The Ultimate Langkawi Itinerary For Up To 4 Days

Need a Langkawi itinerary but don’t know where to start? Langkawi is a good choice for a getaway with its gorgeous beaches, tax-free products, and food!

While many do go there to stock up on the chocolates and hang out at the beaches, Langkawi actually has a whole lot more to offer.

Read on to find out what, where and how to get the most out of your time in the jewel of Kedah!

Table Of Contents:

• How Long To Stay In langkawi
• Langkawi Itinerary For 2D1N
• Langkawi Itinerary For 3D2N
• Langkawi Itinerary For 4D3N
• Best Time To Visit Langkawi
• Where To Stay In Langkawi

How Long To Stay In langkawi

Depending on your budget and activities you plan to do, there will be plenty of Langkawi activities that you can fill your day with!

If you want to do more sightseeing than relaxing, a minimum of at least 3 days is advisable so that you can cover more ground without rushing around and stressing yourself out.

But if you only have a weekend to spare, here’s a base Langkawi itinerary to start you off:

Langkawi Itinerary For 2D1N

For this 2D1N itinerary in Langkawi, it might be best if to book accommodation at Pantai Cenang.

2D1N – Day 1

Morning:

• Start off the morning with a good breakfast of local food at Warung Coffee Langkawi close to Cenang Beach. They have both the best nasi lemak in town and also a range of western food so you’ll be spoilt for choice!

• Once you’re filled up, drive (~4 minutes) or walk (7 minutes) to Cenang beach and enjoy some water sports activities before the hot afternoon sun comes up – Get on a banana boat or go parasailing!

Note: If you stay in Pantai Tengah, you can have breakfast at Membawang Corner – options of both local and western cuisines available; And head to Pantai Tengah for water sports like parasailing, jet skis or a thrilling banana boat ride

Extra activity in Pantai Cenang:

• Underwater World Langkawi –   Learn about marine life. There’s a 3D theatre and an underwater tunnel too. It costs about ~RM30/Malaysian adult and you can spend about 3 hours here (more if you wait for the 3D show)

Afternoon:

• Stop by for lunch at the classy The Cliff Restaurant which is not far from Cenang Beach (9 minutes’ drive) and overlooks the sea.
• Head over to Panaroma Langkawi (~30 minutes’ drive) for the following activities:
  • SkyCable – cable car ride over the mangrove forest
  • SkyRex – a 3D simulated environment on a stationary tram
  • Oriental Village – sightseeing and shopping
  • Machinchang Petland Langkawi – A petting zoo where you’ll see miniature goats, emus, a variety of snake species, miniature donkeys and many more
• Visit Langkawi Sky Bridge

Note: It is easy to spend a lot of time at Panorama Langkawi and therefore, you might want to have lunch there at the many eateries nearby

Evening:

• Head back to Pantai Tengah (30 minutes’ drive)
• Go parasailing at Pantai Tengah while enjoying the sunset from above. Alternatively, book a cruise and dinner to enjoy the view of the Andaman Sea on a yacht
• Dinner Option 1: Immerse in local cuisine and shopping at a Langkawi night market
• Dinner Option 2: Arang BBQ & Grill (Middle Eastern Cuisine)
• Dinner Option 3: Enjoy a relaxing sunset dinner at Yellow Beach Café where you can get a seat right by Cenang beach while enjoying happy hour on bean bags with live music – come by earlier as it gets full fast
• Dinner Option 4: Go to Kalut Café N Bar to have dinner and drinks as well as relax, unwind and to watch an enigmatic fire show! They have bean bag chairs as early at 6pm if you want to watch that sunset too

2D1N – Day 2

Rise early to get a head-start on all the activities listed below!

While day 1 covers the west coast of Langkawi, day 2 covers the north-east side of Langkawi. And we’re assuming that you will leave Langkawi at night.

Morning:

• Have a hearty breakfast:
  • Option 1 (if you stay in Kuah): Restoran Padang Pasir – a variety of local dishes; this eatery is open 24/7
  • Option 2 (if you stay near Pantai Cenang): Warung Coffee Langkawi
• Hike or drive up Gunung Raya to enjoy the sunrise and the view of Langkawi from the highest peak – the drive takes about 25 minutes.
• If there’s time, sign up for a 2-hour boat tour to see the mangroves at Kilim UNESCO Geoforest Park. Or see some adorable animals at Langkawi Wildlife park – you can get up close and pet some of the animals as well!

Note: It’s worth getting up early to hike before the heat of the day sets in. And if you choose to drive up, you won’t see as much of the flora and fauna but the view is just as amazing!

Afternoon:

• Sit down to lunch
  • Option 1: Pia’s The Padi with a view of the a vast paddy fields and hills
  • Option 2: Nasi Arab (Kaki Gunung Cafe)
• Heal your body at the Ayer Hangat Village hot springs – keep in mind it’s only open till 5.30pm

Evening Option 1:

• Take a walk at Tanjung Rhu Beach
• Have an early dinner at Scarborough Fish & Chips at Tanjung Rhu while you enjoy the sunset
• Drive to the airport (30 minutes)

Evening Option 2:

• Drive to Cenang (~40 minutes)
• Do some last minute shopping in Cenang at The Zon Duty Free Zone
• Take the Sunset Dinner Cruise
• Drive to the airport (~30 minutes)

Langkawi Itinerary For 3D2N

This is our suggested  Langkawi itinerary for 3D2N which is an extension of the previous itinerary albeit at a more relaxed pace.

3D2N – Day 1

Identical to Day 1 for our Langkawi Itinerary for 2D1N.

3D2N – Day 2

Identical to Day 2 for our Langkawi Itinerary for 2D1N, with an option to stay longer at either Tanjung Rhu to get on a boat and go on a Mangrove tour at Tanjung Rhu and have a seafood fiesta at Tanjung Rhu Floating Restaurant & Fishfarm.

3D2N – Day 3

On day 3, you can spend the morning on an island hopping tour from Teluk Baru Jetty, and the afternoon shopping before heading back home.

Note: Accommodation at either Pantai Cenang or Kuah Town is fine since there are island hopping tours that also provide pick up service (there may be additional charges).

Morning

Kuah has many options for breakfast in Langkawi:

• Breakfast Option 1 (Chinese fare): Toy Kopitiam
• Breakfast Option 2: Nasi Lemak Kelibang
• Breakfast Option 3: Warung Roti Canai

After breakfast, join a Langkawi island hopping tour – you should be at the pickup point at least 10 minutes before the stated time.

Tours typically cost ~RM40 per pax or up to ~RM350 if you want a private charter for a group of 8.

More notes on island hopping tours in Langkawi:

• There are two pick up times (depending on which service you go for) – one in the morning (~9am) and another in the afternoon around 2pm
• Popular islands to visit include Dayang Bunting Island (Pregnant Maiden) where you can swim in a freshwater lake, Pulau Singa Besar (live eagle feeding session), Pulau Beras Basah
• If the tour package includes 3 islands, expect it to last around 4 hours
• There are rental charges ranging from RM3 to RM10 per pax to rent kayaks, paddle boats, jet skis, banana boats and parasails at the islands
• It’s compulsory to rent a life jacket if you want to swim
• There are only toilets on Dayang Bunting Island
• There is an entrance fee to pay for Pregnant Maiden Lake (this might not be included in the tour package) – it costs RM3 for Malaysian adults, RM6 for foreigners.

Tips for the island hopping tours:

• There are no changing rooms at the islands so wear your swimsuit and waterproof shoes (sand has bits of sharp coral) underneath your clothes and pack a towel and a spare set of dry clothes to change into after the tour
• Bring drinking water and reef-safe sunscreen
• Keep food out of sight from monkeys
• Not worth renting a snorkelling set for swimming in the freshwater lake (not many fish)

For a less touristy route:

Pulau Tuba

You can take a 10 to 15-minute boat (the boats are new) to the quieter Pulau Tuba from Jeti Pelancongan Pekan Rabu in Kuah.

There’s plenty of parking and from this pier, you can also engage the services of a sunrise cruise tour. Or island hop to Dayang Bunting Lake.

The pier is open from as early as 8am and costs RM10 for a return ticket to and from Pulau Tuba. Ask for the boat departure times or boat schedule back to Kuah.

Pulau Tuba is easy to explore by renting a motorbike (~RM20 for the whole day). It’s also a good place to get some fishing on and eat seafood to your heart’s content. Burn the calories off with a jungle trek or swim.

Afternoon

• Lunch Option 1: If you drove to the jetty for your island hopping tour, get lunch at The Fat Frog or at Rao’s Banana Leaf in Cenang, or have an western lunch at Red Tomato Langkawi
• Lunch Option 2 (Kuah):  Tuck into Asian fusion cusine at Kayuputi at St Regis Langkawi

Note: See more options for food in Langkawi

• Shopping at Dataran Lang – visit the duty free shops and take cheesy photos with the huge Eagle Statue of Langkawi!
• Get a quick massage – there are many places in Kuah to get a massage in Langkawi

Evening

• Dinner Option 1: Have dinner at Kuah Town Seafood where you can feast on a variety of seafood in Langkawi
• Dinner Option 2 (Halal): Restoran RT
• Dinner Option 3: Dinner at Jake’s Charbroil Steaks Langkawi for a hearty meal – they have escargot too if you’re feeling adventurous
• Get to the airport (Langkawi International Airport) – ~20 minutes’ drive

Langkawi Itinerary For 4D3N

This 4 day 3 night itinerary to Langkawi allows you to explore the north-west part of Langkawi Island.

4D3N – Day 1

Refer to the previous itineraries above.

4D3N – Day 2

Identical to Day 2 of the earlier itineraries listed above.

4D3N – Day 3

Assuming you’re still staying around Pantai Cenang:

Morning

• Drive north (~30 minutes) to have breakfast at a hidden gem in Langkawi, CoffeeNuts Café – its located right by the Telaga Tujuh Waterfalls parking lot
• Experience horseback riding at Island Horses at Telaga Tujuh Waterfall – it’s just a couple minutes walk from the waterfall’s parking lot!
• Telaga Tujuh Waterfall – Head to the Telaga Tujuh Waterfalls and get ready for a short hike (15 to 20 minutes) to reach a gorgeous view (lower pools) of the waterfalls

Note: The waterfalls have very slippery rocks so wear proper waterproof shoes and hiking gear! And only experienced hikers should head to the upper pools which is about an hour hike.

Afternoon

• Detour to Zul Ikan Bakar for lunch
• Stop at Perdana Quay Lighthouse – to check out the amazing views and take in the fresh beach air
• Join the 3pm slot for SKYTREX Adventure Langkawi (long pants, mosquito repellent and gloves are advisable); The Eagle Thrill course is exceptionally fun for outdoor enthusiasts (~RM90 per pax) and involves rope climbing and flying fox.
• Or visit Crocodile Adventureland – Learn about different species and catch the live shows – there are feeding sessions too
• Or try tandem skydiving – See langkawi from a height of 14,000 ft!

Evening

• Continue the drive (~20 minutes) up to shady Sandy Skulls Beach where you will find crystal clear waters that are perfect for swimming. This beautiful beach overlooks the ex-prison island of Koh Tarutao, Thailand

Note: Beware of monkeys around the Sandy Skulls Beach, avoid feeding them!

• Dinner Option 1: On the way back (17 minutes in) to Pantai Cenang, stop at Santai @ Kuza & Luke Café for Asian fusion cusine
• Dinner Option 2: Drive all the way back to Pantai Cenang (~30 minutes) and have dinner at Arang BBQ & Grill Langkawi
• Dinner Option 3: Drive further west (12 minutes) to splurge at The Gulai House at Datai Bay for Malay cuisine
• Head to the airport (allocate 40 minutes’ drive time if you decide to have dinner at Datai Bay)

Other lesser-known attractions we didn’t mention:

• Muzium Laman Padi – Learn how rice is planted in paddy fields and even get some hands on experience too!
• Makam Mahsuri (Mahsuri’s Tomb) – Learn about the local legend of Mahsuri
• Taman Lagenda Langkawi – Get on abuggy ride around this outdoor museum – this is a large and lovely park with some interesting trees from around the world as well as sculptures

4D3N – Day 4

Day 4 follows the plan from Day 3 of our Langkawi Itinerary for 3D2N.

Best Time To Visit Langkawi

If you’re trying to decide on the best time to visit Langkawi:

The weather in Malaysia is rather unpredictable at times even if it’s close to the equator, it still has its own “seasons” concerning monsoons.

There are therefore, 3 ways to break up the seasons in Langkawi, mainly:

High Season

This lasts from the end of October towards the beginning of November till April. The weather is considered ideal as it’s usually nice and sunny! Perfect for frolicking on the beaches or going on hikes.

However, that also means that it can reach sweltering temperatures of up to 34 °C! So pack extra sunscreen.

And because this period coincides with Malaysian school holidays, expect higher rates for hotels, transportation rentals, as well as activities in general.

Mid Season

From April to August, travelling in mid season is ideal for those who don’t mind the occasional short bursts of rain. In fact, the temperature is relatively cooler as the temperatures can drop below 30°C at times.

Plus, you won’t see as many tourists at this time (I.e. not school holidays) so rates for accommodations will be lower too.

During the fasting month, there will be many package deals to entice tourists!

Low Season

Low season is between September to October and has the highest rate of rainfall. So unless your sole intention is to shop or see the lush rainforest in full glory, you will be missing out on a lot of water-based activities.

But while temperatures will be on the cool side, hiking or cycling could be more dangerous with soft soil and slippery rocks.

That said, it is unlikely to rain all day. The rain usually starts in the later part of the afternoon and on through the night which still leaves you a decent portion of the day to enjoy some water activities.

One huge bonus of going in low season is fewer tourists and lower prices overall.

Where To Stay In Langkawi

Langkawi is a relatively small island but getting from one corner to the other does take up some time. Depending on where you choose to stay, this can make getting around a breeze or troublesome.

And therefore, you should choose your accommodation carefully. Accommodations close to Cenang beach are usually in high demand.

Best Hotels In Langkawi

1. Ombak Villa Langkawi

This affordable hotel in Kuah, Langkawi is 10 minutes away from Cenang beach and 20 minutes away from Panorama Langkawi. Hence, Ombak Villa Langkawi is one of the best hotels to stay in for those focusing on beach activities.

Plus, the hotel provide recreational activities such as water sports and eco-adventure such as the mangrove tours and hikings.

2. Camar Resort Langkawi

Camar Resort Langkawi markets itself as an affordable luxury 4 star hotel. It has plenty of amenities here that are worth your money, including a private section at Pantai Tengah and the longest swimming pool in Langkawi with a swim up bar.

You can rent a speed boat to zip around the island too.

3. Bayview Hotel Langkawi

Bayview hotel is a 4 star hotel in Kuah but rooms can cost less than RM200 a night. This hotel is good for those traveling with kids as it is within 10 minutes driving distance from Lagenda Park, Splash Out Langkawi and Dataran Lang!

However, the closest beach for watersports (Pantai Cenang) is about a 30-minute drive away.

Other options for the best hotels in Langkawi.

Best Luxury Hotel In Langkawi

1. Maneh Villa Langkawi

While pricey, you will have an entire villa to yourself as well as a private pool and large garden area! This makes an excellent choice for honeymooners who have a bigger budget.

There is breakfast as well and the hotel is a few short steps away from Cenang Beach.

2. The Datai Langkawi

The Datai Langkawi screams luxury with its own private beach and accommodations by the rainforest.

Choose from 3 different themes – The Canopy Collection, The Rainforest Collection or The Beach Collection –  all of which have their own types of villas.

Other options for the best luxury hotels in Langkawi.

Best Budget Hotels In Langkawi (<RM150)

1. Cenang Rooms With Pool by Virgo Star Resort

At around RM120 a night, you will find the rooms to be cozy and the outdoor ambience to be very scenic with a large pool in the middle.

It’s only a 5 minute walk to Cenang beach to enjoy watersports and beach side eateries too. Great for those who don’t really need the hotel for anything else but sleep.

Furthermore, it takes 10 minutes to drive to both Underwater World Langkawi as well as The Zon Duty Free Zone.

2. Sehijau@Cenang

Sehijau@Cenang has standalone single storey houses that resemble traditional Malay houses. If you’re lucky, you can even get deal for a room for less than RM100!

The price comes with free parking, aircond and WiFi. And Cenang Beach is just a 4 minute drive away or a 20 minute stroll.

And 5 minutes’ drive away, you can go to Langkawi Gliders for paragliding.

More options for the best budget hotel in Langkawi.

Conclusion

And that wraps up everything you need to know before planning a Langkawi itinerary!

Our suggested itineraries assume that it’s your first time in Langkawi and you would like to do some water sports and sightseeing.

But feel free to mix and match up days and locations or include more Langkawi shopping opportunities based on your preferences!

Related:

• 9 Noteworthy Langkawi Shopping Malls
• 11 Trendy and Tasty Cafes in Langkawi