We have put together the perfect 2 week Malaysia itinerary if you want to explore the mainland of the country and discover the rich culture, amazing food and vibrant nature! We’ll show you how to travel around mainland Malaysia, visit some of the best cities, where to stay and tasty food recommendations!
If you only have time for 2 weeks in Malaysia, it’s going to be hard to see everything. The country is huge with areas that need flights and ferries.
This itinerary focuses on the main island (The Malay Peninsular) between Thailand and Singapore. It’s really easy to add the islands and Borneo onto this itinerary as the route starts and ends at airports.
We’re so excited to share this Malaysia itinerary as there’s so much more to the country than its popular capital city – Kuala Lumpur. A trip away from the major city and you’ll find beautiful tea plantations, national parks and different food specialities from other regions.
The country is incredibly diverse with a mix of Malay, Indian and Chinese cultures. You’ll also find old colonial buildings from the Dutch, British and Portuguese that have been preserved and converted into shops, museums and restaurants.
When exploring Malaysia, we wrote down as much information as possible to create this tried and tested Malaysia travel guide. Let’s plan your Malaysia 2 week itinerary!
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Quick Tips for a 2 week Malaysia Itinerary
- Currency – Malaysian Ringgit (compare your currency here)
- Language – Malay (also Mandarin and Tamil)
- Cuisine – Malay, Chinese & Indian (noodles, rice, dosas, soups, curries, roti & more)
- Apps – GoogleTranslate, GoogleMaps, Grab, Booking.com &, Hostelworld
- Power Voltage – Plug G, 240V (Same as the UK)
Accommodation in Malaysia
There are many hotels, hostels, homestays and guesthouses in Malaysia for affordable prices. We share our recommendations throughout this itinerary and we always use Booking.com to find places to stay.
Sim Card in Malaysia
If you’re spending 2 weeks in Malaysia, it’s definitely working getting a sim card. We picked up a Digi sim card at Penang airport for around 35 RM (around £6.15) for a 30-day (unlimited social media) package.
You can also purchase a Celcom Simcard in advance on Klook (Pick up at KLIA 2)!
Also, check out our in-depth guides to each destination:
- 3 Day Kuala Lumpur Itinerary: Best Things To Do
- The Best 2 Day Melaka Itinerary: Things To Do (Malacca)
- Cameron Highlands Itinerary: Best Things To Do
- The Best Ipoh Itinerary: 2 Days in Ipoh
- 4 Day Penang Itinerary: Best Things To Do
Best time to visit Malaysia
Malaysia has a hot and tropical climate all year round. There are many different weather systems and typhoons in Malaysia that change throughout the region.
For this 2 week Malaysia itinerary, the best time to visit is from February to September. The West Coast experiences rain a lot throughout the year, but it gets worse around September and October. This is especially true for the Cameron Highlands which is colder than the rest of the country.
The best time to visit the east coast of Malaysia is March and early October, which can be explored at the end of this mainland itinerary. During the wet season in the Perhentian islands, the rain is usually a lot heavier than the wet season in the west.
How to get around Malaysia
Flying – There are plenty of airports around Malaysia as it’s a huge country! Kuala Lumpur International Airport and Penang Airport connect to each other or to the island of Borneo. Most cities on this itinerary also have their own airports.
Bus – Ultimately the best way to get around mainland Malaysia is by bus. They are so comfortable for long journeys and it was even possible to use our laptops on them! Check for times and prices on 12Go, RedBus or EasyBook. If you book tickets online, you have to print them out before getting on the bus.
Train – There’s also a train line through some of the country which is a great way to leave or enter Kuala Lumpur. Check times on 12Go here!
Planning more trips in Southeast Asia? Check out our 3 Month Southeast Asia Itinerary!
2 Week Malaysia Itinerary (Mainland)
After a few quick tips, it’s time to share our Malaysia itinerary. This route can be switched around if you’re starting in Penang and it’s very easy to add more locations to this itinerary at the beginning or end (such as Borneo, Langkawi or the Perhentian islands).
Day 1 – 4 | Kuala Lumpur
The best way to start your 2 week Malaysia itinerary is in the capital city, Kuala Lumpur.
Kuala Lumpur is an urban wonderland with culture and delicious food around every corner. It’s also home to the iconic Petronas towers which can’t be missed when visiting the city.
Due to the city’s well-connected airport, it’s a popular layover destination in Southeast Asia, but it definitely deserves more than a day. Check out our 3 day Kuala Lumpur itinerary for full details.
How to get to Kuala Lumpur city centre
It’s likely you’ll be arriving in Kuala Lumpur by flight or bus and if you’re following this Malaysia itinerary you will enter the city twice after a side trip to Melaka.
- Flying – Kuala Lumpur International Airport is one of the best in Southeast Asia (along with Singapore) and it’s the perfect place to arrive from anywhere else in the world.
- Bus – Malaysian buses are the best way to get around the country and there are even routes from Singapore. Check for times and prices on 12Go, RedBus or EasyBook.
- Train – The trains in Kuala Lumpur arrive and leave from KL Sentral Station! Check times on 12Go here!
How to get from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to the city centre
There are two terminals at Kuala Lumpur International Airport and both are connected by a small train that’s free to use. Both terminals are easy to get to using public transport from the city centre. Here are a few ways to do it:
- Train – A train ticket from the airport to KL Sentral takes around 30 minutes and costs around RM 55. Book your KLIA Ekspres Airport Train Tickets.
- Bus – The bus is cheaper at RM 15 but can take 45 minutes to an hour and arrives at KLIA2.
- Grab – If there are more than two people, then a Grab ride could work out more cost-effectively.
Things to do in Kuala Lumpur
In total, we’ve spent over 1 week in Kuala Lumpur exploring all the best things to do. We highly recommend spending at least 2-3 days in the city and seeing the main highlights. Here are a few things to see during the first few days of your Malaysia itinerary!
Batu Caves
If you’ve been looking at photos of Malaysia, you’ve likely seen the beautiful rainbow-painted stairs at the Batu Caves. These are some of the most popular things to see in Kuala Lumpur and are easy to get to via train or Grab from the city centre. You can also do a Batu Caves Half-Day Tour!
The Batu Caves have Hindu shrines inside and you can also find colourful Hindu buildings around the area. For religious reasons, legs must be covered when entering the temple and climbing up the stairs.
Central Market
During your Malaysia 2 week itinerary, another must-visit place in Kuala Lumpur is the Central Market, right around the corner from Chinatown. It’s an indoor market filled with small boutique stalls mainly aimed at tourists. We found a very affordable jewellery shop and appreciated the air con in the building!
Petaling Street Market
In the heart of Chinatown is one of the best markets in Kuala Lumpur – Petaling Street Market! This is completely different to Central Market and rougher around the edges.
We have passed through this market multiple times throughout our Kuala Lumpur treats as you really can’t miss it when exploring China Town. There’s food, clothes, watches, technology and more! You can find bargains all around!
China Town
The Chinatown area is one of our favourite places in Kuala Lumpur, we love the hustle and bustle, the beautiful street art, cosy cafes and delicious restaurants.
Make sure to visit the Hindu Temple, Mahamariamman Temple and the Taoist temple, Guan Di Temple whilst you’re in the area. Also, check out the colourful houses and street art near Kwai Chai Hong!
You can also jump on a Kuala Lumpur Half-Day City Tour with a guide that will teach you so much more about Malaysia!
Little India (Brickfields)
Little India is the perfect way to fuel up for the day with authentic Indian food! The streets are beautifully painted with colour and there are many Indian-related shops in the area. The best way to get to Little India is via KL Sentral, the main train station in Kuala Lumpur.
Our favourite restaurants in Little India are Saravanaa Bhavan and Singh Chapati House although anywhere will be good.
Petronas Towers
The iconic Petronas Towers are the most famous buildings in the country and are worth seeing during your 2 weeks in Malaysia. They were once the tallest buildings in the world and are currently the tallest twin towers in the world.
At the base of the towers, there’s a light show every evening and on the inside is a mall with the Sky Deck on some of the higher floors.
Book your tickets in advance for the Sky Deck of the Petronas Towers!
Wondering what to pack for Southeast Asia? Find everything you need to pack in our Southeast Asia packing guide.
Bukit Bintang
There’s an abundance of malls to choose from on this Malaysia itinerary and Kuala Lumpur has some of the best! Check out Berjaya Times Square (BTS) for the best experience of shopping and there’s even a theme park!
If you’re around in the evening, visit Jalan Alor Food Street Market to explore the many options of food! You’ll find a range of Asian cuisines and lots of tropical fruit!
Merdeka Square
Merdeka Square is a significant area in Kuala Lumpur, symbolising the day that Malaysia became an independent country. The buildings that surround the square, such as Sultan Abdul Samad Building and Jamek Mosque are definitely worth visiting as they’re so close to Chinatown.
There’s honestly too much to do in this city, if you have some extra time check out the Perdana Botanical Gardens, Masjid Wilayah Mosque (Federal Territory Mosque), Thean Hou Temple and take a visit up the KL Tower (book your KL Tickets in advance)
If you want a more local activity during your Malaysia 2 week itinerary, head to a water park – Find tickets to Sunway Lagoon here
Where to stay in Kuala Lumpur
The best area to stay in Kuala Lumpur is near KLCC, Bukit Bintang, Chinatown & KL Sentral.
Kuala Lumpur is the only time we’ve ever stayed in a rooftop pool because they’re so affordable here! It’s the best opportunity on your Malaysia itinerary 2 weeks! We’ve added three to our list and they’re worth it to have views of the city.
- Ceylonz Starlight Suites Bukit Bintang $$ – A beautiful rooftop pool in a modern hotel.
- Hotel 1000 Miles $ – Great prices, great location and there are private or dorm rooms. We stayed here twice during our 2 weeks in Malaysia!
- Mingle @ Highstreet $ – Here’s a hostel for social travellers or those travelling solo and there’s even a rooftop pool here!
- D’Majestic Place $-$$ – We have also stayed here twice throughout our time in Malaysia just to use the amazing pool on the roof. The rooms are great too!
Best Restaurants in Kuala Lumpur
- Sweet Veggie (Pudu) $ – Our favourite Chinese buffet restaurant in KL (location)
- Sangeetha Veg Restaurant $-$$ – Indian Food in Masjid Jamek (location)
- Happy Sambodi Vege Restaurant $ – Affordable Chinese food (location)
- The Hungry Tapir $$ – Amazing veggie & vegan food including desserts (location)
- Minf Houze Vegan Cafe $-$$ – Vegan Malay food near KLCC Park (location)
- Singh Chapati House $ – Indian food in Little India, Brickfields (location)
Also, check out the Atmosphere 360 Revolving Restaurant in KL Tower for a dining experience! Find your tickets on Klook here!
Alongside our 2 week Malaysia itinerary, check out more of our in-depth Malaysia travel guides!
Day 4 – 6 | Melaka
The next destination on this Malaysia 2 week itinerary is the historic city of Melaka! We recommend spending 2 days here to check out the best things and if you can time it right, make sure you visit on at least one of these days – a Friday, Saturday or Sunday!
If you’re arriving from Singapore, it makes sense to visit Melaka before Kuala Lumpur as it’s along the way. Melaka is worth a visit on any Malaysia trip to discover the old shophouses, dutch buildings, and take lovely walks along the river.
The city is much smaller than Kuala Lumpur, so it’s easy to get around. It’s also possible to visit Melaka on a day trip from Kuala Lumpur with a guide!
How to get to Melaka from Kuala Lumpur
The best way to get from Kuala Lumpur to Melaka is by bus. It’s only a 2-hour journey from Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) in Kuala Lumpur to Melaka Sentral. From Melaka Sentral, you can take a local bus or a Grab to the city centre.
You can the times and prices of buses using 12Go, RedBus or EasyBook!
Things to do in Melaka
As Melaka is quite small, we’ve included enough activities for 2 or 3 days. Check out our 2 Day Melaka Itinerary for a full detailed guide!
Admire the Church of Saint Paul
One of our favourite old buildings in Melaka was the Church of Saint Paul standing high on St Pauls hill. It’s known as the oldest church in Malaysia and in the region of Southeast Asia!
The church is being preserved however there’s no roof and you can freely walk around the area looking at the tombstones and old walls.
Join a Historical Melaka Tour to find out more about the history of Melaka.
A Famosa (Fortress)
A Famosa is an old fortress that is in ruins now. The main highlight is seeing the main gate to the fortress (Porta de Santiago). The fortress is near the Church of Saint Paul, so it’s perfect to pair together. Also, A Famosa means ‘The Famous’ in Portuguese!
Melaka Straits Mosque
Another beautiful spot on this 2 week Malaysia itinerary is the Melaka Strait mosque. It’s just outside of the city centre but a good sunset is on the horizon. You can catch Grab to the mosque for around 10 RM. We found some rocks with the best views of the mosque on the water. It’s also possible to enter inside if you’re wearing the correct clothing.
Jonker Street Night Market (Friday to Sunday)
We mentioned above that it’s worth visiting Melaka over the weekend because that’s when the Jonker Street Night Market is in Melaka. This is one of the best things to do in Melaka!
You’ll find music, street food and lots of mini stalls selling a bit of everything! Jonker Street is also worth checking out in the daytime.
Dutch Square
The Dutch Square is another site you can’t miss if you’re visiting Melaka during this 2 week Malaysia itinerary. The square is surrounded by beautiful colonial red buildings such as the Christ Church, Stadthuys and Tan Beng Swee Clock Tower (the tower was built more recently matching the red theme of the square).
Sunset River Cruise in Melaka
Melaka is split by the Malacca River which gives the city the perfect opportunity to do boat rides! The best time of day to go on a Melaka boat trip is in the evening for sunset. Ticket prices are around 25 RM and the ride is 40 minutes long. You can buy your tickets on the day at the Melaka River Park and Cruise building.
Street Art in Melaka
Throughout this 2 week Malaysia itinerary, you’ll notice that we love to find street art in every city. Melaka has plenty of wonderful street murals to discover such as Kiehl’s Colourful Wall, The Orangutan House, Melaka Street Art (The Well) and there’s also some art along the river near The Old Merchant.
Here are a few more things to do in Melaka if you have extra days – The Shore Sky Tower, Bayou Lagoon Water Park and Upside Down House Gallery!
Where to stay in Melaka
The best area to stay in Melaka is near Jonker Street (Jalan Hang Jebat) and the Old Town!
- Haven Inn $ – This is where we stayed in Melaka.
- The Cozy Place by Nestcove $ – A lovely modern guesthouse in Melaka.
- Bali Residences $$ – Just outside of the city centre is this luxury and affordable place with a swimming pool.
Best Restaurants in Melaka
- Chin Hua Vegetarian Food $ – The best Chinese buffet restaurant in Melaka! (location)
- Restoran Saravanna – Chettinadu King $ – Authentic Indian food in Melaka! (location)
- Thong Xin Vegetarian Restaurant $ – Delicious Chinese food! (location)
- Botanist Cafe $$ – Vegetarian restaurant with Malay options! (location)
We have more Southeast Asia posts, including a 2-Week Thai Islands itinerary & 2-Week Cambodia Itinerary!
Day 6 – 9 | Cameron Highlands
After exploring some of Malaysia’s cities on this Malaysia 2 week itinerary, it’s time to breathe the fresh air of the highlands. The Cameron Highlands is one of the highest points in Malaysia with beautiful tea plantations, green hills and crisp cool air.
The British used the highlands as their resort town in the colonial days and a lot of the buildings have stayed! The whole area feels like a little England and there are even fresh strawberries growing too!
We loved our time in the Cameron Highlands and wish we spent a few more days to just relax and drink tea. 2 days is definitely enough to see the main highlights and it’s a little tricky to get around unless you go on a tour or hire a scooter or bike.
How to get to the Cameron Highlands from Melaka
Getting to the Cameron Highlands from Melaka will be the longest travel day on this 2 week Malaysia itinerary. The best way to get there is by bus via Kuala Lumpur.
It will take around 2 hours to get from Melaka to Kuala Lumpur and around 4 hours from Kuala Lumpur to the Cameron Highlands. Luckily the buses in Malaysia are very comfortable!
If you have the time you can spend an extra night in Kuala Lumpur to break up the journeys or just leaving enough time between buses is also fine! Check for times and prices on 12Go, RedBus or EasyBook!
Things to do in the Cameron Highlands
Now on this 2 week Malaysia itinerary, we’re going to show you the best things to do in the Cameron Highlands if you have a few days. Some of these activities are best done on a tour which we’ll tell you about too!
Tanah Rata
If you’re staying in Tanah Rata, spend some time exploring the area and admiring the colonial buildings! This will be the best area to find food such as Singh Chapati (an Indian restaurant). There are also markets, outdoor shops and cafes!
BOH Tea Plantations & Cafe
The beautiful tea plantations are the best parts of the Cameron Highlands and there are a few different plantations around the area. The BOH Tea Plantations are the largest in the country and they have a lovely cafe at the top with views of the hills. The tea plantations were a highlight of our Malaysia itinerary!
Mossy Forest & Mount Brinchang
Another highlight in the Cameron Highlands is the Mossy Forest. An incredible old forest full of moss and viewpoints! It’s a pretty short but beautiful walk and there’s also an entrance fee.
Private vehicles aren’t allowed to drive to Mossy Forest, so you have to book a tour with a 4×4. We recommend Discover Camerons!
Jungle Trekking
In the Cameron Highlands, there are certain times of the year when you can go hiking for the Giant Rafflesia! These flowers are very rare to find as they only bloom for around 5 days and take one year to grow!
There will be guides in Malaysia who know exactly what to look for when there’s a blooming opportunity. It’s still possible to hike the jungles of the Cameron Highlands all year round!
Pick Your Own Strawberries
It’s crazy to think that strawberries can grow in the Cameron Highlands, but we were so happy to find and eat them! You can pick your own strawberries at various farms in the area, here are a few:
- Big Red Strawberry Farm (location)
- Raju’s Hill Strawberry Farm (location)
- 200 Seeds Cafe & Farm (location)
- Kasimanis Strawberry Farm (location)
Bharat Tea Plantations
Another tea plantation to visit during your 2 weeks in Malaysia is the Bharat Tea Plantations! They allow visitors to walk around an area of the tea leaves for a small fee. There’s also a shop and cafe here overlooking the plantations. The views are amazing! We took so many photos here. It’s also less busy than the famous BOH plantations.
Best Tours in the Cameron Highlands
As the Cameron Highlands is a large area with lots of things to do, we recommend joining a half-day tour or renting a scooter. We actually did both during our trip and the half-day tour is definitely worth it!
The Mossy Forest is down a road that is banned from vehicles other than jeeps, so a tour is the only way to see it.
We booked a Cameron Highlands Half-Day Tour at the hostel we were staying at (Bricks Cameron Hostel) and they booked us on a tour with Discover Camerons! Here are the places we saw on this trip:
- BOH Sungai Palas Tea Centre (free entry)
- BOH Cafe (tea from 4RM)
- Mossy Forest (entry fee: 30RM for internationals / 10RM for locals)
- Mount Brinchang Viewpoint (included in the Mossy Forest ticket)
Our guide was amazing and told us so much valuable information about the plantations and the highlands. We also met a few other travellers on the tour as we all shared a jeep! Find their details here – Discover Camerons Facebook & Bricks Cameron Hostel
Klook.comWhere to stay in the Cameron Highlands
The best area to stay in the Cameron Highlands is Tanah Rata, followed by Brinchang and Ringlet.
Bricks Cameron Hostel $ – We stayed here during our time in the Cameron Highlands and loved it! They have private rooms and dorms for a good price in the heart of Tanah Rata!
100 Oastel coLiving $ – A cosy guesthouse in Tanah Rata with beautiful decor and free parking– Find here on Booking.com!
The Rustique Guest House $ – Affordable rooms in Tanah Rata – Find here on Booking.com!
Best Restaurants in the Cameron Highlands
- Singh Chapati $ – a tasty Indian restaurant (location)
- The Lords Cafe $-$$ – serving tea & scones (no vegan cakes) (location)
- Restoran Sri Brinchang $ – a South Indian restaurant (location)
- Restoran Bunga Suria $ – another lovely Indian restaurant (location)
If you love tea plantations, plan your next trip to Sri Lanka! We spent 3 weeks in Sri Lanka Itinerary and loved the green hills when exploring Ella and Nuwara Eliya are so similar to the Cameron Highlands!
Day 9 – 11 | Ipoh
The next destination on our 2 week Malaysia itinerary is Ipoh, a city surrounded by limestone cliffs and beautiful temples.
Ipoh has a charming old town with a new town right around the corner. We think of Ipoh as a smaller version of Penang (which you’ll visit next on this Malaysia itinerary) with street art and colonial buildings.
We’re so glad that we visited Ipoh on our trip as it really felt different to the other cities. There was less tourism and fewer major things to do which meant we could explore the city more authentically. However, it’s not completely hidden from tourism in places such as Concubine Lane!
How to get to Ipoh from the Cameron Highlands
The best way to get to Ipoh from the Cameron Highlands is by bus! Honestly, the buses are amazing in Malaysia. Check for times and prices on 12Go, RedBus or EasyBook!
The journey should take around 2 hours and the bus drops you off just outside of the city centre in Ipoh. Hop on a T30a bus that will take you to Old Town Ipoh, alternatively, you can use Grab.
There’s also a private day tour to Ipoh from Kuala Lumpur if you’re based in the capital city – book your trip here!
Things to do in Ipoh
We recommend spending 2 nights in Ipoh on your Malaysia itinerary to see the main highlights such as the old town, temples and nature. If you have more time in the city, you can head to a theme & water park for the day at Sunway Lost World Of Tambun or explore Tempurung Cave.
Concubine Lane
One of the best areas to see in Ipoh is Concubine Lane, also known as Panglima Lane. It’s in the heart of Old Town and hard to miss as you’ll find most visitors here! There are boutique shops, souvenirs and many different types of food! Ipoh is big on white coffee and Portuguese tarts!
You’ll also find the Time Tunnel Museum and a Funtasy Trick Art House here, but we didn’t get the time to visit these!
Mural Art’s Lane
In the New Town, you’ll find the Mural Art’s Lane – full of energetic art pieces embracing Malaysian culture! It’s a quiet street which makes the area very peaceful to explore and take in the murals. It’s a lovely area to visit if you’re wondering what to do in Malaysia.
Heritage Buildings in Ipoh
On your 2 week Malaysia itinerary, head to the Tourist Information Office and grab a map to follow the Ipoh Old Heritage Trail. There are so many old heritage buildings in Ipoh and if you don’t know where they are, you could honestly walk past them without realising! Here are a few that you can see whilst exploring Ipoh:
- Ipoh Railway Station
- Ipoh Town Hall
- Han Chin Pet Soo
- HSBC Building
- Birch Memorial Tower
Cave Temples
Ipoh also has some beautiful cave temples just outside the main city centre. The best way to reach them is by Grab or if you’re on a budget, there’s a local bus but there’s no official timetable at the bus station.
- Ling Sen Tong Temple
- Nam Thean Tong Temple
- Sam Poh Tong Temple
- Mystery Temple (through the cave of Sam Poh Tong Temple)
Our favourite temple was the Mystery Temple, purely because it’s so unique and hidden in a cave. We always wonder how temples are built in such interesting places.
All of the temples have their gardens, ponds and complexes to explore and it’s the perfect way to spend a morning in Ipoh during your 2 week Malaysia itinerary!
We use a Joby GorillaPod to take photos of ourselves when there’s no one around! It’s small and lightweight so fits in our day bag! There’s even a Joby Phone Tripod too!
Tasik Cermin and Mirror Lake
Not too far away from the impressive cave temples is Tasik Cermin Park (Mirror Lake). There’s an entry fee to enter the park but inside is a beautiful lake surrounded by nature.
When we visited, there was a big thunderstorm and we were stuck in the heavy rain for a while, but the lake was so peaceful. It’s a lovely spot to see during your 2 weeks in Malaysia.
Street Murals in Old Town Ipoh
Alongside Mural Art’s Lane in New Town, there’s much more street art to find in the Old Town. We’ve tried our best to list the locations for all the art that’s worth finding and maybe some more will pop up too! Market Lane Murals are our favourite, so we’ve included a photo!
- Market Lane Murals 3D (location here)
- Kids Riding a Paper Plane (location here)
- Cheers! 3D (location here)
- Old Town Relieves Nostalgia With Trishaw 3D (location here)
- Parking Troubles Mural
- Old Uncle Drinking Coffee (location here)
- Evolution (location here)
Where to stay in Ipoh
The best area to stay in Ipoh is near the Old Town or New Town. Here are a few we can recommend:
The Brownstone Hostel $ – The best social hostel in Ipoh with dorms & private rooms – Find on Booking.com here!
The Tudor $$ – A lovely hotel with balconies & views – Find on Booking.com here!
We stayed at City Hostel, but sadly it’s now closed!
Best Restaurants in Ipoh
- Sri Ananda Bahwan Restaurant $ – more Indian food in Little India (location)
- Man Xiang Cun Vege Restaurant $ – amazing Chinese food near the temples (location)
- Ninety-Six Vegetarian Food $ – delicious Chinese food in New Town Ipoh (location)
- Tong Sui Kai Hawker Centre $ – many small restaurants with lots of options (location)
If you’re backpacking and heading to Thailand next – check out our 3 Days in Krabi, Thailand!
Day 11 – 14 | Penang
Penang is one of the best places to visit during this 2 week Malaysia itinerary. We will always recommend visiting here on any Malaysia trip as Georgetown is so unique!
The city also has a well-connected airport so you can travel to or from various areas of Malaysia and other countries.
Penang is an island connected to the mainland via a bridge and is home to a vibrant old town, street murals, amazing nature and impressive views. George Town is the capital of Penang and the best place to base yourself whilst exploring the area.
How to get to Penang from the Cameron Highlands
The best way to get to Penang from the Cameron Highlands is by bus! The journey will take around 3 hours and take you to George Town. Once arriving in George Town there is a local transport such as buses or Grab’s that can take you to your accommodation.
Check for times and prices on 12Go, RedBus or EasyBook!
Things to do in Penang
Penang is one of our favourite destinations in Malaysia and we recommend spending at least 3 days here to explore the historic old town and the hills, beaches and nature of Penang island.
Street Murals in George Town
It’s hard to walk around George Town and not stumble across an interesting piece of art. Quite a lot of them are 3D and you can sit or ‘interact’ with the murals. Penang is a very popular spot on this Malaysia itinerary, so there may be queues to take photos with the art.
Head out early if you prefer fewer crowds. The must-see murals are Little Children on a Bicycle, Boy on a Motorbike, Brother and Sister on a Swing and Love on Bicycle. Here are a few more that you can find throughout George Town.
- Hoola Hoop Basketball
- I Want Bao
- Love Me Like Your Fortune Cat
- Old Soy Milk Stall
- The Window Cat
- Reaching Up
- The Indian Boatman
Armenian Street
When hunting for street art, we came across Armenian Street – a street full of snacks and bike rentals! A popular snack to get in Penang is the flavoured ice ball and although we didn’t try one, we saw a lot of people with one!
Little India
A visit to Little India in George Town is a must for your Malaysia 2 week itinerary. The streets are vibrant and alive, especially in the evening. There’s great food everywhere, including Penang’s Famous Samosa! You can also find Hindu temples in Little India.
Want to explore George Town by tour? You can discover George Town on a Half Day City Tour with Klook! Book your tickets online here and meet other travellers whilst in Penang.
Clan Jetties
The Clan Jetties are wooden villages built over the water on the coast of Penang. Chew Jetty is the most popular jetty to visit and there are a few shops, restaurants and shows around.
People still live on these jetties, so it’s not best to explore all of them but you can see them from the waterfront. There’s even a Taoist Temple on one of them!
Kek Lok Si Temple
One of the most interesting temples we came across during our 2 weeks in Malaysia was Kek Lok Si Temple. It’s a whole temple complex with gardens, statues and of course temples.
The best way to get there is by bus or grab and from there, it’s easy to get to Penang Hill on the same day! It’s also free to enter the temple and there’s a great vegetarian restaurant there!
Penang Hill
The best views in Penang are from Penang Hill! You can reach the top by a funicular or a steep hike. Although the hike is free, we chose to get the funicular which costs 30 RM for a return ticket. It’s quite expensive, considering the rest of Malaysia is pretty affordable!
At the top, we saw macaque monkeys! There are also a few trails to explore and cafes. One of the best things to do at Penang Hill is The Habitat, a nature walk high up in the trees. Get your tickets in advance here!
Batu Ferringhi Beach
This is the only beach on our 2 week Malaysia itinerary, which is wild because Malaysia does have some incredible beaches on various islands around the country.
If you’re spending some time in Penang, Batu Ferringhi Beach is worth visiting! It takes about 1 hour to get there by bus from George Town.
Even though it’s the most popular beach in Penang, we found it to be pretty quiet. There are multiple beach resorts, although not taking up the beach, volleyball and watersports!
Stay the night in Batu Ferringhi: Lost Paradise Resort – Find here on Booking.com!
There are a few more things to do in Penang such as Penang Tropical Fruit Farm Guided Tour, Escape Theme Park and heading to the top of Penang’s tower. You can also take a Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion Tour in George Town.
Where to stay in Penang
The best place to stay in Penang is near George Town. If you’re more into the beach than the old history of Penang, Batu Ferringhi Beach is another area to stay, although it takes around 1 hour to reach George Town.
Dou Houz Georgetown $ – We stayed here for 4 nights in one of their private rooms. There are also dorms!
Carnarvon House $ – Another affordable place to stay, with a beautiful interior!
Evergreen Laurel Hotel Penang $$ – This one includes a pool!
Lost Paradise Resort $$ (Batu Ferringhi)– A beautiful resort near the beaches
Best Restaurants in Penang
- Woodlands Vegetarian Restaurant $ – Incredible Indian Restaurant in Little India (mark them on your map)
- Ee Beng Vegetarian Restaurant $ – Amazing ‘buffet’ Chinese food! (here’s the location)
- Kek Lok Si Vegetarian Restaurant $-$$ – Next to Kek Lok Si Temple! (find them here)
- Zhu Yuan Vegetarian Restaurant $ – Local Chinese Restaurant (location here)
- SUPE Vegan $$ – Vegan Japanese food in George Town (here’s their Facebook)
2 week Malaysia Itinerary Breakdown
We’ve included two travel days in this Malaysia 2 week itinerary but there will be some travel time between all the destinations. The journey from Melaka to the Cameron Highlands will be the longest.
Kualar Lumpur – 3 days
Melaka – 2 days
Melaka to Cameron Highlands – 1 day
Cameron Highlands – 2 days
Ipoh – 2 days
Ipoh to Penang – 1 day
Penang – 3 days
We’re trying to be as honest as possible about how long the journeys can take between places! Sometimes travel days really knock us out and we want to rest for the evening!
More Places to Visit in Malaysia
Langkawi – This is a major destination that we’ve missed off our 2 week Malaysia itinerary. If you want to visit this lovely island on your way to Thailand, skip out Ipoh and minus a day in Melaka or Penang. You’ll then have 3 days to explore Langkawi during your 2 weeks in Malaysia.
We didn’t visit the islands as it was the wrong time of year and we weren’t continuing to Thailand as we actually flew into Penang and travelled to Kuala Lumpur (the reverse of this itinerary). We do recommend visiting if you’re a beach and nature lover!
Klook.comPerhentian Islands – These are some of the most beautiful islands in Malaysia and it will take some time to reach them! The islands are chilled and laidback and have beautiful white sand beaches. They’re definitely on our list when we visit Malaysia in the future!
Taman Negara – This is one of the world’s oldest tropical rainforests and a beautiful place to explore in Malaysia. It’s a bus ride away from Kuala Lumpur, so very easy to add to your 2 week Malaysia itinerary.
Borneo Island – Borneo is the third-largest island in the world and one of the best places to see wild orangutans, Bornean elephants and proboscis monkeys. The island is also home to two other countries, Brunei and Indonesia. It’s been on our list for years and we hope to make it there one day!
Head over to the beautiful Thai Islands after your 2 weeks in Malaysia for beautiful beaches and amazing Thai cuisine. Check out our – 1 Month Thailand itinerary.
How to get to Malaysia
If you’re heading to Malaysia from a country outside of Southeast Asia, it’s best to fly! Kuala Lumpur will be the city to arrive in with the best flights and prices, it’s one of the best airports in the region. We flew from Bangkok to Penang which is another international airport in Malaysia.
There are buses and ferries from Thailand such as Koh Lipe to Langkawi and there are also buses from Singapore. Check times on 12Go here!
1 Week in Malaysia Itinerary
If you only have 1 week in Malaysia, we recommend landing in the capital city, Kuala Lumpur and travelling across the mainland to Penang, passing through the beautiful Cameron Highlands on the way.
Kuala Lumpur | 1 – 3
Cameron Highlands | 3 – 5
Penang | 5 – 7
More than 2 weeks in Malaysia
With more than 2 weeks in Malaysia, you can explore other areas of this wonderful country. Follow this 2 week Malaysia itinerary and add on the island of Borneo or Langkawi.
We recommend spending at least 1 week in Borneo, 3 days in Langkawi and 3 days in the Perhentian Islands.
2 Weeks in Malaysia Budget
Malaysia is a very affordable country to travel around and we recommend budgeting around £30 a day. This will include accommodation, travel days, food and any activities. Depending on the accommodation, some days will be more and less. We spent less than £30 a day each.
Here are a few estimates that we noted down as we explored this 2 week Malaysia itinerary:
- Accommodation: from £12 / RM66
- Food: around £2 to £4 per meal / RM11 to RM22
- Bus Journeys: around RM20 (around £3.60)
- Grab Journeys: around RM10 (around £1.80)
- Activities: RM25 (around £5)
Prices of our bus journeys in Malaysia: Penang to Ipoh – RM20, Ipoh to the Cameron Highlands – RM 25, the Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur – RM40, Kuala Lumpur to Melaka – RM15, Melaka to Kuala Lumpur – RM10.
Trying to plan a budget for Southeast Asia? Get a breakdown of all countries in our Southeast Asia budget guide. Also here are our tips on how to save money for your Malaysia trip.
Food in Malaysia
Malaysia is a food paradise! It’s one of our favourite countries for food purely because of the variety! The country is incredibly diverse with large Malay, Chinese and Indian communities. This means there’s amazing food all over and lots of new dishes to try!
During your 2 week Malaysia itinerary, you have to try Nasi Lemak – Malaysia’s National dish! You can find these dishes all over Malaysia as well as Roti Canai. Local restaurants are often open from 6 am which means they’re great for breakfast or lunch.
We fell in love with the Chinese buffet-style restaurants where you fill up a plate full of rice, veggies and protein and pay by weight. We ate this style of food throughout our 2 weeks in Malaysia with plenty of curries and dosa in between (thank you Indian and Chinese cuisine)!
Malay food seems to be more meat-heavy than Chinese and Indian, so sadly we didn’t get to try a lot of Malaysian dishes as we eat plant-based.
Travel Essentials for a Kuala Lumpur Itinerary
- Stainless Steel Water Bottle – Bring a bottle and fill it up at filtered water machines throughout Malaysia. Some of them are free!
- Amazon Basics Packing Cubes – These packing cubes are essential for our travels!
- The Little Bodhi Microfibre Towel – Great for beaches, hostels or rooftop pools!
- Rain Mac in a Bag and a Backpack Cover are two more essentials we need in rainy weather!
- Anker Power Bank – Keep your phone charged during long bus journeys.
- Joby GorillaPod 3K Pro Kit – We love our Joby GorillaPod and use it with our Sony A600. There’s also a Joby Phone Tripod!
Find out what to bring with you to Malaysia in our Southeast Asia packing list!
Don’t forget about Travel Insurance! – SafetyWing Nomad Insurance
SafetyWing is a very flexible monthly-rolling travel insurance to help you stay safe on your trip anywhere in the world including Malaysia. Find out more here!
Is Malaysia worth visiting?
Malaysia is definitely worth visiting! Malaysia is one of our favourite Southeast Asian countries. The food is amazing (even for vegans or vegetarians), it’s easy to get around by bus, it’s budget-friendly and there’s a range of different activities!
Malaysia’s nature is incredible, the cities are beautiful and there’s always somewhere new to explore.
The islands are so underrated compared to the nearby popular Thai Islands. They’re not too touristy yet although a lot of the country is set up for tourism for Malaysians. Add Malaysia to your Southeast Asia itinerary!
Check out our other Malaysia Travel Guides:
- The Best 2 Day Melaka Itinerary: Things To Do (Malacca)
- 4 Day Penang Itinerary: Best Things To Do
- Cameron Highlands Itinerary: Best Things To Do
- The Best Ipoh Itinerary: 2 Days in Ipoh
- 3 Day Kuala Lumpur Itinerary: Best Things To Do
- We also have posts about Thailand, The Philippines, Sri Lanka, South Korea & more!
That’s the end of our 2 Week Malaysia Itinerary (Mainland): Best Things To Do! Have fun in the capital of Malaysia and if you need any more help planning – send us a message on Instagram (@thesunrisedreamers) or leave a comment below!
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