Langkawi Things to Do - 22 Tips for Your Trip

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On the northeast coast of Malaysia lies the island of Langkawi, which is becoming increasingly popular among tourists. It also serves as a good starting point for traveling to the Thai islands like Koh Lipe. Langkawi is the largest island in the Langkawi Archipelago, which includes about 100 other islands. Therefore, there are plenty of things to do there.

Tips, Attractions, and Activities for Langkawi

A stay in Langkawi offers many attractions, highlights, and activities. Boredom is a foreign concept on the island, except if you are looking for a lot of nightlife, then you are probably in the wrong place. You can find out what highlights you can discover on Langkawi in this article. But one thing is for sure – they are diverse.

How to get to Langkawi

Since Langkawi is an island, there are only two ways to reach it. The quickest and most comfortable option is by plane, for example, from Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Singapore, or Guangzhou with Air Asia, Firefly, Malaysia Airlines, or China Southern. You can find a good overview of times and prices on Skyscanner.

Additionally, there are boat connections to Penang or to the Malaysian mainland in Kuala Perlis and Kuala Kedah. You can also take a ferry to Koh Lipe or Satun in Thailand. More information about prices and schedules can be found with our partner 12go.asia.

Accommodation in Langkawi – our hotel tip

During our time in Langkawi, we stayed at the Paretto Seaview Hotel. It is located right on Cenang Beach Road with numerous dining options nearby. It is only a 1-2 minute walk from the beach. The accommodation consisted of a living room, a bedroom, and a balcony with a view of the beach and the sea.

The staff was also very helpful and arranged scooters for us as well as an extremely affordable ride to the airport at the end. We felt completely comfortable and can highly recommend the Paretto Seaview.

However, if you prefer more luxury on your vacation and budget is not a major concern, we recommend the Four Seasons at Tanjung Rhu. This top-class hotel is located on the most paradisiacal beach on the island, and if you’re looking for tranquility, it’s the perfect choice. You can find more hotels on Langkawi here.

1. Langkawi’s beaches

Malaysia has many destinations with fantastic beaches to offer, and Langkawi is certainly one of them. The island offers numerous beaches that can be quite diverse. From the bustling beach like Cenang Beach to the Black Sand Beach with black sand or the incredibly white beaches like Tanjung Rhu. Langkawi has something for every beach lover.

Since the selection is extensive, you can do some beach hopping during your stay in Langkawi and explore several of them. You can find our recommended beaches that you shouldn’t miss in our Langkawi Beach Guide (coming soon in English).

2. Sunset

Especially the southwest of Langkawi is an excellent choice to watch the evening and usually beautiful sunsets. Very popular spots for this are the Pantai Tengah and Cenang Beach.

At Pantai Tengah, you can enjoy this with a beer at Frangipani Langkawi, even with a view of the nearby island Pulau Tepor. At Cenang Beach, there are many spots and bars along the beach. We recommend the Thirstday Bar or the Kalut Bar, both of which you can find along the promenade.

Another highlight can be found at point 15 with the Nest Rooftop Bar, which is also great for a beautiful sunset.

3. Water sports

Are you enthusiastic about water sports? Then you’re in the right place at the two beaches mentioned earlier, Cenang Beach and Tengah Beach. Both Langkawi beaches offer a wide range of activities right by the water, including jet skiing, paragliding, banana boat rides, wakeboarding, and many more.

Another popular but somewhat more expensive way to explore the surrounding islands would be the Jet Ski Tour. Here, you ride with a guide to some of the beautiful islands off the coast, and you often have them all to yourself. Something we definitely would like to try on our next visit to Langkawi.

4. Oriental Village

In the northwest, you’ll find the artificially constructed Oriental Village. Built for tourists, it is a popular destination for day trips. It is located at the base of the second-highest mountain, Gunung Mat Cinchang, where the famous Cable Car (see the next point) also operates.

Since Langkawi is a Duty-Free Zone, you’ll find many shops in the Oriental Village offering duty-free goods. Additionally, there are restaurants, souvenir shops, a 3D museum, an animal farm, ziplining, and other attractions. The Oriental Village is open daily from 9.00 AM to 5.00 PM and can be visited for free.

5. Cable Car

As mentioned in the previous point, one of the highlights of the Oriental Village is the Cable Car, which you’ll find in the center of the village. From here, you can begin your journey to the mountain’s summit. The Cable Car will take you to the top in approximately 15 minutes, but you can also make a stop at an intermediate station with a great view.

The top platform offers not only a breathtaking views that extends to Thailand on clear days but also a souvenir shop, a restaurant, and access to the Sky Bridge (see the next point).

For the Cable Car, you’ll need to pay a price of 85 MYR per person. Admission to the SkyDome, the 3D Art Museum, and SkyRex is included. Wait times during our two visits were reasonable, and you can quickly reach the top of the island’s second-highest mountain. It is open daily from 9.30 AM or 10.00 AM to 6.00 PM. You can buy tickets on-site or book online in advance to avoid waiting in line.

6. Sky Bridge

When you’ve reached the summit, you could purchase a ticket for an additional 6 MYR to access the Sky Bridge. You can reach it through a staircase leading down to a short jungle section, as it is situated at an altitude of about 700 meters. There is also a small cable car that goes there, but it comes at an additional cost.

The cable bridge is 125 meters long and has triangular platforms at both ends. The bridge sometimes even swings a bit. Occasionally, there are small glass panels through which you can see the ground below. From Langkawi’s Sky Bridge, you also have a fantastic view of the Andaman Sea and the surrounding mountains.

7. Waterfalls

The island of Langkawi also offers several waterfalls you can visit. In combination with the Oriental Village and the Sky Bridge, a visit to Telaga Tujuh Waterfall (also known as Seven Wells Waterfall) is recommended, and it’s just a short distance away. You can reach it on foot from the parking area.

Furthermore, there are the artificially created Langkawi Falls and opposite them, the Temurun Waterfall. Both are located in the north of the island on the way to Datai Bay. In the east of the island, there is also the Durian Perangin Waterfall, the longest on the island with 14 tiers.

You can swim in all the waterfalls except for the Langkawi Falls. There may be parking fees, and the Durian Perangin Waterfall now charges an entrance fee of 2 MYR.

8. Gunung Raya

With a height of 881 meters, Gunung Raya is the tallest mountain in Langkawi. The mountain is part of a 5000-hectare forest reserve with rainforests as well as a diverse flora and fauna. Gunung Raya is located approximately in the center of the island and is easily accessible and drivable by car or scooter.

We made the trip by scooter, and it’s quite a ride from the base to the summit. The ride takes about 25-30 minutes to reach the top, but the road is overall well-maintained. You can occasionally stop for a view, but mostly, you’ll be surrounded by rainforest. Be cautious of the monkeys on the roadside or sometimes in the middle of the road.

Upon reaching the top of Gunung Raya, there is a tower with a 360-degree view, which unfortunately was closed during our visit. It’s unclear if it will reopen as there’s a sign indicating that the tower has been closed since February 2018. Nevertheless, you’ll have a great view, especially on a clear day. Ours was a bit cloudy but still beautiful.

9. Eagle Square

Eagle Square is one of the landmarks of Langkawi and is located in the island’s capital, Kuah. Directly by the water, there is a huge 12-meter-high statue of an eagle with a Langkawi inscription. Kuah Jetty, from where you can take boats to the mainland or even to Thailand, is just a few meters away.

Eagles are commonly found in Langkawi, which is why it’s considered the island’s “mascot”. However, there isn’t much else to explore here, and the visit is very short after taking a few photos if you like the statue. Admission is free.

You can also visit Eagle Square on a private day tour of Langkawi, along with other destinations like the Mahsuri Mausoleum, etc. It’s a good alternative if you don’t want to explore the island on your own with a scooter.

10. Legenda Park

Just a few minutes’ walk from Eagle Square is Langkawi’s Legenda Park. This over 20-hectare park is dedicated to the myths and legends of Langkawi, although you won’t see too much of them in the park. It’s more of a recreational area, including a beach, for the residents of Kuah and tourists.

The entrance is surrounded by the Gondwana Stone Wall, representing the historical super continent that split into individual continents like Africa, Australia, Antarctica, etc. Admission is free, and it’s open daily from 9.00 AM to 7.00 PM.

11. Night Market

The Pasar Malam, which means night market in Malaysian, takes place every evening. However, its location changes daily. So, if you want to visit the local night market, you need to know when and, most importantly, where exactly it’s happening.

Here we give you an overview of the days when the market takes place at different locations:

• Monday – Ulu Melaka (Jalan Makam Mahsuri Lama)
• Tuesday – Kedawang
• Wednesday – Kuah Town
• Thursday – Temonyong Village near Cenang Beach
• Friday – Air Hangat – Padang Lalang
• Saturday – Kuah Town again
• Sunday – Padang Matsirat, near the Field of Burnt Rice

The night market starts around 5.00/6.00 PM and ends around 10.00 PM. You can buy various souvenirs on-site, but above all, you can try numerous Malaysian delicacies such as Satay, Murtabak, and more. The largest night markets are on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, but it’s also worth visiting the others when you’re nearby. You can find more about delicious dishes in Malaysia here (coming soon in English).

12. Mahsuri Mausoleum

To the west of the island’s capital, Kuah, lies the Mahsuri Mausoleum. It is dedicated to Mahsuri, the daughter-in-law of the former ruler of Langkawi, who lived about 200 years ago and was murdered after being accused of adultery.

It is said that white blood flowed from her during her execution, proving her innocence, and she placed a curse on the island. As a result, there were several generations of poor harvests, and Langkawi did not prosper for a long time.

Due to this story, the Mahsuri Mausoleum was built out of reverence for the curse. On-site, you can visit Malaysian houses, one of which is modeled after Mahsuri’s, a museum, and records of Mahsuri’s history. It is open daily from 8.00 AM to 6.00 PM with an entrance fee of 10 MYR.

13. Laman Padi

Laman Padi, which roughly translates to Rice Field, is located at the northern end of Cenang Beach and consists of a complex of rice fields, herb gardens, and galleries that you can visit.

Laman Padi has been open since 1999, and you can visit it for free, and you can even reach it on foot. It is part of Langkawi’s agro-tourism and represents a different aspect of the island away from the beaches.

If you’ve never visited a rice field before, this is your opportunity to do so. Since visiting Laman Padi is free, it’s worth a short detour. However, if you’re already familiar with rice fields from Thailand or Bali, you can skip this visit, as there isn’t much to see here, admittedly.

14. Underwater World

Underwater World is one of the island’s attractions and is located on Cenang Beach. Malaysia’s largest aquarium attracts many tourists and is impossible to miss along Cenang Beach Road. At Underwater World, you’ll find over 200 different species of marine life, ranging from sharks and penguins to rays. You can also observe the Arapaima, the world’s largest freshwater fish.

The building is divided into three different zones: a temperate zone, a tropical zone, and an arctic zone. Additionally, there’s a 3D cinema, an area that educates you about marine creatures, and a cafeteria serving snacks and drinks.

It is open daily from 9.30 AM to 6.30 PM, but on weekends, it stays open until 10.30 PM. Admission costs 50 MYR for adults and 40 MYR for children on-site. However, you can also book tickets online in advance. A great activity for families with children.

15. Nest Rooftop

Also located directly on Cenang Beach Road is the Nest Rooftop Bar. It is situated on the top floor of the Royal Agate Beach Resorts, and you can reach it by elevator or stairs.

The atmosphere there is really great, and the staff are friendly. The concept is called BYOB (Bring Your Own Booze), which means no alcohol is sold on-site, except in large liter bottles. However, you can also bring your own bottle from one of the duty-free shops, store it here, and drink it when you order soft drinks, etc.

Otherwise, there are also delicious non-alcoholic shakes, snacks, and other dishes that are worth stopping by for. The sunset over Cenang Beach is also a highlight. Open daily from 8.00 AM to 12.00 PM and from 5.00 PM to 11.00 PM. A visit is worthwhile!

16. Telaga Harbour Park Lighthouse

Formerly a small fishing village in Langkawi, today Telaga Harbour Park is a harbor for sailboats and yachts, adjacent to the Pantai Kok Beach. When driving along the coastal road, you will recognize Telaga Harbour Park by its lighthouse from afar.

Telaga Harbour Park also offers a few restaurants and bars for visitors, but they are all on the upscale side in terms of pricing. This may also be due to the 5-star hotels in the area, such as the Ritz Carlton Langkawi or The Danna Langkawi. In our opinion, a (short) visit is only worthwhile if you are already on your way to Pantai Kok or Oriental Village, as you will pass by Telaga Harbour Park then.

17. Wildlife Park

The Wildlife Park of Langkawi is located approximately 10 minutes north of the island’s main city, Kuah. On the vast grounds, you can observe 2,500 birds from 150 different species in the tropical garden. These include, for example, flamingos, owls, or eagles.

The covered park also offers a waterfall, feedings, and a few souvenir shops. It might be a good alternative for a rainy day on Langkawi. It is open daily from 8.30 AM to 6.00 PM, and the admission costs 50 MYR for adults and 30 MYR for children.

18. Mangrove tour

In the northeast, a large part of Langkawi is covered by stunning mangroves. You can discover the mangrove forests on a tour and observe the beautiful flora and fauna. Guides will also be happy to explain the ecosystem of the mangroves if you are interested.

On the mangrove tour, you can also see limestone cliffs, otters, kingfishers, and with some luck, even a few dolphins. The tours start near Tanjung Rhu Beach. You can buy tickets either on-site in Langkawi at travel agencies, directly where the mangrove tours start, or online in advance.

19. Bat cave

The bat cave in Langkawi, known as Gua Kelawar in Malay, is also located in the Kilim Geoforest Park, where mangrove tours take place. You can only reach it by boat. Once you arrive at the cave, you will need to cross a wooden walkway and enter the pitch-dark cave. Your boat driver will provide you with a flashlight.

In addition to the thousands of bats, which are harmless as they feed on fruits, there are also some stalactites and stalagmites to see in the cave. If you are interested in rock formations, then the trip can be very fascinating for you. By the way, you can also combine the tour with a visit to the mangroves.

20. Buddhist temples

A bit outside of Kuah Town, you will also find two Buddhist temples, both beautifully designed and, in our opinion, worth a visit. One of them is Wat Koh Wanararm Langkawi. You can find its entrance on Jalan Ayer Hangat street, opposite the large MRSM Langkawi school. The special feature here is a large Kuan Yin statue carved into the limestone cliffs. Very impressive.

A little further north, you’ll find Wat Tham Kisap. You can locate it on the same main road on the right side by following the signs. It also stands directly against limestone cliffs and houses a large, golden Buddha statue. There is certainly much less activity here compared to Wat Wanararm Langkawi, and both temples could still be considered hidden gems.

21. Hindu temples

If you are interested in Hindu temples, Langkawi has something to offer due to its Indian-descendant residents. Along the main road Jalan Ayer Hangat, you can already see them by the roadside. The most prominent one is the Sri Maha Mariamman Devasthanam.

A short stop can be worthwhile if you wish. Admission is at least free, and the colorfully decorated temple is pleasant to look at from the outside.

22. Island Hopping Tour

The Island Hopping Tours in Langkawi are very popular among visitors because Langkawi’s island world offers beautiful opportunities for day trips. You will be picked up at your accommodation and taken to the Teluk Baru Beach or the Kuah Jetty because that’s where the boats start their trips.

The tours include, for example, Pulau Dayang Bunting with a freshwater lake in the interior, Pulau Singa Besar, where wild eagles circle above the sea, or Pulau Beras Basah with a beautiful beach perfect for swimming and relaxing. Island Hopping Tours in Langkawi are diverse and not expensive. Prices usually start from 35 MYR.

Langkawi: Tours and Tickets

Do you prefer to travel with a guide who knows the area very well? Then we recommend a guided tour with a local. This way you can get to know Langkawi in a completely different way. GetYourGuide offers a wide selection of exciting tours for Langkawi.

Have you been to Langkawi? Do you have any more tips for activities on Langkawi? What is your favorite? Leave us a comment now.