5 Top Things to do in Langkawi, Malaysia

Langkawi is one of those destinations that is insanely popular with honeymooning couples from India. Like its South East Asian counterparts – Bali and Krabi/Phuket, Langkawi is extremely popular on the mainstream honeymoon trail due to its proximity to India, simple Malaysian visa process, easy access to Indian food, a heady mix of beach, nature, mountains, culture, shopping and food and its affordability factor.

Boutique luxury properties, villas with private beaches, remote luxury properties in the mountains, many five star hospitality chains, up market, mid market and budget hotels are available in this hotspot thus attracting a diverse audience. Depending on one’s choice of luxury levels and budget, one can book Langkawi hotels on Traveloka, a hotel booking site that charges no booking fee, offers various payment methods and offers a simple, yet intuitive functionality that is easy to compare and book.

I have never visited Langkawi for my honeymoon (as I am still single), but I have visited as a backpacker and on a relaxing holiday with my family. If you are planning either a romantic and/or a relaxing holiday to this archipelago, you will definitely be interested in these top things to do in Langkawi.

1) Be a Beach Baby



The archipelago is blessed with umpteen number of good beach stretches, but my favorites are Tanjung Rhu and Pasir Tengkorak. These 2 beaches located in the northern part of the island and are surrounded by ancient limestone caves, mangrove forests and white sandy beaches with clear and warm waters. The four seasons luxury hotel is located here. The locale is perfect for a relaxed beach holiday.

2) Go Island Hopping



To go island hopping is a no-brainer when it comes to an exotic tropical archipelago such as Langkawi. Island hopping in Langkawi is full of adventure, activity and pristine nature. One can go snorkelling in the stunning coral reefs, go for a swim in some of the gorgeous lagoon lakes, indulge in some rock climbing on some of its famous limestone crags, discover rich birdlife in the mangrove forests, explore the magnificent limestone caves, kayak by some remote tropical islands or simply read a book and soak in the sunshine on one of the many remote stretches of white sandy beach in the archipelago.

3) See Langkawi from a Cable Car



Taking the cable car to the mountain overlooking Pantai Cenang is one of the most touristy things of Langkawi and properly very mainstream. However, the beautiful view of the sea of green from the sky bridge is a must see in Langkawi. One can see neighboring Thailand and more or less the entire archipelago (on a clear day) during this ride. Enroute, one can also visit the Telaga Tujuh waterfalls that breaks into seven emerald pool that make for a refreshing dip amidst green nature.

4) Indulge in Duty Free Shopping

Langkawi is one of those destinations in Malaysia that doubles up as a duty free destination. Alcohol, Cigarettes, Wine, Chocolates, cosmetics, souvenirs, clothes, electronics and many other items are available at a cheaper price than the rest of Malaysia. Usually, anyone staying in Langkawi for 2 days is eligible for duty free shopping. The Langkawi Parade Megamall, the Zon Duty Free Shopping Complex and Cenang Mall are great places to begin your duty free shopping action. Do not miss out the opportunity to indulge in a nice hot cup of Old Town White Coffee while you take a break from your retail therapy.

5) Go High on Adventure



Sailing cruises to the nearby Koh Lipe island, parasailing on the main Langkawi island, exploring remote islands from on a jet ski, Snorkelling and scuba diving in some of the rich coral reefs located close by, kayaking in the lagoons, jungle trekking in the rainforest, climbing up a top quality limestone crag, seeing Langkawi from inside a helicopter or going on a yacht cruise, Langkawi has all the ingredients for an adventure island destination. As this is one of those areas that is picking up steam all over the world, rich adventure action is one of the key reasons for one to plan a holiday to this Malaysian archipelago. You could either book these adventure tours directly through your hotel or through reputed travel agents.

As you can see, there is no paucity of beach, nature, action or shopping in Langkawi. Add international cuisines with fresh seafood, vibrant Malay culture, an international airport, excellent connectivity to Kuala Lumpur and easy getaways to neighboring islands of Thailand and the UNESCO world heritage town of Georgetown to it and we have one of Malaysia’s top holiday destinations. No wonder, all Indians seem to love Langkawi. When are you planning your next holiday to this tropical beach destination?

Note: The first 2 pictures in this article have been borrowed from wikipedia under the Creative Commons license. The borrowed photographs have been linked to their host page on wikipedia.