Putrajaya Malaysia: Muslim-Friendly Aesthetic Spots You Shouldn't Miss

When planning a holiday to Malaysia, which cities usually come to mind first? Kuala Lumpur, Penang, or maybe Melaka? But did you know there’s another city just around 25 km south of Kuala Lumpur that’s seriously worth exploring?

Meet Putrajaya, Malaysia’s federal administrative centre and the country’s government capital!

Also read : 24 Best Things to Do in Putrajaya, Malaysia [2025 Muslim-Friendly Guide]

As a beautifully planned modern city, Putrajaya is where futuristic city planning meets huge green spaces and impressive Islamic architecture. If you're travelling around Malaysia, Putrajaya definitely deserves a spot on your itinerary. From an aesthetic pink mosque and beautiful botanical gardens to a relaxing cruise around the city, there are plenty of things to see and do here.

How to Get to Putrajaya

Getting to Putrajaya from central Kuala Lumpur is actually pretty easy and won’t cost you a fortune. You can simply take the MRT Yellow Line or hop on the KLIA Transit airport train. The train network is well connected, making it easy to travel around comfortably and quickly without worrying about getting lost.

The good news is, Putrajaya is also easy to reach if you're travelling from other cities in Malaysia. Several long-distance buses go directly to Putrajaya, so you don't always have to travel to Kuala Lumpur first or change buses along the way.

Whether you're a backpacker who prefers taking the train or a traveller who enjoys a relaxing bus ride, getting to Putrajaya is pretty straightforward.

Best Things to Do in Putrajaya, Malaysia

1. Putra Mosque

One of the first places you should visit in Putrajaya is Putra Mosque, one of the city's most famous religious and architectural landmarks.

This stunning mosque can accommodate up to 15,000 worshippers and is often called the “Pink Mosque” because of its beautiful rose-coloured granite walls and dome. The mosque has been in use since 1999, and its name, “Putra”, was chosen in honour of Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, Malaysia’s first Prime Minister.

Take a closer look at the architecture and you'll notice influences from different Islamic cultures around the world. The main entrance was inspired by Persian-style gates, while its 116-metre minaret takes inspiration from the Sheikh Omar Mosque in Baghdad. The basement wall design, meanwhile, was inspired by the Sultan Hassan Mosque in Morocco.

Since this is an active place of worship, make sure you're dressed modestly when visiting. Don't worry if your outfit isn't fully covered, though. You can borrow a maroon robe for free near the main entrance.

2. Cruise Tasik Putrajaya

Putrajaya is surrounded by a massive 650-hectare artificial lake called Tasik Putrajaya. Besides helping regulate the city's temperature, the lake is also a popular spot for water-based activities and sightseeing.

One of the most fun ways to see Putrajaya is by taking a Cruise Tasik Putrajaya. You can choose a boat based on your travel vibe, from air-conditioned cruise boats and picnic boats to the traditional Dondang Sayang boat and the Lepa-Lepa, a traditional boat associated with the Bajau people.

Foreign visitors can expect to pay around RM40–RM70 for a cruise, depending on the type of boat.

Looking for something more adventurous? Tasik Putrajaya also offers exciting water sports. You can try flyboarding or jetpacking for around RM370, which lets you fly above the water like Iron Man, or go for a more relaxed paddling experience for around RM140.

Safety is also taken seriously. Before getting into the water, you'll receive a detailed safety briefing and be accompanied by experienced instructors.

3. Putrajaya Botanical Garden

Need a little greenery after exploring the city? Head to Putrajaya Botanical Garden.

Covering around 92 hectares, this is one of Malaysia's largest botanical gardens and home to more than 7,000 plant species from Africa and the Asia-Pacific region.

The garden is divided into three main areas: ornamental plants, flowers, and a botanical research and conservation centre.

Located along Persiaran Sultan Sallahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, the garden is open every day except Monday.

There are plenty of things to do here. Challenge yourself on the Explorer's Trail, a canopy bridge that takes you among the trees, explore Palm Hill, which features more than 50 species of palm trees, or hop on the garden's tram for a relaxing ride around the area.

Don't forget to visit the Sun and Floral Garden too. With its colourful flowers and peaceful surroundings, it's the perfect place to take a break and refresh your mind.

4. Astaka Morocco

You don't need to fly all the way to Africa to experience a taste of Morocco. Hidden inside Putrajaya Botanical Garden, Astaka Morocco brings Moroccan-inspired architecture right to Malaysia.

The 1,672-square-metre pavilion was built by the Malaysian government with support from the Moroccan government and people as a symbol of the strong diplomatic relationship between the two countries.

As soon as you enter, the intricate Moorish-style architecture makes the place feel like you've stepped into a different world.

Inside, the pavilion is divided into three main courtyards: the Front Court, King's Court, and Granada Court. The walls and columns are decorated with beautiful carvings featuring verses from the Quran.

Best of all, admission is affordable. Tickets cost RM3 for adults and RM1 for children, making this a great spot for photos and a quick cultural escape.

5. Dataran Putrajaya (Putrajaya Square)

Another iconic spot to add to your photo list is Dataran Putrajaya.

Don't confuse it with Dataran Putra, which is located in front of the Prime Minister's Office. Dataran Putrajaya stretches between Perbadanan Putrajaya, the Palace of Justice, and Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Mosque, also known as the Iron Mosque.

One of the interesting things about this area is its landscape design, which was inspired by the famous Champs-Élysées in Paris.

The most Instagrammable spot is the huge concrete gateway at the front of Perbadanan Putrajaya. You can also take photos in front of the impressive Palace of Justice, whose architecture draws inspiration from the Taj Mahal and classical Islamic designs.

Don't miss the Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Mosque, better known as the Iron Mosque. It's called the Iron Mosque because much of its structure is made from steel. The mosque can accommodate up to 24,000 worshippers, making it even larger than Putra Mosque.

6. Seri Gemilang Bridge

Putrajaya is sometimes known as the city of bridges, thanks to its collection of beautifully designed bridges with distinctive architectural styles.

One of the most impressive is Seri Gemilang Bridge, which connects Heritage Square with the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC).

With its grand design and classical-style towers, the bridge is often referred to as a ceremonial bridge and has been used for official and state events.

But Seri Gemilang isn't the only bridge worth checking out.

There's also Seri Perdana Bridge, which features eight balcony-like platforms along its sides. It's a great place to stop for a moment and enjoy views of Tasik Putrajaya.

Another one to look out for is Seri Saujana Bridge, which has a futuristic design inspired by the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge in Australia.

For the best photos, try exploring these bridges in the late afternoon or around sunset. The changing light can give your photos a much more dramatic look.

7. Secret Garden Putrajaya

Looking for somewhere magical to visit after sunset? Add Secret Garden Putrajaya to your list.

Located at Taman Putra Perdana, right in front of Pulse Grande Hotel, this hidden garden is especially beautiful at night.

Interestingly, if you spend your afternoon walking up the famous Putrajaya Steps, your route can lead you directly to this garden.

The garden can be visited from the afternoon, but its real magic comes after sunset, when thousands of colourful LED lights start to glow.

If you're a fan of Avatar, you'll probably love the atmosphere here. The lights wrap around tree trunks, bushes, pathways and decorative structures, creating a dreamy fantasy-forest vibe.

Walking through the glowing pathways almost feels like you've stepped into another planet.

8. China-Malaysia Friendship Garden

The moment you walk through the arched entrance of China-Malaysia Friendship Garden, you'll notice that the atmosphere feels completely different from the rest of Putrajaya.

Stone walls, bamboo plants and the gentle sound of leaves moving in the breeze create a peaceful environment that feels almost like stepping into an ancient Chinese garden.

It's a great place to slow down, take a walk and escape the busier parts of the city.

Beyond its beautiful scenery, the garden also has an interesting diplomatic story.

The China-Malaysia Friendship Garden was built in 2014 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia.

Its design is inspired by the Lingnan garden style from southern China, particularly Guangdong and Guangxi. You'll find intimate spaces, intricate wood carvings, winding corridors and carefully designed water features throughout the garden.

It's a beautiful spot to explore if you want to experience a different side of Putrajaya beyond its Islamic architecture and modern government buildings.

Also read: Mosques in Kuala Lumpur: Here’s Where to Pray

Why Putrajaya Should Be on Your Malaysia Itinerary

Putrajaya proves that Malaysia has so much more to offer beyond the busy streets of Kuala Lumpur.

With its beautifully planned cityscape, impressive architecture, peaceful green spaces and unique attractions, Putrajaya offers a completely different travel experience.

From visiting the iconic Pink Mosque and Iron Mosque to cruising across Tasik Putrajaya, exploring Moroccan-inspired architecture and wandering through colourful gardens, there's plenty to keep you busy for a day or even longer.

So, if you're planning your next trip to Malaysia, don't just stick to Kuala Lumpur. Add Putrajaya to your itinerary and discover one of Malaysia's most unique and beautiful cities!