Kuala Lumpur 2-Day Itinerary: How to Spend 2 Days in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Need help planning your Kuala Lumpur 2 day itinerary? You’ve come to the right place!

​In this article I have outlined everything you need to know about spending two days in Kuala Lumpur. Including a detailed itinerary, tips on how to get around the city, where to eat, where to stay and more.

The Malaysian capital is a vibrant and lively city, with an incredible mix of traditional and modern.

Kuala Lumpur is home to the iconic Petronas Towers, the colourful Batu Caves, beautiful botanical gardens, delicious street food and much more.

Over the years I have travelled a lot around Southeast Asia, but this was my first time visiting Malaysia. And after seeing how great it is, I don’t know why I waited so long to visit!

So what are you waiting for? Let’s dive in, and start planning the perfect weekend in Kuala Lumpur!

Kuala Lumpur itinerary 2 days: Day 1

Visit the famous Batu Caves

Your itinerary for Kuala Lumpur begins with a trip to Batu Caves, the most famous temple in the city and one of the most important Hindu religious sites outside of India.

It’s a little way out of the centre of town, so make the journey as early as possible to avoid crowds (the KTM Komuter train goes directly there from KL Sentral). 

Dedicated to Murugan (the Hindu god of war), the temple came into being in 1890, with access improved in 1920 with the addition of wooden stairs. Today it is a huge cave complex complete with illuminations and colourful shrines.

Besides the cave and temple itself, the most famous sight of Batu Caves is probably its entrance, with the colourful staircase and huge golden Murugan Statue.

We visited Batu Caves at 9AM and when we first arrived it was fairly empty, but by the time we left around 10:30AM it was getting very busy and the staircase up to the cave was pretty rammed.

Head there early to avoid the crowds, and the monkeys! While there are monkeys at Batu Caves all the time, they’re not as pesky early in the morning. Don’t carry any food with view, or they will attack you to steal it!

You can easily spend a few hours at Batu Caves. Between admiring the beautiful exterior, heading up the staircase, and exploring the inside of the caves, there’s lots to see.

If you don’t want to worry about how to get to Batu Caves, you can book a half-day tour like this one, which includes pick-up and drop-off at your hotel.

Click here to book your half-day tour to Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur!

Wander around KLCC Park

Once you’re back from Batu Caves, the next step for your 48 hours in Kuala Lumpur is to head to KLCC Park.

You can take the Kelana Jaya Line from KL Sentral (17 minutes) or just hail a Grab (the journey by road is about 10 minutes). 

It’s a nice place to wander, sit and people-watch for a while – and all with views of the Petronas Towers.

There are splash pools where kids play, which is cute, but also if you come back at night the fountains (and the towers) are illuminated.

See Petronas Twin Towers

These famous towers are definitely what you should see in Kuala Lumpur in 2 days – or any amount of days really!

At just over 450 metres tall, these are the tallest twin skyscrapers in the world and have been since they were completed in 1999. In fact, they were the tallest building in the world at one point, until Taipei 101 was finished in 2004.

 From KLCC Park, you can walk below the Petronas Towers to the famous Petronas “photo spot”, where you can grab a photo of the tallest twin towers in the world and the water fountains below them.

If you’re a fan of city views, you can head up to the towers’ viewing deck at level 86 – only problem being that the iconic towers themselves won’t be visible! 

The towers even have a bridge link (level 41 and 42) connecting them, which you can walk across (partly, at least). Visiting hours are 9 AM to 9PM.

If you want to visiting the viewing deck of Petronas Towers, make sure to purchase your fast track ticket online. You only have two days in Kuala Lumpur after all, you don’t want to waste them queueing!

Click here to purchase your Skip-the-Line entrance ticket to Petronas Twin Towers!

Lunch at Signatures Food Court, Suria KLCC

Food in Malaysia is among the best in the world – mainly because there’s so much on offer. No Kuala Lumpur travel itinerary should be complete without hitting up a food court.

I love food courts because they are affordable places to grab a bite to eat, and with a ton of different options too. It’s perfect for groups of friends, so everyone can eat whatever they want, but you can still sit all together.

Your option right now is at Suria KLCC, a huge mall situated at the bottom of Petronas Towers with an epic food court to match.

It’s open 10 AM to 10 PM, and serves everything from sushi to Thai food. Great for lunch on the go.

See the view from KL Tower

For epic views of the Kuala Lumpur skyline, I suggest heading to KL Tower.

This 421-metre-tall telecommunications tower began life in 1991, and is the place for 360-degree views of the city that include Petronas Towers in the skyline.

Hop in a Grab and you’ll be here in less than 10 minutes (otherwise it’s a sweaty half hour walk).

Besides the classic observation deck, there’s also the Sky Box, a literal cube of glass that makes you feel like you’re floating in the city. A great photo opportunity, but you’ll definitely have to wait if you want to experience it.

We skipped the Sky Box as there was over an hour wait time for it, plus we felt like the views from the viewing deck were sufficiently awesome without standing over a glass bridge.

KL Tower is open from 10AM to 10PM. We went in the middle of the day, but you could also head there later if you want to see the sun go down over the Kuala Lumpur skyline.

Click here to purchase your entrance ticket to KL Tower!

Walk around KL Forest Eco Park

Right next door to KL Tower you’ll find KL Eco Forest Park. This lush haven of nature in the middle of the city, also known as Menara Kuala Lumpur, is a very cool contrast between forest and city.

KL Eco Forest Park – which was originally made a reserve in 1906 – is a great spot when it’s hot in the city, since you can find some shade and feel a bit cooler being close to all the lush greenery.

It’s clean and well maintained, and is home to the famous treetop skywalk. Once you enter the park, I suggest you walk down to the end of the treetop skywalk, and do it in reverse back towards the entrance.

This way you will have unique views of KL Tower peeking through the trees as you walk along the skywalk, instead of having it at your back, and you won’t then have to hike back up the hill.

Walking around the trails of the park really makes you feel worlds away from the urban rush of Malaysia’s capital. 

Have some down time by the pool

If you’ve booked a hotel or apartment with its own infinity pool (and I really recommend this; there are a bunch of affordable options), then it’s time to chill out for the remainder of the afternoon.

Sit back and enjoy the view, maybe even enjoy the sunset view over KL as you swim in the infinity pool, until it’s time to get ready to head out for dinner.

Head to Jalan Alor Street Food Market for dinner

Make sure you turn up hungry, as this night market is where it’s at. As the biggest night market in the city, visiting here to eat and drink is definitely one of the best things to do in Kuala Lumpur. 

It’s the perfect way to end the day, and a great way to learn more about the culture and gastronomic delights of the capital. Food is affordable, there are bars to hop into, and the atmosphere is top notch.

Personally, I really liked Jalan Alor Street Food Market. It seemed very clean and organised, especially when compared to other street food markets in Asia.

It’s a great place to try delicious and cheap local food. But it’s not limited to Malaysian food, we also saw loads of food stalls with Thai food, as well as Japanese mochi.

If you want to make sure you try all the best local food, you can join a local street food night tour like this one. I love food tours, as they give you a great insight into local culture, plus there’s no risk of ending up in a tourist trap!

Click here to book your Jalan Alor street food night tour!

Looking for more Kuala Lumpur travel inspiration? Check out my vlog below!

2 Days Kuala Lumpur Itinerary: Day 2

Visit Thean Hou Temple

Day 2 of your 2 days in Kuala Lumpur kicks off with a trip to Thean Hou Temple. If you’re staying in Chinatown, it’s 5 minutes by road (take a Grab – it’s easy).

The colourful temple dedicated to the sea goddess Mazu opened in 1989, and was built by the Hainanese community of Malaysia.

The sprawling temple grounds showcase a mix of modern techniques and traditional design elements that make for an interesting place to wander for a while.

As well as the complex itself, there’s places where you can grab a souvenir or a bite to eat. As an added bonus, the view of the KL skyline from here is pretty good, too. The temple is open 9AM to 6PM, and entrance is free.

I have to admit that while I’d already seen the staircase of Batu Caves countless of times on social media before visiting Malaysia, I’d never heard of Thean Hou Temple. Which is why I was surprised to see how beautiful it was.

Thean Hou Temple is easily the most beautiful temple we saw during our Malaysia trip (even more beautiful than the famous temples in Georgetown)!

Explore Brickfields (Little India)

It’s either a 22-minute walk or a 5-minute Grab ride to Brickfields (aka Little India) on the way back to KLCC. This heart of Kuala Lumpur’s Indian community is awash with jewellery sellers, textile shops and eateries.

It’s a cool place to explore and an even more fun place to eat.

I stopped off at Bricks Factory Cafe for a bite and a coffee. It’s a modern spot for Indian cuisine like thali, but also Malaysian goodies like kaya toast.

I recommend going on a walking tour of the area, which is stretched along Jalan Tun Sambanthan.

If you don’t want to pay for a tour, head over to Bricks Factory Cafe for a coffee, and scan the QR code and map they have painted on the wall. It links to a 2.5-hour walking tour of the area, which you can follow to see the main sights.

Explore Chinatown & Petaling Street Market

Take the KL1075 bus (or a Grab) to Petaling Street Market. In around 10 minutes you’ll be in Chinatown and among various stores and shops that are great for souvenirs (and food, of course).

It first sprang up in the late 19th century during the “Tin Rush”, which saw Cantonese and Hakka settlers from southern China make their way to KL to make their fortunes.

Today, exploring Chinatown is easily one of the best things to do in Kuala Lumpur, so make sure you spend some time wandering Petaling Street – the central area strung with lanterns and edged with a whole host of shops and eateries).

It’s a must if you’re in the city for any amount of time. Although there’s a ton of old shop houses to check out, one you shouldn’t miss is Ho Kow Kopitiam.

Founded in 1956, it’s still going and attracts crowds with its curries, Chinese bites, kaya toast and super strong coffee – all at affordable prices. Perfect for a pick-me-up!

Visit Merdeka Square

Merdeka Square (or Independence Square) can be found a 12-minute walk from the heart of Chinatown – or about a 5-minute Grab ride away – across the Klang River.

This wasn’t always a square, however. In the early days of the city’s founding it was used by local communities to grow food. After that it was declared the site of colonial government buildings for the British, and became home to a cricket green at one point too.

Malaya, as it was then, gained independence from the British Empire in 1957, and more than 20,000 people gathered in this very square to witness the declaration take place. The handover of power occurred at midnight, when all the lights in the square were turned on to a huge cheer.

Today the historic landmark offers an insight into the history and culture of Malaysia. Note that it can be really hot here as there’s no shade, so make sure you wear a hat.

Enjoy sunset drinks with a view

To round up your 48 hours in Kuala Lumpur, head to the chic SkyBar. It’s just 10 minutes away from Merdeka Square if you hail a Grab. You’ll find it at the top of Traders Hotel, on the 33rd floor.

Compared to other restaurants (and definitely compared to street food), it’s considerably more expensive, but it’s worth it. Having sunset drinks with views of the Kuala Lumpur skyline is something else.

Another option is Deep Blue (6 minutes away via Grab). This is set at the 51st floor of The Face Hotel. It’s a very cool space complete with tapas for light bites and plenty of cocktails and other drink options.

And all complete with views of the Petronas Towers and KL Tower.

Logistical tips for your weekend in Kuala Lumpur

We’ve gone over my day-by-day itinerary for an epic weekend in Kuala Lumpur already, but I want to share with you also some useful logistics information, so that you can make the most of your time in Kuala Lumpur.

How many days do you need in Kuala Lumpur?

Working out how many days you should spend in Kuala Lumpur is obviously up to you and your travel style. Kuala Lumpur is very popular with digital nomads, since it’s very affordable and well connected to the rest of South East Asia.

Many travellers that are on a long travelling stint often end up spending a while in Kuala Lumpur, just recharging, working, and enjoying the beautiful sights of this city for a cheap price tag.

However, if you’re on a tight schedule and have other places to see in your Malaysia itinerary, you obviously won’t have this luxury. Even though it’s a huge city, I’d still say you can get a good feel for Kuala Lumpur in 2 days.

Two days is enough to see the city’s main highlights. In two days in Kuala Lumpur you can explore unique temples like Batu Caves and Thean Hou Temple, as well as cool viewpoints and street food markets.

How to get around Kuala Lumpur 

One thing you should consider when you’re using my 2 day Kuala Lumpur itinerary is transport. This is going to be crucial in making the most of your time.

Grab is super efficient and affordable (even more so if you’re in a group). Even though normal taxis are around double the price, they are still very affordable compared to European ones.

Public transport in Kuala Lumpur is good. It’s affordable and well connected. There are even several free bus routes, run by GoKL City Bus, which cover tourist hotspots including Chinatown and Bukit Bintang. 

You can grab a cashless Touch n Go (TnG) card, which you can charge with cash then tap to ride on trains and buses. Pick these up at larger train stations and at the airport.

Where to stay in Kuala Lumpur

Generally speaking, I would say stick to the KLCC (Kuala Lumpur City Centre) area, especially if you’ve only got 2 nights in Kuala Lumpur. 

As the name suggests, this district is central. You’ll be close to everything and if you pick a skyscraper, you will likely have great views over the Kuala Lumpur skyline.

One of the great things about choosing where to stay in Kuala Lumpur is that there are lots of very affordable apartments in skyscrapers with rooftop infinity pools. That way you have somewhere awesome to chill at the end of each day.

Here are some of the best places to stay in Kuala Lumpur for every budget.

Budget – Chinatown Hostel by Mingle: Located among the sights and sounds of KL’s Chinatown, this cool hostel is the place to base yourself on a budget. From here, you can easily stroll to night markets or hop on the train and explore further afield. 

The building itself is an old colonial shop house and features an array of charming social spaces and cute design details. The rooftop terrace here is the place to be for meeting your fellow travellers.

Click here to book your stay at Chinatown Hostel by Mingle in Kuala Lumpur!

Mid-range – ibis Kuala Lumpur City Centre: This branch of the international chain Ibis is located right in the middle of KL – just 750 metres from the Petronas Towers, in fact.

The hotel itself is modern and polished, with comfortable rooms equipped with all the amenities you’ll need. It also has a rooftop infinity swimming pool with panoramic views out across the city, two on-site restaurants and a fitness centre.

Click here to see prices & availability at ibis KLCC!

Luxury – Ascott Star KLCC: Treat yourself to an incredible stay at this high-end gem. Rooms come in a range of sizes and include private kitchenettes so you can make yourself at home. 

Boasting incredible views of the Petronas Towers, staying here means relaxing in some seriously chic spaces, from the rooftop infinity pool to the slick fitness centre – there are even a library and kids play area. 

Don’t miss out, click here to book your stay at Ascott Star KLCC!

What to pack for Kuala Lumpur in 2 days

There aren’t really any specific things you should pack for Kuala Lumpur besides your usual travel essentials. After all, it’s a huge city with great shopping opportunities! Still, here are a few things it’s easier to always have on you.

Waterproof jacket – if you’re visiting in rainy season, you will need one of these!

Water bottle – lots of hotels and restaurants have water refills, by having your own reusable water bottle you can reduce your plastic consumption and monetary expense, it’s a win-win!

Adapter – depending on where you come from you might need one of these to charge your electronics. I like to use an international one so that it can work for multiple destinations.

Power bank – if you’re out and about all day you don’t want your phone to die on you just as you’re about to snap a great photo of the beautiful temples in Kuala Lumpur!

You won’t really need them in Kuala Lumpur, but it’s still a good idea to bring a fast drying towel and dry bag to Malaysia, especially if you’re planning on heading to the islands after Kuala Lumpur!

Do you need travel insurance for 2 days in Kuala Lumpur?

After my personal experience spending two nights in a private hospital in Tenerife, and having to pay for it out of pocket (it wasn’t cheap), I always recommend getting travel insurance.

You might not end up needing it, but for a small fee you can travel without worries. Personally, I suggest getting your travel insurance with  Heymondo.

Heymondo offers tailor made travel insurance, providing the best value for money for your specific trip. You can also buy it once you’re already abroad and have forgotten about it before flying (which, if you’re anything like me, is quite likely).

Besides the usual cancellation, medical expenses, luggage coverage and general travel insurance services, Heymondo also has a 24/7 doctor chat and instant assistance through their app.

Plus, as a Greta’s Travels reader, you get 5% off your Heymondo travel insurance!

Click here to get your 5% off Heymondo travel insurance!

Final thoughts on what to see in Kuala Lumpur in 2 days

There you have it, the ultimate itinerary for two days in Kuala Lumpur! Have you been to Kuala Lumpur before? How did you find it? Let me know in the comments below!

Kuala Lumpur is a great city, with plenty of tourist attractions to keep you busy for two days.

While you could definitely spend longer in Kuala Lumpur, I personally think two days is the perfect amount of time if you also have other stops in your Malaysia itinerary.

After Kuala Lumpur we travelled on to the Cameron Highlands, Ipoh and Langkawi, which made for a great Malaysia trip. We had a good mix of nature, waterfalls, city, culture, and beach escapes.

In Kuala Lumpur you will find some of the tallest buildings in the world, delicious street food markets, a unique blend of cultures and religions, and affordable luxury hotels.

It’s honestly one of the most unique cities I have ever visited. I hope you will enjoy your two days in Kuala Lumpur just as much as I did! If you have any questions, just let me know in the comments below.

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