Langkawi is an archipelago of around 99 + and without a doubt, has the most scenic blend of tropical forest and beach landscapes! With tens of thousands of tourist flocking to this picturesque duty-free island, Langkawi has much more to offer than being just another getaway on the South East Asian map 🙂 .  We visited Langkawi for 3D 2N and here is our itinerary and picks on top things to do on this lush, green and beautiful island. This city, the Jewel of Kedah (Kedah is a state in Malaysia) is full of serene Andaman Sea views, fossils and rocks from millions of years ago, limestone cliffs, geoforest parks and mangrove forest.

Getting there:

You can get to Langkawi by air or by sea. We flew in from KL. Malaysian Airlines and AirAsia have direct flights to Langkawi. AirAsia being budget airlines, could offer cheap tickets when booked on time 🙂 .

Many tourists take cruises from Singapore or other places in South East Asia to Langkawi. You may want to explore this popular option as well. Ferries into Langkawi are available from Penang and some other places in Malaysia and Thailand.

Going Around:

You can rent a bike or car in Langkawi from the airport itself and drop it off at the airport while leaving. Rental shops are also available near hotels around Pantai Cenang street. Car rentals are pretty cheap in Langkawi. When we went there, many local car dealers were available right near the exit of the arrivals in the International Airport and charged us approximately ~ 8-10 USD per day (as it was off season in March. During the peak season they charge just about double of that) .

If you are not comfortable driving, then taxis are available all across the island. We did not explore public transport options during our trip. Many hotels have private transfers or airport shuttles to and from the airport. You can book these at the time of your hotel booking. Most hotels also have day tours to all tourist spots in Langkawi along with ferry tours for island hopping and sunset cruise in the Andaman Sea 🙂 .

 

Langkawi has much to offer to all – young and old. Here are our picks on what top things to do on your perfect Langkawi holiday :

1. Langkawi Cable Car and Sky Bridge:

Langkawi SkyCab or the cable car gives you beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding forest and the sea. SkyCab has 3 stations and from the top most, you can find the access to Sky Bridge via a small trail through the forest. The Sky Bridge is simply iconic. You can spend 2.5 to 3 hours here. To avoid crowds and big queues, go earlier in the morning. Check the timings here. If you are a Shah Rukh Khan fan then this additional info might be of interest to you: one of the scenes from the bollywood movie “Don” was shot here 😉 .

2. Oriental village:

Right near the base station of Langkawi Cable Car is the Oriental Village with shops lined with local handicrafts and souvenirs. Though the market is light on pocket, there is room to bargain. There are international restaurants as well to grab a quick lunch after your Cable Car adventure.

3. Seven Wells Waterfall:

From Oriental Village drive up to Seven Wells Waterfalls. Want to swim in natural pools? This waterfall is the perfect hiking and swimming spot. Heads up:  the way to the waterfall involves a little bit of climbing and hiking through the forest though there is a proper trail. We went in peak summers and the fall had dried up so we could not swim. It’s recommended that you visit the place during rainy season when the waterfall is in its full glory. Hydrate yourself with some coconut water at the shops near the car park or entry area!

There are other activities around this area like Zipline and Crocodile Adventure Land, for the adventurous soul in you!

4. Beaches :

Pantai Cenang is the most popular, touristy beach in Langkawi along a stretch of about 2 KM. We will recommend that you book your hotel near this area if you are looking for non secluded beaches and happening crowds. It is lined up with cheap cafes and bars and souvenir shops. If you are keen on doing water sports or experiencing the beachy night life then this is the place to go. Facing west, “The Cliff” at Pantai Cenang offers one of the best sunset views in Langkawi.

For a quieter and less touristy beach experience, visit Tanjung Rhu Beach. It has less crowds and clearer waters.

5. Kilim Karst Geoforest Park:

3km from Tanjung Rhu Beach is the Kilim Karst Geoforest Park, which is recognized as a UNESCO geoforest. Some of the carbonate rocks in this region were formed millions of years ago! To experience and see various types of rocks, caves, fossils, as well as rich flora and fauna, take a guided tour. As the Geopark is huge , there are timed tours that cover specific spots – Mangrove, Crocodile Cave, Fishing farms, Bat Caves, Eagle watching. You will be awed and humbled by the picturesque views of this place. Pictures can not justify how beautiful this place it ❤ .

 

Other attractions include :

Langkawi Eagle Square : Langkawi means eagle in local language and this is the iconic symbol of this island!

Island hopping tours and sunset cruises : You can book tours for a day or half day and go island hopping to explore the untouched white crystal clear sand beaches, swim in crystal clear waters or just take a comfortable ride around the many islands in the archipelago. Some hotels have travel agents to help you choose and book tours.

Whatever you need – adventurous or a relaxing laid back getaway, Langkawi is the perfect holiday spot when you need a break from your routine for 3-4 days. 🙂 Happy exploring!