The 20 Best Things To Do In Langkawi, Malaysia

Last Updated: December 20 2023

Langkawi is a tropical island that’s also known as the ‘Jewel of Kedah’ and it’s not hard to see why! This is easily one of the most beautiful places we’ve ever visited with its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and lush rainforests.

This tropical paradise is a must for any Malaysia itinerary – especially as you’ll find tons of fantastic things to do in Langkawi!

Whether you’re looking to relax on the beach, go island-hopping, or take a ride on a cable car, there’s something for everyone. For this reason, it’s not hard to see why this island is such a popular tourist destination.

Langkawi is actually a UNESCO Global Geopark, Southeast Asia’s first in fact which is just another reason to visit!

Let’s take a look at the best things to do during your stay and some other information that you’ll find helpful if you’re visiting Langkawi!

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The Best Things to do in Langkawi, Malaysia

1. Relax on Cenang Beach

We start this list of things to do in Langkawi by relaxing on Cenang Beach. Cenang Beach is the most popular beach in Langkawi and as such, it can get quite busy. However, it’s a long beach so it’s not too difficult to find a relaxing, secluded spot.

Featuring pristine white sand, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and impressive island views, this Beach has something for everyone. You can soak up the sun, swim in the sea, and take part in various activities!

Some of the activities you can take part in include football, volleyball, jet skiing, and parasailing. You’ll find Cenang Beach right in the heart of Langkawi, sitting just off the main street.

Thanks to the beach’s close proximity to Langkawi’s main street, there are plenty of food options, tour operators, and bike hire companies.

If like us, you prefer more peace and quiet, we recommend heading to the far right-hand side as you won’t find too many people here.

2. Admire the views from Langkawi Sky Bridge

One of the best places to visit in Langkawi is the Sky Bridge. Langkawi Sky Bridge is a 410 ft (125 metres) bridge that stands more than 2,000 feet above sea level.

As you can imagine, the views from the Sky Bridge are pretty spectacular. If you travel to Langkawi, you simply have to take in the views. From the bridge, you can see most of the island and out to sea!

What makes the Sky Bridge even more impressive is the area it’s located in. The Sky Bridge sits atop Gunung Mat Cincang on Pulau Langkawi. This lush part of the island is covered in dense forests that are home to plenty of Langkawi wildlife.

The wildlife found here includes various bird and monkey species; our favourite of which was the dusky leaf monkey.

The Langkawi Sky Bridge can be reached via cable car and an incline lift. You can also purchase tickets for a tour in advance so there’s no stress!

3. Visit Seven Wells Waterfall (Telaga Tujuh Waterfall)

Next up, we have Seven Wells Waterfall. Also known as Telaga Tujuh Waterfalls, visiting Seven Wells Waterfall is one of the best things to do for couples. One of Langkawi’s most popular tourist attractions, Seven Wells Waterfall is aptly named after its seven natural pools.

The reason we say Seven Wells Waterfall is great for couples is that you can spend a couple of hours exploring the area and cooling off in the pools. The pools at the top are the best because they offer impressive views of the island!

We also found that the pools at the top were deeper. This made things much more enjoyable when it came to swimming. We spent an hour or two cooling off in the pools here while taking in the views of the island, and recommend that you do the same.

The top pool stands 298 ft (91 metres) high so you can probably imagine how amazing the views are. In fact, we actually saw eagles flying below us during our time at the top!

4. Take a ride on the Langkawi cable car

Taking a ride on the Langkawi cable car is one of the more entertaining things to do in Langkawi with family. The cable car, otherwise known as the SkyCab is a massively popular attraction that connects the peak of Gunung Machinchang and the Oriental Village.

The 15-minute ride offers the most amazing sweeping views of Langkawi and its rugged landscape. The panoramic views you’re treated to are up there with the best in all of Malaysia!

You can clearly see the tropical waters, vast forests, and maybe even some wildlife. Look out for eagles especially as you’re heading up in the cable car, as you’ve got a great chance of spotting them.

The journey to the top takes approximately 15 minutes. If you want to, you can then take the incline lift to the Sky Bridge. You can purchase tickets for the Sky Cab in advance as well to ensure your spot.

In terms of price, the cable car is a little pricey (in Malaysian terms). It costs roughly 85RM which works out to about £16.

5. Admire the views at Tanjung Rhu

For us, one of the best places in Langkawi is Tanjung Rhu. It’s a stunning tropical beach that offers travellers soft white sand, palm trees, and inviting turquoise waters.

Langkawi has some of Malaysia’s best tropical beaches, so it isn’t a surprise to see more than one of them make our list. Out of all the Langkawi beaches we visited, Tanjung Rhu was our favourite. For us, it’s just like one of those dreamy beaches that you see all over Instagram.

Compared to Cenang Beach, Tanjung Rhu is much quieter. This makes it the perfect place to kick back and relax. We highly recommend getting yourself set up under a palm tree before diving into the sea to cool off.

Another great thing about this beach is the surrounding vistas. When you look out to sea, you’re greeted with one-of-a-kind views of the limestone cliffs. At low tide, you can even walk out to one of them.

6. Have a go on a zipline

Adrenaline junkies looking for something fun to do in Langkawi should try the ziplining experience that soars over Paradise 101. Paradise 101 is a private island that offers tourists an escape, freedom, and adventure.

Despite offering the perfect luxury escape, one of the most popular attractions on the island is ziplining. Perfect for thrill seekers, the ziplining experience here allows you to glide over the Andaman Sea.

Not only is the whole experience extremely entertaining, but it also gives you a chance to see the island from a unique perspective.

One of the greatest things about the Paradise 101 zipline experience is that any experience also gives you access to the island. Therefore, you can give the zipline a go before then relaxing on the island or snorkelling in the sea.

7. Try delicious food in Pantai Cenang

If you decide to stay in Pantai Cenang, you’ll be blessed with a staggering range of different food options. From fine-dining restaurants to cheap eats, this part of the island has it all!

One of our favourite things to do in Langkawi at night was to walk up the main street to decide where to eat. We tried to eat somewhere new every night to get a good taste of what the island had to offer.

Admittedly though, we would often end up eating in the same place. That place was Tomato Nasi Kandar! Found just off the main road, this place served the most amazing Malaysian and Indian food at a great price.

Unfortunately, Google now says this place is shut. Having said that, definitely pop by to make sure because if it’s still open you’re in for a treat.

In terms of what else you’ll find, expect Malaysian restaurants, burger places, Western-style restaurants, and pizza places.

8. Go on a tour of Kilim Geoforest Park

Kilim Geoforest Park is an area of outstanding natural beauty. Part of the UNESCO Network of Global Geoparks, this Langkawi attraction features 100 square kilometres of breathtaking landscapes and nature reserve.

You might be interested to know that Kilim Geoforest was the first geopark in South East Asia. This geopark is a place rich in ancient geological heritage, an impressive array of fauna and flora, and several natural wonders.

The main highlights of a visit to Kilim Geoforest Park include the lush mangrove forests, impressive caves, million-year-old fossils, diverse landscapes, and beaches. We also highly recommend checking out the local Kilim Village community.

You could explore everything the geopark has to offer on a geopark and cave tour or a half-day geopark cruise. You’ll find Kilim Geoforest Park on the east side of Langkawi, approximately 20 minutes away from Kuah Town.

9. Head out on a sunset cruise

If you’re looking for things to do in Langkawi for your honeymoon, you simply have to head out on a sunset cruise. This is one of the more unique things to do in Langkawi but we can highly recommend it if you seek a romantic evening on the water.

An epic option for travelling couples in general, a Langkawi sunset cruise will take you through untouched inlets, showing you the island’s best-hidden gems. Most tours offer a hassle-free tranquil experience that also includes a romantic dinner and drinks.

Aside from breathtaking sunset views of Langkawi and excellent food, you might also be lucky enough to spot exotic marine life. If traversing the Andaman sea in complete serenity sounds good to you, don’t miss out on this opportunity.

Wildlife lovers might also like to know that you stand a good chance of spotting Brahminy kites from the water!

10. Spend an evening at a Langkawi Night Market

If you want to experience Langkawi nightlife, make sure you spend an evening at one of the island’s many night markets. Langkawi has a booming night market scene that offers locals and tourists alike the opportunity to tuck into tasty food and shop for homemade crafts and gifts.

There are seven or eight brilliant night markets to visit in Langkawi but you probably won’t have time to visit them all. With that being said, we suggest saving enough time to visit at least one or two.

Three popular night markets worth visiting are Padang Matsirat Sunday night market, Pekan Kuah night market, and Ayer Hangat. All three of these markets offer a fantastic experience.

Aside from giving you the perfect opportunity to spend your cash on souvenirs and local Malaysian street food, these markets also give you the chance to experience more of the local culture.

11. Drive up to Gunung Raya

One Langkawi attraction you simply can’t miss is Gunung Raya. It’s the highest peak on the island standing almost 2,953 ft (900 metres) tall.

Found in central Langkawi, the mountain is covered with dense rainforest that’s rich in flora and fauna. The whole mountain covers an impressive 5,000 hectares of land. Aside from impressive views, this part of the island is known for its hiking trails and observation tower.

To get to the top of the mountain, you can walk or drive. While adventure seekers prefer to hike to the top, most people drive instead.

Personally, we’d recommend driving up Gunung Raya. The scenic drive up the mountain is absolutely incredible. The road winds its way up the mountain, revealing view after view.

Other attractions Gunung Raya has to offer include Gunung Forest Reserve and a wildlife park.

12. Go on a mangrove tour

If you’re looking for fun activities in Langkawi, you should consider heading out on a mangrove tour. Langkawi has a vast mangrove forest that features towering limestone rock formations, caves, and lush mangroves.

On a Langkawi mangrove safari boat tour or a mangrove kayaking tour, you can spend a fun afternoon exploring one of the most naturally rich parts of the island. On either type of tour, you’ll weave your way through the twists and turns of the Kilim river.

Highlights of a tour like this include impressive views, adventure, and a one-of-a-kind experience. Exploring the mangroves by boat or kayak is also a great way to spot local wildlife.

The maze the mangroves have created acts as a home to land walking fish, macaques, eagles, and kingfishers amongst other animals. A kayaking tour is probably the most unique way to see the mangroves but a boat tour is better if you don’t want to work hard for the views.

13. Snorkel in Pulau Payar Marine Park

The next place on this list of things to do in Langkawi is Pulau Payar Marine Park. Easily one of the best Langkawi places to visit, Pulau Payar Marine Park is an extremely popular snorkelling location, best known for its tropical islands and impressive wildlife scenes.

Found just 30 km south of Langkawi’s main island, this marine park consists of four islands, the largest being Pulau Payar. It will take you approximately 45 minutes by catamaran or boat to get to the island. The other islands you can visit are Pulau Lembu, Pulau Kaca, and Pulau Segantang.

At the islands, you’ll find a wide range of amazing places to snorkel and dive. The marine park is actually the only place off western Malaysia that has exotic coral reefs similar to those in the Indian Ocean.

During a snorkelling trip to this pristine underwater world, you can expect to see barracuda, black-tipped reef sharks, groupers, clownfish, and much more.

14. Spend some time birdwatching in Langkawi

Sticking with the theme of wildlife, animal lovers might also want to leave enough time to spend an afternoon on a birdwatching tour. As you go about visiting places in Langkawi, you’ll quickly come to realize that the island has a popular birdwatching scene.

All over the island, locals and tourists head out on birdwatching tours to see what they can spot. More often than not birdwatchers return from their trip having seen a diverse range of winged wildlife. You can too on an afternoon birdwatching tour!

On this birdwatching tour, you’ll spend 4 hours birdwatching around the island. A local expert will show you the best birdwatching spots and tell you more about the birdlife on the island.

You stand a good chance of spotting herons, great hornbills, eagles, and whistling ducks. You’ll also get to observe wildlife from the highest peak in Langkawi so it’s an experience not to be missed.

15. Have some fun at 3D Art in Paradise

If you’re wondering what to do in Langkawi on a rainy day, this next thing to do is for you. Whilst the weather in Langkawi is usually pretty awesome, some days during the wet season stop you from doing anything.

If you wake up and the weather is bad, we recommend visiting 3D Art In Paradise. Also known as 3D Art Langkawi, 3D Art In Paradise is a 21,000 square feet art gallery that features artwork from international artists.

Inside the gallery, artists will find a fantastic collection of 3D interactive paintings that make you the subject of each piece. Incredibly entertaining, you’ll find yourself interacting with characters, crawling on the floor, and jumping into a different world.

There are nine different zones to explore in total, each one following a different theme. Some of the best include the Safari Zone, Aquarium Zone, and Fantasy Zone.

16. Go island-hopping from Langkawi

Langkawi isn’t the only island you should explore during your trip to this part of Malaysia. You should also spare enough time to visit the islands nearby.

Langkawi is surrounded by a tropical archipelago that offers stunning white and black sand beaches, exotic wildlife, dense rainforests, and crystal-clear turquoise waters. A great way to visit the islands that surround Langkawi is on an island hopping tour.

Taking you on a half-day tour across the Andaman Sea, an island-hopping tour will show you everything the archipelago has to offer. Helping you escape the Langkawi crowds, you’ll have the chance to soak up the sun, swim in the sea, take in the views, and spot local wildlife.

The highlights of most tours are exploring the pine forests, swimming in the tropical waters, relaxing on the beaches, and taking in the spectacular sights that surround Langkawi.

17. Explore Legenda Park

Legenda Park is a beautiful park that offers tourists a great place to walk. The name stands for ‘Park of Legends’ and it’s also known by its Malay name Taman Legenda.

You’ll find this park next to Eagle Square in Kuah. First opened in 1996, the main reason the park was constructed was to give locals and tourists a good place to relax with their family and friends.

Completely free to visit, visitors are treated to a whopping 20 hectares of open green space that features lush gardens, small orchards, picnic areas, and interesting architecture. While all this is great, it’s the themed parts of the park that you’ll love the most.

Quite brilliantly, some parts of Legenda Park have been themed on myths and folklore from prehistoric eras. There are also parts of the park that focus on more modern myths and folklore.

18. Wander around Dataran Lang

One of the best places to visit in Langkawi is Dataran Lang. Also known as Eagle Square, this spot is easily one of the top attractions in Langkawi, so make sure you leave plenty of time to stop by.

Standing almost 40 feet (12 metres) tall, Dataran Lang is a commanding statue that was inspired by the island’s namesake sea eagle. This marvellous statue sits on the Dataran Lang waterfront.

Poised to take flight, the statue sits in front of a charming star-shaped plaza, creating a stunning scene. This impressive sight is one of the first things visitors see when arriving on the island by cruise ship or ferry.

Most people that visit this Brahminy kite statue come to take photographs of the famous sight. However, we enjoyed simply watching the boats sail past too. If you cross over the road from the plaza, you’ll also find the Jetty Point Complex, where you can do some shopping or grab a bite to eat.

19. Do some duty-free shopping or visit Oriental Village

Those of you that like to spend time shopping have to visit the Oriental Village. Accessible via the Langkawi cable car, the Oriental Village is a popular open-air dining and shopping spot that offers a wide range of shops and local cuisine.

It’s an excellent place to spend a couple of hours looking for something to take home and try some traditional Malaysian food. A typical visit here consists of wandering around the village, hunting for bargains, and grabbing a fresh bite to eat.

The Oriental Village isn’t just a busy shopping area, it’s also a rather pleasant place to explore and stroll. Incredibly vibrant, the village has a lot of impressive architecture that you should take a look at.

The village’s surroundings are pretty incredible too. The Oriental Village sits in the picturesque Langkawi mountains, surrounded by wonderful landscape views.

20. Try out some watersports

Langkawi is one of the best places in Malaysia for trying out different watersport activities. Whether it be jet skiing or parasailing, this island has it all. While you can try various watersports across the island, Pantai Cenang is the best place to go.

Pantai Cenang has a popular watersports scene that allows tourists to try a wide range of different things. You’ll find most of the watersports here towards the middle of the beach.

You could easily spend a day at the beach, soaking up the sun, swimming, and grabbing a bite to eat, before then giving some watersports a go. The most popular watersport here is jet skiing. Jet skiing is so popular that you can even book a jet ski tour of the archipelago!

Another popular activity you can book is parasailing. Those of you that want to try something different might enjoy one of the many inflatable trips or banana boats.

Helpful Information for Visiting Langkawi

How to Get to Langkawi

For those not bothered about the cost, you can easily fly to Langkawi International Airport. From there, you can either go to the taxi counter or book a private transfer in advance.

If you’re travelling on a budget like we were then there’s a much cheaper way! Ferry services run from several destinations in Malaysia including Kuala Perlis, Kuala Kedah, and Penang. You can even catch a ferry from Koh Lipe or Satun in Thailand!

We caught an early bus to Kuala Perlis and then walked for around 5 minutes to reach the ferry terminal. This is where you’ll book your tickets to Langkawi, but you may need to wait a couple of hours.

After booking our tickets, we had to wait around for 2-3 hours because there were no tickets left for the earlier ferries. If you’d prefer to have a specific time then you can book your tickets online, and then just print them out!

Here’s a quick run-down of our journey as we wanted to keep our costs* low (we were travelling from Batu Ferringhi in Penang):

• Catch the 101 bus to Georgetown from Batu Ferringhi – 2.70 MYR each (50p) – 1.5 hours
• Walk to the ferry terminal, and catch a ferry to Butterworth – 15-20 minutes
• Catch the shuttle bus to Butterworth Bus Terminal
• Get the bus to Kuala Perlis – 19 MYR each (£3.60) – 2.5 hours
• Walk 5 minutes to Kuala Perlis Ferry Terminal
• Catch a ferry to Kuah, which is located on Langkawi Island – 18 MYR each (£3.40) – 1.5 hours

*Prices are accurate as of 2018/2019

 

How to Get around Langkawi

There are three main options for getting around Langkawi; you can either rent a scooter or car, hire a bicycle, or use a taxi.

Hiring a scooter is by far the easiest and quickest way to get around the Island. They are so easy to hire too as there are plenty of scooter rental shops around! Your other option is to hire a car.

If you’d prefer not to hire a vehicle then there are plenty of taxis available in Langkawi. You can either choose a standard company where you may need to negotiate rates or you can use the taxi app, Grab!

Grab is the easiest and cheapest way to book a taxi but there are a couple of things to think about. First of all, to book a return journey you’ll need to have access to an internet connection. Sim cards in Malaysia are super cheap and many of the packages offer unlimited internet usage.

The other thing to think about is that even with Grab there might not be any taxis in the area to take you back! We often found that we’d have to walk back to another area to get a taxi!

The Best Time to Visit Langkawi

The best time to visit Langkawi is generally between November-March. This is when you’ll encounter the lowest levels of precipitation and the most sunshine!

Although the island is a tropical destination it doesn’t seem to experience the same number of weather changes and levels of humidity that the rest of Malaysia does. This is due to its location, as it’s protected by both Sumatra and the mainland!

There are two main seasons in Langkawi; the dry season which runs from November-March and the wet season which occurs between April-October.

The wet season often encounters monsoon rains and these can last for around 2-3 hours, with the wettest months being September and October! However, we visited during October and didn’t seem to have a problem with the rain so it’s your choice.

The temperatures remain fairly consistent throughout the year, although February tends to be the hottest month of the year with temperatures reaching up to 34°C (93°F).

Exploring Langkawi by Tour

The best way to explore Langkawi is by hiring your own scooter or car, but there are a couple of tours available too. Here are some of the best options:

• Private Guided Tour of Langkawi: This guided island tour will take you to some of Langkawi’s most popular sites and includes transportation. Some of the places you’ll get to visit include Telaga Tujuh Waterfall, the mangroves, Mount Mat Cincang, and the black sand beach.
• Private Tour: Southern Island Geopark Tour: This tour will take you to numerous islands, beaches, and coves so you’ll get to see plenty of the archipelago. You can choose from three different departure times and the tour lasts for around three hours.
• Langkawi: 6-Hour Tour: This is a 6-hour custom tour that allows you to create your own itinerary so you’ll get to see the sights you really want to! Not only that but you’ll have a local guide who will be able to give you lots of information about the island.

 

Where to Stay in Langkawi

There are plenty of great areas on the island where you can stay; namely Pantai Tengah, Pantai Kok, Kuah town, and Tanjung Rhu.

However, the most popular place to stay in Langkawi is Pantai Cenang. This is where we stayed, and we can 100% recommend choosing this beach town as your base.

Here are some of our accommodation recommendations!

Luxury: Pelangi Beach Resort & Spa

This 5* resort is one of the most luxurious hotels that you’ll find in Langkawi. Boasting gorgeous rooms, a stunning beachfront location, and excellent facilities, it’s no wonder this place is so popular.

At Pelangi Beach Resort & Spa you’ll benefit from three swimming pools, four dining options, an on-site spa, and a fitness centre!

Mid-range: Arch Studio Cenang

For a more mid-range accommodation option make sure you check out Arch Studio Cenang. As the name suggests, this property offers a variety of studio rooms – some of which feature a private kitchenette, a private bathroom, and a balcony.

This place also offers an outdoor swimming pool, a tour desk, and free WiFi!

Budget: RL Budget Rooms

RL Budget Rooms is one of the best options in Langkawi for those looking to keep their costs low. Rooms start from as little as £6 so you’ll get plenty of bang for your buck!

Not only that, but you’ll be just a short walk from the beach and there’s an on-site restaurant.

Booking.com

Frequently Asked Questions about Langkawi

How many days should I spend in Langkawi?

There are so many interesting places in Langkawi so this isn’t a destination that you want to rush! For the best experience, try to allow at least 2-3 days on this island.

This will give you enough time to visit some of the main attractions, but if you’re looking to relax as well then add on one or two more days.

What is a good budget for Langkawi?

Although Langkawi is a popular tourist destination, prices here are still pretty cheap compared to other areas of Southeast Asia. Although Southeast Asia on a whole is cheap so that’s saying something!

We recommend allowing a budget of £35-40 per day if you’re visiting Langkawi. Of course, if you’re planning to go on tours and do plenty of activities then you’ll want to account for that too.

What is Langkawi known for?

Langkawi is known as the ‘Jewel of Kedah’ and is most famous for its pristine beaches, turquoise waters, and beautiful waterfalls. Not only that, but this island is home to lush rainforests and endless diving opportunities.

So if you’re looking to visit a beautiful destination in Malaysia then this is your place!

Does Langkawi have nice beaches?

If you’re after a beach getaway in Malaysia you won’t be short of options. However, Langkawi is one of the best choices as it offers an array of attractions as well as beautiful beaches!

When it comes to pristine sands, some of the most popular beaches on the island include Cenang, Tanjung Rhu, Tengah, and Datai Bay.

Where to go after Langkawi

There are so many beautiful places to visit in Malaysia that it can be difficult to decide where to visit next. If you’ve just come into the country from Thailand, there’s an endless wealth of destinations to see!

Once you’ve made it back to the mainland you can head to Penang which is home to the multicultural city of Georgetown, the beach town of Batu Ferringhi, and Penang National Park.

You’ve also got the Cameron Highlands which is one of the most scenic regions in the country, or find your wild side by visiting one of the world’s oldest tropical rainforests – Taman Negara!

Another must-visit is the capital city of Kuala Lumpur which is home to plenty of iconic attractions including the iconic Petronas Towers, KL Tower, and Merdeka Square.

You can also take a trip out to Batu Caves from KL which is definitely worth your time!

As you can see, there are so many incredible places to visit. For this reason, we’d recommend allowing at least 2-3 weeks for your Malaysia trip but preferably 4 weeks if you have the time!

Final Thoughts on Things to do in Langkawi

Langkawi is honestly one of the best places to visit in Malaysia!

Whether you’re looking to head out on an island-hopping boat trip or try some watersports, you won’t run out of epic things to do in Langkawi.

With so much on offer, this beautiful destination has something for everyone – no matter whether you’re travelling in a group, as a couple, or with your family.

If you have further questions about Langkawi, don’t hesitate to contact us via Instagram, Facebook, or in the comments below!

For those, planning a trip around Southeast Asia, here are some other guides that you might enjoy:

• 1 Month Thailand Itinerary: The Ultimate Thailand Backpacking Route
• 1 Month Cambodia Itinerary: Where To Go Backpacking In Cambodia
• Asia Backpacking Route (23 Destinations For The Best Asia Itinerary)

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