DISCOVER THE MAGIC OF LANGKAWI:
A TRAVELER'S GUIDE TO MALAYSIA’S ISLAND PARADISE
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No trip to Southeast Asia is complete without a visit to some tropical island, where sunbathing and chilling are the only things to worry about. There are many islands, scattered throughout Malaysia, my choice, mainly for logistic reasons, because it is easier to reach from Penang, fell on Langkawi Island. If you are looking for a slower pace, white sand beaches, breathtaking views, and the typical island atmosphere, then Langkawi is the choice. Located in the warm Andaman Sea, whether you love white beaches, unspoiled nature, or looking for adventure, there is something for everyone here.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Being Langkawi an island, it is only accessible by plane or boat. For obvious reasons, my choice fell on the plane departing from Penang. You can find good deals for internal flights on the Skyscanner website, which helps you compare hundreds of flights by showing you the best deals. The flight is short and you can find plane tickets for as cheap as 15 or 20 euros. The international airport on the island connects Langkawi to the major cities.
GETTING AROUND:
There is no public transportation on the island, but the taxi and Grab service is excellent and is what I used mostly to get around the island; another option could be to rent a car when you arrive on the island to move around completely independently.
WHERE TO STAY:
As a starting point for my visit to the island, I chose to stay in its capital Kuah Town, as it is close to the main attractions and I stayed in the beautiful Bayview Hotel Langkawi
But let's go to us and see the best things to do during your stay here
EXPLORE THE BEACHES:
White sand and crystal clear water are the hallmarks of any self-respecting tropical island and Langkawi is famous for its pristine beaches, each offering a unique vibe. Here are some must-visit spots:
TAN JUN RHU BEACH:
Located in the northernmost point of the island and therefore very close to Thailand, thanks to this proximity, it seemed like being back to Thailand with its limestone cliffs overlooking the sea. The beach is very beautiful and peaceful. If you are looking for a well-equipped beach, this is not the place for you, as most of the free beaches are wild in their naturalness. The only downside is that the portion of the beach is quite small, while the rest of the coast is "owned" by a big resort, and for this reason, it is not possible to pass. Obviously, all this is not exactly legal, as the beach cannot be privatized, but there's not much to do about that.
SANDY SKULL BEACH:
Known by the locals as Pantai Pasir Tengkorak, despite the name you will not find any skulls here. It was my favorite beach, thanks to its wilderness, surrounded by jungle. If you decide to venture to this heavenly beach there are some precautions to take into account.
Be careful of monkeys that may be attracted by the smell of food and that live in the surrounding jungle.
Be careful of jellyfish, I personally had no encounter with them and enjoyed my dip in its warm waters, but a guy on the beach was not as lucky and was stung pretty badly.
Most importantly if you are coming here by taxi make sure you arrange with them to pick you up back. The beach is in a remote area with nothing around for miles and the main road is far away so there are no taxis that pass by. Don't even bother looking for one on the Grab app because you won't find any. Don't make my same mistake, where I found myself walking in the hot under the sun by the side of the road surrounded by jungle left and right, for at least 40 minutes before a family with a pick-up truck, who was on the same beach earlier, had the sympathy to stop and give me a ride on the back of their pick-up truck to the nearest gas station. I must admit tho, that it was a unique experience, to be hitchlifted, which I had never done before, but please don't risk making the same stupid mistake as myself and plan ahead to visit Sandy Skull Beach, so you can take the most out of this paradise.
UNCOVERING LANGKAWI'S NATURAL WONDERS:
Langkawi isn’t just about beaches; the island is a treasure trove of natural wonders.
TELAGA TUJUH:
Also known as Seven Wells Waterfall, it is a group of 7 natural pools that end up in a waterfall at the base. If you love nature, trekking, and a good dose of adventure, the natural marvel of the 7 Wells is for you. Located near the Oriental Village, it is easily accessible by taxi via Grab. Once you arrive you can start your walk towards the waterfall at the base, just follow the signs along the path and in about 10 minutes by foot, you will find yourself in front of the imposing waterfall about 91 meters high, but be careful of the monkeys that although cute they can be very curious and extremely mischievous so do not leave your bags unattended if you do not want one of them to steal something from you. Keep walking for another 15 minutes by foot towards the 7 wells, reaching them is easy but quite tiresome, you will find yourself having to climb about 638 steps, yes I know they are not few, so bring plenty of water with you and take the time to take a few breaks along the way, and trust me it will be worth it, with the view that greeting you at the end of it. The view from the top, after the climb, is magnificent and if you want there is nothing better than cooling off in one of the many natural pools to relax after the exhausting climb.
Just remember to visit the waterfall and the pools during the rainy season, during the dry season if it has not rained, you may not find water.
ORIENTAL VILLAGE:
One of the most famous attractions, on the island is, perhaps, the Oriental Village, it's like a theme park where you can spend at least half a day among the various shops and attractions to have fun. Its main attraction is the cable car ( you can buy the ticket online to avoid queueing) and the transparent bridge, up on the clouds, from which you can admire a breathtaking view from above, of the entire island. I'll be honest, I was a little disappointed because many of the shops in the park were closed due to maintenance, and generally I'm not a fan of touristy attractions, so, also due to the cloudy weather, I decided to skip the cable car, I don't know if it was a good choice or not, but I think you can get a very similar experience by climbing the 7 wells and have the opportunity to enjoy a fantastic view without spending a single penny. During my visit to the Oriental Village, as expected from the gray clouds slowly approaching, I got caught in the rain and I took shelter under the roof of a shop, noticing that the rain was not going to stop any time soon, I decided to wait by getting something to eat, only to find out that I was not alone as I thought I was, and soon enough a small group of friendly monkeys (I had never seen this type of species before), decided to share the same roof with me in search of shelter from the rain. This was perhaps the best encounter of the day.
KILIM GEOFOREST PARK:
A UNESCO-listed site, this park is a paradise for nature lovers. Explore the mangrove forests, limestone cliffs, and hidden caves on a guided boat tour. I personally didn't take the tour as I preferred to opt for something else but if it fits into your budget and itinerary, keep it in mind.
KUAH TOWN:
As a base for my trip to Langkawi, I stayed in its capital which is also the most populated center, but still keeping a relaxed and chill atmosphere. One thing that surprised me is that the city is full of duty-free shops. There are several things to do and see:
EAGLE SQUARE:
It is the symbol of the island where the imposing statue of an eagle in the action of taking off welcomes its visitors. Unfortunately during my visit, the square was closed for maintenance work, lucky me! but I was able to watch it from afar.
Another beautiful viewpoint from which to observe part of the island and a beautiful sunset, maybe from the terrace of a cafe, is Maha Tower which overlooks the skyline of the island.
No trip to Langkawi is complete without indulging in the local cuisine. If you are in the Kuah Town area, you should definitely try the delights that its night market, open on Wednesdays and Saturdays, has to offer. During these days, an entire street is filled with hawker stalls. It has been one of my favorite night markets all over Malaysia, you can really find everything here. The variety of food is very wide and you will want to try everything, from traditional dishes to decadent desserts, exotic fruits, and refreshing drinks.
PRO TIP: A word of advice, come with an empty stomach and if you want to enjoy the best that this market has to offer, do not come before 6.00 pm.
ADVENTURES BEYOND THE ORDINARY
For those who crave adventure, Langkawi won’t disappoint
Island Hopping Tours: Explore the smaller islands around Langkawi
Jungle Trekking and Wildlife Spotting: The island’s dense jungles are perfect for trekking. Keep an eye out for macaques, monitor lizards, and exotic birds.
Scuba Diving and Snorkeling: Discover the underwater world around Pulau Payar Marine Park. The vibrant coral reefs and marine life are stunning.
Coffe Hopping: I am a coffee shop lover and love to search for the most beautiful and unique ones and Kuah Town has quite a few. My favorite, which I highly recommend checking out, not only has a unique design but also a delicious selection of drinks and food, and that is Co B Diem.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
I have mixed feelings about this island, I think the thing that left me most perplexed was seeing so many businesses, parks and shops closed and abandoned that clash with the surroundings of the island and that in some cases give it the aura of a ghost town, but unfortunately Covid has put on their knees many businesses on the island and consequently to its tourism, but it is slowly recovering. Langkawi is more than just a holiday destination; it’s an experience that blends natural beauty with cultural depth. Whether you’re a solo traveler, a couple, or a family, this island has something unique to offer. So pack your bags and get ready to discover the magic of Langkawi, where every moment is a new adventure waiting to happen.