Best Places to Visit in Malaysia for a Memorable Vacation

Best place to visit Malaysia: If nations were given awards for diversity, Malaysia would come in first. Malaysia is not just a mingling pot of diverse ethnic cultures, but it is also a harmonious blend of customs, cuisines, and faiths. The land in the country has lots of different types, like tall mountains, green highlands, rainforests full of trees, and big groups of islands.

Furthermore, Malaysia is distinct from other countries in that it is separated into two primary landmasses. East Malaysia sits on Borneo, separated by the South China Sea. Meanwhile, West Malaysia occupies the lower part of a peninsula it shares with Thailand. Malaysia has amazing spots to explore, from busy cities to calm islands and old rainforests. Here are the best places to visit in Malaysia for an exciting and unforgettable trip!

10 Best Places To Visit In Malaysia

This guide reference to the 10 best places to visit in Malaysia is essential to have with you at all times. Malaysia is a great place to visit if you’re looking for a fun vacation. It has something for everyone, so it’s worth checking out not just this season but for seasons to come.

Kuala Lumpur

When you go to Malaysia, you’ll most likely land in Kuala Lumpur. But Kuala Lumpur is a great place to explore on its own. Unlike some big cities in Asia where people just arrive and quickly go away, Kuala Lumpur is worth spending time in.

The mix of Malay, Chinese, and Indian influence means you’ll have no shortage of delicious food to try in Malaysia’s capital city. The cultural diversity is a big part of Kuala Lumpur’s charm. You can take a short walk or hop on the extensive train network to experience the delights of numerous cultures.

Kuala Lumpur has no shortage of unique neighborhoods to explore. There are cool things to see like the Petronas Towers, the Perdana Botanical Garden, and the Menara KL Tower. These places are fun to visit before you go explore more of Malaysia.

Kuala Lumpur is a worthwhile trip in and of itself

Langkawi

Langkawi is a group of 99 islands in the Andaman Sea on the northwest side of Malaysia. It’s one of the best places to visit in Malaysia because it has stunning beaches, mangroves, rainforests, and mountains with lots of trees.

Recently, Langkawi has added more hotels, restaurants, and things for tourists. This means when people visit, they can enjoy the amazing natural beauty of the islands even more. You can find flights from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi for as little as $20 US! Getting to the island is quick and affordable.

Penang

Penang Island is a large west coast island that Malaysians are proud of! Georgetown, a colonial city, has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are many things to see on Penang Island! You can visit museums, an old fort by the sea, and special old houses. But the best part is the famous street food you can try there.

To explore Penang Island, you can go by car or use buses and trains. There are many things to do, like visiting the Botanic Gardens, Bird Sanctuary, Butterfly Park, and the beautiful white sand beaches at Batu Ferringhi in the north. You’ll also find many temples, like the huge Temple of Supreme Bliss and the Snake Temple, where real snakes live.

At the southeast end of Penang, there’s Jerejak Island. It used to be a place for prisoners and people with a disease called leprosy. Now, it’s like a tropical paradise where you can do fun things outside, get spa treatments, and enjoy other cool stuff.

Penang is home to many temples

Perhentian Islands

The Perhentian Islands are two small and beautiful islands surrounded by coral. They are located near the border with Thailand on the northeast coast of Malaysia. The main islands are Perhentian Besar, also known as “Big Perhentian,” and Perhentian Kecil, or “Small Perhentian.” People often stay in Kecil because it’s cheaper, while Besar is a bit pricier and better for families or those who prefer a quieter time away from big groups of backpackers.

These islands are great for diving and snorkeling. You can see colorful coral, lots of different fish, sea turtles, and even some types of sharks. There are paths connecting the beaches, but they might be a bit tricky and you might encounter insects along the way.

There aren't many fancy places to stay on the Perhentian Islands. Sometimes, you can get discounts when it's not busy, but the best places might fill up fast, especially on weekends and holidays.

Cameron Highlands

If you love beautiful views during hikes, the Cameron Highlands Trail is perfect! It's got a nice weather and tons of green plants, making it one of the most stunning places to hike.

The Cameron Highlands have the biggest tea and flower farms in Malaysia. There are huge fields of tea, gardens full of flowers, farms growing veggies and fruits, places with lots of butterflies, and even farms for honey bees.

Cameron Highlands offers some of the most beautiful climbing routes in the world

Taman Negara

Taman Negara is the world's oldest rainforest, having existed for 130 years. This place is among the best places to visit in Malaysia for nature trips! You can go on canopy walks, hike through the jungle, take nighttime jungle walks, visit Orang Asli's aboriginal settlements. In addition, you also can  go into caves, climb Gunung Tahan mountain, see waterfalls with four steps, watch birds, and do many other cool things.

Kota Kinabalu 

Kota Kinabalu is the main city in Sabah State on Borneo in Malaysia. Lots of people want to visit because it's close to tropical islands, rainforests, places for animals, big parks, and Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Malaysia.

People who live here often call it KK. The city center is small but has many important places to see, like landmarks, memorials, and spots where you can see the city from high up.

Kota Kinabalu is swiftly becoming a sought-after tourist hub

Melaka

Melaka is a city that has many different cultures. It is divided into different parts, each with its own special attractions. The Portuguese Settlement is famous for its pretty houses, old churches, and parts of an old fort. In the Chinese area, you’ll find Malaysia’s oldest Chinese temple called Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, and nearby is one of the biggest Chinese cemeteries outside China.

Some of the oldest Dutch architecture in the East can be found in the Dutch area. Every cultural area here has its own special traditions and celebrations. For example, the Portuguese have something called “Intrudu,” and the Chinese celebrate Chinese New Year in a big and lively way.

Sipadan

Sipadan, the only oceanic island in Malaysia, is encircled by the tropical waters of the Celebes Sea and is located off the east coast of Borneo. It was created from living coral reefs many millennia ago, and today scuba divers flock there to experience one of the richest underwater environments on the planet.

Visitors can choose from many different dives. Some lead past sheer coral walls and whirling shoals of fish, and others via underwater tunnels and caverns. Diverse aquatic creatures, including manta rays, hammerhead sharks, and sea turtles, can be seen.

The island can only be reached by boat from because it has been closed since 2004 to preserve its stunning beaches and underwater treasures.

Sipadan, the only oceanic island in Malaysia, is encircled by the tropical waters of the Celebes Sea

Kuching

Our final pick among the 10 best places to visit in Malaysia is Kuching. It's the biggest city on Borneo Island and a great place to start if you want to explore Sarawak and the rainforest. But Kuching has a lot to discover, like old places, busy markets, and outdoor fun things to do.

Kuching has a unique vibe, mixing tall buildings with lots of green trees. By the Sarawak River, there are fun food spots, musical fountains, big landmarks, outdoor theaters, and tons of things to do for visitors.

In the end, Malaysia has something for everyone who travels there. Whether you're learning about culture, exploring nature or enjoying city life, these best places to visit in Malaysia promise a vacation filled with wonderful moments. Make sure you explore these fantastic places and make your own unforgettable trip in Malaysia!

Are you ready to start your journey to explore Malaysia? Apply for a Malaysia visa today through our official Global Visa Corp website and discover the wonders that await in this wonderful country.