🎨 Central Market Kuala Lumpur – Souvenirs & Handicrafts Guide

Central Market started as a wet market in the 1880s and has since been transformed into a cultural and handicraft centre. Today it’s housed in a charming Art Deco–style building filled with stalls and small shops selling Malaysian crafts, batik, wood carvings, textiles, paintings and more.

Many visitors come here at the end of their trip to buy souvenirs and gifts in one place, but it’s also worth visiting earlier in your stay to get a feel for Malaysian culture and design.

⏱️ Suggested time: 1–2 hours for a quick visit, or longer if you enjoy browsing art and handicrafts in detail.

Central Market is one of the best places in Kuala Lumpur to buy traditional gifts and locally made products in an air-conditioned indoor setting.

• Souvenir shops: magnets, keychains, t-shirts, bags and other small gifts with Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia themes.
• Handicrafts & batik: hand-painted batik fabrics, scarves, shirts and home decor, plus wood carvings, rattan items and traditional crafts.
• Art galleries: small galleries and stalls selling paintings and prints from local artists – great if you like bringing home wall art.
• Traditional clothing: outfits like baju kurung and baju Melayu, as well as modern designs inspired by traditional styles.

💰 Bargaining: Some stalls may be open to small discounts if you buy multiple items, but expect more fixed prices than in open street markets.

While Central Market is not a full food court, you’ll find a number of small local eateries and cafes that are perfect for a quick and budget-friendly meal.

• Local dishes: simple Malaysian favourites like nasi lemak, fried rice and noodles at affordable prices.
• Snacks & desserts: traditional sweets, cakes and ice cream stalls, good for a short break between shopping.
• Cafes: small coffee shops where you can sit down, enjoy a drink and watch people go by.

💡 Tip: If you want more variety, you can walk to nearby Petaling Street or other areas around Pasar Seni for street food and bigger restaurants.

Central Market is located very close to Pasar Seni, making it easy to reach by public transport or ride-hailing apps.

🚉 By LRT / MRT

• Take the LRT Kelana Jaya Line or the MRT Kajang Line to Pasar Seni station.
• From the station, it’s about a 5-minute walk to Central Market – just follow the signs or map apps.

🚗 By Grab

• Grab cars are widely available; set your destination to Central Market Kuala Lumpur.
• Traffic can be busy at rush hour, but the short distance from many downtown hotels keeps travel times reasonable.

📍 Location: Near the Klang River, close to Chinatown (Petaling Street) and other old-town attractions.

🌐 Official links

• 🌐 Official Central Market website
• 🎥 Central Market video walk-through »

🕒 Opening hours

Hours can change, but typical opening times are:

• Daily: around 10:00 am – 9:30 pm (check the official site for updates).

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For travellers who love souvenirs with a story, traditional crafts and local culture, Central Market Kuala Lumpur is an easy recommendation. Its central location near Pasar Seni, air-conditioned halls and wide variety of shops make it a comfortable stop for almost any itinerary.

Whether you come for a quick look or spend a couple of hours browsing and eating, Central Market is one of the best places in Kuala Lumpur to feel the city’s creative side and bring something meaningful home.