Top Romantic Destinations in Malaysia

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Stunning beaches, 100s of island paradises, picturesque countrysides, great food and a bustling city, – Malaysia has it all! These reasons, along with the ease of access, makes Malaysia one of the most travelled holiday destinations in Asia. Although Malaysia has something for all types of travellers, it is particularly famous among people looking for a romantic vacation and honeymooners.

In addition to being culturally diverse, Malaysia has its fair share of geographical variations too. There are mountains, beaches, and amazing hilly rainforests to make your honeymoon even better than your expectations. This natural beauty, infused with the modern-day glitz & glamour, truly lives up to its tagline – Malaysia: Truly Asia. In addition to the capital city of Kuala Lumpur, some of the best places to visit in Malaysia are Langkawi, Penang, Malacca, Ipoh and Redang.

In this blog post, we have compiled some of the most beautiful and Romantic Destinations in Malaysia.

Top Romantic Destinations in Malaysia

Langkawi ~ a spectacular archipelago of 99 islands

Langkawi, also known as the ‘Jewel of Kedah’, is a stunning archipelago of 99 islands in the Andaman Sea. Nestled off the northwestern coast of Malaysia, Langkawi is actually closer to the Thai islands than it is to the Malaysian-mainland. And the beautiful scenery of Langkawi is more reminiscent of a tropical island than anywhere else you might find in the country.

Being an archipelago, it’s most suited for couples who are looking for a romantic getaway. If relaxing on beautiful beaches isn’t your thing, you can try out many activities like doing a speedboat cruise through the mangrove forests or even hopping between multiple small-small islands.

Reaching Langkawi is also very easy – just a 40-min flight from Kuala Lumpur. And there are also plenty of beautiful and cosy hotels and Airbnbs in Langkawi to make you vacation even more romantic.

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Redang Island ~ a hidden paradise

Redang Island is a small island off the east coast of Malaysia near Kuala Terengganu. If you want your romantic break to be somewhere stunningly beautiful, this is the place to go!

Located in a marine park, there are plenty of underwater and other water spots. In addition to this, it has the most beautiful white sand, picture-perfect beaches I have seen in Malaysia. Behind the beach is a jungle interior, with very few roads leading to it. It is easy to feel like a jungle explorer by taking on this hike.

There is a small range of well set up resorts which are perfect for relaxing and enjoying the location. We loved Laguna Redang.

To get here, there are some chartered flights from Kuala Lumpur. Or the only other way to reach here by ferry. This results in keeping tourist masses from the island. Hence, making it the perfect place for romance!

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Ipoh ~ colonial architecture, street art & yummy food

Ipoh is one of Malaysia’s most underrated cities and the perfect destination for couples. The old-school vibe, the abundance of antique shops and markets, the gorgeous British Colonial architecture, and restaurants that specialise in home-style cooking all make Ipoh feel cosy and sweet.

There are lots of romantic things to do in Ipoh for couples – wander the charming alleyways, while spending the afternoon in one of Ipoh’s many cafes over a glass of famous white coffee and a tray of custard tarts (Lim Ko Pi is my top choice), and explore the street art scene. Find a room at one of the city’s boutique hotels – I especially love 27 Concubine Lane, which is located inside a heritage property.

If you want to get out into nature, there are lots of short-walks that you can try on the outskirts of the city, including a lake trail and a hike between ornate cave temples. Ipoh is conveniently located a short train ride away from Kuala Lumpur, making it an easy city break from the capital or stopover on the way to Penang.

Sipadan Island ~ bountiful marine life

Sipadan Island, located South East of Sabah, is a picturesque island teeming with marine life. This is a great honeymoon destination for couples who are avid divers or who love to spend time on the water.

After visiting this spot a few years back, we now understand why diving around Sipadan Island is often considered among the best diving in the world. The biodiversity is incredible. Here schools of jackfish and barracuda gather in huge shoals, and schools of parrotfish get so close you that struggle to not run into them. Sea turtles, sharks, and pretty much every other kind of fish you would expect to find in SE Asia will likely make an appearance at Sipadan, which can sometimes distract from looking down to discover all the macro species there are.

Permits can be hard to come by in this protected area, so plan ahead! The island itself is uninhabited but there are a couple of luxury bungalows built on slits in the water in the nearby islands of Mabul and Kapalai. They make for the perfect honeymoon accommodation.

Kapas Island ~ a hidden gem with white sand beaches

I am sure many people haven’t heard of Kapas Island in Malaysia, maybe because the Perhentian islands are visited by most tourists. Kapas is a better alternative that will give you that desert island paradise you’ve been searching for.

One side of the island is covered in secluded beaches – with most home to just one or two hotels. I recommend staying at Qimi’s Chalet. The rooms are built into the trees and have a true treehouse vibe. While the accommodation is not considered a luxury – for us it was the perfect retreat. Qimi’s has its own private beach complete with swing. They also serve some great food in the evenings – including a BBQ supper. If you fancy having dinner outside of your hotel, I recommend Turtle valley beach resort. They provide some great western food and wines.

While on the island, you can take snorkelling or diving tours to experience the coral reefs. Alternatively, just snorkel from the beach – it’s as easy as that! You can also choose to hire kayaks to take round the islands. There is also a jungle trail through to the other side of the island. It’s a perfect slice of paradise for that romantic holiday.

Kapas Island is located off the east coast of Malaysia, just 15 minutes by ferry from the mainland. Head to the Marang jetty in the Kuala Terengganu area. Here you will be able to purchase return tickets to Kapas Island.

In the end…

Being surrounded by beautiful blue water and spectacular islands makes Malaysia a hot-shot destination for couples seeking a romantic vacation. If you have been to some other romantic places in Malaysia let us know in the comments (and share your views). We will be happy to add them to this list.

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