You are in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia and want to chill out a bit. Don’t worry we’ve got you! Below is a list of the 10 most relaxing things to do in KL:
1. Relax at a rooftop bar
With any thriving city, you want to find the best rooftop bar to enjoy a drink, relax and see amazing views. The ones I would recommend here are:
Helipad bar
Located on a helipad, it offers great views and is something quirky. The pricing here is very good, but you haven’t got fancy decor etc. Just really tables and chairs put on there and the waiters in pilot / air hostesses uniforms.
Vertigo at Banyan Tree
Now this place is gonna cost yer! It’s top end and prices here reflect that where you can pay around 450 RM for a cocktail – I’ll let you exchange that one, as my eyes started watering. But as they say, you only live once so it might be worth going if you have a special occasion. The decor and design of this rooftop bar is first rate and so are the views.
Depending on your budget you may want to check the menus of these places as they can be Western prices and then some as alcohol isn’t cheap compared to other things in Malaysia.
2. Enjoy KLCC Park
This place is great to walk around and is at the base of the iconic Petronas Twin Towers. As the weather is normally very hot and humid in KL you are best to find shade at times and even have a picnic under a tree while you watch the world go by and enjoy your food.
You can also go for a paddle in the water and there is even a playground area for kids. So this is a great option for something that is cheap and relaxing.
If you are there during the day and stay into the night then you can witness the amazing free light and sound show of Lake Symphony. The main show is at 8pm, 9pm and 10pm. Certainly worth watching.
3. Visit the Perdana Botanical Garden
Here you feel like you are not in KL and could be in a place as quiet and natural as Ubud. In any country Botanical Gardens are always high quality and well kept and here is no exception.
Probably more for adults than kids but they do have a playground. More one to walk through and admire with more traditional landscaping.
4. Pamper yourself with a spa treatment
This can be done anywhere but the good news in KL is you can find it a lot cheaper than Western prices and maybe even better in some cases.
It all depends what treatment you want but be sure to do your research to get the most bang for your buck and prices for a basic 60 min massage should be around 100 RM (£17, $21). You should also leave a tip as well, most of the workers will not be on a great wage.
Some recommendations are Ozmosis Wellness Spa, pretty much got 5 star reviews across the board. The other would be Uroot Spa Marc KLCC and located in the same area. But to be fair most are good, just comes down to price where it can vary.
5. Take a boat ride on Putrajaya Lake
Who doesn’t enjoy a boat ride on a warm, sunny day. Head on over to Putrajaya and enjoy a peaceful boat ride on the serene Putrajaya Lake. Here you can look out for the many landmarks of KL as you drift down the lake.
You also have options to go on boats that offer food and drink if you want to enhance your experience while there.
6. Visit the Islamic Arts Museum
If you enjoy Art then this is a great way to chill out and take in and admire Islamic art first hand in this well-curated museum.
The Museum itself is an architectural masterpiece inside and out. There are different exhibitions going on at any given time so it’s worth visiting the website to get more info.
7. Take a yoga class
This might seem like an odd choice, but this will make you feel good and at peace. You can join classes and funnily enough my friend has a gym in central KL called Kamileon X. Check them out for a unique experience.
They also run classes for kids, so you can do your class while they do theirs and then meet for a coffee and an ice cream, as they have a cafe in the middle of the space.
8. Take a walk in Chinatown
In every major city there is a Chinatown and KL is no different. It’s strange as every one of them seems the same but has their own twists that make them a little more distinctive.
Here you will see the blend of Malaysian and Chinese cultures. You can see local market stall traders selling anything from clothes to souvenirs. You will also see a few temples along the way. Also make sure to try some of the street food that will get your taste buds going.
9. Visit the Kuala Lumpur Forest Eco Park
This is a forestry reserve located in the centre of the city. Next to the KL Tower. Here you will find over 200 tree species and wildlife.
You can go on the Canopy Walk which gives you a great view of the park from a higher place and take in the amazing trees and other things that are going on. One thing that is great about this place is it’s free.
10. Have a relaxing afternoon tea
What a great way to relax, having afternoon tea in KL. There is so many to choose from but I will quickly run through my top picks and why:
Atmosphere 360, KL Tower
You are 282 metres above ground and you are going to be spinning (very slowly) seeing breathtaking views of the city. You can have sit down tea any higher in KL. The other reason I recommend this place is that it’s very reasonable. If booked in advance you can get it for around 100 RM (£17, $22)
Altitude, Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur
My next recommendation is again at height but not as high. You get good views of the city and can see the KL Tower from here. You are located on the 53rd floor and the best thing here is the changing of menus and food quality.
This is more expensive than Atmosphere 360 at around 200 RM (£34, $44). Worth booking in advance to get in and still a good price if you compare to Western prices.