It is no secret that Singaporeans enjoy weekend getaways or short trips abroad to unwind and recharge. One nearby city brimming with scrumptious street food and bustling nightlife is the capital city of Malaysia—Kuala Lumpur.

If you are flying from Singapore, you only need 45 minutes by plane and 4 or 5 hours by coach, depending on traffic and weather conditions. The city’s close proximity and affordability makes it a great travel destination for many of us who are planning to go for a getaway.

Planning a trip there soon and have no idea what to do there? Here’s our 4D3N Kuala Lumpur Itinerary on 19 tips on what to see, do and eat in the city.

DAY 1 IN KUALA LUMPUR

#1 HAVE LUNCH AT ACME BAR & COFFEE

3pm: Start your day right with a sweet treat! Located at The Troika in Kuala Lumpur City Centre, ACME Bar & Coffee has the best Sizzling Brownie & Oreo Ice Cream (RM19++/ S$6.30++).

Ground Floor, The Troika
19 Persiaran KLCC
50450 Kuala Lumpur

Here are 13 cafes and coffee shops
in Kuala Lumpur you must visit

#2 SHOP AT SURIA KLCC

5pm: Since you will be around the city centre, one of the most prominent shopping malls you have to take a look is Suria KLCC. This is where you will find most of the well-known brands such as Zara, Topshop and H&M.

241 Suria KLCC
Kuala Lumpur City Centre
50088 Kuala Lumpur

#3 HAVE ROTI TISSUE & ROTI CANAI FOR DINNER

8pm: Oh yes, this is a local favourite and a must-try when you are in Kuala Lumpur! This crispy and paper-like Roti Tissue can be found at any roadside mamak stalls and they usually open till late at night.

#4 TAKE PHOTOS OF THE PETRONAS TWIN TOWERS

10pm: Can you really say you have been to Kuala Lumpur without a picture of the iconic buildings? Once the tallest structure in the world, the grand twin towers remain on many tourists’ must-visit list.

Photo Credit: Hype

#5 GO WILD AT ZOUK

12 Midnight: Party your night away at the best nightclub in Malaysia—Zouk KL. It may be one of the most expensive clubs in Malaysia but there is also where all the fun is!

436, Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur
Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Where to satisfy your late night hunger pangs:
8 Street Food In Jalan Alor You Have To Try

DAY 2 IN KUALA LUMPUR

#6 HAVE KAYA BREAD AT YUT KEE FOR BREAKFAST

9am: If you want to have authentic kaya bread, go to Yut Kee Restaurant at Jalan Kamunting. You will be served with soft and fluffy white bread and traditional homemade kaya.

1, Jalan Kamunting
Chow Kit
50300 Kuala Lumpur

#7 VISIT THE UPSIDE DOWN HOUSE

11am: A new tourist attraction and although slightly gimmicky, parents who are bringing kids along can consider going to Malaysia’s tallest upside down house. Take plenty of pictures in front of this upside down double-storey cottage that comes complete with bedrooms, bathrooms and also a kitchen.

Off Jalan P Ramlee & Jalan Puncak
50250 Kuala Lumpur

Photo Credit: want.my

#8 GO UP KUALA LUMPUR TOWER

12pm: Kuala Lumpur Tower stands at 420 metres and is one of the most distinguished landmarks in Kuala Lumpur. It features a revolving restaurant where customers can dine whilst enjoying a panoramic view of the city.

Jalan P Ramlee, 50250 Kuala Lumpur
Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Photo Credit: Geisha World

#9 MAKE YOUR WAY TO THEAN HOU TEMPLE

3pm: One of Southeast Asia’s biggest and oldest Chinese temples, Thean Hou Temple was built by the Hainanese community and is a very popular shrine where many devotees come forth to pray to Goddess of Mercy.

65, Persiaran Endah, Taman Persiaran Desa
50460 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

#10 EAT YOUR WAY THROUGH JALAN ALOR

7pm: Jalan Alor is a lively food street that has plenty of options for you to choose from—be it light street snacks to local favourites and even chinese-style zi char dishes.

Bukit Bintang
50200 Kuala Lumpur

DAY 3 IN KUALA LUMPUR

#11 HAVE A WHOLESOME BREAKFAST AT A • TOAST BREAKFAST & JUICE BAR

9am: Hidden under a pedestrian bridge along Jalan Pudu in Kuala Lumpur, A • Toast Breakfast & Juice Bar is a breakfast place that opens from early morning to mid-afternoon. This breakfast bar serves up the most photogenic toasts and freshly made fruit juices!

291 Jalan Pudu
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

#12 KASTURI WALK

12pm: This is a small lane beside Central Market where you can snack on Malaysian street food and get all the souvenirs you need to bring back home.

Jalan Hang Kasturi, City Centre
50050 Kuala Lumpur

#13 LEARN MORE ABOUT MALAYSIAN CULTURE AT CENTRAL MARKET

1pm: Up for anything culture? Head to Central Market where you can learn more about Malaysian culture and heritage. There are also plenty of stalls selling arts and handicraft there. Look out for talented artists who draw many life-like paintings!

Jalan Hang Kasturi, City Centre
50050 Kuala Lumpur

#14 VISIT CHOCHA FOODSTORE – A VINTAGE CAFE

3pm: We bet you are feeling hungry from all the walking and we know it is time for lunch. Chocha Foodstore is a beautiful vintage cafe at Petaling Street with delicious local food that come with a creative twist.

156 Petaling Street
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

#15 APPRECIATE HISTORICAL BUILDINGS AT MERDEKA SQUARE

5pm: The Sultan Abdul Samad Building in front of Merdeka Square is a popular historical landmark in Kuala Lumpur. This is also where the annual National Day Parade is held at and you can expect to see many activities over the weekends.

Jalan Raja, City Centre
50050 Kuala Lumpur

#16 EAT TILL YOU DROP AT PETALING STREET

7pm: Another day, another food street! Jalan Petaling is one of the most popular streets in Kuala Lumpur with most of its business starting after 6pm. Besides shopping (mostly counterfeit goods), you can also indulge in some street food there.

Jalan Petaling, 50000 Kuala Lumpur
Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

DAY 4 IN KUALA LUMPUR

#17 HAVE A CUPPA AT COFFEE AMO

10am: Who can resist cute latte art? Not us for sure! If you are feeling sad that this is your last day in Kuala Lumpur, get yourself a cuppa from Coffee Amo to brighten up your day.

54, Jalan Sultan
City Centre
50000 Kuala Lumpur

#18 LAST MINUTE SHOPPING AT PAVILION KUALA LUMPUR

1pm: With over 500 stores featuring popular retail brands, dining and entertainment, it is the perfect place to chill and finish up any last minute shopping before returning home. This is a shopohalic’s heaven.

168, Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur
Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

#19 GRAB LUNCH AT A ROADSIDE STALL

3pm: Ask any local and they will tell you that the best Malaysian food is found in all the roadside stalls. We recommend having the Wanton Mee, dry Ban Mian and fried Hokkien Mee. This is the perfect way to end your KL trip with a bang!

For more recommendations, read our guide to spending 48 Hours In Kuala Lumpur.

Known as Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown, Jalan Petaling is a vibrant street where peak hour starts just before sunset and vendors start opening up their stalls for business. The massive market spreads across Jalan Pudu and Jalan Sultan.

It is common to see locals and tourists bargaining at Petaling Street as there is stiff competition arising from the scores of shops selling souvenirs, electronics and even fake designer items.

In the midst of shopping, fill your tummy with delicious street food you can find at Petaling Street. Here are 10 Street Food To Look Out For At Petaling Street, Kuala Lumpur.

#1 BEEF NOODLES

Ask any local and they will tell you to try beef noodles when you are in Kuala Lumpur. Seats at this beef noodles stall fill up fast so you really do have to reach earlier to beat the crowd. Those who are feeling adventurous can opt for beef innards.

#2 APAM BALIK

First off, you should know that Apam Balik is a traditional Malaysian street snack that all tourists must try. It is essentially a sweet peanut pancake with a soft interior and crispy sides.

#3 PRAWN NOODLES

Prawn mee is considered a staple in Malaysia and you can find that in Petaling Street. What constitutes a bowl of delicious prawn noodles is its spicy and rich broth which is boiled with prawn shells. It usually comes with prawns, sliced pork, egg and fried shallots.

#4 LOK LOK

There is almost always a queue at lok lok stalls where you will find skewers containing everything, from meat to vegetables and seafood. Choose what you fancy from the wide selection and watch the stall vendor cook or fry your food in front of your eyes. There are also plenty of dipping sauce!

#5 ZI CHAR

Those with family may want to consider going to a zi char stall for dinner to sample a range of local dishes. Their menus usually encompass traditional hawker favourites that come with a distinct wok hei flavour.

#6 CHAR KWAY TEOW

Nothing makes us happier than a plate of sinful char kway teow and we are willing to forgo any diet plans for this. The best part of the char kway teow has got to be the juicy ham (fresh cockles)!

#7 BAK KUT TEH

Piping hot bak kut teh is comfort in a bowl. Malaysian-style bak kut teh comes with rich herbal flavours which are unlike the peppery versions you find in Singapore. Fans of pork-rib soup have to make it a point to try this.

#8 SATAY

Craving for some meat? You can choose to stop by for some satay there as well. Pick your choice of meat and have them fresh off the charcoal grill. Besides the roadside stalls, one popular satay destination at Petaling Street is Zainal’s Satay.

#9 ROAST MEAT

It is a known fact that the Chinese love their roast meats such as char siew, roast pork and roast duck. It is a common dish for dinner in many households and is also one of the most requested food items in restaurants as well. Try it for yourself!

#10 SOYA BEAN CURD & SOYA BEAN MILK

Cool off from the weather with chilled soya bean milk or have a bowl of homemade bean curd at Kim Soya Bean. This stall has been doing business at Petaling Street for years and is now widely known in Kuala Lumpur.

Read our Kuala Lumpur travel guides for more recommendations on where to go and eat.

Should the idea of staying put at home during your free time sounds awfully boring, then you might want to consider visiting the capital of Malaysia for an exciting weekend getaway.

Multifaceted Kuala Lumpur is accessible via a 65-minute flight or a 4-hour bus journey from Singapore, and the price for either mode of transportation is surprisingly extremely affordable.

From visiting Batu Caves to feasting at Jalan Alor Food Street, here is our Kuala Lumpur City Guide on What To Eat, Do and See. Regardless of whether you are travelling solo, with a romantic partner, with family or with a group of friends, the vibrant city’s various splendid attractions and fantastic gourmet offerings will surely keep everybody entertained throughout.

Source: Thousand Wonders

#1 BATU CAVES

Located just 13 kilometres away from the city centre of Kuala Lumpur is Batu Caves, a sacred Hindu site comprising age-old limestone caves. One would have to climb up a flight of 272 steps before reaching these spectacular caves.

Every January, more than 800,000 religious devotees will congregate at Batu Caves to celebrate the annual religious Thaipusam festival.

Source: Adrian Cuyugan

#2 BUKIT TABUR

First thing first, you should be warned that a climb up Bukit Tabur is far from easy due to its slipperiness and steepness. Located just half an hour away by car from Kuala Lumpur city centre, Bukit Tabur is well loved by locals for its breathtaking scenery from above.

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#3 CAFE HOPPING

The cafe scene in the capital of Malaysia is growing from strength to strength and there are many excellent cafes with spectacular food and coffee to check out. From PULP by Papa Palheta to Merchant’s Lane, check out our guide to 10 Best Cafes and Coffee Shops in Kuala Lumpur.

Source: The Revelry

#4 HELI LOUNGE

As its name suggests, Heli Lounge was once an old helipad that has been revamped into a stunning bar. Perched atop the 34th storey of Menara KH Building, the experience above offers unrivalled close-up views of Petrona Towers and KL Tower.

It is highly recommended that you visit before sunset to witness the magnificent transformation of the KL’s skyline.

Bukit Bintang 34th Floor, Menara KH
Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tel: +60 3-2110 5034
Mon to Wed: 6pm – 12am
Thu: 6pm – 2am
Fri and Sat: 6pm – 3am
Sun: Closed

Source: Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia

#5 ISLAMIC ARTS MUSEUM MALAYSIA

Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia is home to Southeast Asia’s largest collection of Islamic art. Spanning 30,000 square metres, the building itself is an architectural splendour and contains 12 galleries. A must-visit for all art enthusiasts.

Jalan Lembah Perdana, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, 50480, Malaysia
Daily: 10am – 6pm

#6 JALAN ALOR FOOD STREET

Jalan Alor was once a shady red light district, but today, it is a must-visit attraction for all street food lovers.

A seemingly endless number of hawker stalls line this bustling street, and you will find yourselves spoilt by the overwhelming tantalising selection of Malaysian delicacies.

Jalan Alor, Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur
Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Daily: 5pm – late

Source: Want

#7 KUALA LUMPUR TOWER

Kuala Lumpur Tower is one of the most distinguished landmarks in Kuala Lumpur. Standing proudly at 420 metres, the infrastructure is primarily used for communication purposes but also features a revolving restaurant where customers can dine whilst enjoying a panoramic view of the city.

Jalan P Ramlee, 50250 Kuala Lumpur
Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Daily: 9am – 10pm

#8 NASI LEMAK

Malaysia has several national dishes and the fragrant Nasi Lemak is one of them. The rice-based Malaysian delicacy – typically cooked in coconut milk and pandan – is served with anchovies, boiled egg, chilli paste, cucumber slices and other add-ons such as fried chicken.

Various locations

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#9 PAVILION KUALA LUMPUR

Shopaholics will not want to miss out on Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, a large mall situated in the heart of Bukit Bintang. With over 500 stores featuring popular retail brands, dining and entertainment, you can easily spend a day in this shopping complex.

168, Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur
Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Daily: 10am – 10pm

#10 PETALING STREET

Conveniently situated in Chinatown, Petaling Street is the go-to place for all budget shoppers. Do however be warned that most items sold here are actually counterfeit – so just haggle till the price is ideal!

Besides retail therapy, there is also an abundance of food vendors.

Jalan Petaling, 50000 Kuala Lumpur
Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tel: +60 3-2032 5988
Daily: 12pm – 11pm

Source: Want To Learn More About SE Asia

#11 PETRONA TOWERS

Standing at 88 levels, Petrona Towers is Kuala Lumpur’s most iconic skyscraper. The infrastructure can be identified even from miles away and is probably the most photographed building out of all in Malaysia.

The gorgeous landmark boasts a shopping mall with dining options aplenty, and a connecting skybridge.

Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur
Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Source: Wall Pix

#12 SULTAN ABDUL SAMAD BUILDING

More than a century old, the Sultan Abdul Samad Building once served the colonial British but is now home to Malaysia’s Ministry of Information, Communications and Culture. The building – characterised by gothic, Moors and western culture – looks best when lit up at night.

Jalan Raja, 50050 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Source: Thousand Wonders

#13 SUNWAY LAGOON THEME PARK

Award-winning Sunway Lagoon Theme Park is a one-stop destination that is especially popular among families. It doesn’t matter how old you are for there is definitely something here in store for you.

From water to wildlife, there are five exciting different themed parks and you will easily find yourselves losing track of time when you are busy visiting all.

3, Band ar Sunway, Jalan Lagoon Timur (9/1)
47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Tel: +60 3-5639 8811

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Source: Geisha World

#14 THEAN HOU TEMPLE

Thean Hou Temple – also known as Temple of the Goddess of Heaven – is one of the Southeast Asia’s biggest and oldest Chinese temples. It was built by the Hainanese community and is a very popular shrine where many devotees come forth to pray to Goddess of Mercy.

65, Persiaran Endah, Taman Persiaran Desa
50460 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tel: +60 3-2274 7088

Source: Hype

#15 ZOUK CLUB KUALA LUMPUR

Ask any Malaysian where the best nightclub in Malaysia is and they will all direct you to Zouk KL. The award-winning establishment – ranked as the world’s 38th best club by DJ Mag’s Top 100 Clubs global poll – is unsurprisingly the most expensive club in Malaysia where its construction costed a whopping RM38 million. But here’s also where all the fun is!

436, Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur
Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tel: +60 3-2110 3888
Sun to Tue: 5pm – 3am
Wed and Thu: 5pm – 4am
Fri and Sat: 5pm – 5am

About the writer:
Hui Jun Ng is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She previously worked in the food and marketing industry. She loves traveling and enjoys exploring underrated destinations. In her free time, you will find her indulging in coffee and her all time favourite local dish – bak chor mee.