Langkawi, Malaysia: How to get there, where to stay, what to do and where to eat

I have mixed opinions about Langkawi, we spent the most amount of time there which was a mistake but looking back it was really nice to take such a chilled pace of life after a hectic 10 days. I've described Langkawi as the Benidorm of Malaysia. In the main strip, it's pretty Westernised and feels like you could be anywhere in the world. It really doesn't feel like Malaysia. But once you hire a car and start exploring, the island becomes so much more. If you're after a few days relaxing and enjoying the beach then Langkawi is for you. Just don't expect too much to do!

How to get there
There are currently no direct flights available from the U.K but you'll be able to catch fairly cheap internal flights. We flew back to Kuala Lumpur to go home for around £30 on Asia Air. We were traveling over from George Town, Penang. Instead of flying we decided to catch the ferry. If you head down to the ferry terminal, you'll find lots of shops offering a ferry service. We just picked a random one and it worked out fine. Remember to take your passport as you'll need that to purchase tickets. We tried to book online but there is a problem with the website accepting U.K debit/credit cards. Ferries run twice a day, once in the morning at 8.30am and once in the afternoon at 2pm. It will take around three hours. It's not a picturesque ride and is a bit of a tight squeeze but its painless and a pretty cheap way to travel! Tickets cost around £11 for a single and £22 for a return.

Where to stay
Address: Lot 1947, A Jalan Pantai Cenang, Kampung Gelam, Langkawi, 07000
Cost per night: Around £82 based on two people sharing with breakfast included

We decided to splash out and stay at Kunang Kunang Heritage Villas as we were coming to the end of our trip in Malaysia. Although a little out in the sticks, the accommodation was absolutely perfect for a few days of pure relaxation. They had a gorgeous pool which was just the ticket for curling up with a book and putting thoughts of home out of your head. Just be prepared to hire a car as nothing is within walking distance - taxis can work out expensive if you keep booking them.

What to do

Cable car
Langkawi is home to the steepest cable car in the world and its certainly a hair-raising experience! It takes visitors up 708 metres above sea level and offers the most incredible 360 degree views over the island. You'll see jungle and rocks over 550 million years old. There are three stations: base, middle and top. It costs around £8 each and includes a stop off at each station.

Sky bridge
At the top station of the cable car is where you'll find the Sky Bridge. It really does feel like you're up high in the clouds, if you're feeling brave enough make sure to check out the clear glass boxes dotted along the bridge. It will make your legs all wobbly looking at the drop below! You can buy a combination ticket with the cable car for around £16-17.

Hire a car
Public transport is non-existent on Langkawi. The country has its own version of Uber called Grab which is very reasonable but sometimes it's nice to have your own freedom by hiring a car. Our hotel helped us to hire one, we enquired about it one morning and it was in the carpark the next day - it couldn't have been simpler. Langkawi is full off gorgeous beaches and hiring a car is the best way to see them all.

Rainforest trek
Langkawi is full of lush rainforest and we wanted to get up close and personal with it. I was drawn to Dev's Adventure Tours because they're an ethical company who were keen to help preserve the rainforest. We chose to do their jungle evening walk. We were picked up on time from our hotel before being driven to a hotel deep in the jungle. We were lucky enough to have a very enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide, there wasn't anything she didn't know about Langkawi. After walking through the hotel grounds and spotting ALL the monkeys, we went into the rainforest and managed  to spot some flying mammals as the sun went down.

Where to eat
Food isn't the best in Langkawi, it was a bit of a disappointment after having a such amazing food in the rest of Malaysia. We did have a few delicious meals but they were few and far between. It says a lot when our favourite restaurant was a Syrian one!

Arang BBQ and Grill
I'd never had Syrian food before and didn't think the first time I would try it it would be on a Malaysian island! Located at the southern end of Pantai Cenang, it's a great place to people watch as you can sit outside. We started with a selected of hummus dishes with some flatbread before diving into our mains. I opted for the falafel wrap drizzled with delicious tahini sauce and paired with a side salad. It was so good with the falafel cooked to perfection. My boyfriend went for the Syrian Kebabs which he raved about too.

Malayu
This wasn't the best Malaysian food we had in Malaysia but it was the best we had in Langkawi. I'd really recommend the curries which were delicious and had just the right amount of heat. Make sure to grab a seat outside and watch the world go by.

Restoran Hafizi Ramli
We randomly stumbled across this place on our first night and discovered they did a cracking Roti Canai. It's a very laid-back place, quite similar to a food court you'll get on the mainland. Just try to catch the eye of someone and they will come over and ask you what you want. Don't forget to ask for the chicken satay as it is delicious!

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Hotel review: Kunang Kunang Heritage Villas, Langkawi, Malaysia

Address: Lot 1947, A Jalan Pantai Cenang, Kampung Gelam, Langkawi, 07000
Cost per night: Around £82 based on two people sharing with breakfast included

We were on a pretty strict budget for our trip to Malaysia but decided we wanted a little bit of luxury for our last four days. We decided to visit Langkawi and during my research I discovered there isn't an awful lot of things to see and do. It was our one chance to relax so it was the ideal place to book us into a swish hotel.

Kunang Kunang Heritage Villas are located just outside Pantai Cenang which is probably the most touristy place on the island. It's about a five minute drive in a taxi from restaurants, bars and the beach. But as soon as you step foot on the complex you could be a million miles away from the main strip. Consisting of individual wooden villas scattered around a complex, each one comes equipped with free wifi, kettle, tea and coffee, two free bottles of water a day, toiletries, mosquito spray and a private bathroom. You'll find a swish four poster bed complete with a mosquito net with a seating area with a table.

Next to the restaurant is a stunning swimming pool set in a pond surrounded by a few cushioned sun loungers. There is a basket in the shade full of complimentary soft towels and a little wooden structure behind with chairs and a table if you want to escape into the shade. We found the pool was never too busy when we used it, it helps that there is only 8-9 different villas.

Staff at reception couldn't be more helpful and helped us arrange a car so we could explore the island.  We booked one at reception and within a few hours it has arrived. Incredible service! I think it cost us around £17 a day which was an absolute bargain. They also help you hire a scooter but we wasn't brave enough for that! We ate lunch at the restaurant one day, and while it was expensive compared the street food we had been enjoying, it was really tasty. The Rendang curry really hit the spot!

We had a great stay at Kuang Kuang and would recommend it to anyone who wants to get away from it all. You have to be prepared to hire a car though as nothing is within walking distance and it will help to give you some freedom. Keep in mind you'll have to pay a MYR 10 per person as a tourist tax so pop that into your budget.

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How to spend 24 hours in Malacca, Malaysia

One of the first cities we visited during our Malaysia trip was Malacca. We only decided to stay overnight the day before and I'm so glad that we did. As soon as we drove into Malacca, I realised it was exactly how I had imagined Malaysia to look in my head. All around the city you'll see influences from the Dutch, British and Portuguese left behind after it was colonised.  I loved the hustle and the bustle of the city, it had a real backpacker feel. It turned out to be one of my favourite places we visited and I wish we had stayed for longer.

9am - Breakfast
Navy Cafe

First things first, you need to get some breakfast in you! Tucked just behind the famous Jonker Street, Navy Cafe is a little cafe that wouldn't look out of place on Instagram. It's not your average breakfast food but it does have a lot of western specialities. When I'm away I like to have western-inspired breakfasts and local lunches and dinners. I opted for a fried chicken cutlet sandwich filled with egg, lettuce, cabbage and a spicy sambal. Just the ticket to set me up for a day of sightseeing.






10.30am - Christ Church and the Studthuys

You definitely won't miss these Dutch buildings thanks to the vibrant red hue. The Christ Church was built by the Dutch when they took control of the city from the Portuguese - sadly it was shut so we couldn't go inside. You'll see endless tacky, loud decorated rickshaws surrounding the church offering tours of the city. We didn't take one but they seemed to be very popular! Next door you'll find the red building of Studthuys, built between 1641 and 1660 on the ruins of a Portuguese fort.

11am - St Paul's Church

Now the church really isn't too much to look at but it's worth climbing up all those stairs to it for the views. You can see for miles over both the new and the old city. Be sure to take a bottle of water as the stairs seem to go on forever!

11.30am - Cheng Hoon Teng Temple

Dating back to 1646, Cheng Soon Teng Temple is the oldest traditional Chinese temple in Malaysia. It is so beautifully ornate and we were kindly given a peek into the history thanks to a kind random man who took pity on our inquisitive eyes! Try and go on a day where offerings are being offered to Guanyin, the goddess of Mercy as it create such a wonderful atmosphere. Always remember to be respectful though.

12pm- Go for a wander along Jonker Street

Jonker Street is the most famous in Malacca. It's absolute mayhem and so busy but worth a wander down, pop in and out of the shops to find some souvenirs to take home. During the weekends they have a night food market which we sadly didn't get to catch. I've heard it's fantastic!

12.30pm - Go for a drink along the river

Head to the river and you'll find an abundance of bars to enjoy a drink. Escape the lunch time heat and stop for a drink. They're pretty much of the same so just randomly pick one like we did!

1.30pm - Go for lunch
Geographer Cafe

Located in the heart of Chinatown. be sure to get a table outside or near the open windows to people watch. It wasn't the best meal we had but it was tasty and hit the spot. The restaurant offers a mixture of both western and Malaysian inspired food so it's a great place to go if you're craving something a little more familiar. We all get like that travelling! I opted for a vegetarian curry with tofu. It had a good kick to it and the portion was pretty filling. What more could you want for around £4?!

3.30pm - Check into your guest house
Layang Layang Guesthouse

This isn't anything special - we didn't have a window in our room and we had to share a bathroom. BUT it is right in the centre of town, clean and only cost us £10 for a private double room. For one night we really couldn't complain. Keep in mind due to the location is can be very noisy so bring earplugs.

4.30pm - Simply wander around!

One of the best ways to soak up a city in my opinion is to soak up the city - without the help of Google maps! Malacca is full of little winding streets that are prefect to get lost in. Dip in and out of shops or cafes, you never know what you might stumble across.

8pm - Go for dinner
Wild Coriander

One thing we noticed in Malaysia was that people ate early, you really had to be sat down by 8/8.30 as places closed at 10pm.  Located in a colonial shop house, we ended up in Wild Coriander because they had a later opening time and was really pleased by the quality of the food. I ordered beef Rendang which was absolutely delicious. So tender and flavoursome, the best one I had my whole trip. Service was attentive and the prices were pretty reasonable. Sadly the lighting was terrible so I don't have any pictures. You'll just have to take my word for it!

10pm - Find the secret bar
The Old Merchant

We stumbled across this completely by accident as it was located two doors away from where we had dinner. The door looked suspicious and when we pushed it, it revealed a secret cocktail bar with a killer menu. It's not cheap but the cocktails are tasty. It's still cheaper than what you would pay in London. Bars are a weird thing in Malaysia as they're very reserved. Everyone is dressed up to the nines yet no one is dancing, despite there being a DJ. We started - well my friend - our own dance floor and was joined by an Aussie who said she was dying to get up and dance!

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George Town, Penang: How to get there, where to stay, what to do and where to eat

George Town was one of my favourite stops on our Malaysian trip and I wish I had stayed for longer. We opted for two nights but I really think that three nights would be best. It's such a fantastic place to spend a few days soaking up the atmosphere and dipping in and out of the brilliant cafe culture.

How to get there
You can't fly direct to George Town from the U.K so you'll have to fly into Kuala Lumpur first. You can either then catch another internal flight or you can choose to use the train like we did. I really enjoy getting trains in foreign countries plus it helps to reduce your carbon footprint. We ordered our tickets online in the U.K via KTM Train and printed them off before we left. Book a train from KL Central to arrive at Butterworth in Penang. It will take 4.5 hours but the trains are air-conditioned with decent toilets. The journey flies by but make sure you bring some snacks and water with you. You will be harassed by taxis as you step out of the train station but keep following the signs to the ferry terminal. Here you can get a ferry - for the equivalent of 20p! - over to George Town. It's a quick 15 minute journey.

Where to stay

Our first choice of accommodation was fully booked and boy am I glad. Betel Nut Lodge was the best place we stayed our entire trip. I don't think I have ever experienced service like it, it was impeccable. We paid around £50 a night which included breakfast and a four poster bed! Check in was seamless and we were very kindly brought up a pot of tea and a couple of sweet treats to help us settle in. The room was spotless and the bed provided a very good nights sleep - so comfortable! When we arrived we were given three maps to help us navigate around the city. One had a list of all the Penang specialities, one had a map of all the street art and the other had handwritten notes in with personal recommendations. We based our trip around the latter map and I honestly believe that is why we had such a fantastic time. It's a brilliant location in the UNESCO centre and everything was within walking distance.

What to do

Blue Mansion
One of the most iconic buildings in George Town is the 'Blue Mansion' and they offer English-speaking tours twice a day - once at 11am and again at 2.30pm. It's now a hotel so you can't just turn up and wander around, you must be booked on to a tour. For just under £4, you'll be taken on a tour by a very enthusiastic guide full of knowledge about the building. It certainly has a colourful history!

Street art walking tour
George Town is famous for its cool street art dotted around. The best way to explore this is to arm yourself with a map, a camera and keep popping in and out of the many cafes when the heat gets too much. It was my favourite things to do. Pop out early in the morning unless you are prepared to queue to take a photo. Tour buses come into the city for street art tours so it can get very busy!

Chew Jetty
The Chew Jetty is is largest and most intact of the clan jetties in George Town. It's a nice place to have a wander. The evaluated wooden walkways are full of souvenir shops and food stalls with a temple, people's houses and community hall.

Khoo Kongsi
This Chinese Clanhouse was probably one of the most beautiful buildings I've seen. It was so stunningly designed - no wonder it is the grandest clan house in the whole of Malaysia. Clan Houses were built by the Chinese as meeting centres, they became a place for immigrants to go when they first stepped foot in Malaysia so they should gain a sense of community in a place so far away from home. The British has no idea what used to go on in them and used to call them secret societies. As the years went on the clan houses became more and more impressive as the different clans tried to out do each other to show off their wealth.

Where to eat

Street food
The best places to eat in George Town are the hawker stalls dotted around. It takes a while to get used to eating at the side of the road with cars whizzing past. Here you'll find meals for a £1 or less so they're great if you're sticking to a budget.

The Jetty Food Court
I'd really recommend this place if you're not in town for long and really wanted a hawker stall experience. It's located opposite Chew Jetty and only open in the evening. You find a seat - sharing is more than acceptable so ask to perch on someones table if they have room. Someone will come over and take your drinks order. Make a note of your table number and wander around the stalls to decide what you want. Tell them your table number when you order and they will bring it over when it;'s ready. You pay them when they bring it over, they always have change so there's no need to have the exact money.

China House
Consisting of three buildings all knocked through, China House is the perfect place to stop for a slice of cake and drink to refuel. It's not cheap but the slices of cake are huge and very delicious. It's very hipster and a really cool place to people watch. It also consists of shops, a theatre, library, restaurant and bar. It does get very busy so be prepared to queue.

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