Best Kuala Lumpur Tour & Day Trips (Malaysia)

Kuala Lumpur Sightseeing: The 7 Best Tours & Day Trips in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur is one of the most dynamic cities in Southeast Asia. It has a mix of old and new, historic monuments, busy local markets, and modern skyscrapers like the Petronas Twin Towers. It’s also one of our favorite urban destinations because Kuala Lumpur is just a short day trip away from top attractions like the colorful Batu Caves, the verdant tea plantations of the Cameron Highlands, and Kuala Selangor, a wildlife area known for the impressive nightly display of its firefly colony.

The culture of Kuala Lumpur is diverse, the food is delicious, and every attraction seems to have been influenced by Chinese, Indian, Malay, or English settlements. It’s a fascinating place to visit, and we’d go again for the food alone!

Kuala Lumpur has so much to offer every visitor with exciting tours and day trips in and around the city. Read on to learn more about our favorite Kuala Lumpur tours, including both best day trips to nearby attractions and top city tours for exploring Kuala Lumpur itself. 

How to Book Tours in Kuala Lumpur

While there are plenty of travel agencies around Kuala Lumpur, we always prefer to book our tours online. Get Your Guide is our go-to for tours because online booking is simple and they have an excellent cancellation policy. It also makes it easy to compare all of the best tours of Kuala Lumpur in one place and read reviews from other travelers.

7 Top Tours in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

1. Get Acquainted with Kuala Lumpur on a Half-Day City Tour

Best Kuala Lumpur Tours & Day Trips: KL City Tour

One of the best ways to explore all of the best attractions of the city is to start with a guided tour of Kuala Lumpur! This 3-hour long Kuala Lumpur city tour is a nice combination of both the traditional colonial buildings and the more modern skyscrapers like the Petronas Twin Towers, where your guide will give you plenty of information about the history of each building.

Starting with a pick-up from your hotel in either the morning or afternoon, you’ll first visit the National Monument and the Istana Negara, the former king’s palace and residence of the royal family of Malaysia.  The next stop is at the grounds of the National Mosque to view its impressive blue and green tiles and colorful stained-glass windows.

Later in the tour, you will visit the historic Sultan Abdul Samad building and the Cocoa Boutique. There, you can buy souvenirs and chocolates. And finally, your Kuala Lumpur tour ends at one of the most iconic buildings in the world, the Petronas Twin Towers. It is where you can take a photo of this famous KL landmark before being dropped off at your hotel. 

Your half-day Kuala Lumpur city tour will include the following:

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • English-speaking guide/driver
  • A ticket to the observation deck of the Petronas Towers is not included

Book Your Half-Day City Tour!

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2. Eat Your Way Through Kuala Lumpur’s Amazing Food Scene

Best Kuala Lumpur Tours & Day Trips: KL Street Food Tour

Kuala Lumpur is well-known for its food scene. It can be somewhat overwhelming to decide where to eat with street food and delicious cheap eats on every street corner. An easier way to explore the city is to take the “Kuala Lumpur: Private Food Tour” tour. For three hours, you’ll discover the best tastes that Malaysia is famous for with the help of a local guide while seeing some of the highlights of the city. If you’re a serious foodie, you will want to sign up for this Kuala Lumpur tour.

You’ll first meet at the entrance of the Central Market, Jalan Hang Kasturi in the City Center. You’ll start the delicious journey by visiting 10 of the best tasting the city has to offer and are beloved by the locals. A local guide will tell you all about the different cultures that KL has to offer and how they influence the food and flavors found in Malaysian cuisine. From there, you’ll visit different sites, including Petaling Street, Guan Di Temple, and Sri Mahamariamman Temple to sample a wide range of savory and sweet foods, including ultimate classics like the Nasi Lemak and Paper Dosa.

After filling up on local dishes and sampling desserts, you’ll now know better about the local food being served at local markets and eateries. The tour also offers vegetarian alternatives, so make sure you let your local guide know at the start of the tour so they can better adapt the menu for you.

Your “Kuala Lumpur: Private Food Tour” will include the following:

  • 10 food and drink tastings (vegetarian options available)
  • A professional English-speaking guide
  • Hotel pick-up and drop-off are not included

Book Your Street Food Tour!


3. Be Amazed at the Genting Highlands and Batu Caves

Best Kuala Lumpur Tours & Day Trips: Genting Highlands

Another one of the best day trips in Kuala Lumpur is to the nearby Genting Highlands. There, you can ride one of the longest cable cars in Asia with panoramic views of the Genting Highlands mountain region and hill station! This Genting Highlands tour will start with a pick-up at your hotel where you’ll escape the city to the mountains. You’ll ride the Genting Skyway over the tropical lush rainforest for some stunning views of the scenery below.

After about an hour ride, you can visit Malaysia’s only casino resort or shop at the 80 boutique stores in the entertainment complex. There are even several theme parks found nearby if you crave more adventure.  

After exploring on your own, you’ll head back to Kuala Lumpur and stop at the limestone hills of Batu Caves. This is a must-see for any trip to Kuala Lumpur. It includes 272 colorful steps that lead to three caverns and shrines to Hindu deities. You’ll get panoramic city views and might also see some monkeys that live on site. The full-day Kuala Lumpur tour ends with a drop-off at your hotel in the early evening. 

Your Genting Highlands and Batu Caves Day Trip will include the following:

  • Hotel pick-up and drop-off
  • Return ticket on the Genting Skyway cable car
  • A professional English-speaking guide/driver
  • Admission to the theme park is not included in the tour price
  • The glass-floor gondola is not included in the tour price

Book your Genting Highlands Tour!


4. Explore the Historical City of Malacca

Best Tours of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Malacca Day Trip

This full-day tour from Kuala Lumpur focuses on visiting the Unesco World Heritage city of Malacca. This coastal city is full of historical significance for the country. It is also full of interesting stops – making it one of the most popular Kuala Lumpur Day Trips.

Your guide will describe the history and will show you around the city, including stops at the early settlements, colonial buildings, and churches that Malacca is famous for. You’ll see the influence of the Portuguese and Dutch settlers in the colorful architecture and buildings throughout the city. 

This tour will start in the morning with a pick-up from your hotel and a drive to Malacca, which is about two hours from KL. The first stop includes a short walk up to St. Paul’s Hill to visit  St. Paul’s Church. There, you’ll get panoramic views of the surrounding coasts.

You’ll try the delicious local Peranakan cuisine for lunch. The tour continues to Jonker Street in the center of Chinatown, known for its traditional antique shopping and bustling market. 

Afterward, you’ll visit the nearby Chinese Cheng Hoon Teng Temple which was built in the 17th century. This ornate temple is one of the oldest functioning temples in Malaysia. It features multiple prayer halls and intricate architectural details. The tour ends with a visit to the historic Sultan’s Well, before heading back to Kuala Lumpur for drop-off at your hotel. 

Your full-day Malacca tour will include the following:

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off via an air-conditioned vehicle
  • English-speaking driver/guide
  • Local Peranakan lunch

Book Your Full-Day Malacca Tour!

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5. Get out in Nature in the Cameron Highlands

Best Tours of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Cameron Highlands Day Trip

The Cameron Highlands region is a cool retreat from the concrete jungle of Kuala Lumpur to the sprawling green tea plantations of Malaysia’s most famous hill station. This 12-hour Cameron Highlands tour is the perfect Kuala Lumpur day trip that allows you to visit all the main attractions found in the Highlands area. The tour starts in the early morning with a hotel pick-up in Kuala Lumpur for a few hours scenic drive to the Pahang district of Malaysia. 

You’ll love the cool climate of this area and exploring the butterfly farms and tea plantations. Next is the Boh Tea Plantation, where you can learn how the tea is harvested and enjoy the lush green terraces views over the valley.

At noon, the tour will stop for a bite to eat at a local restaurant before continuing on a short trek to a popular waterfall. The next stops include leisurely visits to the bee and strawberry farms where you will learn about how honey and the local fruit are produced. You’ll also see the English influence at the rose garden, the last stop before heading back to KL. 

If you love sampling tea and touring tea plantations then this is definitely the best Kuala Lumpur tour for you!

Your Cameron Highlands full-day tour will include the following:

  • Hotel pick-up and drop-off
  • All entrance fees
  • A professional English-speaking guide/driver
  • Round-trip transportation to and from KL

Book Your Cameron Highlands Full-Day Tour!


6. Cruise through Putrajaya on a Traditional Boat

Best Tours of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Petrajaya Day Trip

For a short day trip from Kuala Lumpur, consider going to the nearby city of Putrajaya, which is a mix of traditional Malay and Islamic architecture combined with futuristic modern architectures and structures.

This tour of Putrajaya provides several photography opportunities and highlights, including the pink-colored Putra Mosque with its exquisite interiors and a traditional boat cruise ride around the lake. The Putra Mosque is a favorite photo location for Instagrammers. If you love photography then this might be one of the best Kuala Lumpur tours to choose!

You can choose whether to take the tour in the morning, afternoon, or early evening and the tour includes pick-up and drop-off for all accommodations located in Kuala Lumpur city center.

The tour itinerary includes seven stops in Putrajaya at interesting stops around the city, including the impressive Putra Mosque, with stunning elegant exterior and interior views. You’ll then stop by the Prime Minister’s office and residence to admire the outside exterior and grounds. Next, is a stop to see the panoramic view of Putrajaya from the Convention Center.

On this tour, you’ll see many important government offices and buildings. Your tour will end with a traditional boat cruise on Putrajaya Lake, which is a fun and alternative way to see the sights of the city before being driven to your hotel in KL. 

Your Putrajaya Tour with Traditional Boat Cruise will include the following:

  • Professional driver/guide
  • Full air-conditioned vehicle
  • Pick-up and drop-off for all accommodations located in Kuala Lumpur city center
  • Traditional boat cruise ticket is included
  • Travel Insurance is not included

Book Your Putrajaya Tour with a Traditional Boat Cruise

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7. Marvel at the Fireflies of Kuala Selangor

Best Kuala Lumpur Tours & Day Trips: Bukit Melawati

If you want to escape to nature, consider the Kuala Selangor Firefly and Wildlife Tour to visit one of the largest firefly colonies in the world! This region is about an hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur. It is famous for its fireflies that put up an impressive display during the nighttime. 

Your tour will start mid-afternoon with pick-up at your hotel. You’ll arrive at Bukit Melawati, home to Fort Altingsburg, a historic fort that is known for its lighthouse, colonial buildings, and silver-leafed monkey colony that makes the fort its home. You’ll also see more wildlife when you board a traditional boat called a tong kang when the sun starts to go down.

Slowly, you will be paddled to areas of the mangrove swamps where you will start to see the sky above you light up with hundreds of glowing fireflies. It’s super impressive and one of the most memorable events of our Malaysian travels.

After your wildlife tour, you’ll enjoy a delicious seafood dinner before you are taken back to your hotel in KL. This Kuala Lumpur tour is the perfect way to end your Malaysian holiday. Don’t forget to bring insect repellent!

Your Kuala Selangor Fireflies and Wildlife Tour will include the following:

  • Hotel transfer
  • English-speaking driver and guide
  • Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle
  • Seafood dinner
  • Boat ride

Book Your Kuala Selangor Fireflies and Wildlife Tour!

We hope you have a wonderful time exploring Kuala Lumpur!


Planning a trip to Kuala Lumpur? Check out our favorite books and travel guides!

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About the Author:

  • Valerie Wheatley

    Val grew up in Portland, Oregon but moved to Oahu on a whim back in 2013. She sold her house and all of her belongings and bought a one-way ticket. Since then she’s taken two around-the-world trips and has visited 60-ish countries while living out of a duffel bag.

    Val started documenting the Wandering Wheatleys travels back in 2013 as a way to update friends and family about her whereabouts and to relay humorous daily interactions. The only readers were her mom and her mother-in-law but that didn’t stop her!

    These days you’ll find Val dreaming up future trips, creating new travel content, managing a team of amazing travel enthusiasts, and chasing around her two adorable but naughty kids.

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