Langkawi or Penang: which Malaysian island should you choose?

Once Kuala Lumpur is done, the same question nearly always comes up: Langkawi or Penang? Both islands lie in north-west Malaysia, yet they offer very different holidays. Langkawi means beaches, rainforest and rest. Penang means a real city, a UNESCO-listed historic centre and a celebrated street food scene. Here is how to decide.

Langkawi: beaches, nature and slow days

Langkawi is an archipelago of 99 islands, only a few of which are inhabited. Its busiest beach is Pantai Cenang, with restaurants and a lively evening strip. The rest of the main island mixes forest, mountains and quiet coves.

Things to do:

• ride the cable car up Mount Mat Cincang to the Sky Bridge, a curved walkway hanging above the forest;
• explore the mangroves by boat or kayak;
• discover the Langkawi geopark, recognised by UNESCO for its rock and forest landscapes;
• make the most of the island's duty-free status for a little shopping.

Langkawi is mostly an island of resorts, either on the beach or deep in the forest. The Pelangi Beach Resort & Spa, for example, sits right on Pantai Cenang beach.

Best for: honeymooners, families with young children who mainly want the beach and the pool, and anyone looking for calm after busy Kuala Lumpur.

Penang: George Town, street food and Batu Ferringhi

Penang is an island you can reach from the mainland by road or by ferry. Its main city, George Town, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site: you wander between old shophouses, colonial buildings, temples and street-art murals.

Penang is also famous for its street food: hawker centres, night markets and small stalls. It is the island to pick if you like to discover a country through its food.

Also worth seeing:

• Penang Hill, which rises above the island with views over George Town;
• the large Kek Lok Si temple, lit up at night;
• Batu Ferringhi beach in the north of the island, home to most beachfront hotels and water sports.

Where to stay: the Eastern & Oriental Hotel on the waterfront in George Town, or, in Batu Ferringhi, the Shangri-La Golden Sands and the Hard Rock Hotel Penang, both on the beach.

Best for: travellers who like walking, sightseeing and eating; families with older children; anyone who wants city and beach in the same trip.

Langkawi or Penang at a glance

• Beach and swimming: Langkawi.
• Culture, heritage, walks: Penang.
• Street food: Penang.
• Honeymoon, rest: Langkawi.
• Families with young children: Langkawi; with teenagers: Penang.
• Shopping: Langkawi, thanks to its duty-free status.

Can you do both?

Yes. A short flight of under an hour links the two islands, and there is also a ferry. A classic route: three or four nights in Kuala Lumpur (see where to stay in Kuala Lumpur), then three nights in Penang and three or four nights in Langkawi to finish in peace. Check timetables and the season before booking transport.

When to go

It is hot all year round. On the west coast, the driest months are usually December to February; showers are more frequent the rest of the year. Both islands can see tropical storms, so keep some flexibility, especially for boat trips.

Entry rules and payment

Entry requirements depend on your nationality: check them with the Malaysian immigration department or your nearest Malaysian embassy before you travel. Malaysia's embassy in Algiers also asks visitors to fill in the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online before the trip. We do not handle visa applications.

If you live abroad, you can book your Langkawi or Penang hotel with us and pay online by bank card: your voucher is sent once payment is received. Travellers based in Algeria can pay in Algerian dinars (BaridiMob, bank transfer or cash at our Telemly office in Algiers), without a bank card.

To compare hotels in Langkawi, Penang and Kuala Lumpur, pick your dates on our hotels in Malaysia page.