12 Family Holiday Destinations In Malaysia For All Types Of Travellers

One of the best family times you can have is taking time off busy schedules from work and school to go for a holiday! And what can get the entire family more excited than an overseas trip? If you haven’t gone to Malaysia, then now’s the time to do so. With plenty of hidden gems waiting to be discovered, keep reading to find out where you can have a family holiday in Malaysia depending on your travelling style!

There’s nothing quite like Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia with its skyline decorated with skyscrapers like the iconic KL Tower and Petronas Twin Towers. Spend your day on a shopping spree in the Golden Triangle, visit the rainbow steps at Batu Caves, discover your love for the marine life at Aquaria KLCC and get a good view of the city from above at the Skybridge and Observation deck at Petronas Twin Towers.

For families looking for a one-stop destination for all things fun and exciting, Sunway Lagoon offers the best of water, amusement, wildlife parks and more in one place! Located right next to a massive shopping complex and several hotels, it’s easy to plan a trip there even if you’re from out of town.

Don’t worry about getting around Kuala Lumpur. Getting around with public transport is made easier with KL Travel Pass and if you’re not a fan of public transport, you can also rent a Kuala Lumpur private car charter.

While it’s not quite the typical city you’re used to, Genting Highlands is named as the City of Entertainment for a good reason. Even though the fate of the much-anticipated 20th Century Fox World is still unknown, you can instead check out its latest indoor theme park, Skytropolis Funland!

Previously known as the First World Indoor Theme Park, this newly revamped indoor theme park has more than 20 exciting rides and attractions. Besides that, you can also take part in the immersive and exciting VR world at The Void.

Take the Awana SkyWay Gondola Cable Car or travel in comfort with your family via a private car charter to Genting Highlands.

Whether you’re into cafe-hopping or shopping, Johor’s got it all! With a booming scene of hipster cafes and yummy eateries, you’ll definitely get your share of food coma. To work off those calories, head over to Johor Premium Outlet (JPO) to snatch from great deals on branded goods. It’s time to shop till you drop!

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For those with kids (or are still kids at heart), Legoland certainly deserves a visit. While taking a trip to France may still be a distant dream, you can still have a taste of it in Little Paris where shophouses and decorations are made to look like Parisian streets!

As the historic state of Malaysia, Melaka is thriving with rich culture and history. For those staying in the Klang Valley, you can take a day trip to Melaka Historic City. Whether it’s day or night, it’s a must to visit the iconic Jonker Walk! Located in the heart of Chinatown, it’s the home to streets food, souvenir stores, an array of bars, rustic cafes and many more.

Melaka also has its very own theme park for the adventure seekers. Immerse yourself in all the exciting rides at A’Famosa Water Theme Park, interact with exotic species at A’Famosa Safari Wonderland or discover the wild west at A’Famosa Old West Cowboy Town! If it’s your first time in Malacca, check out the first timer’s guide in Malacca!

Easily one of the most popular hotspots in Malaysia, Penang’s old world charm is undeniable. Walk the street of Georgetown and marvel at the beauty the heritage houses and go hunting for the rustic murals around the city!

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The perfect balance between the new and the old, Penang has the best of both worlds. But of course, what is Penang without its world-famous street food. From the lip-smacking char kuey teow to the pungent asam laksa, cooling cendol, and more, it’s a good item to bring loose-fitting clothes with you!

With its plenty of must-see attractions and must-try cuisines, check out on more details about what to do in Penang !

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For a relaxing trip, why not head to Ipoh and explore the Old Town and the various hidden lanes and corners of this rustic city. Make a pitstop at Qing Xin Ling Leisure and Cultural Village, built around an emerald lake and surrounded by limestone hills and caves of Ipoh. It’s almost being like transported to the olden days of China in the village!

To have a unique theme park experience in Ipoh, enjoy some fun-filled activities at Lost World of Tambun and soak your stress away at their hot springs! If you have kids, they might enjoy a trip to Movie Animation Park Studios (MAPS) as well, featuring iconic animated characters like The Smurfs, and even some Dreamworks figures like The Croods and Casper the Friendly Ghost!

 

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Another favourite highland destination in Malaysia, Cameron Highlands is a fantastic breezy escape from the city heat! Come and stay at one the Tudor-style accommodations, have some strawberries fresh off the farm, admire the blooming lavenders with ice cream. If you’re a sporty person, take a hike up Mount Brinchang to explore the Mossy Forest!

A visit to Cameron Highland is not complete until you make a visit to beautiful Boh Tea Plantations. Have some tea with delicious scones as you admire the majestic sea of greens. With lush views and refreshing temperatures, Cameron Highlands is a great family getaway destination.

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Hailed as the ‘New Zealand of Sabah’, Kundasang is just several kilometres away from the Kinabalu National Park. With a view of the misty Mount Kinabalu as the backdrop for the field of green where you can see cows roaming free, this is one sight for sore eyes.

This view is famously represented by the Desa Cattle Dairy Farm, where you can also enjoy some pretty darn good gelato! At the farm, visitors can learn about the processing of dairy products like fresh milk and natural cheese as well as buy them home as souvenirs.

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For those making a stop at Kuching, take a boat and sail away to Bako National Park. It’s one of the oldest national parks in Sarawak and as you follow the trails, you’ll get to enjoy the wonderful and various vegetation, with surprise waterfalls and beaches in some spots.

The landscape at Bako National Park might even remind you of the ones in Krabi! Don’t miss out the chance to say hi to the pot-bellied and long-nosed furry friends, also known as the proboscis monkeys, which reside in the park.

 

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When speaking of Sabah, island hopping comes to mind almost immediately. The Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park located just 3km to 8km from Kota Kinabalu can easily be accessed through the town’s jetty, Jesselton Point.

Home to 5 islands – Pulau Gaya, Pulau Manukan, Pulau Sapi, Pulau Sulug and Pulau Mamutik – this marine park is a must-visit and the sunsets are quite breathtaking! While Manukan Island and Sapi Island are two of the most famous islands, you definitely can’t go wrong with whichever.

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An island that doesn’t get mentioned enough is Pulau Rawa in Johor. This little Island which has remained relatively unexplored and undeveloped is sometimes referred to as ‘Little Boracay’. With fine, white sands and crystal clear waters, it’s no wonder that Pulau Rawa can be said to compare with the Maldives.

Spend some time with a competitive game of beach volleyball, snorkelling through the crystal clear waters and slide down the waterslide at the jetty, you and your family won’t be missing the busy city anytime soon.

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If you’re looking for an island getaway to disconnect and do nothing but just chill, this hidden gem in Kuala Terengganu is the way to go! The word ‘kapas’ in Malay translates to ‘cotton’, as a reference to the island’s white beaches.

While you may not come across luxury hotels, the beauty of this island is how unspoiled it is from modern development. Snorkel in the crystal clear waters, sunbathe and watch the days pass and just kick back with nature. Kapas Island is the place to go if you truly want to unwind!