You name it, Malaysia’s probably got it – beaches to lounge on, rain forests to trek and sweat through, exotic wildlife to seek out, unbeatable cuisine, deep-seated traditions, and rich cultural history. From my many visits to this interesting country, here are my favorite places…
1. Langkawi
I’m completely in love with this place! It’s a stunning collection of 99 islands nestled in the Andaman Sea in the West Coast of Malaysia. It’s a duty-free haven located 30km off the mainland, and easily accessible by ferry or air from Thailand or the mainland.
Honeymooners and backpackers are all catered here with magazine-perfect beaches, swaying palm trees and tree-covered cliffs.
For the more adventurous, I recommend testing your potential vertigo-issues at one of Langkawi’s main attractions: the 1,700-metre cable car or SkyCab ascending Machinchang Mountain.
From there I recommend you take a stroll along the SkyBridge, head up to elevated viewing platforms and watch the clouds roll in and over the slopes at fantastic speed.
If you’re feeling hungry ask the locals to tell you the following location of the roaming night market, the street food here is delicious!
Some of my favorite beaches included Black Sand Beach (which had both black and white sands), the quiet Pantai Tengah, the luxurious resort-filled Datai Bay and Pantai Cenang which had some great spots for backpackers.
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2. Pulau Tioman
Since the 1970s, Pulau Tioman has been known as being one of the most beautiful islands in this incredible country. Located just off the east coast in the South China Sea, I personally think this place is a real gem!
It has some stunning beaches, a rich and dense rainforest, and an expanse of wildlife. I loved scuba diving, snorkeling, strolling through the jungle, and touring the island on motorbikes. The islands also have some gorgeous waterfalls, which I really enjoyed exploring and swimming in!
3. George Town
I loved the island state Penang which is located off the northwestern coast and thought it was such a unique travel destination. It’s a varied and attractive destination filled with an interesting history, melting pot of different cultures, stunning beaches and a handful of luxurious resorts.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Georgetown is capital city of the island and we really enjoyed staying here for a few days. It’s a bustling places filled with shops, markets, restaurants and old colonial buildings.
We also loved exploring and discovering all the former crumbling mansions here as well as the stunning temples such as Kek Lok Si, a very large and important Buddhist temple.
4. Penang
The island state is located off the northwestern coast it’s multiracial melting pot of diverse cultures, religions, and ethnicities which makes a superb foodie destination too.
We mentioned the capital Georgetown above and wherever you wander, I promise it won’t be long before you’re drifting lost amongst the narrow pastel streets, having your nostrils tugged and tempted by fried Nasi Kandar (a curry), and your eyes pop at the colorful sight of Ais Kacang (“bean ice” a Malaysian dessert).
The long sandy beaches are lovely (although watch out for the jellyfish!) and the protected rainforests but I personally think the food here is one of the best parts of the trip, and it won’t be long before you’re lost in a sea of tempting dishes.
My favorite highlights…
- Visiting the Butterfly Farm, which has a series of masterful, must-see short animated educational films.
- Dining at the Tropical Spice Garden on the island’s northern edge were we dined in the treetops alongside Silver Leaf monkeys swinging amongst the branches.
- Taking the funicular train to the top of the Penang Hill which was a cool (as in temperature) and pretty spot with awesome nature trails.
5. The Petronas Towers
Amongst the hustle and bustle of the chaotic capital, beauty presents itself in an unexpected form.
If you hang around the base of the Petronas Towers between sunset and moonrise, the world’s tallest twin buildings undergo a magical transformation as day turns to night and the office lights, lift shafts, and aircraft warning lights illuminate the 88 stories in a halogen-fuelled twilight haze.
6. Pangkor Island
This is a dreamy tropical island located off the west coast of the mainland. It’s an unspoilt place filled with pristine white sandy beaches, turquoise waters, varied marine life and lots of opportunities for water activities.
I loved snorkeling here and also hiking the jungle trails to experience the nature close up.
Our favorite beaches on the island inluded Pasir Bogak which has clear shallow waters, the awesome snorkeling spot of Coral Bay, and the exclusive resort of Emerald Bay.
7. Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu is the capital city of Sabah. Although it might look like a typical city at first glance, with its lines of malls and buildings, you will encounter magnificent stretches of orange-sand coastline and islands when you venture deeper into the city.
One of the most popular attractions is the floating mosque, but there are several other places to visit, like Tanj and Ung Aru Beach. In my opinion, it has one of the most beautiful sunsets. You could also stroll along Likas Bay and enjoy the day playing in the sand or the water.
The five islands here are collectively known as Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, a favored spot for snorkeling and relaxing by foreigners and locals alike. Just a few miles from the city, there is also a great jungle.
8. Malacca
Malacca City is an excellent choice if you are looking for a richly endowed with history and culture.
For hundreds of years, Malacca was one of the most strategically significant towns on the Malay Peninsular. Its ownership changed hands between the Portuguese, Dutch, and British, amongst others, as they fought for control of this key trading post.
Fast forward to modern-day Malacca, and you get the impression the place hasn’t changed much.
Many streets are one-way, winding, and cramped, while the rickety buildings are poky and ooze historical character. Like Penang, Malacca is one of the country’s smallest states and proudly possesses UNESCO World Heritage Site status.
If you visit Malacca city, I recommend visiting the famous Jonker Street Night Market, A Famosa Fort, and St. Paul’s Church.
9. Cameron Highlands
Visitors are attracted to this enchanting region of Pehang to experience the novelty and the respite of a cooler tropical highland climate where temperatures are often in the low 20s.
The rolling hills are populated by tea plantations and flower nurseries, making the area the leading producer of tea and flowers in Malaysia.
It’s wise to check the weather in the monsoon season (November – February) and call ahead or ask your transport operator before traveling, as the heavy rainfall can lead to landslides, which have an inconvenient tendency to block many roads.
10. Pulau Pangkor
I loved this stunning gem! A tiny island off the Malay Peninsular with broad, sweeping beaches that match Langkawi, it is only accessible by ferry from the connecting town of Lumut.
Lumut is approximately three hours north of Kuala Lumpur by road, and for those wishing to stick to the tracks, Ipoh (85km away) will sate your train station needs.
11. Pulau Redang
This picturesque group of islands is a stunning sight. Located along the east coast, they rise from the South China Sea.
Redang sits within protected waters, known as the Terengganu Marine Park, and preserves the crystal clear waters and reef systems, creating a flourishing scuba-tourism industry.
With crystal clear waters, the islands sit within protected waters (the Terengganu Marine Park), so their beauty is maintained at a premium. It has recently become an excellent spot for scuba diving and tourist activities.
The waters are usually too rough for boats to move on during those times, so I suggest researching the best time to visit. As with some central locations such as Cameron Highlands and much of the East Coast, the monsoons dictate when and when not to go.
Between November and February, the waters are often too rough for boats to transport eager sun-seekers to the island; many resorts take a holiday, so it’s always best to phone ahead for availability or plan your travels away from the low season.
12. Sabah, Borneo
Malaysia seems to be a never-ending source of reverential snorkel and scuba sites, and Sabah doesn’t buck any trends. If you’re interested in latitudes, Sabah ranks as the country’s northernmost state, and people flock to Sabah to enjoy the seas. I had a huge soft spot for this place!
Sabah is superbly beautiful, with long, comprehensive, and sandy beaches. It also has many exotic onshore and offshore species, including civet cats, snakes, clouded leopards, and pygmy elephants.
These are among the 222 mammals (44 endemics), 420 birds (37 endemics), 100 amphibians, and 394 fish (19 endemics) found!
13. Gunung Mulu National Park
What looks like a stone’s throw away from Brunei on the map, Gunung Mulu represents yet another of this country’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
It’s a well-documented, visited, and filmed world, as done by the BBC’s Planet Earth team, but with eye-catching, otherworldly features such as the Pinnacles at Mount Api, it’s easy to see why. Gunung Mulu National Park is the largest of Sarawak’s parks.
14. Ipoh, Perak
Ipoh, the capital of Perak, is nothing short of magnificent. Nicknamed rightly ‘The City of Bougainvillea,’ I’m a big fan of its vintage beauty!
It is surrounded by rocky limestone hills that add to the city’s complete visual aesthetic centered around its colonial history. The city comprises several Hindu and Buddhist cave temples, and it is quickly becoming one of the top tourist destinations in the world!
It is unimaginable that Ipoh was a sleepy Malay village just a few years ago. Now, it is drawing attention and popularity worldwide, with people wanting to enjoy some of its many beautiful spots.
Like the Ipoh Heritage Walk, which is only 6.5 kilometers long, it is lined with majestic architecture that still harbors a beauty and magnificence that almost sums up the entire Ipoh experience.
Some other great places to visit in Ipoh are Kellie’s castle, which is not for the faint of heart, as there have been several supernatural reports and sightings within this cave, and the Tambun cave, which you would certainly enjoy seeing some of the Neolithic paintings, and the Geological Museum, which is full of all sorts of beautiful and exciting stories and exhibits.
15. The Perhentians
Located in the South China Sea, this is a small archipelago off the coast of Terengganu, known as the “Perhentians.” The main islands of the Perhentians are Besar and Kecil (Big and Small), two beautiful coral-covered islands of white sand and crystal-clear shallow water.
You can take up several activities at the Perhentians, like snorkeling, scuba diving, and canoeing. You would have a delightful relaxing day and gaze at the beautiful water as it laps against the shore.
16. Danum Valley
Danum Valley in Sabah is the best place to visit for a fantastic jungle experience. The conservation area is located deep inside the 130 million-year-old lowland forest.
It has a good diversity of plants and animals scattered over 438 square kilometers. When you visit the Danum Valley, you might see orangutans, leopards, or even pygmy elephants.
The area is purely wildlife and plant life as there is a lack of human settlement, making the experience and environment even purer. The forest is lush, and you can partake in jungle treks with an experienced guide or even go for a night safari.
17. Alor Setar
Visiting Langkawi is usually the most popular activity for those who visit Kedah. But in my opinion, they are missing out on an unexplored city called Alor Setar.
The city stands just a couple of kilometers to the southeast of Langkawi, and it features some significant buildings like the Royal Hall, the Big Clock Building, the Zahir Mosque, and the Sultan Museum.
You can also visit the imposing 250 million-year-old Gunung Keriang limestone hill. There are also some historic 17th-century ruins you can see at Kuala Kedah.
18. Pulau Sipadan
The island of Pulau Sipadan is located in the state of Sabah and is one of the top diving destinations in the world.
The island stands about 600 meters above the ocean floor and is home to various marine life, including devil rays, hammerhead sharks, dogtooth tuna, and barracudas.
It is a great place for marine enthusiasts and divers because there is so much beauty in and around the water. However, restrictions have been implemented to sustain the balance in the ecosystem, so you will only be allowed day visits.
But if you want to stay overnight, I suggest arranging a place on nearby islands like Mabul, Mataking, or Kapalai.
Location of Malaysia
Malaysia is located in Southeast Asia with the famous countries of Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Indonesia, Singapore and The Philippines.
