Langkawi holidays

If you’re looking for the ultimate tropical escape, look no further than this gorgeous Malaysian island and archipelago. Langkawi offers the ultimate tropical escape. With its white-sand beaches, lush rainforests, busy night markets and duty-free shopping, there’s a reason Langkawi is known as the ‘Jewel of Kedah’. So pack your sunscreen and get ready to explore this beautiful island paradise on an adventure-filled holiday to Langkawi.

Langkawi holiday highlights

Island hopping

Take a break from the main island on your holiday to Langkawi to explore some of the archipelago’s many islands. Uninhabited Dayang Bunting is just a 15-minute ferry ride from Kuah Jetty, offering scenic trails and memorable swimming in its Lake of the Pregnant Maiden. Or visit Pulau Payar’s marine park, known for its colourful corals and great diving experiences.

Nature’s paradise

White-sand beaches, tropical mangroves, magnificent caves, sublime waterfalls and ethereal coral reefs — Langkawi is a patchwork of natural wonders. Take a boat to Kilim Geopark to explore its mangrove forests and lagoons. Or trek or drive to Gunung Raya, Langkawi’s tallest mountain. Wherever you go, you’re guaranteed a slice of paradise.

Night markets

No holiday to Langkawi is complete without exploring the night markets. On different nights of the week, Langkawi’s night markets sell everything from delicious street food to souvenirs and clothes. Try ‘nasi komok’ (chicken and rice) at the Ayer Hangat Friday Night Market. Or sample ‘apam balik’ (peanut pancakes) at the Padang Matsirat Sunday Night Market.

Langkawi: Know before you go

Language

Malay

Currency

Malaysian ringgit (RM)

Time zone

UTC+8 (MYT)

High season

December – March

Low season

May – June and Sept – Oct

Find the best time to go to Langkawi

Weather in Langkawi

April – October: Spring sees mild temperatures and lower humidity. But expect highs in the 30s°C as summer approaches. This is peak beach season, with bustling resorts and island tours in full swing. Humidity rises throughout summer, and by October, the rain picks up again.

November – March: Malaysia’s wet season is marked by frequent rain and sudden downpours. But you’ll experience milder conditions on Langkawi’s western side than in other parts of the country. It’s a comfortable time for outdoor activities between showers. Rains are usually brief, so you can still explore the lush rainforests and take cable car rides with sweeping ocean views.

Events in Langkawi

Royal Langkawi International Regatta (January): Sailors from around the world barrel across the waters of the Andaman Sea in this multi-day yachting competition, held during the island’s windiest month.

Tour de Langkawi (February): Cheer on the global cycling elite as they dash through the Langkawi landscape. Spread out over eight days, the nearly 1,300-kilometre race has riders coursing through cities and countryside, including hilly terrain with back-to-back climbs.

Sandbar Walk (February): Once a year, the tides pull back enough that a pathway opens from Langkawi to the nearby islands. Locals take advantage by making the rare scenic trek from shore to shore on foot.

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The best neighbourhoods in Langkawi

Kuah Town

The capital of Langkawi Island has a lot to offer. Shop duty-free at the Langkawi Mall, or visit the gold-domed Al-Hana Mosque. Visiting on a Wednesday? Head to the Kuah Town Night Market for street food. You won’t find a beach here, but the Kuah Jetty serves as the archipelago’s gateway for island-hopping.

Good for: Culture, night markets, island hopping

Pantai Cenang

When you’re looking for where to stay in Langkawi, Pantai Cenang is a great choice. A popular spot with tourists, its long white-sand beach is lined with shops, restaurants and bars. Pantai Cenang is where you can shop duty-free at the Cenang Mall, enjoy some of the island’s best water sports and party at its beach clubs.

Good for: Nightlife, restaurants, beach

Pantai Tengah

Pantai Tengah is one of the best neighbourhoods to stay in Langkawi for a quieter alternative to neighbouring Pantai Cenang. Spend your days on the area’s serene beach, and treat yourself to a massage at the Yuan Spa. If you’re aiming for a cheap holiday to Langkawi, you’ll find more affordable hotel options here too.

Good for: Affordable hotels, spas, beach

Things to do in Langkawi

Olaf Loose

Family friendly things to do

If your holiday involves children, you’ll find plenty of things to do with family in Langkawi. Ride the SkyCab cable car and cross the Langkawi SkyBridge with its panoramic island vistas. Or hit the rides at the Splash Out water park for a day of non-stop fun. Need a day of chilling out? Pasir Tengkorak Beach has shallow waters, ideal for small children.

Shopping

Shopping in Langkawi offers big appeal, partly for its duty-free options. Shop for popular brands and duty-free items at Langkawi Fair Shopping Mall. Or pick up beautiful pieces of ‘batik’ (Indonesian dyed fabric) from the Atma Alam Batik Art Village. For more local souvenirs, head to one of the island’s markets like the Temoyong Night Market in Pantai Cenang.

Take in the culture

When you need a break from the beach, visit one of the museums in Langkawi. Learn about rice farming at the Rice Garden Museum and admire the art and artefacts at the Galeria Perdana. For even more heritage, head to the Craft Cultural Complex. Or uncover the story of a local legend at Mahsuri’s Tomb at Kota Mahsuri.

Nightlife

You won’t find mega-clubs on the island, but Langkawi keeps the good times rolling after dark with beach bars, cocktail lounges and live music joints. Pantai Cenang is the main area for nightlife in Langkawi — visit watering holes and cafes in this area. Or sip cocktails while enjoying unbeatable sea views at one of Langkawi’s beachside bars.

Beaches

The beaches in Langkawi are the island’s biggest draw, promising powdery white sands hugging the Andaman Sea. Cenang Beach is the longest and most famous, but you’ll also find quieter spots like Pasir Tengkorak Beach and ‘Teluk Yu’ (Shark Bay). For a different beach experience, enjoy a stroll along Pantai Pasir Hitam, the only black sand beach on the island.

Places to eat

An authentic trip to Langkawi calls for ‘char kway teow’ (stir-fried rice noodles) and ‘lok ching’ (barbecued meat) from Cenang Beach’s Food Truck Centre. Or feast on Indian, Malay and Chinese dishes with views of Gunung Raya mountain at Pia’s the Padi. With plenty of night markets and beach club restaurants to try too, the restaurants in Langkawi keep you coming back for more.

Plan your holiday to Langkawi

Budget

For a cheap holiday to Langkawi, plan your trip during the rainy season. You’ll still enjoy warm temperatures and plenty of beach-friendly weather. An inexpensive meal in Langkawi will cost you about 30 Malaysian ringgit (RM). A domestic beer costs about RM7, and a cappuccino is around the same.

Day trips from Langkawi

Take a day trip to Koh Lipe, Thailand’s southernmost island, just 90 minutes by ferry. Relax on its white-sand beaches, snorkel the vibrant coral reefs, and soak in its bohemian vibes. Prefer to stay closer? Visit Pulau Beras Basah, an untouched island just off Langkawi’s western tip, for a peaceful beach escape.

Getting around Langkawi

There’s no public transport to speak of in Langkawi. In Kuah Town and Pantai Cenang, you’ll be able to walk to most of the attractions. There are also taxis and bike hires in most major towns. To get around the whole island, consider hiring a car or arranging for a private driver at your hotel.

FAQs about Langkawi holidays

Plan your Langkawi trip for January and you'll be there when conditions are at their coolest. 24ºC (75ºF) is as cold as it gets.
February is the hottest month in Langkawi, with temperatures reaching a maximum of 31ºC (88ºF).
Conversations here are usually in Malay (Bahasa Malaysia). Learning a few local expressions can be an easy way to break the ice and connect with others during your city break in Langkawi.
The number of days you need for a holiday in Langkawi will depend on your itinerary. You can spend as little as three days exploring to get a taste of the island, but five days to a week is ideal for getting the most out of Langkawi’s nature and culture.
During your trip to Langkawi, you'll be using the Malaysian ringgit (MYR) for your expenses. You may want to carry a mix of cards and cash to avoid any hassles with payments.
From Attraction ticketing counter in Langkawi. Cable Car, Underwater World, Wildlife Park. To Bv Langkawi Homestay Pantai Cenang, this city lines up one attraction after another. Get ready for your next big adventure by checking out the best things to do in Langkawi.
Langkawi is generally considered safe, but it's always wise to take some commonsense precautions wherever your travels take you. Be mindful of your surroundings, especially in busy tourist areas, and keep your valuables secure and out of sight. Also use official transport services whenever possible during your holiday to Langkawi.
With around 34 cm of rainfall, November is the wettest month. If you're taking your Langkawi holiday then, you'll want to plan a few indoor activities. Eat at a top-rated restaurant, chill at a cosy cafe, or treat yourself to a shopping spree.
Langkawi is slightly more pricey than other places in Malaysia, but the island still caters to most budgets. Find holiday deals to Langkawi by booking your flights and hotels for the wet season (April to October).
The best time to visit Langkawi is between November and April, when the area gets the most sunshine and has less chance of rain. For holiday deals to Langkawi, consider visiting from April to August — occasional thunderstorms are likely, but prices will be lower.

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