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This Langkawi itinerary is a step-by-step guide of the best things to do in Langkawi in 2026. What is the best way to spend 5 days in Langkawi?
Langkawi is packed with natural beauty, adventure and epic activities. Langkawi has beaches, jungles, hills and waterfalls. However, lots of things have changed in Langkawi in recent years. Some activities have stopped and other new activities and attractions have started. We will give you all of the up-to-date information you need to plan an amazing trip.
We have tried to include a wide variety of activities including some relaxing and chilled activities and also some adventurous and Intrepid activities.
This Langkawi itinerary is designed to save you time planning your trip. We have tried to guide you through 5-days in Langkawi step-by-step with all the necessary details you need for planning. I have tried to include prices, locations, opening times and top tips to help you make the most of your trip to Langkawi.
Still not sure about Langkawi? Don’t miss our guide on Penang vs Langkawi
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Summary of your 5-day Langkawi itinerary
Day 1: Perdana Marine Park and dine in a rice paddy
Day 2: Visit Tanjung Rhu and take a mangrove tour
Day 3: Nasi Dagang local breakfast & the Splashout Waterpark
Day 4: Skycab cable car, the sky bridge and Skytrex high ropes course
Day 5: Temurun waterfall and kayaking
Map of your 5-day Langkawi itinerary
Things to know before you go to Langkawi
Before you go to Langkawi it important to know what to expect. Langkawi is one of the top tourist spots in Malaysia. It is a small island located off the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia not too far from the border of Thailand. Langkawi have a strong Malay culture, however due to Customs laws some of the restricted items like alcohol are available tax-free in Langkawi.
Langkawi has many of the advantages and disadvantages of being a tourist hotspot. During certain times of the Year (especially Malaysian holidays) Langkawi can be very busy. Therefore, if you are planning a trip to Langkawi it is very important to make sure you book things in advance. For example, we recommend booking ferry tickets in advance (especially if you’re planning to use the car ferry), try to book car rental in advance and get your hotels booked nice and early.
On the positive side, the high levels of tourism in Langkawi mean that there is plenty of nice food and lots of great attractions to enjoy. if you are visiting Langkawi during and the peak season make sure that you arrive at activities nice and early to avoid the crowds.
How do you get around in Langkawi?
This Langkawi itinerary has activities spread all over the island. Having a convenient way to get around is very important.
One of the challenges of Langkawi is getting around the island. Langkawi is less developed than Penang and does not have a public transport system. Therefore, it is quite expensive to get around in Langkawi. The main ways to get around Langkawi have to use taxis or to rent a car.
Did you know you can find car rental deals on Skyscanner
If you’re planning to use taxis in Langkawi we recommend buying a local SIM card with data and downloading the Grab taxi app onto your phone (don’t miss the full guide to using Grab in Malaysia). you need to register your account using your local phone number and then you can use mobile data to order taxis on the go. It is likely to cost between RM15 – RM60 per journey to get around the island (depending on distances). Alternatively, you can rent cheap cars in Langkawi at the ferry or at the airport. Car rental starts at around RM60 in Langkawi.
What is the best way to get to Langkawi?
There are two main ways to get to Langkawi. You can either travel to Langkawi by ferry or you can fly to Langkawi. Internal domestic flights in Malaysia are very cheap. For example AirAsia flights to Langkawi from Kuala Lumpur and also from Penang. If you’re planning to travel to Langkawi by ferry you can either take the passenger ferry or the car ferry. Be aware that the car ferry is actually quite expensive and it may well be cheaper to take the passenger ferry and rent a car in Langkawi. If you are planning to travel to Langkawi during a Malaysian holiday make sure that you booked your transport nice and early.
Top tip: In the past there has been a ferry to Langkawi from Penang. However, this has not been running for a while.
Use Skyscanner to find great deals on flights
What are prices like in Langkawi?
If you are trying to work out your budget for your Langkawi itinerary it is worth knowing a little bit about local prices. Prices in Langkawi are a little bit higher than other places in Malaysia. However, Langkawi is still a cheap and enjoyable destination. You can still find cheap Malaysian street food around Langkawi and there are some budget options for accommodation.
- Cheap street food ranges between RM10 – RM15 per dish
- Tourist food normally costs RM15 – RM25 per dish
- Budget hotels start around RM50 – RM60 per night
- You can find many rooms for RM150 per night
It is also worth noting that Langkawi operates a dual pricing system. This is the same all around Malaysia. Typically foreigners pay a lot more than locals (sometimes 2 or 3 times the price!). This can feel frustrating to some travelers.
Day 1: Perdana Marine Park and dine in a rice paddy
On the first day of your Langkawi itinerary visit the Perdana Marine Park. This is an innovative and ethical eco Project. We recommend planning a whole day to enjoy the Perdana Marine Park.
The Perdana Marine Park
The Perdana Marine Park has a wide range of activities. There are several artificial saltwater pools with different types of sea life. In the shallowest pool you can swim with a black tip reef sharks. There is also a 3 m pool with a wide variety of coral and fish. When you visit you can snorkel in these pools and enjoy swimming close to the fish. You can also buy fish food to feed the fish. The deepest pool is 5m and has an artificial shipwreck, a sea arch and a wide range of fish. Keep your eye out for the Giant groupers, clownfish.
You can rent a wide range of equipment. They even have sea scooters for rent and for an additional fee you can try scuba diving in the 5m pool. You do not need any experience for this and the instructor will introduce you to the equipment and take you for a diving tour of the 5 m pool.
The Perdana Marine Park also has a kids play area, a lazy river with an inflatable boat and an education center with an aquarium. You can buy food and drinks at the Perdana Marine Park. There are also changing rooms, showers and lockers. The advantage of visiting the Perdana Marine Park is that visitors do not cause any damage to the natural coral reefs – so this park removes some of the stresses on natural ecosystems in Malaysia.
Seashells restaurant
In the evening head over to the Seashells restaurant in the Cenang Bay area. This restaurant serves BBQ fish, chicken, rice and other condiments on the Banana Leaf platter. The most impressive thing about the seashells restaurant is the stunning location. This restaurant is located on a wooden terrace over rice paddies.
Platters range between RM50 – RM100. If you have time, also try and catch the sun set on Cenang Beach. Although this beach is crowded it has lovely vibes and enjoys an impressive sunset view.
Day 2: Visit Tanjung Rhu and take a mangrove tour
Day 3 of your Langkawi itinerary involved a visit to a very beautiful beach and a wildlife tour of the mangroves. Make sure you pack a day bag with swimming stuff, plenty of water and snacks. Also, consider sun protection for the day.
Tanjung Rhu beach
Tanjung Rhu is one of the most beautiful beaches in Langkawi. being in a slightly more remote location this is also a pretty quiet beach. from the beach you have a stunning view of small island and steep jungle covered Cliffs. It is also possible to do a range of activities at Tanjung Rhu.
For example you can rent sea kayaks, rent paddle boards or rent an ATV. So whether you are planning to swim, paddle or just chill on the beach there is plenty to do in the area.
Just next to the car park for Tanjung Rhu beach, there is a second car park which is at the jetty for the mangrove tours. After enjoying Tanjung Rhu we recommend taking a boat tour of the mangroves.
Mangrove tours Langkawi
The Mangrove tour explores the Kilim Geoforest Park on the east side of Langkawi. This is a remote, beautiful and wild part of the island. If you are interested in the tropical wildlife of Malaysia the mangrove tour is a must do activity. Mangrove tours normally visit the bat cave and crocodile cave. On the tour you can see wild eagles, macaque monkeys and dusky leaf monkeys.
To get the best price for a Mangrove tour just turn up and buy your ticket at the entrance. You can get shared trips from the entrance for around RM90 per adult and private tours as little as RM200. The amount depends where you book, which tour you would like and whether you barter. If you pre-book with a local tour operator, expect to pay around RM120 – RM150 per adult and RM80 – RM100 per child for a shared tour.
Day 3: Nasi Dagang local breakfast & the Splashout Waterpark
Day 3 is a fun and active day of your Langkawi itinerary. Start your day with an amazing local experience. We highly recommend trying a local speciality called Nasi Dagang. And what better place to do this than overlooking some stunning rice terraces with a beautiful backdrop of jungle covered mountains? Nasi Dagang Pak Malau is one of the best places in Langkawi to experience a local breakfast.
Nasi Dagang is a delicious local curry containing fish, coconut and spices. This lovely local cafe has outdoor seating and a very beautiful view. Whilst you’re here we also recommend trying Teh Tarik which is a local Malaysian tea. The prices here are very reasonable with most dishes range in price between RM10 – RM20.
After enjoying an amazing local breakfast head over to the Splashout waterpark. The splash out waterpark is an excellent activity for families with kids. There is a wide range of pools, slides and activities. We particularly love the super exciting tube slides.
You can share a tube with a small group and the slides have exciting drops and half pipes. There is also a kids play area at the Splashout Waterpark. Different slide zones open up at different times throughout the day – so plan to stay long enough to enjoy the full range of slides and activities.
Ticket prices for the Splash out water park:
- Children below 90cm: FREE
- Children 90cm – 12 years old: RM55
- Adults 13 – 59 years old: RM75
- Senior Citizens (60 and over): RM40
Day 4: Skycab cable car, the Skybridge and Skytrex high ropes course
Day 4 of your Langkawi itinerary allows you to see Langkawi from a different perspective. One day 4 we recommend riding the cable car, seeing the Skybridge and if you’re feeling brave try a high ropes course. It is worth being aware that these are the most popular attractions in Langkawi and can get very busy. Be prepared for some waiting. in order to minimize waiting times and avoid big queues we recommend arriving nice and early.
The skycab cable cars
Start off nice and early on the Skycab cable car. Aim to arrive 30 minutes before opening time. The cable cars open at 9.30am on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and at 10am for the rest of the week.
The cable cars lead up Machincang Mountain and afford breathtaking views over the oceans and jungle covered hills of Langkawi. At the top of the cable cars you can walk around 10 minutes to visit the Skybridge (this costs RM6 for adults and RM4 for children). There is a Skyglide cabin – an alternative to the walk. This costs RM16 and the queues can get pretty long.
You can normally buy package tickets which include additional experiences such as Skydome, Skyrex and the 3D art museum. Cable car (Skycab) Packages range between RM45 – RM120 per person. Looking for something unique? You can ride the glass bottom gondola for RM105 (roughly £20) Private gondolas cost around RM550
TOP TIP: You can also book packages in advance online and you will be given an arrival time – you still need to queue but this can reduce waiting times.
Skytrex high ropes
After enjoying the cable car and Skybridge visit the Skytrex high ropes course. This is an obstacle course suspended in the canopy of the jungle. The Skytrex high ropes course includes bridges, balancing activities, bars, suspended tunnels and ziplines. It costs around RM80 – RM100 depending on which package you choose. You can book online for discounts. Packages take around 2 – 3 hours. Skytrex is open daily from 9am – 3pm.
Day 5: Temurun waterfall and kayaking
Day 5 of your Lanka itinerary involves a visit to a very impressive waterfall with an opportunity to swim in the plunge pool and also no sea kayaking. we recommend packing a day bag including swimming kit, snacks and plenty of water also remember to bring some protection.
Temurun waterfall
Start the day off with a visit to the impressive Temurun waterfall. This waterfall is located on the North coast of Langkawi. It is free to visit and there is a small car park very close to the Waterfall. From the car park you need to walk around 10 minutes to the waterfall, the final section of path is pretty steep and challenging – therefore we recommend being careful and making sure you are wearing appropriate walking shoes. The waterfall itself is very impressive with a beautiful deep plunge pool at the bottom. Many people paddle and swim in the plunge pool. This really is exhilarating and pretty cold too!
Sea kayaking
After enjoying the waterfall, head East along the North coast of Langkawi to Tanjung Rhu (this is the beach you visited on day 1 of this Langkawi itinerary). At this beach you can rent a sea kayak. A double sea kayak costs RM50 per hour and a single kayak costs RM30 per hour.
If you do plan to sea kayak we recommend being very cautious. Only do activities on the ocean that you feel sufficiently confident and competent to do safely. Always wear a life jacket and make sure the water is reasonably calm and safe for kayaking. If you feel unsure we recommend asking for a local guide or instructor to accompany you. In the area you may also be interested in visiting Scarborough fish and chips. This is a beach front restaurant serving English style fish and chips with an epic sea view. Prices are quite high – but this is a nice experience if you have time and don’t mind paying a little more for your meal.
What are the best places to stay for this Langkawi itinerary?
Langkawi has an excellent range of hotels to choose from. Due to the touristy nature of Langkawi it is harder to find budget hotels. However, if you’re planning to splash out on an awesome holiday there are some incredible hotels and resorts in Langkawi. Here are our top pick hotels and resorts for this Langkawi itinerary…
Shell Out Beach Resort (Cenang Bay)
Shell Out beach resort is the best budget hotel in Langkawi. Rooms are clean and well equipped and there is also an outdoor swimming pool on site. We are particularly impressed with the location of this hotel. It is located right in the center of Cenang bay which is the main tourist hub in Langkawi.
The Four Seasons resort (Tanjung Rhu)
Located on the stunning North Coast of Langkawi this impressive resort offers luxurious decadent accommodation in paradise. Everything about the Four Seasons resort is impressive. They have an amazing restaurant serving fresh delicious food. There is also a very impressive range of suites and villas to meet everyone’s needs.
The Datai Langkawi (Datai beach)
If you are attracted to the natural beauty of the tropical jungle we recommend a stay at the Datai Langkawi Resort. This luxurious 5-star resort offers beautiful villas immersed in the jungle. If you’re looking for a private pool villa in the rainforest, this is the best choice for you.
The Ritz Carlton Langkawi
Ritz-Carlton is normally a name associated with city glitz and glam. However, we think they have absolutely nailed their Langkawi resort. We love the private pool villas with breathtaking ocean views. This resort offers the comfort and luxury of your own home in paradise.
Ambong Pool Villas
If you’re hoping to stay in private pool villas with great views at competitive prices check out the Ambong pool villas. These villas are super stylish and enjoy views of jungle, hills and ocean. Seriously, check out the pictures – you will be amazed what you can get here.
