If there's one thing we love about Malaysia, it's the beautiful places we can visit throughout the year. You can spend the first half of the year, enjoying your beach getaway and planning food trips, and the remaining half on chilly retreats and family holidays. For anyone with a travel goal to explore Malaysia in 2021, here are 12 destinations in Malaysia you should visit every month of the year.
1. January - Foodie adventure in Penang
There are many reasons why travellers would plan a road trip to Penang. From nasi kandar and asam laksa to ais tingkap and char kway teow, there's no shortage of delicious halal food in Penang. Aside from being a famous street food capital in Malaysia, there are also other things to do and Instagram-worthy spots in Penang to keep you busy.
Check out our recommended reads below to start your food trip to Penang!
- 8 Delicious Halal Breakfast Spots In Penang That Are Perfect For Early Risers
- Eat Your Way Through Penang At These 12 Halal Eateries
- 3D2N Muslim-Friendly Itinerary To Penang (For Foodies!)
2. February - Nature retreat in Janda Baik, Pahang
Aside from popular mountain retreats like Cameron Highlands and Genting Highlands, Malaysians often plan a relaxing nature retreat in Janda Baik. Situated in the Bentong district of Pahang, there are many types of accommodation to spend the night and that includes riverside getaways, luxurious glamping retreats, and family homestays near the highlands!
Check out our recommended reads below to kick start your nature retreat in Janda Baik, Pahang!
- 10 Secluded Nature Retreats In Pahang To Escape The Crowd
- 8 Gorgeous Resorts In Janda Baik For Your Next Chilly Getaway
- 6 Riverside Accommodations In Janda Baik For A Nature Getaway
3. March - Beach getaway in Malaysia's east coast islands
Malaysia is blessed with some amazing islands with white sandy beaches and beautiful waters. While there are many islands located across the country, for those in peninsular Malaysia, there's a special appeal to the islands located on the east coast in Pahang and Terengganu.
From the popular Redang and Tioman islands to other gems like Perhentian and Kapas islands and other more unknown places like Tenggol and Gemia islands, there's so much beauty to explore.
Check out our recommended reads below for stunning east coast islands you should visit in peninsular Malaysia!
- 7 Stunning East Coast Islands In Peninsular Malaysia To Tick Off Your Bucket List
- 6 Awesome Beach Resorts In Perhentian Island To Soak Up The Sun
- 5 Amazing Budget Beach Chalets In Pulau Kapas (From RM100!)
4. April - Fun road trip to Melaka
There are many reasons why Melaka is one of the most popular road trip destinations in Malaysia. Surrounded by delicious halal food and incredible Instagram-worthy spots, we would always return to Melaka for a weekend getaway. If you're planning a road trip to Melaka soon, we have a couple of useful travel guides to help you plan your trip!
Check out our recommended reads below before embarking on a fun road trip to Melaka!
- The Ultimate Guide to Halal Food in Melaka
- 7 Amazing Budget Hotels In Melaka For Your Next Trip (Under RM150)
- 8 Insta-Worthy Spots In Melaka (Near Muslim-Friendly Eateries!)
5. May - Cafe-hopping in Johor Bahru
Street food scene and delicious laksa aren't the only things that Johor Bahru (or JB, in short) is known for. Situated in the south of peninsular Malaysia, it's pretty hard not to talk about their thriving indie cafe scene that's longing to be on your Instagram feed. If you're heading down to JB, you absolutely have to set aside a day for a cafe-hopping adventure.
Check out our recommended reads below for cafes and eateries to visit in Johor Bahru!
- 16 Muslim-Friendly Cafes In JB For Your Next Cafe-Hopping Adventure
- 11 Delicious Halal Eateries That'll Make You Want To Drive To JB Right Now
- This 3D2N Itinerary Is All You Need For Your Long Weekend In JB
6. June - Road trip to Ipoh, Perak
With the abundance of delicious halal food and Instagram-worthy spots, planning a road trip to Ipoh is a must-do. If you've been thinking of going on road trip with your family or besties, there are also many Instagram-worthy accommodations in Ipoh that'll cater to your travel needs, which is amazingly convenient if you're planning to spend a few nights at this destination.
Check out our recommended reads below before planning an exciting road trip to Ipoh!
- Ipoh Food Guide: 12 Delicious Muslim-Friendly Eateries You Can’t Miss
- 12 Instagrammable Spots (Near Muslim-Friendly Eateries) In Ipoh
- 8 Instagram-Worthy Accommodations In Ipoh For Girls Getaways (Under RM280!)
7. July - City escapade in Kuching, Sarawak
Known as the capital city of Sarawak, Kuching is a playground of sights and sounds that are waiting to be discovered. Brimming with character and laid-back charm, it earned the nickname, the City of Cats because Kuching also means 'cat' in Bahasa Malaysia. If you're in town for a short trip, make sure to take a snapshot in front of Kuching's famous cat monument, learn about Bornean history at the Sarawak State Museum and more!
Check out our recommended reads before planning your next city escapade to Kuching!
- 10 Reasons To Explore Kuching - Malaysia's Most Underrated Destination
- 8 Hidden Gems To Discover On Your Trip To Kuching, Sarawak
- 9 Best Things To Do In Kuching On Your Next Vacay
8. August - Celebrate Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur
The month of August is a good excuse to plan a staycation in Kuala Lumpur as Malaysia's Independence Day is celebrated on 31 August every year! After rising early to watch the Merdeka parade at Dataran Merdeka, you can explore KL like a tourist and visit many sights and sounds in the city too.
Check out our recommended reads before planning your next trip to Kuala Lumpur!
- 10 Insta-Worthy Hotels In KL For Your Next Staycation In The City
- 14 Stunning Insta-Worthy Spots In KL That Are Absolutely Free
- 7 Delicious Halal Eats Along KL’s Famous LRT Stops That You Need To Try
9. September - Laid-back trip in Kota Bharu, Kelantan
A short trip to Kota Bharu, Kelantan feels like a trip back to your hometown. Slow-paced and laid-back, it's a change of landscape for city dwellers but a necessary one after staying at home for a long time during the pandemic. Just take your time and explore the quiet side of the north-eastern tip of Malaysia, which includes a morning visit to Pasar Besar Siti Khadijah, a scenic day-off at Temenggor Lake or a beach getaway at Pantai Cahaya Bulan.
Check out our recommended reads before planning your laid-back trip to Kota Bharu!
- 8 Surprising Reasons Why Kelantan Deserves To Be On Your Travel List
- 12 Mouthwatering Dishes You Have To Try In Kelantan And Terengganu
- My 4D3N Trip In Kota Bharu: Yummy Local Food And Must-Visit Attractions
10. October - Romantic getaway in Kundasang
Known as the New Zealand of Malaysia, enjoy a 2-hour scenic drive from Kota Kinabalu to Kundasang, a laid-back town located in Ranau. Famous for its mesmerising mountainous landscape, the main attraction is the Desa Dairy Farm where you can spot the Friesian cattle, a breed of dairy cattle, backed by the picturesque mountain view. You won’t find scenery like this anywhere else in Malaysia!
Check out our recommended reads before planning your trip to 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
- 5D4N Muslim-Friendly Itinerary For The Best Of Kota Kinabalu, Kundasang And Beyond
11. November - Family weekend in Langkawi
There's a reason why Langkawi is a popular destination among families and road trippers. From the lapping waves of Pantai Cenang and tropical rainforest to duty-free chocolates and delicious seafood, it's definitely one of the best destinations in Malaysia to visit for your next family weekend.
Check out our recommended reads below to plan a fun family getaway in Langkawi!
- Langkawi Food Guide: 12 Delicious Muslim-Friendly Eateries For An Awesome Trip
- 9 Private Pool Villas In Langkawi For Your Next Beach Vacay
- 14 Budget-Friendly Accommodations In Langkawi (Under RM200!)
12. December - Chilly holiday in Cameron Highlands, Pahang
Everyone loves planning a fun trip to Cameron Highlands! Situated in Pahang, this highland retreat is famous for its serene tea plantations, local fruit farms, and cool weather. If you want to make the most of your time here, we have all the travel guides you need to plan the best holiday in Cameron Highlands!
Check out our recommended reads below before driving up to Cameron Highlands!
- 10 Super Fun Things To Do In Cameron Highlands On Your Next Trip
- 8 Budget-Friendly Accommodations In Cameron Highlands (Under RM180!)
- 12 Accommodations In Cameron Highlands For A Cool Mountain Retreat
...and there you have it! These are some of the best places to visit in Malaysia every month of the year. Don't limit yourself to just these travel ideas because there are many more beautiful destinations to explore in Malaysia!