I spent over three years living in Kuala Lumpur and loved every minute of it. Our weekends were always busy, eating at our favourite restaurants and exploring this vibrant city.
If you’re visiting for a quick break, this city offers so much more than just the Petronas Towers.
This is a sneak peek into my life in Malaysia—a truly organised list of must-dos, focused on experiences that are genuinely worth your time.
Running this blog takes a lot of coffee (and countless hours exploring every destination!). If you found this helpful and want to support more honest, detailed travel guides and itineraries, you can buy me a coffee. No pressure though – I’m just happy you’re here and hope you have an incredible adventure! ????
Table of Contents
Where to Stay for the Weekend
For a short stay, location is everything.
- Splurge: Pavilion Hotel Kuala Lumpur. An excellent location for those wanting to be right in the city centre, within walking distance of The Pavilion Shopping Centre and great restaurants.
- Great Value: Hotel Maya Kuala Lumpur. A short walk to KLCC. The rooms have a modern feel, and the undercover pool is a bonus when the torrential rain hits.
- Colonial Style: The Majestic Hotel. The architecture here makes you feel like you’ve gone back in time. With the cigar room, spa, and beautiful grounds, you could happily spend the entire weekend here.
Practical & Actionable Tips
- Weather: It’s hot and humid all year-round, so pack light! The monsoon season is April–May and October–November, but rain is possible at any time.
- Transport from Airport: The KLIA Ekspres is the quickest and cheapest way to get into KL Sentral. From there, use Grab or the efficient MRT system.
- Connectivity: To make navigating and booking Grabs easy, I always rely on an e-SIM. I’ve found Airalo e-SIM to be the most affordable and reliable solution.
- Checklist: Ensure you have your visa sorted with iVisa and, importantly, secure your medical coverage with reliable insurance like SafetyWings Travel Insurance.
9 Favourite Weekend Activities
1. See a Temple on a Limestone Hill
A must-do: Batu Caves. This Hindu temple is a 20-minute drive from the city centre. Practical tip: remember to wear long trousers or bring a sarong to wrap around you before entering; you can hire one for a small fee when you get there.
2. Visit an Ethical Elephant Sanctuary
Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary is a wonderful day trip. Hire a car (you can find great rates with DiscoverCars), hire a local guide when you arrive, and help bathe the elephants in the river. Crucially, no riding is permitted here.
3. Have a Drink with a View
The Heli Lounge Bar is exactly as it sounds: a bar on an old helipad! The view is impressive, and the atmosphere is dynamic. Get in early to secure a seat upstairs on the roof and watch the sunset.
4. Sit Amongst the Prettiest Room for High Tea
High tea is always a favourite thing to do, especially at the gorgeous Orchid Conservatory at The Majestic Hotel. The surroundings are magnificent, and the experience is worth the booking.
5. Eat at My Favourite Restaurant
Mr Chew’s Chino Latino Bar is a fusion of Latin American and Asian cuisine—a perfect escape from local flavours for a night. You’ll find delicious cocktails and a dramatic ambience in a loft-style penthouse.
6. Shop at the Best Malls
Shopping is what Malaysians do best. The Gardens Mall, The Pavilion, and Suria KLCC are all pounding with people on the weekend and offer everything from international brands to great restaurants.
7. Spend an Entire Day at the Water Park
Sunway Lagoon is Kuala Lumpur’s largest water park and has always been a favourite of ours. It has a water park, an amusement park, a wildlife park, and more—a great full-day activity (or even a full weekend if you stay at the attached hotel).
8. Enjoy a Night Out at Bukit Bintang
Changkat Bukit Bintang is a street full of bars and restaurants. It is busy with people bar hopping on the weekend. You’ll find fun spots like Havana Bar and Grill.
9. Explore Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown
Chinatown (Petaling Street) has the bustle, markets, and great little food eateries found across the world. While stores are open during the day, everything truly comes to life at night.
Final Thoughts
This vibrant city offers something for every mood—from relaxation to adventure.
If you are thinking of staying longer or need help organised a more bespoke itinerary,
Schedule time with meBook your unforgettable trip now!
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Tried and Tested Recommendations
Visa – If you looking for an easy way to get a visa, or if you aren’t sure if you really need one in the first place. Ivisa makes the process easy, with a click of a button and few simple steps you will be able to sort out your visa requirements in a flash!
Insurance -We all know how important travel insurance is when you are abroad, but we also know how expensive it can be as well, right? Well, I am here to help solve both those problems. Safetywings is both affordable and reliable and better still easy to purchase. There are no hidden agendas, just choose the dates you will be away and check the coverage you need. It is that simple.
Car Hire– If you are planning to hire a car on your next trip, DiscoverCars is the perfect solution, why? Because you will find it in most countries around the world and all mandatory fees are included in the price, so there are no hidden surprises.
E-sim– If you want to know the most affordable way to be connected when travelling, it is with an e-sim. I have to admit I have come late to the party on this one, and I wish I had known earlier as it would have saved me hundreds of dollars in the past. I have been using Airalo for the past few months now and it has been so easy to set up and use while I am away.
Airline Tickets– CheapOair is a leading provider of airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars and vacation packages with top travel brands to choose from globally. The CheapOair brand provides diversified travel services, however I highly recommend checking out their airline ticket options for best prices.
Great story Paula, look like Kuala Lumpur is a place I should visit.
Thanks, Thomas, it really should be on your bucket list if you are visiting anytime soon.
This story is so inspiring and dreaming Paula, really making me wish I could travel right now. I can’t wait to get back to it.
Me to Rebecca, I am already planning for my next trip, let’s hope it is sooner rather than later.
Gosh I had never thought of KL as a possible holiday destination before, but after reading this it’s right up there – there’s something for everyone! Thanks for sharing ????
You are welcome, I hope you get to enjoy KL as much as I have.