If you’re planning 3 days in Kuala Lumpur, here are some fun things to do in Kuala Lumpur in 3 days (more or less) including some great restaurants and cool travel tips!
Kuala Lumpur is one of my regular stops in Asia. I’m not a big city person, but hey, how could I say no to cheap flights?! As Kuala Lumpur is the main hub of AirAsia, it’s pretty easy to find great deals from Kuala Lumpur and, let’s be honest, their airport is amazing!
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Believe it or not… when I left Kuala Lumpur the “I hate KL” became “Oh, well, I may as well stay here”. Kuala Lumpur became my temporary home. I spent a total of six weeks there if it’s not even more than that.
And yet, six weeks later, I surprised myself starting to feel sad about leaving. After taking a long-deserved break of Kuala Lumpur, I had to stop here again. Kuala Lumpur has something special. I’ve spent so much time around here that it feels like home. I know my way around and I don’t even need to use a map anymore.
Kuala Lumpur is actually not a bad place to be as long as you know how to make the most of it.
I don’t know how my hate for Kuala Lumpur turned into a short love affair, but it did happen.
It could have been while I was chatting with the naan bread guy at the Indian restaurant on the corner of the street where I used to stay.
It could have been when I got sick and I knew I could count on the pharmacist.
It could have been while I was surprising myself enjoying the views from that balcony, or simply looking at the KL tower at night…
In the end, it happened and I’m now happy to visit Kuala Lumpur on shorter holidays (like on a weekend!)
Here’s why you will love Kuala Lumpur, even if you’re not super keen on big cities… and why you will likely come back later!
When’s the Best Time to Visit Kuala Lumpur?
Kuala Lumpur can normally get pretty wet. If you’re into blue skies, then May to July is probably the best time to visit.
During the rainy season, it normally rains for a couple of hours. I have been there during the rainy season and the rain was sometimes quite unexpected. So, traveling with a rain jacket or an umbrella would be a smart idea!
Why You Should Visit Kuala Lumpur
Things to do in Kuala Lumpur in 3 days
Food… Everywhere!
Kuala Lumpur is well known for its countless Indian restaurants and for its Malay and Chinese great cuisine. In fact, I had some of the best Indian meals over there (and yes, I did travel to India). There are many quirky cafés as well as great Western restaurants.
You can also find street food pretty much everywhere especially in Chinatown or on Jalan Alor which is famous for its night market. You could easily spend 3 days in Kuala Lumpur – with one food mission – eat your way around the city!
Excellent Shopping Options
When in Asia, Kuala Lumpur is the perfect destination if you need to do a bit of shopping! There are many malls and you can also go to Chinatown to buy sunglasses, watches or clothes. If you need to buy a mobile phone or any kind of electronics, you will find plenty of affordable options.
If you’re planning a weekend in Kuala Lumpur, you could try to take care of yourself and enjoy these relaxing things to do in KL… such as shopping. Ha!
Best Hostel Atmosphere
The hostel life in Kuala Lumpur is amazing! There are so many hostels to pick from and they are pretty affordable.
I normally stay on what I call the backpacker street (there are many hostels on this street and it’s a great location too). You can check out this list of top hostels in Kuala Lumpur to plan your next backpacking holidays. If the hostel life isn’t really for you, you can also rent an Airbnb apartment in KL.
Modernity with a Twist of Culture
Kuala Lumpur is a modern city with great Asian vibes. This means that you will find food markets, affordable prices and also, modern malls as well as great food options. It’s also a go-to for medical examinations and dentists.
I know I can trust pharmacists and doctors over there and it’s not always the case in Bali (where I’m currently based).
Cheap Flights from Kuala Lumpur
As I mentioned before, you can find many great deals from Kuala Lumpur. It’s where I normally do my visa runs in Asia as it’s one of the main hubs for AirAsia.
How Many Days Should You Spend in Kuala Lumpur?
Most people come to Kuala Lumpur and can be disappointed. The truth is that most people always end up being back in Kuala Lumpur between destinations. Once you visit the biggest highlights such as the Batu Caves or the Petronas Towers, people seem to wonder what else they can do in Kuala Lumpur.
Personally, I think 2 or 3 days are enough to make the most of Kuala Lumpur. If you end up staying longer, you might get bored. If you’re wondering what else you can do in KL when bored, well, you might want to focus on eating your way around, meeting new friends or try one of the several cool cafés around the city.
After all, big cities aren’t that impressive for travelers – but I do meet a lot of amazing friends when I end up going to KL. Your time in Kuala Lumpur should be super short, so don’t make it a long stop – make it quick so you don’t have the time to get too bored.
Kuala Lumpur is the kind of city where you should party, shop and eat great meals! Most people won’t be doing tourist attractions every day which makes it a great spot to relax too! Your Kuala Lumpur itinerary shouldn’t be too intense.
Biggest Highlights in Kuala Lumpur
I’m not a touristy kinda girl, so the famous Batu Caves never made the list. Although, I did went to the fountain/light show in front of the Petronas Towers a few times. If you’re looking for something different, why not try one of these places:
- Chinatown
- Night Food Market
- Heli Lounge Bar
- Pub Street (cool nightlife and it’s ladies night every night in most bars (Temptations and Why Not always have ladies night)
- KLCC Park
My Favorite Food Places in Kuala Lumpur
- TG’s: Thai and Indian food (the best Indian food I had in Kuala Lumpur)
- ABC One Bistro: Indian food (super cheap)
- Gravy, Baby: In case you’re looking for something that feels like home
Where to Change your Money in Kuala Lumpur
I normally don’t trust currency exchange shops, but as Denpasar Airport ATMs don’t take my card, I always get some Indonesian money in Kuala Lumpur.
Their rate is so accurate and there’s only a small fee ($1-2). It’s the best currency exchange I’ve ever seen in my travels so far. You can find this shop here next to the Western Union.
Where to Stay in Kuala Lumpur
If you’d rather stay in a hostel, you can check this great list of best hostels here.
Best Hostel: Paper Plane Hostel
Best Mid-Range Hotels: Hotel Stripes / The FACE Suites
Best Luxury Hotels: Mandarin Oriental / Hotel Grand Hyatt
Traveling by Bus in Malaysia
Are you heading to Penang, Langkawi, or Malaka? Check out the fares on 12Go. Traveling by bus is often cheaper than by flight!
Are you ready for your trip to Malaysia? Did you pack your travel essentials for Malaysia?
- Universal adapter: Because you want to charge your electronics, don’t you?
- Portable charger: Because your phone battery isn’t good enough!
- Poncho: Because it rains a lot in Malaysia!
- Small umbrella: Having a small umbrella could also be a great option.
- GoPro: Very useful to photograph the Petronas Towers and for any actions shots.
- Fanny Pack: Keep your valuables safe!
- Phone ring: Imagine walking down the street… a scooter driver steal your phone! Having a ring or a phone-loop helps you keep your phone safe. It does happen a lot in Kuala Lumpur!
