Malaysia family-friendly travel guide

Malaysia Family Holidays

Malaysia is a tropical paradise of immense charm – a veritable treasure trove of diverse cultures , exotic cuisine, fascinating festivals, quaint villages and the dazzling city of Kuala Lumpur.

It’s one of Southeast Asia’s easiest and most family-friendly countries to travel in, offering a blend of colourful Asian culture, pristine beaches and wilderness areas.

Located on the southeastern edge of the Asian continent and separated into two by the South China Sea, Malaysia offers double the delights for families. The peninsula, stretching from Thailand to Singapore, has rugged rainforest-clad mountains, warm sandy beaches, fantastic festivals and skyscraper-smattered cities. Its other half, Sarawak and Sabah in Malaysian Borneo, is home to wild jungle, remote tribes and incredible cultural and wildlife experiences.

Where to go in Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur

The capital city of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur is a bustling metropolis that offers a mix of modern skyscrapers and traditional architecture, with plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.

Kuala Lumpur City Center (KLCC) is the heart of Kuala Lumpur and full of family-friendly attractions. There is a huge, free playground that is definitely worth a visit, plus restaurants, arts and culture, sightseeing, hotels and multiple shopping malls as well as the aquarium Aquaria KLCC. KL Bird Park is located in the famously serene and scenic Lake Gardens. Known as “World’s Largest Free-flight Walk-in Aviary”, the park offers 8.4 hectares of lush gardens to be explored. Petronas Twin Towers are the tallest twin buildings in the world and a great spot for the kids to take in the city’s landscape. Be sure to visit the Sky Bridge which connects the two towers’ and the observation deck on the 86th floor.

Indoor Play Centres are in many of the malls in Kuala Lumpur. Some cool ones to check out are Kid’s E World at The Gardens, Megakidz at the Mid Valley Megamall and Malaysia’s largest indoor theme park, Berjaya Times Square Theme Park. Petronas Discovery Centre is a hands-on science museum where kids of all ages will be entertained with the many interactive displays. Sunway Lagoon is an award-winning theme park 20 minutes from Kuala Lumpur, and with over 80 rides divided into six sub-parks, it is sure to fill a day with plenty of fun.

Langkawi

Surrounded by turquoise oceans and jungle-clad mountains, Langkawi offers a change of pace from the bustling streets of Kuala Lumpur.

A group of 99 islands off the west coast of Malaysia, Langkawi has stunning beaches, clear waters, and plenty of outdoor activities. Only four of the islands are inhabited, and the main island is also called Langkawi. 

One of Malaysia’s most popular beach getaways, Langkawi provides the best in-water activities. While you could very easily spend all of your time lazing on Langkawi’s beaches, there is much more to be seen around the island including the Langkawi Sky Bridge which towers 700 metres above sea level and offers views of Gununh Mat Cincang and Telaja Tujuh waterfalls.

Add to your sky-high adventures with a ride on the Langkawi cable car which will take you on a 15-minute ride to the top of Mat Cincang where panoramic views of the rainforests and islets await. Underwater World Langkawi is one for the littlies with more than 500 species of sea creatures and a 15-metre underwater tunnel where you can wander below sharks, stingrays and green turtles. You can also get up-close-and-personal with marine life at Pulau Payar Marine Park by snorkelling the reefs that surround the uninhabited island.

Malacca

Spelled locally as ‘Melaka’, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is the perfect stop for a combination of old-town vibes and rich heritage. The town is easy to navigate by foot where sites such as the A’Famosa Fort, Christ Church and The Stadthuys are all in close proximity. The Baba-Nyonya Heritage Museum also provides an interesting peek into times gone by where three restored houses have been arranged to resemble a 19^th-century Baba-Nyonya residence.

Hire a bike and ride along the winding canals or head to the outer areas for a visit to the Melaka Strait Mosque, otherwise known as the ‘floating mosque’ with its impressive gold dome and stained glass windows. Kids will adore the Mini Malaysia & ASEAN Cultural Park with its full-scale models of traditional homes and a range of traditional Malay games and activities. Over the weekend, Jonker Walk transforms into a bustling night market with an array of stalls as well as live music and tasty local treats that is sure to keep the whole family entertained.

Penang

Penang has been nicknamed the ‘Pearl of the Orient’ owing to its sandy beaches and happening food scene.

A visit to Georgetown will take you back to the days of King George III. Colourful street art has been combined with centuries-old temples. Dating back to the 1880s, Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion and its bright blue facade is a highlight for those looking to explore Malaysia’s history and can be viewed on a guided tour or with a stay in the boutique bed and breakfast. For those seeking some action, ESCAPE Penang will provide thrills and spills for kids of all ages, while a visit to Made in Penang Interactive Museum will have the whole family in stitches with optical illusions that make for a unique photo opportunity. Finally, a trip to Penang wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Kek Lok Si, Malaysia’s largest Buddhist temple, where over four hectares of temples, gardens and pagodas are sure to dazzle.

Johor Bahru

Johor Bahru is the home of LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort.

LEGOLAND Malaysia has rides, LEGO building rooms and character meet-and-greets, a fun waterpark an aquarium and an incredible Lego hotel.

The theme park has more than 40 rides and attractions spread across eight themed areas: The Beginning. Technic, City, Kingdoms, Miniland, Imagination, Adventure and Ninjago. 

Little ones will love riding on the Lego horses and driving Lego cars. Kingdom land also has a gentle dragon rollercoaster that’s fun to ride. Malaysia can get hot for little ones. Luckily, the park has quite a few airconditioned Lego building rooms where the kids can play with Lego for hours.

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Malaysia Map