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Malaysia, as an exotic travel destination, is attracting more and more visitors from around the world. No wonder, given its diversity. The country spans both the Malay Peninsula and part of Borneo. A round trip through Malaysia is characterized by fascinating culture, great food, and even some of the most beautiful beaches in Asia.
Malaysia Peninsula Round Trip – Between Culture and Dream Beaches
We want to dedicate this round trip article to the Malay Peninsula. Although Borneo is beautiful and has a lot to offer, there are already plenty of destinations on a round trip along the peninsula. From the capital, Kuala Lumpur, to the historic George Town on Penang, the holiday island of Langkawi, and even quieter, yet paradisiacal islands like Tioman.
Malaysia Peninsula Round Trip
As briefly mentioned at the beginning, there are plenty of different destinations on a round trip through Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur as a melting pot of cultures, religious sites like the Batu Caves, colonial architecture in Ipoh or on Penang, and stunning beaches on the Perhentian Islands, Redang, or Tioman.
There’s something for everyone, and we’ve personally been to Malaysia many times. We love coming back to this country!
If you’d prefer to spend more time at the beach during your trip, then focus on the paradise beaches of the east coast. If you’re more into history and culture, then stick to the west. Want the best of both worlds? Then simply combine the destinations!
Tip: On our Malaysia round trip, we first explored the west coast with the Cameron Highlands, Ipoh, and Penang, and then flew from there to Terengganu to reach islands like Redang. Domestic flights are easy to find in Malaysia and often very affordable. But taking the bus is, of course, a wonderful alternative if you prefer that.
We’re now going to present 8 destinations for a Malaysia Peninsula round trip, all of which we’ve personally visited. Of course, you don’t have to include every destination in your itinerary, but this gives you a great overview and allows you to choose what suits you best.
Start of Our Malaysia Round Trip: 1. Kuala Lumpur
The capital city, Kuala Lumpur, is the first point of contact with Malaysia for most travelers. For us, the city, despite its many visitors and residents, remains fascinating time and time again. We love the contrast of cultures in the different districts (Chinatown, Little India, Bukit Bintang), the landmark Petronas Towers, or the many other sights like the Merdeka Square.
Take your time and spend a few days in “KL”, as the city is often simply called. The first impressions may feel a bit overwhelming, but you’ll quickly find your way. The coexistence of many cultures is what makes the city truly unique. Kuala Lumpur is also a great starting point for a Malaysia Peninsula round trip, since you can easily get anywhere from here. Whether by train, bus, or plane.
If you have a few days left on your Malaysia round trip, you can also extend your stay in Kuala Lumpur and go on day trips. Recommended are, for example, the Batu Caves or Putrajaya. Both destinations are easy to reach from KL by train.
2. Cameron Highlands
The Cameron Highlands are located in the Malaysian highlands, just about 200 kilometers from Kuala Lumpur. At an elevation of 1,500 to 2,000 meters, the climate is quite different from the rest of Malaysia. It can get quite cool at night, with temperatures even dropping into the single digits.
Thanks to the mild climate in the Cameron Highlands, the area is ideal for growing tea, and you’ll find several plantations to explore. These are usually the main attraction for visitors and are definitely worth a visit. A stay of 1 to 2 days in the Cameron Highlands is more than enough before moving on.
3. Ipoh
On a Malaysia round trip across the peninsula, you should definitely plan a stop in Ipoh! The city is located on the way between the Cameron Highlands and Penang, but is often overlooked as it’s less well known.
In Ipoh, you’ll find a beautiful old town full of colonial architecture, which you can explore on the Heritage Trail, along with lots of creative street art. While the city doesn’t attract crowds of tourists, we think it’s absolutely worth a visit. Here, you’ll experience a piece of real Malaysia far from international tourism.
If that’s not enough, don’t miss the cave temples of Ipoh, which are another highlight. These include, for example, the Kek Lok Tong, Sam Poh Tong, and the Perak Tong. Need more info about the city? Then check out our article, Ipoh Things do To.
4. Penang
After all the mainland destinations, it’s time for the first island: Penang. It’s located in the Strait of Malacca and attracts many travelers. Most of them end up in the island’s capital, George Town, which is perfect for lots of great photos thanks to its street art. Here again, various religious influences meet, yet live in harmony.
The sights in Penang are incredibly diverse and reflect the different influences very well. You’ll especially notice this along Harmony Lane, where the Kapitan Keling Mosque, the Hindu Sri Mariamman Temple, the Chinese Goddess of Mercy Temple, and St. George’s Church are all located in proximity.
But beyond these major sights, there’s much more to see in Penang. Some of the most popular highlights include Penang Hill and the Kek Lok Si Temple. You also shouldn’t miss the Clan Jetties and the floating temple.
Another must-try is the cuisine of Penang. Dishes like Asam Laksa soup, Hokkien Mee, or Curry Mee are a must. Learn more here about the sights of Penang.
5. Langkawi
Located even farther northwest than Penang, the island of Langkawi is one of Malaysia’s most popular holiday destinations. Its main source of income is tourism, and it is a designated duty-free zone. The island spans over 300 km² and has a lot to offer visitors, so you should take your time to explore it thoroughly.
In addition to dreamy beaches like Tanjung Rhu or the wide main beach, Cenang Beach, there are many other spots to explore around the island. You’ll also find most accommodations, some nightlife, and beach bars along Cenang Beach. On Thursdays, the “roaming night market” is also held nearby.
Langkawi is truly a diverse island. In addition to beaches, there are other scenic highlights like the mountain Gunung Raya with a beautiful view over the island or the Oriental Village, where you can take a cable car up to Gunung Mat Cinchang (the second highest mountain on Langkawi) and visit the popular Sky Bridge. Waterfalls, rice fields, the Eagle Square in Kuah, Buddhist temples, mangroves, or an island-hopping tour complete the experience.
You can find more tips for Langkawi here.
6. Perhentian Islands
From the west coast of the Malaysian peninsula, we now head to the east coast. The Perhentian Islands are among the best-known islands in Malaysia, and the smaller one is a real backpacker hotspot. While this smaller island, called Perhentian Kecil, does offer some beautiful beaches, we’d actually recommend staying on the bigger one. Perhentian Besar is still wonderfully quiet and attracts a completely different crowd than its little sister island.
On Perhentian Besar, one dreamy beach follows the next! Snorkeling fans will be in heaven, as “Nemos” and sea turtles await you just a few dozen meters from the shore at some beaches. You’ll also find accommodations here for small to mid-range budgets, although the selection is a bit more limited.
If you’d like to learn more about the Perhentians, check out our Perhentian Islands article. We also share info there about how to get there and where to stay.
7. Redang
Redang Island lies off the coast of Terengganu and is rarely visited by Western tourists. While there’s a small airport, it’s served infrequently. It’s much easier to reach by boat from Terengganu. But what awaits you on this little-known Malaysian island?
Redang is all about peace, beaches, and of course, the underwater world. If you’re looking for nightlife or lots of activities, this isn’t the place for you. But if you’re dreaming of white sandy beaches and total relaxation, this island is a top pick. Be sure to check out Long Beach (Pantai Pasir Panjang) or Pantai Teluk Dalam at The Taaras Beach & Spa Resort. Two stunning beaches with crystal-clear water and powdery sand. A snorkeling tour, like the one we did, is also highly recommended. We got to swim up close with turtles for the very first time in our lives.
8. Tioman
At the end of our Malaysia round trip, we visit an island that still hasn’t been overrun by mass tourism, even though it has its own small airport. Pulau Tioman is a true natural paradise and especially popular with divers. But beach lovers will find plenty to enjoy too! It’s the perfect place to end your Malaysia round trip with a few relaxing days in nature.
Like Redang, Tioman is located off the east coast of the Malaysian peninsula. It’s best reached from the coastal town of Mersing. Although the journey from Redang to Mersing takes nearly a full day, the trip to Tioman is absolutely worth it. Once in Mersing, find a budget hotel for the night and then catch the first ferry to Tioman the next morning. The crossing takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. More details can be found in our article.
Tioman has several villages and beaches scattered along its coast. The west coast offers the widest selection, places like Salang, ABC, Tekek, or further south Paya and Genting. We personally ventured over to the other side of the island, to Juara Beach. For us, it’s one of the most beautiful and peaceful beaches on the island. Just behind the village of Juara lies the wild jungle of Tioman, which you can explore on hikes. Even walking from the northern to the southern end of Juara Beach, you’ll likely spot curious monkeys swinging through the trees above you. Nearby, small hidden waterfalls are just waiting for adventurous explorers.
But this peaceful paradise has one downside: at times, sandflies can really spoil your beach time. You’ll find more information about the beach and surroundings in our Tioman blog.
For more information about Malaysia, check out the blog of Malaysia.travel.
Have you already done a round trip across Peninsular Malaysia? Are there any other destinations you’d definitely include? We’d love to hear your thoughts.
