The absolute best free Things to do in Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur is absolutely popular with Tourists and is usually part of most Malaysia trips. While other big popular cities usually can be quite expensive, there are many free things to do in Kuala Lumpur. In order for you to visit Kuala Lumpur on a Budget or just have an amazing time in Malaysia’s capital, we collected the best free activities in Kuala Lumpur.

If you want to save money in Malaysia, make sure to check out our Malaysia Budget Guide. If this is your first time in Malaysia you can find a comprehensive list of practical information and useful tips in our Malaysia Guide here.

Anyway, before we dive into the best free things to do in KL, let’s check some practical travel info for your trip to the Malaysian capital.

Kuala Lumpur Facts

• 11 Million Tourists visit Kuala Lumpur every year
• Can be translated to Muddy Estuary
• Often simply called KL by its locals
• 243,7 km² area
• Is located 35 km from the West Coast
• The locals are 52% Chinese, 39% Malai, and 6% Indian

Best time to visit Kuala Lumpur

In general, the best time to visit Kuala Lumpur is now. The temperatures are around 33ºC (91ºF) all year long and there is no monsoon season as there is in other parts of Malaysia.

How to get to Kuala Lumpur

Getting to Kuala Lumpur by airplane

If you aren’t already in Malaysia, you might probably want to take a flight. Kuala Lumpur has one of the biggest airports in Southeast Asia and therefore, there are many flights getting to the Malaysian capital.

If you are already in Asia, there are usually pretty affordable offers from Air Asia.

Getting to Kuala Lumpur by Bus & Public Transport

If you are already in Malaysia, you might want to get to Kuala Lumpur by Public Transport. The best option to safely book Transport in Asia online is 12Asia Go.

Kuala Lumpur Map

The absolute best free things to do in Kuala Lumpur

Yes, you’ve read correctly: There are a lot of free things to in KL. The Kuala Lumpur attractions listed below are all free of charge.

Batu Caves

Opening Hours Batu Caves: 06.00 am – 09.00 pm

How to get to the Batu Caves: Take the KTM Komuter Line from KL Sentral Railway Station to Batu Caves Station. (Price: 2 MYR (ca. 0,42  €/ $ 0,50))

Important: Inside of the Batu Caves, you will find a Hindu Temple. Please dress appropriately (Shoulders and knees covered).

The Batu Caves, which are one of the best 14 things to do in Kuala Lumpur for free, are limestone caves which are located around 15 km from Kuala Lumpur. But don’t worry, the way there is easy and cheap.

The name of the Batu caves, which can be translated into stone caves. They are known to be one of the absolute highlights of Kuala Lumpur.

The main landmark of this place is the 42,7 meter (140 ft.) high statue of the god Murugan, which stands in front of the most popular of the Batu Caves.

In order to get up to this cave, you have to take all those steps, which is actually not even that comfortable with this weather. You should definitely bring enough water with you. When doing some little breaks on the way up, you can enjoy looking at the monkeys which are running around here. But have an eye on your belongings. They love to steal food or everything that looks eatable.

KLCC Park

Opening Hours: 07.00 am – 10.00 pm

How to get to the KLCC Park: KLCC Station (KJ10)

KLCC Park is a park that covers the 20-hectare area right next to the Petronas Towers. From here, you can have an amazing view of the Twin Towers and take beautiful pictures while getting some rest in the green park.

If you are traveling with kids, I am sure, they will love this place as they can romp there for a while before going on.

We enjoyed spending some time on the grass after walking for a long time around Kuala Lumpur while having the perfect view of the Petronas Towers.

At night, there is a great light and water show there, by the way.

Merdeka Square

How to get to Merdeka Square: Masjid Jamek Station

Merdeka Square offers a great view of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, which for us, was one of the most impressive buildings in KL. This building has been built in the late 19th century and was used as the office building of the British Colonial Government. Several courts were housed here until 2007.

The Merdeka Square is the Independence Square of Kuala Lumpur. On this square, the Independence Movement started in 1957 when the British Flag has been lowered for the first time while the Malay flag has been raised.

If you feel like, you can join a free walking tour around here, which is called the Heritage Walk. In this tour, you will check the Colonial buildings of the town. (This tour is great if you stay at least 2 days in Kuala Lumpur)

Masjid Negara – The National-Mosque

Opening Hours Masjid Negara: 09.00 am – 12.00 pm; 03.00 pm – 04.00 pm; 05.30 pm – 06.30 pm / Fridays: 03.00 pm – 04.00 pm; 05.30 pm – 06.30 pm

Address: Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin

Important: When visiting this mosque please dress properly. (Shoulders and knees covered). Women can rent ropes free of charge at the entrance.

The Masjid Negara (Malay for the Mosque of the state) has been built in 1965 and is known to be the symbol of Islam in Malaysia. It has been constructed just shortly after Malaysia’s independence from Great Britain and is located inside of the gardens of Kuala Lumpur.

You can see the 73 Meters (240 ft) high tower already from far. Even more impressive, though, is the angular roof. This roof reminds of a stretched umbrella, while the tower represents a closed umbrella.

KL Forest Eco Park

Opening Hours KL Forest Eco Park: 07.00 am – 06.00 pm

Address: Jalan Sultan Salahuddin

How to get there: Bukit Nanas Monorail Station or Dang Wangi LRT Station

The KL Forest Eco Park is one of the most unique free places to visit in Kuala Lumpur. It’s a rainforest just inside of the concrete jungle. I couldn’t believe it until we arrived there.

This reserve, which was founded in 1906 is an absolute must-see for your trip to Kuala Lumpur. Through a treetop path, you can walk beneath the trees and see free-range animals, such as monkeys and birds from above.

If you couldn’t see the KL tower, one of the Kuala Lumpur landmarks,  between the treetops, you could almost believe to be in a huge jungle somewhere out there in Malaysia – Just that this jungle is located right in the middle of Kuala Lumpur.

Petaling Street – Chinatown

How to get there: Plaza Rakyat LRT Station, Masjid Jamek LRT Station, Pasar Seni LRT/MRT Station or Maharajalela Monorail Station

Petaling Street is Kuala Lumpur’s China Town. Here, you can find dozens of stables in which you can buy different products, souvenirs, and a lot of tasty snacks.

Petaling Street is one of the most popular places to visit in Kuala Lumpur.

Sri Mahamariamman Temple

Opening Hours: 06.00 am – 08.30 pm; Fridays until 09.30 pm & Saturdays until 09.00 pm

How to get there: Plaza Rakyat LRT Station, Masjid Jamek LRT Station, Pasar Seni LRT/MRT Station or Maharajalela Monorail Station

Not far from Petaling Street, you can already find the next Kuala Lumpur Highlight. This Hindu temple, which was built in 1873 is one of the oldest of its kind in Kuala Lumpur.

This temple used to be an important place for the first Indian immigrants living in Kuala Lumpur.

With its colorful facade, which has been changed in 1968 it attracts dozens of people to visit the Sri Mahamariamman Temple daily. The whole temple is decorated with many colorful statues.

Kasturi Walk

Opening Hours Kasturi Walk: 10.00 am – 10.00 pm

How to get there: Pasar Seni LRT/MRT Station

Not far from Petaling Street and the Sri Mahamariamman Temple, you can find Kasturi Walk. Here, you can find a lot of stables in which you can buy street food and different kinds of products. You can try a lot of different snacks, and therefore, Kasturi Walk is popular with locals and tourists alike.

Central Market

Opening hours Central Market: 10.00 am – 10.00 pm

How to get there: Pasar Seni LRT/MRT Station

When following the Kasturi Walk, you will find the Central Market. This is the right place for everyone wanting to eat something or looking for a souvenir to take home.

On the upper floor of the market, you can find a food court offering local and international cuisine.

Little India – Brickfields

Opening Hours Little India: 10.00 am – 09.00 pm

Where is Little India: Jalan Travers up to Jalan Tun Sambanthan, Brickfields

Many Indians are living in Kuala Lumpur (6% of the whole population), partly already for several generations.

When walking around Brickfields, you actually believe, you just stepped right into India.

Besides Indian shops and music, you will find a bunch of tasty Indian restaurants.

I know the Malaysian Nasi Goreng is amazing, but you shouldn’t miss your chance to try one of the authentic Indian restaurants as well. In many of them, the food is served on a banana leaf and you normally eat just with your hands.

Thean Hou Temple

Opening Hours Thean Hou Temple: 08.00 am – 09.00 pm

How to get there: A walk from Tun Sambanthan crossing the bridge

The Thean Hou Temple often gets forgotten by tourists. For us, totally not understandable. We absolutely loved this place. You have an amazing view over Kuala Lumpur from here. Definitely recommended!

Besides the breathtaking view, the temple itself is extremely beautiful. The Thean Hou is a mixture of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism.

It was opened in 1989 and is one of the biggest Chinese temples in whole Southeast Asia.

Jamek Mosque

Opening Hours Jamek Moschee: 09.00 am – 05.00 pm (Avoid the Praying Times on Fridays from 12. 15 pm – 02.45 pm)

How to get there: Masjid Jamek Station

This mosque which has been built in 1909 in the Indian Muslim Style is known to be one of the oldest mosques of the town.

Same as in the Masjid Negara Mosque, women can rent head covering and robes free of charge at the entrance of the mosque.

Orchid Garden

Opening Hours: 09.00 am – 06.00 pm

How to get there: Bank Negara Station (ca. 15-20 Minutes Walk)

Entrance Fee: During the week: free of charge; on the weekends: 1 RYM (ca. 0,21 €/ $ 0,50)

The Orchid Garden of Kuala Lumpur is the perfect destination for all orchid friends and nature lovers.

They have several kinds of orchids starting from the normal kinds up to more rare orchids.

While walking through this green place full of flowers you totally forget that you are actually within one of the biggest metropolia in the world.

Free Transport

Would you believe me if I told you there was even free transport in Kuala Lumpur? It sounds unbelievable, but it is absolutely true. The Go KL Buses operate free of charge in the Malaysian capital. There are different lines that run quite often during the day. Just look for those pink buses.

Another (unfortunately not free) highlight in Kuala Lumpur – The Petronas Towers

Opening Hours Petronas Towers: Tuesday – Friday: 11 am – 04 pm; Saturday + Sunday: 10 am – 06 pm; Mondays closed

Entrance Fee Petronas Tower: RM 56 (ca. 11 €/$ 13,50)

Tickets Petronas Towers: You can buy your Tickets on-site (you might have to wait in line for a while) or in advance online here.

When visiting Kuala Lumpur, you will probably want to see the Petronas Towers as well. Whether you just look at it from the outside from KLCC park or enter, it is definitely a great experience. One of those shouldn’t be missing on your Kuala Lumpur itinerary, don’t you think?

The best Accommodations in Kuala Lumpur

In the following, you can find the best and most popular accommodations in Kuala Lumpur divided by different budgets. If one of them caught your interest, just click on the name of it in order to see check information, prices, and availability.

The best cheap accommodation in Kuala Lumpur

1001 Nights Mix Dorm KLCC – Dorm bed, very good references

Connaught Guest House – Double Room

21 Capsule Hotel Bukit Bintang – Single Room, very affordable

The best middle-priced accommodation in Kuala Lumpur

Comfortable Rooms @ Prima Midah Heights Condo – 4 Stars, Double room, very affordable

Melange Boutique Hotel – 3 Stars, Double Room

Hotel 1000 Miles – 2 Stars, Double Room

The best luxury accommodation in Kuala Lumpur

Red by Sirocco – 4 Stars, Double room

Holiday Inn Express Kuala Lumpur City Centre – 3 Stars, Double room

Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur – 5 Stars, Double Room

Sunway Putra Hotel, Kuala Lumpur – 5 Stars, Double Room

Travel Insurance for Malaysia

As always, you shouldn’t travel without good travel insurance. We recommend the popular World Nomads Travel Insurance.

FAQ about Kuala Lumpur

Is Kuala Lumpur worth visiting?

Absolutely! The Malaysian capital is full of unique architecture, fascinating sights, and also has delicious food on every corner. Discover the mix of different cultures that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

How many days in Kuala Lumpur?

I recommend you to stay in Kuala Lumpur for at least 3 days. The city is not exactly small and there are so many fantastic things to discover.

Is Kuala Lumpur Safe to visit?

Kuala Lumpur is just as safe as other cities in Southeast Asia. Therefore, you can visit Kuala Lumpur without further concern. However, always watch your valuables and keep your eyes peeled for tourist traps. Then you can visit KL even as a solo traveler without any problems.

Can you drink the tap water in Kuala Lumpur?

The tap water in Kuala Lumpur is officially drinkable and follows the minimum standards of the WHO. But since even most of the locals only drink boiled, filtered, or bottled water, it is probably safer to do the same.

Kuala Lumpur is the capital of which country?

Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia.

What language do they speak in Kuala Lumpur?

Since various ethnicities are represented in Kuala Lumpur, there are correspondingly different languages. The official language is Malay. However, a lot of Cantonese, Mandarin, Hindi, and Tamil are also spoken. English is also widely spoken by many locals.

Is there alcohol in Kuala Lumpur?

Although Malaysia is a Muslim country, alcohol is still sold. However, many restaurants with Muslim owners do not sell alcohol. Anyway, you can buy alcohol in supermarkets and bars without any problems.

Is alcohol cheap in Kuala Lumpur?

No. Malaysia is a Muslim country. Hence there are high taxes on alcohol. You can find much cheaper alcohol in other countries in Southeast Asia (except Singapore and Brunei) or on the Malaysian island of Langkawi.

Which adapter for Malaysia?

Type G sockets are used in Malaysia. This means that you will need a travel adapter if you live in the US or Central Europe.

Where are you heading to next?

Make sure to check out our Ultimate Guides to the Cameron Highlands and the Perhentian Islands.

Everything packed?

We help you with packing! Check everything we brought for 6 months in Southeast Asia in our Ultimate Packing List for women and men.