Searching for what to do in Kuala Lumpur? In this post, you will find 9 places you should visit while visiting the capital of Malaysia.
Also, you can’t miss our post about how to get around the city. It’s full of tips about public transportation and how to get from the airport to the city center.
KLCC is the acronym for Kuala Lumpur City Centre. Fully planned, this area is home to several attractions in its surroundings. For example the KLCC Park, the KLCC Aquarium, the PETRONAS towers, and Shopping Suria.
The Petronas Twin Towers are the headquarters of the national oil company. These buildings were, from 1998 until 2004, the tallest ones in the world. The towers are 452 meters high, with a total of 88 floors. To access them, you need to go to the Concourse Level, in the basement of the tower. Escalators take you to the ticket office inside the basement.
PETRONAS Twin Towers. One of the postcards of Kuala Lumpur.
Built-in 1880, Kuala Lumpur’s Heritage Park is the city’s oldest park. Located in an area of about 100 hectares, the park houses several attractions within its area. Including the National Mosque, the National Monument, the Museum of Islamic Art, and Kuala Lumpur’s Bird Park, an aviary with more than 3,000 birds.
Chinatown
Be sure to visit Petaling Street, inside the Kuala Lumpur Chinatown area. In addition to the bazaar that takes place on this street, it’s also worth checking the various Taoist temples in the area. Some of the most famous are the Sze Ya Temple, the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, and the Guan Ti Temple.
Merdeka Square
Dataran Merdeka or Merdeka Square is a very central area in Kuala Lumpur. In this square, there are several government buildings, as well as two important mosques in the city. Also, the Central Market is very close to Merdeka Square, as well as Chinatown.
Kuala Lumpur Tower
Kuala Lumpur Tower, also known as KL Tower, is a 421-meter-tall telecommunication tower. This is currently the 7th tallest tower in the world. You can visit it, take pictures on the glass floor, walk on the edge of the tower or go to the restaurant at the top of the building.
Batu Caves
This is one of the most iconic spots (if not the main one) in the entire Malaysia. But, despite being listed as a must-go in Kuala Lumpur, the Batu Caves are actually located in Gombak, in the state of Selangor. The temple has several caves with statues of Hindu gods and goddesses.
Right at the entrance you will see, standing 42.7 meters tall, the massive golden statue of Lord Murugan. It stands at the foot of the colorful stairs that take visitors to the main cave. Catch a breath because to reach the top you will have to climb 272 steps.
This is a great place to shop in Malaysia’s capital. The crossing of roads Bukit Bintang and Sultan Ismail is often compared to Times Square in NY. There are several malls in the area, as well as hotels, restaurants, and street markets. The highlight is the two surrounding streets, which have a large concentration of bars (Changkat Bukit Bintang) and street food (Jalan Alor).
Theon Hou
Theon Hou is situated on a hill. In addition to the incredible view of Kuala Lumpur, this temple is worth visiting as it’s one of the largest Chinese temples in Southeast Asia. Theon Hou has six levels and is a syncretic mix of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism.
FAQ What To Do In Kuala Lumpur
How to use Kuala Lumpur’s city transport?
The city of Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia has an excellent public transport system. Bus, train, and subway lines connect and cover all the city’s tourist attractions. Check out this post on how to use Kuala Lumpur’s city transport.
Best attractions of Kuala Lumpur
If you are planning a trip to Kuala Lumpur, be sure to include the Petronas Towers, Batu Caves, and a tour of the Bukit Bintang area in your itinerary. Check out more must-see attractions in the capital of Malaysia here.
Hurghada in Egypt is known for its luxury resorts. However, it’s still possible to travel cheaply around the city. I’ve tried both itineraries there, from the most luxurious to the cheapest. And I can say that you can enjoy the sea and the city in both. In this post, you can find tips on how to travel in an affordable way in Hurghada.
Looking for what to do in Hurghada? In this post, you can find attractions and tips on accommodation and transportation. The city is one of the most famous beach destinations in Egypt. After all, Hurghada is surrounded by the Red Sea and is famous for its crystal-clear waters, resorts, and nightclubs.
Are you looking for tips on how to visit the Vatican? Then, this is the right place!
Visiting this city has been a dream since I watched the Angels and Demons movie series. I was enchanted by the history and architecture of this city-state located in the middle of Rome. Fortunately, earlier in 2020 I had the opportunity to spend a day getting to know the premises.
The Vatican is not only a museum, but a complex of museums, chapels, and also the house of the supreme leader of the Catholic Church, the Pope.
how to visit the vatican:
On the first day of our stay in Rome, we booked a tour through the Get Your Guide app to see the Vatican that same day. As we only had 4 days in Rome, we opted for a guided tour, as we were afraid of the queues at the entrance. If you want to know more about the rest of our trip to the city, check out this post.
Looking for things to do in Venice? In this post, you will discover places to visit in this romantic Italian city. Everything can be done in 2 days. Read until the end to check a guide with a map that we prepared.
What to do in Venice?
Our visit to Venice was literally a nice surprise. Not because we didn’t expect Venice to be a charming city, but because we didn’t expect to include the place in our travel itinerary in 2020. However, those who followed our itinerary through Rome know that we missed our flight to Croatia on New Year’s Eve.
So we suddenly bought two bus tickets to go from the capital to Venice. Our final destination was Athens in Greece. So we only had two days to explore the city, which I thought was enough. In this post, you can check our Venice travel guide for two days in the city.
We arrived by bus at dawn. Piazzale Roma is the last stop to reach Venice by road. It’s the square where the Freedom Bridge ends and where you will have to stop if you go by bus, car or even plane to Venice. Since airport transfers also stop there.
For those who like to travel at night like us, be aware that the only way to get to the center of the city at this time is to walk with your bags for about 20 minutes to the train station. From there, you can choose to walk to the hotel, if your accommodation is close to the station, or to take a boat to the nearest point of accommodation.
Between the bus station and the train station, there are also Vaporettos. These boats travel to different parts of the city. They work on specific routes and times. If you want to know more about how to get to Venice, check out this post.
Vaporetto on the Venetian canals.
We decided to continue walking to our hotel, as it would only be another 7 minutes from that point. A tip is to avoid rolling suitcases to walk around Venice, after all the streets are narrow and irregular, with paths full of stairs and bridges.
Accommodation in Venice:
Staying in Venice isn’t cheap because of low availability and high demand. Therefore, we recommend booking in advance your accommodation. Although hotels close to the center are more expensive, I strongly recommend them to anyone who can afford to stay in the area.
Thus, you will end up saving a lot on transportation, since you can do everything on foot. Plus, it will save you time waiting for boats and avoid crowds. We made our reservation the day before, but we were very lucky in choosing the guest house. We stayed at Porta Orientalis Venice. The room had a mini kitchen, which also helped us save money.
As we were tired from the bus trip, we took the morning to rest at the hotel. Around noon we went out to have lunch and explore the city. We traced an itinerary all on foot, to explore the streets and save a few euros.
We reserved this day to walk in the regions farther from the center. First, we visited the Ca’ d’Oro, passed the Mocenigo Palace-Museum, and descended towards the district of Dorsoduro. This is a more university district south of Venice, home to two important art galleries and the Basilica Santa Maria Della Salute, from which the dome can be seen from across the city.
We ended the day at the Academy of Fine Arts in Venice. For €12 you can visit one of the most important art galleries in the world, which houses the largest collection of Venetian art.
Venice travel guide: day 2
Our second day in Venice started early. We planned to go to the most touristics spots in Venice that day. So we left the hotel towards the Bridge of Rialto, the most famous and oldest bridge in Venice. We crossed the Rialto Market, where fruits, vegetables, and fish are traditionally sold every morning. Then, we head to St. Mark’s Square.
St. Mark’s Square
St. Mark’s Square is the most important and busiest in the city. Most of Venice’s historic buildings are located there, such as the Ducal Palace, St. Mark’s Belfry, St. Mark’s Basilica, and the Clock Tower.
St. Mark’s BasilicaSt. Mark’s Square
I suggest visiting St. Mark’s Basilica and St. Mark’s Museum, which is located inside the basilica. Admission is free to see the interior (and the lines are almost always long). However, it’s required to purchase tickets to access the Museum of São Marcos and its treasuries.
The Belfry Tower is the name given to the bell tower of St. Mark’s Basilica. With 98 meters, the tower is the tallest building in Venice. But this isn’t the actual original tower, as the first one collapsed. The appearance is the same as the original. It’s possible to pay a visit to the tower and see Venice from another angle for 8 euros.
Doge’s Palace
The Doge’s Palace, located next to the Basilica, is also open to visitors. The common ticket (without a guide) entitles you to the Ducal Palace in addition to the Correr Museum, the National Archaeological Museum, and the Marciana Library.
It’s also possible to take a guided tour around the secret places inside the palace. This tour is offered daily in English, Italian, or French. You go through the basement, the officers’ offices, the courtyard… However, you need to make a reservation. The tour only takes place with a minimum number of people. You can get more information on the Doge’s Palace website.
Enjoy the sunset on the Riva Degli Schiavoni promenade. The landscape is incredible, overlooking the island of São Jorge Maior and several gondolas anchored. On the way back to your accommodation, take the opportunity to give a look at the Bridge of Sighs, right behind the Palace.
Sunset on the Riva degli Schiavoni promenade.São Jorge Maior Island.
Extra day at Venice
Another option for those who have more time in the city is to go by boat to the islands of Burano and Murano. These smaller islands are located next to Venice. They are famous for their artisans and colorful houses.
Map of our Venice itinerary:
On the map below you can see all the places we visited on our itinerary. You can open and use it to guide yourself during your visit to the city.
To visit all points of interest, stay for 2 days in the city of Venice. It’s possible to extend an extra day to discover the surrounding islands. Check out a complete two-day itinerary in the city here.
What to do in Venice in 1 day?
Don’t miss the walk to St. Mark’s Square. Walk through the Rialto Bridge on the way. Visit St. Mark’s Basilica and, if you’re willing to spend a few euros more, ride a gondola.
What can’t you miss in Venice?
You should walk to St. Mark’s Square and watch the gondolas. Another highlight of the visit is the Rialto Bridge and the market at its entrance.
I consider 4 days in Rome the minimum amount of time to get to know the city. With over 2,500 years of history, Rome is famous among tourists. The capital of Italy has incredible monuments, still preserved from the time of the Roman Empire. Like the Coliseum, the city’s postcard. In this post, you will find a complete itinerary with hotels, transportation, and attractions of the city.
4 days in Rome: Travel Itinerary
Our idea was to enjoy 3 days in Rome and leave for Croatia on New Year’s Eve. But we ended up missing the flight. With the change of plans, we had our New Year’s Eve in Italy and enjoyed another day in the capital. In the end, it was the perfect time to explore the city andwe also added a two-day visit to Venice.
In this post, you will find tips, prices, and everything you need to know to visit the Coliseum. For those who followed our 4-day trip through Rome, you know that we went in our first day to the Vatican. For our second day, we save a visit to one of Rome’s most emblematic monuments: the Coliseum.
ROME GUIDE: COLOSSEUM, PALATINE, AND ROMAN FORUM
As you would expect from the monument that makes up one of the 7 wonders of the modern world, the lines to enter were kilometers long. In December, when we took this tour, the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine closed at 16:30. Which left us a little desperate about spending our time in lines.
During the European winter, some attractions have their opening hours shortened. That’s why we chose to buy a guided tour right there near the Arch of Constantine. All guided tours have a different entrance than other visitors, which makes you skip the line. We negotiated the price and entered the Coliseum in less than half an hour.
If you are searching for what to do in Lebanon, this post has 15 suggestions of places to visit in the country.
Lebanon entered my travel wish list by chance, and I certainly didn’t regret taking half a month to travel inside the country. I applied for a position at Worldpackers and in less than a month I was flying to Lebanon. You can check out more about my volunteering at Zouk Mosbeh here.
The country is full of history, as well as beautiful landscapes. Also, their currency makes it cheap for foreigners to travel there. In cities like Byblos, in the north of the country, there are signs of civilization from 7,000 BC. Despite not being a traditional destination, tourism accounts for around 10% of Lebanon’s GDP.
Are you interested in getting to know Lebanon? Check out a little more about the country and the best places to visit.
A little more about Lebanon:
Lebanon is one of the Middle Eastern countries that is situated on the Asian continent. The region was once home to the oldest civilizations such as Phoenicians, Assyrians, Persians, Greeks, Byzantines, and Ottoman Turks. That’s why Lebanon is a country full of cultural and religious diversity.
Today the country is divided between Catholics and Muslims. By law, the posts of president, prime minister, and parliamentary spokesperson must be held respectively by a Maronite Christian, a Sunni Muslim, and a Shiite Muslim.
On the border between Syria and Israel, the country was marked by intense conflicts such as the Civil War of 1975 and the Lebanon War of 2006. Today the country is in one of its biggest economic crises after decades of corruption and conflicts.
Is traveling to Lebanon safe?
Like most countries in the Middle East, it is safe to travel to Lebanon. Despite having faced serious conflicts at the beginning of the century, the Lebanese today live in peace. The serious economic crisis that the country has been facing since 2019 doesn’t make it unsafe for tourism. On the contrary, with the currency devaluation, this destination has become very attractive to foreigners.
What to visit in Lebanon?
Lebanon has a lot to offer to tourists who visit it. As it’s a small country (with only 10,400 km²), two weeks are enough to visit all the most important points. The country is full of historical monuments, but it’s also an incredible destination for those who don’t like visiting museums.
For example, sports enthusiasts can go skiing or hiking in the region of Mzaar Kfardebian and Jabal Moussa. Those who want to enjoy the beach can stay at the resorts of Jounieh. Those who want to enjoy the nightlife have several options of bars and nightclubs in Beirut, in addition to the beach clubs in the coastal region.
When to visit Lebanon?
From May to September, tourists can enjoy warmer temperatures (about 77 to 90°F) to go to the beach. If you want to ski and enjoy the winter, you need to schedule your trip between the months of December to February. More historical tours can be done at any time of the year.
What to do in Lebanon at night?
Among Arab countries, Lebanon has remained more open to Western culture. It’s easy to buy alcoholic beverages and women and men can dress as they like. At night, the Gemmayze neighborhood welcomes many people looking for the best drinks and restaurants in Beirut. You can admire the sunsets in the beach clubs on the Lebanese coast
What to do in Lebanon:
Beirut:
The city of Beirut is the capital and largest city in Lebanon. Beirut International Airport is located around 9 km from the city center, and all international flights depart and land from there. For these and other reasons, Beirut is a mandatory stop for anyone visiting Lebanon. Two days in the city are enough to visit the main historical sites in the capital.
Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque
The Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque is one of the city’s postcards. Also known as the blue mosque because of its domes, the mosque is the largest in Lebanon. Its construction was delayed by the conflicts in the city of Beirut and the mosque was only inaugurated in 2008.
The mosque is open for visitation outside prayer hours, which are in total 5 times a day. Women must wear Abaya to enter (a black dress that covers the entire body). Abayas are provided for tourists at the entrance. Men cannot be wearing shorts or tank tops.
Right in front of the mosque is the Statue of the Martyrs, a tribute to the combatants killed in 1916 in the Arab Uprising against Ottoman Turkish rule. The monument, damaged by firearms, remains current as it recalls those killed in the Civil War and the Lebanon War.
Beirut city center
Still, in the same area, you can visit the Al-Abed clock tower and St. George’s Cathedral. The Maronite cathedral is next to the mosque. Going right in the street of the cathedral is Nejmeh Square and in the center of it is the Clock Tower.
About a 30-minute walk from the venue is the National Museum of Beirut. Many of the pieces exposed inside were brought from the city of Byblos, in addition to other archaeological sites in the country. The museum traces the history of the Phoenicians, Romans, and Persians, among others in the region.
Martyrs’ SquareMohammad Al-Amin MosqueNejmeh SquarePlace de l’Étoile
Pigeon Rocks
At the end of the day, I recommend watching the sunset at Pigeon Rocks, in the Raouche neighborhood. The landscape is one of the main postcards of Beirut. At night, enjoy Lebanese nightlife in the city’s bars and pubs. Beirut is full of clubs and neighborhoods like Hamra, where visitors and locals jump from one bar to another.
Pigeon Rocks, in the Raouche neighborhood.
Citadel of Tripoli:
Located 85 kilometers north of the capital, the city of Tripoli is the second largest city in Lebanon. In it, we can notice a strong influence of Muslim and Arab cultures. Tripoli is famous for Arabian sweets, with very traditional bakeries such as Kasr al Helou, or “Palace of Sweets”.
Be sure to visit the Fort of Raymond de Saint-Gilles. The site is also known as the Citadel of Tripoli or ‘Qal’at Saint-Gilles’ in Arabic. Raymond VI of Saint Gilles built it at the time of the Crusades. Less than 5 minute walk from the fort is the old market Khan Al-Khayyatin, where you can find traditional Lebanese items.
Sequence of photos taken inside the Fort of Raymond de Saint-Gilles.
Citadel of Byblos:
The city of Jubayl is better known as Byblos, the name she received during Greek domination. Byblos is one of the oldest cities in the world. The first human records in the region date back to 5,000 BC. The city witnessed different periods of domination, including by the Phoenician, Egyptian, Greek, and Roman peoples.
During the Crusades in the 12th century, the city was fortified. It was at this time that Byblos Castle was constructed. The Citadel of Byblos is a mandatory stop in Lebanon, not only for its history but also for its landscape.
Also, those who take this tour cannot miss the Souk, a traditional market located in front of the entrance to the citadel. This is the perfect place to buy travel souvenirs.
Byblos Citadel Complex.Byblos Citadel Complex.
Ruins of Baalbek:
About an hour and a half from Beirut, the city of Baalbek have one of the UNESCO world heritage sites. Former Phenicia region, the city became a Roman colony. It was ruled by Emperor Constantine in his Christian era until Islamic domination. Today, the city’s acropolis preserves important historical remains. The largest temples in the region are the Temple of Jupiter, Bacchus, and Venus.
Baalbek ruins.
The entrance fee costs the equivalent of 10 USD and gives access to archaeological sites. My highlight goes to the Bacchus Temple, which is extremely preserved. One day is enough to know Baalbek and its attractions. I recommend searching for some private tours that have transportation from Beirut. You can search for agencies and compare guide prices with the Get Your Guide app.
The Jabal Moussa is located in the Kesrouan district. Protected by UNESCO, the reserve has 6,500 hectares. The reserve, in addition to preserving the region’s biodiversity, also contains historical and cultural heritage. The site contains ruins from the Ottoman period, Roman engravings, and important places in Phoenician mythology.
For those who enjoy hiking and nature, I recommend booking a full day to explore the Jabal Moussa reserve. Be prepared to experience freezing temperatures there in the winter. It is located near the ski resorts and it’s possible to see snow in the region.
Trail in the Jabal Moussa Reserve, during the end of winter in the region.
Beiteddine Palace:
The Shihab dynasty built the Beiteddine Palace between 1788 and 1818. It’s located in the city of Beiteddine. Later on, it became a government building during Turkish-Ottoman rule. In addition to the period when Lebanon was an autonomous state, being part of Mandatory Syria and administered by France.
The palace was restored and became the president’s summer residence when Lebanon became independent in 1943. The visit to the Beiteddine Palace costs around 10 USD and can take between two and three hours. The palace is open daily. But at certain times of the year, it’s not allowed to visit all the rooms.
Entrance to Beiteddine Palace.Courtyard of the Beiteddine Palace.
Jeita Grotto:
Jeita Grotto is formed by two interconnected caves, with a total length of approximately 9 km. The caves are located in the Nahr al-Kalb valley, 18 km from the Lebanese capital. Created in the prehistoric era, Jeita Grotto today supplies thousands of Lebanese with water.
The lower cave is submerged by an underground river and can be visited in small boats. In 1958, the upper part was discovered 60 meters above the lower cave. The caves were connected with an access tunnel and crosswalks were installed for visitors. In the upper cave, you can see one of the largest stalactites in the world.
Harissa (Lady of Lebanon sanctuary):
A few kilometers from the Lebanese capital is the Harissa, also known as Our Lady of Lebanon. The Virgin Mary statue was built in 1908 and is located on top of a hill in the town of Jounieh. They are about 650 meters high. The statue measures 8.5 meters in height.
Beirut is about 25 kilometers away from the place. It’s possible to get there by car or by cable car. The climb is worth it when we come across the view of Beirut. It’s recommended for visitors not wear low-cut or short clothes. The sanctuary has a cathedral and also a cafeteria.
ski resort Mzaar Kfardebian:
The Mzaar Kfardebian is located an hour away from Beirut. This is the biggest ski resort in the Middle East. Consisting of 42 hills that stretch for 80 kilometers, the ski resort offers lessons covering both advanced and beginner levels. In addition, other attractions work on-site. The cable car, for example, was brought from Switzerland and on clear days it’s possible to see Beirut from the top of the hills.
The ski season runs from early December to early April. But be aware of the weather conditions to schedule the tour. I was there in the last weeks of March and, despite seeing snow, it was already closed for skiing.
Are you interested in getting to know Lebanon? Comment here if you have another place to suggest.
FAQ What to do in Lebanon
Best attractions in Lebanon
Lebanon is full of historical and cultural attractions. Also for those who like sports and adventure. Tripoli, Balbec, and Byblos are places that cannot be left out of the travel itinerary. Check out the full list of attractions here.
Is traveling to Lebanon safe?
Like most countries in the Middle East, it’s safe to travel to Lebanon. Despite having faced serious conflicts at the beginning of the century, the Lebanese today live in peace.
What is the currency in Lebanon?
The Lebanese Pound is the official currency of Lebanon. Despite this, it’s very common for merchants to accept payment in dollars. The heavily devalued currency has become a major attraction for tourists.
When to visit Lebanon?
From May to September, tourists are able to take advantage of the higher temperatures (about 77 to 90°F) to go to the beach. If you want to ski and enjoy the winter, you need to schedule your trip for the months from December to February.
What to do in Lebanon at night?
Those who want to enjoy the nightlife have several options of bars and nightclubs in Beirut, in addition to beach clubs in the coastal region. The Gemmayze and Hamra neighborhoods receive many people looking for the best drinks and restaurants in Beirut.
