Overview

There's a lot more than just stunning beaches and beautiful seascapes on Langkawi's main island, Pulau Langkawi. The capital town of Kuah is worth a look for socialising, shopping and dining. There are several cultural institutes that present the heritage of Langkawi through its architecture and handicrafts, and natural wonders like the Cave of the Banshee to provide natural diversity. Also worth visiting is the island's fantastic aquarium complex, which is one of the best in Asia.

Underwater World Langkawi

One of Asia's largest aquarium complexes is the main attraction on Langkawi, and worth a visit. There are more than 5,000 different kinds of tropical fish and exotic sea creatures rarely seen outside an aquarium in its 100 tanks. An underwater Plexiglas tunnel is a real highlight as manta rays, sea turtles and sharks swim right by you.

Craft Cultural Complex

If you want to learn more about the rich culture of Langkawi, this complex at Teluk Yu is the best place to do it. There are four museums at the site featuring traditional Malaysian crafts like batik, silverwork, and crystal. Visitors can even watch as timeless weaving methods like songket are demonstrated. Royal, indigenous and Islamic heritage is all nicely woven together at this complex.

Cave of the Banshee

One of the natural highlights of nearby Pulau Dayang Bunting is this legendary cave, which is one of the most interesting excursions on the island. Its name comes from ancient tales of witches, the result of a hair-raising wail that echoes through the cave when the wind blows through it. With an interior towering 91m high, this is a natural wonder well worth checking out.

Galeria Perdana Museum

There are some real gems mixed in with the 2,500 or so gifts that were given to Malaysian Prime Minister Mahatir Mohamed during his rule. The collection is incredibly diverse, so it's likely you'll find enough things to interest you. The exhibits are nicely organised and very informative.

Kuah Town

The commercial hub of Pulau Langkawi is Kuah. It's the gateway if you plan to do any island hopping, and the number one shopping, dining and wining centre of the island. Chances are you'll have to pass through Kuah at some point, so take the time and explore the side streets and local markets of this interesting little capital.

Langkawi Legends in the Park

One of Kuah's main highlights is this 50-acre public garden that portrays Langkawi's many colourful myths and legends through sculptures. The lush gardens are the main attraction, featuring exotic trees, plants and flowers. This is also a decent place to shop for local traditional handicrafts.

Kedah Traditional House

Architecture buffs who want to see a perfectly preserved traditional Langkawi home should visit this building at Kampong Mawat. The home wonderfully demonstrates how the locals lived on Langkawi in days past, and features some impressive exterior details and interior furnishings that make it appear as if someone is still living here.

Ibrahim Hussein Museum and Cultural Foundation

One of Langkawi's newest attractions is this impressive museum dedicated to the artistic work of Malaysia and created by island native Ibrahim Hussein. The art on display is some of the best in Malaysia.

Overview

Naturally, the sea and the beach are the focus of the main outdoor activities in Langkawi. There are dozens of beaches, from the active to the quiet, and numerous outlying islands waiting to be explored. Inland, you can climb craggy peaks, take a dip in a waterfall or watch crocodiles and men wrestle in the mud. The scuba diving here is excellent, as is the golfing, which is almost too scenic for its own good.

Golf

Langkawi's lush tropical environment is ideal for creating a sublime golf course, and as you'd expect, that is just what you'll find here. The Golf Club Datai Bay is the island's top course. Its location within a tropical rainforest, with sea views poking through the trees, is so beautiful it challenges the concentration of even the most focused golfer.

Hiking

There's some interesting topography on Langkawi including plenty of hills and craggy peaks waiting to be climbed. The most dominant peak is May Cincang, an iconic feature of Langkawi, and one of the oldest rock formations in Malaysia. You'll need a guide for May Cincang, but there are also many easier hikes ideal for an afternoon of exercise.

Scuba and snorkelling

The underwater scene around Langkawi is fantastic. Most resorts arrange their own diving trips, with the Payar Marine Park being one of the nicest dive sites for coral reefs and marine life. Pulau Dayang Bunting is an ideal snorkelling site due to the shallow coral gardens and crystal clear water. Many other dive sites are out there among the many islands of the archipelago.

Lake of the Pregnant Maiden

Another of Langkawi's great legends involves a maiden and a magic lake in the middle of Pulau Dayang. The legend goes that barren women can become fertile through the power of the water but in reality the lake is a beauty and ideal for freshwater swimming, boating and hanging out in tropical splendor.

Telaga Tujuh Waterfall

Langkawi's most impressive waterfall drops 90m off the side of May Cincang, the island's main peak. As the water falls, it drops into seven successive pools that get more scenic the higher up you go. Even the lowest pools are lovely, and ideal for a cool dip. Legend has it fairies live here, too.

Langkawi Crocodile Farm

This 20-acre crocodile farm in Datai Bay is one of the island's most popular attractions. It contains more than 1,000 crocodiles and alligators on the farm, but it's an ideal place to get a safe and educational exposure to these ancient creatures. Feedings and wrestling matches between man and crocodile are big draws.

Beaches

Langkawi's main island is ringed by soft sandy beaches ideal for swimming, water sports or just lounging around. There is a real family-friendly vibe on Langkawi, and many of the beaches feature dedicated kids' areas, especially on Pantai Cenang Beach, which is the island's most popular and well-equipped beach. For more seclusion try Pantai Tengah, Pantai Kok, or Burau Bay. The Beach of Skulls and Black Sand Beach on the north coast are also great daytrip destinations.

Dining and shopping

Many visitors simply eat at their hotel or resort, all of which have decent restaurants onsite. But if you stay long enough you may want to strike out and try another resort's menu or venture into Kuah for Langkawi's version of urban dining. Malaysian cuisine dominates the menu of most places, but there are also plenty of international restaurants in the mix.

Since Langkawi is such a popular tourist destination, some of the dishes may be toned down on the spice level for foreigners. Also, due to its proximity to Thailand, there seems to be a lot of Thai dishes on the menu. But the star attraction on virtually every menu of note is the seafood. Dozens of different locally caught fish and interesting seafood like lobster, crab and clam make for a wide selection and freshness is guaranteed.

The upscale resorts nearly always have the best chefs, service and menu items. You'll pay more for the quality, but sometimes it's worth it. Popular beaches like Pantai Cenang and Pantai Tengah are literally lined with resorts, hotels and restaurants so you can just wander the beach until something catches your eye. The food stalls that line the waterfront in Kuah in the evening are also a great place to eat cheap and tasty simple food. This is the place for a casual grilled fish, amazing local curries or stir-fries.

Langkawi has been duty-free since 1987. This has greatly helped the island become a shopping haven for regional visitors, who often come over just for the shopping savings. Everything from Malaysian handicrafts and art to imported global brand items can be bought here.

Whether it's a big shopping mall like Langkawi Parade or a tiny store in Kuah, everything is tax free and reasonably priced. Alcohol, cigarettes, perfume and electronic goods are favourite buys. Kuah is the hub of shopping on Langkawi, but if you're looking for something more traditional and unique to Malaysia, there are lots of venues that can provide more interesting buys.

Langkawi itself produces lovely batik, pottery, crystal and pewter items. Pantai Cenang is another good area for shopping and has a nice selection. The Sime Darby Duty Free Shop in Kuah is the largest single venue, but the Langkawi Fair is much more interesting as it contains more than 100 small shops under one roof. You can find a good mix of duty-free goods and handicrafts here. The Langkawi Craft and Cultural Complex is perhaps the best place for authentic crafts and art.

Most of Langkawi's top restaurants are located within the island's top resorts. Chances are you can find great food at your resort, but there are some standouts across the island worth visiting. In Kuah you can find more conventional restaurants as well as cheap but tasty hawker stalls that set up every evening along the waterfront.

Overview

Being an island, nearly everyone flies into Langkawi's International Airport. Four regional carriers provide decent daily service from neighbouring cities. Ferries also run daily from Penang. On the island, taxis are the best way to get around at your leisure, but renting a car or motorbike is also a good option. In addition, many resorts have their own shuttle schedules.

Airports

Like most islands, the most common and convenient way to get to Langkawi is by air. Langkawi International Airport, which is located about 20kms from Kuah and eight kilometres from Pantai Cenang, services a decent range of daily flights from a number of regional cities. Malaysian destinations like Kuala Lumpur, as well as Singapore and Bangkok, are major hubs.

Malaysian Airlines operates the majority of flights to and from Langkawi. But regional airlines like Silk Air, AirAsia and the newly established FireFly also offer plenty of options from major Southeast Asian cities. International travellers from destinations farther afield can easily find connections to Langkawi at large Asian hubs.

Langkawi's single terminal is small but spacious. It is a wonderful place to arrive and depart, serving as a reminder that some airports can actually offer a pleasant travelling experience. All the essential amenities a traveller could want upon arriving are available at the terminal, including ATMs, currency exchange and 22 duty-free shops.

The only way to get from the terminal to your hotel is by taxi. There are plenty of them waiting outside of the terminal. However, most of the resorts provide a pre-arranged pick-up service from the airport, so you should ask about this option when you book your hotel. Rental cars can be hired at the airport as well.

Public transportation

It is technically possible to take a train/bus and ferry combination to Langkawi, but these require a lot of transfers, making a direct trip impossible. Ferries are a better option if you aren't flying to the island. Five ferry companies provide daily service to Langkawi from the pier at Kuala Kedah on the Malaysian peninsula. The trip takes about 2 hours and drops you off at Kuah's main ferry terminal.

Visitors coming from Penang can choose the early-morning speedboats run by Bahagia Express. They depart from Georgetown's Weld Quay twice a morning and are fairly well priced.

Once you're on Langkawi there are several transportation options to get you around the island. Taxis are the most popular and convenient way to move about. They hang out at taxi ranks at the main jetty in Kuah and in front of most major hotels. If one is not outside your resort, ask the concierge to phone for a pickup. They will take you anywhere, and can be found waiting in even the most remote corners of the island.

Another good choice if you plan to explore the island is to rent a car or motorcycle. There are car hire firms at the airport and behind the main jetty, and rental vehicles can be arranged by your resort. The whole rental system is rather relaxed, island style, and you'll only need a passport to rent a car. Motorbikes can be rented at stands along the beach at Canang and Tengah. They're a fun way to cruise around, but watch out for careless drivers.

Sites like Kuah, Cenang and Tengah are easily explored on foot. But if you want to visit any other part of the island, you'll need transport as every other place is spread out on this large island. Many resorts offer shuttle services for their guests in private vans but they stick to a strict schedule. Langkawi has a public bus system, but there are only a few stops and you often have to wait long periods between bus arrivals.