What to see in Kuala Lumpur in 2 days【Detailed Itinerary】

How to go from Kuala Lumpur Airport to the city center

Kuala Lumpur has two terminals: KLIA, which serves international flights, and KLIA2, which primarily serves AirAsia. The distance from either terminal to the city center is about 50 km, a bit far compared to other airports, but well connected by several means of transportation.

The best options for getting to downtown Kuala Lumpur from the airport:

• Grab or BoltThese are very affordable Uber-style taxi apps. The journey takes around an hour, although it can increase in traffic. They cost between €1 and €15.
• KLIA Express Train: It is the fastest way to get to the central station, it only takes half an hour. The ticket at the station costs about 11€ and if you buy online about €9.
• Bus: It is the cheapest option since it costs around €3, it takes between 1h and 1h30m depending on traffic.

Getting around through Kuala Lumpur

The city of Kuala Lumpur is vast and the distance between some tourist areas is too great to cover on foot. Fortunately, transportation within Kuala Lumpur is simple and very cheap.

A very good option that we have used a lot on our last visit is the taxi apps like Grab or Bolt. Both are really cheap, efficient and very easy to use, although you should know that traffic in Kuala is quite dense. For short journeys we recommend opting for this type of platform as it is much more comfortable. So that you have a reference in all the transfers we made We paid between 2 and 4€ and it took us 20 to 30 minutes.

The cheapest alternative, especially for long distances, is to use the metro and bus system that perfectly connects the entire city. The option of Google Maps public transport works very well and you indicatedcarThe route and line are clearly indicated. Tickets can be purchased directly. in the machines at all entrances. If you choose to take the bus, you can pay by card when you board. There is a re cardcarIt's affordable to pay for all public transport, but personally, for visiting Kuala Lumpur in 2 days, we see it as unnecessary.

Where to stay in Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur offers accommodation options to suit all budgets. One of the most popular areas to stay is Bukit Bintang, is the main commercial area of ​​the city, full of modern and affordable restaurants, shops and hotels.

It is also the best area to stay if you want to have spectacular views, in this list we have collected the best hotels with views. Our favorite hotel in the area is Ceylon, has a great quality-price ratio, and of course, outrageous views.

Another good area to stay in Kuala Lumpur is Chinatown, is a much more cultural neighborhood with many interesting places around. Here there are many boutique and budget accommodations such as the Yu Yan Hotel.

Map of Kuala Lumpur in 2 days

Each color refers to what you will see during the day, so you can quickly take a look at your itinerary.

Day 1 in Kuala Lumpur: City center and emblems

Now that you know the best place to stay and how to get around the city, let's get down to business. We'll tell you what to see in Kuala Lumpur in 2 days.

The first day we will focus on the downtown area, an area with a lot of atmosphere and lots to see. We are going to recommend the places to see in order of proximity., so you can go from one to the other without wasting a lot of time traveling.

Merdeka Square, the best historical place to see in Kuala Lumpur in 2 days

Merdeka Square, which translates as Independence Square, is the most important square in the country and one of the most beautiful places to see in Kuala Lumpur in 2 days. The independence of Malaysia was proclaimed here and its flag was raised for the first time. Today there is a flag of almost 100 meters in memory of that historic moment.

This square is a meeting place for locals to have a picnic in the sun, and is surrounded by historic buildings, the most emblematic of which is the Sultan Abdul Samad Building with beautiful Mughal style architecture, including the clock tower and its striking copper domes. Other interesting buildings surrounding the square that you should see are:

• Perpustakaan Library
• Kuala Lumpur Art Gallery: Has a free exhibition and a very popular cafe.
• St Mary's Cathedral
• Royal Selangor Club: Private club founded in 1884, notable for its English architecture

Masjid Jamek Mosque

About 5 minutes walk from Merdeka Square you will reach the Masjid Jamek mosque. By the way, next to the bridge that connects these two places You can also see the old High Court of Justice from Malaysia, a building with a very well-maintained façade that stands out for its colonial architecture.

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This mosque is one of the oldest in Kuala Lumpur and for many years it was the most important in the country. Noted for its Mughal architecture, with white domes and elegant minarets. Its interior is decorated with fountains and maintains a traditional Muslim design where tranquility reigns.

Opening hours: Every day except Friday from 10:00–12:30h and 14:30–16:00h.

There is a dress code, but they do provide robes to borrow so you can cover your arms and legs. Both entry and borrowed clothing are free.

KL Central Market

This market with a striking Art Deco façade is also just a few minutes walk from Merdeka Square and Chinatown. Historically It was the most important market in the cityLittle by little it was transformed from a fresh produce market to a crafts market and currently, in our opinion, it is completely focused on tourism and the sale of souvenirs.

Taking advantage of the fact that you will almost certainly pass by the Central Market, I would take a quick walk around it and perhaps take the opportunity to eat something there. food cut, can be a good place to try some local dish.

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Chinatown | One of the best neighborhoods to see in Kuala Lumpur in 2 days

Chinatown is one of the busiest neighborhoods in the city and its streets are home to some of the most interesting temples to see in Kuala Lumpur in 2 days. It is a great example of the a mix of cultures that coexist in the streets of Kuala. For example, you can visit the Taoist temple of Guan Di Temple, a place with a strong smell of incense and typical Chinese architecture with red, green and gold paint.

On the same street you can also visit the oldest Hindu temple in Malaysia, it is the Sri Maha MariammanIn addition to its historical importance, it stands out for its striking façade full of ornamentation.

Finally the most famous street in Chinatown, the Petaling Street Market This is the heart of this neighborhood. All kinds of counterfeit goods are sold on this street. If you are interested in something, don't forget to haggle. And even if you don't want to buy anything, taking a walk inside is very entertaining.

🍜 Take advantage of your visit to Chinatown to eat at a good restaurant in the area, we loved the Clam Chowder from Lai Foong Lala Noodles Restaurant, which has been featured in the Michelin Guide for years.

Kwai Chai Hong

Kwai Chai Hong is a restored alley next to Chinatown. It is famous for its murals and restored traditional buildings. It is a very charming place to take a walk, take photos and try some of its cafes or restaurants. At Da Bao Restobar we had a delicious bao. A highly recommended area to see in Kuala Lumpur in 2 days if you are interested in street art, it has a decadent vibe that we love.

From this area of ​​Chinatown we also love the views towards Merdeka 118, the tallest building in Kuala Lumpur, It appears shining behind many half-decaying alleys, creating a brutal contrast.

Masjid Negara | The best mosque to see in Kuala Lumpur in 2 days

La Masjid Negara It is one of the largest and most important mosques in Malaysia. It stands out for its striking modern Islamic architecture with a star-shaped blue roof and a tall minaret. The mosque is surrounded by gardens and fountains, creating a very relaxing environment.

Tourists can enter the mosque for free and tour all the facilities except the prayer area, which is exclusively for Muslims. Although there is a dress code, they lend clothes to enter the mosque.

Opening hours: Every day from 9:30-12:30h and from 15-18h. Fridays 15-18h.

Perdana Botanical Garden

Just behind the Mosque Negara you can visit the Kuala Lumpur Botanical Gardens, a spacious and peaceful park where you can escape the traffic and noise of the capital. These gardens are especially beautiful if you visit them on a sunny day.

The Perdana Botanical Gardens does not appear in too many guides or travel blogs. We do not consider it to be an essential place to see in Kuala Lumpur in 2 days, but it is A very good stop if you are looking for a quiet environment surrounded by trees, flowers and lakes instead of so many concrete buildings. Taking a short walk through it is most pleasant.

Petronas Towers | Kuala Lumpur's top stop in 2 days

It's time to change areas of the city and go from being surrounded by traditional buildings and monuments to impressive glass skyscrapers. To get to the foot of the Petronas Towers you can take a Grab or use the metro from Pasar Seni station in Chinatown.

For us The best time to visit the Petronas Towers is at sunset. as they will be illuminated by a beautiful natural light and if you wait long enough you will be able to see the night lights of these iconic buildings come on. Under the towers there is a huge shopping centre so killing time as it gets dark is not a problem. You can also go up to the viewpoint that is on the glass bridge that connects the towers.

Council: Don't settle for the frontal views of the Petronas Towers, visit KLCC Park at the back to get another perspective. It's a huge park, great for walking and even with a free pool for kids.

If you want to enjoy privileged views you can stay in one of the best hotels with views of the petronas towers or climb one of the bars and restaurants in the skyscrapers that surround itWe recommend the Blackbyrd or the SkyBar.

Saloma Link, the best night views to see in Kuala Lumpur

Take advantage of being near the Petronas Towers to visit the Saloma Link Bridge. This modern bridge with a striking design is just a 5-minute walk from the foot of the Petronas Towers. It's striking during the day, but it's at night that it becomes truly interesting. The structure of the bridge bridge lights up with a show of colors and just behind it rise the Petronas Towers and other large illuminated buildings.

Many tourists visit this spot every night to take photos, and it's no wonder, as the view is fantastic and it's not a very popular area. There are also several very affordable restaurants under the bridge, where every table has views of the Petronas Twin Towers.

Jalan Alor, street food and atmosphere

To end the day we recommend going to dinner at Jalan Alor, the street with the most nightlife to see in Kuala Lumpur in 2 days. This pedestrian street is completely transformed when night falls and becomes a night market with many food stalls and restaurants with tables on the street. It is one of those places where there is always something going on, the last time we had dinner there there was a celebration in a nearby Chinese temple and a parade down the avenue.

Walking through it is synonymous with stimulating all your senses, lights everywhere, hustle and bustle and a mix of smells from the different foods served in its restaurants, although the most representative smell is that of durian, the stinkiest fruit and at the same time exclusive to Asia. If you decide to try it, this could be the ideal place.

Day 2 in Kuala Lumpur: Batu Caves and other temples

Our proposal for the first day in Kuala Lumpur is intense and you will walk a lot to get to know the entire downtown area. On the other hand, for this second day we recommend the following: more remote places which you will have to reach by public transport or taxi.

Batu Caves, the most photogenic place to see in Kuala Lumpur in 2 days

We recommend that you get up as early as possible to visit the Batu Caves, which together with the Petronas, is The most iconic place to see in Kuala Lumpur in 2 days. Due to its fame, Batu Caves is very touristy and is almost always full of people, especially Hindus who make the pilgrimage to this place. So if you get up early you can enjoy it much more calmly, although I must say that seeing it in full swing also has its charm.

Are Located on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, but it is easily reached by KTM Komuter train (Batu Caves stop) or by taxi (you can use the Grab App).

Batu Caves are a set of 4 caves In the heart of a mountain, very important Hindu sanctuaries have been built inside. You have surely seen many photos of the colourful staircase that goes up to the cave guarded by a 43-meter golden statue representing the god Mugaran.

The caves are impressive in themselves and being there is quite an experience. You can see Hindus praying and making offerings, monkeys and chickens roaming the cave and all this in a surprising natural environment.

El access is free And don't forget to cover your knees and shoulders so you can visit it. It will take you about two hours to visit it all at a leisurely pace.

→ If you don't want to go on your own you can hire this guided tour to the Batu Caves

Thean Hou Temple

The next stop we suggest is, for us, the best temple to see in Kuala Lumpur in 2 days. A Chinese temple built on a hill and composed of 6 floors which allows you to enjoy surprising views of a large part of the city.

The temple's architecture combines elegant white railings with the classic Chinese colors of red and gold. Its roofs are decorated with dragon figures and the traditional chinese red lanterns. It is without a doubt one of the most photogenic places in the entire city. A temple that surprises you even if you have already seen many in Asia, this one is different.

Like most places in Kuala Lumpur, entry to this temple is free and in this case there is no dress code.

Little India

Very close to Thean Hou Temple is Little India, you can get there on foot in about 25 minutes or less than 5 by taxi. It is One of the most iconic neighborhoods in Kuala LumpurAs you can see when travelling around Malaysia, the Indian community is very important, and as expected, they have their own neighbourhood with colourful streets and businesses typical of this large community.

This neighborhood is known as Brickfields and can be covered fairly quickly. It is an ideal place to eat in an Indian restaurant and to be amazed by the local jewellery shops, flower shops for offerings and fabric shops with traditional costumes.

Berjaya Times Square Shopping Center

Shopping malls are not the places that attract our attention the most when visiting large cities, but without a doubt going to the Berjaya Times Square It is one of the most curious and fun places to see in Kuala Lumpur in 2 days.

This shopping centre attracts attention for two reasons: first, there are no big brands, but rather small shops or local brands, and second, because… It has a roller coaster insideYes, as you heard, between the 5th and 7th floors of this shopping center there is a small amusement park where the highlight is the roller coaster.

It is pure fantasy and well worth a visit, but if you want to try some of its attractions the bad part is that you need to pay the entrance fee for the entire park, about 18 euros.

Pavilion KL

Taking advantage of the fact that we are talking about shopping centers if you want to visit the largest and most luxurious in the city you can't miss the Pavilion.

It is one of those types of shopping centers where you can get lost inside the escalator up and down. What we liked most about this place is the great variety of restaurants you can find, we recommend the Taiwanese restaurant Din Tai Fung, belonging to a chain that has a Michelin star and is specialized in Xiao Longbao, one of our favorite dishes China.

Do you have one more morning in Kuala Lumpur?

If you have some more time in Kuala Lumpur we recommend a last stop: Wilayah Mosque, It opens from 10am to 18pm and is quite far from the center so it's best to arrive by Grab. It's a mosque with a blue dome, super elegant and beautiful.

The visit is free and you have to it must be done with a guide, In total it takes an hour and a half, so you should leave plenty of time for your visit.

Here are our recommendations of what to see in Kuala Lumpur in 2 days. We hope they are very helpful! To continue organizing your route you can read our Malaysia Guides A look at our experience in the highlights of Instagram.

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