For some reason, Malaysia has never been on my bucket list. Apart from Kuala Lumpur, nobody seems to explore more of this country; at least not in my circle of friends and acquaintances. Malaysia is still an underrated country, with a lot to offer to those who are curious enough to visit it!
Since we are traveling full time in Asia, discovering and exploring each country is one of our goals. Traveling across Malaysia was a dream and I am not overreacting! This rapidly growing country has a lot to offer to those passionate about history, culture and nature.
If you are planning to spend 2 weeks in Malaysia, you are in the right place! This guide breaks down the best destinations across the country.
We decided to explore Malaysia from South to North and find out everything that it has to offer. I’m going to tell you one thing right from the start: we were not disappointed. With endless tea plantations, beautiful beaches and overwhelming history, Malaysia has been a pleasant surprise for us.
If you are planning to explore this country, you will most probably arrive in Kuala Lumpur. This is our starting point in this Malaysia 2-week itinerary. However, you can adjust the following itinerary according to your own plans and needs.
Now, lets get into more detail. But first, I want to tell you some things about transport and accommodation in Malaysia.
Transport in Malaysia – what you need to know
In an era where technology is life, finding the right transport and accommodation should not be a problem.
For transport between destinations, we always used the website 12go.asia. The prices are always convenient and we never had any problems when booking through this website. I definitely recommend it not only for Malaysia, but for the entire Southeast Asia.
When exploring the cities, we used our trusted Grab App. If you haven’t heard of it yet, you should definitely install it on your phone. Taxi drivers take advantage of tourists and most of the time they ask for double the price. If you are using Grab App, the price is also the right one and you will know it before confirming your booking.
We also used the public transport a lot, especially in Kuala Lumpur and it worked great. It’s fast, convenient and quite comfortable.
The best time to visit Malaysia
Since my itinerary goes along the West coast of Malaysia, the best time to visit (according to weather forecasts) is between November and February during the dry season. This is also the time when the country can get busy and more tourists come due to the good weather.
If you are looking for a more relaxed trip, without that many tourists, I recommend visiting Malaysia sometime between April and October. I know, you might be scared of the wet season. We actually visited the country in August and the weather was great. It didn’t rain at all!
Trust me, the rainy season is never that scary and rainy as it might seem when reading tons of articles on the internet :). Plus, during the rainy season the prices are always lower!
Day 1-2: Explore Kuala Lumpur
Mostly known for the famous Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur is city full of life, modern, and with many attractions. With endless shopping opportunities, great food and incredible architecture it’s easy to forget about worries and just enjoy this place.
If you are arriving in Kuala Lumpur in the morning, I would suggest taking a few hours in the evening to visit the Batu Caves. This iconic temple is one of the most important Hindu temples in the world and its architecture is simply stunning. I loved the colorful stairs but the hike is quite something, especially in the summer when it’s HOT. Once you get to the top, you can admire the sculptures inside the cave and catch your breath for a few minutes.
Don’t forget to wear some comfortable shoes since climbing hundreds of stairs in flip-flops is not the best idea. Check out my article about how to get to Batu Caves here.
Among the must see attractions in this city are: Chinatown, Sri Mahamariamman Hindu Temple, Sultan Abdul Samad Building and the Central Market. I’ve compiled a detailed guide for a day full of fun and excitement in Kuala Lumpur. You can check it out here.
Where to stay in Kuala Lumpur
We stayed at the Kuala Lumpur Journal Hotel and we loved it. With spacious rooms and one of the biggest bathroom we’ve ever had at a hotel, this place is great. It is also situated in one of the hip neighborhoods in Kuala Kumpur: Bukit Bintang near shopping malls and amazing restaurants. And the best part: it’s just a 30 minutes walk away from the Petronas Towers. To book this place, click here.
You can also check out my full review about the Kuala Lumpur Journal Hotel here.
Day 3-4: Explore Melaka
Melaka or Malacca, no matter how you choose to call it, is a city full of history and with a vibrant atmosphere. Actually, I’ve spent 6 days here (yes, I loved it that much) and had the chance to discover even the most hidden places.
My number one recommendation is to take a ride in a traditional trishaw. With funky music, colorful decorations and bright lights, the trishaws are a huge attraction. I honestly felt like a child riding one and, if I ever go back to Melaka, I think I’m gonna rent one for a whole day :). The price for a 15 minutes ride is about RM 25 but it’s totally worth it!
The second place you should visit if you’re in Melaka on Friday, Saturday or Sunday is the Jonker Street Night Market. Here you can find souvenirs, traditional food, phone cases and basically anything you need and don’t need. Don’t forget to try the fruity popsicles and the delicious street food!
Melaka is a vibrant city and exploring it is a delight. Although mostly local and Chinese tourists visit it, I would suggest to add it on your itinerary. For a full list of things to do in Melaka, check out this article.
Where to stay in Melaka
Definitely the best hotel in town is the Majestic Hotel. This boutique hotel is all about luxury and customer experience. The staff is the friendliest, the food is excellent and the rooms spacious. We loved that the Majestic Hotel also has a pool which is perfect for hot days. If you want to book your stay, click here or check out my full review here.
If you are on a budget, then you should definitely try the Rucksack Caratel Garden Wing. Modern and close to the center, this hotel is great if you are looking for a good value for money place. If you want to book your stay, click here or check out my full review here.
Day 5-7: Explore Cameron Highlands
Welcome to the land of tea. Oh, you love coffee? Don’t worry, after leaving Cameron Highlands you’ll love tea. Trust me.
Your 2 weeks trip in Malaysia wouldn’t be complete without visiting the beautiful Cameron Highlands. Get ready to drink a lot of tea and eat many strawberries while enjoying the nature surrounding you. After a few days in Kuala Lumpur and Melaka it’s time to relax a bit in a more laid-back environment.
Cameron Highlands is a breathe of fresh air. Literally. Situated in the middle of the mountains and surrounded by nature and dense jungle, this place is great to relax and reconnect with nature. Make sure to bring some warm clothes with you since the temperatures in Cameron Highland tend to be a bit lower than in the rest of the country.
Some of the activities you have to do here are: visit the tea plantations, visit a strawberry and a butterfly farm, go trekking in the jungle, go to the local market and visit the rose valley. Don’t worry, there are local tours that will take you to all these places. For my complete guide to Cameron Highlands click here.
Where to stay in Cameron Highlands
For our stay in this beautiful place we chose the Cameron Highlands Resort and for me it is honestly my favorite hotel yet. Their spa will make you feel revitalized, the food is delicious and you can spoil yourself with an endless supply of strawberries and tea. It just can’t get better than this.
To book your stay at this amazing hotel, click here. You can also check my full review here.
Day 8-11: Explore Penang
Cultural diversity is the definition of Penang. Expect to see temples, churches and mosques just a few streets away from one another. If you are wondering which part of Penang you should visit, I definitely recommend George Town.
Famous for the street art, George Town can easily steal your heart. Head to Penang Hill to admire the best views over the city, visit the amazing Kek Lok Si Temple or head to the Blue Mansion to learn more about the history of the city.
Penang has the charm of a small city but it still has all the perks (good infrastructure, modern architecture) of a larger city. Click here to read about the perfect 3 day itinerary to Penang.
Where to stay in Penang
The perfect combination between affordability and luxury, the G Hotel Kelawai is a great choice. With an amazing rooftop infinity pool, marble bathrooms, comfy beds and great breakfast, G Hotel made me feel like home.
To book your stay, click here. Also, you can check out my full review here.
Day 12-14: Explore Langkawi
What better way to end your two weeks in Malaysia then some white sand beaches and stunning views?
Langkawi is perfect for jet skiing, snorkeling, getting tanned or walking on a huge suspended bridge above the mountains. Perfect for adrenaline junkies, Langkawi offers a wide range of activities.
If you are looking for something more quiet, don’t worry! You can take a boat tour and explore the beaches or admire the amazing Seven Wells Waterfall. Situated deep in the jungle, this waterfall is a little corner of paradise. Apart from being stunningly beautiful, you can also swim in the pools at the base of Seven Wells Waterfall so don’t forget your swim suit home!
Where to stay in Langkawi
I have a feeling that a beach resort is everything you need after exploring Malaysia in 2 weeks. So much travel can get you tired and relaxing at Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort might be what you need to unwind. To book your stay, click here.
Final thoughts
Although for some reason many people only visit Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia has a lot to offer in terms of culture, natural beauty and history. If you are planning a two-week itinerary across Malaysia, I hope that this article helped you figure out which are the most beautiful cities and destination in the country.
No matter if you are an adventure seeker, culture vulture or nature enthusiast, Malaysia will surprise you at each step. Visit it with an open mind and I am sure that you will love it as much as I did. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask me in the comments section below.
May the travel bug bite you!
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Aurelia Teslaru is a professional travel blogger and the writer behind Daily Travel Pill. With a 4-year experience as a travel writer and photographer, Aurelia only shares travel guides about destinations that she visited.
She has been to more than 40 countries during the past 10 years and aims to explore 50 countries before turning 30 years old. Aurelia is a digital nomad who transformed her passion for travel into a lifestyle. Read more about her here.
To follow her adventures, check out her Instagram and Facebook pages!
Wow there really is so much to see and do in Malaysia. I didn’t realise before. I will definitely be adding it to my list.
I am so happy to hear this! You will definitely love it!
Love this! We went to Taman Negara and Perhentian Islands also, and we’ll be back next week YAY!
That’s so awesome! Have fun!
I stayed in Malaysia for 1 month and it was a great experience! People are friendly and helpful, interesting mixture of culture and nice landscapes. Love to go back, from your itinerary I havent been to the Cameron Highlights yet! Thanks for putting everything together 🙂
The next time I will visit Malaysia, I will definitely spend more time exploring it! Thanks for your message!
What means of transport did you use between each location? Great itinerary for two weeks I think I will be going in February so this is extremely helpful with my planning. Thank you for taking the time. aryas_travels
We only used the local buses. They are very comfortable and affordable. Also, the roads are great!
You should try Sarawak next. Come especially for Rainforest World Music Festival, Gawai or Christmas seasons. Also, you should spend some times in the longhouses. You will be surprised even more with the local foods. Haha so good
Wow. Thanks so much for the recommendations!
I’m going to travel to Malaysia next week. Cameron Highland is so peaceful. I definitely come there. Thank you for your sharing/
I’m sure you’ll have a great time!