Kuala Lumpur holidays

With its towering high-rises and gleaming expressways, Malaysia’s capital paints a picture of a modern metropolis. Elevate your holidays to Kuala Lumpur with street-food frenzies, designer shopping sprees and happy hours at one of the city’s many rooftop bars. Craving something more down to earth? KL, as locals call it, boasts an abundance of leafy parks and calming river walks when you want to connect with nature.  

Kuala Lumpur holiday highlights

Kuala Lumpur City Centre

Petronas Towers

Seeing these skyline icons is the highlight of most vacations to Kuala Lumpur. Head to the Sky Bridge and observation deck for epic city views. Be sure to book ahead in peak season. Exterior photos are hard at close range, but not impossible if you know where to go. Walk down to the waterfalls in KLCC Park for a wide-angle view. Wait until sunset to capture dreamy reflections of the towers in the water.

Green city lungs

Escape the urban heat and breathe some fresh air in the city’s green parks. They’re free to enter, which is good news if you’re after a cheap holiday to Kuala Lumpur. Visit the Perdana Botanical Garden for cooling waterside strolls and exotic orchids. Or hit the canopy walkways in KL Forest Eco Park for some monkey spotting. Bring your binoculars and come in the morning to avoid the crowds. 

Arty streets

If you’re looking for an art fix, you’ll find some of the city’s best murals hidden in the lively Bukit Bintang backstreets. The urban art trail starts on Jalan Alor, but to see the colourful rainforest-themed designs you’ll need to poke around the side alleys. Check out the Old Malaya murals if you’re travelling through the Masjid Jamek LRT station.

Kuala Lumpur: Know before you go

Language

Malay

Currency

Malaysian ringgit (RM)

Time zone

UTC+8 (MYT)

High season

July and December

Low season

March – May and September – November

Find the best time to go to Kuala Lumpur

Weather in Kuala Lumpur

January – February: A break in the rain and warm temperatures make for pleasant sightseeing. Check out the Chinese New Year celebrations in Chinatown, which feature fireworks displays, colourful lanterns and traditional foods.

March – May: Expect hot and humid weather with temps climbing into the low-30s°C in May. Rain showers are common but don’t last long.

June – September: Summer is hot and generally dry. But bring a raincoat, as showers can happen at any time of year. Forest fires outside the city can affect air quality in August and September. Head indoors for a Malay cooking class.

October – December: This is the height of the monsoon season. Keep your umbrella close, and be ready to duck into shopping centres and indoor food markets.

Events in Kuala Lumpur

Thaipusam (January or February): Thousands fill the Batu Caves for Malaysia’s biggest Hindu festival. A procession is the highlight of the event, but don’t miss the drum performances and free vegetarian food.

Hari Merdeka (August): Military displays, an elaborate parade and cultural performances mark the anniversary of Malaysia’s independence. Now’s the time to try ‘nasi lemak’, the national dish. Don’t forget to wave your flag!

Hungry Ghost Festival (August or September): According to Buddhist belief, spirits are said to roam freely during this time in the lunar calendar. Enjoy food offerings and watch traditional Chinese opera performances. As the festival ends, glowing lanterns are set afloat to light the way for spirits returning to the afterlife.

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The best neighbourhoods in Kuala Lumpur

Chow Kit

This central suburb is fast becoming one of the city’s most popular visitor bases. Known for its traditional market stalls, Chow Kit attracts the hipster crowd with its craft beer, cafes and noodle bars. This is the best neighbourhood to stay in Kuala Lumpur for boutique hotels.

Good for: Street food, bars, boutique hotels

Kampung Baru

Kampung Baru has kept its old-world atmosphere and feels more like a village than a city district. Here, you’ll find Malay stilt houses set against a backdrop of skyscrapers — don’t be surprised to see chickens crossing the road. A great place to stay for a cheap holiday to Kuala Lumpur, this pretty neighbourhood covers all your street food and night market needs.

Good for: Night markets, heritage buildings, village atmosphere

Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC)

If you want to be among the glitzy high-rises, then the city centre is the best area to stay in Kuala Lumpur. There’s a huge choice of luxury hotels here, many with great skyline views. You’ll have the Petronas Towers, the Suria KLCC shopping mall and the KLCC Park on your doorstep.

Good for: Luxury hotels, parks, shopping

Things to do in Kuala Lumpur

Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia

Family friendly things to do

There are plenty of fun things to do with family in Kuala Lumpur. Head to KLCC Park for paddling in the splash pool, a great way to keep cool in the heat. Return in the evening to see the fountain light show. Young travellers will love meeting sea creatures at Aquaria and parrots at the Bird Park.

Shopping

Even if you’re not a die-hard shopper, you’ll want to visit Kuala Lumpur’s malls just for the air conditioning. Pavilion KL and Suria KLCC are top choices for shopping in Kuala Lumpur if you’re after fashion, accessories or electronics. The markets in Chinatown and Jalan Alor offer a more traditional experience, so start practising your bartering.

Take in the culture

There are several must-see museums in Kuala Lumpur. You can admire ancient artefacts in the Islamic Arts Museum or delve into Malaysian heritage at the National Textiles Museum. Take in a concert at the Istana Budaya cultural centre or, for traditional Malay dramas, visit the colonial-era Panggung Bandaraya DBKL theatre. 

Nightlife

Connect with locals over street food in Chinatown’s Sri Petaling night market. Or head to Changkat in Bukit Bintang for high-energy clubs hosting international DJs. If you want a more chilled evening out, drop by one of the many rooftop bars in Kuala Lumpur and enjoy cocktails in the clouds.

Places to eat

Kuala Lumpur’s food scene is diverse and delicious. Check out Jalan Alor’s hawker stalls and sample Malay, Indian and Chinese delicacies. Want a more local experience? Try the Friday food market near the Jamek Mosque. Book ahead for Cielo and Sabayon at EQ, two of the sleekest restaurants in Kuala Lumpur, with views to match.

Free things to do

One of the most popular free things to do in Kuala Lumpur is to watch the fountain show at the River of Life. For walks along shaded trails, visit Taman Tugu Park in the heart of the city. Discover local artistic talent at free exhibitions in the Ilham Gallery and The Godown arts centre.

Plan your holiday to Kuala Lumpur

Budget

For a cheap holiday to Kuala Lumpur, skip the glitzy nightclubs and luxury shopping centres. Instead, focus on free street art and buzzing markets. Find a meal at an inexpensive restaurant for around 20 Malaysian ringgit (RM). A cold beer is around RM18, but fresh juice or coconut water is a lot cheaper.

Day trips from Kuala Lumpur

A fishing village surrounded by vast rice paddies, Sekinchan is about 90 minutes away by car. Learn about rice cultivation at the Paddy Gallery (located in an actual rice mill) before enjoying a seafood feast. Or take a 45-minute train ride to Batu Caves, where a massive statue of the Hindu god of war guards the entrance. Climb a colourful staircase to reach caves dotted with shrines.

Getting around Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur’s roads can be chaotic, so taking the train is often faster than a taxi. Use a Touch ’n Go card for easy, contactless payments on trains, buses and the monorail. For a budget-friendly option, hop on the free Go KL City Bus, which stops near popular attractions like Petronas Towers and Pavilion KL.

FAQs about Kuala Lumpur holidays

With around 40 cm of rainfall, November is the wettest month. If you're taking your Kuala Lumpur holiday then, you'll want to plan a few indoor activities. Eat at a top-rated restaurant, check out an art gallery, or indulge in some retail therapy.
You'll hear Malay (Bahasa Malaysia) spoken most often around here. Familiarise yourself with a few local expressions during your city break in Kuala Lumpur and you'll fit in perfectly.
Organise your Kuala Lumpur holiday for January and you'll be there when the weather is at its coolest. 21ºC (70ºF) is as cold as the city gets.
The warmest month in Kuala Lumpur is March, when temperatures hit a maximum of 33ºC (91ºF).
The Malaysian ringgit (MYR) is what you'll be using for everyday purchases and activities during your trip to Kuala Lumpur.
The ideal length of a trip to Kuala Lumpur depends on your departure point and travel goals. Don't have far to travel? Three to five days is perfect if you want to tick off the main sights. If your journey is a lengthy one, consider booking for a week or longer. This will give you enough time to venture beyond the city or just explore at a more relaxed pace.
KL has a tropical climate and consistent temperatures throughout the year, so the main thing to consider is the rain. The monsoon seasons are October to January and March to April. Don’t be put off booking holidays to Kuala Lumpur during these months — the showers are short and help keep things cool.
Kuala Lumpur is generally considered a safe place to visit, especially if you're sticking to the main tourist spots. As with any destination, stay aware of what's going on around you and keep belongings secure. Read up on any travel advisories or safety tips to ensure your holiday to Kuala Lumpur is relaxing and hassle-free.
The cost of your city break in Kuala Lumpur will differ according to things like where you're leaving from, the time of year, and the type of hotel you choose. Kuala Lumpur flights and hotels are usually more expensive during busier times, but you can score savings by travelling in quieter months.
Whether it's your first visit or you've been here before, this city never fails to leave an impression. If checking out attractions is on your list of things to do in Kuala Lumpur, make sure you include Petronas Twin Towers and Merdeka Square.
It’s hot and humid in the city, so keep cool with loose clothing; linen is a good choice as it dries fast. You’ll be doing lots of walking so comfy shoes are essential. Pack a lightweight raincoat or umbrella if you’re visiting Kuala Lumpur during the monsoon season. Remember to cover up at religious sites.

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