The Ultimate Guide to Kuala Lumpur

Thinking of skipping Kuala Lumpur for the islands? Don’t! This vibrant city is more than just a layover—it’s a foodie paradise, cultural hotspot, and shopping haven. From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, here’s your ultimate travel guide to KL, covering the best things to see, do, and eat!

THINGS TO SEE

While you could easily spend days in the city, here are three un-skippable places in KL:

1. Petronas Twin Towers – KL’s most iconic landmark, these 88-story towers are best viewed at night. While the sky bridge is super popular, I prefer views of the towers themselves, so find a rooftop bar or hotel for epic views! Trader's Hotel and the W hotel both provide incredible views from their bar area.

2. Batu Caves – A must-visit Hindu temple inside limestone caves, known for its colorful 272 steps and giant Lord Murugan statue. It never used to be co

3. Thean Hou Temple – One of Malaysia’s most beautiful temples, offering stunning panoramic views of the city.

You will notice that I left out the KL Tower from this list. The KL Tower is one of the significant buildings that make up KL's iconic skyline, and it used to be one of the best ways to see the Twin Towers - the observatory is 360 degrees and you can get a panoramic view of KL, as well as an explanation of everything you see.

But it has recently become extremely pricey, so why do this when you can get a similar view for free from a nice rooftop bar?!

An exception to this though is if you are dining at their sky restaurant. The restaurant is revolving, offering glittering nighttime views of KL, and provides a stunning dinner ambience.

THINGS TO DO

KL is more than just checking off a couple of spots—immerse yourself in the city’s culture, markets, and unique experiences:

1. Explore Chinatown & Petaling Street – Bustling with markets, street food, and heritage temples. Great for shopping, but be prepared for designer dupes!

2. Eat at Jalan Alor – KL’s best street food scene, where you can feast on local favorites like satay, Hokkien mee, and grilled seafood. Its the perfect place to try a variety of dishes, so go hungry!

3. Shop at Central Market & Kasturi Walk – A great spot for local handicrafts, batik, and souvenirs (though it’s gotten more touristy recently

4. Visit Merdeka Square & Sultan Abdul Samad Building – The heart of KL’s colonial history, where Malaysia’s independence was declared.

5. Walk the KL Eco Forest Park Canopy Walk – A hidden rainforest in the city with amazing skyline views.

6. Mall hop! – KL is famous for its mega shopping malls, perfect for a rainy day or indulging in luxury shopping.

WHAT TO EAT (AND WHERE)

KL is a paradise for food lovers, offering everything from street food to traditional Malay, Chinese, and Indian cuisine. While each dish hails from a different region of Malaysia (the best Char Kway Teow is found in Penang, for example), KL does a great job of introducing you to the dish, especially if you haven't tried it before.

Here’s what you can’t miss:

Nasi Lemak: Malaysia’s national dish—fragrant coconut rice with sambal, fried anchovies, peanuts, and fried chicken. Each element adds a different texture and flavor—spicy, savory, and slightly sweet. Village Park restaurant in Petaling Jaya is an undisputed best when it comes to this dish.

Nasi Kandar: A delicious "mixed rice" buffet concept originating from Penang, where you get a plate of steamed rice and pick from an array of curries, meats, and vegetables. Expect rich, flavorful gravies with a mix of Malay and Indian spices. For an elevated Nasi Kandar experience, head to Pelita, a 24-hour eatery that locals swear by!

Banana Leaf Rice: a south-indian inspired feast, with unlimited rice and curries served on a banana leaf. It’s a hands-on experience, traditionally eaten with your fingers! For an authentic and delicious Banana Leaf Rice, I highly recommend Maya in Bangsar —flavorful, fresh, and served with a generous helping of meat dishes.

Durian: Love it or hate it (spoiler alert: I HATE it), Malaysia’s famous durian is worth a try if you’re feeling adventurous! This infamously pungent fruit has a creamy, custard-like texture with a sweet, slightly onion-like taste (trust me, it’s an acquired taste!). The best place to sample fresh durian is SS2 Durian Street, which offers a variety of types, from the milder D24 to the premium Musang King.

Char Kway Teow: A smoky, flavorful stir-fried noodle dish made with flat rice noodles, prawns, egg, Chinese sausage, bean sprouts, and chives, all wok-fried over high heat with soy sauce and chili paste. Though Penang is famous for it, KL has some solid options—head to Jalan Alor for a late-night plate. If you love noodles, also try Hokkien Mee, a dark, soy-based fried noodle dish packed with umami flavors!

WHERE TO STAY

• Four Points by the Sheraton KLCC - Walking distance to KLCC and comes with some of the most affordable rooms with Twin Tower views

• Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur – Best location near the Petronas Towers, with a stunning infinity pool.

• Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur – Offers private pools and breathtaking city views.

• The RuMa Hotel & Residences – A stylish, affordable boutique hotel with an elegant design and a gorgeous infinity pool.

• Traders Hotel by Shangri-La – Perfect for those wanting a direct view of the Petronas Towers, plus it has the famous SkyBar rooftop pool.

• Hotel Stripes KL – Affordable boutique hotel with an industrial-chic vibe, with a rooftop infinity pool

As always, leaving you with some pictures from our time there. Enjoy! xx

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