Langkawi is home to some of the world’s best beaches, beautiful islands, stunning scenery, friendly locals, and of course, delicious food. First time visitors will often make a bee-line from the airport to Cenang Beach, the most popular tourist beach area. But don’t be mistaken, there’s a whole world of amazing experiences on this incredible island. Read on and discover some of the best experiences you can have in Langkawi – beyond Cenang Beach!
Panorama Langkawi SkyBridge and Cable Car
Perhaps the top attraction of Langkawi, the Langkawi Cable Car is a scenic 15 minute journey from the rather touristy Oriental Village to the peak of Gunung Machinchang over 700 meters (2,300 feet) above sea level. Once at the peak, you can explore the various lookouts or make your way to the SkyBridge for a death-defying walk on glass over 100 meters above the ground. The Cable Car costs around RM55 ( for a return ticket and while it’s not the cheapest attraction, it’s certainly one of the best with incredible views across the whole island. While you’re there, be sure to stop off at Hafiz Rojak on Pantai Kok for a delicious local laksa, right near the Oriental Village!
More info: Panorama Langkawi
Sunset Cruise
There’s hardly a better way to spend an evening in Langkawi than on a luxury catamaran for a sunset cruise. Crystal Yacht Cruises run daily from 5pm and offer a relaxing all inclusive cruise through the unique, stunning island scenery of Langkawi. Wine, beer and spirits as well as soft drinks are served unlimited, and a delicious variety of foods are offered in a BBQ buffet freshly cooked on the boat. As an added bonus, you’ll have the take a “spa bath” – sitting on a net in the water at the back of the boat while it speeds ahead, a combination of relaxing and exhilarating. A sunset cruise with Crystal Yacht costs around RM280 (US$67) for an all inclusive 3 hour experience.
More info : Crystal Yacht Holidays, Langkawi, Malaysia
Tanjung Rhu Beach
Langkawi is full of fantastic beaches, although many first time visitors won’t venture beyond Cenang. In the north-eastern corner of Langkawi, behind an unassuming parking lot and a range of tour operators is a true hidden gem – Tanjung Rhu Beach. The beach is a long way from the hustle and bustle of Cenang. Sit back, relax and enjoy a cocktail or a coconut on the beach while enjoying the incredible island formations just a few hundred meters away in the water! Or soak in the tropical warmth of the ocean water in this idyllic location. Tanjung Rhu is publicly accessible for free, although the five-star Tanjung Rhu Resort has an exclusive section.
More info: Tanjung Rhu Beach (Tripadvisor)
Kilim Geoforest Park Mangrove
Mangroves might not be the first thing you think of when planning your Langkawi trip, but a boat ride through the mangroves of the Kilim Geoforest Park is a fantastic way to cool off while staying dry. Better yet, you can discover the rich biodiversity of Langkawi on this less-visited location. The tour usually starts from Tanjung Rhu and takes you down the Kilim River, discovering the flora, fauna and geological formations along the way. A range of tour operators run Kilim Geoforest Park Mangrove tours, and you can book one in either Cenang Beach or Tanjung Rhu. Expect to pay around RM120 (US$29) for a 6 hour tour.
More info: Langkawi Insight
Temurun Waterfall
Another fantastic free attraction that’s a little off the beaten path is Temurun Waterfall. This waterfall is hidden on the north-west end of the island, and you really need a guide or at least a GPS to know what you’re looking for. After parking at the unassuming parking lot and hiking through the jungle and up some stairs for around 10 minutes, you’ll eventually reach this incredible, 3 tier waterfall which, depending on which day you go, might be deserted, or you might have the company of local families enjoying their time together. This waterfall must be seen to be appreciated, but trust us – this is a truly insta-worthy destination. Be sure to visit in September or October for the best water flows! As a bonus tip, check out Pasir Tengkorak Beach on your way back to enjoy an incredibly quiet and special beach just like the locals do! Temurun Waterfall is located 27km from Cenang Beach, or 22km from the airport.
More info: Google Maps – Temurun Waterfall
Night Markets
Langkawi is a night market (or Pasar Malam) haven. Many tourists will become familiar with the Thursday night Temoyong night market near Cenang beach, or the twice-weekly (Wednesday and Saturday) Kuah Town night market. But you may be surprised to learn that Langkawi actually has a night market in a different location every night of the week. Many vendors will go from market to market, while others will stick to the one in their local area. By far the best, in our opinion, is the Ayer Hangat night market near Tanjung Rhu. Ayer Hangat has its own clothing and trinkets section, but by far the dominant and most exciting part of the market is the incredible selection of food and drinks. Expect to pay between 2 and 8 ringgit (US 50 cents to $2) per dish – if in doubt, line up where the locals are!
More info: Langkawi Info – Night Markets
Local food tour
While we’re on the topic of food, let’s wrap up this list with perhaps the very best thing to do in Langkawi – eat! Langkawi is in Malaysia, and Malaysia means food. There are a bunch of local specialities – laksa, rojak, ikan bakar, gulai panas, just to name a few. For some amazing local food destinations to try on a DIY food tour, check out our article here: The 5 best local food experiences in Langkawi, Malaysia.
So that’s our list of top inspiring experiences in Langkawi beyond Cenang Beach. What do you think? What’s your favourite Langkawi, Malaysia experience? Comment down below and let us know!
One final note…
The international travel situation is constantly evolving throughout the COVID-19 crisis. Malaysia has reopened for domestic travellers, and we can’t wait until they’re welcoming international travellers once again. We’re frequently researching the best options for travel once it’s safe again, so be sure to check out our articles on 5 places to travel to once borders reopen, and follow our blog and our social media accounts (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) for the latest updates. Thanks for reading to the end, here’s to a Better Break soon!
A Better Break 