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Malaysia is a small but beautiful Southeast Asian country dotted with places of religious, cultural, and historical importance. You can shop to your heart's content, gaze at the cityscapes, relax in the lap of nature, engage in adventurous sprees, try different local delicacies and do so much more.
Currency in Malaysia - The official currency of Malaysia is the Malaysian Ringgit (MYR), and 1 Malaysian Ringgit equals 18.79 Indian Rupee as of 3rd March 2023*.
*Currency rate changes are subject to the market exchange rate.
Besides being popular as a cultural and bustling country, Malaysia is also renowned for its stupendous coastal areas. Keep reading to learn more about the top tourist places to visit in Malaysia.
Below is a list of the top 30 tourist places to visit in Malaysia. The list displays breathtaking islands, heritage sites, beaches, quaint towns and many other notable sites that will make your trip memorable.
The islands of Malaysia are among its most popular tourist attractions. Here are the ones you should not miss:
The Perhentian Islands emit peaceful vibes. This naturally beautiful location allows you to relax while the enchanting blue waters in the backdrop add to the tranquillity. The Perhentian Islands are rich in coral reefs and marine life. The island is divided into two parts - the big and small islands. The big island is where you can spend some time in solitude on the pristine beaches, while the latter is renowned for water sports and activities.
Redang Island is a group of nine islands and is among Malaysia's largest islands. You can go picturesque diving and explore the stunning underwater life and coral reefs. You can also relax peacefully on the pristine white sandy beaches. Taaras Beach, Mutiara Beach, and Teluk Dalam Beach are renowned beaches here.
Sandy beaches, daytime treks, long nature trails, snorkelling, and scuba diving are all Manukan Island is about. It is home to some of the cleanest lagoons in the world. You can explore some of the rarest marine species and coral reefs by diving into its lagoons.
The resort on this island helps its guests snorkel or scuba dive with turtles. You can visit diving centres if you want to take up underwater photography.
Langkawi is an archipelago located off Malaysia's northwest coast. Treat yourself to astounding limestone formations, deep caves, waterfalls, and lush green forests. Satisfy the adventure-seeker within you by travelling to the perfect scuba diving spots. Langkawi Island is known for its beaches and luxury resorts such as Aman Resorts and Aman Villas Langkawi Resort & Spa Resort.
The island offers visitors activities such as hiking through the jungle trails, freshwater cave exploration, and birdwatching tours, among others.
Pangkor Island is a mountainous island where you can delve into the beauty and serenity of nature and spend leisure time under the swaying palm trees. The crystal clear water with lush green jungle at the backdrop enhances the place's charm. The sunset view chalet, Dutch Colonial fort etc., are some of the major attractions of Pangkor Island.
Sipadan Island, nestled at the centre of the Indo-pacific basin, is one of the top diving spots in Malaysia. The place attained the title of a protected reserve and is only Malaysia’s first oceanic Island, perched 600 m above the sea bed. This island is home to a variety of flora and fauna. You can spot around 3000 different species of fish here.
Tourists can spot four UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Malaysia. These UNESCO sites encompass the ethereal beauty of nature, stunning architecture and prehistoric discoveries.
George Town and Melaka are the first sites that were entitled as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Malaysia. Both these places are major historic trading cities; hence are considered to be cultural hubs of Malaysia. The architecture and colonial-era establishments here speaks volume of the rich cultural heritage of Malaysia.
Mount Kinabalu is another popular UNESCO Heritage Site here. It is the highest mountain which is perched above 4096m from sea level. This region not only comprises diverse flora and fauna but also hosts alpine terrain, lowland and mountain regions. The picturesque natural site is ideal for hiking enthusiasts. You get around 600 different species of ferns, 800 species of orchards etc.
Gunung Mulu National Park is home to diverse flora and fauna. You can even spot numerous endangered species here. The stunning limestone peaks with dense rainforest in the backdrop enhance the charm of the place. The major attraction of the place is the caves which are curved out of the limestone. Deer Cave is one of the famous caves which stands out for its underground stream.
A famous site in Malaysia, the Archaeological Site of Lenggong Valley is a natural spot where people can unveil the primitive world. The river, caves and lush greenery are perfect for enjoying nature. You can enjoy workshops on Palaeolithic tools and other exhibitions of ancient instances of culture and evolution.
Here is a list of the top tourist destinations in Malaysia where you can have the best time:
Semenggoh Nature Reserve is a complete family destination. This nature reserve is home to numerous young orangutans who have been orphaned or rescued from captivity. The wardens at Semenggoh Nature Reserve have done a great job training these primates and making them comfortable with human interaction. Your children will surely love this place.
Taman Negara is a perfect place to take a refreshing break from daily monotonous city life. This is a lush rainforest filled with diverse flora and fauna. People can explore multiple entertaining things to do here in the abundance of nature. The cascading waterfalls in this region are also a great attraction here. Besides, this place is great for bird watching too.
A popular hill station in Malaysia, Penang Hill is a great weekend gateway for tourists. One of the main attractions of this place is the bungalows with colonial architecture. The soothing nature of this region is perfect for spending a lovely vacation. Besides, nature lovers can explore a plethora of flora and fauna here.
Perdana Botanical Gardens is a great destination amidst the urban environment to enjoy refreshing nature. The garden is located in Tun Abdul Razak Heritage Park in Kuala Lumpur. People come to explore different plants and flowers here. Apart from this, the garden is also a famous place among local joggers.
Butterfly Park is also situated inside Tun Abdul Razak Heritage Park and is a popular destination for watching insects and butterflies. Nature lovers can spot at least 120 types of insects and crawlers here in this park. However, the main attractions are butterflies that will surround you all the time inside this park.
An imposing 140-foot Lord Murugan statue, painted in shimmering gold, awaits you at the foot of countless stairs that lead to a cluster of caves. Batu Caves is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Malaysia for rock climbing and pilgrimage. It is a sacred place among Hindus but is visited by people regardless of their caste, culture, and nationality. These ancient caves are encompassed by natural beauty on all sides.
The cities of Malaysia are full of amazing places where you can go to enjoy your day trip and weekend. These places are as follows:
Petronas Twin Tower in Kuala Lumpur is a famous city attraction. This skyscraper is the world’s tallest twin tower. The architecture of this twin tower is extremely beautiful which attracts people from all over the world. You will be mesmerised by the top city view from this tower. Especially, during nighttime the view becomes enchanting. There are multiple entertainment options available in this tower that you can enjoy greatly.
Another famous tower in Kuala Lumpur, Menara is a great place to have a great top view of the cityscape. The tower also has cultural importance. The Islamic architecture of this tower is also praiseworthy. There are luxurious restaurants in this tower serving lip-smacking local and international foods. The place should be on the bucket list of your Malaysia trip for its multiple offerings.
A very popular place for religious activities in Malaysia, the National Mosque is one of the most visited tourist places. The mosque is built under the influence of Masjid al-Haram in Mecca. The mosque is quite open for people from every religion and everyone can enter here at the time of prayer. However, the brilliant design of this mosque also attracts tourists from all over the world.
Here are a couple of theme parks that you can enjoy greatly during your Malaysia trip:
Have you ever fancied walking among wildlife? If your answer is ‘yes’, Aquaria KLCC should be on your list of places to visit in Malaysia. It is the world's largest aquarium, where over 5000 freshwater and marine creatures dwell. Amaze yourself at the sight of massive groupers, giant arapaimas, lethal tiger sharks, and astounding coral fishes. Visiting this aquarium will undoubtedly give you and your family a memory to last a lifetime.
Sunway Lagoon Theme Park is where visitors find solace during the challenging summer season in Malaysia. Divided into six zones, this vibrant theme park is popular among children and grown-ups. It is home to numerous thrill rides and adrenaline-pumping activities.
You might want to dedicate an entire day to making the most of this park. There are also many food stalls and restaurants, where you can enjoy a delicious meal.
Made with 5 different islands, Abdul Rahman Park is a great scenic destination in Malaysia. These 5 islands include Pulau Sapi, Pulau Gaya, Pulau Sulug, Pulau Manukan, and Pulau Mamutik. The park is famous for different water sports activities. Besides, tourists can also enjoy a ferry ride throughout the park.
A great place for enjoying an entertaining day trip, the Lost World of Tambun is a popular tourist place in Malaysia. Here you and your children can enjoy swimming in pools and natural hot water springs. Besides, this ecological theme park also preserves a lot of plants and natural resources. In addition, there are several fun rides that you can enjoy a lot.
Established in 2012, Legoland is Malaysia's first-ever theme park. It is also the first-ever Legoland theme park in Asia. You can find over 40 interactive amusement rides, attractions, and shows. Legoland is a haven for children and adults alike.
To know about the history and culture of a country, you must visit the museums. Here are some great museums in Malaysia that you can visit to explore the history of Malaysia
Opened in 1998, the Islamic Arts Museum is a major tourist attraction in Malaysia. The museum is located inside Perdana Botanical Garden and it is the largest museum for Islamic arts in South East Asia. The museum has 12 great galleries that depict different art and culture from different countries. Apart from artwork, you can also watch ancient jewellery, ceramic work, textile etc.
Visiting a country means exploring the history and life of the locality. National Textile Museum in Kuala Lumpur is a destination where you can explore the history of Malaysian textiles. Apart from this, people can also explore ancient machinery of exotic cloth making in this Museum. The museum also has several artefacts, motifs and jewellery that people can watch.
There are 3 galleries in the Royal Malaysian Police Museum that exhibit different historical periods of Malaysia. Gallery A shows the police system in Malaysia during Malay Sultanates. Gallery B shows the police involvement in straits settlements. The third gallery of this museum shows the struggle of defeating the communist Malayan Emergency. Thus, the place can be altogether beneficial for understanding the history of Malaysia.
Sarawak Natural History Museum was set up by a popular British naturalist, Alfred Wallace. The museum showcases several wildlife specimens to visitors. Apart from this, the museum also has a collection of ethnographic artefacts. The human skull taxidermies are also a great attraction here. In addition, the beautiful Victorian architecture is also worth mentioning.
Situated in the centre of Negeri Perak, the Perak Museum is one of the oldest museums in Malaysia. From natural history to architectural heritage, you can witness a lot of historical elements here. There are altogether 4 galleries in this museum so people can enjoy exploring a lot here. The remains of ancient reptiles, insects, and fishes are also very popular here.
Wonderfood Museum in Malaysia is highly appealing to people of every age group. Mainly here you can explore the big-size replicas of popular Malaysian foods. The museum also shares insight into the ways of eating that can save people’s health as well as the environment. The museum has 3 zones- Educational, Info and Wow zone.
Hope you have got enough insight about the places to visit in Malaysia. The country is full of heritage sites that tourists can explore and get knowledge about Eastern art, culture and more. Apart from this, there are beautiful natural spots perfect for refreshing vacations. So if you are planning to visit Malaysia, consider this guide to make your bucket list