24 Incredible Things To Do In Langkawi: Complete Guide 2024

One of the most popular islands of Malaysia, Langkawi is a must visit for many travellers and deservedly so.

It is a true tropical paradise. From it’s white powdery beaches to its rainforests and delicious food, there are many reasons to enjoy travel in Langkawi. In this guide, I want to ensure you have the best time possible here with the top 24 things to do in Langkawi, Malaysia. This is your full Langkawi guide to everything you need to know.

I wrote this guide based on extensive research and my experience of visiting Langkawi many times. I love this place!

Langkawi is located off the northern part of Malaysia’s west coast in the Andaman Sea. It’s about 30 kilometres from the Malaysian mainland. While it’s often talked about like it’s a single island, it’s actually a district of 99 islands. It may be the most beautiful place in Malaysia.

It is easy to get here thanks to an international airport and frequent ferries from the mainland. The main island is where you’ll find an array of Langkawi attractions as well as many accommodation and eating options.

In this guide, I detail exactly what to do in Langkawi Malaysia. I cover all the best places to visit in Langkawi, the perfect 3 day Langkawi itinerary as well as the best places to stay for your ultimate Langkawi vacation!

So, if you’ve been wondering what to do in Langkawi, you’ll find plenty of answers here in this blog!

Have any questions? Join our Malaysia Travel Planning Facebook group here now! It’s the perfect place to ask any questions and to be inspired.

Top 24 Best Things To Do In Langkawi Island [2024]

Here are the best Langkawi places to visit. Read through and select which activities and Langkawi tourist attractions fit your interests and timeframe.

Many of the best things to do in Langkawi involve entrance fees or tours. The best place to purchase these is on Klook here as they offer discounts on most places.

I have visited here many times both alone and with kids aged from 3 (my middle child had his third birthday here!) to 13.

Walk Along The Langkawi Sky Bridge

The best place in Langkawi to start your sightseeing is to visit the Langkawi SkyBridge. In fact, a walk along the Langkawi SkyBridge is one of the most popular Langkawi tourist attractions.

The Langkawi SkyBridge is the longest free span, curved bridge in the world making it one of the most interesting places in Langkawi to visit. This is a brilliantly engineered bridge, being held suspended almost 2000 feet above sea level, all by a singular pylon.

There is stunning scenery at this breathtaking location as the curved bridge spans between two great mountains. It’s a great way to explore the natural attractions in Malaysia.

To reach the SkyBridge, you need to take the Langkawi SkyCab – the world’s steepest cable car – with the top station at 708 metres above sea level. Before you reach the top station where the bridge is located, passengers must get off at the middle station.

At the middle station, enjoy the panoramic views across Langkawi and surrounding islands.

Once you reach the top station, the views are even more spectacular! Here you are on the top of Machinchang mountain and can even see as far as southern Thailand!

The cable car is RM85 per adult and RM65 per child at the time of publishing. This is the foreigner price when discounted on Klook with locals paying less. It includes entry to 3D Art Langkawi (if you buy this package).

To get this discounted price, you need to buy here.

From the top station, you can now go and explore the Langkawi SkyBridge. This is an extra charge, but it’s only an extra RM1 or 2 if you buy in advance on Klook here.

You can take the 10 minute jungle walk from the top station to the SkyBridge or take the SkyGlide. The SkyGlide is like an elevator that goes up and down the side of the mountain and is great for people with mobility issues or for kids that are just too tired to walk.

The SkyGlide is also an extra cost and, again, you can get tickets cheaper by buying in advance on Klook here.

At the base station of the SkyCab there are a range of other Langkawi island attractions including 3D Art, 6D Cinema, Sky Adventure Park and more.

With so many Langkawi tourist places located in the one spot, there is a lot of fun to be had here!

Click here to buy your discounted tickets now.

See 3D Art In Paradise

Located right by the SkyCab is 3D Art Langkawi, one of those new 3D art attractions which are popping up all over the place. In fact this particular one is the second largest in the world and is fast becoming one of the Langkawi main attractions.

3D Art Langkawi is broken up into various sections including an optical illusion zone, aquarium zone, safari zone and many more. Visitors walk around the museum, taking it in turns to have their photos taken inside the art. Here you can step into exotic worlds and even step back in time – all thanks to the art of illusion.

3D art Langkawi is open daily between 9am and 6pm.

Entry cost is RM38 per adult and RM28 per child. The best deal is to buy a ticket here in conjunction with your SkyCab ticket.

Address: Oriental Village, Burau Bay, Langkawi

Walk to Seven Wells Waterfall (Telaga Tujuh)

Known locally as Telaga Tujuh, Seven Wells Waterfall has – unsurprisingly –  seven natural falls at different levels, formed by water flowing down from the second highest mountain of Langkawi, Mount Machinchang.  

The most picturesque and dramatic waterfall on the island with a 91 metres drop, there are also great views from here if you hike to the top.  Along the way, look out for macaque monkeys, giant squirrels and great hornbills. Keep food out of sight!

You have two choices of hike. The bottom of the falls is a short 10 minute climb from the car park through the rainforest. You can bathe in the pools here if you wish. Note that this walk is quite steep but it is over quick. This area is lovely. There are toilets and a couple of shady pagodas.

The top of the falls is where you’ll find some great views, but this is a longer and steeper walk taking about an hour with 638 steps! There are also some natural pools here where you can cool off after your climb.

The falls are at their best after a lot of rain so this can be a good activity in the monsoon season, although be careful of slippery rocks and paths. We visited in January (so during the dry season) and it was still very picturesque and fun. The water is nice and cool – perfect after the hike up.

It’s located not far from the SkyCab. If you have your own vehicle, parking costs RM2. There are some food and drink stalls at the entry.

Address: Mukim, Jalan Telaga Tujuh

See The Rainforest On A Zipline Adventure

Ever wanted to fly across the rainforest on a zipline adventure?  Well at Skytrex Adventure Langkawi you can. Thrill seekers will love this park where you can zipline and conquer obstacles with 35 obstacles to pass at great heights.

Take your pick of how thrilling you want to go with beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. The advanced is extreme.

Whatever adventure you decide to take, at this park, you’ll get to enjoy the tropical rainforest which is home to over 220 species of birds and also have the opportunity to spot other wildlife.

It’s loads of fun and, of course, safety is taken very seriously.

Entry or tour cost starts at RM60 with discounted tickets here. It’s on the way to the Langkawi Sky Bridge and cable car.

Address: Jalan Teluk Yu, Kampung Kok

Click here to buy discounted tickets now.

Go Island Hopping Langkawi

One of the top things to do in Langkawi is an island hopping tour. It’s definitely a must do for your itinerary. The coastline around Langkawi is beautiful, and this is a cheap and easy way to soak it in.

There are a range of different tours available, with most tours including transfers from your hotel to the boat.  You can read our in-depth guide to island hopping tours here.

Tours stop at a range of different islands. A popular Langkawi tourist spot on these island hopping tours is Pulau Dayang Bunting which is the second largest island in Langkawi. The island is most famous for Lake of the Pregnant Maiden. Here you can enjoy a range of Langkawi island activities including swimming, paddle boarding or simply relaxing.

Most island hopping tours take you to a range of places in Langkawi including places where you can eagle watch, snorkel and other beach activities. If you’re in search of the best beach in Langkawi, you’ll especially love some of these tours. 

The best part is that island hopping tours are very affordable.

Click here to buy discounted tickets now.

An extra fun way to go on your island hopping tour is on a jet ski! You can find a great jet ski island hopping tour here.

You can also read our full guide to Langkawi island hopping options here.

Enjoy Langkawi Water Sports

Read any Langkawi travel blog or Langkawi travel guide and you’ll see that when it comes to the Langkawi top 10 things to do, water sports are a must!  

The reason water activities in Langkawi are so popular is that the conditions here are just perfect. The water is calm and clear, and the landscape is just stunning! Plus in Langkawi, water sports won’t break the bank. Water sports here are affordable.

Some of the most popular water adventure sports in Langkawi include parasailing, jet skiing, banana boat rides, donut boat rides, snorkelling and diving.  

In terms of  places to go in Langkawi for water sports, just pop on down to your nearest popular beach and you will see a range of little beach huts where you can arrange whatever activities you are interested in. There are plenty of options at Pantai Cenang or on the island hopping tours.

Or even better, sign up for a tour beforehand.

In addition to the possibility of a jet skiing island hopping tour here, you can also book a jet ski experience here.

Parasailing at Langkawi is an experience you’ll never forget. You can easy enjoy it from the main beach, Pantai Cenang, here.

You can also read our full guide to Langkawi jet skiing options here and our full guide to parasailing here.

Try Snorkelling And Diving

As mentioned above, Langkawi is just amazing for a range of water sports including snorkeling and diving. During your holiday in Langkawi you can, of course, do this yourself or better still, join a Langkawi day trip where you will be taken to some of the best places in Langkawi for spotting marine life. 

One of the most popular snorkelling and diving tours is a day trip to nearby Palau Payar which is only 1 hour away by speed boat. On this gorgeous Langkawi beach, you can dive and snorkel in crystal clear water either straight from the shore or from a platform in the middle of the ocean.

As well as great marine life such as moray eels, clown fish, stone fish, parrot fish and more; you will also see exotic coral reefs too. You can swim with baby sharks (if you’re game!).

Other Langkawi must-do activities include a glass bottom boat ride, swimming and relaxing on the beach.

Most tours include return transfers from your hotel as well as lunch. It makes for a fantastic Langkawi family trip out.

Click here to buy a snorkelling tour now.

Enjoy A Sunset Cruise

If you are looking for things to do in Langkawi at night, put taking a sunset cruise at the top of your Langkawi trip itinerary!  While great for families or a group of friends, it’s also one of the romantic things to do in Langkawi for a couple too.

There are a range of different sunset cruises you can do with some offering drinks. The best ones also serve a delicious dinner on board.  

Just imagine cruising off as the sun sets, admiring the stunning Langkawi landscape, enjoying an alcoholic beverage or two, taking a dip in the water or even enjoying the jacuzzi net as the boat heads out to sea.  On route you may even spot a dolphin or two.

Generally, all sunset cruises also include return transfers from your hotel too.

A sunset cruise is definitely one of the best Langkawi activities to do, no matter who you’re holidaying with. It was our favourite experience in Langkawi.

Click here to buy discounted tickets now.

See Animals At Langkawi Wildlife Park

If you’re wanting to know where to go in Langkawi to see some animals then spend the day at Langkawi Wildlife Park. Here, you will not only get up close and personal to a variety of animals but also see some of Malaysia’s unique flora and fauna too.

At this Langkawi attraction, there is over 150 different animal species on show at the park including crocodiles, fish, turtles, monkeys, racoons, guinea pigs, macaws, flamingos, rabbits, hornbills, deer and more. There is also the opportunity to pat a range of animals as well as take part in the feeding program.

Don’t miss the animal talk show which runs twice daily.

Entry cost is RM59.29 per adult and RM40 per child if you click here to get discounted tickets. It costs more on arrival. Malaysians also get discounted tickets at that link at an even cheaper price.

Address: Lot 1485, Kampung Belanga Pecah, Jalan Ayer Hangat

Click here to buy discounted tickets now.

Learn About Fruit At Mardi Agro Technology Park

Another one of the great places to see in Langkawi is Argo Technology Park. It’s basically a fruit farm where you can learn about a variety of local fruits.

There are tours via a truck with stops to see different fruit trees with the opportunity to feed deers at the end. It is informative and fun and the place to go if you’re looking for things to see in Langkawi with the kids.

There is also a delicious fruit buffet where you can try many different fruit.

The park is open daily from 8.30 am to 5 pm, but closed on Fridays and Saturdays.

Entry cost starts at RM20 per adult and RM10 per child and depends on exactly what you want to do.

Address: 1, Jalan Padang Gaong, Lubuk Semilang, Ulu Melaka Kuah

Get Up Close At Crocodile Adventureland

If you’re intrigued by crocodiles then another one of the Langkawi top attractions is Crocodile Adventureland. Crocodile Adventureland is a 10 acre farm in Langkawi which allows visitors to see and learn more about the fearsome, yet fascinating, crocodile.

At Adventureland, you can see over 1000 different crocodiles, including the world’s largest living crocodile species.  You can also see trainers interact with crocodiles during the various shows on each day within the park.

Crocodile Adventureland is open daily from 9:30am to 6 pm.

A visit to Crocodile Adventureland is certainly one of the fun things to do in Langkawi.

Entry cost is RM40 for a foreigner or RM28 for a Malaysian if you save money by buying discounted tickets here. Otherwise, it costs more.

Address: Taman Buaya Langkawi, Mukim Air Hangat, Jalan Datai, Jalan Datai

Click here to buy discounted tickets now.

See Under The Sea At Underwater World Langkawi

If you enjoy animal encounters, consider visiting Underwater World Langkawi, one of the largest aquariums in Malaysia. This is definitely recommended if you are visiting with kids.  

At Underwater World, there are over 4000 different aquatic species across almost 6 acres. The aquarium is divided into multiple sections including tropical rainforest, temperate and sub-antarctic.

The kids will love seeing the colourful tropical fish as well as walking through the gigantic 15 metre long tunnel to see the sharks, stingrays, groupers and turtles. However, without a doubt the highlight of the aquarium is the Sub-Antarctic (penguin) section with chilled display tanks featuring a range of different penguins.

Try to visit during one of the feeding times, especially for the penguins. They have the latest times on their site.

Underwater World is open daily from 10am to 6pm.

This is a great attraction for the family. It’s well presented and interesting. It’s also perfect if you’re looking for activities to do in Langkawi on a rainy day as it’s one of the few Langkawi things to see that’s indoors.

Entry cost is RM48 per adult and RM40 per child if you can save money by booking here. Otherwise, it costs more. Malaysians also pay a lower rate than this on that link.

Address: Jalan Pantai Cenang, Pantai Cenang

Click here to buy discounted tickets now or click here to read a full review of Underwater World Langkawi

Walk Through The Paddy Fields At Laman Padi

Laman Padi is a serene eco-tourism attraction located in Pantai Cenang, the main tourist area. Spanning 13.86 acres, the living museum offers a deep immersion into traditional rice paddy cultivation amidst a lush and natural setting. The tranquil paddy field within the compound provides a picturesque and rustic experience, especially during the golden ripening season.

In addition to the paddy itself, there is an expansive exhibition showcasing the history and practices of paddy farming. Visitors can learn about rice cultivation in this museum, walk through the greenery, unwind at the pavilion or balconies and explore the surrounding herbal garden.

A hands-on approach is taken and you can smell the herbs, help plant or havest the rice (depending on the season) and more with a great guide. It’s also a good place for bird spotting.

Address: Jalan Pantai Cenang, Pantai Cenang

Relax At Pantai Cenang

When it comes to a trip to Pulau Langkawi, Malaysia, nothing beats spending some time relaxing at Pantai Cenang. Despite being the main tourist area, Pantai Cenang is one of the best beaches in Langkawi. It’s absolutely stunning with its long stretch of powdery white beach, calm and clear water and the stunning lush islands in the foreground.

At Pantai Cenang, there are plenty of sun loungers that you can rent from beach vendors. Whether you want to relax on the beach, go swimming or partake in some Langkawi beach activities, there is plenty to do.

This is why you come to Langkawi so, without a doubt, Pantai Cenang is not to be missed.

Click here to buy discounted water activities tickets in Pantai Cenang now.

Enjoy The Beach With Sunset Drinks

If there’s one thing better than relaxing on Pantai Cenang during the day, it’s enjoying it at sunset.

The sunsets here are perfect!

Simply sit in the sand and enjoy the show.

You can also choose to have a drink as you watch the sunset from one of the great bars. Yellow Cafe or The Cliff Restaurant and Bar are good choices for sundowners.

Watch out for fire shows on the beach afterwards!

Splash In The Water At Pantai Tengah

The best attraction in Langkawi is definitely the beach. If you love the sound of Pantai Cenang, but want a quieter stretch of beach, then Pantai Tengah is what you’re looking for.

Just down the coast from Pantai Cenang, the beach here is just as beautiful as Cenang. However, there are less accommodation options here which makes it far quieter.

Pantai Tengah is a great place to come to relax on the beach or have a quiet swim in the water. This is certainly the best place to go in Langkawi if you want a stunning beach, without loads of people but still within easy reach of the main tourist area.

Get Away From It All At Tanjung Rhu

Is Pantai Tengah still too close to the tourist hub for you and you’re wanting to know where to visit in Langkawi that you can get away from it all?

Go to Tanjung Rhu.

When it comes to Langkawi beautiful places, Tanjung Rhu is certainly up there. In fact Tanjung Rhu would have to have one of the best shorelines in all of Langkawi! The water here is crystal clear and the beach has that perfect, white powdery sand. It’s really beyond words beautiful.

Apart from a small row of food, souvenir and water sport stalls, the area is quiet and peaceful and the landscape is absolutely stunning. This is the place where you go to be secluded. There is a public area right next to the Tanjung Rhu Resort near the jetty.

I also highly recommend Tanjung Rhu Resort as your place to stay. We loved it here! You can read all about it in our full review here.

It’s also the jumping off point for the mangrove cruise mentioned below. So beautiful!

Take A Mangrove Tour By Kayak Or Boat

If you’re looking for a Langkawi one day trip, a mangrove tour, either by kayak or boat, is a great way to go. It’s a fantastic way to explore one of the top nature attractions in Langkawi. It’s often listed as people’s favourite thing to do in Langkawi. I can see why.

You have two options:

1. Tour through the Kubang Badak Mangrove River by kayak (find it here). Includes lunch at a local house.
2. Tour through the Kilim Geoforest Park (UNESCO listed) by boat (find it here). Includes lunch at a floating restaurant.

Either option is great. Pick the one that best fits your activity level.

You will be guided through the mangroves where you will learn about the area.

Keep an eye out because you may even be lucky enough to spot exotic animals such as the white bellied sea eagles, brahminy kites, kingfishers, herons, crabs, lizards, monkeys and otters.

The guided kayak tour also includes the opportunity to swim in a secluded natural pool.

Our boat tour included a journey round the coast by sea, eagle feeding, Bat Cave (this is by foot – you exit the boat for 20 minutes and get to see the caves, monkeys and mangroves up close), Crocodile Cave (no crocs, don’t worry!) and the floating restaurant. Our guide was knowledgable and the tour well run.

I definitely recommend that if you do this, sit on the starboard side of the boat. I felt like I missed out on some of the sea journey coastal views by not sitting here. The whole route is quite touristy with plenty of people and Bat Cave was crowded. The amazing scenery made up for it.

The lunch at the Floating Restaurant was bland and boring, but it filled a hole.

Entry or tour cost starts at RM192 for kayaking and RM94 for the boat cruise if you buy your tickets here.

Address: Jeti Kubang Badak

Click here to buy discounted tickets for kayaking now or for the cruise here.

Visit Waterfalls At Durian Perangin

Located on Gunung Raya is the Durian Perangin Waterfall, a stunning fourteen tier waterfall which local and tourists alike love to visit for a refreshing dip. At the foot of most of the different tiers there are translucent natural pools just perfect for a swim.

You can also take a hike to the top of the waterfall for some gorgeous views .

There are plenty of little pagodas to sit next to the water in the shade with a picnic in between splashes in the water.

This attraction is better than we expected actually. We were disappointed we didn’t bring a picnic with us and made a half day of it. There are some food, drink and souvenir stalls at the entrance.

You can visit the waterfalls at anytime of the day and entry is free making it ideal for a Langkawi budget trip.

Address: Northern slope of Gunung Raya, Langkawi

Enjoy The Peaceful Atmosphere At Wat Koh Wanararm

Wat Koh Wanararm is a Buddhist temple in a secnic spot, not far from Kuah, the main town on the island.

The main thing to see here is Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy which is carved into a section of the limestone mountain. There are colourful Tibetan pagodas in the main courtyard as well as mosaics, zen gardens, a koi pond and golden Buddha statues. The main prayer hall is popular among Buddhists.

This temple is off the main tourist trail and a great way to find some peace for a moment while touring the island. It really is quite a sight and much bigger than the photo makes it look.

However, it can feel weird initially when visiting here – there was a lot of rubbish at the entrance when we came and a whole lot of stray dogs. It was worth it though!

Address: Jalan Ayer Hangat, Kuah

Snap The Iconic Langkawi Photo At Eagle Square

Look at any Langkawi trip blog and you would have seen the iconic photo at Eagle Square. You know the image, it features the huge 12 metre eagle statue which is poised to take flight over the scenic waterfront plaza?

Eagle Square, or Dataran Lang which is its official name, is one of the Langkawi popular places that tourists flock to. The statue is located in the southeast corner of Pulau Langkawi in the town of Kuah. This is the main town on the island the statue is next to the main jetty. It also has lovely views across Kuah Bay.

Don’t leave Langkawi without getting your photo at Eagle Square!

Although maybe go to the toilet elsewhere unless you want to pay RM1!

Address: Kuah Jetty, Dataran Lang

See It All On A Helicopter Tour

The best thing about Langkawi is it’s stunning landscapes. One of the best ways to see these are on a helicopter tour.

This helicopter tour will provide you with gorgeous views across Dayang Bunting Lake and Cenang Beach. You will enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding islands, mountains and stunning water of the Andaman Sea.

Helicopter tours include return transfers from your hotel and memories that you will never forget!

The tour cost starts at RM635 if you purchase tickets beforehand here.

Address: Jalan Pantai Cenang

Click here to buy discounted tickets now.

Eat Everything At A Night Market

Without a doubt when it comes to what to do in Langkawi at night, the most popular attraction is the Langkawi night markets. These markets are on every night of the week from 5.30pm. They are located in a different spot each night of the week.

If you’re thinking of shopping or wondering what to buy, a good place to start is the food! The food here is absolutely delicious. Make sure you come a few nights during your time in Langkawi so you can eat everything you can!  You will not be disappointed at all and the food prices are very affordable.

As well as food, you can also pick up some Langkawi souvenirs from the markets too.

If you are looking for some Langkawi night activities, don’t miss the markets. The location of the markets are as follows:

• Monday – Ulu Melaka Market
• Tuesday – Kedawang Night Market
• Wednesday and Saturday – Kuah Langkawi Night Market
• Thursday – Temoyong Night Market
• Friday – Air Hangat Night Market
• Sunday – Padang Matsirat Night Market

Visit Koh Lipe (Thailand!)

Koh Lipe is a small island just 90 minutes ferry ride from Langkawi. You can visit here on a day trip or for longer as part of your Langkawi stay.

Koh Lipe is crazy beautiful. It’s called the “Maldives of Thailand” for a reason. It’s only 2 kilometres long by 1 kilometre wide and has fantastic beaches, great snorkelling, the frenetic energy of Thailand and more. A visit here is a great way to get a slice of Thai culture on your Malaysian adventure.

You can read our full guide to visiting Koh Lipe here.

What To Do In Langkawi For 3 Days

If you’re looking for a 3 day Langkawi itinerary, here it is! If you are staying slightly longer or shorter, you can edit it to suit your needs.

You can also click here and find out full 2-5 day Langkawi itinerary.

Day 1

After arriving in Langkawi, take it easy and spend the day exploring the stunning beaches nearest to your accommodation. If you’re keen on water sports, now is the time to try some out. Otherwise, hire a sun lounger and relax and take a dip in the stunning sea.

Be sure to be down at the beach for the sunset and hang around afterwards to see the fire dancers that move from bar to bar if you are in Pantai Cenang.

During the evening, explore the local streets and pick up a few souvenirs or better still head to the local night markets for dinner.

Day 2

Head to the Langkawi SkyBridge by taking the Langkawi SkyCab to the top and enjoy the fantastic views.

Join an island hopping tour in the afternoon, or return to your hotel and enjoy the facilities. If you don’t do the island hopping tour, do a sunset cruise in the evening instead.

Day 3

On your final day of our itinerary Langkawi, either hire your own car or hire a driver and go and explore some of the other attractions which are of interest to you. Consider places like Seven Wells Waterfall, ziplining, Tanjung Rhu beach and taking a photo at Eagle Square in bustling Kuah.

If possible, also include a mangrove kayak tour on your last day and hopefully spot some wildlife.

In the evening, watch one last sunset on the beach or enjoy some more yummy food at the night markets and pick up any final souvenirs.

My full Langkawi itinerary is here.

Langkawi Tourist Map

On this Langkawi map for tourist, the blue markers are the Langkawi attractions listed above. The red markers are the best places to stay in Langkawi mentioned below.

You can zoom in and out on this Langkawi attraction map to get a better view of where the Langkawi must do highlights are.

Best Hotels in Langkawi

As well as the top attractions in Langkawi, I’ve also put together all my top suggestions for where to stay in Langkawi below.

While Langkawi is not very big, there are a wide range of places to stay in Langkawi as well as a wide range of locations. The attractions are also spread out but it doesn’t take long to drive to any of them. However, it may be best to shortlist the attractions you plan on visiting first and chose the location of your hotel from there.

A good option may be to split your time between two different locations, so you get two different experiences. Perhaps stay at a good value hotel whilst exploring attractions and then choose a more upmarket hotel on a stunning beach for some relaxation to end your trip. This is how we like to do it.

LUXURY – Datai Langkawi Review

The Datai Langkawi is located on a private beach in Datai Bay which is a secluded part of Langkawi.

With the rainforest on one side and the beach on the other, The Datai is beautiful, luxurious and has a wonderful beach making it a great choice if you are looking for one of the top beach resorts in Langkawi where you can really get away from it all.

It’s so luxurious and awesome that it has an amazing 5/5 rating on TripAdvisor from thousands of reviews.

There are many room types including private villas, perfect for romance or families. Many come with private pools for extra enjoyment.

There are many facilities and activities at the luxury Datai including three pools (one for adults, one for families and one for toddlers), water sports, health club and many nature activities both for children and adults.

There are four restaurants and two shops. Rates include breakfast and minibar and the villas also have a private butler service.

It’s expensive, but you also get what you pay for and this place is great. It’s the best choice for a romantic break and also works for families.

Click here for the latest prices.

TOP CHOICE IN MAIN BEACH AREA – Pelangi Beach Resort & Spa Review

The Pelangi Beach Resort is located in a great spot in the main beach area of Langkawi, Pantai Cenang. This means you can be in the centre of things in minutes with many eating and shopping options.

There are a range of room types here as well as some fantastic facilities. Facilities include two outdoor, free-form swimming pools, a gym, sauna, squash, mini-golf, tennis, archery and bicycle rental. And if you are bringing the kids, they will love the kids club as well as the dinosaur water play area with slides.

There are also two restaurants, a lounge and a pool bar. You are also just a short walk from many other eating options. And, of course, you have a beautiful beach to enjoy.

The resort has been recently renovated as well.

Click here for the latest prices.

BEST VALUE HOTEL – Adya Hotel Review

The Adya Hotel is located in Kuah, the largest town in Langkawi. Its central location makes things very easy as it’s surrounded by restaurants, and there is a shopping centre next door.

There are a range of room types here. All feature balconies with fantastic views. Room types include simple hotel rooms, executive rooms and stunning suites. The hotel has two infinity pools (one women’s only), a kids pool, a gym, restaurant and other services and facilities that you would expect from a 4-star hotel. Note no alcohol is allowed here.

The location of this hotel is ideal for exploring attractions such as Eagle Square, Kuah Jetty and the Kuah night market and it’s only a short 20 minute drive from the airport.

It’s a great price and definitely the best value hotel on the island, but note that it’s not in a beach area.

Click here for the latest prices.

Getting To And Around Langkawi

The easiest way to get to Langkawi is generally to fly. Prices can be crazy cheap from other places in Malaysia making this an even better option.

Click here to see flight prices for your dates.

Most flights come from Kuala Lumpur, Singapore or Penang.

If you want to travel overland, you’ll need to get to Kuala Kedah or Kuala Perlis on the mainland of Malaysia and then take a ferry across to Kuah on Langkawi. This is quite straightforward but can end up quite time consuming depending on your start point.

You can read our detailed guide to how to get to Langkawi here.

Getting around Langkawi can feel more complicated. There’s not really a handy public transport system and the island is probably bigger than you imagine with tourist attractions spread out.

You’ll generally need to either hire a car or take a lot of Grab/taxis if you want to explore a lot.

Car hire is generally very affordable. You can click here to see some prices. We have also booked through Kasina directly which was great.

Grab (an app like Uber) is very handy and can be a good price. The problem is that some of the attractions in Langkawi are out of the way and you may struggle to get a Grab taxi from these places. Hiring a taxi for a day can be a better alternative.

We tend to do a combination of these things. For example, on our last trip, we hired a car for a day to go to some of the more out of the way attractions. For our other days, we visited attractions closer to Pantai Cenang and used Grab. We also did a few tours that included pick up. This worked well for us.

Langkawi – When to Go

If you’re wondering when is the best time to visit Langkawi, the short answer is that the best weather falls between November and April. This is the dry season. The water iscalm and clear with temperatures varying between 18 and 35 degrees in the daytime.

The monsoon arrives sometime in May and lasts until late October. This isn’t usually a huge deal as rain showers are usually over quickly, but we don’t recommend it for visitors who want to be able to dive or snorkel as the water is cloudy.

As a tourist, the best time to visit Langkawi is in the dry season mentioned above, although you’ll want to avoid the Christmas and new year holidays if you can as this is when Langkawi gets booked up and filled with domestic and international visitors. Room rates will be higher at this time, and you’ll need to book well in advance.

You’ll find better deals for the Langkawi islands in shoulder season around November, March and April.

Final Words

There is no denying that Langkawi is a stunning island. With lush tropical jungle and stunning beaches complete with crystal clear water, Langkawi is a fantastic place to come for an island holiday. It’s an easy, safe and wonderful destination.

Whether you like to spend your days lounging on the beach, exploring loads of attractions or a bit of both, there is something for everyone in Langkawi. We hope you’ve given you plenty of ideas for stuff to do in Langkawi! 

I hope you enjoy exploring Langkawi as much as we have.

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Not sure how to fit it all in? Check out our 2-5 Langkawi itinerary here. You can also check out the best resorts in Langkawi here, all the best hotels near Langkawi airport here or the best hotels with private pool in Langkawi here. Find our full travel guide to Langkawi here.

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