For us, Kuala Lumpur is one of our favorite cities in the world! There is always something to do, no matter how long we stayed. And every time we came back, we found new things to try.
We’ll share our top 10 must do and see Muslim-friendly activities with you. Whether you’re visiting for a short city break or a longer stay, these are the must-do experiences you shouldn’t miss. Many more activities, hidden gems and kids-friendly activities are listed in our Kuala Lumpur city-guide.
Planning your trip? Check our Muslim-friendly hotel recommendations and favorite halal restaurants for the full experience.
Central Market is one of the local markets we enjoyed most in Kuala Lumpur. It’s only about a 10-minute walk from the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, which makes it easy to include in a city walk. Inside, there are hundreds of small shops and stalls, and we liked taking our time browsing batik fabrics, handmade souvenirs, artwork, jewelry, and local crafts, with food smells coming from different corners! The market is open daily from 10 am to 10 pm, so it’s easy to fit into your day.
Sultan Abdul Samad Building is one of the oldest buildings in Kuala Lumpur, dating back to the British colonial period. It stands right next to Merdeka Square, where Malaysia declared its independence.
We enjoyed stopping here to take in the architecture, especially in the late afternoon and evening. At sunset and at night, the building is beautifully lit and feels calm despite being in the city center. Just nearby is the River of Life, a renovated riverside area that’s nice for a short walk and taking photos in the evening.
TIP: The building just reopened with several new cafe’s inside, so people can now enjoy coffee and food in the stunning, historic setting. It is daily open from 9 am to 6 pm.
The Batu Caves are a popular attraction near Kuala Lumpur. Inside the limestone caves are Hindu temples that are accessed via a big, colorful staircase. As Muslims, we don’t consider Batu Caves a must-visit, but if you want to experience Malaysia’s cultural diversity, you can easily include it in your itinerary.
We suggest visiting early in the morning to avoid the heat and large crowds. You can reach Batu Caves by Grab, or join a half-day tour if you prefer something more structured.
Only a short walk from Merdeka Square is Chinatown, one of the most exciting neighborhoods in Kuala Lumpur. The area is famous for its busy market, food stalls, souvenirs, and historical buildings. We’ll share a few hidden gems inside Chinatown with you:
The Islamic Arts Museum is one of the most impressive museums we have ever visited. Inside, we found stunning Islamic calligraphy, intricate architectural models, ancient manuscripts, textiles, and rare artifacts from across the Muslim world. The designs, patterns, and peaceful vibe make this museum not only educational but also inspired us to buy calligraphic art.
The museum is open daily from 9:30 am to 6 pm and the entrance fee is around 4 euro.
TIP: The location of the museum is right in front of the National Mosque and the Perdana Botanical Garden. That’s 2 or 3 activities to combine!
Putrajaya was developed to house government offices and institutions, making it the administrative capital which helps reduce congestion in Kuala Lumpur.
It now represents a modern city that combines Islamic architecture, green spaces, and wide boulevards and bridges. That’s why a day trip to Putrajaya felt well worth the time for us.
The city is especially known for a couple of impressive buildings. The iconic Pink Putra Mosque, the modern Iron Mosque, and the Nasyrul Quran Complex, which is the second largest Quran printing factory in the world. The Pink and Iron mosques can easily be combined as they are very close to each other. The Nasyrul Quran Complex offers a guided tour that can be scheduled via Whatsapp (+60 16 718 2741).
Best thing to do is joining a tour that includes passing by most important landmarks so you don’t waste time with navigating. We know just the right one. The itinerary also has a traditional boat tour on the lake to get unique views you wouldn’t get on land! This is the tour you need to book.
TIP: After visiting Putra Mosque, walk down the stairs outside, toward the waterfront. There’s a small local market by the lake where you can grab a snack or drink and sit by the water. This place often gets missed!
Bukit Bintang is KL’s main entertainment and shopping district. It’s a good area to explore if you enjoy busy streets, shopping, and easy food stops.
Pavilion mall is the most known mall in the heart of BB. It’s a luxurious mall with all famous and local brands. A food court is connected to the entrance, so we had plenty of choice for food and drinks.
There are also many popular food spots in the area. We noticed places like Damascus, Friend Fries, Kunafe Crisp, and Mon Chinese Beef Roti are part of the best performing.
We really like streetfood so walking through Jalan Alor was a real party! Especially in the evening when the street fills with people and food stalls for a wide choice of delicious foods!
Basically, what we’re saying is, Kuala Lumpur is a real food city! Dont’ visit if you’re trying to lose weight, haha! But, seriously, apart from all the food places we share with you on this page, a street food tour is a must. This is how you really get to try new things and local specialties, that you wouldn’t try or even find by yourself. We booked this food tour via this site.
When we first discovered the TRX mall, we we’re surprised that there was a better mall than Pavillion. First of all the location is much quieter which makes it nice to hang around longer. Then, the inside looked so clean and luxurious, it felt like Dubai for a minute. But we have to talk about all the available activities;
There are 5 different dining precincts! Yes, 5! Check them out here.
It has the largest rooftop park of SEA with skyline views, chill or picnic spots and multiple kids playing area’s that you can check out here.
It has an exclusive cinema with luxurious seats and services.
The mall owns the first and only Apple store, that gives daily free workshops.
KL Forest Eco Park is a nice surprise in the middle of the city. It’s located next to KL Tower and feels very different from the busy streets around it.
We walked along the forest paths and crossed the canopy bridges, surrounded by trees and shade. It was quiet and relaxing, and a good break from shopping malls and traffic. It’s an easy way to enjoy some nature without leaving Kuala Lumpur. The park is open from 8 am to 6 pm.
TIP: Monkeys still live here so make sure to keep your belongings safe.
The Petronas Twin Towers are one of those sights we always enjoy seeing in Kuala Lumpur. Even if you’ve seen photos before, standing below them in real life still feels special.
You can choose to go up to the skybridge and observation deck for wide views over the city, or simply enjoy the towers from the ground. We liked combining our visit with some time at Suria KLCC mall and a walk through KLCC Park, which sits right behind the towers.
KLCC Park is calm, spacious, and very family friendly. There are play areas for kids, and in the evening, the fountain show at Lake Symphony adds a nice touch to the vibe. Visiting this area works well as an evening plan, especially if you want to combine city views, shopping, and a bit of greenery in one place. We booked a tour 2 days in advance via this via this website.
If you want to know all our favorite activities, best modest fashion shopping malls, food places, kids-friendly areas and ready-made itineraries, check out our Kuala Lumpur city guide and save yourself hours of planning. You will have direct access to our Google Maps pins and we also talk about how to prepare yourself best, visa options, and travel insurance so you can travel worry-free! Check it out here.
