Langkawi is a picturesque island located off the coast of Penang in Malaysia and is a great place to come if you want to sample some island living. Langkawi has a laid back atmosphere that makes it very different from other parts of Malaysia, and many people flock here for the pretty beaches and natural scenery. Some of the highlights of the island include its soaring peaks with sweeping vistas as well as its iconic cable car.

1. Visit Eagle Square

Eagle Square is called Dataran Lang in Malay and this is one of the most iconic spots in Langkawi.The square is located in Kuah which is the main town on the island and once here you will find a huge statue of an eagle about to take flight which stands at a height of some 12 meters. It is also close to a clutch of other attractions such as Taman Legenda Langkawi so you can combine a trip here with several other points of interest. As well as the statue, Dataran Lang has some pretty fountains, scenic bridges, and a few restaurants and cafes dotted around the area.

2. Check out Galeria Perdana

Galeria Perdana is one of the most interesting museums in Langkawi and was founded by Dr. Mahatir Mohamad who was the former prime minister of Malaysia. The museum is dedicated to showcasing the gifts that Mahatir received during his time in office, the majority of which were given to him by previous heads of state. Just some of the items on display at the museum include Formula One racing cars and a number of objects like vases which feature Mahatir’s image. The museum itself is well worth checking out as you will find soaring ceilings that have all been hand painted.

3. Visit Mahsuri Tomb and Museum

Langkawi is a place steeped in local legend and the most famous of these is the story of Mahsuri, an extremely beautiful woman who was sentenced to death when others became jealous of her good looks. The island of Langkawi was then said to be cursed for seven generations, and you can learn all about the story at the Mahsuri museum. There are a number of galleries that you can visit and you can even see Mahsuri’s former home and her tomb which sits in the center of the complex.

4. Take a ride on the Langkawi Cable Car

One of the jewels in Langkawi’s crown is the Langkawi Cable Car which will take you to the top of Mat Cincang Mountain. The journey takes around 15 minutes but on the way you will be able to experience the amazing views as you sweep over lush rainforests and past tumbling waterfalls. The peak stands at a height of 708 meters and there is an observatory deck at the summit and on a clear day you can see all the way across to Sumatra in neighboring Indonesia. The cable car leaves from the Oriental Village which you can explore either before or after your ride.

5. Check out the fish at Underwater World Langkawi

Located in the town that backs on to Pantai Cenang, Underwater World Langkawi is a great spot to visit if you want to know more about the marine life for which this island is famous. There are some 500 different species here which include seahorses, seals, and even rockhopper penguins. The main highlight of the facility is an underwater tunnel which stretches for some 15 meters and means that you can observe the aquatic life up close from every angle. Some of the species that you will see glide by here include turtles, stingrays, and sharks, and the aquarium is also part of a complex that includes the Zon Shopping Paradise and Coco Valley which are two of the main spots on the island to buy duty-free items.

6. Take a mangrove tour of Kilim Geopark

Langkawi is covered in pretty mangroves and they are said to have protected the island and lessened the damage when the tsunami hit in 2004. As such, this is one of the most important eco-systems in this part of Malaysia, and the best way to visit it is to take a scenic boat tour of the area.

As well as boating around the swamp you will also get to see rugged caves, limpid pools, and areas of forest lands. Most of the boat tours last around 2-3 hours and you can get off at certain spots in the mangrove swamps and walk around to take in some of the natural beauty on foot.

7. Soak in the water at Air Hangat Village

If you want to relax in Langkawi then you need to head to Air Hangat Village. Air Hangat actually means ‘Hot Water’ in Malay and with that in mind you will find a range of hot springs here that are said to have healing properties. The hot springs are natural salt water springs although be warned that the waters here are genuinely quite hot, but if you have any aches or pains then this is one of the best ways to unwind. There are different areas in the hot springs and you can either choose a private open-air Jacuzzi or opt to soak in a larger communal pool. You can also get a range of other spa treatments here such as soothing massages.

8. Climb Gunung Raya

Gunung Raya soars to a height of 881 meters and as such this is the highest peak in Langkawi. This is also the spot of another one of Langkawi’s famous legends as the mountain was said to have been cursed by a giant named Mat Raya. The hike to the top of the mountain is rather steep in parts, and you can either go it alone or you can hire a guide. On your way to the top you will pass wide swathes of primary rainforest and can expect to see animals like flying foxes, monkeys, eagles, and hornbills.

9. Visit the Langkawi Wildlife Park & Bird Paradise

If you love animals then make your way to the Langkawi Wildlife Park & Bird Paradise where you will find some 150 species of colorful birds. Some of these include ducks, owls, toucans, and even flamingos, and the park is designed to mimic the natural environment of the animals. You will find a large aviary here as well as other scenic features such as waterfalls and you can even get up close to some of the animals here as there are daily feeding sessions. Some of the animals that you can feed include raccoons, crocodiles, and pelicans, and if you are travelling with younger visitors then this is a great spot to visit.

10. Enjoy the water sports at Pantai Cenang

Pantai Cenang is one of the most famous and best loved beaches in Langkawi. It is also one of the most popular and with that in mind you will find a huge number of activities here which are perfect if you love water sports. Just some of these include jet skiing, paragliding, and of course snorkeling and swimming, or if you want something a little more fast-paced then you can even go for a thrilling ride on a banana boat. The beach is also famous for its sunsets so make sure to come in the afternoon so that you can watch the beautiful light show here.

11. Tour the islands

Langkawi is actually an archipelago which is made up of 104 different islands in the Andaman Sea, many of which are uninhabited. With this in mind, you can go on a boat tour which will let you island hop around, and some of the most visited islands include Pulau Dayang Bunting which means Island of the Pregnant Maiden. You can either join a more organized tour or you can rent a boat from the Kyah Jetty or the Tanjung Rhu Jetty which will give you more freedom to explore as you see fit. You can also sign up for other tours such as a Castaway Picnic which, as the name suggests, includes a trip to a secluded island where you enjoy a romantic picnic.

12. Hike to Durian Pernangin

Langkawi is known for its pretty waterfalls and one of these not to miss is Durian Perangin. This is also one of the most popular on the island and you will find that it can be quite crowded at the weekend when locals flock here to picnic. The hike to the waterfall is quite steep and this is a multi-layered cataract which means that you can stop along the way at the different tiers and check out the views. There is also a rock pool at the base of the falls where you can go for a refreshing swim.

13. Explore Pulau Payar Marine Park

Pulau Payar Marine Park is located around 30 kilometers away from the main island of Langkawi and you can get here via a 45 minute scenic speedboat ride. The main reason to come to the Marine Park is to take in some protected areas of natural beauty in this part of Malaysia such as the Coral Garden which is covered in a range of different kinds of colorful coral. You can also go snorkeling here are part of a tour if you want to get a look at some of the prettiest underwater habitats in Langkawi.

14. Cool off at the Telaga Tujuh Waterfalls

Probably the most famous of all Langkawi’s waterfalls is Telaga Tujuh Waterfalls which means ‘Seven Pools’ in Malay. As with much of the island, there is a legend attached to the falls and locals claim that fairies live here. The waterfalls get their name as there are seven natural pools or wells in the rock face here that are fed by seven different cataracts that come down from Mat Cincang Mountain. It is a rather steep climb to get to the top of the waterfalls but it is more than worth it and you will pass some pretty scenery on the way as well as some cheeky monkeys. Other species to look out or include graceful hornbills and scurrying squirrels and this is one of the prettiest cascades in all of Langkawi.

15. Visit the Art in Paradise 3D Museum

If you are looking for a rainy day activity then consider a trip to the Art in Paradise 3D Museum. Here you will find some 200 different works of art which look as if they are three dimensional and this facility has the claim to fame of being the largest 3D art museum in Malaysia. The building is divided up into nine different zones which have different themes and some of these include a castle zone, a safari zone, an Egyptian zone, and a Malaysian zone.

16. Visit Taman Legenda Langkawi

Langkawi is known for its myths and legends and if you want to know more about them then consider a trip to Taman Legenda Langkawi where you will find a theme park that is dedicated to telling the stories behind all the folklore. Most of the museum is open-air and you can either walk around the facility or take a relaxing ride in a buggy. The theme park looks out over the pretty Kuah Jetty and you will find some 17 sculptures here that depict different legends that are famous on the island. Just some of the characters that you are likely to encounter include giants, ogres, and princesses.

17. Have lunch at Nasi Kandar Tomato

Langkawi is not as well known for its food as neighboring Penang which is a shame as the food here is simply delicious. With that in mind, one of the best places to sample the local flavors is Nasi Kandar Tomato which serves up traditional Malay fare called Nasi Kandar. This comes in the form of a plate of rice to which curries, meats, and vegetables are added and you can also get other dishes such as famous Roti Canai which is a kind of Indian bread served with a curry dipping sauce. Nasi Kandar Tomato is one of the most famous places to get high quality Nasi Kandar in Langkawi and you will find it conveniently located on Jalan Pantai Tengah.

18. Visit MARDI Langkawi Agro Technology Park

The MARDI Langkawi Agro Technology Park is one of the best places on the island to visit if you want to see how fruit and vegetables are sustainably farmed in the area. The park grows a huge range of exotic tropical fruit which you can sample when you visit and it aims to educate visitors on how to the Malaysian government is working to preserve and showcase local produce. Some of the delicious fruits that you can sample here include jackfruit, mangosteen, durian, rambutan, dragon fruit and mangoes.

19. Sunbathe on Tanjung Rhu Beach

One of the most scenic beaches in Langkawi is called Tanjung Rhu beach which lies in the north of the island. Due to its slightly secluded location you will find clean white sands and the beach is rarely very crowded as many people don’t even realize that it is open to the public. As a result, this makes a great pick if you want to beat the crowds and you can also rent boats at the jetty here and explore some of the sights offshore from the beach. One of the most famous spots is the Gua Cherita which means the Cave of Stories in Malay and this is supposedly the place where a Chinese princess was taken by a Garuda, a mythical bird belonging to Lord Vishnu.

20. Segway around

The Oriental Village is an Asian-themed park and village which has traditional performances and models of local buildings. Just some of the attractions on show here include jugglers, marital artists, and musical performers, or you can learn how to fly a traditional kite. If you like you can also get your portrait painted here or get you palm read and one of the ways to get around the village is to zip along on a Segway.