The unsung corner of Asia you should visit now – before everyone else does
With a population of 36 million, the country is divided into Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia – essentially two trips in one. In Peninsular Malaysia, you can experience the cosmopolitan rush in Kuala Lumpur, enjoy street food in Penang and trace the colonial past in Melaka. East Malaysia, situated on the island of Borneo, is an eco-adventure paradise, whether you're climbing Malaysia's highest mountain in Sabah or spotting orangutans in Sarawak.
After nearly five years, British Airways resumed direct flights to Kuala Lumpur earlier this year, and before the end of 2025, the country will see new openings from major international hotel brands such as Kimpton, Park Hyatt and Waldorf Astoria. Now is the time to go, before the crowds find the country's lesser explored beaches and sights. The country has already seen an increase in UK visitors, and in the first months of 2025, Malaysia saw a 20 per cent increase in overall tourist arrivals, compared with the same period in 2024.
Bottom line? It's time to turn Malaysia into a trip beyond transit.
Where to go
Kuala Lumpur
A former tin mining town in the early 19th century, Kuala Lumpur is now thriving with towering skyscrapers, mega shopping malls and high-speed trains. Standing tall in Malaysia's capital city is the Petronas Twin Towers, the world's tallest twin skyscrapers, complete with a luxury mall, state-of-the-art aquarium and sprawling park.
The soul of Kuala Lumpur comes from its art and culture. Central Market, a century-old wet market turned arts and crafts hub, offers souvenirs and local snacks. The bright red arch of Petaling Street draws attention to the city's Chinatown, the shopping district of Bukit Bintang has mid-range goods and fancy buys, or Jalan Alor hosts street food feasts – catch hawkers firing up their woks as you secure a table amid the crowds.
Just outside the city, Batu Caves, a Hindu temple with 272 rainbow-coloured steps, is a sight to behold. Stop to marvel at the majestic gold-painted statue of Lord Murugan, but look out for cheeky long-tailed macaques guarding the staircase.
Penang
It goes without saying that eating is one of the best things to do in Penang – George Town is the city of flavours. Dine at hawker centres or night markets to sample a plethora of local dishes in one sitting. Visit Chulia Street Hawker Food for wanton mee (wonton noodles), curry mee (curry noodle soup) and char kuay teow (stir-fried noodles), or Jetty Food Court for oyster omelette and popiah (a type of spring roll).
George Town is also a Unesco World Heritage Site, brimming with century-old shophouses, colonial landmarks and Peranakan museums. Outside of town, take the funicular train to the top of Penang Hill for a spectacular view of the Andaman Sea. Nearby, Kek Lok Si, a massive Buddhist temple complex, has a grand statue of Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy.
Hardly a secret spot and popular with tourists, Batu Ferringhi beach has watersports, seafood restaurants and a bustling night market. For a quieter spot, hike through Penang National Park to Pantai Kerachut – Turtle Beach – to visit protected nesting sites.
Stay: JEN Penang George Town (shangri-la.com; deluxe rooms from £58 per night) has a prime city location; Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion (cheongfatttzemansion.com; double rooms from £120 per night) is a heritage stay with direct access to the 130-year-old historical mansion.
Melaka
Shadows of Melaka's colonial past live on through its museums and iconic landmarks. The Stadthuys and Christ Church are must-visit centrepieces of the crimson Dutch Square; A Famosa, the surviving structure of a Portuguese fortress built in 1511, is well worth a snapshot. The Maritime Museum anchors its vast seafaring history in a 34-metre replica of a Portuguese ship, and visitors can dive into stories from Melaka's past in the hallways of the History and Ethnography Museum.
After the immersive history lesson, join a relaxing cruise along the Melaka River, a former trading route that meanders past shophouses – spanning decades of architectural styles – and vibrant murals.
Stay: Case del Rio Melaka (casadelrio-melaka.com; deluxe rooms from £110 per night) overlooks the Melaka River; Baba House (babahouse.com.my; double rooms from £60 per night) is designed with traditional Peranakan touches.
Sabah
Sitting on northern Borneo, Sabah is a natural splendour, home to Mount Kinabalu, the country's highest peak. The lush Kinabalu National Park provides habitat for the Rafflesia (also known as the corpse flower), the world's largest flower, amid thousands of exotic flora.
River safaris traverse the Kinabatangan river, the Malaysia's second longest, the natural habitat of the Borneo Big Five: the Proboscis monkey, Pygmy elephant, Bornean orangutan, Rhinoceros hornbill and Estuarine crocodile.
Sabah's city of Kota Kinabalu, often known as KK, is not only the gateway to the national park but also has a thriving food scene – don't miss dining on fresh seafood; grilled fish is the locals favourite.
Stay: Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa (shangri-la.com; rooms from £310) has a luxurious spa and one of the best sunset-view bars in the city. The LUMA Hotel (lumahotel.com; double rooms from £49 per night) is a stylish budget stay, slightly outside the city centre.
Sarawak
Sarawak, situated in north-west Borneo, is home to several of the country's most striking natural sites. Bako National Park, the state's oldest, has lush jungle trails where you can catch sightings of long-tailed macaques, silvered leaf monkeys and Bornean bearded pigs. In Mulu National Park, serious adventurers can join treks to the Mulu Pinnacles, a one-of-a-kind formation of limestone spires, while the more relaxed can enjoy canopy trails and after dark guided walks – a chance to see nocturnal jungle creatures.
If you didn't manage to spot an orangutan in the wild, drop by the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, a rehabilitation and research centre, during daily feeding times.
Kuching is the capital city of Sarawak, and its cultural heart. Follow the heritage trail to explore kampongs (villages), find relics of tribal history at the Borneo Cultures Museum and the Sarawak Cultural Village, and dine on Malaysian, Chinese and Indian dishes along the waterfront. Spare a moment after dark to wander across the pedestrian Darul Hana Bridge, illuminated by LED bulbs, to enjoy the view of the Sarawak River.
Stay: The Ranee Boutique Suites (theranee.com; double rooms from £61 per night) is a charming boutique hotel in Kuching steps from the Sarawak River; Riverside Majestic Hotel (astana.riversidemajestic.com; double rooms from £47 per night) with riverside views.
How to do it
How to get there
There are several flight options from major UK cities to Kuala Lumpur. British Airways (britishairways.com) flies directly from London, while Qatar Airways (qatarairways.com) and Singapore Airlines (singaporeair.com) offer connecting flights from London, Manchester and Birmingham.
From Kuala Lumpur, you can travel to Penang via trains, buses or domesticg flights, whereas Melaka is accessible via buses. Domestic flights to Sabah and Sarawak are available through AirAsia (airasia.com) and Malaysia Airlines (malaysiaairlines.com). To access remote areas like Mulu, take MASwings (maswings.com), a regional airline in East Malaysia, from major cities like Kota Kinabalu in Sabah or Kuching in Sarawak.
How to get around
The most convenient way to travel around is through Grab, a ride-sharing service similar to Uber. However, ride availability may be limited in remote areas in East Malaysia, so it's best to arrange a private transfer in advance.
In Kuala Lumpur, the LRT and MRT trains connect to major attractions starting from £1 per trip. The intercity bus to Penang and Melaka from Kuala Lumpur costs around £5 to £15 per trip.
When to go
Malaysia is hot and humid with sudden rain showers all year around. The best months to visit are between May and August when warm weather is ideal for outdoor activities.
When visiting Penang and Melaka, prepare for the rainy season between May to September when the south-west monsoon hits.
Planning nature getaways and island hopping in East Malaysia? Expect heavy rainfall between November and February due to the north-east monsoon.
What to book
Sightseeing around Kuala Lumpur
Ivy Holidays (ivyholidays.com) can arrange specialised day tours around Kuala Lumpur with visits to the twin towers and other historical landmarks. It also offers day trips to nearby cities like Melaka.
Penang in a day
Klook (klook.com) offers fuss-free day tours that cover various experiences like visiting Kek Lok Si and Penang Hill or exploring the heritage side of Georgetown on a traditional trishaw.
Nature adventures in Sabah and Sarawak
Amazing Borneo (amazingborneo.com) has half-day or multi-day tours in Sabah and Sarawak. For Sabah, they offer packages to Kinabalu Park or for a Kinabatangan River Cruise. Mount Kinabalu climbs must be booked in advance, but the tour company can handle the permits and arrangements. For Sarawak, you can find tours to Bako National Park, Sarawak Cultural Village and Semenggoh Orangutan Sanctuary.
Insider tips
Dress modestly when visiting a place of worship. Your clothing should cover your shoulders and knees as a form of respect. Bring a scarf or shawl in case you need to cover up.
Taxis are notorious for overcharging tourists, especially in cities like Kuala Lumpur. Use Grab, a ride-sharing service to get around or look up the rates before hopping on a metered taxi.
Hawker centres and kopitiams (local coffee shops) are great to enjoy a variety of – extremely affordable – food in one sitting. No tipping is necessary because service charges are included in the bill.
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