Langkawi, a picturesque island found off the coast of Penang is one of Malaysia’s most popular beach destinations. It’s the largest of more than 100 islands that make up the Langkawi archipelago in the Andaman Sea. If you’re putting together a Malaysia itinerary, you definitely going to want to spend at least 2 days in Langkawi.
This charming little island is home to stunning landscapes, pristine golden beaches, ancient rainforests, exciting nightlife, expansive parks, and much more. It’s a tropical paradise and one that we are so glad that we included in our travel plans.
We actually spent over a week in Langkawi, but we are working while travelling so we need enough time to explore and still get our work done. If you’re travelling through Malaysia and trying to see as much of it as you can, 2 days in Langkawi is enough time to take it all in, and see the “main attractions.”
Here’s a short guide that I’ve put together on what to do, where to stay, how to travel, and the best time to visit if you have just 2 days in Langkawi.
Top Things To Do With 2 Days in Langkawi
With only 2 days in Langkawi, time is going to run out quickly. That’s why it’s important to have a good idea of all the things that you want to do before you arrive. Here’s a list of the top things to do in Langkawi. You can fit these into your two days in a way that works best with your schedule.
1. Langkawi Sky Bridge
The Langkawi sky bridge is one of the most popular spots to visit on the island. It’s an impressive 125 meters long and offers incredible views of the surrounding countryside. The Sky Bridge is on just about everyone’s Langkawi itinerary.
Some of the sights that are visible in the distance include; Seven Pools Waterfalls, Mat Cincang Mountain, and some of the surrounding islands of Langkawi.
2. Langkawi Cable Car
You will need to use the Langkawi cable car to reach the sky bridge. The cable car is the jewel of Langkawi and will take you to the top of Mat Cincang Mountain. It’s also known as the Langkawi skycap.
There are a few different ticket options for the cable car. A standard ticket costs between RM30-RM55, but there is also an express lane option that will let you skip the queue. This option costs between RM90-RM105. If you want a private or VIP Gondola tickets cost RM550.
3. Pantai Cenang Beach
Pantai is one of the most popular and well-loved beaches in Langkawi. It’s filled with multiple restaurants, cafes, shops, and various hotels and resorts. But despite being the most popular beach on the island, Pantai Cenang Beach still has a laidback and peaceful atmosphere.
It does get quite busy at sunset, but if you’re in the area, it’s definitely worth watching a sunset here. The beach itself is beautiful. It’s a wide stretch of soft, white sand and is lined with pretty palm trees.
4. Water Sports at Pantai Cenang
If you’re only spending 2 days in Langkawi, you’re probably going to spend quite a bit of that time at Pantai Cenang beach. There are a large number of activities here that are perfect if you’re into water sports.
Paragliding, parasailing, and jet skiing are two of the most popular activities here. We’ve been parasailing in Mauritius and it’s one of the most exciting things that we’ve done. I highly recommend giving parasailing a try. If you’re looking for something a little more thrilling you can go for a ride on a banana boat.
Of course, snorkelling and swimming are also great activities here. There’s also an option for a jet ski tour of surrounding islands. It’s a great way to explore and is a lot of fun.
5. Langkawi Island Hopping
Island hopping excursions are also very popular and perfect if you have 2 days in Langkawi. The standard island hopping trips are between 3 – 4 hours long with a morning trip starting at 09:00 am and an afternoon trip at 14:00 pm. This means that you will still be left with either the morning or afternoon for other activities.
The standard island hopping tours include a visit to three islands; Pulau Dayang Bunting, Pulau Singa Besar (Big Lion Island), and Pulau Beras Basah. The first stop at Dayang Bunting allows guests about an hour to do a quick hike up to Lake of the Pregnant Maiden – which is a popular Langkawi travel spot. Eagle watching is an activity done near Singa Besar, and you can have a quick swim and snap some photos at Beras Basah.
Another popular island tour is to Pulau Payar Marine Park. It takes about an hour to reach Pulau Payar by ferry from Kuah Jetty, and this is the island that is home to some of the most spectacular coral reefs and marine life. Payar Marine is great for swimming, snorkelling, or even scuba diving. This is perfect for a half or full-day Langkawi trip. But it may be a little rushed if you only have 2 days in Langkawi.
6. Visit the beaches in the north of the island
If you are looking for beautiful and secluded beaches away from the crowds, check out those that are found on the northern edge of Langkawi. This is one of the best travel tips that we got during our trip. If you’re looking for emerald blue water and breathtaking views, then be sure to check out Tanjung Rhu Beach on the northeastern side.
If you are travelling from the Pantai area, it’s about a 30-minute bike ride to the northern beaches of the island. You can make a stop at the sky bridge and cable car en route to the northern side, making the perfect day out of your 2 days in Langkawi.
7. Kilim Karst Geoforest Park
If you’re a wildlife lover and have some extra time during your 2 days in Langkawi, you may want to check out the Kilim Karst Geoforest Park. This is one of the three forest parks associated with Langkawi Geoforest.
Covering an area of over 100 km, Kilim Karst is a nature reserve full of amazing fauna and flora, and incredible geological formations. It’s a great place to enjoy a mangrove tour which is usually a four-long trip. It’s a wonderful way to explore the beautiful Langkawi landscapes and nature.
Where To Stay if you have 2 days in Langkawi
Although Langkawi is not a particularly large island, there are a few different areas to choose from when looking for accommodation. Kuah is the biggest town and main transport hub, but I wouldn’t recommend staying here if you have only 2 days in Langkawi.
If you travel a little further north along the coast, you will find Pantai Cenang. This is where all the beachside action takes place and is home to a long stretch of beach featuring white sand and tall palm trees. There is a lot of accommodation to be found in Langkawi. Cenang View Hotel is a popular option, but there are plenty of other options to choose from.
We booked a room at a guesthouse through Booking. The location was perfect – it was about a 600-metre walk down to the beach.
Best Time To Visit If You Have 2 Days in Langkawi
The best time to visit Langkawi is between November and April. During this time you can expect the perfect balance of sunshine and very little rainfall. And let’s face it, if you only have 2 days in Langkawi, you want to make sure that the weather is perfect.
Temperatures range between 32°C – 35°C during the day and from 25°C – 28°C at night. At this time of the year, it’s not very windy and the water is steady. This makes it a perfect time for the various water activities.
How To Get To Langkawi
There are two ways to get to Langkawi; by plane and by boat. We were coming from Phuket so we opted to travel via plane. Langkawi International Airport isn’t big but it does connect with various international destinations. Typically, direct flights are available from Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Penang, Hat Yai, and Phuket.
There’s also the option to travel to Langkawi via ferry. There are several ferry routes that operate in Langkawi’s waterways. Malaysian ferry destinations include Penang, Kedah, Kuala Perlis, and Tamalang. The nearest point is Kuala Perlis, which is located 31 Km to the east on the western coast of mainland Malaysia.
From Thailand, you can get a ferry from Satun and Ko Lipe. The main ferry port in Langkawi is Kuah Jetty, which is located in Kuah town. This is where most ferries arrive and depart from. Ferry schedules and ferries vary depending on where you’re coming from. Ferries between Kuala Perlis and Langkawi run between 07:30 am and 7 pm at 90-minute intervals.
Best Way to Get Around The Island
There are a few different ways to get around the island. The roads are fairly quiet and in good condition. People drive relatively slow, therefore driving here is not as stressful as busier parts of Malaysia, like Kuala Lumpur and Penang. The most dangerous traffic situations in Langkawi are said to be animals, like cows and monkeys on the roads.
Two of the most popular ways to get around for tourists is by hiring either a car or motorcycle. There are numerous car rental companies on the island. You can typically choose to pick the car up in Kuah or have it delivered to your hotel or resort. The other option is to hire a motorcycle. Travelling around on a motorbike is the most adventurous and fun way to explore. Bikes cost between RM40 – 45 per day.
Of course, there’s also always the option of using a taxi. Grab Taxi operates in Langkawi which is awesome. We used Grab throughout our Southeast Asia travels and it works really well. Grab is basically like Uber. You can just download the app and order taxis as you would on Uber. The best part is that they have a loyalty program which means that you can various discounts on rides and other goodies.
Malaysia Visa Requirements
If you’re planning a trip to Malaysia and need help with visa information, I would suggest checking out iVisa.com. The visa process can be very time-consuming, not to mention confusing. iVisa strive to make the whole process simpler for travellers by taking care of all the nitty gritty details.
Hey Travel Babes. I’m Hayley a.k.a Ms Blissness – Adventurous dreamer and free spirit. I’m on a quest around the world with my husband, Peter. Join us on our journey for some travel inspiration and a lot of Love and Light xx. More about me…