Overview of Malaysia Resorts. Best Resorts in Malaysia, Where to Go

In Malaysia, you can count several dozen places for a vacation if you want, but when it comes to popular and easily accessible resorts for foreigners, there aren't that many. Below is a list and brief description of Malaysia's resorts so you can quickly decide on the right place for your vacation, and then dive into the travel guides. Also below is a table of seasons by resort and a map of the country with the resorts marked.

And once you've decided on a place, you can find tours to Malaysia and book them online, including with installment payments, using the following trusted tour search and booking services, or through the search form:

• Tours to Malaysia on Travelata.ru
• Tours to Malaysia on Onlinetours.ru

Malaysia Map with Resorts

See the full-screen map of Malaysia with resorts.

Kuala Lumpur

- beach vacation
- sights and excursions
- entertainment and nightlife
- shopping
- affordability
- transport accessibility

Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia and the country's main gateway. More precisely, the country's main gateway – Kuala Lumpur Airport – is located near the city, and most tourists arrive in Malaysia at this airport and continue on, sometimes without even visiting the capital. And that's a shame!

Kuala Lumpur is a modern, developed city that has simultaneously preserved the identity of its ethnic communities, each living primarily in its own neighborhoods. The city's modern architecture is known worldwide, previously for the world's tallest twin towers, the "Petronas Towers," and many other skyscrapers. In the city, you can also get acquainted with a large number of historical and cultural attractions, have fun in modern entertainment complexes, and go shopping in numerous shopping centers. At the same time, the city has preserved its historical identity: ultra-modern glass and concrete skyscrapers coexist with Chinese temples and open-air local cuisine restaurants. Every year, one of the Formula-1 World Championship stages, the Malaysian Grand Prix, takes place near the city.

Tourists usually visit KL as an addition to their main vacation at Malaysian resorts, stopping here for a day or two to see the great Petronas Towers, visit the Batu Caves, and buy souvenirs and cheap counterfeit goods. Two days are, by and large, enough to get acquainted with the main sights of Kuala Lumpur, and perhaps it's really not worth staying here for more than 2 days, unless you want to get to know the city's life in more detail.

Don't expect a beach vacation in Kuala Lumpur: the capital lies 35 kilometers from the west coast.

Weather, tourist seasons: The tourist season for staying in Kuala Lumpur doesn't really matter; you won't find a beach vacation here anyway, and short rains won't interfere with getting to know the city. You can come here any time of year, and the rainy season falls in April, May, and October.

For detailed tourist information about Kuala Lumpur, see here.

Penang Island

- beach vacation
- sights and excursions
- entertainment and nightlife
- shopping
- affordability
- transport accessibility

Penang Island (Pulau Penang) is an island and a state in Malaysia on the west coast of the western (mainland) part of the country in the Andaman Sea. The island is located a few kilometers from the mainland shore and is connected to it by a bridge.

The island is home to George Town, the state capital, which was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008 due to its numerous architectural monuments. In general, many tourists compare the island to a city: most of the island's territory is developed and built up, covered with a network of roads with fairly heavy traffic.

A vacation on Penang is, first and foremost, about getting acquainted with cultural and historical attractions, shopping, excursions, and entertainment. Life on Penang is lively, constantly on the move, like in a big city: there are nightclubs and other entertainment venues, restaurants and shopping centers, souvenir shops, and night markets.

As for beach vacations, they are concentrated on Penang only in certain resort areas of the island. Most of the island's promenades outside the resort areas are dirty, with roads and skyscrapers adjacent right up to them. This is a "port-trade-excursion" island, and you shouldn't come here just for a beach vacation. However, it has good hotels and plenty of budget accommodation, diverse restaurants, beautiful temples, parks, and gardens.

Weather, tourist seasons: The tourist season on Penang lasts all year round, but low and high seasons are distinguished. Usually, the fewest tourists come to Penang from September to November, during the rainy season. The highest season begins in late December and ends after the Chinese New Year, usually in late January – mid-February.

For detailed tourist information about Penang Island, see here.

Langkawi Island

- beach vacation
- sights and excursions
- entertainment and nightlife
- shopping
- affordability
- transport accessibility

Langkawi Island (Pulau Langkawi) is the largest of the 99 islands in the eponymous archipelago in the Andaman Sea in northern Malaysia. The island is located on the border between Malaysia and Thailand and is 30 kilometers from the mainland. The maximum length of the island is 30 kilometers. The capital of the island and its largest town is Kuah. Of the 99 islands in the archipelago, only the 4 largest are inhabited.

When tourists talk about Langkawi, they usually mean Langkawi Island itself, not the archipelago. It is the most popular island resort on the west coast of mainland Malaysia, far outpacing its only rival in popularity – Penang Island.

A vacation on Langkawi is first and foremost a beach vacation. The beaches, both on Langkawi Island and on the neighboring small islands of the archipelago, are very clean and cozy. Among all the beaches, there are plenty of secluded, almost wild beaches, and at the same time, many are quite well-equipped for a comfortable vacation away from civilization. By settling in a bungalow next to such a beach, you can become the master of your own private beach, or even a small uninhabited island, for a while. If you want active entertainment, shopping, or delicious food, Langkawi has plenty of that too. You won't get bored from idleness here unless you want to. Your choices include visiting the cable car, aquarium, crocodile farm, African buffalo farm, and fruit plantation, as well as engaging in water sports and activities. You won't find any outstanding historical or cultural attractions on Langkawi, but there are many natural ones, including numerous waterfalls, caves, and unusual beaches with black sand and bathing monkeys.

And one more small but very significant gift to the island's guests is that the entire island is a duty-free zone. Consequently, prices for many goods, including alcohol (which is very expensive in Malaysia), are low here.

Weather, tourist seasons: Langkawi Island is in an equatorial climate zone and is hot and sunny all year round. The best time to visit Langkawi is from November to April. The rainy season and low season on Langkawi lasts from September to November, but this doesn't mean you should give up on a trip to the island during this time. During the season, many days in a row may pass without a drop of rain. And even if rain does catch you, it usually ends very quickly.

For detailed tourist information about Langkawi Island, see here.

Pangkor Island

- beach vacation
- sights and excursions
- entertainment and nightlife
- shopping
- affordability
- transport accessibility

Pangkor (Pulau Pangkor) is an island off the west coast of Malaysia, located about 200 kilometers north of Kuala Lumpur, washed by the Indian Ocean (Strait of Malacca). Pangkor Island belongs to the state of Perak. The island is only 2 kilometers from the mainland and is connected to it by a high-speed ferry. There is also a small airport here, but currently, no scheduled flights operate to it.

In terms of size, it's a relatively small island, covering only 8 square kilometers. Its length from north to south is 9 kilometers, and its maximum width is 3.5 kilometers. But despite its modest size compared to other popular Malaysian tourist islands, it is no less popular among tourists.

The charm of visiting this island for tourists lies in the untouched beauty of the wild nature and the unspoiled way of life of the local residents, free from crowds of tourists. Most of the island is covered with dense tropical jungle, and only along the shores are small fishing villages with wooden huts scattered.

By going to Pangkor, you'll be left alone with yourself, nature, and the cleanest and most beautiful beaches along the west coast of Malaysia, and you'll also be able to get closely acquainted with the lifestyle of the local population, which has preserved its identity.

Weather and tourist seasons: Pangkor Island is in an equatorial climate zone and is hot all year round. The rainy season lasts from November to February, and this time is not very popular for visiting, although it is not contraindicated. The rest of the year is perfect for a vacation.

For detailed tourist information about Pangkor Island, see here.

Malacca

- beach vacation
- sights and excursions
- entertainment and nightlife
- shopping
- affordability
- transport accessibility

Malacca (also Melaka) is a city and the capital of the state of Malacca on the west coast of mainland Malaysia (the Malay Peninsula), 120 kilometers south of Kuala Lumpur. The majority of the city's population has Chinese roots. Also living here are descendants of European colonizers from mixed marriages. The city's population in 2010 was over 483,000 people.

Once upon a time, Malacca was the first capital of Malaysia, and it remained so until the Portuguese landed here in 1511. At that time, Malacca was taken by the Portuguese fleet under the command of Albuquerque. In 1641, the Dutch took possession of Malacca, and in 1795, the English took over.

Thanks to its rich history, Malacca is one of the most popular places among tourists in mainland Malaysia and is considered the cultural center of the country. In 2008, the city was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It would be quite reasonable to compare Malacca to Russia's Saint Petersburg. But, unfortunately, this city is visited very rarely by Russian tourists, who most often prefer beach holidays and nightlife.

Most of the city's attractions are located close together, allowing you to get a quick acquaintance with the city in one day. The city is very interesting for its historical attractions, and everything here is permeated with historical events from different periods. Nightlife is also not forgotten here. There are nightclubs, bars, and excellent restaurants. Don't count on a beach vacation in Malacca – it's a port city.

The infrastructure for tourists seeking cultural and excursion-based vacations is at a high level here. Malacca's hotels are of various levels: you can find very budget accommodation or stay in luxurious apartments for very reasonable money.

For detailed tourist information about Malacca, see here.

Tioman Island

- beach vacation
- sights and excursions
- entertainment and nightlife
- shopping
- affordability
- transport accessibility

Tioman (Pulau Tioman) is a small island off the east coast of the Malay Peninsula (Malaysia). The island measures 20 by 12 kilometers and is located 40 kilometers from the mainland.

Tourists who have visited Tioman describe the island succinctly: "Paradise!" The island is a protected area, and its pristine nature is carefully preserved (to enter the island, you even need to pay a small fee of 5 ringgit to the conservation fund). It ranks among the top ten cleanest and most beautiful islands in the world. The island has many "ideal" virgin beaches, clean mountain streams, and waterfalls. There are no parties or nightlife here, and time flows slowly.

Tourists primarily come here for diving and to admire the natural beauty. Year-round, diving enthusiasts from all over the world come here to swim with whale sharks and observe marine life you can't see anywhere else. You could even say that Tioman is a true paradise for divers. Underwater visibility reaches 35 meters, making snorkeling possible, and the water temperature never drops below 29 degrees year-round. The island is surrounded by a ring of coral reefs and amazes with the diversity and beauty of its underwater life. Several smaller islands are scattered around Tioman, some completely unexplored by tourists, giving you a chance to be a "pioneer."

Infrastructure on the island is not developed, but it has everything essential for a vacation. Of the 7 villages on the island, not even all have electricity, and there's only one paved road – from the airport to the Berjaya Hotel. Some hotels on the island can only be reached by water.

The Malaysian government gave a great gift to the island's visitors by including it among the duty-free islands. In duty-free shops on the island, you can buy alcohol and cigarettes at very low prices, which is great considering that alcohol and cigarettes are very expensive in Malaysia due to high duties.

The island is very rarely visited by Russian tourists. Nevertheless, not only independent travelers but also ordinary tourists can afford to visit it: there are package tours to Tioman Island with quite reasonable prices.

For detailed tourist information about Tioman, see here.

Rawa Island

- beach vacation
- sights and excursions
- entertainment and nightlife
- shopping
- affordability
- transport accessibility

Rawa Island is a small tropical island in Malaysia, part of the Seri Buat archipelago, located 16 kilometers off the east coast of mainland Malaysia (the Malay Peninsula) and not far from Tioman Island.

There are practically no activities on the island besides beach and marine ones (snorkeling, beach volleyball, windsurfing, sailing, fishing), and no historical or cultural attractions either. Once here, you'll feel as if you're on a deserted island. At your disposal will be your room or bungalow on the shore, almost your own private beach, and a whole island with jungle that you can hike through to get to know its nature. In short, this is an ideal place for a quiet and secluded vacation away from civilization.

For detailed tourist information about Rawa Island, see here.

Perhentian Islands

- beach vacation
- sights and excursions
- entertainment and nightlife
- shopping
- affordability
- transport accessibility

The Perhentian Islands are a volcanic archipelago located in the territorial waters of Malaysia in the Gulf of Thailand (South China Sea), close to the border with Thailand (Perhentians on the map of Malaysia). They are only ten nautical miles (19 kilometers) from the mainland coast of the Malay Peninsula. Administratively, they belong to the state of Terengganu in West Malaysia and are subject to a hereditary monarch. The population is homogeneous – over 90% are Malay, with the rest being Chinese, Indian, and Thai. The population is predominantly Sunni Muslim.

The archipelago includes two relatively large islands, Perhentian Kecil (small) and Perhentian Besar (large), and a scattering of conditionally inhabited satellites: Susu Dara Kecil, Rawa, Terumbu Tiga, Susu Dara Besar, Tokong Laut, Serenggeh, and others. A significant part of the islands is covered with dense tropical vegetation, and their terrain is dominated by rocky plateaus. The coastline alternates sandy beaches in open bays with basalt rocks of headlands and jagged reefs.

The main Perhentian islands abound with "Bounty"-quality beaches with gentle entries into the sea, cleared of coral debris. Almost every equipped stretch of sandy shore is accompanied by a scenic coral reef. In addition, there are many private beaches with catchy names (Romantika, Turtle, and others), which can be reached by water taxi.

But the archipelago is attractive not only for beach holidays. It is one of the best places in Malaysia for diving and snorkeling. The underwater world of the National Marine Park is incredibly rich: turtles, whale sharks, clownfish, barracudas, stingrays, parrotfish – this is just a partial list of the marine life you can encounter in the local waters.

Developed tourist infrastructure exists only on the two main islands – Besar and Kecil. Kecil lags in service sophistication and suits tourists who aren't inclined to spend large sums on hotels and gourmet restaurant meals, while Besar is more expensive with corresponding hotels. Tourists typically do not stay on the other islands, visiting them during sea excursions or for activity programs.

For detailed tourist information about the Perhentians, see here.

Redang Island

- beach vacation
- sights and excursions
- entertainment and nightlife
- shopping
- affordability
- transport accessibility

Redang Island is an island off the east coast of Malaysia in the South China Sea, 45 km from Kuala Terengganu (Redang on the interactive map of Malaysia). It is the largest (42 km²) in the eponymous archipelago of 9 islands, which also includes Lima, Paku Besar, Paku Kecil, Kerengga Besar, Kerengga Kecil, Ekor Tebu, Ling, and Penang islands. All of them are part of the Redang Marine Park.

Redang is a beautiful resort island with wild nature. Even the airport and hotels don't spoil the impression that it's "at the edge of the earth." People come here to sunbathe on the clean sands of the beaches and swim in the azure sea. This place is suitable for both relaxation and active recreation. However, Redang is not a place for budget travelers: instead of campsites and guesthouses, there are quiet but expensive hotels like Taaras, Redang Kalong, Aman Nagappa, and Mutiara with beaches like Teluk Dalam, Teluk Kalong, etc.

Besides relaxing on the wonderful beaches, Redang offers guests plenty of entertainment, but also not for backpackers: diving, boat trips, fishing, etc.

There is no abundance of restaurants and inexpensive cafes here; you'll have to eat only at the hotel restaurants. Nightlife on the island is limited to gatherings in hotel restaurants, at best with karaoke. If you want to have fun, you'll have to have your own party on the beach.

For detailed tourist information about Redang, see here.

Cameron Highlands

- beach vacation
- sights and excursions
- entertainment and nightlife
- shopping
- affordability
- transport accessibility

The Cameron Highlands highland resort is the most famous tourist destination in Malaysia. Connoisseurs of exotic vacations often fly to this paradise corner.

For Russians, this resort is a truly undiscovered exotic territory. Perhaps, as in most cases, this is due to the lack of a beach vacation in this place. And there aren't any particularly bright sights here either. Nevertheless, this place is worthy of attention and a visit, and the mountains consistently hold a leading position among other Malaysian resorts in terms of visitor numbers.

The Cameron Highlands consist of a series of settlements, the most famous of which is the town of Tanah Rata. The rapid development of tourism services that has swept Malaysia in recent decades has provided it with European-level infrastructure. This Malaysian region is no exception.

The Cameron Highlands are liked by both lovers of active recreation and travelers who prefer secluded, quiet places. The main attraction for tourists is eco-tourism. Local hotels organize a lot of trekking tours, both day trips and serious multi-day hikes with all the equipment. Rare representatives of fauna and flora, including endangered species, live here. The tropical forests covering these lands are incredibly beautiful. Magnificent rhododendrons and orchids bloom here. Gibbons are found in the local forests. The Cameron Highlands region is distinguished by its unparalleled ecological purity, which adds to its popularity among vacationers. And there are quite a few here. Travelers are allowed to move only along strictly established routes, so the protected area is kept in order without experiencing much strain.

The local climate, despite the tropical latitudes, is quite familiar to Europeans – the influence of the highlands is felt. It's quite fresh in the morning, and the air warms up by midday. You shouldn't forget about warm clothes, as the mountains are unpredictable.

For detailed tourist information about the Cameron Highlands, see here.

Johor Bahru

- beach vacation
- sights and excursions
- entertainment and nightlife
- shopping
- affordability
- transport accessibility

Johor Bahru (often pronounced as J.B.) is a major city and the capital of the state of Johor in the south of mainland Malaysia. It is the main transit point from Malaysia to Singapore, as it is home to the bridges connecting the mainland to the island of Singapore. It is the second-largest city in the country (population over 1.5 million), second only to Kuala Lumpur.

Interestingly, Johor Bahru only became a city in 1993, after which it developed very rapidly. The name of the state, Johor, comes from an Arabic word meaning "precious stone."

Johor Bahru is one of the most developed and modern cities in Malaysia. It is highly visited by tourists, primarily because it is the main gateway to Singapore from the mainland. Tourists from Malaysia and Thailand heading to Singapore by land inevitably pass through the city. The city also serves as the main gateway to the eastern Malaysian resort of Desaru.

Although the city is not a popular resort, it is filled with many interesting and entertaining places. Moreover, it's not so much the city itself that's interesting, but rather the state of Johor, which has quite a few attractions and resort areas scattered throughout. The city serves as a base for exploring them. Among the entertainment and excursions available here are: trekking in Endau-Rompina National Park, diving on the Sibu Islands, excursions to Gunung Ledang Park, beach vacations at Lido Beach in the Danga resort, river trips on the Lebam River to firefly colonies, and much more. The Legoland theme park also opened here.

In addition to attractions, the city is popular as a shopping destination, especially among residents of Singapore. They constantly come to Johor for inexpensive purchases, as prices in Singapore itself are very high. You can shop both in modern shopping centers and at numerous markets.

For detailed tourist information about Johor Bahru, see here.

🕒 19 April, 2026