Malaysia, The Most Underrated Country in Southeast Asia
Getting Around Malaysia
- Grab, the local Uber, incredibly cheap and available everywhere
- Buses, very cheap and comfortable, book your tickets directly at the bus station or on Easybook app
- Domestic flights, also affordable and worth it for longer distances
- Train (KTM), great option to travel between major cities like KL, Ipoh and Penang
KUALA LUMPUR
What to visit?
- Petronas Towers + fountain show underneath (free, evenings) The towers also have a huge shopping mall inside, worth a walk around. Skip the paid tickets to go up, once you’re inside you can’t see them anymore 😂
- Merdeka 118, the second tallest building in the world, also a giant shopping mall
- Batu Caves
- Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque, the Blue Mosque about 30 min from KL by Grab
- Thean Hou Temple
- Chinatown (Petaling Street): street markets and street food
- Dataran Merdeka (Independence Square)
- Kwai Chai Hong: a hidden alley full of murals and lanterns, very photogenic
- Islamic Arts Museum
Where to eat
- Pavilon Mall basement food court, local and cheap with a lot of options
- Jalan Alor for street food in the evening
- Ollaga Restaurant for Indian food
- Halal KL for Arabic food, my favorite
- Salon du Chocolat if you want something sweet
- Street food must try:
- Roti canai for lunch
- Milo roti for dessert
- Apam Balik, the classic thick version filled with sweet corn and peanuts
- Apam Balik Kuhos, the thin and crispy version
- PAUL for brunch if you miss France
Rooftop
If you can, book a hotel with a pool and a view, there are plenty in Kuala Lumpur and they’re not too expensive.
Where to have a drink
- Helipad bar, incredible view
- W Hotel rooftop, book ahead, paid entry on weekends.
Tioman Island
- Stay in the south of the island, beautiful and quieter
- Absolute must: Coral Island excursion, white sand, crystal clear water, good snorkeling
- Sunset drinks on the beach at Berjaya Resort, perfect end to the day
The Perhentian Islands
One of my favorite places in Malaysia. Beautiful beaches, peaceful, not too many tourists, and you can find completely deserted beaches. Reef sharks, turtles and clown fish everywhere.
We stayed at Perhentian Island Resort, food was very disappointing but the beach is amazing and turtles swim just a few meters from the sand.
We then moved to Tuna Bay Resort. Great food, the beach is slightly less beautiful but walk further and you’ll find deserted beaches with excellent snorkeling.
Other Must-See Places
- Langkawi → long beaches, not the most beautiful in Malaysia but great vibes and lots of activities. Worth a few days
- Penang → the food capital of Malaysia, and honestly one of the best places to eat in all of Asia, with beautiful colonial town and street art in George Town.
- Ipoh → a charming colonial city known for its strong food scene, street art, and charming cafés. It’s not packed with attractions, but if you’re nearby, it’s worth a stop
- Cameron Highlands → Tea plantations and strawberry farms.
- Taman Negara → one of the oldest rainforests in the world. For nature lovers and adventure seekers.
- Malacca → a UNESCO World Heritage city, perfect for a 2 day trip. Don’t miss the beautiful mosque by the water, especially at sunset.
- Putrajaya → Easy day trip from KL with the beautiful pink mosque, Putra.
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