Are 4 days in Kuala Lumpur Enough?

Yes and no.

If you really wanted to get to know Kuala Lumpur, you’d probably need to move here for a year or so, being such a large city it is ever evolving and there are plenty of things that change.

But as a tourist, 4 days in Kuala Lumpur is enough to see the majority of, but not all of the tourist attractions. 4 full days in Kuala Lumpur means you’re spending 5 nights here, so there’s plenty of opportunity to check out the rooftop bars and the nightlife if that’s your jam.

Just keep in mind that some of these bars are fancy, so you might need some good shoes, long pants and a decent shirt before you head out for the night. None of which I carry with me around the world, with the exception of a nice shirt perhaps.

Below I will list what I did with 4 days in Kuala Lumpur, including whether I recommend the activity or not, and then I will list some activities I regret not doing.

As always, to navigate use the table of contents to jump straight to an activity that might interest you.

Every single one of the activities listed here, with the exception of Batu caves, was within walking distance of the hostel I stayed at. So if you have a nice central hostel, these activities are easily accessible.

Kuala Lumpur Video Guide

Watch below to see all of the activities listed on this page and get a rough idea of where they are located in the city itself. There is also a brief glimpse into what you might come across if you decide to partake in any of these activities.

What’s Kuala Lumpur All About?

Kuala Lumpur is an economic hub of Malaysia, and is considered a bit of a power city, it is a very modern place, a bit more fast paced than the rest of Malaysia.

To get a better idea of Kuala Lumpur then head over to my Kuala Lumpur quick guide, over there you will find information about the weather, a brief history, where to stay and more.

This guide is concentrating specifically on the activities that you can do with 4 days in Kuala Lumpur and doesn’t really look to explain the city.

*Disclaimer

Affiliate links may be present on this page. These are links to websites such as Amazon, where if you decide to purchase something, then they will offer me a tiny commission. This comes at no extra cost to you and is just a way for me to try and support myself and the blog. I only link to the best of the best with careful consideration, thank you.

Things to do With 4 Days in Kuala Lumpur

4 days in Kuala Lumpur will be a leisurely time, you won’t need to be flat out exploring because the major attractions can all be done in 2 days, then revisited at night time if you’d like a different perspective on them.

Besides that it is cool to chill at the shopping centres, they’re unfortunately a hard place to avoid spending money, but having a walk around and spending half a day there is kind of fun. The shops are massive, it’s easy to get disoriented. 

Below are some of the activities that I did with my 4 days in Kuala Lumpur, as well as some brief info on each activity and whether I recommend it to you.

Menara Tower / KL Tower

What is it?

The Menara Tower, or KL Tower as it is more commonly referred to as, contains the highest vantage point in Kuala Lumpur. Not only is it the highest vantage point in Kuala Lumpur but it is also an open air vantage point, without glass or mesh to obscure your view.

It offers 360° views around the top of the tower, and it is located smack bang in the centre of Kuala Lumpur, so basically the entire greater region can be seen from here.

How much does it cost?

There are two levels to KL Tower that you can purchase;

• Skydeck – 100 MYR (300m high – Open Air).
• Observation Deck – 50 MYR (276m high – Obstructed views).

I personally recommend the Skydeck, buying a ticket for the Skydeck will allow you to see the Observation Deck as well, you are not limited to just the one option.

Opening Hours?

9:00 – 22:00

What do you do here?

Bring your camera with a telephoto zoom if you have one, enjoy the view. It is a lookout, it is high off the ground, you can see very far and not only that but it has 360° views.

The ticket will also give you the opportunity to sit in the skybox, which is a glass enclosure built out over the side of the building so directly below you is the street. There is a skybox on both sides of the tower and you will get access to both, you are given a ticket, be at the box before your ticket is called.

SEE THE 360° IMAGE BELOW TO SEE WHAT THE SKYBOX HAS TO OFFER

They will take your photo as well, but these are photos to be purchased back in the lobby. However they will allow you some time to take photos on your smartphone as well.

How do you get here?

I walked from my hostel, it was 20 minutes or so but if you want a Grab would be the most simple way to get here and shouldn’t cost anymore than a few dollars each way. Public transport is also an option, but the route changes depending on your location, so you will need to suss it out depending on where you are staying.

How long will I spend here?

I think you could allocate 2 hours, including travel time and possible wait times to get the elevator to the Skydeck. There is not a lot to do at the top once you have taken in the view. The view is great though if the weather is good you can see a lot and enjoy the cooler temperatures.

When to come?

I came in the morning, but it is up to you, if you prefer to see the city lit up at night time, then anytime after 19:00 will be dark enough to see the lights come on throughout the city.

Do you recommend it?

Yes, but only if you get the Skydeck tickets. The Observation Deck was very underwhelming to me and  I didn’t stick around on that level for too long.

Avoid the Skycafe at the Skydeck, it is an absolute ripoff, they don’t have anything good to eat, they don’t actually provide meals at all.

This is a 360° interactive image, grab and drag the image to have a look around the Menare tower’s skybox experience.

(Shot using the Insta360 One X with the Insta360 Invisible Selfie Stick to get the camera over the edge).

(Shot with the Sony A7R III using the Sony FE 16-35mm f/4).

The above is the tower itself, and below is the view from the Skydeck which is as high as you can go.

The Skydeck is actually higher than the Petronas Tower Observation Deck, despite the fact that the Petronas Towers stand at 451m, while the KL Tower stands at 421m tall.

The Skydeck on the KL Tower, which is 300m above the ground level, is higher than the 360m of the Petronas Towers Observation Deck, due to the fact that KL Tower stands on a hill 94m above sea level.

Batu Caves

What is it?

Batu Caves is a small number of caves in the limestone cliffs on the outskirts of the city limits. Within these caves are small shrines and temples. The first instance of the caves being used for religious purposes is in 1890, when the first consecrated statue was placed within the caves.

The insta-famous 43m high statue of Lord Murugan (2006) and the paint on the 272 step stairway (2018) were much later additions, but both have proven to be a hit and stand out very well against the lush green background of the cliffs.

How much does it cost?

It is free to enter the caves.

Opening Hours?

06:00 – 21:00

What do you do here?

Climb the 272 steps to the top, it is an easy climb and then explore the caves inside. Look at the temples and shrines, enjoy the colours and craftsmanship and get photos. There will be opportunities to buy little gifts and what not.

Keep in mind that this is a religious site, so try to be respectful in regards to your behaviour. If you want to fly a drone around, then get there at 6 like I did and watch the sunrise, then walk away from the statue and the crowds to take off and land. Do not fly over the stairs where people are walking.

How do you get here?

I recommend Grab (the ride sharing app used in the majority of Southeast Asia). It is a lot quicker than taking public transport and it cost me 21 MYR from the city centre each way. That is about $6, which you can split with friends.

How long will I spend here?

Over an hour, even at a leisurely pace there is a lot to see so take your time. I don’t think many people will be any longer than 3 hours, unless you’re stopping for lunch or something as well and visit every little nook and cranny.

When to come?

I personally like first thing in the morning, the statue looks its best when the sun rises to the right hand side as you look at it, hitting the statues left shoulder in soft light. It is also the best time because you have less crowds and can avoid the heat of the day.

Do you recommend it?

Definitely!

This place is pretty cool, not like the other temples you might get tired of when travelling Southeast Asia.

(Shot with the Sony A7R III using the Sony FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6)

Petronas Towers

What is it?

The Petronas Towers are still the tallest twin towers in the world, and between 1998-2004, they were the tallest buildings in the world (at the time of writing it is the 19th tallest building in the world).

They were designed to represent Islamic art, with the shiny steel and glass exterior, which is representative of Malaysia’s predominantly Muslim religion.

How much does it cost?

To walk around the towers and visit the shopping centres underneath is all free, but to go up to the Observation Deck will cost you 80 MYR.

Tickets can sometimes be cheaper online.

Opening Hours?

09:00 – 21:00

Closed on Mondays.

What do you do here?

As a paying tourist you will be granted access to the Observation Deck (360m), but also the Skybridge (170m). These are lookouts, vantage points, places to come and take photos or just to enjoy the scenery.

Keep in mind that you don’t need to go to the top of the towers, especially if you have been to the top of KL Tower. Come and walk around the surrounding areas of the Petronas Towers, check out the Suria KLCC shopping centre for food, coffee, fashion, movies, or whatever else you can imagine.

Then head out the back to KLCC park, a nice break from the hustle and bustle of Kuala Lumpur. Sit down in the grass and look at the towers, just relax for a bit. The towers look good from the ground floor, once you go up you can’t see the towers anymore.

How do you get here?

I personally walked, I walked almost everywhere around central Kuala Lumpur and enjoyed it immensely.

If you have poor weather, can’t be bothered or are short on time then get a Grab, the cost to anywhere nearby will be a few dollars and will only take about 5 or 6 minutes.

How long will I spend here?

The variance on this is huge, if you are going up the towers and then visiting the shops underneath, then the KLCC park afterwards, you could easily spend 5-8 hours exploring the surrounding areas, especially if you like shopping.

If you come here just to go up to the Observation Deck and then leave, you will only need 2 hours.

When to come?

During opening hours obviously for those who want to go up the tower. But for those who want to see something different, then come at night time and hang out at the fountains in KLCC park, there are fountain displays done to music and lights.

It isn’t of the same extravagance of The Bellagio fountain show in Las Vegas, but it draws a crowd and is a good way to cap off the night, or start the night.

Do you recommend it?

Going up the Observation Deck? No.

Seeing The Petronas Towers? Yes.

The reason being is because I’d recommend people use their money to go up KL tower instead, from which you can see The Petronas Towers, as well as have access to an unobstructed open air view.

Going up the Observation Deck of The Petronas Towers will mean you’re not only not as elevated as KL tower’s Skydeck, but you will also be enclosed in glass which can give reflections in photographs.

Photo by Umar Mukhtar from Pexels

I normally use all of my own photos but I did not capture the buildings in a wide enough format to then crop into a 16:9 aspect ratio (using the Sony A7R III with its 3:2 aspect ratio), so shoutout to this guy above for the photo 🙂

KL Forest Eco Park

What is it?

11,000m² of natural jungle, protected from development since 1906. It is just a section of the jungle that has been designated to remain as it is, allowing people to escape into nature in the very heart of Kuala Lumpur city centre.

There are multiple pathways to walk around, all well built out and safe for all ages. Included in this, and the most popular section of the park, is the canopy walk. The canopy walk is roughly 200m long.

How much does it cost?

Entry costs 40 MYR

Opening Hours?

07:00 – 18:00

What do you do here?

Walk around as many of the paths as you want, but most people just come here for the canopy walk.

How do you get here?

It is located very close to KL Tower, so I would say your best bet is to combine the two activities in the one day. There are multiple entrance points to the park.

A Grab from any central location will not cost you more than 5-8 MYR, otherwise if the weather is good you can easily walk here.

How long will I spend here?

Less than an hour  for the majority of people who are just doing the canopy walk.

When to come?

Entirely up to you.

Do you recommend it?

No.

The canopy walk was nice, but that’s all it was, just “nice”. It certainly isn’t worth the 40 MYR fee that they charge.

Once you have done the canopy walk there is essentially nothing else really worth your time here.

(Shot with the Sony A7R III using the Sony FE 16-35mm f/4).

Sultan Abdul Samad Building and Merdeka Square

What is it?

I have included these two as one activity, as they are within 50 metres of each other.

Sultan Abdul Samad building is the building that you will see pictured below, it is one of the more striking buildings I have seen, it stood out to me when I first saw it from the Grab on the way to my hostel, I wanted to touch it and lick it.

The construction of the building was finished in 1897 and was originally used by the British colonial administration, housing government agencies and later on it held the Malaysian High court, the federal court, and the court of appeals. But these have all since changed location.

Merdeka Square is a large piece of well-kept green grass that holds significant historical significance for the Malaysia people. It was once a cricket pitch under British colonial rule and on the 31st of August 1957, it became the site in which the Malaysian flag was raised for the first time, announcing their independence.

The square itself is not overly impressive as a site, but it does house the world’s tallest flag pole (95m), and the grass is greener than the other side…of anywhere.

How much does it cost?

Both are free, they are simply attractions that you admire from the outside, it is the epicentre of Kuala Lumpur’s past, so there are lots of interesting buildings here as opposed the the rest of the city which is much more modern and bland.

Opening Hours?

Whenever you like.

What do you do here?

Just stroll through, take photos, read plaques, lie on the ground like Braveheart and yell “MEEERRRDEEEEKAAAAA” which is Malaysian for “freedom”.

How do you get here?

I’d recommend walking if you’re within a couple of kilometres, otherwise get a Grab and you will be there in no time.

How long will I spend here?

An hour at most, the building can be half walked around and viewed from different angles, the grass is a nice place to chill if you want but there’s not much else to do here.

When to come?

Early to avoid the heat, or late at night to see it all in lights.

Do you recommend it?

Yes.

It has historical significance, and I found the building great to photograph. Not to mention it is free and it should form part of your walk through the historical portion of Kuala Lumpur if that sort of thing interests you.

(Shot with the Sony A7R III using the Sony FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6)

Summary

So there are a handful of the best activities to do with 4 days in Kuala Lumpur. I should mention that this is only scratching the surface, but I think it is also worth visiting the shopping centres, especially for those who are travelling Southeast Asia long term and need to stock up on items that will be hard to find in other countries.

For example, I bought a nice pair of Colombia hiking shorts (affiliate link) for my upcoming journey through Khao Sok National Park in Thailand, as well as to help beat airline’s 7kg carry-on weight limits.

On top of this I found a fast charging cable and charger that was 9v/2a, which was required to charge my Insta360 One X batteries in the dual charger they made, which won’t work with any other input. These things are hard to find elsewhere in small towns.

But whatever, I digress, there are plenty more activities to do if you find yourself with a lot of free time.

Other Activities to do With 4 Days in Kuala Lumpur

Some of the other activities on offer that I haven’t covered here include;

• Kuala Lumpur Bird Park (60 MYR).
• Sunway Lagoon (170 MYR on klook).
• Drink at one of the many rooftop bars.
• Shop at Pavilion shopping centre.
• Take a stroll down Petaling street at night for the night markets.
• Visit Aquaria KLCC (75 MYR).

Those are the main attractions you will see advertised around, of course 4 days in Kuala Lumpur is more than enough to fit a handful of these into your schedule along with the activities broken down above.

For me, aquariums aren’t my thing, unless they’re one of the world’s biggest, then they don’t tend to pique my interest. Night markets as well aren’t for me, for someone who travels long term it is not wise for me to pick up odd bits and pieces, gifts or trinkets, because it will just mean more weight to carry.

The point is though that the options are there for you, everyone likes different things.

Possible Itinerary For 4 Days in Kuala Lumpur

Day 1 – Walk around Kuala Lumpur and get the lay of the land, you can visit Merdeka Square, Sultan Abdul Samad Building and the point where the two rivers meet, then you have the rest of the day to chill out before heading to KLCC park at night to see the Petronas Towers lit up and watch the fountain shows.

Day 2 – Visit Menara towers and go up to the sky deck, then walk across to the Petronas towers to see them during the day, it is up to you whether you pay to go up the Petronas Towers as well. You could even fit in a walk through KL Forest Eco Park if you still wanted to see it despite my recommendations.

Day 3 – Go early to Batu Caves and beat the rush as well as the heat, then spend the rest of the day at Pavilion shopping mall, treat yourself to something practical.

Day 4 – Add in an extra activity that you didn’t get to do, maybe the bird park really appeals to you, or you want to walk through Petaling street in Chinatown? It is up to you.

The 1 Activity I Regret Not Doing

Believe it or not, Sunway Lagoon is the one activity I’d have liked to have done given more time. The downside is the price obviously, but if you could go mid-week in a non school holiday period, I think it would be great fun to play in the water all day like an overgrown child.

This is probably a full day activity as well, which makes it harder to squeeze in with other activities, and that is part of the reason I never got around to doing it.

A Map Showing The Activities Locations

This is used purely as a reference before you get there to help plan out your days and get an idea of distances. Once you arrive in Malaysia you should definitely get a SIM card and this way Google Maps will be at your fingertips.

That is it for this post, I hope this has given you some idea on what you can do with 4 days in Kuala Lumpur, if anything needs clarification feel free to comment.

Safe Travels!