Malaysia is a country that boasts some of the most beautiful islands in the region. Be it secluded private beaches or pristine diving sites, Malaysia’s islands have plenty to offer for all types of travelers.
Two of the most famous islands in Malaysia are undoubtedly Penang and Langkawi. Despite being geographically close to each other (they are neighboring states), sometimes you might find yourself pressed for time and can only visit one of the two.
When it comes to that, you’ll have to ask yourself, which island should I visit? Penang or Langkawi? Don’t worry my friend, because I’ve been to both of these places plenty of times while I was studying in Malaysia and I’m here to help you out!
Let’s go over some of the major attractions, food scene, and logistics in both places to help you pick a winner in this little friendly Penang vs Langkawi contest.
Table of Contents
Getting there and moving around
Penang
As a major tourist hub in the country, Penang is one of the most accessible destinations in Malaysia, with plenty of ways to reach the island domestically and internationally.
Penang International Airport is one of Malaysia’s busiest transport hubs, servicing domestic and international flights. In addition, there are several train stations on the Penang mainland from which you can travel to the island. Another popular way to travel to Penang domestically is to drive up north from Kuala Lumpur.
While Penang does not (yet) have its own subway or metro system, its public transport system is slightly more developed than most other major cities, boasting an expansive public bus network that covers almost all tourist hotspots.
You may also rent bicycles from specific locations in Penang, particularly in the George Town area, which makes hopping around locations on the island quite easy and convenient.
Langkawi
Much like Penang, Langkawi is a major tourist destination in Malaysia, reachable by flight (Langkawi International Airport) and by ferry (Kuah Jetty). However, some tourists might find getting around Langkawi to be a little more challenging compared to Penang.
One of the main things to consider when deciding whether to visit Penang or Langkawi is whether you have a driver’s license. That’s because the public transport network in Langkawi isn’t as developed and there are limited bus routes. Instead, the best way to move around Langkawi is to rent a car or motorbike after arriving.
I suggest choosing from the array of rental options at the airport. Renting a car usually costs between MYR 80 ($20) to MYR 120 ($30) per day on average. You may be able to find cheaper options elsewhere on the island, but take note that not all of the rental providers are properly licensed.
Where to stay
Penang
The best areas to stay in when visiting Penang are George Town, Tanjung Bungah, and Batu Ferringhi, all of which are on the opposite side of the island from Penang International Airport. I recommend staying in any of these places:
- Seven Terraces, one of the top-rated boutique heritage hotels nestled in the heart of George Town.
- The Prestige Hotel, a luxurious heritage hotel with a rooftop infinity pool overlooking George Town
- G Hotel Gurney for unrivaled access to street food along Gurney Drive and two of the island’s top shopping malls.
- Hard Rock Hotel Penang, the most popular beachside hotel in Penang with direct access to Batu Ferringhi Beach.
- Royal Chulan Penang, one of the most popular hotels in Penang. Located smack-dab in the middle of George Town.
Langkawi
On the other hand, when visiting Langkawi, I recommend finding accommodation either along the vibrant Cenang Beach area or the northern shore.
- Pelangi Beach Resort & Spa, a luxurious retreat featuring traditional wooden chalets with direct access to the white sand beach of Pantai Ceneng.
- Aloft Langkawi Pantai Tengah, one of the newer four-star hotels near Cenang Beach which comes with a great breakfast and free bikes.
- The Danna, for incredible views of the Andaman Sea in the morning.
- The Datai Langkawi, the pioneer luxury hotel in Langkawi, nestled amidst a verdant rainforest along the shore of Datai Bay.
- The St. Regis Langkawi, a luxurious resort near the Kuah Jetty with access to a private beach.
The historic center
Penang
One of the biggest draws of Penang is its rich heritage and history, most of which can be seen in the bustling George Town area, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In particular, the Historic City of George Town — the heart of Penang’s historic center, covers a 109.38ha area on the northeastern tip of the island, housing over 1,700 historic buildings between Love Lane and Pengkalan Weld.
As you stroll along the busy streets here, you’ll come across plenty of colonial buildings, historical landmarks, and eateries that have been operating for multiple generations. One of the most unique locations of George Town is the Street of Harmony, a bustling road adorned with multiple places of worship, symbolic of the island’s multiculturalism.
Langkawi
Langkawi, on the other hand, doesn’t technically have a historical center. That said, the closest equivalent of George Town in Langkawi is the ambient town of Kuah, which is the main town center of the island and the main gateway to many of Langkawi’s best shopping locations, duty-free shops, and eateries.
The most well-known location in Kuah is Dataran Lang, a scenic area by the hetty that features the iconic giant eagle statue for which Langkawi is famous. I suggest spending a few minutes here for that must-have Instagram shot!
Must-sees
Penang
It is when diving into the top locations to visit that one starts to see the difference between Penang and Langkawi. In fact, these attractions may well be the deciding factor in the Penang vs Langkawi conundrum.
In Penang, some of the must-see locations (aside from the historic George Town area) include the beautiful Penang Hill (or Bukit Bendera, as it is known by locals), the majestic Kek Lok Si Temple, and the Clan Jetties, a historical portside Chinese settlement that features stunning sunset views and famous seafood restaurants.
You should also plan a visit to KOMTAR, arguably the most iconic landmark on Penang Island, and ESCAPE Penang, one of the best theme parks in Malaysia. There are also plenty of unique, interactive museums like the Penang Ghost Museum and Wonderfood Museum.
Langkawi
An important question you should ask yourself when wondering whether to visit Langkawi or Penang is whether you’re looking for a proper island getaway — secluded beaches, sleepy towns, and less traffic, for example. To that end, Langkawi is the better choice.
In Langkawi, many of its must-see locations are natural gems that whisk you away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Apart from the aforementioned Dataran Lang, other must-see locations include the Langkawi Sky Bridge, a glass-bottom bridge that offers stunning views of the island, and Pantai Cenang, the most popular public beach in Langkawi.
Apart from that, a popular attraction in Langkawi is the Langkawi Underwater World, an immersive aquarium that boasts plenty of educational fun for the whole family.
All the nicest views
Penang
If you’re looking for the nicest view of the city in Penang, head to the aforementioned KOMTAR and make your way to The Top Rainbow Skywalk, an outdoor observation platform 249m above ground. It provides a stunning bird’s eye view of George Town below.
I also recommend paying a visit to The Habitat, a natural sanctuary located at the very peak of Penang Hill. Not only will you get to trek through Penang’s ancient rainforests, but you will also the Curtis Crest Treetop Walk here, which is the highest vantage point in all of Penang. At the top, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of your surroundings and of the famous Penang Bridge which connects the island to the mainland.
Finally, for an incredible view that will give you a fluttering (pun intended) sensation, head to Entopia by Penang Butterfly Park and experience walking amongst 15,000 free-flying butterflies in a giant glass-domed vivarium.
Langkawi
When it comes to scenic views, Langkawi certainly doesn’t fall behind in the Penang vs Langkawi rivalry. We’ve already mentioned two of the best views in Langkawi — the sunset on the west-facing Cenang Beach, and the vast ocean at Dataran Lang.
However, apart from picturesque coastal views, Langkawi also has its fair share of verdant rainforests. The Langkawi Cable Car, which is the most popular way to reach the aforementioned Sky Bridge, trudges along a leisurely pace as it ascends the grassy hills below, offering passengers a scenic view of Langkawi’s famous natural scenery.
In addition, one of the most unique experiences in Langkawi also offers its most rustic views — a visit to Kilim Karst Geoforest Park, a pristine nature reserve with enigmatic limestone formations, mangrove swamps, and hidden coves accessible only by boat. In fact, it’s one of the natural wonders of Malaysia!
What to eat
Penang
With Penang being known as THE foodie haven of Malaysia, visitors to the island will be spoilt for choice when it comes to food.
There are, of course, the classic must-try street food like smoky char koay teow (stir-fried flat rice noodles), savory asam laksa (thick rice noodles in fishy broth), nasi kandar (Indian-Muslim cuisine where plates of rice are piled high with delicious dishes and gravies), and much more to give you a taste of Malaysian food culture.
There are also plenty of Insta-worthy cafes, modern restaurants, and even two Michelin One-Star Restaurants (Auntie Gaik Lean’s Old School Eatery and Au Jardin) where you can whet your appetite. Let’s also not forget about the many street food night markets either!
If you’re not sure where to hunt for the best food in Penang, don’t worry. Most of the island’s top eateries can be found in the bustling George Town area, particularly along Lebuh Chulia.
Langkawi
While I feel (and this comes with plenty of personal bias) that Penang edges Langkawi when it comes to food, that doesn’t mean foodies will leave the latter disappointed. Quite the opposite, actually.
Obviously, with Langkawi being a secluded island, seafood is the number one go-to food in Langkawi. There are plenty of seafood restaurants on the island that offer mouthwatering catch-of-the-day meals.
What’s more, Langkawi is where you will find many family-owned restaurants offering delicious Malay cuisine, most of which are based in the sleepy town of Kuah. Meanwhile, the popular Cenang Beach area is an international food street. You’ll find plenty of global cuisines there ranging from French restaurants to Mexican pubs.
Best time to visit
Penang
Penang is a wonderful destination to visit all year long. After all, like much of Malaysia, the island enjoys plenty of sunny, warm days.
That said, you would probably want to avoid visiting Penang during the monsoon season, typically between May and October. During this time, Penang experiences frequent rain and overcast weather, which makes visiting certain locations a little more difficult.
In addition, try to plan your visit outside of the Chinese New Year and Eid holidays. The festive seasons are when plenty of tourists flock to the island, along with Penangites themselves returning to their hometown for the holidays!
Langkawi
That’s actually another thing to consider when deciding whether you want to visit Langkawi or Penang — the number of tourists.
Like Penang, Langkawi experiences its best weather before the monsoon season starts in May. And, given that Langkawi is an island where the best activities are all outdoors (think beach days, island hopping, and boat tours), you’ll want to visit when the weather is dry and less humid.
However, it is also this time when the island experiences a surge in tourism, particularly during the school holidays. That said, you can visit between April and June (you’ll get a few rainy days but still manageable) which is the shoulder season.
Day trips
Penang
The best day trips in Penang are actually just hour-long drives to the mainland! Yes, while Penang Island has always enjoyed its time in the spotlight, many casual tourists forget that there is also a mainland Penang on the other side of the Penang Bridge.
Here, you’ll find plenty of hidden gems, like the famous Catholic pilgrimage site, the Minor Basilica of St. Anne, the pristine Bukit Panchor Forest Park (a popular location for avid hikers), the colorful Butterworth Art Walk, and Kampong Agong, a Balinese retreat/scenic spot which doubles up as a photographer’s paradise.
While visiting mainland Penang on a day trip, don’t forget to try the famous Bukit Mertajam yam rice, one of Penang’s Michelin Bib Gourmand recommendations.
Langkawi
Day trips in Langkawi are actually all just within the vicinity of the island itself. For example, the Kilim Karst Geoforest Park and Langkawi Sky Bridge are popular day trip destinations in and of themselves.
Apart from that, day trips in Langkawi often consist of island hopping by boat to many of the little islets that surround the main Langkawi island.
Some of the popular island-hopping locations in Langkawi include Pulau Dayang Bunting, home to the famous Lake of the Pregnant Maiden, where you can go for a swim or relax at a natural catfish spa; Big Lions Island where you can watch for wild eagles; and Pulau Beras Basah, one of the best snorkeling locations in Langkawi.
Bottom line: Which island is best?
To be perfectly honest, there is no clear winner when it comes to Penang vs Langkawi. Whether you prefer to visit Langkawi or Penang, you’re bound to experience a different kind of getaway.
Penang is like an island city, a harmonious mish-mash of tradition and modernity, of gleaming skyscrapers nestled within lush rainforests, of chic cafes lining the pristine shoreline of the beaches. It’s an urban escape and beach getaway combined into one, perfect for solo travelers and families.
Langkawi, on the other hand, is more like the conventional island getaway we know and love. It offers secluded beaches, fun-filled wildlife excursions, and plenty of partying in between, which makes it ideal for group vacations and romantic getaways with your other half.
Thankfully, travel isn’t a straight choice between this and that. I recommend checking both destinations out if you can and I can guarantee you’ll end up liking both of them all the same! You could also add Kuala Lumpur to your itinerary, it’s one of the best places in Malaysia that’s worth visiting!
