Kuala Lumpur, the easy gateway
Kuala Lumpur is where almost every trip begins. It is a modern, green capital of towers, temples, mosques and some of the best street food in Asia, with a clean rail network and ride apps that make it simple to explore. Two to four days covers the Petronas Towers, Batu Caves, Chinatown, Little India in Brickfields and the museums around the Lake Gardens.
Penang, the food capital
Penang is an island off the northwest coast whose capital, George Town, is a UNESCO listed maze of shophouses, clan houses, temples and murals. Many Malaysians will tell you it has the best hawker food in the country. Add Penang Hill, the national park and the rural west of the island for a rich three or four days.
Melaka, the old trading port
Melaka was once one of the great ports of Asia, ruled by a sultanate and then by the Portuguese, Dutch and British. Its old town shares UNESCO status with George Town and is best known for its red Dutch square, Peranakan houses and the Jonker Street night market. It is an easy day trip from Kuala Lumpur, but a night lets you see it lit up and calm.
Langkawi, the island escape
Langkawi is a duty free archipelago in the Andaman Sea with sandy beaches, mangroves, limestone cliffs and rainforest. It is the classic place to rest at the end of a peninsula trip, best between December and April.
Sabah, Malaysian Borneo
Sabah in northern Borneo is for nature: the climb up Mount Kinabalu, reefs in the islands off Kota Kinabalu, orangutans at Sepilok and river safaris on the Kinabatangan. Allow at least five days and fly in from Kuala Lumpur.
How to link them
A classic two week route runs Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, back through Kuala Lumpur, then north by fast train to Penang and by ferry or flight to Langkawi. Add Sabah with a domestic flight. If you want help pacing it, use the free trip planner, and see our places to visit list for food, sights and stays in each base.