10 Best Things to Do in Malaysia

The Malay Peninsula is known for its beautiful capital city, Kuala Lumpur, as well as it’s rich cultural diversity, aquamarine waters, and stunning beach landscapes. But that’s not all this wonderful country has to offer!

There are an overwhelming amount of things to do in Malaysia. It can be extremely hard to choose the activities you’d like to take part in and to find the best places to see in Malaysia for you!

There are plenty of UNESCO World Heritage Sites that are sure to tickle your fancy. Here are some of my favorite spots that you simply must-visit during your stay in this country.

The PETRONAS Towers

The PETRONAS Towers are the tallest twin towers in the world and are located right in the middle of the capital city, Kuala Lumpur. Apart from being absolutely stunning to look at, they’re a great place to take in unique views of the famous city below.

One of the main attractions in Malaysia is the Sky Walk, which is a bridge that joins the two twin towers together. You can walk across this bridge taking in absolutely beautiful views of the city. 

It’s my recommendation that you do this at night, as the twinkling city lights make it an even more breath-taking experience!

Langkawi Island

Whether you want to bask in the glorious sunlight or simply enjoy the incredible views, Langkawi island is the place to be! It has a whole host of gorgeous beaches, with views of rocky outcrops and crystal clear ocean waters. 

The island is just a short boat ride from Malaysia’s mainland, and makes the perfect one-day outing! It’s also good to note that along with wonderful views, the island also has a duty-free status. 

This means you can buy souvenirs and other items very cheaply. It’s best to save all your Malaysia shopping for this wonderful destination and make a day of sightseeing and retail-therapy all rolled into one.

Explore Penang

Penang is an island just off the coast of Malaysia but is still a part of the country. It’s connected to the mainland via an over-sea bridge and is a stunning place to explore! Wonderful coastal sea views are a prominent feature from anywhere on the island, and Penang has a strong focus on conservation and preservation. 

Georgetown is the main town on the island, and the very center has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2006. This is because of the great cultural history of the area. It’s a great place to walk around and do some sightseeing on your own, exploring the many old streets and architecturally impressive  buildings. 

It’s a great place to spend the whole day, learning about the multicultural past and present of the people staying on the island. Shop in small Chinese stores, stop-off for some Malaysian street food, and then tour a mosque before enjoying a beautiful sunset on the beach.

The Pinnacles of Gunung Mulu

The Pinnacles of Gunung Mulu are sharp jagged limestone blades that cut out through the jungles of Borneo. The hike that takes you to these impressive Malaysian attractions is a grueling one, but the views make it all worthwhile!

The Pinnacles are relatively untouched by humankind, and the only other people you’ll see along the way, are other pilgrims to this incredible feature. It usually takes a few days to get to the rocky outcrop that serves as the viewing platform for the Pinnacles of Gunung Mulu. 

But the hike is incredibly beautiful, and worth every step it takes getting there.

The Best Places to Visit for Malaysia Sightseeing

If you’d like to see some of the best tourist places in Malaysia for sightseeing, there are plenty of beautiful places that will provide absolutely magnificent views and experiences.

Batu Caves 

If you’re looking for the best places to visit in Malaysia, I can highly recommend taking a Batu Caves tour. This will ensure that you see all the best spots in the cave, and you’ll have a knowledgeable guide with you who can teach you about these natural wonders.

As well as going inside the caves, you’ll get to see a massive Hindu Shrine, which has become a very popular spot for taking photos. The Batu Caves are one of the Malaysia points of interest that are best seen in the early morning. This is because it’s one of the more popular tourist attractions in Malaysia, and gets busy quickly as the day progresses. 

This tour will also provide you with spectacular views of the landscape in the surrounding area!

Taman Negara National Park

Taman Negara National Park contains many attractions that make it a great place to visit in Malaysia! The first being that it’s the biggest national park in the whole of Malaysia. The park also features the longest rope walkway in the world! It’s a bridge you simply must cross during your time in this wonderful country.

The park is home to some very long treks – up to 100km long, but there are plenty of beginner hikes for those who don’t want to push themselves too hard. 

You can expect to see a large variety of wildlife while visiting the park, as well as many different species of plants. The park is even home to an indigenous tribe – the Orang Asl, meaning original people. These people are said to be the first inhabitants of Malaysia!

Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center

The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center was the first of its kind in the world when it officially opened its doors to these lovely creatures in 1960. It’s located in Sabah and its aim is to rescue orphaned and abused orangutans in order to return them to the wild.

Visitors can observe the orangutans in the center during feeding time when the animals come to the feeding platforms. It’s an amazing experience seeing how these creatures interact with one another, as well as with the humans that take care of them.

Places to Visit in Malaysia with Family

If you’re looking for the perfect place to visit in Malaysia with your family, you’re in luck! There are plenty of family-friendly things to see in Malaysia! Here are a few of my favorites.

Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park

Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park is a collection of islands just off the shore of Malaysia, and accessible by ferry. Island-hopping with the family, and exploring different island destinations is an incredible bonding experience.

You can visit islands that are almost completely untouched by humans, like Sulug Island, or you can visit busier islands also part of the national park like Gaya Island. The best family activities to take part in on the islands are hiking, trekking, swimming, and scuba diving.

So go prepared for all Malaysian adventures. 

Genting Highlands

The Genting Highlands is a resort that contains an overwhelming amount of things to do and beautiful places to see. It’s located in the Titiwangsa Mountains and sits at an elevation of 5000 feet. 

Spend time with your family enjoying the amazing theme parks, bars, and restaurants, as well as taking part in the famed cable car attraction. The Genting Skyway once held the record for the world’s fastest and South East Asia’s longest gondola lift. From the cable car, you can enjoy magnificent views of the town below as well as the luscious mountain slopes!

This is a place you simply must visit during your time in Malaysia!

Campung Morten 

Campung Morten is a wonderful suburb in Melaka. It’s best to take a stroll around and explore the many houses with incredible architecture. One in particular that you must visit is the Villa Sentosa. 

After walking around the suburbs, take a boat trip down the river. From this perspective, you’ll see many interesting Malaysian houses, of which most are entirely covered in incredible graffiti murals.

This makes it one of the most Instagrammable spots in Malaysia. While sailing down the river, look out for the giant lizards that swim downstream. Even better, make a game of it and see who in your family can spot the most!

Wrapping Up What to do in Malaysia

Now that you know the very best ways to enjoy Malaysia tourism, you can start planning an epic holiday in this wonderful destination. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker or looking to enjoy the very best sightseeing views in the world, this beautiful country is sure to have something for you!

Malaysia is an epic destination, with a wonderful variety of places to visit and things to see. Be sure to make the most of your trip by adding some of these places to see in Malaysia to your trip to-do list!