Top 20 Places for Solo Travellers in KL and Penang
Looking to explore Malaysia’s top local attractions for your solo trip? Consider focusing your travels on Kuala Lumpur and Penang — two of its most exciting cities.
From famous landmarks such as the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur to the abundance of mouth-watering street food in Penang, there are many attractions and activities for solo travellers to enjoy in KL and Penang.
While on your solo trip, consider staying at one of the PARKROYAL properties in Malaysia — PARKROYAL Penang Resort and PARKROYAL Serviced Suites Kuala Lumpur. Located in the heart of the Malaysian cities, the PARKROYAL properties are well-suited for local staycations or overseas trips, offering home-away-from-home convenience and comfort.
To help you plan the perfect itinerary for your solo travel adventure, the teams in Malaysia recommend the following places to explore in Kuala Lumpur and Penang. Bring this travel guide along on your solo journey to explore the country’s fascinating culture, nature, and food.
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Best Places for Solo Travellers in Kuala Lumpur
Expansive in size, rich in culture, and generous with sights, the Malaysian capital is a smorgasbord of delights. From sprawling urban malls to quintessentially Malaysian cuisines, Kuala Lumpur offers plenty for visitors to experience.
Make a Pilgrimage to the Petronas Towers
Petronas Towers
| Address | Concourse Level, Lower Ground, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| Opening Hours |
9am to 9pm (Tuesday to Sunday), Closed on Monday |
Do you know that the Petronas twin towers first appeared in the 1999 movie Entrapment starring Catherine Zeta-Jones and the late Sean Connery? Opened in 1999, the observation deck (on the 86th floor) of these impressive 88-storey towers (451.9 metres or 1,483 feet) offers sweeping panoramic views of the city. They are considered a must-visit for any first-timers to the city.
Get directions to Petronas Towers
Immerse in Local Culture and Food at Chinatown
| Address | 88-132, Jalan Petaling, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| Opening Hours |
9am to 11:55pm daily |
Food lovers would adore Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown, where narrow alleyways are jam-packed with stalls selling delicious local fare. From the iconic KL Hokkien Mee (cooked with a sweet dark sauce), umami-rich beef noodles, to roast-pork rich wantan mee, and aromatic chicken rice, your options for feasting here are endless. Beyond that, the area is also home to places of worship, including Chinese and Hindu Temples, each with stunning facades.
Shop at the Scintillating Pavilion
Pavilion
| Address | Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| Opening Hours |
10am to 10pm daily |
Considered by many to be the glitziest place in Kuala Lumpur, the Pavilion is a great choice for hip fashionistas who wish to rub shoulders with the “IT” Malaysian crowd. The award-winning shopping centre has a wide range of shops, restaurants and indoor entertainment. Catch a selfie or two with the Crystal Fountain at its entrance—a breathtaking sight and an excellent Kuala Lumpur photo opp.
Get directions to the Pavilion
Get a Birds Eye View from the KL Tower
KL Tower
| Address | No. 2 Jalan Punchak Off, Jalan P. Ramlee, 50250 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| Opening Hours |
11am to 7pm daily |
Can’t get enough of the Kuala Lumpur skyline? Head over to the KL Tower, where its sky deck offers you majestic panoramic views of the city. Unlike the closed glass observation deck at Petronas, the sky deck here is open-air, which makes the experience even more exhilarating — you can feel the strong winds and snap gorgeous KL city pictures without distracting reflections from the glass!
Visit the Thean Hou Temple
Thean Hou Temple
| Address | 65, Persiaran Endah, Taman Persiaran Desa, 50460 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| Phone Number |
+60 3 22747088 |
| Opening Hours |
8am to 2pm, 4pm to 10pm daily |
Experience a slice of Malaysian history and culture at the Thean Hou Temple — one of the oldest and largest Buddhist temples in South-East Asia. This vast and grandiose six-tiered temple combines modern architecture with a traditional design. Its stunning roofs, imposing pillars and intricate carvings are designed to appeal to any architecture fan.
Appreciate Ethnic Malaysian Art
Art House Gallery Museum of Ethnic Arts
| Address | Lot 3.04 & 3.05, Level 2, Annexe Building, Central Market, 10, Jalan Hang Kasturi, 50050 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| Phone Number |
+60 3 2148 2283 |
| Opening Hours |
10:30am to 7pm daily |
Immerse in Malaysian local art at the Art House Gallery Museum of Ethnic Arts. Privately owned, the museum’s exhibits are sourced from over 20 years of travel through Sabah, Sarawak, Kalimantan and beyond. They include jewellery, sculptures, furniture, weapons, and other ethnic artworks and artefacts hailing from the island of Borneo.
Get directions to the Art House Gallery Museum of Ethnic Arts
Take a Stroll Around Historic Merdeka Square
Merdeka Square
| Address | Jalan Raja, City Centre, 50050 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| Opening Hours |
Open 24 hours |
Reflect on how Malaysia fought for its independence at Merdeka Square (or Dataran Square) — a site that occupies a significant place in the country’s history. The square is where the former British colony gained its independence in 1957. Look out for the giant flagpole (95m) at its centre that flew the Union Jack for the last time and was replaced by the country’s new flag on 31 August 1957.
Get directions to Merdeka Square
Grab Artsy Gifts at the Central Market
Central Market
| Address | Lot 3.04-3, 06, Jalan Hang Kasturi, City Centre, 50050 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| Phone Number |
+60 03-2031 0399/5399/7399 |
| Opening Hours |
10am to 6pm daily |
While the Pavilion is more upmarket, Central Market is a great place to buy artsy souvenirs at affordable prices. Designed in 1930s Art Deco style, the market makes for Instagram-worthy pictures. Do also check the various food stalls offering Malaysian street favourites.
Get directions to Central Market
Take a Day Trip to Batu Caves
Batu Caves
| Address | Gombak, 68100 Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia |
| Phone Number |
+60 3 6189 6284 |
| Opening Hours |
7am to 9pm daily |
Spend half a day away from the city to visit the famous Batu Caves, a popular place of worship for Hindus. The popular attraction is located in a limestone hill featuring a series of caves and cave temples. The highlight here is the stately and towering hindu deity Lord Murugan statue (42.7 metres) made from concrete, steel and gold.
Appreciate Wildlife at an Elephant Sanctuary
Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary
| Address | 28500 Lanchang, Pahang, Malaysia |
| Phone Number |
+60 13 908 8207 |
| Opening Hours |
10am to 4:30pm |
Appreciate the wildlife at the Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary, where you get to see Asian elephants up close and learn how rangers rehabilitate and relocate wild elephants. A sanctuary for orphan elephants, you may get to see these young pachyderms being bathed and fed during your visit if you are lucky.
Get directions to Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary
Top Places for Solo Travellers in Penang
Known as the Pearl of the Orient, Penang is home to the famous Georgetown and is renowned for its eclectic street art and delectable Penang-styled hawker food. A visit here nourishes the mind, body and soul of solo travellers.
Snap Selfies with Penang’s Famed Street Art
| Address | 316, Beach Street Georgetown, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia |
| Opening Hours |
24 hours |
Stroll through Georgetown’s Armenian Street area to take memorable photos of street art capturing the life of ordinary Penang folks. These charming wall paintings were the talents of Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic, who was tasked in 2012 to breathe new life into the inner city's Chinese shophouses. The result was a breathtaking array of murals that depict daily Penang Life. There are always visitors around the area, so do approach them to help you snap pictures of yourself posing with the street art if you’re travelling alone.
Get directions to the Penang Street Art
Explore Georgetown on a Trishaw
The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Georgetown offers more than just street art and hawker fare. To explore it intimately, hop on a trishaw that takes you around the city known for its historical and cultural sites — its slower speed allows you to soak in the sights thoroughly.
Tour the Wat Chayamangkalaram Temple
Wat Chayamangkalaram Temple
| Address | 17, Lorong Burma, Pulau Tikus, 10250 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia |
| Opening Hours |
6am to 5:30pm |
Admire the stunning gold-plated reclining Buddha sculpture at the Wat Chayamangkalaram Temple in Georgetown, the oldest Malaysia Siamese Temple in Penang. The reclining Buddha statue is considered to be one of the longest of its kind in the world. To capture it in its full glory, arm yourself with a wide-angle camera lens and adjust your position appropriately.
Get directions to Wat Chayamangkalaram Temple
Get Up Close to Some Venomous Snakes
Penang Snake Temple
| Address | Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, Bayan Lepas Industrial Park, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia |
| Opening Hours |
6am to 7pm daily |
Feeling adventurous? See eye to eye with venomous snakes at the Penang Snake Temple. The Chinese temple is a shelter to these snakes, which live on the trees around its compound. After your close encounter with the snakes, take time to admire the temple and its ornate statues and intricate carvings.
Get directions to the Penang Snake Temple
Get Your Adrenaline Pumping at the Penang Ghost Museum
Penang Ghost Museum
| Address | 57, Lebuh Melayu, George Town, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia |
| Phone Number |
+60 4 261 2352 |
| Opening Hours |
10am to 7pm daily |
Get ready for scares at the Penang Ghost Museum, a must-experience destination in Georgetown. Featuring local ghosts and ancient myths against the backdrop of eerie music, the horror house offers a terrifying experience for those who dare to enter. You will emerge from the house shaken and stirred.
Get directions to the Penang Ghost Museum
Learn Malaysian Traditional Handicraft
Penang Heritage Trust
| Address | 26, Lebuh Gereja, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia |
| Phone Number |
+604 – 264 2631 |
Malaysia is known for its rich handicraft culture, and a good way to honour the country’s cultural heritage is to learn how to make Malaysian traditional handicraft at the Penang Heritage Trust. Some of these crafts include bamboo wearing, leaf origami, mask carving and more. It not only allows you to learn a new craft but to take away something meaningful from Penang.
Get Directions to the Penang Heritage Trust
Take a Walk on the Rainbow Skywalk
Rainbow Skywalk
| Address | 1, Jln Penang, George Town, 10000 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia |
| Opening Hours |
12pm to 10pm (Wednesday to Sunday) Closed on Monday and Tuesday |
Drink in the views of Penang from the very top—The Rainbow Skywalk. Opened in 2016, this attraction is Georgetown’s highest point, soaring at 250 metres off the ground. It offers a 360-degree view of the city, which you can enjoy while treading on a transparent glass walkway, with the traffic directly below your feet. This is also the perfect place to capture the sunset. When twilight blankets the city, the skywalk illuminates in rainbow colours, hence its name.
Get directions to the Rainbow Skywalk
Indulge in Sumptuous Penang Street Food
| Address | 82-A, Lebuh Penang, George Town, 10200, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia |
| Phone Number |
+60 013-802 1911 |
It’s impossible to visit Penang and not gain weight! Following a food tour gives you the opportunity to sample the best of Penang’s incredible food scene. From Penang Laksa, Char Koay Teow to Chendol, you not only get to taste the city’s delectable fare, but learn all the fascinating origins of its most famous dishes.
Get Directions to Heritage on a Plate Meeting Place
Visit Penang Hill for an Eagle’s Eye View
| Address | 11500 Bukit Bendera, Penang, Malaysia |
Bask in nature with a day trip to Penang Hill. A group of 10 peaks, the Hill offers visitors spectacular city views, a luxuriant rainforest, the chance to spot tropical wildlife, and a look back at Penang’s old days under British Colonial rule. Formerly the oldest British hill station in South-East Asia, Penang Hill used to be a lookout point for the port and any incoming vessels in the 19th Century.
Step Into the Past at Fort Cornwallis
| Address | Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia |
| Phone Number |
+60 4263 9855 |
| Opening Hours |
9am to 10pm daily |
History buffs would appreciate Fort Cornwallis, a 19th Century fortress and one of Malaysia's largest standing forts. Old cannons are dotted around the fort, with the oldest dating back to 1603. There is an enclosed park within the fort, which makes for a pleasant stroll while you relive Penang’s colonial military history.
Get directions to Fort Cornwallis
The Ideal Home-Base for Your Solo Travels in Malaysia
No matter which Malaysian city you are travelling to, make PARKROYAL Penang Resort and PARKROYAL Serviced Suites Kuala Lumpur your choice of accommodation. From Kuala Lumpur to Penang, the ease of staying at our Malaysian properties frees you to truly find yourself in each city that you visit.
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Escape to a tropical paradise where you can relax, unwind and reconnect with family and friends.
More DetailsPARKROYAL Penang Resort
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Summer Escape
Summer is calling! Enjoy up to 30%* savings when you book ahead.
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Enjoy a family getaway with this Penang hotel promotion for an experience like no other in Malaysia.
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