Are you looking for exciting sights and travel tips for Malaysia? We spent several months in this fascinating country during our world trip and were thrilled by the diversity and warmth we experienced there.

Malaysia, which comprises around 31 million inhabitants and 13 states, uniquely combines the modernity of the Malay Peninsula, for example in the capital Kuala Lumpur, with the breathtaking nature and wildlife of the Malaysian part of Borneo.

What made Malaysia particularly unforgettable for us was the hospitality of its people. Nowhere else have we felt as welcome as here. In this article, we would like to introduce you to the most beautiful sights in Malaysia and the most useful travel tips so you can get an impression of this diverse country. Have fun!

• Malaysia Sights
• 1. The capital Kuala Lumpur
• 2. Petronas Twin Towers
• 3. Batu Caves in Malaysia
• 4. Langkawi Island
• 5. Penang Island
• 6. The Cameron Highlands
• 7. Orangutans on Borneo
• 8. Taman Negara National Park
• 9. Perhentian Islands
• 10. Pulau Tioman
• 11. Coastal city of Malacca
• Conclusion about Malaysia
• Malaysia FAQ

Malaysia Sights

Malaysia, the country between Thailand and Indonesia, offers you an impressive variety of highlights and experiences. Whether you’re planning a city trip to Kuala Lumpur, want to relax on Langkawi, hike through national parks, or explore the jungle on Borneo – everyone will find something to their liking in Malaysia.

1. The capital Kuala Lumpur

In the capital of Malaysia there are so many great sights and things that you absolutely shouldn’t miss. Kuala Lumpur’s landmark, the “Petronas Towers,” rise an impressive 452 meters into the air and are definitely worth a visit. The 421 meter high “KL Tower” offers another great view of the city.

Want to try all the delicious local cuisine? Then you should go out for dinner at the Jalan Alor Market in the evening. In Kuala Lumpur, you can also spend days walking through the streets, looking at street art, visiting the largest shopping mall in the world, visiting a mosque, or visiting one of the city’s cultural highlights. Be sure to plan enough time for Kuala Lumpur! More about it here: The most beautiful places & Sights in Kuala Lumpur.

Sights in Kuala Lumpur

• Menara KL Tower Kuala Lumpur
• Trendy Bukit Bintang district
• Masjid Jamek Mosque
• Jalan Petaling (shopping street in China Town)
• Pavilion Kuala Lumpur (shopping center)
• Batu Caves (beautiful caves)
• Trip to the Genting Highlands (amusement park)
• Dataran Merdeka Square
• Stroll through the beautiful KLCC Park
• Local market Chow Kit Road Market

Cool Tours in Kuala Lumpur:

• Kuala Lumpur: Street Food Tour with 15+ Tastings*
• Hop-On/Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus through Kuala Lumpur*
• Kuala Lumpur: KL Tower Entrance Ticket*
• Full-Day Taman Negara National Park from Kuala Lumpur*
• Half-Day City Tour*

2. Petronas Twin Towers

If you travel to Malaysia, you’ll probably also visit the country’s capital, Kuala Lumpur. The city’s landmarks are the Petronas Twin Towers, which are hard to miss. These towers opened in 1999 and, with a height of 452 meters, were considered the “tallest building in the world” until 2004.

The Malaysian oil company Petronas commissioned the construction of the twin towers and still has its headquarters in the towers today. It’s pretty crazy to stand directly in front of this imposing building complex and look up. The view is particularly beautiful in the evening when the two towers and the other buildings around them are illuminated.

The towers house countless offices, as well as a science museum, several shopping centers, the concert hall of the Malaysian Philharmonic, and an art gallery. It’s also incredible that 39 elevators in each tower ensure that employees and visitors can travel up and down.

You have the opportunity to visit the Skybridge at a height of 172 meters. This bridge is 60 meters long and is located between the 41st and 42nd floors. From there you have a gigantic view of Kuala Lumpur. You can get an even better view from the observation deck on the 86th floor.

Visitor Information – Petronas Towers:

• Address: No. 2 Jalan Punchak Off, Jalan P. Ramlee,
• Opening Hours: daily from 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Tickets:limited to 1,600 tickets per day
• Prices: approx. €30 per person (buy ticket here*)

3. Batu Caves in Malaysia

When exploring Kuala Lumpur, you shouldn’t miss the impressive Batu Caves. These limestone caves, with their magnificent Hindu temples, statues, and figures, are among the most popular tourist destinations in Malaysia. Thanks to the KTM Komuter trains, you can get there in just 30 minutes from Kuala Lumpur.

Entry to the main caves is free. However, if you wish to explore the other caves or museums, a small fee applies. Just the sight of the colorful staircases leading up to the Batu Caves is an experience in itself. Particularly impressive is the enormous, 42-meter-high golden statue of Lord Murugan guarding the entrance. The atmosphere is particularly special during the locals’ morning and evening prayer hours.

You’ll experience a true spectacle if you’re there during the Hindu Thaipusam festival in late January or early February. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims flock to the caves, and the festivities are both fascinating and overwhelming. We happened to be there and were able to experience this unique festival up close. People carry heavy, ornate metal frames on their shoulders and pierce their cheeks with metal skewers – an experience that truly impressed us.

Visitor Information – Batu Caves:

• Address: Gombak, 68100 Batu Caves, Selangor
• Opening Hours: Daily from 7 am to 9 pm
• Entrance: Free for Batu Caves
• Dress Code: Please no shorts, skirts, or dresses!!
• Prices: Dark Cave 35 MYR, Cave Villas 7 MYR, Ramayana Cave 5 MYR
• Tours: Book at GetYourGuide*

Cool tours to the Batu Caves:

• From Kuala Lumpur: Private Guided tour to the Batu Caves*
• Batu Caves & Historic Buildings Tour from Kuala Lumpur*
• Kuala Lumpur: Genting Highlands & Batu Caves Day Tour*

4. Langkawi Island

Located in the very north of Malaysia lies the beautiful Island of Langkawi and invites you to a relaxing beach and swimming holiday. A natural paradise straight out of a picture book. You can spend your days either on a trek through the mangrove forest and be fascinated by the waterfalls, plants, flowers, and wildlife. You can also relax in one of the numerous hotels or at one of the popular beaches like Cenang, Pasir Tengkorak, or Tengah Beach.

Among the most popular attractions on Langkawi are the suspension bridge on Mount Mat Cincang, which offers a magnificent view at 687 meters above sea level. A 15-minute cable car ride takes you to the observation deck at the top of the mountain. Also popular are Pasir Hitham Beach with its black sand and the mangrove swamp in the east of the island.

Cool Tours on Langkawi:

• Langkawi: Cable Car Ticket*
• 4-Hour Jet Ski Tour Dayang Bunting 8 Islands*
• Langkawi: UNESCO Global Geopark Mangrove Boat Trip*
• Mangrove Kayak Tour with Lunch (Morning)*

5. Penang Island

We particularly liked the Island of Penang (Penang Island) in the west of the Malaysian Peninsula. We were able to travel comfortably by train from Kuala Lumpur and take the ferry from Butterworth. This connection no longer exists. However, numerous buses from Kuala Lumpur travel to Penang at very reasonable prices.

Penang is a melting pot of cultures. The island is primarily home to Malays, Chinese, and Indians, who bring their traditions, religions, and ways of life into everyday life. This is particularly evident in George Town, where mosques, temples, churches, and colonial buildings are often just steps away from one another.

The local cuisine also reflects this diversity: from spicy laksa to Indian naan bread and Chinese dim sum – Penang is not considered Malaysia’s culinary paradise for nothing. Street names in George Town, such as Love Lane, Chulia Street, Lorong Stewart, Armenian Street, Lebuh Champbell, and Little India, once again demonstrate the city’s cultural diversity.

Grab your camera and discover the many cool graffiti in the city. Pictures, paintings, and art installations can be found throughout George Town, both in the streets and on the walls. On the Street Art Penang website, you’ll find two great routes that will guide you to the various works. You can find out what else you can experience on the island of Penang here: Penang Island Guide.

Other sights on Penang

• View from Penang Hill
• Visit Kek Lok Temple (one of the largest in Malaysia)
• Taman Negara Pulau Pinang (national park with tropical rainforest)
• Monkey Beach & Turtle Beach
• Hike at Moongate 5 Penang
• Camera Museum in George Town
• View from “The Top” at Komtar Observatory

Cool Tours on Penang

• Guided Tour – Kek Lok Si Temple and Penang Hill*
• George Town: Penang Habitat Entry Ticket with Nature Trail*
• George Town: Private Half-Day Historical City Tour*
• Penang: Ticket for “The Top” Observatory at KOMTAR*
• Morning Food Tour with 15+ Tastings*

6. The Cameron Highlands

The Cameron Highlands are among the most popular attractions in Malaysia. The green heart of Malaysia is located just three to four hours north of Kuala Lumpur on the Malay Peninsula. We traveled there leisurely by bus and thoroughly enjoyed our time among the tea plantations in the Cameron Highlands.

Here, you can expect 1,800-meter-high mountains, numerous hiking opportunities, several tea factories and plantations, waterfalls, stunning flora, and plenty of Malaysian jungle. During their trip, they visited the famous Boh Tea Estate, learned more about tea production, and, of course, drank plenty of tea.

We spent the night in Brinchang, one of the nearby towns in the Cameron Highlands. Alternatively, you can also look for accommodation in Tanah Rata. Tanah Rata is only about 4.5 km from Brinchang and is also a good starting point for exploring the region.

You can book bus tickets to the Cameron Highlands on the easybook.com website. Currently, you can get tickets from Kuala Lumpur for as little as €9 each way. The buses in Malaysia are really great and offer incredible comfort. Alternatively, you can also book a guided day tour from Kuala Lumpur*.

7. Orangutans on Borneo

For nature lovers, Borneo is definitely an absolute highlight of a trip to Malaysia. Borneo is the third-largest island in the world and is divided into three political units belonging to different countries. There are numerous direct flights from Kuala Lumpur, especially with airlines such as Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, and Malindo Air.

The Malaysian part comprises the two states of Sabah (capital Kota Kinabalu) in the northeast and Sarawak (capital Kuching) in the northwest. Together, these two states make up about 26% of the island. Sabah is best known for Mount Kinabalu in Kinabalu National Park, the fascinating underwater world of Sipadan Island, and orangutans in the wild.

Sarawak impresses with the vast caves in Mulu National Park, the proboscis monkeys in Bako National Park, and the vibrant Iban culture, which you can experience in traditional longhouses. From pristine rainforest to unique animal and plant species, the Malaysian part of Borneo offers unforgettable experiences. More about this here: Malaysia’s wild side Borneo.

Highlights on Borneo

• Bako National Park (proboscis monkeys)
• Mulu National Park (huge caves)
• Kota Kinabalu
• Cat city of Kuching
• Mount Kinabalu (highest mountain in Southeast Asia – 4,095 meters)
• Sipadan Island (popular diving spot)
• Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center
• Semenggoh Wildlife Center (sanctuary for orangutans)
• Taman Pulau Penyu (Turtle Islands National Park)
• Danum Valley (jungle Malaysia)
• Sarawak Cultural Village (Open-air museum in Damai)

Cool Tours on Borneo:

• Borneo: Scuba Diving Day Tour for Beginners (2 Dives)*
• Best of Kuching: Heritage & Kampong Bike Tour*
• Sandakan: Orangutan Sanctuary Shared Day Tour*
• Kota Kinabalu: Snorkeling & Island Hopping Sapi & Manukan*

8. Taman Negara National Park

The oldest forest area on earth is located in western Malaysia. The vast rainforest Taman Negara National Park has been growing for over 130 million years and offers nature lovers everything their heart desires. On hikes lasting several hours or days, you can learn all about the park’s plants and animals and unwind.

Kuala Tahan is the starting point for most hikes, treetop walks, river trips, and other adventures. The jungle feeling is perfect in Taman Negara National Park, as tigers, macaques, a variety of bird species, and beautiful blooming plants live here. To truly enjoy the park, you should spend at least two nights here. It’s worth it!

9. Perhentian Islands

Are you ready for a beach holiday and just want to spend a few days relaxing on the white sandy beach and soaking up the sun? Then the Perhentian Islands (Perhentian Kecil & Perhentian Besar) are surely the perfect place for you. Located off the east coast of Malaysia, these two small islands await you with an attractive underwater world, rainforest, and beautiful sandy beaches.

Perhentian Besar is the larger of the two islands and ideal for families and travelers who prefer peace and quiet and more comfortable accommodations. The smaller island, Perhentian Kecil, is a bit livelier and especially popular with backpackers. Here you’ll find cheaper accommodations and the popular Long Beach.

Spend your days diving, snorkeling, relaxing under the sun on the beach, enjoying the spa area at your hotel, or going on a trekking tour in the jungle. In the evening, you can admire the beautiful sunset and dine in one of the many delicious restaurants.

Travel tip: Kuala Besut is the main port from which boats depart to the Perhentian Islands. The speedboat ride takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes and costs between 70 and 80 MYR (round trip). The best time to travel to the Perhentian Islands is between March and October.

10. Pulau Tioman

Pulau Tioman is a beautiful island on the east coast of Malaysia, located in the state of Pahang. It is known for its beautiful beaches, crystal-clear waters, and fascinating underwater world – a small paradise for beach lovers, divers, and snorkelers.

Tioman is one of the best diving spots in Malaysia, with impressive coral reefs, tropical fish, sea turtles, and even wreck diving sites. Popular dive sites include Tiger Reef, Renggis Island, and Chebeh Island.

You can also hike through the tropical rainforest past waterfalls and enjoy the tranquility of nature. Of course, there is also culture. On the west and south coasts, you can visit traditional fishing villages and see how they work. Generally, very few people live on the island, and it is also very small (39 km long, 12 km wide).

Travel tips for Pulau Tioman: From Kuala Lumpur or Singapore, you can reach the ferry port Mersing in 4–6 hours. Ferries depart several times a day, depending on the tides. The crossing takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.

Highlights of Pulau Tioman

• Salang Beach, ABC Beach (Air Batang) and Juara Beach
• Primeval forest with butterflies and various species of monkeys
• Tekek Village – the largest village on the island
• Tioman Marine Park

11. Coastal City of Malacca

We have one last highlight for you – Malacca, one of the most historic cities in Malaysia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city on the west coast is a fascinating mix of cultures, shaped by its colonial past under the Portuguese, Dutch, and British.

In the old town, you’ll find sights such as the red Christ Church, the impressive remains of the A Famosa Fortress, and the historic Stadthuys. The charming streets of Jonker Street are perfect for strolling, especially during the night market, which is known for its delicious street food. Be sure to try the Malaysian rice dish Nasi Lemak!

Another highlight is a boat trip on the Melaka River, where you can admire colorful houses and murals along the river. Malacca also offers an impressive mix of religion and architecture: mosques, temples, and churches are often just steps away from each other, such as the Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, the oldest Chinese temple complex in Malaysia.

Cool Tours in Malacca:

• From Kuala Lumpur: Historical Melaka Day Tour with Lunch*
• Malacca Day Tour with River Cruise and Lunch from Kuala Lumpur*
• Melaka River: Ticket for a River Cruise*

Conclusion to Malaysia

Malaysia is incredibly diverse – from modern cities like Kuala Lumpur to stunning islands and impressive rainforests. There’s something for everyone here. The food, in particular, is a highlight: a blend of Malaysian, Chinese, and Indian cuisine that you simply must try. Add to that the warm hospitality that will surely make your stay special. Whether it’s beach, nature, or culture, Malaysia has something for everyone.

Malaysia FAQ

When is the best time to travel to Malaysia? How do I get from A to B? What currency does Malaysia have? Is an eSIM worth it for Malaysia? Are there any nice beaches there? Is Malaysia an expensive country to travel to?

Image credits

• Perhentian Island beach by haveseen | istock.com
• Kuala Lumpur skyline by SeanPavonePhoto | istock.com
• Jogging route along the lake in Kuala Lumpur by efired | istock.com
• Petronas Towers by keanu2 | istock.com
• Monkey Batu Caves by Mateescu Mugur | istock.com
• Batu Caves, Selangor Malaysia by Martina Birnbaum | istock.com
• Chenang Beach Langkawi Island by holgs | istock.com
• Langkawi Sky Bridge from Smithore | istock.com
• Eagle Statue Langkawi by asnidamarwani | istock.com
• Kek Sok Li Temple Penang by AlexeyPelikh | istock.com
• Sandy beach in Batu Ferringhi by blackcatimaging | istock.com
• Penang National Park by Daniel Hanscom | istock.com
• Cameron Highlands by s:bloodua | istock.com
• Orangutan by Unai Huizi Photography | shutterstock.com
• Mount kinabalu by yusnizam | istock.com
• Jetty of Bohey Dulang Island by yusnizam | istock.com
• Taman Negara National Park by Elena Odareeva | istock.com
• The Island of Kechil by Evgenii Mitroshin | istock.com
• Kechil Island Viewpoint by Evgenii Mitroshin | istock.com
• Tioman Island in Malaysia by AsianDream | istock.com
• Christ Church Melaka in Malaysia by JPLDesigns | istock.com