If there is one thing I love about Kuala Lumpur, it is the energetic pace, the green neighbourhoods, the food and how INSANELY good value you get for your money here.

As someone who travels frequently and works remotely, I could technically move to anywhere in the world like Bangkok or maybe Vietnam, but yet I am still here at home in Kuala Lumpur.

And why? The countless green spots and how insanely good the food is plus the iconic skyline. There are very few Southeast Asian countries that actually have this good mix.

You can stay at a hotel for less than $20 and still have an insane value for your money. The best thing about the things to do in Kuala Lumpur are the variety — one minute you are in a Chinese temple and the next hunting down a nature trail with coconuts next to it!

Also read: Where to Stay in Kuala Lumpur: Unique Heritage & Cool Hotels To Stay In!

Why I Think These Are The Best Things To Do in Kuala Lumpur

1. The Unbelievable Skyline: Petronas Twin Towers & KLCC

I will start with the most touristy thing: visiting the Petronas Twin Towers but it also depends where are you looking at it from.

The best way to get the views of the city are from the KLCC park and also taking the 170-meter elevator ride to the Skybridge, where you'll have a unique vantage point between the towers.

And if you are done with that, I would also recommend enjoying a drink at the Helipad bar where you get stunning views of Kuala Lumpur.

2. Hike in Kuala Lumpur in Taman Tugu

hiking in taman tugu - one of the best things to do in kuala lumpur

There are countless trails in Kuala Lumpur but if you want to escape the crowds and have a nice easy walk, this nature urban escape trail is an awesome respite in Taman Tugu.

There are up to 25 checkpoints and can be a maze on its own — every weekend there’s a market with fun stalls and coconuts but it is very crowded.

I believe weekdays and weekends after 12pm is when the crowd dissipates.

Once you are done here, you can head over to the botanical gardens which is literally next door and the night lights are pretty nice at night.

Also read: 23 Offbeat Short Getaways in Malaysia From KL For Day Trips/Weekends

3. Check Out Artsy hubs like Rexx KL & Zhongshan Building

I love wandering into spaces like these when I’m in KL, they are often filled with old buildings turned into creative playgrounds filled with indie bookstores, tiny cafés, and local brands you won’t find in malls.

One obvious place is Rexx KL in Chinatown, petaling street — there is a book store, food court, local stuff and a live performance space.

Another place to check out is Zhongshan Building. It is a vibrant building that’s become one of KL’s most creative hubs. There are great mix of cafés, indie shops, studios, and events.

4. Walk around Lorong Panggung for brunches & murals

walking around chinatown in kuala lumpur

This is in Chinatown and you should visit this place after checking out Rexx KL. While the street is not very long, it is a nice place to get drinks, local food and just walk around KL at night.

Some of the popular kopitiams or cafes are called Ho Kow Hainam Kopitiam, Luck Bros Kopi and Kafei Dian. There are really nice western brunches and cafes over there as well Yellow Brick Road & Leaf & co. cafe.

5. Do a food tour in Kuala Lumpur

I will say one of the best things to do and see a city is to always go on a bike tour. What better way to enjoy the food of KL by eating?

I love this tour by bike by Elena and it is a wonderful way to get to know KL intimately. It is leisurely paced and you get to find all the wonderful haunts where locals hang out.

But if you don’t want to bike, there’s a sambal street food tour where you get to enjoy some local Malaysian food and try nasi lemak, durian shake and cendol among other things.

6. Go For More Hiking Trails with the Meetup group

the awesome hiking trails in kl - this was 2 hours away from kl and organised by the hiking group

This is a popular group on MeetUp.com called ‘KL Hiking’ hosted by a Belgian guy called Alex who has been in Malaysia for over 2 decades. It is often free or you need to pay a small fee for getting permits.

I would suggest looking up their hiking trails every weekend as they do go to offbeat places where you can get a taste of hiking further out from KL.

I have had some of the most amazing hikes with them from a mossy forest to an unchartered trail overlooking the city. It is also the best way to meet locals and see a new side of KL. I find people are often friendly on these hikes which makes it easy to have spontaneous plans after with them!

7. Have the best nasi lemak in Village Park Restaurant

It is out of the way and on the other side of KL in SS21 but Village Park Restaurant has the best nasi lemak that everyone goes to — it is worth taking the detour in my opinion to see what’s the hype behind this!

The crowd is always huge, but the good thing is you don’t actually have to queue outside. You can walk in, look for an empty table, sit down, and order from there, which makes the whole experience feel less chaotic despite the number of people.

8. Escape KL & Head Somewhere cooler like Genting Highlands

do a staycation in kl and stay in genting highlands - this was in antara by sleeping lion

Truth is that I usually would avoid Genting Highlands because they have built another concrete spot with theme park as it can be chaotic, but it is only 45 minutes away from KL and quite easy to book a grab ride here.

I liked the weather and it is a nice day to take the cable car ride, visit the temples, check out few rides and come back.

If you want to stay longer, you can stay in Antara by Sleeping Lion and it is a nice quiet escape if you want to run away from the heat.

But if not you can also book a tour that just takes you to Batu Caves and Genting Highlands which is quite easy as you don’t need to worry about getting transport back which can be a pain to deal with!

9. Take a day trip to Ipoh and back

If you want to go somewhere, Ipoh is just 2 hours away and the ETS train which is fantastic is worth exploring.

You can take the early train and book your tickets here, check out the food scene & the mural arts and come back to KL the very same day.

You can even have a Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat Day Pass in Ipoh which gives you access to geothermal hot springs dipping pools, thermal steam cave, ice bath, meditation cave, crystal caves and more.

Also read: Ipoh Itinerary: 2-3 Days of Culture, Food & Nature

10. Visit The Islamic Museum & arts museum (+n by UR-MU)

I am not much of a museum fan but if you want to escape the heat and enrich your mind instead of jumping into another mall, you should check out the Islamic Arts Museum which is in the Lake Gardens vicinity.

If you love mosaic and appreciating art and collectibles, the domes inside are absolutely mesmerizing.

Every exhibit tells a story, and reading about the rich history behind each piece was both fascinating and inspiring.

Another museum that has good reviews and is in Chinatown is this arts museum called +n by UR-MU. There are 4 levels and and they also have interesting documentation of Malaysian history that would never make it to history books.

You also have a really well curated selection of works that share important stories of life and people, with more of a political focus.

11. Go on another hiking trail in Bukit Kiara + get an ice bath

another awesome hiking trail in bukit kiara

I think sometimes a lot of tourists tend to stick to the main areas like Bukit Bintang, Chinatown and the likes but if you want to see a different side where expats and locals stay — Bukit Kiara has some nice hiking trails in the city and you can end in a cafe that offers ice bath + Malaysian food.

You can follow the route here and it passes through some Angkor Wat looking trees, a nice stream to dip in and gorgeous greenery and monkeys everywhere.

The best part is it is so easy to make friends here as everyone always says Hi. You can end the hike here at this cafe called Trailside Treats which is apparently a mecca for mountain bikers, hikers in that neighbourhood.

They offer a shower outside for hikers, ice baths and smoothies and local food which is really nice to see what life like is in KL should you decide to stay longer!

12. Fireflies & Sunset at Kuala Selangor

This is a day trip from Kuala Lumpur but such a unique way to see the other side. You can book the tour here.

You get to go on a boat tour and see thousands of fireflies in Kuala Selangor — it is a quite a nice cultural experience and seeing a different side of KL.

13. Cameron Highlands & Tea Plantations

cameron highlands one of the best day trips from kl

If you have exhausted all the list of things to do here and don’t have much time left, I would suggest doing the day tour that takes you to Cameron Highlands and the Boh Tea Plantation.

This is incredible value for your money since it gives you all the highlights you need to see in Cameron Highlands like the gorgeous tea fields and the mossy forests.

It is also a great day trip to avoid the heat of KL and see the cool highlands of Malaysia.

14. Taman Negara National Park

Think Amazon forest but in Malaysia? Taman Negara is one of the oldest rainforest in Malaysia that’s over 130 million years old.

If you don’t have time to visit the Borneo jungles of East Malaysia, you have to do this day trip which takes you to Taman Negara which covers everything in 24 hours.

You start with a 4 hours drive, an amazing jungle trek, a boat road and a canopy walk — almost feels like you’re living life as a ranger here in Malaysia with this experience!

15. Ramayana Caves, Batu Caves & 7 tiered Kanching Waterfalls

This is right in Kuala Lumpur and such an amazing day trip because you get to understand KL’s historic indian temples followed by a visit to the 7 waterfalls in KL called Kanching waterfalls.

You can book the tour here.

But if you don’t want to go for the tour, you can go Batu Caves on your own and after that hike to Kanching Waterfalls. It is a tough and steep hike if you go all the to the 7th level but even then the 6th level is gorgeous enough.

Beware of monkeys and don’t bring any food or canned drinks — just water as the monkeys are aggressive!

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15 Best Things To Do in Kuala Lumpur: From A Local Perspective