A 6-Day Foodie Itinerary for Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Malacca

  • Day 1: Kuala Lumpur City Center
    Estimated travel time from Kuala Lumpur International Airport: 1 hour (60 km)

    Start your trip in Kuala Lumpur's bustling city center, where you can find an array of delicious street food and traditional Malay dishes. Make sure to visit Jalan Alor Night Market, where you can find the best grilled seafood, noodles, and satay skewers. You can also visit Petaling Street Market, where you can try a variety of local snacks and sweet desserts.

  • Day 2: Georgetown, Penang
    Estimated travel time from Kuala Lumpur City Center: 4 hours (350 km)

    Take a morning flight or an overnight bus to Georgetown, Penang to explore the city's vibrant food scene. Start your day at one of the famous hawker centers in Georgetown like Gurney Drive Hawker Center or New Lane Hawker Center where you can taste delicious dishes like Char Kuey Teow and Asam Laksa. In the afternoon, visit the famous Blue Mansion where you can enjoy afternoon tea and explore the traditional Peranakan architecture.

  • Day 3: Penang Hill and Kek Lok Si Temple
    Estimated travel time from Georgetown: 1 hour (5 km)

    Take a break from eating and enjoy the beautiful views of Penang Hill. Take a funicular train up the hill to visit the famous Kek Lok Si Temple and Pagoda where you can admire the stunning architecture and learn about the history of Buddhism in Malaysia. You can also visit the Owl Museum and Habitat Penang Hill to learn about Malaysia's flora and fauna.

  • Day 4: Historical Malacca
    Estimated travel time from Georgetown: 8 hours (700 km)

    Take a day trip to the historical city of Malacca, known for its rich history and cultural heritage. Start your day with a traditional Nyonya breakfast at Nancy's Kitchen before exploring the city's historic landmarks like A Famosa Fort, Dutch Square, St. Paul's Church, and the Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum. End your day at Jonker Street Night Market, where you can find a variety of souvenirs and street foods.

  • Day 5: More Foodie adventures in Kuala Lumpur
    Estimated travel time from Malacca: 2 hours (150 km)

    Head back to Kuala Lumpur for more foodie adventures. Visit the colorful Sri Mahamariamman Temple and the famous Batu Caves before indulging in some of the best food in Kuala Lumpur. Make sure to try the famous Nasi Lemak, Roti Canai, and the Pandan Chiffon Cake at the popular Beryl's Chocolate Kingdom.

  • Day 6: Last Day in Kuala Lumpur
    Estimated travel time from Kuala Lumpur City Center: 1 hour (60 km)

    On your last day in Kuala Lumpur, visit the famous Petronas Twin Towers and the KL Tower to enjoy the stunning panoramic view of the city. End your trip with one last foodie adventure at the Bangsar Night Market where you can find local delicacies like Mee Goreng Mamak, BBQ Chicken Wings, and the famous Apam Balik.

Time and Cost Estimates

  • Jalan Alor Night Market (1-2 hours, $)
  • Petaling Street Market (1-2 hours, $)
  • Gurney Drive Hawker Center (1-2 hours, $)
  • New Lane Hawker Center (1-2 hours, $)
  • Blue Mansion (2-3 hours, $$)
  • Penang Hill (2-3 hours, $)
  • Kek Lok Si Temple (1-2 hours, $)
  • Jonker Street Night Market (2-3 hours, $)
  • Sri Mahamariamman Temple (1 hour, free)
  • Batu Caves (2-3 hours, free)
  • Beryl's Chocolate Kingdom (1-2 hours, $)
  • Bangsar Night Market (1-2 hours, $)
  • Total Estimated Costs: $

Transportation

For this itinerary, we recommend taking a combination of flights and buses to get between Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Malacca. In Kuala Lumpur, use the MRT or Grab to get around the city. The estimated cost for all transportation is $.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider adding an extra day in Malacca to fully explore the city's rich history and culture. Alternatively, you could spend an extra day in Penang to discover more street food or take part in cooking classes. If you have less time, we recommend skipping Malacca and spending more time in Kuala Lumpur and Penang.

Airports

Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) is Malaysia's main airport and is located approximately 50 km south of Kuala Lumpur city center. Penang International Airport (PEN) is located approximately 16 km south of Georgetown, Penang. The nearest airport to Malacca is Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL).

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