2 days in Kuala Lumpur is the perfect amount of time to experience the culturally diverse capital of Malaysia! Kuala Lumpur or KL as the locals and visitors alike refer to it is home to some of Malaysia’s most iconic sights and a great stopover in Asia. The Petronas Twin Towers and the excessive amount of malls showcase the city’s modern influence, whilst the colourful Batu Caves are a firm symbol of the tradition and religion that make up this vast culture.
I have now been to KL 6 times, most have been short stopovers on our way to Jaipur and Vietnam when flying with Air Asia. Each time I am reminded of why Malaysia is so unique, bringing the best of Asia into one location!
This Kuala Lumpur itinerary for 2 days, showcases the best the city has to offer, I haven’t jammed packed the days so you have plenty of time to explore the best areas of the city and experience authentic Malaysia by eating your way around the city!
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How to Get to Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is well-connected internationally, making it easy to access from anywhere in the world. Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) is the country’s main gateway, serving flights from major airlines like Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, and Singapore Airlines.
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If you’re arriving from nearby countries, budget airlines frequently offer affordable fares. From KLIA, you can reach the city center via the KLIA Express train (28 minutes), airport taxis, or ride-hailing services like Grab.
If you’re exploring Southeast Asia, taking a bus or train from Singapore or Thailand can also be an adventurous way to include KL in your itinerary. Whether you’re flying in for 2 days in Kuala Lumpur or making it part of a longer journey, getting here is easy and convenient.
Malaysia Entry Requirements
Before planning your Kuala Lumpur itinerary, it’s essential to check Malaysia’s entry requirements. Most travelers can enter Malaysia visa-free for up to 90 days, depending on nationality, while others may require a visa on arrival or e-visa.
Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months from your date of entry. Additionally, Malaysia has eased many travel restrictions, but it’s always best to check official government websites for the latest updates. If you’re wondering what to do in Kuala Lumpur in 2 days, a hassle-free entry process ensures you can hit the ground running and explore the city’s top attractions.
How to Get Around in Kuala Lumpur
Navigating Kuala Lumpur is straightforward and affordable, unlike Bali it has a well-developed public transport system. The MRT, LRT, and Monorail efficiently connect major tourist spots, while buses and taxis offer alternative ways to explore.
Ride-hailing apps like Grab are widely used and often cheaper than traditional taxis. If you’re wondering what to do in Kuala Lumpur in 2 days, using public transport can save you time and money while avoiding the city’s notorious traffic.
Walking is also an option and my favourite way to explore a city. Areas like Bukit Bintang and KLCC are easily explored by foot but for longer distances, the train or a short Grab ride is your best bet.
Where to Stay in Kuala Lumpur
There is a huge range of accommodation available in Kuala Lumpur from budget backpacker options to luxe 5-star suites. The best areas to stay at are Bukit Bintang, KLCC (Kuala Lumpur City Centre) and KL Sentral. I recommend staying at Dorsett Kuala Lumpur as it has the best location, or for backpackers check out the best hostels in KL.
Have an extra day or two? Make sure you check our Genting Highlands. The mountaintop resort is home to an array of activities and attractions that the whole family will love!
Related: ‘Should you travel to Penang or Langkawi in Malaysia?‘
2 Days in Kuala Lumpur Itinerary Overview
Spending 2 days in Kuala Lumpur gives you just enough time to experience the city’s iconic landmarks, cultural sites, and diverse food scene.
Start your Kuala Lumpur itinerary with a visit to the famous Batu Caves, take a stroll through the Perdana Botanical Gardens, before lunch at Chinatown. Finish day one with a cultural activity, then enjoy an evening indulging in local street food at Jalan Alor before enjoying the nightlife in Bukit Bintang.
Day 2 was spent learning to cook authentic Malaysian meals, then exploring the city centre with a visit to the Petronas Twin Towers, followed by exploring Merdeka Square, the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, and Suria shopping centre.
No visit to KL is complete without trying its famous food—don’t leave without tasting Nasi Lemak, Char Kway Teow, and Satay! Whether you’re visiting for a quick stopover or making KL part of a longer trip in Malaysia, these highlights of Kuala Lumpur will ensure you experience the best of the city.
Day 1- Batu Caves & Chinatown
Batu Caves
Start your KL Itinerary with an early rise to beat the crowds (Like real early. Pre breaky early) at the famous Batu Caves! This colourful landmark is one of Kuala Lumpur’s most visited tourist attractions and religious sites.
A limestone hill comprising three major caves is reached via a colourful staircase. Incorporated with interior limestone formations said to be around 400 million years old, the temple is considered an important religious landmark by Hindus. Cathedral Cave – the largest in Batu Caves, houses several Hindu shrines beneath its 100-metre-high arched ceiling.
At the foot of Batu Hill are two other cave temples – the Art Gallery Cave and Museum Cave – which houses numerous Hindu statues and paintings.
Located approximately 11 kilometres to the north of Kuala Lumpur which can be reached via private car, or Take Intrakota bus No 11D from the Central Market or the Cityliner bus No 69 at Jalan Pudu. Taxis are also available anywhere around the city to Batu Caves.
After your morning exploring head to one of these must-try brunch spots in Kuala Lumpur for coffee and something to keep you going until lunch!
Perdana Botanical Garden
Escape the hustle and bustle of the city by visiting Perdana Botanical Garden, Kuala Lumpur’s largest and most scenic green space.
Located within the Tun Abdul Razak Heritage Park, this lush oasis offers beautifully landscaped gardens, tranquil lakes, and themed areas such as the Orchid & Hibiscus Garden and Sunken Garden. The garden is free to enter, making it a must-visit spot for nature lovers looking for things to do in Kuala Lumpur.
Lunch at Chinatown
When it’s time for lunch, head to the bustling Chinatown for a bite to eat at Petaling Street or ‘Chee Cheong Kai’. Food vendors line the streets and market stalls sell everything from fake designer clothing to cheap electronics.
You will find an array of authentic Chinese restaurants and street food to tantalize your taste buds and keep you going for the next few hours of exploring! Don’t forget to try a mooncake!
After lunch, wander around Chinatown and soak up the local culture, there are plenty of ornate Buddhist and Taoist temples that are hundreds of years old. There are also numerous art galleries, which host exhibits by modern local and regional artists.
Get Cultural at Batik Jadi
If you only do 1 thing mentioned in this Kuala Lumpur itinerary for 2 days, do a Batik class at Jadi Batek!
Jadi Batek Gallery is one of the best things to do in KL with kids! The large batik and handicraft centre in the heart of Kuala Lumpur has been running since 1976 and offers batik classes, gallery and a huge shop that has lots of amazing souvenirs and batek pieces.
There are two main techniques for Batik making in Malaysia, hand-drawn and block printed. On arrival to Jadi Batek, we were shown a live demo of the process, whilst beautiful finished products hung above us.
We then took part in an interesting Batik Class. Classes can be arranged for visitors to learn the basics then try out their own skills and take home a piece of batik art as a memory of the trip!
First, we choose our design and traced it onto the material using a pencil (the pros skip this step and instead free hand with the bee’s wax). Then you use bee’s to draw over your design. The wax is applied using a tjanting needle. The key is to be very quick as the wax goes hard quickly! Once the design has been set you then start to colour! This part was very therapeutic! What do you think of my finished piece? I was very proud of my art work!
If you have extra time take a visit to the Royal Selangor visitor centre.
Dinner at Bukit Bintang
Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring Bukit Bintang, the busiest but most interesting area of KL! Bukit Bintang is myriad of high street brands than in its contrast lay elements of Middle Eastern culture in food stalls! Bukit Bitang is the perfect stop to experience Malaysia’s nightlife.
KL’s biggest collection of roadside restaurants and street food vendors sprawls along Jalan Alor. The Alor Night Market comes alive in the evening when the street transforms into a continuous open-air restaurant, with hundreds of plastic tables and chairs and rival caterers shouting out to passers-by to drum up business. We stumbled into an inviting place that had a large table for our group out the front! Try and get a table outside, this is where the action happens! There is so much to take in here.
We ordered around 10 Chinese/Malay dishes, including grilled fish, chilli crab, Kai-lan (Chinese greens), fried rice, chicken and vegetables in garlic sauce. The food was delicious, quick and super fresh! We then washed it down with an incredibly cold tiger beer. This is what Malaysia is all about!
We ended our glorious meal with photos of the Mumma cook! She was the absolute sweetest!
Day 2- KLCC, Petrona Towers & Foodie Heaven
Learn to cook with Dorsett Hotel
We started our morning with a delicious buffet breaky at Dorsett Hotel!
Next, it was time for a cooking class! One of my favourite things to do in any country is a cooking class. I feel you get to learn a lot about the culture this way! Oh and you obviously get to eat a lot and who doesn’t love that!
The Dorsett Hotel offers group cooking classes on request. Their friendly chefs and sous chefs taught us how to make Roti and delicious chicken curry! We then enjoyed a long private lunch sampling around 8 dishes.
If you are heading to Nha Trang, Vietnam and love cooking classes you have to try this one!
Explore KLCC
Kuala Lumpur City Centre or KLCC is the perfect area and is known as the ‘nicest’ district. Here you can explore the Petronas Towers, eat at fine dining restaurants, visit the shopping malls and explore the surrounding gardens.
Visit Suria KLCC if you want to shop the well-known brands such as Zara, Topshop and H&M.
Petrona Towers
A Kuala Lumpur itinerary wouldn’t be complete without visiting the twin tower! As one of the top attractions in Kuala Lumpur, you will want to make sure you get the perfect photo of Petronas Towers! The best spots for pictures are from the end of the fountains on the northwest side of the buildings and from the KLCC Park on the southeast side of the towers. Some of the hotel rooftops in the Bukit Bintang area also allow you to get cool photos of the city!
The Petronas Twin Towers were ranked as tallest buildings in the world from 1998 until 2004, with a heigh of 1,483 feet. The 88-story sky scrapper mimics Islamic art forms and has a skybridge and double-decker bridge, that connects the two towers on the 41st and 42nd floors.
If you want to ascend the towers to the 41st story Skybridge and the observation deck you will need to purchase tickets. I recommend purchasing online some days in advance as they tend to sell out quite quickly.
Sunset Drinks with a View
The after you explore the grounds of KLCC and Petronas Towers, its time to reward yourself with a drink and relax! Head to one of the nearby rooftop bars for sunset drinks with a view of the Petronas Towers. There are quite a few rooftop bars in Kuala Lumpur, we were recommended the SkyBar at Traders Kuala Lumpur and Heli Lounge.
The Heli Lounge is very unique as guests are invited to take in 360-degree in an aeroplane-themed bar complete with rooftop deck helipad! Arrive a little after 5 pm and enjoy a round of happy-hour cocktails then climb the steps at sunset to the open-air helipad with views of both the Petronas Towers and the KL Tower.
Photo by Paweł Szymankiewicz on Unsplash
Authentic Dinner and Madam Kwan’s
Finish your Kuala Lumpur Itinerary for 2 days experiencing true Malaysian cuisine at Madam Kwan’s! The franchise was started in 1977 by enthusiastic foodie Kwan Swee Lian.
Today, Madam Kwan combines elements of diverse cultures to share her uniquely created Malaysian Cuisine for all food lovers to enjoy. From the signature Nasi Lemak( similar to Indonesian dish Nasi Campur)and Char Kway Teow to “wok” style Hokkien mee, there’s something for everyone to savour those special dishes that is uniquely Malaysian!
There are now 8 Madam Kwan restaurants across Malaysia. We dined at the Suria centre in KLCC! I highly recommend trying the Laksa, Nasi Lemak and Chicken Satay.
Best Time to Visit Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur enjoys a tropical climate year-round, meaning warm temperatures and occasional rain showers. The best time to visit is typically from May to July and December to February, when the weather is slightly drier and more comfortable for sightseeing.
If you’re planning a Kuala Lumpur itinerary, keep in mind that March and April tend to bring the heaviest rainfall, while major festivals like Chinese New Year and Hari Raya Aidilfitri can make the city more crowded.
No matter when you visit, the city’s indoor attractions, air-conditioned malls, and vibrant nightlife ensure there’s always something exciting to do.
Best Day Trips from KL
If you have extra time beyond your 2 days in Kuala Lumpur, taking a day trip is a great way to explore more of Malaysia. One of the top highlights of Kuala Lumpur’s surroundings is Batu Caves, a stunning Hindu temple set in limestone caves just 30 minutes from the city.
For a nature escape, head to Cameron Highlands, where you can visit tea plantations and cool off from the city heat. Malacca, a UNESCO-listed heritage town, is another must-visit destination, filled with colonial architecture and delicious local cuisine.
If you’re looking for an island getaway, Pulau Ketam or Pangkor Island offer relaxing beach vibes without traveling too far.
So that was our Kuala Lumpur itinerary for 2 days! Have you been to KL before? What was your favourite thing to do? Let us know in the comments below!
This was a shared Media famil between WorldHotels and AirAsia. I was hosted at the respective hotels but as always opinions, photos and ideas remain my own.
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