Sometimes a vacation means simply putting up your feet and relaxing!
Travellers often assume Malaysia to be a place where you go just to enjoy the buzz. While the nightlife and parties in the country are eclectic, there’s so much more that is unexplored by frequent travellers. Nature’s bounties here offer the much needed down-time to Malaysians and tourists from other countries. So, when you are looking for a place to loosen up, in Malaysia, the choices are plenty and interesting too!
15 Best Places You Should Visit to Relax in Malaysia
- Petronas Twin Towers
- Sunway Lagoon Theme Park
- Tioman Island
- Melaka Historic City
- Perhentian Islands
- Langkawi
- Sipadan
- Redang
- Mount Kinabalu
- Bako National Park, Sarawak
- Kuching
- Sawarak Cultural Village
- Cameron Highlands
- Batu Caves
- Taman Negara
Petronas Twin Towers
These are considered as the tallest twin towers in the world. People come all over the world to see these beautiful buildings, as they are the landmarks of Kuala Lumpur and they are nearby of Kuala Lumpur Tower. The towers are the headquarters of the Petronas Petroleum Company of Malaysia. This is one of the famous and amazing places to visit in Kuala Lumpur. The 41st and 42nd floors of the towers are linked to one another through a sky bridge so that people can travel easily within the towers. You can enjoy the skyline of the city from the Petronas Twin Tower.
You can visit shopping malls, restaurants and many more in this versatile place. It is one of the best places to visit in Malaysia.
How to reach
You can travel according to your preference, through a bus, taxi, town car or shuttle. It depends completely on you how you want to travel.
Sunway Lagoon Theme Park
You really can’t miss this place when you are travelling to Malaysia, because this place consists of all your amusement stuff. Water park, sanctuary, wildlife and a lot more, this place is the package of entertainment. There are 80 attractions in this theme park, including the bridges and the greenery. The nature lover will love this place actually, this place is for all the age groups and everyone can equally enjoy.
It is located in the Petaling Jaya, which is about 15 km southwest of the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. You will find a lot of amazing places like wildlife encounter, extreme park, amusement park etc and a lot to do in these parks.
How to reach
To reach this amazing place either you can travel by cab or you can take the bus to reach this beautiful and mesmerizing place.
Tioman Island
This beautiful place filled with lush green surroundings and in the middle of the sea, this island is one of the best places in Malaysia. This island consists of many small islands, which are located at about 32km from Pahang State. There are 8 villages in this island. You will find white coral reefs and monitor lizards and domestic cats. People from over the world to this place to do scuba diving as this place is famous for scuba diving.
How to reach
To reach this beautiful island you have to first reach Mersing Jetty or Tanjung Gemok Jetty from Kuala Lumpur, then you have to take a ferry to reach this island.
Melaka Historic City
If you are interested in history and want to explore historical facts, then you must visit this place for some amazing historic past of the place. This place is listed in the UNESCO world heritage list and the city is filled with cathedrals, historic buildings, museums and lot more. So if you are a lover of learning the history then you must visit this place to explore some of the best places ever. This is one of the top tourists in Malaysia.
How to reach
Several means of transport are there, it depends on you what transport you want to travel from, bus, town car or some other transport.
Perhentian Islands
Crystal clear waters, diverse aquatic life, thick jungles, turquoise skies and white sands, Perhentian Islands are everything you need for a relaxing holiday. Off the Northeast Coast of Peninsular Malaysia, the Perhentian Islands stand in all their beauty. They are not easy to get to, but you won’t regret the effort. They are called the backpacker’s trail, quite literally so. The waters are so clean that snorkelling is possible off the beach. The fishermen here have turned tour guides and take you for a day’s trip to swim with turtles.
Beach bonfires light up the evenings and fire artists keep you entertained. All you need to do is, relax and enjoy.
How to reach
There are plenty of buses operating from Hentian Putra bus station in Kuala Lumpur. The journey takes close to 9 hours. You can also fly from KL to Kota Bharu and get a taxi to Kuala Besut.
Langkawi
Located right on the border with Thailand, Langkawi is an archipelago of hundreds of islands. It is a part of Kedah, a state in northwest Malaysia.
The island became a resort island in 1986 and today, with its sandy beaches, lush valleys and street shops which draw thousands of tourists. The blonde beaches of Langkawi make this 478.5-sq-km island surreal. It is a duty-free island and is dotted with spectacular resorts. It is often called the Malaysian holiday star.
How to reach
There are dozens of flights from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Penang that get you to the island. It is probably one of the most well connected of all.
Sipadan
Enchanting views and strong currents are an understatement for this place. The underwater topography is what attracts people to this island. Picture a grand aquarium with abundant aquatic life, that’s Spidan for you. Just 1 hour from the port of Semporna, the 40-acre island in the Celebes Sea is a diver’s paradise. Here, you find everything from sharks to green turtles to more than 3000 varieties of fish and barracuda. Remember the tales about scalloped hammerhead shark? This island is the stronghold for those sharks, probably the last.
The ecosystem here is fragile and the Malaysian government has restricted the dives to 120 per day. Night dives are off the table.
How to reach
Take a flight from Kota Kinabalu in Tawau. The flight is only 55 minutes and then you can take an hour’s drive to Semporna. The last leg is a 40-minute speedboat.
Redang
Redang is a part of an archipelago of nine islands. From a distance, they form a marine park. For those who are looking for a vacation spot something more than just a backpacker’s delight, Redang is the upmarket destination you are looking for. You will mostly find resorts here. Preserved corals, crystal clear waters, and a string of islands around, there is so much to do here including watching the spectacular sunrise and sunsets, snorkelling, trekking, and enjoying the electric nightlife. 45 kms off Terengganu, it’s a summer holiday for tourists. You’ll see plenty of restaurants lined up on the islands, serving delectable local cuisines.
How to reach
You can fly directly or to Kuala Terengganu and then continue by car. From there, you will have to take a ferry from the Merang port.
Mount Kinabalu
Barren moonscapes, steep climbs, 600 varieties of flora and fauna, and a great escape from the city madness, Kinabalu is the highest mountain on the world’s largest island. The highest point between the Himalayas and New Guinea island, the 4095 mt Kinabalu looks like a crown of wild granite spires.
This is Malaysia’s first Unesco World Heritage Site and draws thousands of visitors each year. The climb is not easy. When the day is clear, you can spot, Philippines from the summit. That is if you are lucky. On most days, the mountain is wrapped with clouds, making the climb totally worth it.
Distinct climate zones add to the beauty of the mountain. For those who are not much of climbers, the lower slopes make for most relaxing walks. Surrounded by dense rainforest, the tall hardwoods, the bamboo and the palms welcome you here.
If you love birds, you are in for a treat. The bright orange-billed hornbill is found often along with orangutans. As you climb up, you will find a variety of pitcher plants, rhododendrons, Sino-European oaks and chestnuts. When you reach the top, jagged rock formations and spectacular views welcome you.
How to reach
At KK Airport, you will find the airport shuttle bus that goes to the city centre. The bus departs from both Terminals 1 & 2. From here, you can take transportation to the Park.
Points to note
Visitors should get their trek booked 6 months in advance. The authorities do not allow more than 100 climbers in one go, which is why such long waiting lines. There are many options from Kota Kinabalu to reach Kinabalu National Park.
Bako National Park, Sarawak
Welcome to the world of steep cliffs, small bays, sandy beaches and insect-eating pitcher plants that eat small animals too. Wondering how they co-exist? Well, head to Bako National Park to know!
Don’t let the size of this park fool you. This is one of the smallest but oldest of all national parks in Sarawak, it is home to more than 150 species of birds, rare wildlife and the rare probosci’s monkeys.
Covering just 27 kms, scenic walks, interesting hikes, you can choose from a variety of jungle trekking trails at the Bako National Park. Flush with mangrove forests, every corner has coves and beaches to add to its beauty. There are over 300 of these unique animals remaining in the wild, and it is here that you find them so easily.
You haven’t seen a pig with a beard, have you? Bako’s wildlife is not as shy as other national parks. It is easy to spot a bearded pig here. You can take pictures, get close enough and they will not attack you. For those who want to spend a night here, there are park chalets available. Night walks can also be arranged by local guides who know every nook and corner of the park.
How to reach
You can take the 45-minute bus ride from Kuching to Bako Market. Buses are available from 7 am from Kuching to around 6 pm.
Kuching
From peaceful mountain sides to seaside sanctuaries, there is so much to explore at this base of Borneo’s rainforest. Kuching is the largest city on Borneo Island and offers plenty of views. Stroll around the bustling markets, or just sip a margarita as you relax at the landscaped waterfront on the banks of Sarawak River. The town is situated on the banks of the river and has plenty to offer.
Walk lazily to enjoy the historic landmarks like Fort Margherita and Astana Palace. It’s hard to miss its postcard riverfront esplanade that makes for a perfect place for an evening stroll.
Kuching is a kaleidoscope of cultures, cuisines and crafts. Check out the carpenter shops, Chinese temples decorated with dragons, time-capsule museums, and everything you need if you love exploring a place on foot.
While some of the streets are traditional, others are modern and have a lot of interesting local stuff on sale. If you are going here on a weekend, don’t miss the weekend market which has some of the best shopping arcades.
How to reach
Kuching has an International Airport (IATA: KCH), so it’s easy to reach. If you want to get to Kuching City, a 20-min taxi will take you there.
Sawarak Cultural Village
It is quite rightly called the “living museum”. The Sarawak Cultural Village is a great place for anyone who wants to take a break from city life and explore some local flavours. The village boasts of the local Sarawak heritage and is culturally rich. Dotted by seven longhouses of different tribes, sprawling over 17 acres, you can experience their cultures and dive into the native history of the place.
This place is immersed in history with local aboriginal tribes creating the right experience for you. You can interact with them, learn their music, know their lifestyle and more. If you are too relaxed and want to explore something more, hike the Penan Trail and enjoy a traditional recipe by the Santubong River.
How to reach
You can get there either through direct flights which run on specific routes or access the place by road. There are two daily bus services between Kuching and Pontianak. You can check out their website to get a complete list of air travel options and road trips too.
Cameron Highlands
Refreshing temperatures and verdant views are one of the key highlights of this place. Townhouses that speak of a colonial past are now guest houses here. Tudor-style fittings and cream teas add to the old-world charm. Pristine, lush, Malaysia’s chief tea and flower producers, this hidden treasure in the Titiwangsa Mountains is one of Malaysia’s oldest tourist destinations. The place has a complete English charm with its lakes and seas and forests. Lots of outdoor things to do here, but wouldn’t you rather relax and immerse yourself in its beauty?
Sprawling tea plantations welcome you when you reach Cameron Highlands. The good news is, most of them are open to the public. And if you are a golfer, you are in for a big surprise! Even though the place is frequented by tourists for the most part of the year, you will be surprised at the organic charm of the highlands.
Brilliant trails run through thick forests. You can start from Tanah Rata and the locals will help you understand the trails better. Do not leave without maps and extra layers. There are many guides available if you are willing to hike through the Mossy forest. For those who want to relax and enjoy, Cameron offers a few birdwatching sites which are quite a hit among tourists.
Head to Boh Sungei Palas to devour a cup of tea. For book lovers, there are many nooks and corners where you can enjoy your cuppa overlooking the hills and read to your heart’s content. Best strawberries are found here, so don’t miss those blended fresh drinks and cakes.
How to reach
Take the North-South Expressway. Take an exit at Tapah and take route 59 straight to the highlands. It will not take more than an hour and a half to get to Ringlet, which is the first town.
You can also exit the expressway at Simpang Pulai, Ipoh to take route 145.
Batu Caves
Batu Caves in Selangor is Malaysia’s most revered religious destination. Thousands of devotees flock to the site each year to pay respects to the Hindu deity Lord Murugan.
The tall statue of the Lord is remarkable and can be seen right at the main entrance of the temple’s complex. As you walk into the caves, you go back in time as the network of limestones tells a story. Go for some cave exploration here as a wide variety of plants and cave animals can be spotted.
How to reach
You can easily access Batu Caves by car or taxi. It is right on the main highway of MRR2. The area is called Batu Caves area.
Taman Negara
This national park is marked by some of the richest flora and fauna in the world. Walk through the evergreen forests that are 130 million years old, even older than the Amazon or the Congo. Today, it is home to ancient civilisations and nomads who have flourished here over the years.
Soak in nature’s bounty and get a chance to look at Gunung Tahan, Peninsular Malaysia’s highest peak. The forests are home to more than 10,000 species of plants and rare animals. If you are a wildlife lover, this should be on your list.
Whether you are an adventure seeker or someone who loves to relax by the riverside, there is so much on offer. If you have already explored the madness of the cities, pack your bags to relax amidst the best that nature offers in Malaysia.