Three Days in Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is an often over-looked city, thought of an airport hub more than anything else. But this is totally the wrong way to look at KL. We spent a cumulative 4 weeks in Kuala Lumpur, and it has become one of our favorite cities that we can’t wait to get back to. We had plenty of time to leisurely explore the city, but many of you don’t have that luxury. So we’ve put together an itinerary for three days in Kuala Lumpur. You won’t get off the beaten path much, but you will get a well-rounded experience that will make you want to come back for more.

For this itinerary, I’m going to assume that you have three full days to spend within Kuala Lumpur. Either you are getting in very early in the morning, or you arrived the night before your three days. Three days in Kuala Lumpur is really all you need to see the highlights, but if you can spare more time there is still plenty to see.

Where are you coming from?

So obviously you’re coming from somewhere, and most likely that somewhere is the airport. The Kuala Lumpur metro system, while still on the small side, is rapidly expanding and has a direct connection to KLIA and KLIA2. The ride is about an hour from KLCC (Kuala Lumpur City Center). A taxi or Uber will run you about the same amount of time to get in.

If you have the option, we highly recommend that you stay within KLCC. We stayed in two different places, one week near downtown and another three in Petaling Jaya. The density of the city center will allow you to walk to most places or utilize the metro. If you are outside city center, then you should use Uber due to it’s ease of use and cheap prices.

Keep in mind, this itinerary doesn’t account for food. Malaysia has phenomenal food and we encourage you eat as much of it as you can! But, because it is everywhere, we think you should just grab what catches your eye as you go by – because it is everywhere.

Day 1 – Holy Sites

 

So for the first day, the itinerary is a little bit slower and quieter. This lets you get used to the city, catch up on jet lag (if you have it), and also lets you toss in any extra activities that you happen to come across. This day has a focus on the religious diversity of Malaysia.

• Wat Chetawan – this is a Buddhist temple that has a really nice charm to it and is still expanding. It is also of the Thai style. You will only need an hour here if you take your time, but it is a nice start to the day. It. isn’t accessible via the metro though, so you’ll need to Uber or Taxi here.
• Batu Caves – arguably the most famous site in Kuala Lumpur, the Batu Caves are an awesome Hindu temple carved into a cave in the jungle. Climbing the stairs to the inner sanctuary serves as a pilgrimage for many. If you can, visit during Thaipusam, where up to a million followers make the pilgrimage up the stairs while bearing painful acts of devotion such as piercing themselves with large metal skewers. Aside from the temple itself, there is a cave tour you can take part in, a museum at the bottom, and numerous shops and stalls. Batu Caves is accessible via the metro or Uber. Be sure to watch out for the monkeys!
• End of Day – if you took your time, then your day is most likely spent, otherwise you might be able to toss in one more item – check out the extras below. Our recommendation is to head back to your accommodation and indulge in some of the excellent offerings of food you can find pretty much everywhere. Maybe go for a night swim too!

• Day 2 – KLCC

  Day 1 may have been more leisurely, but day 2 is a very full day. As long as you are in the the city center, you can walk everywhere here. Get up early, grab a breafast – perhaps some Nasi Lemak or Bak Kut Teh.

• National Museum – we like museums, they’re great ways to find out about the local city or nation. In this case, the National Museum does both, covering the geographic, cultural, historical, and political aspects of Malaysia. It is well curated and will keep you occupied for a couple hours.
• KL Birdpark – the world’s largest free-flight aviary! Numerous birds fly around the aviary, and you get to walk among them. With the exception of a few species that are kept in enclosures, the birds are free to roam. We found the Peacocks quite excited to show off their feathers. It offers much to see, and is great for both adults and kids. One of our favorite parts was feeding the Lorikeets.
• National Mosque – one of the great aspects of the National Mosque of Malaysia is just how accessible it is. Outside of prayer time, non-Muslims may visit and see the grounds. You can’t go inside the main prayer hall, but you can see inside it. The Mosque grounds display beautiful marble work, offering a quiet and cool respite from the tropical sun.
• Islamic Arts Museum – located across the street from the National Mosque, this museum is dedicated to Islamic art and also features a library, and hosts seminars.
• Petronas Towers / Malls – the Petronas towers are pretty iconic to Kuala Lumpur, and you should see them if you can. Kuala Lumpur is also a city of malls with many interconnected, forming a vast network of shopping. Here you can wrap up your night by checking out numerous restaurants, bars, or even just taking in the entertainment they have to offer.

• Day 3 – KLCC Part 2

  After the previous two days, you’re probably a little tired – you’ve done a lot of walking. So for the final day, the itinerary is a little bit more relaxed. There are only two things planned specifically, but there is a fair chance you’ve spotted something from the previous days that you would like to add on as well – so there’s time for that.

• Bukit Nanas – near the center of Kuala Lumpur is a near pristine jungle preserve. It isn’t huge, but offers a great walk through the jungle you never would expect in a city. Our favorite part is the sky bridge that takes you through the canopy. We went as a storm rolled through, so we were treated to an awesome trek through the rainforest.
• Central Market – this is the more historical market. This is not the gaudy and high-end shopping malls, but where you find the hidden gems. Take your time here to explore the shops and find the right item to take home. Or just browse as you sip on a fresh coconut.

• Extras:

  If you have extra time, or a few of the above items don’t quite meet your desires, there are other options. While we encourage you to dive into the nooks and crannies of the city, these other options should keep you satisfied as well.

• 1 Utama – one of the largest malls in the world, this place has it all including an indoor rainforest, rock climbing walls, and a dive academy.
• Purradise – out in Petaling Jaya is a great little cat cafe to check out. You need to order a drink, and then you can hang out and chill with some cats.
• Aquarium – Malaysia has stunning ocean life within its territory, and you can see it here. A perfect rainy day activity.
• Perdana Botanical Garden – located within heritage park of KLCC, and adjacent to the Bird Park. The garden is filled with numerous botanical specimens.
• Butterfly Park – an expansive park featuring over 5000 butterflies and a koi pond. Also located within the heritage park.
• Kuala Lumpur Tower – another unmissable part of the KL skyline, the tower rises from Bukit Nanas and offers a 360 degree view of the surrounding city.
• Bukit Bintang – this is a neighborhood located in the city-center. Consisting of numerous malls, hawker stalls, and shopping, it’s a great place to just relax and take in the upscale life.

• How are you going to spend three days in Kuala Lumpur?

  Let us know your favorite spots and if you enjoy this itinerary. If you like this post, Pin it!