Kuala Lumpur Itinerary – A Four Day Guide to the Malaysian Capital City

A Kuala Lumpur Itinerary – A Four-day guide to the Malaysian Capital City that provides many attractions you must visit during your stay.

 

When you are travelling through Malaysia and visiting the fantastic destinations in the Southeast Asian Country, it’s more than likely you’ll spend a few days exploring the capital city and setting up your Kuala Lumpur Itinerary.

KL is a busy city that requires a lot of energy because there are tonnes of stuff in and around the surrounding areas of KL. Fun activities in cultural activities, current day events, and exploring the great outdoors will create an action-packed Kuala Lumpur Itinerary during your vacation.

The minimum recommended time in Kuala Lumpur is around four days, and I mean the absolute minimum.

While there are other notable locations to visit in Malaysia, it’s essential to utilise the modern city and attractions, such as historical heritage buildings, Religious structures and modern-day skyrises that will give the tourist to the region the best sights in Kuala Lumpur.

If you wonder what to do in Kuala Lumpur for 4-days or even longer if you desire? Let me help you go through a range of activities, attractions and interests with this detailed travel guide to help you prepare for your vacation when you visit Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital city.

 

Are you Visiting Kuala Lumpur? Look for hotels on TripAdvisor!

 

 

 

A Kuala Lumpur Itinerary – What to do Inside Four Days

Before we kick off the Itinerary, let’s try and help your Kuala Lumpur travel experience in terms of accommodation and getting around the big city.

 

Places to Stay in Kuala Lumpur

No matter how many days you stay in Kuala Lumpur, you’ll find a range of accommodations to suit various budgets; KL is an affordable city for a holiday.

Whether you are looking for a KL hotel through Booking.com, staying in cheap accommodation at a backpacker’s joint, renting a self-contained apartment through Airbnb, or a sample of Bukit Jalil hotels, you’ll have ample opportunities to find the accommodation that is perfect for your specific needs.

When I travelled with my family of four to Malaysia, we used Airbnb during our stay, and it was undoubtedly the right choice. Affordable, clean and large apartment, a great city location at a bargain price, there were no complaints on our behalf during our stay, and it will suit any family looking for a stylish place to stay.

 

 

 

 

Getting Around Kuala Lumpur

There are many ways to get around Kuala Lumpur, but before we get into the various modes of transport available to the traveller, let’s discuss a vital card you must get upon settling in and visiting Kuala Lumpur attractions.

I speak of the MyRapid card, an easy scan in and out procedure that gets you onto the trains, monorail and buses and then to visit places in Kuala Lumpur. Tourists can buy most cards at train stations or nearby convenient stores.

Another reminder, your best friend on the road is Google maps on your smartphone. It will give you the directions and the best and quickest routes to your destination, including approximate costs, which will assist your Kuala Lumpur itinerary four-day trip.

 

• Getting around by train (MRT/LRT) – Probably the ideal way to get around, the train system will take you to the most popular locations in the city and beyond.
• Go by Monorail – Used in the city area, a monorail is a fast and efficient way through the city that will give you views from the top.
• Jump on a bus – If a train doesn’t take you the whole, the bus will take care of the rest. Not overly used in my own experiences.
• Hail a taxi – Taxis are everywhere, and if you need to get somewhere quickly to save you a walk to the train station, the cab will get you there in no time and doesn’t cost you a great deal.
• Order Grab – Grab is the Uber of Southeast Asia; at half the price of a taxi, Grab is the most efficient way to get around KL. Waiting times can be a while on the busy city streets and are not as common as taxis.
• Take a walk – A Kuala Lumpur city tour is best discovered by foot, and with many footpaths and traffic lights, you can safely get to your destination travelling on your own two feet.

 

 

 

 

Day 1 – Getting to know KL

Getting to know the area and the Kuala Lumpur attractions is a priority with any destination you visit for the first time or return.

You don’t want to spend too much time wondering what you need to do upon arrival; it’s essential to plan and get stuck into your trip from the outset, as your Kuala Lumpur itinerary will soon fill up you’ll wonder where the time went.

 

 

A stroll around Perdana Botanical Gardens

Kuala Lumpur weather may be hot, but a stroll through the Perdana Botanical Gardens is one of the things to do in KL and whether you begin with the Botanical gardens or not is entirely up to you. However, I recommend you put it on your list for it is a complimentary trip and a great way to spend time with nature.

Inside the gardens, there is a variety of things going on, from the Orchard/Hibiscus Gardens to the large Amphitheatre with occasional entertainment and a vast playground with castles and monkey bars for eager kids to climb for a bit of self-amusement.

The Lake Garden is the biggest attraction inside the Botanical Gardens. You can experience a relaxing stroll around the water, view the perfectly landscaped gardens seen throughout, be mesmerised by fountains, and go over a walking bridge to the central islands that offer more gardens and shaded infrastructure for further relaxing in the shade.

Other attractions near the Botanical Gardens include the Butterfly House and Bird Park, which requires an admission fee, and you could make a whole day out of it if you wish to visit the big three attractions in the area.

Time to spend at Botanical Gardens: Depending on time restraints, anything from 2-3 hours.

 

Enjoy a Gardens tour in KL with Klook and further explore the city!

 

Klook.com

 

 

 

Fun and shopping at Berjaya Times Square

Kuala Lumpur has many top-quality shopping malls and the Berjaya Times Square is worth mentioning because of the uniqueness of the central shopping precinct.

Times Square contains the usual retail and food outlets like any other mall in the city. Still, the action is on the fifth floor, where you find yourself in a whole new world in the form of an Indoor theme Park that contains rollercoasters, carnival rides and other entertainment usually seen at amusement parks around the world.

Time to spend at Times Square: 1-3 hours should give you ample time.

 

Give the kids some fun in Times Square Theme Park with a pass from Klook!

 

Klook.com

 

 

 

Visiting the tourist area of Bukit Bintang

You’ll visit Bukit Bintang Kuala Lumpur on more than one occasion. The popular entertainment hub and nightspot offer a rich food experience at the Jalan Alor Night Food Court, a street food delight of many Asian cuisines that foreigners rush to when staying in KL. 

Other major franchise chains such as McDonald’s, KFC and Starbucks are in the vibrant area with significant shopping outlets such as The Pavilion nearby. You’ll also find some of the best cafes in Kuala Lumpur in this famous tourist area.

For those wishing to dent their credit card a little more with other shopping, you can check out a variety of retail outlets along the streets with popular chains from all over the world in the range of American, Korean and Japanese Brands of clothing and fashion accessories such as jewellery, art and stationery.

You’ll make your way to the Jalan Alor Night Food Court at dinner, a famous street thoroughfare containing many food outlets at a reasonable price. You can sit in a restaurant and try delicious Malaysian food, eat on the run by purchasing a snack from a street vendor, or enjoy a BBQ feast as you select your meats and have them cooked on the spot.

 

Favourite things to do in Bukit Bintang

• The Pavilion Shopping Mall
• Dine at the Jalan Alor Night Food Court
• Street or market shopping

 

Are you staying in the hustle and bustle of Bukit Bintang? Find great hotel rates at Booking.com!

 

 

Pavilion Shopping Mall

The Pavilion Shopping Mall is the best shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur and a place where the credit card will come out on a few occasions as you get out and splurge in a range of retail outlets and top-notch restaurants.

At one entrance into the mall, you wander straight into an indoor café strip, where many coffee shops and bars are situated along the stretch of the mall; for any coffee lover, it’s pure heaven.

Along with the beautifully designed layout of the mall, there is a range of retail outlets of leading women’s clothing, men’s clothing and a variety of accessories for sale. Inside there is also a great food court with luxury dining options and a mega cinema complex to watch the latest blockbuster movie.

The best part of the Pavilion Shopping Mall on Tokyo Street is a mixture of Japanese related retail stores, antiques, sweets and many great Japanese restaurants to get your taste of the famous Asian cuisine.

Time to spend at the Pavilion: Minimum 2-hours

 

 

 

Day 2 – Getting into the Heart of the city.

Kuala Lumpur city is large and is impossible to do during a day, so for day two of your KL city tour, let’s head to the famous tourist zone containing Chinatown, Merdeka Square and the ever-popular central markets.

 

Merdeka Square

There is something special about heritage-listed buildings worldwide, especially in Asia, where history and culture are proudly common throughout, with articulate facilities that create the fascinating appeal of traditional buildings that are centuries old.

Merdeka Square, also known as Dataran Merdeka, has many heritage buildings such as the Sultan Abdul Samad Building (now used as the office of the Ministry of Information, Communication and Culture of Malaysia), The Kuala Lumpur City Gallery, Mary’s Anglican Cathedral and a whole lot more.

Get the camera ready at Merdeka Square. Many great photos of historic structures are guaranteed to be taken and put into the photo album for fond memories of your four days in Kuala Lumpur.

 

 

 

Central Market

While we are talking about what to do in Kuala Lumpur, a stone’s throw from Merdeka Square is the stunning  Central Markets, a landmark building built-in 1928. Central Market is an indoor market set-up where you wander through various stalls and browse in the comfort of a closed roof.

You can purchase a range of products from traditional clothing, souvenirs, and unique jewellery and sit down for a meal in a selection of restaurants. You’ll enjoy your time at the individual two-story market, with a range of stalls outside with a more modern range of products like phone accessories, hats, jewellery and modern-day clothing.

 

 

 

 

Chinatown Kuala Lumpur

Chinatown is chaotic and full of culture, so what else would you expect when looking for fun things to do in KL.

Chinatown Kuala Lumpur has many marketplaces that sell all kinds of goods, from clothing, phone accessories, sporting hats, toys and plenty of other merchandise that come in handy for your everyday lives. You can also stock up on the “I Love KL” souvenirs to take home with you from your vacation.

Inside Chinatown, plenty of Chinese street food is tucked between the market stalls with delicious dim sims the way to go when you want to eat on the run.

On display inside, plenty of entertainment and Chinese lanterns decorate the area for an authentic East-Asia appearance that you look for during an Asian holiday.

 

 

 

Day three – Spread your wings.

Perhaps it is time to spread your wings with a few short trips from Kuala Lumpur, with an enjoyable hike in a rainforest and the famous Batu Caves to enjoy the Kuala Lumpur sights further.

 

A wet N wild hike at Maya Falls

The nature outside of KL is quite beautiful so let me recommend a favourite of mine during my stay in KL.

An adventurous half-day hike at Maya Falls (locally known as Lata Medang) with an experienced guide who picks you up from the hotel, and provides breakfast and lunch, is an impressive 5-hour hike in the Kuala Lumpur rainforest. You will not only keep fit during your walk in the jungle but learn a few interesting facts about the rainforest along the way.

The half-day hike was organised through Airbnb day tours with Thomas’s experienced guide. It starts with a 45-minute drive from the city, where you have a local breakfast before driving out of the hike parking lot and wandering through beautiful terrain.

During the hike, you come across three gorgeous waterfalls, with each waterfall seen getting more spectacular on each occasion. After a swim and a few awesome pictures at the third and final waterfall, you begin your descent back through the picturesque rainforest, which becomes even more beautiful when it begins to rain and back to the car to finish off the half-day tour with a locally made lunch.

Time to spend on a hike: Allow around 8-hours for the trek from pick-up to drop-off.

 

 

 

Batu Caves

Batu caves are often discussed when visiting Malaysia, and generally, every tourist to the city will make their way to this iconic Kuala Lumpur attraction.

The iconic Murugan statue, which includes the 272-steps, takes you to the cave’s entrance point before entering the dark caves and viewing religious artifacts.

The highlight is always the monkeys, as they create playful scenes throughout your time at Batu Caves and even attempt to take anything that you are carrying in the hope of finding it. It’s best not to have any plastic bags inside as our little friends will mistake them for food, so avoid taking any plastic bags inside the caves.

Important note for the female travellers visiting Batu Caves: wear clothing covering your shoulders and pants that go past your knees, or you will not be allowed to enter the caves. If you arrive caught off guard, they have a large scarf at the gates to wrap around your waist if you are not in the standard dress they require. It requires a small refundable deposit.

Time to spend at the Caves: 1-2 hours.

 

Enjoy a thorough KL and Batu Caves tour with Klook!

 

Klook.com

 

 

Day four – Visit More City Hotspots as your KL Itinerary concludes.

Let’s continue the Kuala Lumpur Itinerary with more city hotspots. On day four, the big players come to the fore with the KL Towers and Petronas Twin Towers, a much-anticipated attraction that provides excellent sightseeing in KL.

 

A Quick Wander through the KL Forest ECO Park and KL Tower

It’s time to visit one of the top attractions in the city that will provide sensational Kuala Lumpur sightseeing. The KL Tower is what I am referring to and is 15-minutes from the Petronas Twin Towers. You could organise to both on the same day if you wish.

There is a fee to go up to the Observation deck area and catch a fantastic glimpse of the city. Even if you don’t elect to go to the Observation area, you can hang around the bottom and check out the mini-zoo and other lesser attractions.

Once you have concluded with the KL Tower, it’s time to visit KL Forest ECO Park, situated 10-minutes from the tower’s base. At the ECO Park, you’ll enjoy the nature in the city inside this boutique little forest that has an array of gardens, skywalks, and brilliant views of the KL Tower up above that peeks through open bushes of the city forest.

The best bit about the ECO park is the complimentary entry and its appreciated time in the shade through the bushlands in KL. I recommend visiting the ECO forest during your stay in the city after seeing the KL tower.

 

Go to great heights in Kuala Lumpur with the KL Tower experience through Klook!

 

Klook.com

 

 

 

Wander through KLCC

Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) is a central area with attractions including the Petronas Twin Towers, KLCC Park, various bars and restaurants for a vibrant nightlife and retail outlets like the Suria Mall.

Like many central areas of any major city worldwide, KLCC is saturated with thousands of tourists looking to have a good time out in the big city; you can almost create your own little Kuala Lumpur city tour in this vicinity.

A word to the wise, the traffic never relents in any part of KL and its good advice to either walk or take public transport when venturing into the Let’s

Let’s look at what is on offer for the tourist at the KLCC.

 

 

 

Suria Mall

The Kuala Lumpur shopping adventure continues at the KLCC with the Suria Shopping mall; it’s ideally located at the base of the Petronas Towers and fits into your Kuala Lumpur Itinerary perfectly due to the central proximity.

It’s a modern shopping mall with a host of retail outlets, food courts and cafés. You can capture gorgeous views of the Petronas Towers during the evening and even watch a fantastic fountain light show at the KLCC Park that begins at around 8 pm daily.

 

 

 

The Petronas Towers

The Petronas Twin towers are what travellers to the city often think of when seeking further Kuala Lumpur sightseeing places, and The Petdoesn’toesn’t disappoint.

Whether you are viewing from ground zero and looking above at the magnificent structure or glancing over the city from the 86^th floor of the Observation deck during a tower tour, you’ll love the unique design of the twin buildings.

To partake in the Petronas tour to the viewing area at the very top requires approximately a three-day waiting list, with bookings in advance being essential.

The experience is quite good and certainly recommended to capture magnificent views from the top as you stare out into the large city that contains many skyscrapers. As you can imagine, the popular time slots are taken first, which is usually the sunset hours, especially when the skies are clear.

From ground zero, the atmosphere is chaotic as everyone scrambles for the best spot to take the best pictures of the Petronas Towers, with selfies taken at a premium.

Whether those photos are being taken from the front of the towers or at the rear of the picturesque KLCC, you’ll find a great shot, especially when the sun is disappearing over KL and the buildings begin to light up the night sky.

 

See the best views in KL with a Petronas Towers ticket through Klook!

 

Klook.com

 

 

 

Other things to do in KL when staying a little longer.

It doesn’t have to end at four days in Kuala Lumpur. I recommend you stay longer. Below are extra activities you can do during your Kuala Lumpur tourism adventure to provide further highlights of your KL trip.

 

 An Evening in Kuala Selangor

If you are seeking any day trips from Kuala Lumpur, the small township of Kuala Selangor is recommended and is approximately a one-hour drive from KL. It’s a good evening trip to find a hired driver and do a few informal activities away from the traffic of the big city.

A tour to Kuala Selangor begins with the monkeys at an area called Taman Alum; a host of black and brown coloured monkeys are eager to scrap away for their piece of food. The black monkeys will significantly jump all over you to get what they want.

A delicious seafood dinner is followed, which is set along the Selangor River. Eating at a restaurant called Kuang Wah Seafood, the restaurant serves a range of assorted seafood such as fresh crabs, prawns, deliciously sweet and sour pork and a large dish of fried rice thrown into the fulfilling feast. Meals may vary depending on your tour or what your guide orders for you.

The fireflies cruise concludes the trip at the time the sun comes down to end another brilliant Malaysian day. You catch the quiet longboats that travel slowly into the river in darkness to get the best glimpse of the tiny insects lit up under the night sky along the banks of the Selangor River. It’s an activity losing appeal due to the build-up of the population in the area. However, you’ll still see many fireflies during the half-hour cruise along the river.

The fireflies conclude the Kuala Lumpur day tour. If you wish to partake in private time, you can find information inside a few travel agencies near Chinatown.

 

 

 

 AVT fun at Taman Botani Negara Shah Alam

A Malaysian style adventure park is another fun-filled day at the Taman Botani Negara Shah It’s.

It’s an exciting day of adventures like Skytrex (to conquer your heights), an Extreme Park adventure, a Jungle trek and ATV riding, a highlight as you ride through the park and navigate the rough terrain.

Getting to the park is quite complicated due to the distance from the city. I suggest taking Uber as the best viable transport to the complex, but you’ll be sure to have a fun adventure the family can enjoy once there.

 

That’s a wrap on all the things to do in the Malaysian Capital CIty during your Kuala Lumpur Itinerary, and naturally, there is a lot more to do. I suggest going with the flow and letting the KL attractions come to you.

 

Check out another handy article with this Self Guided Tours in Kuala Lumpur with Maps.