Langkawi is an archipelago consisting of 99 tropical islands located in the northwest of Malaysia. The main Island is easily accessible by plane or ferry depending on where you travel from. It is one of the most popular destinations amongst international and local tourists. This island is known for its stunning sandy beaches, duty-free shopping, and breathtaking landscapes.
During our week-long stay, filled with exploration and unforgettable moments, we discovered the island has much to offer. From watching stunning sunsets at Pantai Cenang to experiencing thrilling rides on the cable car to the peak of Gunung Mat Cincang, each day we had new adventures.
In this post, I will share the best things to do and see in Langkawi, drawn from our own adventures and the hidden gems we uncovered along the way.
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Cenang Beach
Cenang Beach is the most popular beach on the island, offering a lot of activities. Here you can just relax at the beach, take a boat tour or go jet-skiing. It is also a great spot to watch the sunset and it actually gets busier during the night.
But if you are looking for a quieter beach, you can walk to the nearby beach: Pantai Tengah.
The area of Pantai Cenang is a popular family tourist destination in Langkawi and there are many hotels, restaurants and cafes here. It's one of the best places to stay on the island.
Top hotels in Pantai Cenang in Langkawi
The RIYAZ Lavanya is a 5-star hotel located in Pantai Cenang, just 200 meters from Pantai Tengah Beach.
PARKROYAL Langkawi Resort is another 5-star hotel in Pantai Cenang, featuring a restaurant, outdoor swimming pool and fitness centre.
The Bayou Hotel Langkawi is a 3-star hotel with an outdoor swimming pool, within 600 metres of Pantai Tengah Beach and 1 km of Cenang Beach.
Skybridge and SkyCab
Skybridge is the main and most iconic attraction in Langkawi. A saying goes: “If you haven't seen the Skybridge, you haven't truly experienced Langkawi”. To get to the skybridge, you need to go on a scenic cable car ride, taking you across a lush jungle over Southeast Asia's oldest land.
The Skybridge is pretty unique. It's the longest curved suspension bridge in the world, stretching 125 meters and hanging 660 meters above sea level. Building this kind of bridge is not easy. The entire bridge, in all its elements, had to be lifted to the top of the mountain by helicopter and was later assembled to its current position.
Keep in mind that the cable car and the Skybridge are major attractions in Langkawi, and if you want to avoid long queues, it's best to arrive early in the morning. If you don;t have a car or scooter, you can take a private tour.
3D Art In Paradise Museum
One of the most fun things to do in Langkawi is to visit the 3D Art Museum. You should take off your shoes and get your camera ready when you enter the museum. There are various rooms to explore, take your time to play around and take as many photos as you can. we had so much fun here.
The museum is located inside the oriental village, where you can take a cable car to the Skybridge. The Oriental Village is an open-air-themed village complex. Visiting the village by itself is free of charge, but if you want to check out the attractions, you'll need to buy tickets for each one. We recommend getting a package deal, like we did for the cable car and the 3D museum, to make the most of your visit.
Mangrove Tour in Kilim Park
Mangrove tours are one of the best activities in Langkawi. The mangrove forest is part of Kilim Geoforest Park on the northeastern coast of Langkawi Island. Kilim Geoforest Park is unlike any other park, it is a window into the Earth's distant past. Most rocks here formed 370 to 490 million years ago. This park is part of the national reserve and to be able to visit it, you need to take a tour. Most tours go with a motor boat through the mangrove forest, but I highly recommend you take the kayaking tour, it is more fun and you go deeper into the forest.
Mangrove Tours
📌 Full-Day Mangrove Safari Boat Tour
Seven Wells Waterfall
Swimming in the Seven Wells Waterfall is one of the best things to do in Langkawi. Telaga Tujuh also known as Seven Wells Waterfall is just a 5-minute drive from the Oriental village. If you don’t have a car or scooter, you can take a tour of the cable car and Telaga Tujuh.
The waterfall by itself is impressive, but what makes it pretty unique is its seven natural pools. You need to hike up at least 200 steps to get to the first natural pool, but if you can, don’t stop there and continue to reach the upper pools. Believe me, it is totally worth it.
Tanjung Rhu
Tanjung Rhu on the northeastern corner of the island is one of the best beaches in Langkawi. This secluded beach is a great place to unwind. It's also perfect for swimming and kayaking, offering clear waters and scenic views.
While the beach is less commercial with fewer hotels and tourist facilities, only 450 meters of beach is open to the public. The rest of the beach is shared by two luxury resorts the Tanjung Rhu Resort and the Four Seasons.
Night Markets
You must visit the night market in Langkawi. Langkawi night market takes place every night in different locations around the island. This is a great place to try some traditional Malaysian street food.
For those new to Malaysian cuisine, the night markets provide a lively, flavorful introduction. You'll find a wide variety of dishes to try, from savoury treats like Satay and Nasi Lemak to sweet delights such as Kuih (Malaysian steamed layer cake). The atmosphere is vibrant, with locals and tourists alike mingling in a festive environment. During our stay in Langkawi, we were drawn back three times, since the food was so tasty and very cheap.
Weekly Schedule of Night Markets in Langkawi
Each night market offers a unique location and experience:
Monday: Ulu Melaka Night Market
Tuesday: Kedawang Night Market - Near Pantai Cenang
Wednesday: Kuah Town Night Market
Thursday: Bohor Tempoyong Night Market - Near Pantai Cenang.
Friday: Ayer Hangat Night Market - Near Tanjung Rhu Beach.
Saturday: Kuah Town Night Market
Sunday: Padang Matsirat Night Market - Near the airport
ATV Tour in Rice Fields
Langkawi is a haven for adventure seekers, and one of the most fun activities here is taking an ATV tour through the the Grenery paddy fields. This tour not only guides you through stunning fields but also leads to a picturesque waterfall.
During our visit, we weren't so lucky with the weather. it was pouring rain, and while that might sound unfortunate, it actually made the tour even more memorable and enjoyable. It was a unique experience that we'll never forget!
Sunset Cruise
One of the most popular tours in Langkawi is the sunset cruise. It is the best way to end a day. This four-hour tour offers a unique perspective of Eagle Square from the sea, a nod to Langkawi's name, which means "island of the reddish-brown eagles.
But the fun doesn’t stop there, you'll also have the opportunity to swim in a net while the boat glides through the water. It’s a fun experience you won’t want to miss!
Scuba Diving in Langkawi
Langkawi is one of the diving destinations in Malaysia, while you can only dive on the east coast of the country from March to September, you can dive in Langkawi all year round.
But diving in Langkawi is very different from many other diving destinations around the world. The visibility here is always poor and the currents are strong. If you get lucky, the visibility can reach up to 5 or 6 meters and you can see a lot of marine life including, seahorses, octopuses and even black frogfish. I shared everything you need to know about diving in Langkawi in a separate blog post and in our video on YouTube. Make sure to check them out.
Finally, Langkawi is not a small island, so to go around you can take a taxi or rent a scooter or a car. The roads are well maintained and are not very busy.