If you are planning a budget-friendly international trip, one common choice that will surprise you is Malaysia. Malaysia is home to the most advanced concrete jungles, with a storied history, and the occasional diversity that forces you to stop and admire. The country has serene beaches, iconic religious places, and technology and attractions that make it one of the most competitive economies in the world.
And don’t even get us started on the food, because that’s where you’ll find the most surprising seafood. If you’re planning your first trip abroad and are confused about where to go, we can’t recommend Malaysia enough. The trip will be within a reasonable budget, it can be combined with a packaged trip to other countries like Singapore, it will offer a balanced mix of experiences (spectacular skyscrapers and serene beaches and mountains), and will prove to be an experience. Full of original memories.
Here are the top 12 tourist places that you cannot forget to include in your itinerary.
1- Tioman Island
Part of the east coast of Malaysia, Tioman Island is famous for its ecotourism. With lush flora and fauna, magical forest paths, serene beaches, waterfalls and exquisite corals, this place is an ideal place to relax, unwind, and reconnect with nature. It is considered one of the most beautiful islands in the world and the islanders will welcome you so warmly that it will be difficult to say goodbye.
Must Visit: Lubuk Teja Waterfall, Monkey Bay, scuba diving
2- Kuala Lumpur
An indispensable addition to any Malaysia itinerary, the capital Kuala Lumpur is an experience that keeps on giving. With great street food, unique attractions like the Twin Towers, skyscrapers like KL Tower and a Sky Deck that you must visit, and museums, this city is a must-visit for anyone who wants to experience it. Advanced urban life in Malaysia. Make sure you take street food seriously there, as you will find many Asian dishes that are a real delight for the taste buds.
Must Visit for Street Food: Taman Connaught, Tapak Urban Street Dining
Must Visit for Shopping: Petaling Market, Central Market, Pavilion Mall, Berjaya Times Square
Must-visit sights: Menara Kuala Lumpur, KLCC Park, Thein Hou Temple
3- Perhentian Islands
This island group is located in northern Malaysia and consists of many islands but two islands are considered the main ones, which are called Perhentian Besar and Perhentian Kecil. If you are interested in water sports and want to spend your holidays observing underwater marine life, then this place is a must for you. There are also many hidden islands, making it perfect for those of us who are natural explorers.
Must Visit: Adam and Eve Beach, Teluk Keke, snorkeling and trekking, Turtle Beach
4- Georgetown Penang
Penang is another state that is a given on any Malaysia itinerary, and although it is beautiful overall, one specific city that has become a popular attraction is Georgetown. Georgetown is a UNESCO heritage site, famous for its street markets, food stalls, artistic streets and architecture that tells powerful stories of history. We suggest you wander around and explore it and you’ll find unique rides, sweets and cool graffiti around every corner.
Must Visit: Penang Hill, Penang Botanical Garden, Clan Ghats of Penang, Penang Peranakan Mansion
5- Redang Island
Located in the middle of coral islands, this place is famous for its white sand beaches and clear, blue ocean waters. Redang Beach is a major tourist attraction in Malaysia, visited by thousands of tourists every year and is considered one of the best beaches in the entire world. You can go on luscious hikes in the woods, enjoy May’s waterfalls, or simply relax near the shore and experience the finest seafood.
Must Visit: Mengabang, Chegar Hutang Turtle Sanctuary
6- Ipoh
A city in north-western Malaysia, Ipoh is truly one of a kind. It is said that it is the gateway to the Cameroon Highlands, and you can find everything (beaches, high horizons, dense forests, coast and much more) at this place. Take the Ipoh Heritage Route which is a mapped route covering 27 heritage sites in the city, including railways built by the British. Just immerse yourself in the city’s food and drinking culture, and don’t forget to taste Malaysia’s famous white coffee made from coffee beans and margarine.
Must Visit: Opt for a full-day city tour
7- Langkawi
Taking its name from two languages, Malay and Sanskrit, Langkawi has three protected forest parks and several small beaches. Although many places in Malaysia represent the beauty of nature in the most ethereal sense, this place is something that will impress you with its natural and ecological richness. They also have the world’s steepest cable car ride, and you can explore some hidden mangrove forests, perfect for anyone with a fascination for the science of trees and various plants.
Must Visit: Langkawi Sky Bridge and Cable Car, Langkawi Mangrove Tour
8- Malacca City
Furthermore, the trade center of the East, the city of Malacca is filled with rich history, Malaysian cuisine and night markets that are the ultimate attraction for international tourists. It was featured as a UNESCO cultural site in 2008 and reflects colonial history and its consequences. The Jonker Street Night Market is a must-visit, and you’ll find some restored religious sites that are home to some spectacular architecture as well as a place to experience peace and history.
Must Visit: Melaka River Cruise, Jonker Street Night Market, Melaka Sultanate Palace Museum
9- Cameron Highlands
Another place that attracts visitors for its natural beauty and ecological prowess, the Cameron Highlands is a producer of some of the finest tea in the world. The place advertises simple living in the truest sense and is filled with lush green forests, gardens, nurseries, waterfalls, trails and hikes, and extraordinary wildlife. This place is a must-visit for anyone who wants to experience the simple life, great natural terrain, and excellent views.
10- Kota Kinabalu
Making its way to the list of best tourist destinations in Malaysia, Kota Kinabalu, or KK (as it is fondly called) is the capital of Sabah. Jessenton Point Waterfront and Mount Kinabalu are your places to see some beautiful views and mouth-watering food Mount Kinabalu is the highest peak in Malaysia and one of the most sought-after trekking experiences, as its gorgeous trails lead to… Are also allowed to climb. If you want to have a healthy mix of nature and city life on your vacation, this is worth a visit.
11- Batu Caves
Located in the city of Kuala Lumpur, the Batu Caves is a hill consisting of many small and large caves, which contain many religious shrines and temples. They have many Hindu sculptures and scriptures, and the caves make the whole experience even more rich and complete. This place is great for those who want to delve deeper into Malaysia’s rich, contradictory religious history as well as see some spectacular sculptures.
12- Putrajaya
Developed as a garden city, Putrajaya is home to the Prime Minister’s Home Office and the three-tier Putra Bridge. The city is a perfect balance of nature and technology, with more man-made parks and lakes than anywhere else in the world. All the buildings represent 20th-century architecture, and you can visit Taman Botani Putrajaya, Seri Wawasan Bride and Putrajaya Mosque, which are the main tourist attractions, and must-sees.
Here are the fascinating things that make Malaysia stand out from the crowd.
1- Weird and wonderful wildlife
Two Malaysian states, Sabah and Sarawak, extend across the northern part of Borneo, encompassing tiny Brunei. They’re famous for orangutans, but intrepid animal lovers will find plenty more to savor, from the tiniest of elephants to the strange long-nosed ginger proboscis monkey. Sun bears, wild cats, slow loris, and small, bug-eyed tarsiers also roam here. On the mainland, Taman Negara National Park is home to giant squirrels, mouse deer, Malayan tapir, and more.
2- Fabric Craft
Batik artists use wax to create motifs on fabric that are then filled in with colors, and the bright, colorful patterns that Malaysians love make classic souvenirs. Travelers can try their hand at making their own batik, watch demos of the craft, or purchase sarongs, shirts, and more at batik galleries across the country.
3- An ancient art of self-defense
Practitioners of Silat, an ancient martial art, use weapons or just their “eight limbs” (feet, fists, knees and elbows) in a heady mix of gentle, aesthetic movements and explosive self-defense techniques. Sarawak makes for compelling viewing of competitive fights at events such as the Premier International Silat Championship, or you can watch fighters in action at festivals including the Borneo Cultural Festival held in Sibu, Sarawak each July.
4- Below the surface
There is more to Malaysia’s natural wonders than forests and beaches. Stalactites drip from the Tempurang Caves outside Ipoh. Sarawak’s Mulu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has a network of huge limestone caves, including Deer Cave, from which millions of bats emerge like smoke at sunset. Outside Kuala Lumpur, the Batu Caves are the centerpiece of the annual Thaipusam festival, as local Hindus flock to the temple in a show of asceticism – some in trance, some shaved, some even piercing their skin with thorns.
5- Art of sip
From the foothills of Mount Kinabalu in Borneo to the Cameroon Highlands on the mainland, Malaysia’s tea plantations are ripe for exploration. Whether sampling fermented leaves in an estate’s tasting room or watching a street vendor dramatically pour large amounts of tea between two mugs to make sweet, frothy teh tarik, tea lovers will be extremely intrigued. And coffee fans won’t miss it either. Ipoh is known for its white coffee, made from beans roasted in margarine and served with condensed milk, while Instagrammers will love the 3D latte artworks found at the hipster cafes of Petaling Street.
6- Kampung culture
Although more than three-quarters of Malaysians live in cities, they are also attracted to their home villages (kampungs), from traditional Dayak longhouses on Sarawak rivers to the vibrant clan piers and colorful timber-framed houses of George Town, Penang. Maintain your love for each other. Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur. For fans of traditional architecture, the Mari Mari Cultural Village hosts life-size models of indigenous Sabah houses, while the Terapuri Heritage Village resort lets guests stay in renovated Malay houses.
7- Sea magic
Malaysia is home to over 800 islands, large and small, and each has its distinct charm. In Sabah, the luxury Gaya Island Resort operates its turtle sanctuary on its white-sand beaches, with Tioman’s coral and barracuda attracting divers and snorkelers alike. Langkawi, Malaysia’s most famous island, still offers surprises like pristine Tanjung Roo Beach.
8- A multicultural melting pot
A stroll through downtown Melaka reveals layers of colonial occupation: the Portuguese A Famosa Fort, the Dutch Statehouse, an Anglican church where English and Dutch graves meet in the cemetery. And modern Malaysia is almost equally diverse, with people of Malay, Indian and Chinese descent – and the fusion culture known as Peranakan or Baba-Nyonya. Sites like Penang’s Penang Peranakan Mansion and Melaka’s Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum let you enjoy the rich and colorful designs and decorations of this fascinating period.
9- A street food center
Foodies know and love Malaysia for its multicultural cuisine, from sour and spicy Assam Laksa to Chicken Rendang or Roti Canai, the Indian flatbread that is the breakfast of kings. In Kuala Lumpur, Little India, Bukit Bintang, Petaling Street Night Market and Chinatown, hawkers come from all over the world; Melaka’s lively Jonker Street Night Market offers a variety of delights from Peranakan cakes to satay.
10- Walk to heaven
Hikers will find everything from rainforests to spectacular sculptured rock formations in Malaysia. In Sabah, travelers come to climb to the summit of Mount Kinabalu, more than 4,000 meters (13,000 ft) above sea level: the overnight climb requires a permit, guide, and accommodation.
On the mainland, Malaysia’s largest national park, Taman Negara, offers wilderness trails ranging from short self-guided walks to week-long adventures that require support. Even if you only have an hour, the mangrove ecosystems found at the Kota Kinabalu Wetland Center are home to turtles, walking fish, and more, while the mossy forests of the Cameron Highlands are a magnet for photographers.
In the end With its diverse landscapes, rich cultural tapestry, and budget-friendly options, Malaysia attracts travelers to explore its wonders. From tranquil beaches to vibrant street markets, and ancient caves to lush rainforests, Malaysia offers a range of experiences that promise unforgettable memories for every adventurer, without breaking the bank.