Presenting things to do in Langkawi, Malaysia according to travel writer Priya.

Langkawi, Malaysia is a cluster of 99 islands located northwest of Malaysian mainland deep in the Andaman Sea.  An exceptionally beautiful Malaysian destination, Langkawi stands as the second most preferred destination after Kuala Lumpur among Malaysian travellers. With a pleasant tropical climate, rolling terrains shrouded in verdant forests, scenic aquamarine sea views and white sandy beaches along with multi ethnic culture and cuisine make it an enticing destination to unwind and relax. Although Langkawi’s beaches appeal to couples on romantic getaways, the islands goes beyond its beautiful tropical shorelines. The combination of tropical rainforests, mountain terrain and vast stretches of azure waters is a real treat for nature and adventure lovers. Check out these top 5 experiences to enjoy on a Langkawi holiday.

1. Explore the islands with an adrenaline rush on Jet Ski Island Hopping

One of the coolest ways to enjoy an adventure with expedition, Jet Ski Island hopping tour is an ideal experience to discover Langkawi’s gorgeous islands. Feel the adrenaline surge as you zoom past steep limestone cliffs descending to scenic lush valleys, skimming on the surface of Andaman Sea and later skid to a halt to marvel picturesque spots at different Langkawi islands, capture them as memoirs in photographs and afterwards take a dip and swim around in tropical waters and gear up for some exciting water activities.

Must-Do: One of the best spots to include in Jet Ski island hopping tour is Dayang Bunting Island, which is renowned for its spectacular scenic vistas and freshwater lakes.

2. Take a heart-thumping walk on Langkawi Sky Bridge

An exhilarating walk on a 125-meter stretch of pedestrian bridge suspended high between the mountains overlooking sweeping panoramas of Langkawi is one of the popular things to do in Langkawi which you should definitely not miss. Langkawi Sky Bridge — the longest free span and curve bridge in the world and one among Langkawi’s most renowned landmarks is suspended between the hills of Machinchang mountain. The fun starts with a thrilling cable car ride—the only way to access the Langkawi Sky Bridge followed by a exhilarating walk on this suspended bridge that lets you witness a spatial view of Langkawi. The feel of crispy fresh mountain air surrounded by verdant foliage and the tranquility you experience on an altitude of 700m above sea level is an extraordinary experience.

Where? Jalan Telaga Tujuh Teluk Burau, Langkawi
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday (except Wednesday): 10 am – 7 pm; Wednesday: 12 noon – 7 pm.

3. Soar over Langkawi on Langkawi Cable Car ride

Watch everything in sight slowly shrink in size as you gradually ascend to the top of Mount Machinchang. The Langkawi Cable Car is an obligatory Langkawi attraction for all those who wish to visit the Langkawi Sky Bridge as it is the only way to reach the mountain top for the sky walk. This longest free span Mono-Cable car in Malaysia offers an amazing 15-minutes’ ride to the mountain summit with breathtaking 360-degree aerial views of Langkawi’s towns, rainforests, beaches and far away isles. A glass bottom gondola is an exciting way to add little adventure on your trip where the scenic views can be witnessed along with the intense feel of dizzying heights. Each gondola can accommodate maximum 6 people; however, if you wish to have a private ride, the same can be arranged by upgrading the ride to a private gondola ride. The Langkawi Cable Car Station is 20-minutes’ drive from Langkawi International airport.

Where? Oriental Village, Burau Bay, Langkawi.
Opening Hours: Daily 10 am – 7 pm
Ticket Price: Normal ride costs about RM55 per adult and RM40 per child.

4. Melt away your stress at Air Hangat Village Langkawi

Located north of Kuah town is a contemporary village known as Air Hangat Village that consists of hot spring wells brimming with natural salt water. After a tiresome trip around Langkawi, make a short stop to rejuvenate at this pleasant village that exemplifies cultural essence with modern facilities. Sprawling on acres of picture perfect lush green landscapes, decked with three tier saline hot spring wells, and an interesting collection of carved stone murals, Air Hangat is a one of a kind modern-cultural spa where you can enjoy the warm waters at a private Jacuzzi hut, relax in a gazebo amid natural sceneries, pamper yourself with a foot reflexology massage, enjoy Malaysian cultural shows and try your hand at batik paintings.

Where? 16 Jalan Air Hangat, Langkawi
Operating hours: Daily 9 am – 6 pm
Admission Price: RM 4 per adult and RM2 per child. There are additional costs for other activities and Jacuzzi sessions inside the village.

5. Enjoy a deep sea expedition at Pulau Payar Marine Park

For extreme adventurers who love exploring the underwater world, Pulau Payar Marine Park is a real treat. Comprising of four secluded islands of Payar, Lembu, Kaca and Segantang, the region is renowned for its vivid marine life and crystal clear waters which make it one of the best spot for scuba diving in Malaysia. Ride on a catamaran enjoying the spectacular coastal views and later explore the wonders of the deep sea world where eclectic marine life and coral reefs can be best encountered closely on a scuba diving experience.

How to get there: Pulau Payar Marine Park is located 19 nautical miles south of Langkawi and can be accessed by speedboats and catamarans from Kuah Jetty which takes around 45 minutes.

Honorable Mentions

• Feel at peace in serene natural surroundings at Telaga Tujuh Waterfalls, one of the bewitching places to visit in Langkawi for its spectacular sights. Nestled in Gunung Mat Cincang in Northwest of Langkawi, sheltered amid rich flora and fauna, a short trek through the lush woodlands is a perfect way to reconnect with nature and a dip in the cool waters of nature ponds is all you need to unwind in the lap of nature.
• Explore the surreal world of Paradise 3D Museum located next to the Langkawi Cable Car Station which features a collection of over 100 amazing artworks and installations in 9 unique zones that looks life-like when photographed. An ideal way to spend a day in Langkawi would be to explore Paradise 3D Museum where the exhibits highlight the amazing talents of international artists that deceive reality and then proceed to Langkawi Cable Car ride to enjoy Langkawi’s spectacular vistas.
• A visit to Dataran Lang or The Eagle Square is quite obvious being a prominent landmark of Langkawi. The attraction features an iconic sculpture of an eagle – a famous sight for clicking photos and a serene place to stroll around to enjoy the scenic harbor views of Langkawi.
• Discover the splendors of ocean life at Underwater World Langkawi—Malaysia’s largest-aquarium set at Pantai Cenang features a myriad of marine animals and aquatic life including seals, sharks, giant rays, Amazonian arapaima and rockhopper penguins.
• Get an insight into the ancient handicraft of batik printing at Atma Alam Batik Art Village—a sprawling cultural avenue teeming with workshops, galleries, and stalls to shop colourful batik printed fabrics meticulously crafted by Malaysian artists.
• Discover Langkawi’s delicious street food, shopping and night life at Kuah Night Market—the largest market on Pulau Langkawi located opposite the Masjid Al-Hana. Held every Wednesdays and Saturdays, it’s a great place to treat your taste buds to an assortment of local delicacies and have some shopping fun at a bargain.

Where to Stay

Langkawi is a popular tourist spot in Malaysia, hence there is no shortage of finding good accommodations. In fact, the islands have some of the finest accommodation options ranging from budget hotels, vacation rentals to budget hotels and opulent 5-star resorts from world class hotel chain. Some eminent luxurious Langkawi resort stays are Four Seasons Langkawi, Westin Langkawi Resort and Spa, Vivanta by Taj, and Rebak Island where you can experience spectacular nature escapes in luxury settings.

For a budgeted option, opt from a range of hotels like Bayview Hotel Langkawi, The Ocean Residency, Hotel Bahagia, Bon Ton Resort Langkawi to name a few, ensuring a comfortable stay with friendly services.

How To Get There

• The best time to travel to this island paradise is from November to April when the weather is sunny but not too hot and there may be drizzling rain at times. Langkawi’s idyllic charm and amalgamation of serene nature elements of rainforests, jagged cliffs, and crystal clear waters make it a tropical haven for travelers seeking solace and adventure amid nature. 
• Langkawi has an international airport. Fly direct from Kuala Lumpur and from countries like Singapore and Thailand which have direct flights to Langkawi. Another option is to access via ferry from Kuala Perlis, Kuala Kedah and Penang in Malaysia.

Priya is an avid travel writer who specializes in adventurous travel writing. Her blogs and articles give deep insight about various tourist places and act as a perfect travel guide for someone who is traveling to a place for the first time. Priya has exemplary research, writing, and editing skills which make her easily match the reader’s intellect and interest. She has blogged extensively about her travel experience while traveling to several places like Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Europe, Dubai, USA, Canada, etc. You can find more of her work here.

👉 Special thanks to Priya! Have you ever experienced any of these must-dos in Langkawi? Comment below!