must to pub crawl in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. Choose from Irish bars, whiskey bars, fancy cocktail lounges, and happening nightclubs!
Apart from having a good ambiance, The Whisky Bar has a good list of whiskey. They have old and rare whiskey such as Glenfiddich Rare Collection 1975. Opium offers really good cocktails. Taste The Forbidden City, a mixture of rum, grand marnier, lime juice, orange juice, and 5 spiced syrup.
Dive into the world of Alice in Wonderland and Narnia Chronicles at The Rabbit Hole. Their signature cocktails are named after characters and things from in Alice in Wonderland. Think of Queen of Hearts, Mad Tea Party, and Drink Me Potion. If you are planning for a pub crawl, count us in!
17. Explore Kampung Baru
Kampung Baru is translated to new village. However, it is the oldest residential area in Kuala Lumpur as it is founded in 1899. You’ll have the opportunity to see some wooden Malay houses in contrast with high skyscrapers in the background!
Some of the things that you need to see are Masjid Jamek Kampung Baru. The beautiful mosque is approximately 100 years old. You’ll have the chance to see the Muslim community making their way to the mosque during Friday prayers. One is the most notable traditional Malay house is Rumah Limas, bright and detailed!
To complete your adventure in Kampung Baru, eat! There’s a Malay food fare located at Jalan Raja Muda Musa. To bring home, head to Herbal and Sundry Shop for some herbs grown in Malaysia. On top of that, they have health, beauty supplies, holy water and more!
18. Visit Thean Hou Temple
Thean Hou Temple is a six storey high temple to the Chinese sea goddess Mazu. The RM 7,000,000 (zeros for exaggeration!) temple is worth the trip as the architecture is amazing! It has elements of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. As it was built in the 1980s, it has touches of traditional and modern architecture.
In the prayer hall, there are Goddess of Mercy (Guan Yin Ma), Goddess of Waterfront (Shui Wei Sheng Niang), and Tian Hou. You can get blessings from the water from the Guan Yin Ma statue outside. The temple overlooks the Jalan Syed Putra and has spectacular views of its surroundings.
03 2274 7088
19. Attend Gigs at Merdekarya
Live bands and indie music! Merdekarya is one of the most notable places for music venues. It is the place that both upcoming and old artists perform their originals and covers. There’s a wide range of artists performing genres such as rock, grunge folk, and more.
Over the years, they have been continuously improving their sound, stage lights, and ambiance in general. As an audience, you will be thrilled as they have reasonably priced drinks on their menu. With a cool interior and friendly staffs, what’s not to like about Merdekarya?
Google Map | ⏰ Opens Tuesday to Sunday, 6:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Website |?016 207 1553
20. See 360° at Heli Lounge Bar
See Kuala Lumpur from a bird eye’s view at Heli Lounge Bar! It is full functioning helipad by day, and a full-fledged bar by night. It has two floors, with the top floor being a nightclub with an aviation theme and the roof above as the helipad bar. The design of the helipad bar is made out of minimal yet colourful furniture.
You need to buy a drink in order to get access to the rooftop. The drinks are a little expensive, but it is worth it because you get to see everything in a different angle. A great photo opportunity! Be sure to be there early and get at the edge with a spectacular view.
Google Map | ⏰ Opens daily, 5:00 p.m. until late.
Facebook |?03 2110 5034
Related: Top 10 Nightlife in KL
21. Go Artsy at G13 Gallery
Showcasing artists with potential and relevance, G13 Gallery is the place to be for people who love art. You can be an enthusiasts, a critic, collector, media, and artist! It is the place to be to see up and coming artworks both locally and internationally. In the recent years, G13 has shown greater appreciation for Asian Art.
This year, they had many interesting exhibitions such as Axis By Praxis: Identity in Transition by emerging talents in Southeast Asia, Filling The Void by numerous artists, and recently, Merah Putih Biru Kuning by locals artists which emphasizes the new spirit in Malaysia. Check out their website for more!
Google Map | ⏰ Opens daily except Sunday, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Website |?03 7880 0991
22. Explore Kuala Lumpur Bird Park
Kuala Lumpur Bird Park is a great place to visit with your family! Unless you have fear of birds. Then, it is best not to step into the park. It has more than 3,000 local and foreign birds of approximately 200 species. The place is huge and it has several zones.
There’s free-flight zone, Hornbill Park, and separated aviaries. The free-flight zone is a must-see, as the birds are able to fly everywhere in an environment which mimics their natural habitat. On top of that, Hornbill Restaurant serves buffet with a view of the breathtaking Kuala Lumpur!
Google Map | ⏰ Opens daily, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Website |?03 2272 1010
23. Jump at Enerz Extreme Park
If you like extreme and fun activities, this is the place to be. Enerz Extreme Park offers a variety of activities that fits anyone who wants to test out their core skills. There’s a huge trampoline park where you can free jump, or even do a slam dunk basketball!
With proper equipment, you can be the superhero you have always wanted to be and conquer their 30 feet wall climbing. Team up with your friends and family, and have a game of dodgeball! It is super fun with indoor trampolines.
For children, there’s a 3 level obstacle course with 58 tailored games to help them with their problem-solving skills. Oh, oh, if you are into American Ninja Warrior, Ninja Warrior game cube has the same concept. Try it with your friends to see who is the best!
Google Map | ⏰ Opens daily, Weekdays, 1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Saturday, 10:00 a.m. -9:00 p.m., Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Website |?011 1500 0066
24. Make Snowballs at Snowalk
If you want to experience winter in this forever hot country, go to Snowalk! Snowalk is Southeast Asia’s first ever indoor winter wonderland with a temperature below 5 degrees Celcius. It also has 100mm show underfoot!
With 50 thousand square feet, it houses more than 100 ice sculptures made by a team from Harbin, China. Apart from taking photographs, you can also make a snowman, ice-slide, and toboggan! Setting Snowalk aside, there are also other activities in I-City.
House of Horror is great if you want to do some ghost hunting, Trick Art Museum if you want to take really cool photographs, City of Digital Lights, is great if you want to live your Avatar dream, and Space Mission if you are want to team up with Han Solo and Chewbacca!
Google Map | ⏰ Opens daily, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Website |?03 5521 8866
25. Cafe Hopping at Bangsar
There are so many cafes to try out in Bangsar! Bangsar has been booming over the years with cafes and restaurants and there is always something special in every corner. It is the ultimate place to visit for cafe hopping with your friends and family.
Try out Antipodean for their famous waffles, Alexis Bistro for their cakes, anything on the menu from Breakfast Thieves – an award-winning cafe, Jaslyn Cakes for their cakes and pastries (!), PULP by Papa Pahelta for their food and specialty coffee.
26. Make Your Own Kit Kat at Kit Kat Chocolatory
That’s a really long heading! ^ Anyway, have you ever dreamed of making your very own Kit Kat flavour? We think it should be. There are more than 1,500 possible combinations that you can make at Kit Kat Chocolatory. Their toppings are a combination of dried fruits, nuts, and spices!
It is so fancy, you get to use their tablet to create your very own signature flavour. On top of that, they can print your name and photograph on the box to make it officially yours! Watch as the chocolatiers make your very own Kit Kat behind the glass.
If that is a little too much for you to handle, there are pre-made out of this world combination for you to purchase straight away! They have fun flavours such as Nasi Lemak. Pretty sure Kit Kat Chocolatory is a chocolate version of Disneyland. Exciting!
Google Map | ⏰ Opens daily, 1o:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Website |?03 2280 0131
27. Explore Chinatown
Chinatown, also fondly known as Chee Cheong Kai, is one of the most thriving places in Kuala Lumpur. It is one of the best places for sightseeing and buying some goodies home. The flea market at Petaling Street sells a lot of things, from herbs and spices to imitation goods.
Apart from that, there are many Chinese temples surrounding the area including Guan Yin Temple, Chan See Shu Yuen Temple, Kuan Ti Temple, and Sin Sze Si Ya Temple. The beautiful temples are perfect for your Instagram grid! Be mindful and respectful all the time, though.
28. Visit Publika Shopping Gallery
Publika is different as compared to the other shopping malls located in Kuala Lumpur. It is a little more aesthetic if you get what we are trying to say! It is filled with art in every corner, even the furniture is a little different! Dress your best and come here!
It also offers a lot of wonderful and quirky stores. If you are missing Christmas and being a child, go to Carousel! This tiny little toy shop has a lot of toys that you don’t see in ordinary toy shops. Its decoration reminds you a little bit of a carnival and Christmas itself!
If you are thinking of eating brunch, Publika is the bomb! There are so many amazing cafes! There’s Two Sons Bistro that offers the best clams and mussels ever and you can make your very own ultimate burger at The Fatboy’s Burger Bar. Read our full list here!
29. Laugh at Crackhouse Comedy Club
What do you call a pig that does karate? Pork chop! Haha! Okay, we’re not that funny that’s why you need to make your way to Crackhouse Comedy Club to get your daily dose of comedy. Since 2014, The Crackhouse Comedy Club has been the longest running Comedy Club in Malaysia.
They feature both local and international comedians such as Douglas Lim and Paul Ogata, Gina Yashere, Dana Alexander, Dara O’Briain, Joanne Kam, and more. Go for Open Crack! (every Wednesday) or Rojak Crack! (every first and last Thursdays) and laugh your heart out!
Google Map | ⏰ Wednesday to Saturday, 8:00 p.m.- 12:00 a.m.
Website |?017 260 3654
30. SkyTropolis @ Genting Highlands
Alright, we think you might be familiar with the previous indoor theme park, but this is the upgrade from the previous indoor theme park which was located at the First World area. SkyTropolis Indoor Theme Park is an indoor theme park that caters to just about everyone, from young to old and especially families. Due to the cool climate of Genting Highlands, there are many who like to be inside the resort where the temperature is controlled. What can we expect from the newly renovated and revamped Genting indoor theme park? Click this link to read more about this place.
Blog: 30 Awesome Things To Do in KL This 2020
That’s the end of our thesis/article, Best Guide: Top 30 Things To Do In Kuala Lumpur! What are the activities that you are most excited about? Let us know in the comments. Have the best day ever in Kuala Lumpur!
This article was updated on 1 January 2020.
Photo cover by @tantyunyil25, @leakokonea
