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Exploring Kuala Lumpur on a budget? You’ll be pleased to know that the Malaysia’s capital city offers plenty of exciting activities that won’t cost you a dime.

From stunning cultural landmarks to beautiful parks, there are endless free things to do in Kuala Lumpur that will help you experience the city without costing a fortune.

We have stayed for several days and explored Kuala Lumpur extensively. We have uncovered the best spots that will keep you engaged for at least 3 days, without worrying about your wallet.

Ready to explore Kuala Lumpur for FREE?

Let’s dive into the best budget-friendly experiences Malaysia’s capital city has to offer!

10 Free Things to Do in Kuala Lumpur

FREE Things To Do In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

1. Petronas Twin Towers

Also known as the KLCC Twin Towers, the Petronas Twin Towers is an iconic landmark in Kuala Lumpur. This 88-story interlined pair of buildings stands tall at 451.9 m or 1483 feet and is constructed largely of reinforced concrete, steel, and glass facade.

The Twin Towers have various amenities, including hotels, restaurants, office spaces, conference rooms, art galleries, an observatory deck, a fitness center, a shopping mall, a sky desk, and so much more.

You can go inside the mall and move towards the other side of the Twin Towers, KLCC Park, where there is a pool.

Every night, a sound and light water fountain show occurs at 8 PM, 9 PM, and 10 PM. The light show occurs at 7:30 PM, 8:30 PM, and 9:30 PM.

The water rises as high as 280 m. A 4.3 m elevated bridge across the lake provides a vantage point for the best view of the Twin Towers.

At night, the tower is lit with white and colored lights on alternative days. On special occasions, the colors are changed. You’ll find so many photographers in front of the Twin Towers. You can instantly take a picture and transfer it to your mobile at an additional cost.

Although the water fountain show and the mall can be accessed for free, visiting the KLCC sky bridge, KLCC sky deck, and Petrosains requires an entry fee.

Buy the Klook Kuala Lumpur Pass and get access to 2-6 activities with just one pass!

Did you know? Menara Kuala Lumpur or KL Tower (Different from Twin Towers) has the highest viewpoint in Kuala Lumpur, and it is open to the public.

It features a sky box, sky deck, observation deck, revolving restaurant, and Tower Walk 100, among other activities. However, all of these require an entry fee.

2. Saloma Link Bridge

Saloma Link Bridge or Pintasan Saloma is a pedestrian bridge across the Klang River located near the Petronas Twin Towers.

The bridge’s architecture is inspired by the Sireh Junjung (betel nut leaf arrangement) concept, an integral part of a Malay wedding.

At night, the Saloma link bridge comes to life with bright colors, brilliantly decorated with 4100 diamond facade panels.

The Saloma Link Bridge and the twin towers in the background are a wonderful frame and haven for photographers. Many photographers provide their services at this spot, and you can charge to have the pictures transferred to your mobile.

3. Batu Caves

Another iconic landmark of Kuala Lumpur is the Hindu temple Batu Caves. Its multi-colored steps, featuring a huge statue of Lord Muruga at the front, attract visitors from all over the world.

Batu caves is a must visit attraction and is completely FREE of cost!

Refer to this complete guide to learn more about the Batu Caves.

4. Merdeka Square

The Independence Square, or the Dataran Merdeka, is the place where the Malaysian flag was hoisted for the first time in 1957. Since then, the annual independence parade has taken place at Merdeka Square.

The square is home to iconic buildings such as a large Freedom Lawn Area, the Royal Selangor Club, the Victoria Fountain, the Kuala Lumpur City Gallery, an old charted bank building, an old railway station, and a textiles museum.

Take a walk around these buildings that are of national importance.

During the evening, vehicles are not allowed in Merdeka Square. The front area of the Sultan Abdul Samad building turns into a skating rink for kids and adults, and several street stalls sell toys.

Visit the official website to learn about the landmarks. You can also scan the QR codes at the landmarks and listen to the audioguides as you walk through them.

5. River of Life

Just on the backside of the Merdeka Square flows the Klang River. The River of Life is a 10 Km riverfront within the city limits. Walk along the Klang River Bridge and look at the huge mural art on the wall on your right.

The view of Sultan Abdul Samad Jamek Mosque with the water illuminations seen from the Kolam Biru is so scenic with the backdrop of distant skyscrapers.

At night, with smoke and lights, the whole area looks vibrant and shouldn’t be missed during your visit to KL. The place is not very well known and is not crowded and one of our favourite things to do in Kuala Lumpur.

6. Kwai Chai Hong

Kwai Chai Hong translates to “little ghost lane” or “little demon lane” in English. The alley features six interesting murals highlighting the historical life of residents in the 1960s. During festival times, seasonal art installations can also be seen.

The popular walking street known as Petaling Street Market or Chinatown, KL, is located nearby, where several restaurants and food stalls are set up.

You can also buy counterfeit branded products on the streets at an affordable price. Haggle your prices, but also keep an eye on the quality of the products.

7. Thean Hou Temple

Thean Hou Temple is a six-tiered Chinese temple opened to the public in 1989. It is a popular attraction in the Kuala Lumpur city.

The decorative lanterns, interiors, and the temple’s vibrant colors attract tourists from different communities. It serves as a cultural and educational center as well.

In the garden, you can see 12 animals relating to the Chinese zodiac signs, a wishing well, a tortoise pond, and Chinese human statues. With a large prayer hall, the main deity hosted is Tain Hou Niang Niang or Matsu, the Chinese Goddess of the Sea.

There are souvenir stalls and a canteen as well. From the temple, you can also see the largest skyscraper in Malaysia – Merdeka 118.

8. Jalan Alor Food Street & Pasar Seni

Located in the Bukit Bintang area, Jalan Alor Food Street is one of tourists’ most frequented food streets. You can get various cuisines, including Indian, Malay, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Thai.

For the food lovers, Jalan Alor Food Street is a must visit place in Kuala Lumpur. Expect huge crowds during weekends. Be one among the crowds and enjoy the vibe. Durian and seafood are famous here.

Pasar Seni Central Market is just 2 km from Jalan Alor Food Street and a few minutes from Petaling Street or Chinatown. It is a closed building complex that houses numerous shops. Souvenirs and products are comparatively cheaper here.

Discover the best local food spots in Kuala Lumpur (Evening tour)

9. Art Galleries of Kuala Lumpur

The National Art Gallery, Galleri Petronas, and Illham Gallery are a few of the art galleries that can be visited free of cost.

The National Art Gallery is a three-level building that showcases an extensive collection of art, history, culture, paintings, sculptures, textiles, and so much more. It is a must-visit when you’re in the capital city. 

The Petronas Art Gallery, or Galleri Petronas, is in Suria KLCC of the Petronas Twin Towers. It is a non-profit gallery with thousands of art collections.

Illham Art Gallery represents modern and contemporary art in regional and global contexts. Several exhibitions and programs are conducted every week.

10. Perdana Botanical Garden

Perdana Botanical Garden is the largest recreational park, covering 226 acres. It has many interesting attractions, such as an herb and spice garden, a fantasy planet and dinosaur park, a lake, a butterfly park, an orchid and hibiscus garden, and a goose garden.

Entry to Perdana Botanical Gardens in Kuala Lumpur is absolutely free of cost. However, you must pay for a few attractions. It takes a whole day to explore all the corners of the garden.

On the other side of the road lies Tugu Negara, a 66-acre lush green forest that offers visitors free entry. Among many attractions,  the National Monument of Freedom Fighters and the ASEAN Sculpture Park are famous in this area.

Many people hike the Taman Tugu hiking trail, which is easy and beginner-friendly. The trail maps are available at the start of the trail and some checkpoints within the trails.

Pop-up stalls are available at Taman Tugu Nursery every weekend and on public holidays from 7 AM to 1 PM.

Buy the Klook Kuala Lumpur Pass and get access to 2-6 activities with just one pass!

Restaurants in Kuala Lumpur

Several restaurants are spread across the city. As different communities of different countries live in Kuala Lumpur, you have various options. Chinese, Indian, Malay, Vietnamese, Thai, and Pakistani are a few of the cuisines available in Kuala Lumpur.

Hotels to Stay in Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur offers numerous accommodations catering to all budgets and comfort levels. We stayed at Regalia Skypool 969 ($). Here are a few other recommendations.

• OA The Factory at Bukit Bintang ($)
• Hotel 1000 Miles ($)
• Eaton Residences at Leo ($$)
• Citizenm Kuala Lumpur Bukit Bintang ($$)
• Sunway Resort Hotel ($$$)
• Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur ($$$)

Best Time To Visit Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur can be visited at any time of the year. Its location close to the equator makes it hot and humid most of the year, and it also rains a lot. You can experience the sun and the rain on any given day.

Commuting Around the City

The city is well connected by metro and Komuter trains. You can use them to explore the city landmarks. There are some places which are within walking distance of each other. Touch N Go card is mandatory to board a bus in Kuala Lumpur.

If you have any questions, drop them in the comments section below. We are happy to help!

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