8 Things to Do in Kuala Lumpur on a Small Budget

The Petronas Art Gallery is home to over 1,000 works of art, ranging from contemporary paintings and photographs to traditional costumes and crafts. This free gallery was established in 1993 to support the development of arts in the country.

It features an elegant and brightly-lit space with a regular program of rotating art, craft and design displays. We love the fact that the place hosts themed exhibitions throughout the year. Despite its free admission, the attention to detail is evident.

Many nightclubs in Kuala Lumpur are free to enter, making them excellent for partying on a budget. Some examples include the award-winning Sky Bar at Traders Hotel and Zeta Bar at Hilton Kuala Lumpur, both of which offer free entry no matter what day of the week you visit. 

On certain days of the week, most Kuala Lumpur nightspots offer free beverages for ladies – some even offer free cocktails on certain nights.

The KL Car-Free Morning is a free event that takes place every first and third Sunday of the month. It closes several roads in Kuala Lumpur City Center between 7 am and 9 am, allowing you to enjoy a variety of activities. 

Cycling, jogging, rollerblading, and skateboarding are among the many things to do during the KL Car-Free Morning. On special occasions, free Zumba or aerobic sessions are held at the Kuala Lumpur City Hall Square, about a 10-minute walk from Kuala Lumpur City Gallery.

Batu Caves has also been the center of rock climbing in Malaysia for decades. Located approximately 11 km to the north of Kuala Lumpur, this limestone formation has 160 climbing routes scattered throughout the 150-metre-tall hill face. There’s also free access to the crags and some are easily within reach from ground level, making it a great spot for beginners. 

In the morning, expect lots of people staking a claim for specific neighborhoods of the hill – we suggest arriving early to pick just the right area for your level of expertise. You also need to bring your own gear (unless you join a tour outfit), but the open-air feel makes climbing an absolute pleasure.

Fitness community classes are plentiful in Kuala Lumpur, ranging from running clinics and boot camps to outdoor yoga and Pilates. International fitness brands such as Lululemon Athletica Malaysia and Lorna Jane Malaysia host free yoga sessions at their flagship stores in Kuala Lumpur, usually during the weekends. While classes are free, do note that you’ll need to bring your own mat and refreshments.

Thean Hou Temple is widely known as the largest (and most visited) Buddhist complex in Kuala Lumpur. A 10-minute drive from Mid Valley Megamall and The Gardens Mall, this stunning 6-tiered complex commemorates Tian Hou, a goddess said to protect fishermen. It also houses a statue of Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy. 

Within the temple grounds, you can see traditional designs such as bold red pillars adorned with ornate carvings and hand-painted murals, as well as a Chinese medicinal herb garden, well, tortoise pond, and a sacred Bodhi tree.

Central Market is one of Kuala Lumpur’s most familiar shopping spots. Even so, you can find plenty of free things to do if you’re traveling on a budget. Not only does it house a warren of boutiques, handicrafts and souvenir stalls, the market is also a good place to enjoy free cultural performances and art exhibitions all year long. 

In the evening, you can watch a wide range of traditional dances, sketches, and music. Locals in vibrant costumes perform at the Central Market’s Outdoor Stage.

The KL Forest Eco Park, formerly known as the Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve, is the only remaining tropical rainforest in the middle of Kuala Lumpur City Center. Gazetted in 1906, it’s located beside the Menara Kuala Lumpur Tower, where visitors can find a variety of trees, herbs, bamboo, and creepers, as well as well-maintained walking trails ranging between 300 and 500 meters in length. 

Entrance to the KL Forest Eco Park is free of charge, and you get to enjoy a guided tour of the forest reserve if you purchased tickets to the KL Tower observation deck.