Also known as Alor Star, this loud and lively city can become overwhelming at times, but there are plenty of great daytrips nearby where you can escape the hustle and bustle.
Alor Setar is the capital of Kedah State, situated on the west coast of Malaysia. Although there isn’t as much to do here as in other parts of Malaysia, there is an impressive collection of buildings in various styles and this is a good place to discover Malay art and architecture. The city is also surrounded by natural beauty such as rich paddy fields, forests and fishing villages.
At the mouth of the Kedah River is Kuala Kedah Fort, which was built to protect Kedah from sea invasions. The nearby fishing village is a great place to eat as there are a number of restaurants serving fresh fish right on the banks of the river.
Alor Setar is an ideal place to eat as fish dishes, spicy curries, rice and fried meats are abundant here. For the ultimate dining experience, eat at the Restoran Sri Angkasa rotating restaurant, which is located at the top of Alor Star tower.
Getting There & Away
Most visitors travel to Alor Setar via Alor Setar Airport, which is situated 15kms north of the city. There are regular flights here from Kuala Lumpur and the journey takes just 55 minutes.
Things to Do
Alor Setar Attractions
- Kedah State Art Gallery
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Houses an interesting collection of paintings, photographs, musical instruments and handicrafts.
- Royal Hall
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Commissioned in 1735 by sultan muhammad jiwa zainal adilin muazzam shah, the 19th sultan of kedah, this large hall features some unusual decor.
- Alor Star Tower
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This 165-meter tall tower offers spectacular views of the city from the top.
- Zahir State Mosque
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Covering 124,412 square feet, this is one of the grandest mosques in malaysia.
- Tanjong Dawai fishing village
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Discover traditional village life and explore the archeology museum.
- Mahathir Birthplace
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This lavish building was once home to the fourth malaysian prime minister, tun dr mahathir mohammad.