3 days Kuala Lumpur | Complete city guide with 15 activities

Let me start with the fact that Kuala Lumpur during my tour Asia really stole my heart. During those 8 months I visited Kuala Lumpur 3 times, hence this Kuala Lumpur City Guide! Simply because I couldn't get enough of it. It was the only capital in Asia where I could even see myself living. What I like so much about Kuala Lumpur is that it is still an Asian city with a lot of charm, but that you can also find the conveniences that you sometimes need as a Western tourist. There is so much to see in the city and the great metro system makes getting around easy. Do I need to say more?! Discover this beautiful city with my Kuala Lumpur City Guide with 15 activities!

Kuala Lumpur City Guide

Metro to Kuala Lumpur from the airport

From the moment you arrive at the airport in Kuala Lumpur you are eligible with the metro network of this metropolis. The airport is located at 55 kilometers away from the center which amounts to about 50 minutes to an hour travel time. You can of course also choose to take a taxi (more expensive option) or take a bus (cheaper option) to the city center.

Tip: Return flights to Kuala Lumpur have run out this page from Skyscanner can be found from 553 euros.

The metro is a golden mean. It is a comfortable journey and takes between 30 and 40 minutes. At the airport it is very clearly indicated what the walking route is to the metro station where you can buy tickets. You can choose from the KLIA Transit or for KLIA Express. The KLIA Transit stops at 3 intermediate stations (Salak Tinggi, Putrajaya/Cyberjaya and Bandar Tasik Selatan) and therefore takes about 10 minutes longer.

The KLIA Ekspres has as terminal station KL Sentral and costs 55 RM for a one-way trip. From this station you can walk to your accommodation or you can transfer to another metro if you still have a bit to go. Make sure you have the app Moovit on your phone so you can easily check which line to take to get as close as possible to your destination.

Transportation in Kuala Lumpur City Center

Once in the city it's easiest to keep moving through the metro network (and the cheapest). At every station there is a machine where you can buy super easy tickets for your final destination. The machine will change your money and give you a small ticket that will allow you to go through the gate. Keep this ticket safe, because you can sometimes be checked. When you get to your final destination, you can throw the ticket away and buy a new one next time. Another (cheap) mode of transportation in Kuala Lumpur is Grave† So make sure you also have this app on your phone! I myself have only used Grab when I wanted to go somewhere where there was no metro station nearby.

Also read: Which (prepaid) credit card is best to travel with? And why?

Kuala Lumpur SIM card

You obviously need internet for the above-mentioned apps (Grab and Moovit), which is why it is useful to get one at Kuala Lumpur airport. SIM card to purchase. Maxis is known as the best provider in Malaysia and has a 6 GB data bundle for 35 MR† Almost all bundles are up to 30 days to use. All you have to do is look for a Maxis stall (trust me, they are not to be missed) and choose your package. The employee will then replace the SIM card and you can immediately test whether your internet works!

Tip: Or arrange your SIM card before departure this website.

Day 1 in Kuala Lumpur

1. Batu Caves

Get up early to go to the Batu caves so you can beat the hordes of tourists! Since 2019, you can not only admire the beautiful caves here, but this place has also become very attractive because of the enormous stairs painted in rainbow colors. Since I was there in 2018, I unfortunately don't have any photos of this, but I'm sure you've seen them on Instagram. Oh yes: and watch out for the apes. Do not hold a plastic bottle, but store it safely behind the zipper. This way you prevent monkeys from jumping on you.

2. Petronas Towers

Stroll through the surroundings of the Petronas Towers and see them from all angles! You have the best view of the Petronas Towers from the KLCC park, where you can eat your take-away lunch. The buildings are 452 meters high, so you can imagine that it is quite difficult to get a good photo of them. Are you up to the challenge?

---

3. Suria KLCC

After the Batu Caves and the Petronas Towers, it is wonderful to enter the shopping center to cool off in the air conditioning. Suria KLCC is located just below the Petronas Towers and is one of the largest shopping centers in the city! Other nice, large shopping centers are Pavilion en KL Central† If you are looking for a shopping center where you will not encounter well-known brands, then Berjaya Times Square something for you. When I walked in here I thought I was literally and figuratively in an AliExpress.

4. Street art at Bukit Bintang

Bukit Bintang is my favorite neighborhood Malaysia because I can really look forward to this. This is also the place to be in the evening. Here you will find many shopping malls, eateries, clubs, cafes and rooftop bars. What not many people know is that you can also find Street Art here if you walk through the smaller streets. Very nice to see if you are in the area!

5. Jalan Alor

This Kuala Lumpur City Guide wouldn't be complete without my favorite street in Kuala Lumpur! Jalan Alor is a food paradise and is literally and figuratively a very long street full of food stalls that sell all kinds of things! On the one hand you have the street food stalls that are not there during the day and on the other hand you have the large restaurants that sell street food. You absolutely cannot miss this street when you are in Kuala Lumpur.

Also read: Eat safe street food during your World Trip | 11 Tips

---

6. Heli Rooftop Bar

End your day at the Heli Rooftop Bar and you have had a perfect first day in Kuala Lumpur. This rooftop is used as a helicopter platform during the day and in the evening you can enjoy a fancy drink with a spectacular view.

Day 2 in Kuala Lumpur

7. Thean Hou Temple

Get up early and be there on time Thean Hou temple. In the early morning you have this temple to yourself and that makes the visit so much more beautiful. The colours, the atmosphere, the view. Everything together ensures that this temple will certainly be popular.

8. Wilayah Mosque

This mosque is located a bit outside the city center, but it certainly does not make it any less interesting to visit. The mosque is really beautiful and a beautiful experience. When you arrive at this mosque you will be given clothes that you can borrow and you can take advantage of the free tour that they offer.

9.Eco Forest

A nice change in this Kuala Lumpur City Guide! In the EcoForest From Kuala Lumpur you don't feel like you are in a world city at all. It is the perfect place to take a nice walk and enjoy the nature around you.

10. Central market

Central market is located near Chinatown and is a very nice market where you can buy souvenirs etc.! You can literally find everything here. You can of course also enjoy a snack and drink around Central Market. It gets busier here, especially in the evening.

11. Little India & Chinatown

End your day with a taste of the Indian & Chinese atmosphere Little India en Chinatown. In both neighborhoods you can taste the tastiest street food (highly recommended!) for next to nothing.

Day 3 in Kuala Lumpur

12. Sultan Abdul Samad & Merdeka Square

At Merdeka Squara and near the river you will find the beautiful building Sultan Abdul Samad† Not only the building itself is nice to see, the area is also worth a walk. As far as I'm concerned, this is definitely a nice addition to this Kuala Lumpur City Guide!

13. KL Sentral

Perhaps the most famous shopping center in Kuala Lumpur. KL Central. You have probably changed trains here a number of times. Time to take a look inside! You will find everything you need and more here.

Tip:: no street food for a while? Then make a stop at Nando's.

14.Perdana Botanical Garden

If you want to escape the hustle and bustle again, then this is it Perdana Botanical Garden a nice option. Access to the garden is free. However, if you want to visit the bird park or butterfly park, you have to pay for it.

15. Infinity Pool

I close this Kuala Lumpur City Guide with one of the many Infinity pools that you can find in the city! There is nothing more relaxing than enjoying the view with a drink in a swimming pool. The best is of course at sunset.

Tip:: Are you looking for a hostel incl. Infinity pool? I found one! Above you see me in the infinity pool Penthouse on 34 Hostel in Kuala Lumpur.

---

Where to stay in Kuala Lumpur

When I went to Kuala Lumpur for the first time I was overwhelmed with choices in terms of accommodation. The choice is really enormous and that is why I would like to let you know what our experiences are.

I have had 3 different accommodations in the city including Birdnest Guesthouse & Hostel. This hostel is known as a cozy hostel because there is a rooftop bar on top of the building where you get cocktails for only 3 euros. So are you looking for fun and a party? Then this is the place for you.

If you're looking for a super quiet hostel then I got you Space Hotel in Chinatown recommend. It is located right next to Chinatown and around the corner from Central Market. Sounds like a non-quiet location right? But thanks to the capsules you sleep in and the fact that they filter out a lot of noise, you can relax here. The disadvantage of this hostel is that (unlike Birdnest Guesthouse) it is not very social because almost everyone is hidden in their capsule.

Highly recommended Penthouse on 34 Hostel (previously Sky Society) where you sleep in a skyscraper on one of the top floors. The building is mega luxurious and on the roof you will find an infinity pool with a view of the Twin Towers. But how?! There is a hostel in the building where you pay to sleep there + use the Infinity pool.

Tip:: Click here to view other accommodations, prices and availability in Kuala Lumpur.

Best time to visit Kuala Lumpur

You can actually visit Kuala Lumpur all year round (YAY!) as it is approximately between 25 and 35 degrees every month. The 'highest' chance of rain is in the months December to March. The photos I used in my blog are from the months of June, July and August.

Where to go after Kuala Lumpur

Is Kuala Lumpur part of your itinerary by Malaysia or maybe several countries in Asia? Read more blogs on our Malaysia page.