One Day in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Itinerary & Where to Go in 24 Hours

Wandering around Southeast Asia? There’s a good chance you’ll spend at least one day in Kuala Lumpur. The capital of Malaysia is one of the region’s main transport hubs. Kuala Lumpur is an emerging favourite on the traveller trail.

Even if you only have 24 hours in Kuala Lumpur, you can experience plenty in this eclectic city. You’ll gawk at the gleaming skyscrapers. You can stay in a glitzy luxury hotel—at surprisingly affordable prices. You’ll wander around traditional ethnic neighbourhoods. And you’ll eat & revel in some of the best food on the planet.

Ready to experience the best of Kuala Lumpur in one day? Start planning your trip with this complete 1-day Kuala Lumpur itinerary.

Where to go in Kuala Lumpur in 24 hours: A complete 1-day itinerary

Whether you’ve got 10 days in Malaysia or three weeks, there’s no better starting point than Kuala Lumpur. (Or KL as its most endearing fans would say). The Malaysian capital is one of the most exciting cities in Southeast Asia.

There’s a multitude of cool things to do in Kuala Lumpur. Even with just one day in Kuala Lumpur, you can visit a good chunk of the top attractions. Unfold your Kuala Lumpur itinerary by starting off with these ideas.

Beat your morning blues at the Petronas Twin Towers

You won’t need to beat yourself out of bed at the crack of dawn to catch KL’s biggest attraction. But get a head start on the morning and your itinerary by plowing over to the Petronas Twin Towers.

This towering landmark is the undisputed symbol of Kuala Lumpur. Until 2004, it was the tallest building in world. Even if it’s been overtaken 15 times since, Petronas Towers is still one of the finest modern architectural treasures in the world. It’s one of the absolute must-sees in Malaysia.

Unless you buy your Petronas Towers tickets beforehand, you’ll need to start lining up at the ticketing counter before 8:30am. There’s only limited number of tickets available on a first come, first-serve basis.

Once you’ve secured your entrance tickets, scoot up to the observation deck. It hovers on the 86th-floor, 170 metres above the ground. Relax and enjoy spellbinding views of KL.

Your Petronas Towers tickets also include entrance to the Skybridge. This covered glass platform links the twin towers on the 41st and 42nd floors. The Skybridge offers its own spectacular views of Kuala Lumpur.

Relive the history of KL at Merdeka Square

Finished soaking in the views from the Petronas Towers? Continue your day in Kuala Lumpur by heading over to nearby KLCC Station. The station is 8 minutes by foot from the twin towers.

Hop onto a train for the short ride to Masjid Jamek Station. From here, it’s a short 5- to 7-minute walk to Merdeka Square at the historical heart of Kuala Lumpur.

Once a mere cricket ground in colonial times, Merdeka Square is, today, one of the most important sites in Kuala Lumpur. The lovely square is surrounded by beautiful historical buildings.

Most stunning on the square is the Sultan Abdul Samad Building. The building is a prime example of 19th-century Moorish architecture. It currently houses the Ministry of Culture, Heritage and Arts. (Snapping a few Instagram-worthy shots is always recommended here.)

There’s a handful of other attractions around Merdeka Square. Options include the Kuala Lumpur City Gallery and the National Textile Museum. With only one day in Kuala Lumpur, you’ll probably want to give them a miss unless you’re a huge history-buff or a closet batik connoisseur.

Shop & chow down at Central Market Kuala Lumpur

Absorbed the sights and sounds of Merdeka Square? Cross over the Klang River via Leboh Pasar Besar. Head south along the eastern bank to one of KL’s cultural landmarks, Central Market.

Central Market was built in 1928 with roots digging back as far 1888. Central Market transformed itself from a quiet wet market into a handicrafts nirvana. Browsing through the torrent of stalls at Central Market is like staring down Malaysia in miniature. You’ll find everything from Malay batik to Indian saris to Chinese sculptures.

Besides selling a wide array of handicraft and souvenirs, Central Market is one of the best places to eat in Kuala Lumpur on a budget. From asam laksa and dumplings to fresh fruit juices, all kinds of mouth-watering Malay food & drinks await in the upper food court. And all for prices that would likely barely get you a bus ride back home.

Just don’t fill up too much. There’s plenty more in store for your belly as you continue your Kuala Lumpur trip itinerary!

Explore the heart of KL’s Chinatown at Petaling Street

From Central Market, it’s a quick walk down Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock to Jalan Petaling (Petaling Street). The famous street is the central nervous system of Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown.

The area is one of the most exciting in KL. It’s constantly abuzz with action day and night. Jalan Petaling is an absolute must-visit during your first 24 hours in Kuala Lumpur.

Walking along Petaling Street, you’ll feel as if you’ve magically stepped into the streets of Hong Kong, Shanghai or Beijing. The atmosphere is lively along the street. Kiosks pop out from the buildings under awnings and umbrellas. As you walk, shopkeepers beckon you to buy their latest wares.

Chinatown is the perfect place in Kuala Lumpur to sharpen your bargaining skills. You’ll find everything from clothing and fashion accessories to handicrafts and souvenirs here all at bargain-basement prices that’ll astound you—even before haggling them down.

But, of course, Petaling Street isn’t just about shopping. In a city that’s as batty for food as KL, you’d have to expect that Chinatown offers some of Kuala Lumpur’s best cuisine. If you’ve still got room after your Central Market adventures, fuel up your itinerary at one of these top restaurants in KL’s Chinatown:

• Restoran Kim Lian Kee is a KL classic that dubs itself as the originator of hokkien mee. This dish is a delicious combo of stir-fried noodles and a thick dark-soy-based sauce.
• Restoran Koon Kee Wan Tan Mee is a restaurant with over 50 years of history backing it up. The restaurant serves up KL’s best wan tan mee. This Cantonese favourite consists of noodles in a sweet black sauce. It’s topped with ingredients like sweet BBQ pork, chicken, and dumplings.
• Old China Cafe is a small restaurant with an old-world feel. It delivers Peranakan (Straits-born Chinese) food, including their spicy & juicy beef rendang.

Before you leave Chinatown, don’t miss a chance to see Sri Mahamariamman Temple. This ornate 19th-century Hindu temple is quite striking & eye-catching. It seems wholly out-of-place among the Taoist & Buddhist temples scattered elsewhere in Chinatown.

Get a taste of Bollywood in KL’s Little India (Brickfields)

After immersing yourself in the delights of Chinatown, head back towards the Klang River. Enter into Pasar Seni Station for a train ride to KL Sentral. Around the station, you’ll continue to explore KL’s diversity in Little India.

Officially known as Brickfields, Little India is one of the Malaysian capital’s more colourful corners. The area is plastered with curry houses and shops blasting Hindi music onto the street. The neighbourhood’s stores sell everything from saris to Bollywood DVDs to spices.

Appetite hasn’t yet reeled from your Chinatown culinary adventures? Skip on the area’s famous banana leaf rice & curry dishes for now. Opt instead for a delicious & refreshing mango lassi to help you cool down in KL’s mid-day heat.

Enjoy the sunset at SkyBar

With the bulk of a day spent haggling, walking and sightseeing, I’d say you’ve earned a little downtime. In a city sprinkled with epic views like KL, there’s no better way to do it than to chill out at a rooftop bar.

There are plenty of rooftop bars in Kuala Lumpur. One of most acclaimed is SkyBar. The bar is located on the 33rd floor of the Traders Hotel in KLCC.

Visit SkyBar to enjoy some of the city’s most innovative cocktails and rub elbows with KL’s well-to-do. An evening relaxing at SkyBar places the best views of Kuala Lumpur front-and-centre. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, you’ll marvel at a majestic view of the Petronas Towers.

Another option for unfettered Kuala Lumpur city views is the Heli Lounge Bar. The bar is situated on the 34th floor of Menara BH Building on a helipad. This popular spot features wonderful 360-degree vistas of the Petronas Towers and KL Menara Tower with zero hindrance.

Both the SkyBar at the Traders Hotel and the Heli Lounge Bar are within a 20- to 30-minute walk from KLCC Station. It’s 5 stops and 10 minutes by train from KL Sentral.

Shop & dine in Bukit Bintang

Snagging world-class panoramas has surely resurged your appetite, no? If so, fire up your legs for the short walk south to Bukit Bintang. The neighbourhood is one of the coolest areas in KL. It bursts with local & international restaurants, classy bars, and trendy boutiques & shopping malls.

Brace yourself for a deluge of flavours in Bukit Bintang. From the spicy goodness of Indian to the fragrant & exotic tastes of Malay & Thai food, it’s all here. Both restaurants & hawker stalls fill the streets here. They deliver some of the most scrumptious food in KL. Stuff yourself at one of these best places to eat in Bukit Bintang:

• Jalan Alor: is one of the best food streets in Asia. Jalan Alor offers some of the best street food in KL. You can enjoy grilled satay skewers cooked to perfection on charcoal grills. Or delight in stir-fried noodle dishes tossed around in a wok.
• Lot 10 Hutong Food Court is a hawker centre with a layout inspired by a Beijing hutong. This culinary nirvana features handpicked favourites from popular food vendors from around KL and as far as Penang. Top dishes include hokkien mee and wonton dumpling soup.
• Bijan Bar & Restaurant is an award-winning restaurant focusing on Malay cuisine. Among the restaurant’s specialties is their beef rendang, a beef curry slow-cooked to spicy perfection.

Got a little more energy to spare after eating to your heart’s content? Spend the rest of the evening browsing Bukit Bintang’s fashion boutiques and malls. Or let loose by partaking in its legendary nightlife.

Where to stay with 24 hours in Kuala Lumpur

When you’ve only got one day in KL, choosing where to stay in Kuala Lumpur isn’t such a difficult task. As much as the Malaysian capital can seem like a massive sprawl, the action for tourists revolves around the city centre. Look for accommodations around Chinatown, KLCC and Bukit Bintang. Get your search started with these top Kuala Lumpur hotels:

More 1-day Kuala Lumpur itinerary ideas

• Want to embrace nature? Fit in some time at KL Bird Park, a relaxing oasis amid the chaos of Kuala Lumpur, not far from KL Sentral.
• Love seeing Kuala Lumpur from above? Pop over the KL Menara Tower for some of the best skyline views in the city.
• Obsessed with history? Snag a few hours at the National Museum of Malaysia. This interactive museum covers the country’s history from the prehistoric age to the modern era.
• Searching for KL’s architectural roots? The Malay area of Kampung Baru gives a hint at the humble aesthetics of Kuala Lumpur before its resource-fuelled building boom.

How to get to Kuala Lumpur

By air

Kuala Lumpur is served by Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL). Most travellers coming from abroad will enter Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia via KUL.

KUL is hub for several airlines, including AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines. Kuala Lumpur a popular layover destination on Southeast Asia itineraries.

By bus

Malaysia offers an budget-friendly network of buses to get you around the country. Services are generally convenient & comfortable. Some of the most popular bust routes to Kuala Lumpur and travel times include:

• Melaka (2.5 hours)
• Penang (6 hours)
• Singapore (5-6 hours)