Get ready to discover this cultural melting pot in Southeast Asia, Kuala Lumpur. Learn here 21 things to do and eat during a 3-day trip in this dynamic city!
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The capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, is one of the most frequented destinations in Southeast Asia. And that does not sound too surprising.
Kuala Lumpur has so much to offer for travelers, with its rich history, diverse culture, great food, and affordable luxury.
In this post, I would like to share with you 21 THINGS YOU SHOULD DO AND EAT from my short 3-day trip to Kuala Lumpur. Hopefully, this serves as an inspiration for your own future itinerary.
As always, I will also provide some HONEST tips and information to help you prepare for your trip, even before you arrive in Kuala Lumpur.
21 Awesome Things to Do and Eat in Kuala Lumpur: 3-day itinerary
Pre-arrival
To help you prepare your visit before you arrive in Kuala Lumpur, here are few essential things to keep in mind.
#1 – Get familiar with Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is a sprawling city with numerous neighborhoods and surrounded by suburbs and satellite cities, such as Petaling Jaya, Sepang, and Putrajaya.
The core city center area consists of several neighborhoods such as Old City Center/Chinatown, Golden Triangle (Bukit Bintang and KL Central Business District), Chow Kit, Kampung Baru and Brickfields (Little India).
If you only visit Kuala Lumpur for a few days, these are the best areas that I would recommend for you to stay and explore. This is also the focus of the itinerary covered in this post.
Kuala Lumpur is truly a melting pot of different cultures, as each of these areas represents Chinese, Malay and Indian cultures that live side by side in Malaysia, giving this city its unique character.
#2 – Hotels or Airbnb?
Accommodation in Kuala Lumpur is amazingly cheap, and I think it is even the cheapest in South East Asia.
To give you an illustration, the price for luxurious 5-star hotel room runs just between USD 60 – 80 per night! I myself stayed at JW MARRIOTT KUALA LUMPUR in Bukit Bintang. This is one of the luxurious 5-star hotels in Bukit Bintang, just stone-thrown distance from Pavilion Mall and just 5 minutes walking distance to Jalan Alor. And guess the rate? Just under USD 75 per night!
Against that price, I must say that you have plenty of options for luxurious hotel brands to choose from. But if you’re looking for an excellent budget hotel, I would highly recommend HOTEL CERIA BUKIT BINTANG. This 2-star hotel has one of the most spacious rooms and complete amenities in Kuala Lumpur with a budget price. Starting at around USD 15 a night, you can stay in a modern and spacious room at one of the best locations in Kuala Lumpur.
If you choose Airbnb instead, there are also plenty of excellent options. To help you bring the cost down, don’t forget to use this link to get €30 off for your first Airbnb booking.
#3 – Currencies, payment, and tipping
The currency used in Malaysia is Malaysian Ringgit (MYR). As of now, the exchange rate of USD to MYR is around 4.11 (1 USD = ~4 MYR).
Like everywhere in South East Asia, cash payment is still heavily used in Kuala Lumpur, especially in night markets or food stalls. The credit card is only limited in use at large restaurants, shopping malls, and supermarkets.
As always, instead of exchanging a lot of money at home, I would suggest doing so in Kuala Lumpur upon your arrival, as you will tend to get a better rate. You can exchange money at the airport against a competitive rate, but I would suggest shopping around some money changers in the city, as you would tend to get a better rate.
Unlike in the US, tipping is absolutely not necessary in Kuala Lumpur.
Upon arrival
If you fly to Kuala Lumpur, you will arrive at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
This airport is about 45 km to the south of Kuala Lumpur and consists of 2 terminals: KLIA main terminal and KLIA2 (dedicated terminal for low-cost carriers such as Air Asia). Please note that both terminals are located far from each other, and the inter-terminal connection is only available after exiting the arrival hall via Gateway@KLIA2 complex.
To get you from the airport to the city, the best way is to take either the airport taxi or ride-hailing service, like Uber or Grab, to get to your hotel. This is perhaps not the cheapest option, but it certainly is the most convenient.
The airport taxi works with a fixed fare of MYR 74.80 (~USD 19) to anywhere in Kuala Lumpur. You just need to buy a coupon at the taxi counter inside the arrival hall (just follow the signboard at the arrival hall) and give the coupon to one of the taxi drivers outside at the official taxi stand. An Uber ride will also cost about the same, around MYR 60 – 80 (~USD 15 – 20), depending on your destination in Kuala Lumpur.
A cheaper alternative is by KLIA Express trains. The journey from KLIA to KL Sentral station costs MYR 55 (~USD 14.50) and takes around 30 minutes. But from there, you may still need to take another taxi or train to reach your final destination.
Once you are in the city, getting around should go
Itinerary and Food
Day 1 – Things to do:
#1 – Petronas Twin Towers (Suria KLCC)
Let’s start our day by exploring Kuala Lumpur’s most iconic building, Petronas Twin Tower.
This 451-meter tower is still recorded to date as the tallest twin towers in the world. You can visit the Sky Bridge and the Observation Deck to get a magnificent 360-degree view of Kuala Lumpur and beyond. The ticket price is MYR 80 (~USD 20) for adult and MYR 33 (~USD 8) for children.
If you get cold chills from climbing a tall building, that’s ok. You can stay on the ground and go shopping instead in one of Kuala Lumpur’s prestigious malls, Suria KLCC, which is located beneath the towers.
To reach Petronas Twin Towers, you can either take the MRT to KLCC (Kelana Jaya Line) or Monorail to Bukit Nanas.
Location: Petronas Twin Towers (Suria KLCC), Persiaran Petronas, Kuala Lumpur
#2 – Bukit Bintang
Image courtesy of WonderfulMalaysia.com
Bukit Bintang is the main epicenter of fashion, shopping, and entertainment in Kuala Lumpur. This boulevard is full of shopping malls, bars, clubs, and luxurious hotels.
The area is quite vast and stretches from Jalan Bukit Bintang to the adjacent Jalan Imbi and Jalan Pudu.
In this area, you can shop here for any types of budgets. Are you into luxurious brands? Head to the Pavilion Mall, and wander around the biggest mall in Kuala Lumpur boasting the most luxurious brands in the world. Or are you more budget-minded? Go shop till you drop at Berjaya Times Square at the adjacent Jalan Imbi.
To reach Bukit Bintang, you can take the Monorail to Air Asia – Bukit Bintang. Bukit Bintang is also well-connected with Petronas Towers’ area through an air-conditioned pedestrian bridge, which you can access via Pavilion Mall area.
Location: Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur
#3 – Alor Street (Jalan Alor)
Image courtesy of Dreamstime.com
Jalan Alor is the best place to satisfy your insatiable hunger. It is famous as the food
You can find all range of Asian food here, from Malay, Chinese to Thai (read below some of my food recommendation for Jalan Alor). The stalls and restaurants usually start to open from 5 PM and keep bustling until 2 or 3 AM.
Jalan Alor is extremely easy to reach. It is just behind Bukit Bintang Street, a short 3-minute walk from Monorail station Air Asia – Bukit Bintang.
Location: Jalan Alor, Kuala Lumpur
Day 1 – Food:
#4 – Nasi Lemak
If you ask Malaysian people about their national dish, they would surely
Literally translated in English as “fat rice”, the center of the dish is the rice itself, which is cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaf, resulting in a savory and fragrant rice. The rice is usually served with some roasted peanuts, fried anchovies (or
You can also add some proteins to your taste, such as beef rendang or fried chicken (
In Kuala Lumpur, nasi lemak is usually served as breakfast and one of the most popular places to get nasi lemak is R.A. Nasi Lemak in Kampung Baru. Here nasi lemak is served fresh every morning, for an extremely affordable price starting from MYR 6 (~USD 1.5).
Location: R.A. Nasi Lemak, Jalan Raja Abdullah 15, Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur
#5 – Malaysian Satay
Another must-try local food item is the Malaysian satay. Almost every country in Southeast Asia has their own version of satay or other skewered meat, but Malaysian satay is regarded as one of the best.
Malaysian satay often uses beef, chicken, and mutton (lamb). It’s always grilled fresh on a charcoal and drizzled with thick peanut sauce.
One of the best local places to get Malaysian satay is at Wong Ah Wah in Jalan Alor. When you arrive in Jalan Alor, right away you will see and smell the smoked aroma of freshly grilled satay. Price starts at around MYR 21 (~USD 5) for a portion of 10 skewers.
Location: Wong Ah Wah, Jalan Alor, Kuala Lumpur
#6 – Grilled Chicken Wings
Image courtesy of Timeout.com
Believe it or not, Malaysian people love chicken wings (well, who doesn’t anyway). But instead of deep frying them, Malaysian likes to grill them on a fresh charcoal.
By grilling them, you get the smoky, sweet and juicy wings that you’ll never taste before!
You can sample these grilled chicken wings at Wong Ah Wah in Jalan Alor as well. Grilled chicken wings are one of their specialties, so guaranteed you’re at the best spot to try it out! Price starts at MYR 3.2 (~USD 0.75) per piece.
Location: Wong Ah Wah, Jalan Alor, Kuala Lumpur
#7 – Durian
Let’s close the evening with desserts. But not just a dessert, it is the king of fruits, durian!
Durian is a fruit that many despise, due to its pungent smell. But believe me, it’s absolutely delicious! That rich, custardy, creamy and sweet flesh will just make your day.
If you haven’t tried durian before, please be open-minded and try some first before giving your verdict. You can even just buy some to taste, instead of buying the whole fruit.
You can get durian at many vendors along Jalan Alor, who sell the arguably best type of durian called Musang King.
Location: Multiple durian vendors, Jalan Alor, Kuala Lumpur
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Day 2 – Things to do:
#8 – Petaling Street (Jalan Petaling) / Chinatown
Image courtesy of Says.com
Petaling Street is a famous traditional street market, located at the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown.
It is full of vendors offering bargains on clothing, bags, cosmetics, and accessories. If you want to hone your haggling skills, this is certainly the place to go.
After shopping, don’t forget to check on the side alleys, where you can find some hidden gems for an authentic Chinese Malay food.
To reach Petaling Street, you can take the Monorail to Maharajalela station, and it’s about 3 minutes’ walk from there.
Location: Jalan Petaling, Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur
#9 – Central Market (Pasar Seni)
Image courtesy of Tripadvisor.com
Central Market (or Pasar Seni, literally translated Art Market) is one of the most well-known landmarks in the Old Town area of Kuala Lumpur. The building itself is a national heritage site built in art-deco style in 1888.
As its name suggests, here you can find all kinds of local artworks and crafts, from paintings to Malaysian batik and artisanal souvenirs. In addition to that, there are also many food stalls both inside and outside the building, offering mouthwatering snacks and local delicacies.
To reach Central Market, you can take the MRT to Pasar Seni (Kelana Jaya line). It is also very close to Petaling Street, so you can combine both places during your visit.
Location: Central Market, Jalan Hang Kasturi, City Center, Kuala Lumpur
#10 – Masjid Jamek
Another famous landmark in Kuala Lumpur’s Old Town area is Masjid Jamek. It is one of the oldest mosques in Kuala Lumpur and built along the Gombak and Klang rivers.
Designed in the Indian Muslim Mughal architecture style, the mosque was built in 1909 and served as Kuala Lumpur’s main mosque until the new National Mosque, Masjid Negara was built in 1965.
Masjid Jamek is just 5 minutes’ walk to the north of Petaling Street and Central Market.
Location: Masjid Jamek, Jalan Tun Perak, Kuala Lumpur
#11 – Independence Square (Dataran Merdeka)
Just right across Masjid Jamek, you can visit one of the historic sites in Malaysia, Independence Square (Dataran Merdeka).
It was on this place that the British’ Union Jack flag was lowered and Malaysian flag was hoisted for the first time, pronouncing the Independence of Malaysia on 31 August 1957. Since then, the square has been the fixed venue for the annual National Independence Day Parade.
In front of the square, you can also admire the iconic Sultan Abdul Samad Building, which resembles a similar architecture style as Masjid Jamek. This building used to house the offices of the British colonial administration and used to be known as Government Offices during the British colonial area.
Location: Dataran Merdeka, Jalan Raja, Kuala Lumpur
Day 2 – Food:
#12 – Malaysian Laksa
Laksa is another extremely popular Malaysian dish that has a long history in Southeast Asia.
This noodle dish is typically made with rice noodle, combined with rich broth made from curry or Assam (tamarind). The curry-broth laksa is called curry laksa, while the one with Assam broth is called Assam laksa.
Over time, each region in Malaysia has created their own version of laksa, and therefore variations such as the Laksa Johor, Singapore Katong Laksa, and Sarawak Laksa were bred.
One of the best places to get Malaysian laksa is at Madras Lane Curry Laksa, located just off the corner of Petaling Street. Besides curry laksa, Assam laksa is also available here.
Location: Madras Lane Curry Laksa, City Center (old) Madras Lane Off Petaling Street, Kuala Lumpur
#13 – Hokkien Mee
Image courtesy of Tripadvisor.com
Originated from China’s Fujian (Hokkien) province, Hokkien Mee is one of the popular Chinese dishes in Malaysia.
This noodle dish is deeply loved by locals and typically consists of egg noodles and rice noodles stir-fried together with egg, slices of pork, seafood and seasoned with dark soy sauce. The result is an excellent mix of savory and sweet noodles with a smooth texture.
One of the best places to sample Hokkien Mee is at Kim Lian Kee, located at one of the side streets of Petaling Street.
Location: Kim Lian Kee, Jalan Hang Lekir 92, City Center, Kuala Lumpur
#14 – Nasi Kandar
Image courtesy of KLfoodie.com
Another local dish you must try in Kuala Lumpur is
When you order
One of the best places to get Nasi Kandar is at Restoran Annexe Nasi Kandar, located conveniently at the ground floor of Central Market (Pasar Seni).
Location: Restoran Annexe Nasi Kandar, City Center (old) Ground Floor, Central Market, Jalan Hang Kasturi, Kuala Lumpur
Day 3 – Things to do:
#15 – Batu Caves
Located 11 kilometers north of Kuala Lumpur, Batu Caves is one of the major attractions in Kuala Lumpur.
Batu Caves is a limestone hill that has a series of caves and smaller cave temples, housing several Hindu shrines considered to be an important religious landmark by Hindus. It is also the host of Hindu festival of Thaipusam in Malaysia.
To reach Batu Caves, you can either go by train or Uber. Uber ride will cost around MYR 40 -50 (~USD 10 – 12) and take approximately 20-30 minutes.
If you decide to go by train, you can take a free shuttle bus from KL Sentral to Sentul Station, and from there take the KTM Komuter Train to Batu Caves. A train ride costs MYR 2.30 (~USD 0.50) one-way and takes approximately 1.5 hours.
Location: Batu Caves, Gombak, Selangor
#16 – Perdana Botanical Garden
Let’s escape the hustle and bustle of Kuala Lumpur and visit the serene Perdana Botanical Garden.
This botanical garden is first large-scale recreational park and established in 1888. The park boasts several attractions such as KL Butterfly Park, Bird Park, and Planetarium.
The entrance of the garden is quite close to KL Sentral Station and admission is free, although you may have to pay a small amount to visit some attractions.
Location: Perdana Botanical Garden, Jalan Kebun Bunga, Tasik Perdana, Kuala Lumpur
#17 – Royal Museum (Old Istana Negara)
Image courtesy of SimplyGo.in
Just a stone-throw away from Perdana Botanical Garden, you can visit and marvel at the beauty of The Royal Museum.
This Royal Museum used to be the former residence of the Supreme King of Malaysia (Yang Dipertuan Agong). In 2013, it was converted into a museum and renamed as “Old Istana Negara”, after the opening of
The Royal Museum is open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM and the entrance fee is MYR 10 (~USD 2.5) for an adult.
Location: Royal Museum, Jalan Istana, Istana Negara, Kuala Lumpur
#18 – Heli Lounge Rooftop Bar
Image courtesy of Scratchingmymap.com
Let’s end the evening with few drinks at the best rooftop bar in Kuala Lumpur, the Heli Lounge.
As its name suggests, this rooftop bar used to be a helipad. From this bar, you will get a drink with a spectacular night view of Kuala Lumpur. Come early well before 9 PM to avoid paying for the entrance fee and enjoy the Happy Hour.
To reach the Heli Rooftop Bar, just take Monorail to Raja Chulan.
Location: Heli Lounge Rooftop Bar, 34 Menara KH, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur
Day 3 – Food:
#19 – Roti Canai and Teh Tarik
Image courtesy of Foodadvisor.my
Roti canai is a type of Indian-influenced flatbread, which is very popular among Malaysian as a breakfast item.
You can order roti canai either sweet or savory by mixing it with meat, egg or cheese. To accompany your roti canai, order the famous
You can sample roti canai and
Location: Dhivya’s Cafe, Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur
#20 – Ikan Bakar (Grilled Fish)
Image courtesy of Says.com
Ikan Bakar is a quintessential Malaysian dish that you should definitely try.
Before wrapped in banana leaf and grilled, the fish is first marinated with a mix of spices such as pepper, ginger, and garlic. After that, it is perfectly grilled on charcoal and served over hot steamed rice and fresh sambal chili sauce.
One of the best places to taste Malaysian Ikan Bakar is at Gerai Serai Menanti Ikan Bakar Jalan Bellamy, located very close to the Royal Museum (Old Istana Negara).
Location: Gerai Seri Menanti Ikan Bakar Jalan Bellamy, Lorong Bellamy & Jalan Istana, Kuala Lumpur
#21 – Ice Kepal Milo (Milo Ice Balls)
Image courtesy of Minimeinsights.com
For dessert, let’s try out the Ice Kepal Milo, which has gone viral in Malaysia and Southeast Asia for the last couple of years.
This delectable dessert consists of shaved ice, coated with a thick creamy concoction of Milo, the chocolate flavored hot beverage popular in Southeast Asia. You can also top your Ice Kepal with chocolate sprinkles and peanuts.
Ice Kepal Milo is available almost everywhere in Kuala Lumpur, but one of the best places to get it is at Johny’s Ice Kepal.
Location: Johny’s Ice Kepal, Taman Sepakat, Jalan AU3/12, Kampung Datuk Keramat, Kuala Lumpur
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Are you ready now to explore Kuala Lumpur?
I hope you will find this itinerary and guide useful.
If you visit Kuala Lumpur, I would love to hear your experience and what you think about it. Please do so in the comment below, or send me a message.
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I will also send you latest updates on travel tips, food and other travel stories from around the world!
