Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Kuala Lumpur?
Should you spend 1 or 2 weeks in Kuala Lumpur?
Many visitors spend one to five days in Kuala Lumpur during their trip. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because your journey calls for making the most of every moment. The city offers the chance to spend time at the museums, discover the big city activities, dine out at amazing restaurants, and find the best deals at the shops.
Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia and its a cosmopolitan city with a modern and vibrant skyline. The city is a popular destination with backpackers, families, and international travelers who come to see the mix of cultures and dynamic neighborhoods. You'll find many colonial-era buildings as well as the striking Petronas Twin Towers, which offers an observation deck and viewing area.
Do you have one or two weeks to visit Kuala Lumpur? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one week enough time in Kuala Lumpur?
With one week at your disposal, you'll have more than enough time to take in all that Kuala Lumpur has to offer, giving you the flexibility to unwind in your hotel or use Kuala Lumpur as a base for day trips to nearby destinations. You can relax while enjoying the famous sights and museums, the big city activities, and the food at your own pace. We have some suggestions of things to do below, too.
How to spend a week in Kuala Lumpur
When visiting Kuala Lumpur, you absolutely can't miss the Petronas Twin Towers as it's one of the most famous places in the world. Make sure you allow yourself enough time to fully experience it.
The culinary scene in Kuala Lumpur is world famous, and draws visitors from around the globe. Make sure you spend time enjoying breakfast, lunch, and dinner at some of this city's best restaurants. And consider a food tour, too. Many are either a half day or just a few hours, so you can fit one into your schedule easily. The food is influenced by the populations that live here and you'll find a lot of Malay, Chinese and Indian flavors. Spicy curries and noodle dishes are very common. Street food is also a mainstay in this city and it's an experience to wander the market streets and sample dishes from the different vendors.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Sambal Streets Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 15+ Tastings ($49)
- New Malaysian Kitchen Cooking Class and Garden Tour ($150)
- The 10 Tastings of Kuala Lumpur With Locals: Private Street Food Tour ($67)
Kuala Lumpur is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. Traffic can be congested, but there are many wide sidewalks and pedestrian areas around town. The River of Life waterfront area offers nice paths that connect many tourist areas.
Kuala Lumpur is known for it's world-class museums and famous landmarks, so make sure you spend at least a day exploring at one or more of the most appealing. The most notable landmark in the city is the famed Petronas Twin Towers, but other popular sights include Merdeka Square, Kuala Lumpur Tower, and the National Museum.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Private Tour Kuala Lumpur with Petronas Twin Towers Observation Deck & Batu Cave ($110)
- Skip The Line Petronas Twin Towers Tickets & Top Ten Wonder of Kuala Lumpur Tour ($150)
- Full Day Kuala Lumpur City Tour with Petronas Twin Tower Tickets ($95)
The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. Rooftop bars and lounges are popular hangout spots after the sun sets. For classy pubs and clubs head to the Golden Triangle district, but if drinking and partying isn't your thing, the city's night markets are not to be missed.
The public transit in Kuala Lumpur is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the city quite easily and affordably. The system is relatively easy to navigate with most signs in English. There are buses, a monorail, light rail transit and commuter trains.
Since Kuala Lumpur is such a large city, you can spend at least a day exploring the many neighborhoods, attractions, and activities found around town. Break up visiting popular landmarks with the more authentic neighborhoods for shopping and dining. This city is diverse, with significant Malay, Chinese and Indian populations. The neighborhoods each have their own personalities and the history and cultures blend into a beautiful mixing bowl.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Kuala Lumpur Half Day City Tour (SIC - Join In Tour) ($15)
- Kuala Lumpur Half Day City Tour (Private Tour) ($21)
- Magical River Trek ($87)
Kuala Lumpur is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. This city's beauty really comes from the welcoming and helpful personality of its residents, but the neighborhoods also have historic charm and character.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Kuala Lumpur Sunset and Night tour ($62)
- Guided Eco Ride Segway Tour at Putrajaya, City in the Garden ($75)
- New Malaysian Kitchen Cooking Class and Garden Tour ($150)
Shopping in Kuala Lumpur is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. The city is filled with shopping malls, and a big appeal of shopping in this city is the very affordable prices. Some of the most popular shopping malls are Suria KLCC at the base of the Petronas Towers as well as the malls in the Bukit Bintang/Jalan Imbi areas.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Private Tour: Half-Day Shopping and Market Exploration in Kuala Lumpur ($30)
- Explore Petronas Twin Towers, Suria KLCC Shopping Mall ($39)
- Kuala Lumpur Bird Park Admission with Famous Shopping Spots Tour ($73)
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
After you've explored most of Kuala Lumpur, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Colmar Tropicale and Batu Caves Day Trip (SIC - Join In Tour) ($41)
- Amazing Taman Negara Day Trip from Kuala Lumpur Including Lunch ($170)
- Ipoh Day Trip From Kuala Lumpur ($95)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Kuala Lumpur.
Kuala Lumpur is such a huge city that you can easily spend another day in one of the neighborhoods that you haven't visited. Look for those hidden gems and local spots where most tourists don't go. Or, pick another neighborhood with local charm that you haven't fully explored yet.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Because this is a world-class shopping destination, you'll need yet another day to find the best deals. Each area of Kuala Lumpur offers a different vibe and atmosphere, and along with it, different styles of shops.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Kuala Lumpur.
Is 2 weeks enough time in Kuala Lumpur?
Two weeks is more than sufficient for an in-depth trip to Kuala Lumpur, giving you the freedom to set your own pace. Enjoy the chance to spend time at the museums, discover the big city activities, dine out at amazing restaurants, and find the best deals at the shops on your own schedule. Then, unwind at your hotel or use Kuala Lumpur as a hub for some nice day trips in the surrounding area.
How to spend 2 weeks in Kuala Lumpur
With 2 weeks in Kuala Lumpur, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy everything the city has to offer at your own relaxed pace. You'll want to spend plenty of time perusing the musuems, experiencing the city's neighborhoods, dining at local restaurants, and browsing the shops. You can also relax at your hotel, or casually explore this city looking for hidden gems. Also, consider taking some day trips to nearby destinations where you can explore more of the region.
A few trip suggestions:
- Colmar Tropicale and Batu Caves Day Trip (SIC - Join In Tour) ($41)
- Amazing Taman Negara Day Trip from Kuala Lumpur Including Lunch ($170)
- Ipoh Day Trip From Kuala Lumpur ($95)
- Cameron Highlands Amazing Day Trip Tour with Local Lunch ($160)
- Sunway Lagoon Day Trip with 6 Amusement Park ($103)
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Kuala Lumpur, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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