Skip to content
Mixroutes
Alor Setar
State capital of Kedah, Malaysia

Alor Setar

Alor Setar, known as Alor Star from 2003 to 2009, is the state capital of Kedah, Malaysia.

Plan a trip to Alor Setar→From Langkawi

It is the second-largest city in the state, after Sungai Petani, and one of the most important cities on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It is home to the third-tallest tower in Malaysia, the Alor Setar Tower.

Get in

Getting to Alor Setar

Alor Setar is easily (and most practically) accessible using the North-South Expressway. A bus trip from Kuala Lumpur should cost you around RM40 and will take about 6-7 hours of travelling time. Bus services from Bukit Kayu Hitam are also available for visitors from Thailand. The inter-city train station receives trains from all major stations.

  1. 01
    Sultan Abdul Halim Airport

    The only flights into Alor Setar are from Kuala Lumpur by Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, Firefly and Batik Air, as well as AirAsia's flight to Johor Bahru.

See

Worth seeing

  1. 01
    Wat Nikrodharam

    The capital's biggest, most prominent, and most architecturally impressive Buddhist temple complex strategically located in downtown Alor Setar.

  2. 02
    Balai Seni Negeri

    The Kedah State Art Gallery was set up with the objective of fostering interest in and an appreciation of art in the state.

  3. 03
    Balai Nobat

    This building houses the sacred instruments of the Royal orchestra, played only during royal ceremonies such as inaugurations, weddings and funerals.

  4. 04
    Balai Besar

    Located towards the back of the Kota Star Palace complex is the Balai Besar.

  5. 05
    Menara Alor Setar

    Located in the heart of Alor Setar, this tower, standing at 165.5 metres tall, is a prominent and modern landmark that signifies the rapid development in the state of Kedah.

  6. 06
    Kota Kuala Kedah

    Kota Kuala Kedah at the mouth of the Kedah River is also known as Kota Kuala Bahang.

Do

Things to do

Car tour of Yan. Only if you arrive by car from south, exit North-South Expressway at Sungai Petani (30 km to south), drive to Merbok to see archealogy museum, then to Tanjong Dawai fishing village, buy belacan (shrimp paste used for cooking), then to Yan town, proceed to Kuala Kedah fort then have dinner at Perindu, a seafood place. Then to downtown hotel. This tour takes leisurely 6 hours.

Eat

Where to eat

Fishermen's Ikan Kembong, famous warong (roadside eatery) on road to Kuala Kedah, at junction of road to Yan. Place open only from 11AM to 1PM. Real fishermen's cuisine liked by the townfolks. Laksa Telok Kechai, midway on the Alor Setar - Kuala Kedah road. Famous local rice noodle in fish gravy. Inconspicuous shop, ask locals. Open from 7PM until midnight.

How locals move

Getting around Alor Setar the local way

  • Go nextLangkawi - A popular island getaway known for its beaches, duty-free shopping, and natural attractions, easily reached by ferry from Kuala Kedah

From Wikivoyage: Alor Setar, CC BY-SA. Not yet checked by us. Last edited 2026-02.

Text adapted from Wikipedia and Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photograph: Marufish from Alor Setar, Malaysia (CC BY-SA 2.0), Wikimedia Commons.