Welcome to our ultimate guide to Kuala Lumpur, a vibrant metropolis where modern skyscrapers meet rich cultural heritage. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a returning traveler, this page will help you navigate the best of KL with essential travel tips, top accommodation options, must-do activities, and the city's most delicious dining spots. From exploring the iconic Petronas Twin Towers to uncovering hidden street food gems in Jalan Alor, we've got you covered for an unforgettable experience in Malaysia’s bustling capital!
We stayed in the JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur located in the Bukit Bingtang area. We chose this hotel for the location being close to good food and bar spots with some ‘hustle and bustle’ city feel but not so close that it was too loud or chaotic. It is also close to all of the large and high end shopping centres if that takes your fancy. Overall the hotel was very convenient and was a perfect base for our day trips and excursions!
Public transport in KL is mixed and it really depends on where you’re going as to whether it’s the best option - we got the Light Rapid Transit (LRT) train only once because taxi apps were very cheap. We took Grab as our main transport option. However like all large Cities traffic can be quite bad and so it depends. Locals told us the bus system isn’t the best due to a low frequency and reliability.
Our favourite tour was the Taman Negara National Park Day Tour from KL which we did on our third day in KL. It's one of the oldest tropical rain-forests in the world and is a perfect day trip to get outdoors and experience Malaysian nature as well as having an element of adventure!Highlights were walking along the canopy walkway (which can be a bit daunting but is a great experience), meeting the native tribes and the boat ride through the rapids - heads up you get soaked but it's very fun. Make sure you take insect repellent and good walking shoes though as there is a fair bit of walking and steps. The trip is also a full day with an early start but it's well worth it. A downside for us was the food provided was very average but we thought this would be the case and just took some extra snacks and made up for it with a big evening meal once the tour was over. Our guide called “Mushroom” and he was super knowledgeable about the forest and nature and he really adds to the experience.
We did this on our last full day before heading back home and it was a really enjoyable way to end our trip. The Cameron Highlands has amazing and really unique scenery and is a great day for nature lovers. We don’t often do private tours as we enjoy meeting other groups but this tour is recommended to do privately as the journey is long and windy at the end going into the Highlands and is more comfortable to do by car.
Our journey from KL was long but very comfortable and easy. However we heard a story from people going to the highlands on a public holiday and the traffic was horrendous so we would recommend avoiding during these times. Highlights were visiting the tea plantation and tastings with breathtaking views and the butterfly park and seeing lots of unique insects too. The lunch option on this trip was at a Golf course and was very tasty. Anuar was our guide and he taught us lots about the Cameron Highlands and the history of Malaysia and was super engaging. He stopped a lot to explain the sites and for plenty of photo opportunities! Overall the trip is well worth the journey and you get to see a lot and it's a nice contrast to being in the city in KL.
Experience the best of Kuala Lumpur with a private tour that combines the city's modern marvels and cultural treasures. Begin your journey with a convenient hotel pickup in a private vehicle, leading to the iconic Petronas Twin Towers. Here, you'll access the Observation Deck and Skybridge, offering panoramic views of the city's skyline.
The tour continues with a photo stop at Merdeka Square, showcasing diverse architecture, followed by a visit to the King's Palace (Istana Negara), where you can admire its gardens, pools, and courtyards. Take a leisurely stroll through the Lake Gardens, a serene escape from the city's hustle and bustle. At the Central Market, discover local foods, souvenirs, batik masterpieces, jewelry, and paintings. Marvel at the intricate Moorish design of the Old Railway Station before visiting the National Monument and the National Mosque, both significant symbols of Malaysian independence.
Conclude your adventure at the Batu Caves, one of Malaysia's largest Hindu sites. Here, you'll be greeted by the impressive statue of Lord Muruga and have the opportunity to explore the limestone caverns and shrines. After a day filled with exploration, you'll be comfortably returned to your hotel.
We did a guided food tour on our second day and really recommend it for getting your bearings around KL and finding great local spots! The tour we did lasted 4 hours and included 15 tastings which varied from savoury noodles, more Nasi lemak but also local fruits and desserts. We took the advice we read in reviews and arrived hungry and would recommend doing the same as you are very full by the time the tour ends! There weren’t many vegetarian options so I wouldn’t recommend this if you were vegetarian and definitely not for vegans but the guides do take a lot of consideration of dietary requirements and likes/dislikes.
Our guide was called Sam and was great fun and really knowledgeable and took time to explain the stories and culture behind everything we ate. All the places were top quality food and they’re smaller, family run local businesses who put real care and thought into the food. Overall the tour is great for going to places you wouldn’t find without very extensive research or local knowledge and difficulty as some of the food outlets are a bit off the map and its a great way to get to know other travellers.
While we didn’t personally experience this option, we’ve heard fantastic reviews from fellow travellers about the Local Street Food Night Tour. This private tour, led by a knowledgeable local guide, offers an immersive dive into Kuala Lumpur’s vibrant street food scene, with six delicious tastings per person. It’s an excellent choice for those arriving in KL early in the morning—after a day of rest, this shorter evening excursion provides the perfect introduction to the city’s rich culinary culture
Click here to BookWe are big foodies and we were so excited to visit Malaysia for the wide variety of South Asian food and it did not disappoint. You must do your research though to find the hidden gems and avoid any upset stomachs.
Our favourite place to eat was ‘Village Park Nasi Lemak’ and the Nasi Lemak was the best we’ve had - the rice was really fluffy but then also a bit creamy from the coconut and the chicken meat is juicy and succulent. The ayam goreng/ fried chicken was also very tasty and had good flavour. The restaurant is in the Damansara Utama and we took the easiest option and got a Grab there. It can get very busy and you can’t book so have that in mind but the food is really delicious!
Village Park Nasi Lemak: 5, Jalan SS 21/37, Damansara Utama, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur
Malaysian cusine
Very good Nasi Lemak and Ayam Goreng
Halab KL: 35, Jalan Berangan, Bukit Bintang Kuala Lumpur
Great vegetarian options
The food is very fresh and atmosphere lively
Good value for money
We were skeptical about this place as the reviews are really mixed but we really enjoyed it but i think it depends on the day/time and staff you get.
CU CHA: Federal Territory of, 75, Jalan Alor, 50200 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
A famous seafood restaurant in Bukit Bingtang
It is slightly more on the expensive side at around GBP 35 per person but the food was good and fresh
The dishes are Chinese and Malaysian style and we ate the Chicken Satay and grilled stingray and it was delicious
Mansion Tea Stall: Jalan Masjid India No 2, Lorong Bunus Satu, 50100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Malaysian cusine
A great local spot for a breakfast / lunch of Roti Canai
Very authentic experience