Destination Langkawi

Cenang beach, Langkawi, Malaysia
Cenang beach, Langkawi, Malaysia. Photo: Shutterstock


Langkawi, off Malaysia's northeast coast, offers pristine beaches set against a serene backdrop of mountains and blue-green seas. Shadowed cliffs, topped by dense virgin jungle, reach up to 600 metres (2,000ft) and drop abruptly into the sea. Marine life is rich and the vibe relaxed. Explore this carefree resort island at your leisure and make the most of what the island and its outposts have to offer.

A beautiful limestone cliff and forest archipelago of some 100-odd islands, some of which are mere rocks that vanish at high tide, Langkawi is marketed as a modern-day legend. There is an international airport on the southwest part of the island and it is well serviced by ferry links from the mainland of Peninsular Malaysia and from Thailand. Langkawi has good roads, steep and windy in some places, that go round the island; a non-stop roundtrip takes about two hours. Island taxis are expensive, and if you plan to stay more than a day, note that it’s more economical to hire a car or a scooter.

The famous SkyBridge, Langkawi, Malaysia. Photo: Shutterstock


For more on places to visit in Langkawi, visit our destination pages
 here.


To experience Langkawi, why not combine it with a a visit to the mainland? Indulgent Malaysia ticks all the boxes. You'll take in the buzzing capital, Kuala Lumpur, historical Malacca and vibrant Georgetown before laying low in luxury on Langkawi. Here it's all about making the most of the beach, swimming, snorkelling or diving with the abundant marine life, duty-free shopping and perhaps a guided kayak tour through the mangroves.

Eagle Square in Langkawi. Photo: Shutterstock

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