For their first stop in Southeast Asia, most people head to the sandy beaches of Thailand or the buzzing streets of Vietnam. While both are great choices, I took a different route and flew to Malaysia instead.
Why? Honestly, it was the cheapest flight from the UK to Asia. I knew almost nothing about the country, but I was excited by the idea of exploring somewhere completely new. And I am so glad I did.
But after a few months in Southeast Asia, I noticed a trend. Lots of travellers use Malaysia as a quick stopover. They spend a day or two in Kuala Lumpur, then head off to bigger-name spots—or rush down the west coast to reach Singapore.
But after spending three weeks here, I think that’s a huge missed opportunity.
Malaysia is one of the most diverse countries I’ve visited. Its blend of cultures, shaped by centuries as a major trading port, and its mix of jungles, mountains, cities, and islands, totally blew me away.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to make the most of your Malaysia itinerary, whether you’ve got 7 days, 2 weeks, or, like me, 3 amazing weeks to really explore.
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So, is Malaysia Worth Visiting?
In short, yes. Absolutely, yes.
Malaysia doesn’t always get the hype that its neighbours do, but that’s honestly part of the magic. You get stunning beaches without the crowds, delicious street food without the price tag, and rainforest adventures that feel like you’ve stumbled onto a secret.
What makes it special is the contrast. One day you’re wandering through a modern city filled with skyscrapers, the next you’re hiking through one of the oldest rainforests in the world.
And in between, you’ll eat Chinese-style noodles for breakfast, Indian roti for lunch, and Malay curry for dinner—all from roadside stalls that cost a couple of pounds.
Whilst it’s slightly more expensive than Thailand, Laos or Vietnam, it’s still very budget-friendly. It’s also culturally rich, shaped by centuries of trade as a major port, and full of underrated places to explore.
Whether you’re into food, nature, cities, or all three, Malaysia has something for you.
How Long Should You Spend in Malaysia?
A lot of people only spend a few days in Malaysia—usually just enough time to tick off the Petronas Towers, eat some street food in Kuala Lumpur, and then catch a flight to Thailand or Indonesia. But honestly? They’re missing out.
After 3 weeks here, I can firmly say that Malaysia has so much more to offer than just a stopover. So, how long should you spend in Malaysia?
If you’re short on time, 7 days in Malaysia is the minimum amount. It can still give you a taste of the country, but you’ll want to stick to the West Coast to minimise travel time between destinations.
2 weeks in Malaysia gives you much more freedom. You can You can slow down a little and add in variety—like jungle trekking, tea plantations, and even some beach time. It’s enough to visit 3 – 4 regions without feeling rushed. This is a sweet spot for many travellers who want both adventure and chill.
Personally, I’d try to spend 3 weeks in Malaysia. With this amount if time, I got to explore beyond the typical route, spend longer in national parks and actually get to know each place. It gave me room to be spontaneous without missing the highlights and to avoid the dreaded backpacker burnout.
Of course, how long you spend here can also depend on when you visit. Malaysia’s monsoon season affects different parts of the country at different times, so timing your trip right can make a big difference.
When is the Best Time to Visit Malaysia?
Malaysia is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit really depends on where you want to go. That’s because the country is split by two coastlines, each with its own monsoon season.
If you’re only planning a one-week trip, timing doesn’t matter too much. But if you want to make the most of a 2 or 3-week Malaysia itinerary, the season can seriously impact what’s open and accessible.
Here’s a breakdown:
- East Coast (like the Perhentian Islands, Redang, and Tioman): These stunning islands pretty much shut down during the monsoon season (usually November to February). Ferries stop running, and most accommodations close, so you simply can’t visit.
- Taman Negara National Park: Technically, it’s open year-round, but in reality, it’s a different story during monsoon season. After chatting with a few local guides, I found out that most tours stop running between October/November and February, depending on when the season starts.
Since you need a guide to access a lot of the park, that makes exploring properly pretty tricky. Honestly, if you’re travelling during this time, it’s probably not worth the effort. - West Coast (like Penang, Langkawi, and Kuala Lumpur): These areas have much more consistent weather-wise. There is a dry season, from February to April, which will make exploring places like the Cameron Highlands more enjoyable. However, having travelled them in the rainy season, the brief rain showers and general warm weather made them great all year.
So, if your Malaysia itinerary is longer than 7 days, it’s best to visit between March and September. This is when both the national parks and the beautiful east coast islands are fully open and at their best.
Before You Go: Travel Insurance
When you’re budget backpacking, every penny counts. It’s tempting to skip things that don’t feel urgent, and so often it’s travel insurance that’s the first to go. But after months on the road, I’ve seen just how quickly things can go wrong.
Whether it’s a bad case of food poisoning (yes, you can be hospitalised for that), a bad fall on a hike or the dreaded lost luggage, having insurance will save you (and your wallet) a lot more than you think.
When I first went backpacking, I did a ton of research before finally landing on SafetyWing’s Essential Plan, and I haven’t looked back since. It is ideal for trips like mine, which are short to medium-length travels with a flexible schedule. Plus, I love that it runs like a rolling subscription, so once you’re signed up, you don’t have to think about it again.
It offers a great amount of protection, with up to $250,000 for emergency medical costs (like hospital stays and urgent care), plus coverage for trip delays, lost luggage, and optional add-ons for adventure sports or stolen electronics.
For those travelling for longer, they also offer a Complete Plan for long-term travellers or digital nomads. This includes much more extensive coverage for both when you’re away and at home, including routine check-ups, mental health services, and maternity care. It’s more expensive, but worth looking into if you’re travelling full-time.
7 Day Malaysia Itinerary
For those who are short on time, don’t worry. You can still see a lot without feeling rushed. This 7 day Malaysia itinerary covers the highlights, giving you a mix of culture, nature, and coast. It’s great for first-time visitors or anyone wanting to stretch out their Malaysia stopover before heading elsewhere in Southeast Asia
You’ll kick things off in the capital, head into the cooler mountains, then wrap it up with a few relaxing days by the sea. Transport’s pretty straightforward—just make sure to book your buses or trains a few days in advance, especially around weekends, public holidays or during the dry season.
Days 1-2: Kuala Lumpur
Start your trip in Malaysia’s buzzing capital. Two days is enough to visit the iconic Petronas Towers, sample street food in Jalan Alor, and explore the mix of cultures in Chinatown and Little India. If you’re into history, the Islamic Arts Museum and Merdeka Square are well worth a look too.
For a complete breakdown on what to do, where to stay and how to get around the city, check out my 3 days in Kuala Lumpur itinerary.
🚌 Transport tip: Book your bus to the Cameron Highlands for the morning of Day 3 so you arrive by early afternoon. I booked my ticket through Redbus.
Day 3-4: Cameron Highlands
After the chaos of KL, cool off in the misty hills of the Cameron Highlands. These two days give you time to walk through tea plantations, visit mossy forests, and check out the local night market.
It’s a nice breather after the city, and it feels like a completely different world. If you’re travelling in the dry season, there are a lot some beautiful hikes in the area which are perfect for getting back to nature.
If you’re wondering what to do while you’re there, I’ve put together a list of the top things to do in Cameron Highlands to help you plan.
🛥️ Transport tip: You’ll need to book your bus to Penang or ferry combo for Langkawi on the evening of Day 4 or early on Day 5.
Days 5-7: Penang or Langkawi
For your final few days, you can choose between two of the islands of Malaysia’s north-west coast.
Penang is perfect if you want street food, street art, and a mix of heritage and hipster cafés in George Town. I spent 3 days in Penang, and I loved George Town—it had a great atmosphere and was lively without feeling overwhelming. Plus, as a recognised UNESCO World Heritage Site, its historic buildings and multicultural roots give it a charm you won’t find elsewhere.
Langkawi, on the other hand, has much more of an island vibe. You’ve got beautiful beaches where you can go kite surfing, stunning waterfalls to explore, and lush jungle trails if you fancy a hike. It’s the ideal place to unwind at the end of your trip, especially if you want a slower pace.
✈️ Both are a great way to wrap things up and offer easy connections back to KL or onwards to Thailand. Each island has an airport, or you can transfer by land with tickets booked on 12Go.
2 Week Malaysia Itinerary
With just one extra week, you’ll be able to add so much more to your Malaysia itinerary. This two-week Malaysia itinerary builds on the 7-day route but with more time and a couple more stops, some of which were my favourite in the whole country.
You’ll still start in Kuala Lumpur and end by the coast, but this version includes a trip back in time to the colourful, colonial streets of Melaka and a proper jungle adventure deep in Taman Negara National Park. These spots aren’t just “add-ons”—they really change the feel of your trip, giving you a taste of Malaysia’s depth and diversity.
Days 1-3: Kuala Lumpur
Use these days to settle in and explore the capital at your own pace. If you followed the 7-day itinerary, you’ll know there’s more to KL than skyscrapers—so take your time with the food markets, hidden temples, and rooftop bars.
Day 4: Melaka
Just a couple of hours south of KL, Melaka is full of character. Think colourful street art, lantern-lit lanes, and riverboats cruising past restored Dutch and Portuguese buildings.
It’s pretty small so you’ll only need one day in Melaka to soak it all in—visit Jonker Street, stop by the red-painted Stadthuys, and catch the sunset by the river.
It’s an easy day trip, but if you don’t want to double back, you could stay the night and continue on to Taman Negara from here (though you still have to go via KL).
Day 5-7: Taman Negara
Now for the real adventure. Taman Negara is one of the oldest rainforests in the world, and it feels like stepping into another world. You’ll need to join a guided tour here – I did a two-day trek that included river crossings and a night in a cave. It was one of the most memorable experiences I had in my whole trip, so I would highly recommend it.
You can book this the day before from one of the agencies in the town, but I’ve broken it all down in my complete guide to Taman Nergara National Park.
But, as I said before, you’ll want to skip this if you’re travelling during monsoon season (roughly October to February) as most tours pause then due to the rain.
Days 8-10: Cameron Highlands
From Taman Negara, you can easily catch a bus to the Cameron Highlands. These tickets are sold in the town by local agencies, and I bought mine the day before at my hostel.
You’ll already know this if you’ve read the 7-day itinerary or my guide to the Highlands, but spend some time hiking, relaxing with tea, and catching up on laundry (seriously—you’ll need to after the jungle).
Days 11-14: Penang or Langkawi
From the highlands, you’ll continue the final leg of your journey towards the northwest coast, just like in the 7-day itinerary.
Whether you choose the lively streets and street food of Penang or the laid-back beaches of Langkawi, this part of the trip is all about relaxing, exploring at your own pace, and soaking in Malaysia’s coastal charm.
3 Week Malaysia Itinerary
If you’ve got three weeks in Malaysia, lucky you—this is where things get really good.
This itinerary follows the same route as the 2-week itinerary for the first half: starting with three days in Kuala Lumpur, a quick trip to Melaka, then heading deep into the jungle at Taman Negara. You can check the 2-week itinerary above for details on those.
From here, though, you’ll veer off towards one of Malaysia’s most beautiful (and underrated) beach destinations:
Day 8-12: Perhentian Islands
The Perhentian Islands are a slice of paradise on Malaysia’s east coast, with turquoise water, coral reefs, and chilled beach restaurants. Think of the stunning beauty of South Thailand, but with half the people and chaos.
Spend your days snorkelling with turtles, diving, and enjoying simple beach life. I stayed on Perhentian Kecil (the smaller island), which had more budget stays and a laid-back backpacker vibe.
For more on where to stay and the difference between each island, check out my complete guide to the Perhentian Islands here!
Just be mindful of the monsoon season—the island is only open from around March to early October at the latest, so time your visit carefully.
🛥️ Ferries to the islands leave from Kuala Besut Jetty, which you can reach via bus and a short taxi ride. A lot of tickets are available, either through local agencies or with 12Go, include the bus and ferry, which makes it super easy but make sure to double-check.
Day 13-15: Cameron Highlands
Now it’s time to double back and stop over at the Cameron Highlands. This is included in both the previous itineraries, so if you haven’t already read the earlier sections, just know this is a great way to break up beach time with some peaceful green scenery.
Day 16-18: Penang
With 3 weeks in Malaysia, you’ve now got more time to properly explore Penang, especially George Town. With 3 days in Penang, you can dig deeper into its street food, visit more temples, and even explore a little outside of the city.
To see exactly how I would (and did!) spend my time here, check out my 3-day in Penang itinerary for a complete breakdown.
Day 19-21: Langkawi
Wrap up your trip with a trip to Langkawi, where you can relax by the beach, explore waterfalls, or take the cable car up to panoramic views over the islands.
This is the perfect way to end your three weeks—sunset drink in hand, surrounded by palm trees and ocean breeze.
Frequently Asked Questions about Visiting Malaysia
Is Malaysia expensive?
Malaysia is one of the most budget-friendly destinations in Southeast Asia. While it may be slightly pricier than countries like Thailand or Vietnam, it’s still very affordable for most travellers.
Street food is cheap and delicious, budget accommodation is plentiful, and transport options like buses and trains won’t break the bank. Of course, luxury options like high-end resorts or fancy restaurants can bump up your budget, but overall, you can easily travel here on a shoestring.
Is Malaysia safe for solo travel?
Absolutely! Malaysia is generally considered safe for solo travellers, and I spent 3 weeks here travelling completely solo. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and crime rates are relatively low compared to other countries in the region.
Of course, like anywhere, it’s always best to stay vigilant in busy areas, especially in larger cities like Kuala Lumpur. As long as you stick to the usual travel safety practices—like avoiding dark alleys at night and keeping an eye on your belongings—you should have a worry-free experience.
Do I need a visa for Malaysia?
For most nationalities, Malaysia offers a visa-free stay for up to 90 days. This includes many Western countries like the US, UK, Australia, and most European nations.
If you’re planning to stay longer or if you’re unsure, it’s always a good idea to check with the Malaysian embassy in your home country or your local government website for the latest visa requirements.
Can I use public transport easily?
Yes! Malaysia has a well-developed and affordable public transport system, especially in big cities like Kuala Lumpur. You can get around easily by bus, light rail (LRT), or monorail in the capital. Plus, Grab is also very cheap for those who want a more direct and private way to jet about the city.
I used buses to travel between most destination, booking through 12Go or Redbus. The only place where I couldn’t find tickets to book in advance was from Taman Negara to the Perhentian Islands. However, there were plenty of local agencies offering the trip once I arrived at the park so there was no need to worry.
The Wrap-Up: The Perfect Malaysia Itinerary
Malaysia truly has it all—from vibrant cities to lush jungles and stunning shores. Whether you have 7 days, 2 weeks, or 3 weeks, know that your Malaysia itinerary will be filled with so many cool places and beautiful sites.
As my first stop in Southeast Asia, I had no idea what to expect. But I am so glad I came here. It ended up being the perfect introduction to the region. Malaysia offers a mix of culture, adventure, and relaxation, and I’m sure you’ll find something to love no matter how long your trip is.
Take the time to plan your days, but leave space for some unexpected discoveries along the way—you never know what hidden gems you’ll find. And no matter how long you stay, your Malaysia itinerary will undoubtedly leave you with memories to last a lifetime. I know mine has.
