Ask any Malaysian and they'll say how much they enjoy their long weekends in Malaysia. While we're still persevering through 2020, we're excited to share that Malaysia has 12 long weekends in 2021! Featuring stunning island getaways, city escapes and beach vacations, here are the best places to visit during the long weekend in Malaysia.
1. New Year's Day - Staycation in KL
Public holiday: 1 Jan (Fri)
Take leave: 4 Jan (Mon)
Total days off (including the weekends): 4 days
Since New Year's Day falls on a Friday, start off the year by planning a staycation in Kuala Lumpur! To experience Malaysia's capital city like travellers do, savour a hearty brunch at the local cafes, admire the cascading waterfalls, take photos at the latest Insta-worthy spots, and spend a night at a hotel connected to the city's best shopping malls!
2. Thaipusam and Federal Territory - Tokyo, Japan
Public holiday (Thaipusam): 28 Jan (Thu)
Public holiday (Federal Territory): 1 Feb (Mon)
Take leave: 29 Jan (Fri)
Total days off (including the weekends): 5 days
If you miss travelling to Tokyo, combine the Thaipusam and Federal Territory holidays to get a full five-day weekend! Once the situation gets better, travel to the capital city of Japan to enjoy delicious halal ramen, shop till you drop at the city's 100 yen shops, check out free sightseeing spots, and spend an afternoon at Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea!
3. Chinese New Year - Bali, Indonesia
Public holiday: 12-13 Jan (Fri-Sat)
Take leave: 15 Jan (Mon)
Total days off (including the weekends): 4 days
There's always something captivating about Bali, so make use of the four-day weekend thanks to the Chinese New Year holidays! Before spending time at the scenic beaches in Bali, make sure to visit these incredible Instagrammable spots, dine at these Muslim-friendly eateries, or stay in a romantic private pool villa! If you're planning a memorable holiday with your spouse, you're going to love this 5D4N Muslim-friendly itinerary to a romantic honeymoon in Bali!
4. Nuzul Al-Quran and Labour Day - Singapore
Public holiday (Nuzul Al-Quran): 29 Apr (Thu)
Public holiday (Labour Day): 1 May (Sat)
Take leave: 30 Apr (Fri)
Total days off (including the weekends): 4 days
If you combine the Nuzul Al-Quran and Labour Day public holidays, you can spend four days in Singapore! Singapore has plenty of attractions that appeal to Muslim travellers during the fasting month.
Shop at Mustafa Centre and pick-up ingredients for making kuih raya or any other Raya needs. Explore the cool indoor gardens at Gardens By The Bay, or explore the hidden gems of the Kampong Glam area such as Wardah Books.
5. Hari Raya Aidilfitri - Your hometown
Public holiday: 13-14 May (Thu-Fri)
Take leave: 17 May (Mon)
Total days off (including the weekends): 5 days
What's amazing about this year's Hari Raya Aidilfitri is that you can enjoy a five-day weekend in 2021 (granted that you take one-day leave)! Remember to wake up early to avoid the balik kampung traffic and enjoy the scenic journey back to your hometown. After driving for hours, seeing your grandparents' smile will definitely be worth it!
#HHWT Tip: Before you head off to your balik kampung trip, check out these steps to stay safe on a road trip during COVID-19
6. Agong's Birthday - Bangkok, Thailand
Public holiday: 7 June (Mon)
Take leave: 8 June (Tue)
Total days off (including the weekends): 4 days
There's something absolutely charming about Bangkok and we don't mind returning to Thailand's capital city during Agong's birthday weekend. Since you have four days to spend, enjoy yummy tom yam from the city's halal eateries, practice your bargaining skills at their street markets, and stay in one of these Muslim-friendly hotels in Bangkok complete with halal food!
7. Awal Muharram - Perth, Australia
Public holiday: 10 Aug (Tue)
Take leave: 9 Aug (Mon)
Total days off (including the weekends): 4 days
The Awal Muharram holiday calls for a getaway somewhere special, and one filled with sunny weather, excellent seafood, and cute quokkas sounds right up there. We're talking about a holiday in Perth! We have the perfect 4D3N itinerary for your getaway to Perth ready and waiting. If you're planning for a longer trip, don't forget to check out the iconic Fremantle Markets, or see all the adorable wildlife at Caversham Wildlife Park if you can!
8. Merdeka Day - Islands In Malaysia
Public holiday: 31 Aug (Tue)
Take leave: 30 Aug (Mon)
Total days off (including the weekends): 4 days
What better way to celebrate Malaysia's 64th Independence Day than exploring the beautiful islands of Malaysia? The islands off the coast of Terengganu and Pahang are accessible (post-monsoon season) from March to October, so now would be the perfect time for a beach vacation!
Choose from popular spots like Pulau Redang, Pulau Perhentian and Pulau Tioman, or cast your net wider and look at lesser-known islands such as Lang Tengah, Pulau Kapas or Pulau Tenggol.
9. Malaysia Day - Sabah and Sarawak
Public holiday: 16 Sep (Thu)
Take leave: 17 Sep (Fri)
Total days off (including the weekends): 4 days
Since Malaysia Day celebrates the union of Malaya with Sabah and Sarawak (together with Singapore in 1963), there's no better time to spend your 4-day weekend in Sabah or Sarawak. Both states in Malaysia are brimming with nature getaways, scenic beaches and outdoor adventures. We also have some articles to help you decide!
Sabah
- 10 Exciting Things You Never Knew You Could Do In Sabah (Besides Mt Kinabalu!)
- 10 Scenic Accommodations In Sabah For Your Next Amazing Getaway
- 4D3N Kota Kinabalu & Kundasang Itinerary For An Adventure In Sabah
Sarawak
- 8 Hidden Gems To Discover On Your Trip To Kuching, Sarawak
- 10 Reasons To Explore Kuching - Malaysia's Most Underrated Destination
10. Maulidur Rasul - Istanbul, Turkey
Public holiday: 19 Oct (Tue)
Take leave: 18 Oct (Mon)
Total days off (including the weekends): 4 days
If you're looking for something different, it's worth considering a trip to Istanbul! Visiting Turkey at this time of year is a great option as it's cheaper than visiting during the summer months with fewer people (flight and accommodation also tends to be cheaper!).
This could be the perfect time to explore Istanbul's many beautiful attractions and also eat the delicious halal food available! If you stay at a hotel near the key areas, getting around to attractions nearby is a breeze, making the city easy to explore. An Istanbul trip doesn't have to be super expensive either, check out our budget hacks for your Istanbul getaway!
11. Deepavali - Hanoi, Vietnam
Public holiday: 4 Nov (Thu)
Take leave: 5 Nov (Fri)
Total days off (including the weekends): 4 days
If you're looking for a chance to squeeze in a trip, take Friday off so you'll add a decent stretch to your 4-day weekend! And it seems like the right time to pack your bags and head off to nearby Vietnam for a trip to Hanoi.
Hanoi is a beautiful mix of many things - distinctive local culture and delicious halal food, rich and fascinating history, stunning nature spots, modern development and colonial heritage. All in all, it makes for an intriguing city to explore, and one that's great to visit in November.
12. Christmas - Krabi, Thailand
Public holiday: 25 Dec (Sat)
Take leave: 24 Dec (Fri)
Total days off (including the weekends): 3 days
Wrapping up the year is Christmas Day that falls on a Saturday, which is good news for those who work on Saturdays. This would be the perfect time to sneak in that end-of-year break with a trip to Krabi! November to March are the best months to visit this Thai island as the weather is ideal - hot sunny days, with cooler breezes at night
Krabi has a slew of activities to offer - whether you're looking for a laid-back time by the beach, want to go island-hopping, go rock-climbing, snorkelling, diving, cave exploring or a jungle safari, the island has got you covered! Another added advantage of going to Krabi is the fact it has a notable Muslim population, meaning that halal food is pretty easy to source out
SAVE THIS: Malaysia's Long Weekends In 2021
If you're excited about Malaysia's public holidays in 2021, we hope you've found some ideas for places to visit during your long weekend. Before you head to the airport, stay prepared with our recommended reads below!