The Ultimate 7 Day Malaysia Itinerary – Malacca to Penang

For starters, is 7 days in Malaysia enough?  In my opinion – yes and no.  I spent 60 days traveling through Malaysia and loved (almost) every minute.  Seven days compared to 60 days is nothing, but Malaysia is such an incredible country that I truly think it’s worth the visit even if you don’t have much time.  The reason that I chose to write a 7 day Malaysia itinerary (as opposed to a longer one) is because there were several places in Malaysia I wouldn’t return to so this itinerary focuses strictly on my favorite places from Malacca to Penang.

Before reading further, don’t miss…

• The Best Packing List for Malaysia
• Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Malaysia

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND PURCHASING TRAVEL INSURANCE WHEN VISITING MALAYSIA.  GET YOURS HERE!

 How to Get to Malaysia

Malaysia has eight international airports, however you’re more than likely going to either arrive to Kuala Lumpur International Airport or use it as a connection point to elsewhere in the country.  For purposes of this trip, I recommending starting your journey in Kuala Lumpur.

Please note:  You do not need a visa to visit Malaysia for one week.  You only need a visa if you plan to stay longer than 90 days.

Day 1 – Arrive to Kuala Lumpur

HIGHLIGHTS OF DAY 1:  National Museum of Malaysia + Perdana Botanical Garden + Chinatown + Merdeka Square

How to Get from the Airport to the City

The cheapest way to get from the airport to the city is to use the “Grab” app to request a taxi.  This isn’t the most convenient way as it generally takes time for your ride to be accepted, but it’s much cheaper than grabbing a taxi at the airport.  Or, if you would feel more comfortable having an English speaking driver waiting for you at the airport, you can book a private ride here.  The ride into the city can take an hour+ with traffic.

Lastly, I would suggest getting money out of the ATM at the airport for convenience purposes.  In Malaysia, you won’t be charged a fee for using the ATM so you don’t need to get all of your money out at once.  Remember, if they ask you if you’d like to convert your money to USD or Euro (or whatever currency you use), say NO.  Your conversion rate will be better this way.

Where to Stay in Kuala Lumpur

One of the things that I love about Kuala Lumpur is that you can find tons of luxury hotels and quaint boutique hotels – all at an affordable price.  Seriously, the hotel prices at some of these well-known hotel chains are much lower than elsewhere in the world.  So if you’re interested in staying somewhere “nice”, this would be a great city to do so!

I opted to stay for cheap at Alia Premier KLCC.  The room was affordable, comfortable, and in a great location.  However, if you’re looking for something nicer, here are the hotels that I had on my radar and that I would recommend…

• EQ Kuala Lumpur
• WOLO Kuala Lumpur
• KLoe Hotel
• The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur
• Villa Samadhi by Samadhi (adults only)

Don’t miss…

• 10+ of the Best Hotels in Kuala Lumpur (with an Infinity Pool)

Day 1 Itinerary in Kuala Lumpur

Perdana Botanical Garden

SPENDING THE MORNING IN KUALA LUMPUR

To start your morning in Kuala Lumpur, head to the beautiful Perdana Botanical Gardens for a stroll through this beautiful and peaceful garden in the heart of the city.  The park is open every day from 7 am-8 pm and entrance is free.  Perdana Botanical Garden was created in 1888 and is 226 acres.  So while there are tons of areas of the park to explore, I do highly recommend heading to the “Perdana Canopy” and “Bamboo Playhouse” (nearby each other).

From the botanical gardens, make your way to the National Museum of Malaysia to learn a bit about the country’s history.  The museum is open every day from 9 am-5 pm (the last entrance is 4:30 pm) and entrance is 5 Ringgit/foreign adult.  The National Museum was built from 1959-1963 and the architecture resembles palaces of Malay Kings.

SPENDING THE AFTERNOON IN KUALA LUMPUR

As for the afternoon, I recommend hiring a GRAB and heading to Chinatown to explore the local Chinese culture.  There are tons of temples to discover in Chinatown, street food to eat, and little alleyways to get lost in (which I highly recommend doing).  Make sure that you don’t miss the chance at visiting Sri Maha Mariammam Temple – the oldest Hindu temple in Kuala Lumpur that was founded in 1873.

For lunch, eat at the traditional Malay restaurant Ali, Muthu, & Ah Hock Kopitiam – located in Chinatown.

If you have some extra time to spend, I also recommend walking to Jalan Tun H S Lee Street.  This street is super cute and has tons of cafes to stop for a coffee and sweet treat.  If you need a better location, put “Timothy Cafe” into your maps.

After your explore Chinatown and its surroundings, walk to Merdeka Square – Kuala Lumpur’s “independence square”.  It’s a really pretty area to walk around.

SPENDING THE EVENING IN KUALA LUMPUR

Once evening comes, I highly recommend checking out the unique bar located on top of an old helicopter pad – Heli Lounge KL.  The views are spectacular as there is really nothing blocking your view (not even a rail!).  If you have a big group, you’ll want to make a reservation, otherwise you should be fine to just show up.  The cost to enter is 100 Ringgit/person, but you get two drinks included in that payment.  I recommend visiting about an hour before sunset so that you can enjoy the views during the sunlight and when it’s dark and all of the city lights turn on.

For dinner, make your way to the delicious Indian restaurant – 1947 Namaste India.

For more on Kuala Lumpur, don’t miss…

• The Best 2 Day Kuala Lumpur Itinerary

Day 2 – Kuala Lumpur

HIGHLIGHTS OF DAY 2:  KL Forest Eco Park + Petronas Twin Towers + Batu Caves

SPENDING THE MORNING IN KUALA LUMPUR

On your second day in Kuala Lumpur, head to the beautiful and unique KL Forest Eco Park.  KL Forest Eco Park is another great green space in the heart of the city.  What’s unique about this park is that there are bamboo bridges to walk on, allowing you to walk amongst the tree tops while still enjoying city views from afar.  The park is open every day from 8 am-5:30 pm and costs 40 Ringgit/adult.

Please note:  Getting to KL Forest Eco Park can be confusing.  To find the entrance, put “Menara Kuala Lumpur” into your maps.  From there you can take a taxi to the top or walk up the hill.  Once you’re at the top of the hill, if you’re looking at the Menara tower, the entrance to the park is directly behind you.

SPENDING THE AFTERNOON IN KUALA LUMPUR

After walking around KL Forest Eco Park, make your way to the famous Petronas Twin Towers.  Connected to the towers is a mall – Suria KLCC – and if you haven’t been to a mall in Southeast Asia yet, I highly recommend checking this one out.  Not only can you find just about every store imaginable, but I’d recommend heading to the food court on the second floor for lunch.  There are tons of great options and the food is really good too.  Eating at the mall in Southeast Asia is definitely an experience!

As far as the Petronas Twin Towers, you can take an elevator up the tallest twin towers in the world and experience Kuala Lumpur from above.  If you’re planning on doing this, I highly recommend buying your tickets ahead of time, which you can do here.  If you show up day of, chances are tickets will be sold out (trust me, this happened to me!).

SPENDING THE EVENING IN KUALA LUMPUR

Finally, to wrap up your two-day itinerary to Kuala Lumpur, you can’t miss seeing the famous Batu Caves.  These caves are just about a 20-minute drive north of Kuala Lumpur in Selangor, Malaysia.  The Batu Caves have had a viral moment on social media after the government decided to paint the 272-steps in vibrant colors in 2018.  I have to admit, it is quite the sight to see!

To visit Batu Caves, your best bet is to get a “GRAB” and either offer the driver more money to wait for you or just chance getting a taxi back to Kuala Lumpur.  Make sure to wear comfortable shoes to climb the steps and visit the temple up top.  Also, there is a dress code but it is not heavily enforced.  To play it safe, I recommend covering your shoulders and knees if you plan to visit.  And the most important thing to say is that the Batu Caves are known for the monkeys that hang around.  You should NOT interact with these monkey’s as they can be quite aggressive and are known to steal people’s belongings.

For dinner, check out a nearby Chinese Hawker center.  Just put in “Wan Yee Restaurant” and you’ll be around several Chinese Hawker stalls.  This is a great choice for dinner and incredibly affordable.

Day 3 – Day Trip from Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands

HIGHLIGHTS OF DAY 3:  Cameron Highlands

Cameron Highlands is a well-known tea producing region with gorgeous, rolling green hills, and stunning scenery.  The area is located north of Kuala Lumpur and depending on traffic and time of day can take around three hours to get to.  Because you’re short on time, I would suggest hiring a private guide to drive you and show you around the area.  (If you’d rather book a small group tour, I recommend this one).

If you don’t feel up for a day trip to the Cameron Highlands, here are some other things in Kuala Lumpur I would suggest exploring…

• Jln Alor Night Market
• Explore Bukit Bintang neighborhood
• Explore Chow Kit neighborhood
• Join one of these tours!

Day 4 – Malacca

HIGHLIGHTS OF DAY 1:  Stadthuys + Christ Church of Malacca + Cheng Hoong Teng Chinese Temple

Note:  This is a very short trip to Malacca and you might be tempted to skip it based on time, but it was my favorite place in Malaysia and I would highly recommend visiting!  If you feel overwhelmed with both a day trip to Cameron Highlands and Malacca, I would suggest prioritizing Malacca.

How to Get to Malacca

The most affordable way to get to Malacca is by bus.  The drive from Kuala Lumpur is around 2-3 hours depend on traffic and where in the city you’re coming from.  I suggest either leaving out of the TBS terminal (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan) or leaving from the airport – KLIA2 (I recommend choosing your departure based on where you’re staying).  When searching for bus routes to Malacca, I recommend using 12Go or Bookaway.  The buses to Malacca depart every day and there are multiple buses each day so you should have no trouble getting there.  Because you only have one full day to explore Malacca, make sure to depart Kuala Lumpur early in the morning so you get a full day of exploring in!

BOOK A BUS TICKET FROM MALACCA TO KUALA LUMPUR HERE!

Where to Stay in Malacca

Malacca has a ton of great hotels to stay in, but I stayed at The Majestic Malacca and would highly recommend it.  It’s in a quieter area, but only a 10-15 minute walk from all of the main tourist attractions.  Plus, the hotel has a fascinating history (it was once a mansion for Leong Long Man and his wives and children, and was built in 1929), great food, and incredible amenities.

If you want a more visual look at The Majestic Malacca, check out my Instagram post here!

BOOK YOUR STAY IN MALACCA HERE!

Day 4 Itinerary in Malacca

SPENDING THE AFTERNOON IN MALACCA

Begin your afternoon in Malacca grabbing a traditional Malaysian coffee or “Kopi” before setting out to see the town.  I suggest either Vintage Green Cafe at The Daughter or Sin See Tai.

Once you’ve left, make your way to the most famous square in Malacca – Dutch Square.  As you can assume by the name, the architecture leftover here was from when the Dutch colonized Malacca from 1641-1825.  Here you can visit Christ Church of Melaka and learn about the history of Malacca at Stadthuys.  The cost to visit Stadthuys is 40 Ringgit/adult.

For lunch, I recommend stopping at The Daily Fix Cafe which was an excellent choice for both local and international dishes.  Plus, there are great desserts and pastries here if you’re looking for a sugar fix!

Once you’ve finished lunch, continue to explore Malacca on foot and make sure that you stop at Cheng Hoon Teng – the oldest functioning Chinese temple in Malaysia.

And to finish out the afternoon, I highly recommend a visit to the oldest bar in Malacca – Sin Hiap Hin.  Here you can try their specialty – different types of Malaysian rice wines.  This bar has been in the family for generations and has truly seen it all.  It’s said that it used to be the bar the soldiers would hang around during WWII but when the Japanese invaded, they would act like the bar was closed as to not serve the “enemy”.  Sin Hiap Hin closes each day at 5:30 pm, so just make sure you stop by before closing.

SPENDING THE EVENING IN MALACCA

For the evening, I recommend heading to dinner at Wild Coriander – a restaurant that serves authentic Malaysian food.  And if you’re not ready to turn in for the night, put “Pesuba” in your phone and you’ll be taken to a street that has set out tables and chairs for people to enjoy drinks and music.

For more information about visiting Malacca, don’t miss…

• The Best Itinerary for Malacca (1-2 Days)

Day 5 – Penang

RECOMMENDED TOUR IN PENANG:  FOOD TOUR WITH 15+ TASTINGS

How to Get to Penang

To get to Penang from Malacca, you’ll want to catch a bus back to the Kuala Lumpur airport and fly from Kuala Lumpur (KL) to Penang.  Because buses leave so often from Malacca to KL and planes leave so often from KL to Penang, you shouldn’t have an issue catching a morning bus and an evening flight.  If you’re arriving to the TBS terminal in Kuala Lumpur, keep in mind that it’s an additional one-hour drive to reach the airport.  (If you have the money, the most convenient way would be to take a private driver from Malacca straight to the airport in Kuala Lumpur; the ride is about 2-3 hours depending on traffic).

Once you arrive in Penang, the easiest way to reach your destination is by getting a taxi straight from the airport or for a more affordable option you can request a “Grab”.

Where to Stay in Penang

When you visit Penang, I highly suggest staying in George Town, the capital of Penang and an UNESCO World Heritage site.  George Town is Malaysia’s sixth largest city and is located on the eastern coast of Penang.

If you’re staying in George Town, these are some hotels I’d recommend…

• The George Penang by The Crest Collection – 5*
• The Prestige Hotel Penang – 5*
• Cheong Fatt Tze – The Blue Mansion – 4* (a scene from Crazy Rich Asians was filmed here)
• Cambell House – 4*
• Citadines Connect – 3*
• SAAV HOTEL – 3*

Day 5 Itinerary in Penang

SPENDING THE EVENING IN PENANG

Assuming you get to Penang in the late afternoon/evening, I suggest heading straight for George Town for dinner and drinks.  One of my favorite restaurants that I went to in all of Malaysia happened to be in George Town – Hwa Ting.  It’s a fantastic restaurant with local dishes.  From there, I suggest going for cocktails at Archipelago.  (If you do go to Archipelago, know that there is no sign outside signaling you’re in the right spot.  But there is a big blue door with spotlights; just knock on the door and you’ll be let in).

For more information about visiting Penang, don’t miss…

• The Best 3 Day Penang Itinerary

Day 6 – Penang

HIGHLIGHTS OF DAY 6:  Kek Lok Si Temple + George Town + Hin Bus Depot

SPENDING THE MORNING IN PENANG

Start your first full day in Penang by waking up early to be the first in line at Malaysia’s largest Buddhist temple – Kek Lok Si Temple.  Kek Lok Si Temple was built in 1891 and is one of the largest temple complexes in Southeast Asia.  I highly recommend showing up at opening before so many tourists arrive.  Unfortunately, I went in the afternoon at the same time as tour buses were showing up, and it wasn’t an enjoyable experience.

JOIN A GUIDED TOUR OF KEK LOK SI TEMPLE & PENANG HILL HERE!

SPENDING THE AFTERNOON IN PENANG

For lunch, head to Restoran Zim Sum, a delicious Chinese dim sum restaurant.  This restaurant closes daily at 1330 so make sure you arrive before closing!  Something that is important to know about Chinese Hawker stalls in Malaysia is that when you arrive, you are REQUIRED to order a drink.  It’s a part of the culture and history (this rule does not apply if you’re at an Indian or Malay Hawker).  At this particular Hawker – Restoran Zim Sum – you order a drink before sitting down.  They then tell you which table to sit at, give you a menu (in Chinese) and deliver your drinks to the table you’re told to sit at.  You then take the menu with you, walk up to the food area, and pick out the dishes that look best to you.  The workers then mark down on the menu what you ordered and that’s how you pay at the end.

After lunch, head to George Town to explore the street art and other attractions!  I’d suggest the Wonder Food Museum where you can learn about Malaysia’s most famous dishes and other facts about the food culture.  (This museum is very cliche and “Instagram friendly”, but if you’re interested in food it has really great information.  If you’re not as interested in the food scene, I wouldn’t recommend this museum).  After visiting the Wonder Food Museum, head to Pinang Peranakan Mansion – the home of a 19th-century Chinese tycoon, Chung Keng Quee.  Today, the home now serves as a museum to Penang’s Peranakan heritage.  And finally, to round out your afternoon of sightseeing, check out the Clan Jetties of Penang located on the most eastern tip of the island.  The Clan Jetties are floating villages built on stilts above the water, occupied by the Chinese.  You can walk through the “streets” and at some of the jetties you can purchase food, drink, and do some shopping.

Finally, make sure to stop in at China House for a sweet treat!  China House is an incredible bakery serving 30 different cakes each day.  They also serve other traditional dishes and have plenty of coffee drinks and cocktails to choose from.

SPENDING THE EVENING IN PENANG

Once evening hits, head to one of the Hawker centers around town and eat like the locals do!  I personally recommend Medan Selera Padang Brown Food Court.  Another popular Hawker center around town is the New Lane Street Foodstalls.

Day 7 – Depart Penang

Upon your day of departure, you can either fly back to Kuala Lumpur or depart to your next destination from Penang.  I would suggest using a search engine to compare prices and see what would be the most affordable and convenient.

Malaysia Essentials – What You Need & Need to Know About Visiting Malaysia

Malaysia is such an incredible country and I hope that this 7 day Malaysia itinerary not only convinces you to visit, but allows you to plan the trip of your dreams!  If you have any questions about visiting Malaysia, let me know in a comment below!

For more information on things to see and do in Malaysia, make sure to check out my Instagram page/highlight reel by searching “#ppinmalaysia” or under my highlights for “Malaysia”; alternatively, head to my TikTok and search for the saved “Malaysia” highlight

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Founded by Kylee, a NICU nurse with nine years of experience, including seven years as a travel nurse; Passports and Preemies was created in 2017 and is now the go-to travel and lifestyle channel for nurses who crave adventure beyond the bedside. Whether you’re a staff nurse looking for your next getaway or a travel nurse navigating life on the road, this space is designed to help you maximize your time off, explore the world, and prevent nurse burnout.

On Passports and Preemies, you’ll find everything from travel nursing insights – how to get started, land the best assignments, and thrive on the road – to expert travel tips, destination guides, and real-talk about balancing nursing with a life well-traveled. Passports and Preemies also includes Beyond the Bedside – group trips for nurses around the world; as well as the podcast, Passports and Preemies Talks.

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