Kuala Lumpur Holidays
Kuala Lumpur holidays will give you an exciting blend of the old and new in Malaysia’s cosmopolitan capital city. Soaring skyscrapers and some of the world’s tallest buildings pepper the skyline, while on the ground the atmosphere is permanently buzzing at shiny shopping centres, sacred temples and bustling night markets.
Kuala Lumpur is certainly a multicultural city, with the Malay, Indian, Chinese and Muslim populations all living harmoniously in this diverse capital. Spend days admiring colonial buildings and intricate mosques, stopping for street food and sampling local dishes like Indian style flatbread dipped in spicy lentils. For a dose of tranquillity, go walking, cycling or horse riding in Titiwangsa Lake Gardens, before immersing yourself in culture at the National Museum.
Kuala Lumpur holidays: a comprehensive shopping scene
From atmospheric street markets to high end fashion, Kuala Lumpur has everything if you’re looking to go shopping and pick up some unique fashion and homewares. Central Market is a handicraft emporium where you can pick up Malaysian batik prints and local artefacts. Don’t miss out on the food court on the second floor, where you’ll find traditional dishes as well as fast food. At the upmarket Suria KLCC, a spectacular modern mall, there’s enough to keep you busy for a whole day – shop, dine then watch a film at the movie theatre.
Our selection of Kuala Lumpur hotels combine modern comfort with traditional charm and great menus. At the Shangri-La, you can relax in the swimming pools, have a game of tennis and chill out in the impressive gardens – all just five minutes from the Petronas Towers. After a day of sightseeing, the rooftop bar at Hotel Stripes is the perfect spot for sipping a fruity cocktail as you absorb views over downtown Kuala Lumpur. With all this activity, perhaps you’ll choose to combine your Kuala Lumpur holiday with a stay on a nearby palm-fringed island. We’re happy to arrange your chosen multi-centre itinerary, taking in other locations in Malaysia, or other countries like Thailand or Indonesia.
Destination Highlights
Great sample itineraries
Kuala Lumpur is a springboard for other Malaysian destinations, including island idyll Pangkor Laut or food capital Penang. We can also design a multicentre holiday incorporating neighbouring Thailand or laid-back Bali. With so many options for your Kuala Lumpur holiday package, we recommend you talk to one of our Destination Specialists to make the perfect tailor made holiday just for you.
Kuala Lumpur and Bali Multi Centre
Guide Price £1,899 pp
Kuala Lumpur is a diverse city teeming with soaring skyscrapers, including the famous Petronas Towers, sacred mosques and plentiful shopping malls and night markets. After your short city stop take a short flight on to Bali where a laid back...
Multi centre holidays
Kuala Lumpur, Borneo and Penang Multi Centre Holiday
Guide Price £1,999 pp
For a diverse and exciting multi centre holiday in Malaysia, we’ve created a trip which includes city sights, wildlife adventure and beaches. Your holiday will begin with a visit to the ultra modern city of Kuala Lumpur . Here you’ll...
Cultural holidays
Kuala Lumpur, Pangkor Laut and Penang Multi Centre
Guide Price £2,099 pp
Kuala Lumpur is an ever-changing city, from the soaring skyscrapers to the colonial buildings, exotic temples and ornate Mosques, this diverse city is great way to start fabulous city, beach and cultural combination. From Kuala Lumpur take the scenic road...
Cultural holidays
Kuala Lumpur and Koh Samui Multi Centre
Guide Price £2,399 pp
Why not mix things up with a visit to Thailand and Malaysia. Start your adventure in Koh Samui a cosmopolitan melting pot of experiences and sensations. Palm-fringed shorelines and granite peaks cloaked in virgin rainforest offset cultural sights and delicious,...
Cultural holidays
Our favourite hotels
Our impressive selection of Kuala Lumpur hotels aims to help you make the most of your Malaysia trip. Enjoy a luxurious stay spent enjoying rooftop bars, spas and top restaurants. Browse our favourite places to stay in Kuala Lumpur - we are here to help you find the perfect hotel.
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![Petronas Twin Towers]( "Petronas Twin Towers")
Petronas Towers
At 452 metres high, the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur's heart offer a neck-straining sight.
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![Hock Teik Cheng Sin Temple]( "Hock Teik Cheng Sin Temple")
Magnificent Mosques
Kuala Lumpur's historic mosques are just as striking as the futuristic skyscrapers they rub shoulders with, and are a huge part of Malaysian culture within the city.
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Barbara
Destination Specialist
“Don't miss visiting Batu Caves - one of the most popular Tamil shrines outside India. Batu Caves is dedicated to Lord Murugan and is the focal point of the Hindu festival, Thaipusam, in Malaysia, when devotees climb its 272 steps and sometimes pierce their skin with metal hooks.”
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Karen
Destination Executive
“Visit the Twin Towers and get a bird’s-eye-view of Kuala Lumpur city. The Skybridge on the 41st floor connects the two towers.”
Events & Festivals
Festivals and events are wonderful to include during your Kuala Lumpur holiday, offering a glimpse into the country’s authentic culture and traditions.
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Thaipusam
Usually held at the end of January, the frenetic Hindu festival of Thaipusam attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors and devotees to Kuala Lumpur each year. Expect chanting, drumming and even spikes being driven into devotees’ flesh. A procession of glowing chariots sets off the night before at the city centre’s Sri Mariamman Temple. Arriving at Batu Caves in the early hours of the next day, followers say prayers to Lord Murugan at his shrine. An eight hour celebration then begins – although this is often still going on three days later.
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Eidil Fitr
The Muslim holiday of Eidil Fitr in late May or early June marks the end of a month of fasting for Ramadan. Unlike in other parts of the world, Eidil Fitr celebrations last up to a month in Malaysia. On the first day, followers don their finest traditional clothes for a visit to their mosque to perform Eid prayers, then settle down to huge lavish feasts prepared the previous day. Dishes include compressed rice cakes, meat cooked in spices and coconut milk and cookies. Many households in Kuala Lumpur hold ‘open houses’, inviting guests of all cultures, religions and backgrounds into their home to enjoy good food.
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Diwali
Diwali, the Hindu festival of light is held over five days in late October or early November. in Kuala Lumpur, you'll see lavish floral decorations and fireworks and have a chance to feast on spectacular Indian dishes. Head to Little India Brickfields during the week leading up to the festival to observe locals busily shopping for spices, traditional dress and religious items. Admire wonderful light displays at shopping malls as well as kolam, which are intricate floor designs made with coloured powder and rice. They typically feature flowers and animals like peacocks and elephants.
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Christmas
In December, expect wow-factor decorations in and around the shopping centres, where events and shows are put on during the festivities. This Christian festival is celebrated on 24th December in Malaysia. As the clock strikes 12 on that day, huge firework displays are carried out around the city, with many securing their viewing spot much earlier in the day. Lots of restaurants offer reduced prices on Christmas Eve as there’s so much competition for customers.
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Chinese New Year
The huge festival of Chinese New Year starts in late January or February. Kuala Lumpur is adorned with beautiful paper lanterns and oranges, a symbol of prosperity and good luck. Head to Chinatown, Old Klang Road/Kuchai Lama to immerse yourself in the atmosphere during this 15 day period. Local traditions include the tossing of Yee Sang, a raw fish salad, and steam boat dinners where raw ingredients are cooked in a shared pot of hot soup. Expect to see firework displays at this time, as well as dancing dragons and extravagant light decorations.
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![Petronas Twin Towers]( "Petronas Twin Towers")
Petronas Twin Towers
Picture courtesy of Tourism Malaysia
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![Masjid Wilayah]( "Masjid Wilayah")
Masjid Wilayah
Picture courtesy of Tourism Malaysia
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![Thean Hou Temple]( "Thean Hou Temple")
Thean Hou Temple
Picture courtesy of Tourism Malaysia
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![Sri Mariamman Temple]( "Sri Mariamman Temple")
Sri Mariamman Temple
Picture courtesy of Tourism Malaysia
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![Titiwangsa Lake Gardens]( "Titiwangsa Lake Gardens")
Titiwangsa Lake Gardens
Picture courtesy of Tourism Malaysia
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![Deer Park]( "Deer Park")
Deer Park
Picture courtesy of Tourism Malaysia
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![a wooden statue in a garden]()
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![Zoo Negara]( "Zoo Negara")
Zoo Negara
Picture courtesy of Tourism Malaysia
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![National Museum]( "National Museum")
National Museum
Picture courtesy of Tourism Malaysia
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![Royal Selangor International]( "Royal Selangor International")
Royal Selangor International
Picture courtesy of Tourism Malaysia
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![Swimming Pool Skyline]( "Swimming Pool Skyline")
Swimming Pool Skyline
Types of Kuala Lumpur holidays
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Kuala Lumpur to the Cameron Highlands is approximately three hours. However, if this journey is part of our Malaysia Explorer tour it may take longer due to stops on route.
