Malaysia

Langkawi

Region

Langkawi is an archipelago of 99 islands off the northwest coast of Malaysia, just before the border with Thailand.

Langkawi is an archipelago of 99 islands off the northwest coast of Malaysia, just before the border with Thailand. You go there for gently sloping sandy beaches, rainforest-covered mountains, and boat tours through mangroves between limestone cliffs. The main island offers beaches like Pantai Cenang and Tanjung Rhu, waterfalls, and the cable car up Gunung Mat Cincang. Since 2007, the archipelago has been a UNESCO Global Geopark. Since 1987, Langkawi has been a duty-free island; alcohol here is also significantly cheaper than on the mainland. Since 2021, however, duties have again been levied on tobacco products.

The main island of Pulau Langkawi stretches about 25 kilometers from north to south. In the southwest, Pantai Cenang and Pantai Tengah offer the liveliest beach area with the most accommodations and restaurants. To the west, the SkyCab connects Oriental Village to Gunung Mat Cincang and the SkyBridge. The northeast, with the Kilim-Geoforest-Park and Tanjung Rhu, is quieter and characterized by limestone cliffs and mangroves. Kuah in the southeast is the main town, featuring a ferry port and duty-free shops. Four to five days are enough for the beaches, SkyCab, and a boat tour of the southern islands.

Leonardo0511 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

Place 1 of 4

Kilim Karst Geoforest Park

The approx. 4350-hectare park in Langkawi's northeast is the largest of the three Geoforest Parks in the UNESCO Global Geopark Langkawi. It protects a labyrinth of mangrove channels, limestone cliffs, rock pinnacles, caves, and small islands, best by boat.

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SNN95 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

Place 2 of 4

Kuah

Kuah is Langkawi's main town, with a ferry port, government offices, duty-free shops, and markets. Its landmark is the giant eagle statue at Dataran Lang, right by the harbor.

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Place 3 of 4

Oriental Village and SkyCab

This small leisure village on Teluk Burau Bay, at the foot of Gunung Mat Cincang in western Langkawi, is the base station for the SkyCab cable car, leading up to the SkyBridge.

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C980040 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

Place 4 of 4

Pantai Cenang

Pantai Cenang, on the southwest coast, is Langkawi's liveliest beach area. Along the long sandy beach and the parallel main road are hotels, restaurants, beach bars, and duty-free shops.

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More places in Langkawi

Pulau Dayang Bunting

The island south of the main island is part of the Dayang Bunting Marble Geoforest Park, one of three Geoforest Parks in the UNESCO Global Geopark Langkawi. It is known for Tasik Dayang Bunting, the Lake of the Pregnant Maiden, a freshwater lake between forested limestone hills. The island is a popular stop on most island-hopping tours departing from Pantai Cenang.

Tanjung Rhu

Tanjung Rhu at Langkawi's northeast tip is a long, casuarina-fringed sandy beach with views of steep, forested islands. Unlike Pantai Cenang, there are only a few accommodations here, including two large resorts, and hardly any crowds.

Sights in Langkawi

Discover the most important sights and attractions

Attraction

Telaga Tujuh (Seven Wells)

The waterfall on the slopes of Gunung Mat Cincang plunges about 90 meters, above, a stream connects seven natural rock pools that give it its name. Numerous steps lead to the pools. Railings are missing at the upper edge, so exercise caution when bathing. During the dry season, it carries significantly less water. Access is located on Jalan Telaga Tujuh, north of Oriental Village.

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Attraction

Gunung Raya

Gunung Raya is Langkawi's highest mountain. A narrow, winding road leads through rainforest close to the summit, from where you can gaze across the archipelago on a clear day. On the way, you can see hornbills. The summit facilities are not always open, bring water.

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Park

Temurun Waterfall

The three-tiered waterfall on the northwest coast near Datai cascades over rocks into several pools. It's only a short walk from the roadside car park. Macaques live in the area, so you shouldn't openly carry food.

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Food and Drink

Langkawi's cuisine is Malay-influenced, with plenty of fresh fish. Around Pantai Cenang, there are also international restaurants. Thanks to duty-free status, beer and wine are notably cheaper than on the mainland.

Ikan Bakar

Grilled fish or octopus, marinated with Sambal and cooked in banana leaves. Best enjoyed at simple stalls by the water.

Laksa Kedah

Noodle soup with sour fish broth, typical for the state of Kedah. Often eaten for breakfast or in the afternoon.

Night Market

Every evening, a Pasar Malam is held at a different location on the island, with Satay, Murtabak, and sweet Kuih.

Best Time to Visit

When is the best time for your trip?

December

January

February

March

26–28°C·48–125 mm(moderate rain)

From December to March, Langkawi is dry and sunny, and the sea is calm and clear. During this period, accommodations in Pantai Cenang are most sought after.

Langkawi in the Andaman Sea follows a different rhythm than the east coast: The rainy season, Southwest Monsoon, runs roughly May to November, with most rain in October. Even then, rain usually comes in short, heavy showers.

Seasons

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Dry season

Southwest Monsoon

Best Time to Visit

▶Show detailed monthly data

Month	Temp (°C)	Rain (mm)
January	26.7	52
February	27.9	48
March	28.1	119
April	27.7	184
May	27.5	224
June	27.6	177
July	27.2	187
August	27.1	225
September	26.6	240
October	26.2	314
November	26.2	245
December	26.2	125

Culture and Legends

Island Life in KedahLangkawi is part of the state of Kedah and is predominantly Malay-Muslim. Beyond the beach resorts, rice paddies, rubber plantations, and fishing villages define the landscape. For a long time, the island was remote; only its duty-free status from 1987 and the LADA development authority brought tourism.Myths and LegendsNumerous legends are connected to the islands. The most famous tells of Mahsuri, a young woman who was wrongly accused of adultery and executed in the late 18th century, and who then supposedly cursed the island for seven generations. Her grave is now a memorial. Even the name of the lake on Pulau Dayang Bunting, "Lake of the Pregnant Maiden", stems from a legend.

Arrival & On the Go

Getting ThereLangkawi International Airport, near Pantai Cenang, receives flights from Kuala Lumpur and Penang (approx. 35-40 minutes from Penang). Ferries connect Kuah's Jetty Point with Kuala Kedah (approx. 1 hour) and Kuala Perlis on the mainland. The direct Penang ferry was suspended during the pandemic and has not yet resumed service. From Jetty Point, ferries also run to Satun and Ko Lipe in Thailand.On the IslandPublic buses are rarely used by travellers.Rental cars and scooters are the best way to explore the island. Left-hand traffic applies.Grab is available on Langkawi, including for airport transfers.Book boat tours to the southern islands and Kilim Mangroves at the beach or your hotel.

Round trips through this region

Malaysia West Coast Classics

The route leads from Kuala Lumpur to the cool Cameron Highlands, on to Penang and finally to Langkawi Island. The bus from Kuala Lumpur to Tanah Rata takes around four and a half to five hours. There is no direct ferry from Penang to Langkawi at present: You fly in about 40 minutes or drive to Kuala Kedah and cross from there in about an hour.

18 Days

4 stops

Malaysia Culture & Cuisine

The route starts in the port city of Melaka, about two and a half bus hours from Kuala Lumpur Airport, and continues via Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh to George Town on Penang, finishing in Langkawi. ETS trains run between Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh, and Butterworth. To Langkawi, you fly from Penang in around 40 minutes or take the ferry from Kuala Kedah; currently, there's no direct ferry from Penang.

19 Days

5 stops

Malaysia relaxing & family-friendly

The route has just three stops: Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Langkawi, each with multiple nights. After Penang, you travel by ETS train for around 3.5 to 4 hours to Butterworth. Langkawi is reached by a short 40-min flight or ferry from Kuala Kedah.

19 Days

3 stops

Malaysia East & West Coast combined

From Kuala Lumpur, head to the East Coast to Kuala Terengganu, then across the peninsula to Penang and finally to Langkawi. For the crossing from the East to the West Coast, you should plan a full travel day. To Langkawi, you can fly from Penang or take the ferry from Kuala Kedah.

16 Days

4 stops

Nearby

Kilim Karst Geoforest Park

Kuah

Kuah is Langkawi's main town, with a ferry port, government offices, duty-free shops, and markets. Its landmark is the giant eagle statue at Dataran Lang, right by the harbor. Most travelers stay on the beaches and come here for shopping or when arriving by ferry.

Tanjung Rhu

Pantai Cenang

Pantai Cenang, on the southwest coast, is Langkawi's liveliest beach area. Along the long sandy beach and the parallel main road are hotels, restaurants, beach bars, and duty-free shops. The airport is just a few minutes away.

Oriental Village and SkyCab

This small leisure village on Teluk Burau Bay, at the foot of Gunung Mat Cincang in western Langkawi, is the base station for the SkyCab cable car, leading up to the SkyBridge. Around a pond are souvenir shops, snack bars, and smaller attractions such as a 3D Art Museum. Most visitors come for the cable car and the views from the summit at around 700 meters.