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So you have 2 weeks in Malaysia? You’re going to love it. Since it’s one of my favourite Southeast Asian countries, I can’t wait to share my Malaysia itinerary to help you love it, too.
While Malaysia receives plenty of tourism, it’s not as popular on the backpack trail as Thailand or Bali. There are plenty of places to escape the crowds and enjoy places you haven’t seen before on Instagram.
If you have time for a 2 week Malaysia itinerary, you can get off-the-beaten-track and explore all kinds of diverse destinations.
MALAYSIA ESSENTIALS
E-sim data plan
Copy of Lonely Planet Malaysia
Getting there: flight (Skyscanner)
Getting around: bus and train (12GoAsia)
Pre-book your KL airport to city transfer
Accommodation: Browse hotels on Booking.com // hostels on Hostelworld
Tours: GetYourGuide
Travel insurance: True Traveller (European travellers) / Hey Mundo (other nationalities) / Safety Wing (digital nomads)
Read next: solo travel in Malaysia, the ultimate guide!
Many of the best things to do in Southeast Asia can be found in Malaysia. There’s no much variety: Kuala Lumpur is a cultural melting pot with authentic street food alongside opulent sky bars.
But Malaysia isn’t all about big cities: there are some gorgeous small cities like Melaka and Ipoh which are lesser-known to tourists but great for soaking up the charm of Malaysia.
Visiting neighbour countries? Check out my 3 month Southeast Asia itinerary
Then, there are quirky cities like George Town on the island of Penang with countless hipster cafes and plenty of day trips around the island.
There are also paradise beaches like Langkawi and the Perhentian Islands, as well as dense rainforest in Taman Negara National Park and rolling tea plantations in the Cameron Highlands. Malaysia really has everything!
Check out my other 2 week Asia itineraries to Taiwan, Vietnam, Bali and Korea.
Two weeks in Malaysia itinerary
I’m going to share three different 2 week Malaysia itineraries: one for city lovers, one for nature lovers and one for beach lovers.
Follow whichever one best suits you or mix them up. I’ll share the majority of details in the first itinerary as some destinations overlap, then I’ll introduce the new destinations in the following 2 itineraries.
Read next: 101 Southeast Asia backpacking tips
Malaysia 2 week itinerary for nature lovers
Days 1-2 Kuala Lumpur
Whether you’re a city lover or not, you can’t visit Malaysia and not explore Kuala Lumpur. The capital is one of the flashiest cities in Southeast Asia, apart from maybe Bangkok.
The iconic Petronas Towers were once the tallest buildings in the world and although they’ve since lost the title, they make for an impressive view while sipping cocktails from a sky bar opposite.
Day 1: Explore Chinatown, a vibrant area of Kuala Lumpur. Head inside Indian temple, Sri Mahamariamman, and Chinese temple, Guan Di, to begin soaking up the culture.
Browse Petaling Street which is an atmospheric market, although a little rough around the edges.
Check out the wet market behind with authentic food stalls like Madras Lane Curry Laksa. You can also find tasty cuisine in Tang City Food Court, as well as Insta-friendly Merchant’s Lane Cafe and charming Old China cafe with 100 years of history.
For the afternoon, take a trip over to Merdeka Square where you can see Jamek Mosque and the impressive Sultan Abdul Samad Building. Then, take a taxi or walk over to KL Forest Eco Park where you can walk swinging canopy bridges over the rainforest with skyscraper views.
For the evening, spot street art in Bukit Bintang neighbourhood before the sun sets. Eat dinner at Jalan Alor Night Market which gets busy after 7pm with locals dining outside on char kway teow, dim sum and other Malay, Indian and Chinese dishes. If you have energy left, there are lots of bars around Bukit Bintang.
Check out my Kuala Lumpur guides:
Day 2: For the second day of your Malaysia itinerary, we’ll explore the culture and get to know the country’s ethnic populations. Start by catching a taxi to Thean Hou Temple, an enormous temple site dedicated to the Chinese goddess of the sea.
After an hour wandering around and taking photos, call another Uber to Brickfields, the Indian neighbourhood, for an early lunch of curry on a banana leaf. Yum!
I recommend GetYourGuide for KL activities:
For the afternoon, board a train from KL Sentral to The Batu Caves. Check train times on Google Maps because often they only depart every hour.
If you’d prefer, take a guided tour to Batu Caves ($8 USD) or a half day KL tour inc a Batu Caves stop ($14).
The vibrant Batu Caves are a vibrant addition to your Malaysia 2 week itinerary. You can walk up the rainbow stairs provided your legs and shoulders are covered (sarongs can be rented at the bottom if not) and explore the cave temple at the top.
Where to stay in Kuala Lumpur
Hostels:
- For backpackers, stay at Sunshine Bedz in Kuala Lumpur for a comfy, social hostel located near KL Tower and the Petronas Towers. Beds start from $10 a night.
- Space Hotel @ China Town Kuala Lumpur – this boutique capsule bed hotel just 2 minute’s walk from Petaling Street. Book from $15 a night.
Hotels:
- With a garden, shared lounge and terrace, Hotel Aman is budget-friendly hotel with a 24-hour front desk, concierge service and free Wi-Fi. Book from $30 a night.
- If you’re splashing out during your 48 hours in Kuala Lumpur, The Face Suites is one of the fanciest places to be with amazing views from the rooftop pool. Book from $70 a night.
Days 3-5: Taman Negara
To visit Malaysia’s biggest national park, translating into Bahasa adventurously as ‘National Park’, you can travel independently or take a tour.
While it takes a while to get there, visiting this 130 million-year-old rainforest was a highlight of my Malaysia itinerary.
While you can visit Teman Negara without a tour, I enjoyed the chance to relax and let someone else take the lead during my busy 2 weeks in Malaysia.
We departed KL and rode in a minibus until transferring to a longboat and travelling to Kuala Tahan, the village at the heart of the park. From there, we spent 2 days walking canopy bridges, taking guided nature walks, rapid shooting and meeting the local community who live in the forest.
The tour included all our meals and accommodation and they even helped organise our onwards journeys, mine to Tanah Rata in the Cameron Highlands.
To visit independently (and stay overnight) take bus and boat from the Han Travel and organise your own activities when you arrive. Alternatively, visit as part of a day trip from KL.
Days 6-8: Cameron Highlands
Two weeks in Malaysia wouldn’t be complete without the Cameron Highlands, a misty land of rolling hills and tea plantations stretching as far as the eye can see.
Once you know it was a British hill station, the reason for the tea is clear. The best place to stay is the town of Tanah Rata where you can organise tours and sample excellent Indian food along the high street.
Depending on what you want to do, you can spend one or two days in the Cameron Highlands. We spent the first day visiting tea plantations and strawberry fields on a guided tour and a second day hiking in the Cameron Highlands.
There’s not much by the way of nightlife but at least you can relax and sip some excellent tasting tea! Alternatively, visit the Cameron Highlands as a day tour from KL.
Days 9-11: Penang
The next stop for our 2 week Malaysia itinerary is the island of Penang off the west coast of Malaysia.
Not only is there lots of nature, hiking and scenery on Penang but it’s a good launching point for our final destination, Langkawi. The best place to stay is the island’s main city of George Town.
This hipster city is known for street art famously created by Ernest Zacharevic, as well as world-class street food and more recently, hipster Penang cafes.
Day 9: Arrive and head out for some Penang street food. Check out my guide for all the best things to do in Penang which include exploring Little India, the numerous temples, Clan Jetties floating houses and, most importantly, eating cake at Chinahouse cafe.
Here are also some food tours you can join:
—> Penang: Evening walking foods tour
—> Private Penang tasty local street food tour
Day 10: Take a day trip over to Kek Lok Si Temple in nearby Air Itam town. After lunch of famous asam laksa at Pasar Air Itam Laksa, continue to Penang Hill. You can hike or take a cable car up to the top and look out over the island.
Read next: visiting Kek Lok Si from George Town
Day 11: Spend the day exploring Penang National Park. Located 20km from Penang, you can drive there in 30 minutes from George Town and spend the day trekking, walking the Canopy Walkway and visiting Monkey Beach.
If you’re not hiring a car during your 2 weeks in Malaysia, you can take an organised day trip to Penang National Park or catch the 101 bus from George Town for 4 MYR.
The first bus is at 5.30am and the last is at midnight so you’ll have plenty of time to make a day of it. For more details, visit this blog on visiting Penang National Park.
Where to stay in Penang
Hostels:
- EZ Social – with a co-working space, lively bar and laundry facilities, this is a fantastic and sociable place to stay. Book from $10 a night.
- The Frame – in a well-preserved heritage house with a TV lounge, spacious lockers and individual reading lamps and electrical plugs, this is the comfiest base for budget travellers. Book from $10 a night.
Hotels:
- Carnarvon House – in central Georgetown with great reviews, this is a fantastic budget hotel. Book from $30 a night.
- Savv Hotel – a wonderful mid-range base with an outdoor swimming pool, free parking, garden, shared lounge, a bar and terrace. Book from $60 a night.
- Blue Mansion – for the ultimate treat, this 4-star heritage property has boutique rooms with antique fittings. Book from $120 a night.
Days 12-14: Langkawi
To finish off your Malaysia itinerary for 2 weeks, relax on the beach in beautiful Langkawi. This gorgeous island across from Penang is one of the best places in Malaysia for holiday vibes, as well as wildlife and natural scenery.
To arrive, simply catch a ferry from Swettenham Pier for 80 RM, taking 3 hours in total.
Day 13: Consider taking a taking a boat tour around the highlights of Langkawi. As well as watching eagles soar to catch fish, you can swim and visit quieter beaches only accessible by private boat.
Day 14: Relax on the beach or explore the island further, soaring over Langwaki on Langkawi Cable Car or walking Langkawi Sky Bridge.
Malaysia 2 week itinerary for city lovers
Want to focus more on cities than nature during your 2 weeks in Malaysia? Follow this itinerary.
Days 1-2: Kuala Lumpur – as above
Days 3-4: Melaka
The small city of Melaka is a lovely place to visit during 2 weeks in Malaysia. You can actually take a Melaka day trip from Kuala Lumpur if you’re short on time but I’d recommend staying over if possible.
In many ways, Melaka is a strange place, for example the central square’s windmills and church dating back to Dutch colonial rule of Melaka from 1641 to 1826. Even weirder, you’ll see (and hear!) ridiculous Minion and Hello Kitty tricycles roaming the streets playing Nicki Minaj and offering rides.
Aside from these oddities, Melaka is a charming town with lots of Straits Heritage buildings lived in by the Chinese community. If you’re staying for the weekend, make sure you eat and soak up the atmosphere at Jonkers Street Night Market.
You can also take a trip to Melaka Straits Mosque, eat at authentic Melaka restaurants, and explore the street art.
Read my Melaka blogs:
Days 5-7: Ipoh
From Melaka, you can catch a direct bus passing back through KL to one of my favourite places in Malaysia. If you’re short on time, take a KL to Ipoh return day tour.
The charming city of Ipoh is a must for your Malaysia 2 week itinerary with some impressive countryside and cave temples surrounding it. I actually preferred it to Melaka.
Read about everything I got up to in my Ipoh itinerary.
Day 6: Explore the highlights of Ipoh. Start your day at Old Town White Coffee before spotting street art along Mural Art’s Lane, visit Panglima Kinta Mosque, then soak up the markets and heritage buildings along Concubine Lane and Market Lane. Eat famous chicken rice at Luo Wang.
Day 7: Take a trip to the cave temples surrounding Ipoh. Sam Poh Tong is a Chinese Buddhist temple about 5km from Ipoh with colourful statues from Chinese mythology (and a random Pegasus statue). Entrance is free and there’s a hidden temple at the back.
Kek Lok Tong is another set of caves, although the highlight is the incredible scenery rather than the temples inside. Wander around the 14km grounds surrounded by limestone peaks.
Continue to Perak Cave Temple, another impressive place with lots of religious cave art and a panoramic view from the top. Check out my guide to visiting the Ipoh cave temples.
Where to stay in Ipoh: the best hostel in town is the Brownstone with a rooftop garden, TV room, coffee makers and more from $13 a night. For a lovely hotel with a restaurant, opt for M Boutique Hotel Station from $35.
Days 8-9: Cameron Highlands
From Ipoh, you’re only an hour and a half from the Cameron Highlands, one of the most naturally beautiful places I visited during 2 weeks in Malaysia. Why not take a break from culture and cities and spend a couple of days soaking up the natural beauty and drinking tea?
A night in Tanah Rata is enough to see the region if you’re not trekking. Jump up to my first 2 week nature itinerary above.
Days 10-12: George Town, Penang
City lovers should not miss Penang from their 2 week Malaysia itinerary. It’s easy to spend a couple of days enjoying city life in George Town while eating amazing street food and visiting Chinese temples, Hindu temples, mosques and even churches.
If you visit on a Sunday, take a trip to Hin Bus Depot where the weekend market sees live music, food trucks and a craft market.
The amount of time you spend in Penang depends how many day trips you take from George Town.
As well as visiting Kek Lok Si Temple, you can take a day trip to Penang National Park or explore the island further. Jump back up to my first Malaysia itinerary for the details. Check out my Penang guides:
Days 13-14: Langkawi
After your busy 2 week itinerary of Malaysia, head over to Langkawi on the ferry for some beach chills. Jump back up for all the details.
Malaysia itinerary for 2 weeks – beach lovers
Days 1-2: Kuala Lumpur – as above
Days 3-7: Perhentian Islands
Located off the northeast coast of Malaysia, the Perhentian Islands are a must for beach lovers spending two weeks in Malaysia. I’m pretty sure you could spend your whole Malaysia itinerary here and leave happy (although I’m including a few extra destinations too).
There are two islands to visit, Besar (big) and Kecil (small) so I would suggest spending a good chunk of time in the Perhentians in order to see them both.
Seasonal note – the best time to visit is March to early November as monsoon season draws in soon after. Unlike many beach destinations around the world, there’s a limited window each year for visiting the Perhentian Islands. Make sure to book your accommodation ahead of time as things can get booked up.
Getting to the Perhentian Islands from Kuala Lumpur: The cheapest option is an overnight bus from PWTC Station in Kuala Lumpur arriving at Kuala Besut where you can catch a ferry to the Perhentians. Alternatively, AirAsia fly into Kota Bharuor Kuala Terrengganu and catch a ferry.
Days 4-5: Perhentian Besar. Visit Turtle Beach and spot turtles from Turtle Point. There are lots of locations around the coast for snorkelling and diving. This island is slightly quieter than Kecil so if you are looking for a relaxing stay, this is the spot.
Days 6-7: Perhentian Kecil. This island may be the smaller of the two but it’s the most popular, making it best for meeting other travellers and finding good deals on snorkelling and diving.
You can even take your PADI license while looking for sharks and turtles. Long Beach is where most tourists stay but you can also explore quieter Coral Beach and stay for sunset.
Days 8-9: Ipoh / Cameron Highlands
Choose either Ipoh or the Cameron Highlands as a stop-off in central Malaysia, although Ipoh is slightly easier to reach. Catch the ferry from the Perhentians then a bus changing at Pasir Puteh.
Alternatively, you could head to Penang from the Perhentians and then on to Langkawi Island.
Days 10-11: Penang – as above
Days 12-14: Langkawi – as above
I hope you enjoyed my Malaysia itinerary and you have a fantastic time during your 2 weeks in Malaysia. This country is so full of friendliness, food and diverse destinations that you’d be hard pushed not to!
Thanks for reading my Malaysia itinerary
See you next time,
Rose
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Malaysia useful links
Flights – I use Skyscanner to find the best-value flights, using the ‘search by month’ tool to find the cheapest dates. You can also use the ‘to anywhere’ feature if you’re flexible on where you’re going.
Stay connected with E-sim data plans that don’t require delivery or collection; just span the QR code.
In my opinion, Lonely Planet offer the best guidebooks. Get the latest Copy of Lonely Planet Malaysia.
For Malaysia buses and trains, I use 12GoAsia. The search feature allows you to compare prices and durations.
I use Booking.com for accommodation. They have the best range of hotels and self-catering apartments, plus you can filter by review score and price to find the best-rated budget places. For hostels, I use Hostelworld.
To save money on accommodation, I use Trusted Housesitters, a website that connects homeowners going away and travellers who can sit their homes & pets.
For activities, I use GetYourGuide and Viator as they both have a huge range of affordable tours.
Need travel insurance? I use True Traveller (for UK & Europe residents) since it’s affordable but covers everything you’d need including various activities, valuables and pre-existing conditions. Unlike some companies, they insure you if you’re already travelling / don’t yet have your flight home booked. Get a quote.
For travel insurance for other nationalities, I recommend Hey Mundo and for long-term digital nomad travellers, I suggest Safety Wing.
Check out my resources page for more travel discounts and tips!
What a great article! We’re currently dreaming of going to Malaysia again – we’ve been
there before and we love, love love it! Here’s to a year with loads of travel plans and new experiences!
– Veronika
Hi Veronika! Thanks for reading and commenting. I adore Malaysia too and can’t wait to find myself back there one of these days 🙂
Can you tell me when is the best time to visit Malaysia for city lovers? I will need to travel before March 2024 as I have an airfare credit. Would June, July or August work?
Hey Alice, sorry for late reply! I think the cities may be too hot in that summer season.
Hi Rose, Really well written article. I notice that you excluded the Borneo part of Malaysia. Is that because you don’t think it’s worth seeing or you’ve not had a chance to go there yourself.
Hi Roben, I went there myself but only briefly and didn’t feel qualified enough to talk on it. But I liked what I saw!
Hey Rose!
Love your article. It is packed with information and will make my upcoming trip to Malaysia easier. I tried to buy eSIM trough your link but simply don’t understand how it works. It is an app, and no actual physical SIM card? Do you mind telling me step by step how to get eSIM?
Thank you so much 🙏🏾
Hi Indra, they wiil email you the QR code and you will activate it. You are right, there’s no physical SIM!