Here’s how to spend one week in Malaysia as part of a longer Southeast Asia vacation, or as your primary destination.
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Sunday
We’ll start with the bad news. No matter where you are flying from in the U.S., it will likely take you two days to get to Malaysia. First, time in Malaysia is 12-15 hours ahead of U.S. time, so you lose more than half a day on the way there. And you will likely leave your home airport in the afternoon or evening of one day, and arrive in Kuala Lumpur around mid-day two days later. So for one week in Malaysia, you will want to depart on a Friday afternoon/evening, and plan to arrive in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday afternoon.
You will be exhausted, of course, but you should try to stay up as late a possible. This is a great time to check out the famous Petronas Twin Towers. This iconic building has two identical 88 story skyscrapers linked by a skybridge connecting the 41st and 42nd floor. Then visit KLCC park located just a few steps away. The park has two musical fountains that come alive every evening starting around 8 p.m. The 10 minute show is called Lake Symphony and features water, lights, and music in more than 150 different combinations. For dinner, check out Jalan Alor Night Food Street. This neon-lit street has hawker stalls, communal tables, and Chinese-style dishes with seafood, noodles, grilled meats, and satay skewers.
Monday
Start your day early with a visit to Batu Caves. This limestone hill is topped with a Hindu temple and has a striking golden statue of the Hindu god Lord Murugan stands at the base. Long-tailed macaque monkeys are everywhere in the complex. Climb the colorful rainbow staircase to the Temple Cave. Inside you will see a stunning cathedral-style cave with Hindu shrines and rock formations dappled with filtered sunlight. There are other caves onsite that you should visit as well. Ramanya Cave has dioramas telling the stories from the Ramayana epic. Cave Villa at the base of the hill features a water garden and koi pond. And the Dark Cave spans 1.25 miles into the distance. You can opt for a tour that provides helmets and flashlights to explore its depths.
This afternoon, you have to make some choices. If you want to see majestic buildings and religious sites, plan to visit Thean Hou Temple, Masjid Negara (National Mosque of Malaysia), and the Sultan Abdul Samad Building. If you love nature, then take the canopy walk at KL Eco Forest and visit Perdana Botanical Gardens. Or if you want more amazing views of the city, go to the Merdeka 188 Tower or KL Tower.
No matter where you spend you afternoon, take some time to go to Central Market to buy Malaysian arts, crafts, and souvenirs. This is also a great place for lunch or dinner as there are many hawker stalls selling Malaysian foods such as nasi kandar, goreng pisang, or ais kacang.
Tuesday
Today you have even more choices to make! You can either visit a few of Kuala Lumpur’s magnificent museums or take a day trip to experience life outside the big city.
Museums
Like many big cities, Kuala Lumpur has many museums worth visiting. Here are some of the best to add to your itinerary:
- Islamic Arts Museum – showcases more than 7,000 Islamic artifacts like textiles, calligraphy, and ceremics.
- National Museum of Malaysia – provides a deep dive into the history of Malaysia from prehistoric to modern times.
- Bank Negara Malaysia Museum & Art Gallery – contains exhibits on Malaysia’s financial history and coinage, and also features contemporary art.
- National Art Gallery – the place to see Malaysian art with rotating exhibits highlighting local artists.
- National Textile Museum – displays Malaysian textiles, batik, weaving techniques, and fashion heritage.
- Petrosains, the Discovery Centre – an interactive science and technology museum.
- Museum of Illusions – a 3D art museum full of visual illusions.
- National Science Centre – a science museum focusing on technology, the environment, and space.
Day Trips
Getting outside of the city limits is a great way to better experience the culture and beauty of Malaysia. Here are some options:
- Melaka – UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring a blend of Malay, Chinese, Portuguese, and Dutch culture.
- Genting Highlands – great choice for trips with kids as there are not only natural and cultural sites, there are also two theme parks to visit!
- Kuala Selangor – known for its historic hilltop fort, silver leaf monkeys, mangrove wetlands, and magical nighttime firefly cruises.
- Sekinchan – farming and fishing village known for extensive rice paddies, fresh seafood, and scenic sunsets.
- Putrajaya – Malaysia’s administrative capital, known for government buildings, mosques, and scenic lakeside setting.
Best of Both Worlds
One option is to choose both a museum and day trip! You could probably even visit two museums or add an attraction you missed on the previous day with a day trip. No, I’m not proposing that you somehow acquire a version of Hermione’s Time-Turner to be able to fit all of this in!! Simply choose a half-day trip to Kuala Selangor to take a firefly cruise and see the bioluminescent blue algae. This group tour departs from Kuala Lumpur in the afternoon and returns late in the evening.
Wednesday
We are almost halfway through our week in Malaysia. Today we say goodbye to Kuala Lumpur and hello to Penang! Take an easy 1-hour flight to Penang International Airport, You will want to leave early so you can maximize our time in this delightful region of the country.
Morning: Walking Tour
Start your time in Penang by exploring the George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site. You may want to take a guided walking tour to learn more about the city and to get your bearings. Or you can make your own walking tour looping through these streets in this order: Pitt Street (now called Kapitan Keling Street), Armenian Street, Cannon Street, Weld Quay, Beach Street, Love Lane, Muntri Street, and Chulia Street.
Along the way, you can admire great street art as well as all the major sites. One of the first things you will see is a quartet of religious buildings that demonstrate the religious harmony that is present in the city. Take some time to admire the Kapitan Keling Mosque, Sri Mahamariamman Hindu Temple, Goddess of Mercy Temple (Buddhist), and St. George’s Church (Christian Anglican). You can go inside all four religious structures.
Afternoon: Lunch & Historic Sites
Known for its street food, people often say Penang is the best place in Asia to eat. When you get hungry, just head to the popular streets in George Town. You will see tons of booths and hawker stands offering all types of Malaysian food.
After lunch, you will want to fit in as many of the following historic sites as you can. Penang is famous for its Clan Jetties along the Weld Quay waterfront. The largest of the clan jetties in Penang is Chew Jetty. It has shops, shrines, and great photo stops. Another famous site is the Khoo Kongsi Clanhouse. A clanhouse is a social and welfare center for immigrants with the same surname. A small admission fee will allow you to go inside and admire the intricately carved stone pillars, gilded wooden panels, decorative roof ridges, and painted beams and ceilings.
Another striking historic building is the Cheong Fatt Tze Blue Mansion, a 1880s era mansion. You can take a guided or audio tour of the mansion. Another great place to visit is the Pinang Peranakan Mansion. This is a museum showcasing the everyday lives of Peranakan Chinese families in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Finally, those who love military history will enjoy visiting Fort Cornwallis, Penang’s oldest surviving structure built by European colonists.
Evening: Food Tour or Cooking Class
If you have run out of energy, simply find another hawker stand and enjoy another delicious meal before collapsing into bed! But if you want to experience more of the local culture, take a food tour. These tours will allow you to try some great food and learn a lot about the culture and cuisine. You may also enjoy a cooking class.
Thursday
Today we head a little outside George Town to see a spectacular temple and experience nature.
Morning: Kek Lok Si Temple & Penang Hill
Take a Grab rideshare to the gorgeous Kek Lok Si Temple. You will want to spend several hours touring the complex.
Then you can walk about a mile to the Penang Hill Funicular Railway. Take the funicular up to the top, 2,733 feet above sea level. Once there, you can enjoy a 360 degree view of George Town, the mainland, and the sea from multiple observation decks. On the hill you will find British colonial-era bungalows and buildings, many converted to restaurants and shops. You will also see the Hindu Sri Aruloli Thirumurugan Temple and Penang Hill Mosque.
Afternoon: Choose Your Own Adventure
Have lunch at one of the restaurants on the hill, then make your way to The Habitat Penang Hill. The Habitat offers a ton of things to do. You can wander through rainforest trails to see native plants, insects, monkeys, birds, and reptiles. You can also book a guided walk with a naturalist. Take the Langur Way Canopy Walk to experience the one of the longest double-span stressed-ribbon canopy bridges in the world. You can also take the Curtis Crest Tree Top Walk to the highest public viewing platform on Penang Island.
If you aren’t into hiking and have had enough glorious views of the area, then take a Grab back to George Town and choose one of the great interactive experiences there. Visit the quirky Wonderfood Museum which showcases Malaysian cuisine through huge, lifelike food displays. Or you can make your own batik fabric at Rozana’s Batik. And you can see the talent of many Batik artists at the Batik Painting Museum Penang. Or you can take a self-guided tour or group street art tour.
Evening: Food Tour or Cooking Class
This evening, you can do whatever you didn’t do the night before. Take a food tour, cooking class. or grab a meal anywhere and get some rest for the final few days of our week in Malaysia!
Friday
Today we are up early again, but this time we are headed towards affordable luxury at a Malaysian beach! Take a quick 40 minute flight to Langkawi International Airport. Once you land, make your way towards your beach resort (recommendations below).
Beaches or Boats
Once you get settled into your hotel, it’s time to hit the beach! The most popular beaches in Langkawi are Pantai Cenang, Tanjung Rhu, and Datai Bay. The beach with the most amenities is Pantai Cenang. You will find a more peaceful setting at the other two. It’s likely that you will just want to visit the beach nearest to your accommodations. Alternatively, you could spend the afternoon on a mangrove boat tour or island hopping safari boat tour.
Saturday
It’s the last day of our week in Malaysia, but we are going to make the most of it! We are going to spend the day at Panorama Langkawi. Take a Grab to Oriental Village within the UNESCO-recognized Machinchang Cambrian Geoforest Park.
Attractions at Panorama Langkawi
There are a ton of things to do here. The Langkawi Sky Bridge is a pedestrian cable bridge providing beautiful views of the area. To get to the bridge, you will have to take the Langkawi SkyCab to the Top Station. Then you can walk up the 10 minute jungle trail to the bridge. If you want a few more thrills, take the SkyGlide, a glass compartment that takes you up to the top of the mountain on a funicular track. From the Middle Station on the SkyCab, you can visit Eagle’s Nest SkyWalk, a glass platform over 2,000 feet above sea level.
If you have kids with you (or are a kid at heart), you will love these other attractions in Oriental Village. The Skydome offers a 360° projection show. There’s also 3D Art Langkawi featuring opportunities to be immersed within art sculptures. SkyRex takes you a 4D simulated journey through the Jurassic period. And 6D Cinemotion offers a movie experience unlike any you’ve ever had before. If you are into something a little more low tech, visit the Machinchang Petland Langkawi exotic animal petting zoo.
About two miles away from Oriental Village is Telaga Tujuh (Seven Wells Waterfall). You can reach the lower pools by climbing up about 200 steps. Here you will see an almost 300 foot vertical waterfall. If you are willing to hike a little longer, visit the upper pools. After about an hour climb (638 steps), you will see seven interconnected pools and enjoy a nature waterslide.
Evening: Head Back to Kuala Lumpur
After a day of fun, it’s time to head back to Kuala Lumpur. Book a quick 1 hour flight back to Kuala Lumpur and stay near the airport. You’ll be flying home on Sunday. The good news is that you will be able to get all the way back home in one day as you gain back those 12-15 hours you lost on the way here!
Where to Stay
You may be wondering where to stay during your one week in Malaysia. And you will be amazed at how affordable accommodations are in the country! Here are my recommendations
Kaula Lumpur
If you want luxury and don’t mind paying about $300 per night, look no further than the Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur. Another great option under $200 (or perhaps free if you have credit card points), is the Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur. If you prefer to pay closer to $100-150 a night, check out the Ascott Star KLCC Kuala Lumpur and Four Points by Sheraton Kuala Lumpur City Centre, There are even options that are often under $100 per night, like the Hotel Maya Kuala Lumpur City Centre and the Concorde Hotel Kuala Lumpur.
Penang
My favorite hotel in the world is located in George Town, Malaysia. It’s the Eastern & Oriental Hotel and it averages between $200-250 per night. It is well worth that, in my opinion! But if you want to save a little money, the G Hotel Kelawai runs $100-150 per night, or the Areca Hotel Penang is often less than $100 per night.
Langkawi
If money is no object, consider The Detai Langkawi. It runs between $650-850 a night. But most of us will probably opt for hotels that are less than $200 per night, like the Tanjung Rhu Resort Langkawi or the Berjaya Langkawi Resort. If you want to spend less than $100 per night, check at the Cenang Plaza Beach Hotel at Pantai Cenang.
When will you spend your week in Malaysia?
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