KL itinerary How to spend 3 days in Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur (KL) was the first place I visited on my Southeast Asia trip and it completely took me by surprise. KL is the capital city of Malaysia and one of the most vibrant and diverse cities across Southeast Asia. The city has a diverse population consisting of Malays, Chinese, Indians and various other ethnic groups. This also means that KL is a paradise for food lovers, offering a wide range of cuisines influenced by its multicultural population. The city is also known for its modern skyline, dominated by iconic skyscrapers, such as the Petronas Twin towers and the KL Tower. Despite this, it still has a number of green spaces where visitors and locals can escape the urban hustle and bustle. Overall, Kuala Lumpur is a fascinating destination so here’s the perfect KL itinerary for you to make the most out of your time in the city.

Table of Contents

Day 1 – Explore the City Centre

Morning

Spend your first morning visiting the iconic Petronas Twin Towers. Try to go early to beat the crowd as it can get super busy later in the day. The Towers held the title of the world’s tallest buildings from 1998 – 2004, standing at 452 metres high. The towers serve as the headquarters of Petronas, Malaysia’s national oil and gas company. They also house various offices, commercial spaces, a concert hall and the Suria KLCC shopping mall.

You can take a guided tour of the towers, including visits to the observation deck on the 86th floor and the sky bridge on the 41st and 42nd floors.

Buy tickets for the Petronas Twin Towers here.

After you’ve seen the Petronas Towers, wander around the KLCC park at the base of the towers. Afterwards, head back to Suria KLCC (the mall inside the towers) and find a bite to eat for lunch. There are plenty of dining options available.

Afternoon

In the afternoon, explore Bukit Bintang which is known for its shopping, entertainment and dining options. There are several large shopping malls, including Pavilion which is known for upscale shopping.

Evening

Explore Jalan Alor and stroll along the Food Night Market.

The food stalls and restaurants on Jalan Alor create a lively and bustling atmosphere. The street comes alive in the evening, with colorful lights, sizzling grills, and the aroma of various cuisines filling the air.

Jalan Alor is a budget-friendly dining destination, making it perfect for backpackers. Enjoy a wide range of affordable street food options but beware that they don’t charge you extra.

I ended up being charged almost £8 for one rice dish and a Leo beer. It was my first day of traveling so I’ll accept the loss but make sure you’re more aware than I was and double check the prices before you pay!

If you still have energy after a packed day, walk back to the Petronas Twin Towers after dinner to see them lit up. Although, be mindful that all the skyscraper lights switch off at midnight in KL.

Day 2 – Cultural and Historical Exploration

Morning

Take a Grab to Batu Caves, a series of limestone caves and and cave temples. Climb the 272 steps to reach the main cave temple and admire the Hindu Shines. Although, keep a hold of your belongings and beware of the monkeys!

Images to show Batu Caves, a tourist attraction in KL

After you’ve explored Batu Caves, take another Grab to visit Thean Hou Temple. Thean Hou Temple is about 20 minutes away from Batu Caves but definitely worth seeing. Located on a hill, the modern Chinese temple has incredible views of Kuala Lumpur.

Thean Hou Temple is open from 8am – 10pm and entrance is free. Remember to dress appropriately by covering shoulders and knees.

Image to show Thean Hou Temple, a tourist attraction in KL

Little India is located close to Thean Hou Temple. After a busy morning, head there for some authentic Indian Cuisine.

Afternoon

After lunch, head to the National Museum of Malaysia. The museum showcases various aspects of national culture, heritage and nature.

Opening hours are from 9am-5pm and entry costs 5RM (80p) for an adult foreigner while children under 6 go free.

Evening

Visit Merdeka Square and the Sultan Abdul Samad Building for sunset. Merdeka Square stands as a symbol of Malaysia’s journey to independence and remains an important cultural and historical landmark in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.

After watching the sunset, take a short stroll to Chinatown. Head to Petaling Street, the main thoroughfare through Chinatown, to explore the maze of stalls selling a wide variety of goods, including clothing, accessories, electronics, souvenirs, and traditional Chinese products.

Chinatown is a food haven, offering a plethora of culinary delights ranging from traditional Chinese dishes to local Malaysian cuisine. Choose from street food options, such as Hainanese chicken rice, char kway teow, wonton noodles, and various types of dumplings.

We visited Restaurant 168 Curry Mee and tried the Nam Heong and it was incredible!

Day 3 – Nature and relaxation

Morning

Spend the morning visiting the KL Forest Eco Park near the Kuala Lumpur Tower. The KL Forest Eco Park offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience the beauty of Malaysia’s tropical rainforest right in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. One of the main attractions of the KL Forest Eco Park is its canopy walkway, which offers visitors a unique perspective of the forest from above. The walkway is suspended high among the trees, providing panoramic views of the surrounding skyline and allowing visitors to experience the forest canopy up close.

The KL Eco Forest Park plays a vital role in conservation efforts aimed at preserving Malaysia’s natural heritage. It serves as a sanctuary for endangered species and helps maintain the ecological balance within the urban environment.

Afternoon

In the afternoon, visit Kuala Lumpur’s Lake Gardens. Within the Lake Garden’s, you’ll find the KL bird park, KL butterfly park and the Orchid Garden’s.

The KL Bird Park is the world’s largest free-flight walk-in aviary and is renowned for its diverse collection of bird species, immersive exhibits and conservation efforts. The park also offers various interactive experiences and educational programs, including feeding sessions, bird shows, educational presentations and guided tours led by knowledgeable staff members.

The KL Bird Park is home to over 3,000 birds representing more than 200 species, both local and exotic. Expect to encounter a wide variety of birds, including parrots, hornbills, peacocks, flamingos, ostriches, and various species of pheasants, among others.

It is open daily from 9am – 6pm, including public holidays and school holidays. Entry costs 85RM (£14) for adults and 60RM (£10) for children.

Spend some time wandering around the Orchid Garden’s and the Lake Garden before heading back towards the KL Tower. Consider going up to the Sky Deck or the Observation Deck to get the most amazing view of the city. The Sky Deck is the main tourist attraction at the Kuala Lumpur Tower and is 300m above the ground offering incredible views of the city’s skyline.

If you’re not on a budget, I recommend having dinner at the KL Tower to enjoy the panoramic views of the city at night. However, if you are on a budget (like me!) then I suggest heading back towards the Petronas Twin Towers to find a hidden gem; Nasi Kandar Pelita.

I actually got this recommendation from a friend of mine who lives in Kuala Lumpur and it did not disappoint! Nasi Kandar Pelita is perfect for budget backpackers as it was some of the best priced food we came across and also the tastiest. It can be a bit overwhelming at first as it’s a buffet style restaurant where you queue up, choose what you want and they put it on your plate for you. Nasi Kandar is a Malay dish which you NEED to try when in Malaysia.

Getting around Kuala Lumpur

Getting around Kuala Lumpur is convenient due to its efficient transportation system, including the LRT (Light Rail Transit), MRT (Mass Rapid Transit), monorail, buses and taxis. The LRT and MRT systems are efficient, clean and air conditioned. You can purchase single journey tickets or use Touch ‘n Go cards for seamless travel.

The monorail is not as extensive as the LRT and MRT systems but it still provides a convenient option for reaching certain destinations, especially within the Bukit Bintang shopping and entertainment district.

It’s also possible to use Grab, Southeast Asia’s version of Uber. You can book a ride using the Grab app and choose from various vehicle options, including cars, taxis, and motorcycles. This option provides flexibility and convenience, especially for travelers unfamiliar with the city.