Malaysia Travel Guide

Malaysia travel guides to inspire your next trip.

Discover Malaysia’s diverse range of activities: thriving cities buzzing with people to explore, national parks teeming with wildlife and vast rainforests.

For such a big country, Malaysia still falls below the radar of many a traveller heading to Asia.

Whether you’re living out of your backpack or living it up in luxury, there’s something for you. Here’s my pick of the best places to travel to in Malaysia.

Best Places to Travel in Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is home to a range spectacular architecture and historical monuments. Skyscrapers tower over this bustling city, and below you’ll find a vibrant nightlife, busy markets and stunning buildings waiting for you to explore.

Kuala Lumpur is a shopper’s delight: whether that’s in the swanky setting of its many (many) gleaming shopping malls or in the lively and bustling street markets you find in different parts of the city.

I cannot rave enough about the street food in Kuala Lumpur – take your pick from the authentic, flavour packed dishes, steaming with Malaysian spices. Two words. Roti Canai.

Pangkor Laut

Ever fancied escaping to your own private island escape? Who hasn’t…

Tucked off the west coast of the Malaysian Peninsula, Pangkor Laut is consistently voted as one of the best hotels in Asia.

More than just a fancy hotel, the private island is home to a diverse array of wildlife, spectacular beaches, a high-end spa and clear waters. Book in for a few days, just don’t blame me when you inevitably don’t want to leave.

Penang

Penang is a hugely popular holiday destination and a UNESCO listed site, boasting an abundance of history and rich, natural splendour.

Penang was once nicknamed the ‘Pearl of the Orient’ so it’s no wonder that visitors flock to it every year. It’s the perfect place to lounge on a soft, sand covered beach or explore some of the local temples.

George Town

George Town, Penang’s capital is special enough to warrant a section of its own. With its definitive urban edge and colourful character, I dare you not to fall under its spell.

One of George Town’s big draws is its stunning colonial architecture – but it’s also carved out a reputation as a thriving street art hub.

This city is a comfortable combination of tradition and modernity: you’ll find Chinese temples, mosques and skyscrapers heaped together amidst its maze of streets.

Half the fun is just taking a few hours to walk around, following the scent of aromatic spices and finding yourself in a lovely cafe or bar to spend a lazy afternoon.

Langkawi

Away from the city life,  Langkawi is an island archipelago with a whopping 99 islands. Fringed by shimmering blue sea, the islands’ interiors boast stunning paddy fields and gorgeous hilltops.

During your exploration, you can find the Langkawi Sky Bridge, take a ride up and above in a cable car or visit the gorgeous rainforest of Gunung Raya; the highest peak in Langkawi.

Langkawi is also well-known as an international diving hotspot. PADI up and take to the waters to discover its wealth of marine life – just don’t forget your GoPro.

Sarawak

Sarawak is Malaysia’s rainforest state and that’s what draws most travellers. Who doesn’t want to see a plethora of wildlife, including monkeys, crocodiles and Rafflesia, the world’s largest flower?