Two Week Malaysia Itinerary Travel Guide
Malaysia is a diverse country, split between the Malaysian peninsula and the island of Borneo. This split means there is a vast range of things to see and experience in this beautiful country. The culture is also a melting pot of migrants also influenced by their colonial past.
The peninsula is easy to travel around, with buses and trains connecting the country internally and across the international borders into Thailand and Singapore. Once you get across to Borneo, travel gets more adventurous with the jungles home to many hidden gems.
You could spend a long time in Malaysia, and we have. But what if you just have a short break and want to see as much of this stunning country as possible?
We asked our friends what spots they would include in a two-week Malaysia itinerary. Use this list as a starting point for your trip. You can skip some places to give you more time in others. Or slow the whole thing down and experience each of these gems as a longer stay.
Two Week Malaysia Itinerary Travel Guide
Start your two weeks in the capital, Kuala Lumpur. It’s international airport will connect you with almost anywhere in the world.
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is a city that blends cultures, cuisines, and towering skyscrapers with small pockets of greenery (much like Hong Kong). It’s fast-paced and modern yet deeply traditional - a balance I love! Whether you’re into food, architecture, or urban exploration, KL is the perfect place to start your Malaysian adventure.
Give yourself at least three days to take in the sights without rushing. Like most stops, you could easily spend more if you like cities!
Some of the top things to do in Kuala Lumpur are:
Petronas Towers: Standing at the base, craning my neck up at the glowing twin giants, I finally understood the hype. I highly recommend going up to the observation deck.
Explore the Batu Caves: After climbing the 272 rainbow-coloured steps, I was dripping in sweat, but the cave temple at the top was worth it. Watch out for monkeys (they love snacks)!
Eat Your Way Through Jalan Alor: The satay was incredible, but durian? Let’s just say I wouldn’t try it again. This night market is a must for street food lovers.
Shop in Bukit Bintang & Chinatown: Whether you’re looking for designer garms or want to haggle over knock-off football shirts, KL has something for every budget.
Rooftop dining: If your accommodation doesn’t have a rooftop pool, why not find a bar/restaurant with a view? You’re spoilt for options!
I recommend visiting Kuala Lumpur between June and September when the weather is driest. Avoid April–May and October–November for heavy rains. Be prepared even for short intermittent showers (or downpours) in any month. I was caught out a couple of times, but you dry off quickly in the heat!
KL has a well-connected international airport, so most people fly in. Otherwise, buses and trains from other destinations are easy overland options. Once you’re in the city, LRT, MRT, and monorails are efficient; Grab is cheap for short trips.
KL’s traffic can be intense, so planning your days efficiently is key.
Insights shared by Matt from Matt’s Next Steps
Next stop, head south to Malacca, only a short bus ride away.
Malacca
A Malaysia itinerary wouldn’t be complete without visiting the city of Malacca, also known as Melaka. Together with Georgetown, they are both Unesco World Heritage Sites as remarkable examples of historic colonial towns on the Strait of Malacca.
You can visit Malacca by bus from Kuala Lumpur, as it’s just a couple of hours away or even book a day tour from the Malaysian capital. However, I recommend staying at least two days in Malacca to absorb more of the melting pot of cultures you can experience in this city.
The best time to visit Malacca is during the dry season, between March and October, although I was lucky and had good weather when I visited in late November.
The UNESCO-listed town centre is relatively small, so you can walk around and find an eclectic architectural mix. The Chinese founded the city, which the Portuguese, Dutch, and British later took over.
There are many things to do in Malacca. Two main sights are the Portuguese fortress of A Famosa and the well-preserved Chinatown, where you will find the Jonker Street Night Market. Taking a river cruise will allow you to admire the famous street art in Malacca from a different perspective.
Because of all its history, Malacca has a unique cuisine called Baba Nyonya, and I had some of the best food in Malaysia when I went there. I recommend visiting the Calanthe Art Cafe and trying their signature dish: the clay pot Laksa. It’s mouthwatering and delicious!
Insights shared by Juan from Planet of Adventures
Our next stop is a bit more of a journey, but worth it. This jungle break is needed after two city stops!
Taman Negara
Taman Negara is a must for any 2-week Malaysia itinerary! This national park is a haven for wildlife and boasts lush tropical rainforest which dates back 130 million years.
There are plenty of things to do in Taman Negara, with wildlife-watching being a highlight for many - elephants, tapirs, sun bears, water buffalo, and tigers all call this park home. Just be aware that you’ll likely only spot the rarer species if you head out on a multi-day hike deep into the jungle (and even then sightings are never guaranteed).
While in Taman Negara, you’ll also want to walk along the park’s canopy walkway, hike up to Bukit Teresk for sweeping rainforest views, and visit Orang Asli settlements.
Taman Negara can be visited on a day trip from Kuala Lumpur if you’re short on time as there are plenty of day tours available. However, it’s best to spend 2-3 days here if you want to spot wildlife.
There are several transport options available, including taking a bus to Jerantut. From Jerantut, you can catch a bus to Kuala Tahan or head to Kuala Tembeling, where you’ll take a scenic boat trip (also to Kuala Tahan). This is where you’ll be based for your trip.
In terms of when to go, you can visit year-round, but the monsoon season will certainly affect your outdoor activities. As such, March to September is considered the best time to visit. During this time of year, you’ll encounter the best weather conditions as it’s Malaysia’s dry season.
Insights shared by Abbie from A Couple’s Calling
Our next stop isn’t always included in quick Malaysian visits, but it’s the perfect stop between Taman Negara and Ipoh.
Cameron Highlands
A Scotsman came to this part of Malaysia and thought, you know what, I could grow excellent tea here. And so he did. Now it’s one of the largest tea areas in the country and is a tourist hotspot.
Accessing this hidden gem is easy. You can travel by bus from Taman Negara (we prefer to book with 12go.com). If you’re skipping Taman Negara, you can catch the bus from Kuala Lumpur or for a more scenic journey, take the train to Ipoh, then transfer to a bus that will wind its way up the hills.
As slow travellers, we always recommend staying in a place for a while. If you love hiking, then you’ll want to stay here for a while too. From the township of Tanah Rata, you can easily access some of the best trails on foot.
Check with your hotel about conditions before heading out, especially if travelling in the wet season. Trees may have blocked the paths, or mud may make some trails inaccessible.
Also, make time to do a tour while you’re in town. These usually include visiting the tea plantations, with their rolling hills stretching out into the distance, Mossy Forest and strawberry farms. The Mossy Forest “walk” was underwhelming, short and full of people. But the views are great and it’s a wonderful chance to do some forest bathing after Kuala Lumpur.
Insights shared by Tania from Slower Travels
Continue west towards the coast, swapping your tea for coffee along the way.
Ipoh
Often overlooked for more popular Georgetown and Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh is a cultural hotspot you cannot miss out on your Malaysia itinerary. Allow yourself two days to wander its historical streets, eat all the local food, and step inside some of the most vibrant temples in the country!
Ipoh is the home of Malaysia’s famous white coffee. The secret is roasting the coffee beans with margarine to give a distinctly rich and creamy taste. Mix in some condensed milk, shake it with ice, and you have the perfect refreshing drink. Try out some of Ipoh’s best coffees at Lim Ko Pi and Chang Jiang.
Once fully caffeinated, wander the backstreets to see the colonial buildings, colourful shutters and retro signage. Mixed with this historical character are bursts of modern street art depicting local people, culture, and food. I’d say that Ipoh gives Georgetown a run for its money on street art!
Complete your visit to Ipoh by jumping in a taxi for a ten-minute drive to some of Malaysia’s most fascinating temples. Ling Sen Tong, Sam Poh Tong and Nam Thean Tong cave temples will blow you away. Colourful, vibrant paintings, giant life-size statues, burning incense, peaceful green spaces, and a turtle pool; it is a unique experience.
It’s easy to reach Ipoh by bus or train from Malaysia’s main cities, and it actually works as a great halfway point between Kuala Lumpur and Georgetown. Visit between December and March for your best chances of good weather!
Insights shared by Sam from Relentless Roaming
It’s time to get off the peninsula! Island life here we come.
Penang
Penang Island only makes up a small part of Malaysia but is arguably the country's must-see destination. While there's no bad time to visit, January to March are ideal, when the rainy season has passed and Penang is at its most vibrant, with excellent weather and numerous religious festivals to witness.
Three days in Penang gives you enough time to see the major sights and savour the world-famous cuisine. The big drawcard is George Town, a UNESCO World-Heritage City offering a mixture of cultures, religions and cuisines unlike almost anywhere else. It's best discovered via a walking tour, stopping off at mosques, temples, churches and colonial forts. For something slightly different, uncover the Penang street art scene, where murals and sculptures appear around the city, bringing life and art into (and onto) the streets and walls of George Town.
There's more to Penang Island than just George Town, with Penang National Park offering accessible rainforest hiking and pristine beaches. Elsewhere, Penang Hill is the best place to escape the heat (including a ride to the top in a century-old funicular), with activities, views and restaurants waiting at the top. Close by is Kek Lok Si Temple, the best religious monument on the island, set over multiple levels with views across to the mainland.
Penang International Airport has flights to many Southeast Asian cities, including Bangkok, Singapore and Jakarta. From within Malaysia, the main north-south railway line (running from the border with Thailand down to Singapore) stops at Butterworth (connected to the island via a short ferry ride), with a comprehensive bus network filling in the gaps.
For getting around the island itself, save yourself time and stress by installing the Grab app. It's simple to use, great value, and makes getting lost a thing of the past.
Insights shared by Jenny from On Penang
Next, head across to Borneo. Skip Kota Kinabalu and head straight to Sepilok for the best experience.
Sepilok
Malaysia is one of only two countries where you can see Orangutans in the wild. We’ve gone to see them here, and in Indonesia, and for a more ethical animal experience, I recommend you include Sepilok in your two-week Malaysia itinerary.
The easiest way to get here is to fly into Sandakan. Don’t stay there though; you want to be as close as possible to the rehabilitation centre. We stayed at Sepilok Jungle Resort, and it was perfect. Great restaurant and swimming pool area. And walking distance to both the Orangutan and Sun Bear rehabilitation centres.
You don’t need to spend much time in Sepilok. Your ticket to the Orangutan centre gives you access to both feeding times, and you can go to the sun bear centre in between. If you have more time, the boardwalks through the Rainforest Discovery Centre are a great day out, too.
Sepilok experiences its wet season from November to February so the best time to visit is March to October. We stayed in November, and the region was already experiencing rainy days. This discouraged the orangutans from coming to the feeding platforms, so definitely avoid wet season if you can.
Insights shared by Tania from Slower Travels
Our final destination takes you to the south of Borneo, to the region of Sarawak.
Kuching
Kuching receives fewer visitors than some other regions of Borneo, but more and more travellers are discovering the delights of this friendly, accessible and diverse city. The monsoon season is less severe here but the best time to visit is still when the rainy days are less frequent, which makes May to September ideal. The thermometer won't rise much above 30, and you're guaranteed sunny days. Although this is Borneo, you should still expect some rainy afternoons (pack a poncho).
The pretty and compact city centre, combined with convenient day trips, mean most visitors find five days to be the ideal length of time. Allow for at least two days in the city, wandering along the riverfront area, visiting the best museum in Southeast Asia (Borneo Cultures Museum, which is exceptionally good if you're visiting Kuching with kids), learning about the life and times of the White Raja's and feasting on the city's delicious cuisine, ranging from tiny street vendors to internationally-recognised fusion restaurants.
Moving away from the city, Semenggoh Wildlife Centre is home to adorable orangutans, with May and June the best time to visit, when the lack of fruit in the rainforest brings them closer to HQ.
Also plan a day at Bako National Park, a place with no roads and entry only via the sea. Get ready for a memorable day riding the waves, trekking through rainforests and spotting the various wildlife that call the park home.
Kuching has a relaxed airport close to the city, with flights to Singapore, KL and Hong Kong, and several Borneo destinations. To get around, Grab taxis are cheap, safe and reliable, although the city centre is ideal for exploring on foot, especially the waterfront area. If your budget allows, consider staying at the iconic Hilton Kuching, which occupies a prime spot on the riverfront with views and service to match.
Insights shared by Jenny from TraveLynn Family
Final Note
There are so many more places in Malaysia we could have included. Langkawi, the Perenthian Islands and further out into the jungles of Borneo. But this travel guide should give you a great start if you've got two weeks in Malaysia.
Let us know in the comments below if there’s anywhere you think should have been on the list.
