If you’re visiting Malaysia then you shouldn’t miss out on a trip to the beautiful island of Langkawi. Sitting on the northwest coast of the country near the Thailand border, Langkawi is a little piece of island paradise after the hustle and bustle of Kuala Lumpur or Penang.
Whilst you can easily spend your days here simply relaxing on the beach doing nothing, there are some cool activities to fill your time. So, read on for some suggestions of top things to do in Langkawi.
1. Rent a scooter and explore
Whilst most people visiting Langkawi choose to stay in the centre near Pantai Cenang beach, Langkawi is a huge island. At 478.5 km² it’s bigger than Penang and even bigger than Singapore! However, despite its size its roads are relatively quiet and well-maintained meaning it’s a great place to rent a scooter and drive around.
Of course there are many beautiful beaches dotted around. Head to the northeast tip of the island and you’ll find the gorgeous beach of Tanjung Rhu. This white sand beach is one of the best on the island offering stunning views of the turquoise water and distant islands.
A scooter is also a good way to reach the cable car, waterfall and markets mentioned below.
2. Take the steepest cable car in the world
Langkawi is home to the steepest cable car ride in the world at a gradient of around 42° degrees, making this one of the must-do activities whilst on the island.
The journey to the top station takes about 15 minutes, and the cable car will take you to the middle station at 650m above sea level, and then onto the top station at over 700m above sea level. After alighting at the top station, take a short walk up the stairs to the two viewing platforms at the top of Machinchang mountain. From the peak you’ll have amazing 360-degree panoramic views of Langkawi and southern Thailand.
3. Marvel at the views from the Sky Bridge
Once you reach the top of the cable car the fun isn’t over, as you’ll then be able to walk across the Langkawi Sky Bridge. At 125 m long it’s one of the longest curved suspension bridges in the world and provides an amazing photo opportunity not just of the surrounding mountain and sea views, but of the bridge itself.
Tickets for the sky bridge aren’t included in the price of the cable car, but at approx 5RM (~$1.15) to walk on it’s worth paying a bit extra if you’ve made the trip up here.
4. Visit Telaga Tujuh Waterfall
There are a couple of different waterfalls on Langkawi but Telega Tujah, aka Seven Wells Waterfall, is without a doubt the most impressive. A short 5-minute walk up from the parking lot brings you to the 91m high fast-flowing falls.
From the waterfall, continue up the stairs and you’ll find the seven wells, a series of natural pools which gives this place its name. With 600+ steps to climb the walk isn’t easy, but there’s no better way to refresh than bathing in the cool pools at the top whilst admiring beautiful views of the Langkawi mountains.
The waterfall is very close to the base station of the cable car and so you can combine your visits. Best of all, it’s totally free.
5. Relax and watch sunset at Pantai Cenang Beach
Pantai Cenang is the main beach on Langkawi and as it’s facing west, is a great spot to watch the sunset.
Grab a spot on the sand or alternatively head to Kalut Cafe and Bar. With beanbags on the beach, good music and cheap happy hour deals, it’s one of the best places to watch the sunset and spend your evening.
6. Eat your way around the night markets
The night markets in Langkawi are great because not only are they on every night, but they change location depending on the day of the week giving you a good excuse to explore different parts of the island.
If you’re staying in Pantai Cenang and don’t have transport, then the Temonyong Night Market held on Thursday nights is within walking distance. You can also find food stalls every evening at Telaga Walk, which also has live music performances, and at the Pantai Cenang night market held at the southernmost end of the beach.
You’ll find loads of amazing food but make sure to try the local specialities of chicken or beef satay with peanut sauce (which is usually about 1 Malaysian Ringgit per skewer (~$0.20)), Char Kway Teow (a stir-fried noodle dish), and Teh Tarik (sweet ice tea with milk).
7. Visit a Thai Island
Just an hour away from Langkawi by boat lies the popular Thai island of Koh Lipe, making Langkawi a great option if you’re planning on travelling from Malaysia to Thailand.
You’ll do all your immigration at the port and then once you arrive in Thailand, you’ll have your passport stamped right on the beach.
The ferry costs around 160 MYR (~$36) each way(subject to change) and tickets can be booked online.
Summary
Langkawi is one of the best islands in Malaysia and is perfect for those looking for beautiful beaches, great nature, good food and a relaxing holiday vibe. Be sure to add this island and some of these top activities to your itinerary when visiting this part of Malaysia.
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Image credits
Article main photos via depositphotos.com. Read more about where we source images.
