2 days in Kuala Lumpur – Best things to do in KL

Spending 2 days in Kuala Lumpur is a must and we share the best things to do in KL, so you can have the best vacation. Don’t miss a thing!

Things to know before you go to Kuala Lumpur

The best time to visit Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur can be visited all year round as the weather is warm and consistent. December to January and June to August are more popular times to visit because of the festivals at this time.

February, March, September, and October are known as the off-season and prices can be slightly cheaper at this time. 

Getting to Kuala Lumpur

There are a few different ways that you can travel to Kuala Lumpur. Most visitors will head to the city via air, landing at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. This is a modern airport, rated as one of the world’s top airports.

Surrounded by other Southeast Asian destinations, it is also common for travelers to visit Kuala Lumpur via rail.

The KTM railway service connects the city to other cities in Malaysia whilst international trains are available from Singapore and Thailand. 

Getting around Kuala Lumpur

Walking in Kuala Lumpur is a popular option in the city; many of the major sights can be walked between.

There are some popular walking rounds around neighborhoods like Bukit Bintang and Chinatown.

There are plenty of train routes available in the city, with commuter trains connecting you to the airport and destinations outside of the city center. 

A great option for those spending 2 days in Kuala Lumpur, is to use the Hop-on Hop-off bus to get around to the major sights in the city. 

Typical prices in Kuala Lumpur

Hostel dorm rooms start at around 40RM and private budget rooms begin at 80RM. Midrange hotels in good locations begin at 800 whilst more luxurious hotels in the city center start at around 2000 RM.

A simple breakfast or lunch can be found for around 10RM whilst mid-range, sit-down meals begin at 50RM. 

Save money in Kuala Lumpur

KL is one of the cheapest places to visit in the world but there are many ways you can save even more money.

As with most Southeast Asian destinations, eating like a local and sticking to street vendors will help you save money on food. Take the train or bus instead of using the taxis.

There are plenty of free attractions but also budget-friendly sights to see, including the Petronas Art Gallery and the KL Forest Eco Park.

You can also get yourself a tourist pass to save money on sightseeing.

You can save money on hotels by booking in advance and staying further out of the city center but also browsing the accommodation options on Airbnb and hostelworld.com. You should also look at hotels in Chinatown as this is a great location and hotel prices tend to be cheaper here. 

2 Days in Kuala Lumpur

Day 1 in KL

Begin your trip with a visit to The Petronas Towers. These are one of the most iconic landmarks in the world and are what KL is known for.

Head to the base of the towers to appreciate the famous landmark and then head up to the sky bridge to see the city from above.

Next, head outside of the towers to the KCLL Park. This is a luscious area that gives you a break from the city with fantastic views of the famous landmark spend some time relaxing in the park and soaking in The city. 

Jump on the KJL train down to the Masjid Jamek stop. Here you can visit the nearby attractions like the Merdeka Square and Masjid India Mosque.

However, the main reason to visit the area is to see the Jamek Mosque.

The Jamek Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in Malaysia and a must-visit in Kuala Lumpur.

It is bright white and has a beautiful symmetrical design, making it a photographer’s dream.

The locals are friendly and welcoming to visitors, so you can visit the mosque and learn about its history.

This is a free place to visit but donations are appreciated and visitors are expected to dress respectfully.

For lunch, stop by Central Market. This is a great place to get souvenirs, handcrafted items, and local crafts. But you can also find some fantastic local food here, especially in the food court.

Not only can you shop here, but you can also enjoy performances, art, exhibitions, and workshops led by the locals. 

After some lunch, you can head down to Chinatown (around a 7-minute walk from Central Market). You can try the local Chinese snacks and dishes here but also visit the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple.

As the sun begins to set, you have a few things to do in the evening.

For foodies, we recommend heading to Jalan Alor Food Street. This is a popular food street that comes alive in the evenings. We love the Thai food found here but definitely try the seafood dishes found here too.

Are you addicted to amazing views? Sky Bar is one of the best rooftop bars in Malaysia. It is located in the city center, which is extremely suitable for all travelers. This rooftop bar is part of Traders Hotel. That means you can book a room there and enjoy the beautiful view at the same time! 

For some drinks and dance, head to Marini’s 57. This place is a bit more expensive. However, it is worth every penny!

You can choose between enjoying the views at the rooftop bar or eating Italian fine dining at the restaurant.

Don’t try to go directly there without reservation. In most cases, you will need to call at least seven days earlier to book a table.

There are plenty of evening entertainment options in KL so choose what is best for you and be ready for a fairly early start.

Day 2 in KL

As the sun rises on your 2 days in Kuala Lumpur, it is time to get up early and jump on a tour to Batu Caves.

As a series of caves and cave temples built into limestone cliffs, the Batu Caves are a unique and interesting place to visit. 

This is a religious place for Hindus, who come and workshop. However, the many, many colorful steps up to the cave have made the caves even more popular with visitors.

The caves are located around a 30-minute drive from Kuala Lumpur, making this a fun day trip for visitors.

We recommend taking the half-day trip so that you can get back to the city and see some more sights before the end of the day.

For lunch, head to Little India. As the capital city of Malaysia, you will find a diverse range of influences here, making neighborhood exploring a must. 

Little India is a fascinating neighborhood to explore, offering, in our opinion, some of the best food in the city. Try out the food in the different Indian restaurants and explore the local shops selling Indian attire and jewelry.

After filling up on food, head over to the National Mosque.

The central feature of the vibrant white National Mosque is the 240-foot minaret that stands in the middle of the courtyard. Next to it is the prayer hall, accessible to Muslims only, with a beautiful 16-point star-shaped roof.

This mosque is quite large and can accommodate 15,000 worshippers at once. The area surrounding the mosque is filled with palm trees and water features and there is a lovely view of the old railway buildings across the street.

Next, head over to the Islamic Arts Museum. Explore an impressive collection that showcases Islamic art in this overlooked fascinating museum in Kuala Lumpur. 

Sharing a collection of art jewelry and craft that spans over 1400 years of history, the museum a comprehensive look at the artistic achievement of the Islamic community.

Finish your evening by heading to one of the best restaurants in Kuala Lumpur and unwinding after 2 days in Kuala Lumpur.

Reasons to visit Kuala Lumpur