8 Lighthouses In Malaysia That Serve Up Phenomenal Views & How To Get To Them

Lighthouses you can still visit in Malaysia  

Drive along the coastal towns of Langkawi to Melaka and you’ll find lighthouses scattered across. While they aren’t the usual must-visit spots of those bitten by the travel bug, most lighthouses in Malaysia have tales to tell as they served important purposes in our country’s history.

Here are 8 lighthouses in Malaysia not located smack-dab in the middle of the sea that you can pay a visit to after a hike or tram ride up a hill.

1. Muka Head Lighthouse, Penang – unobstructed views of the sea, mangrove swamps and forests

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Getting to Muka Head Lighthouse requires some travelling and quite a bit of trekking. But the views from the top of the lighthouse – which covers the Straits of Malacca, mangrove swamps and forests that’s home to turtles, mouse deer and mangolin, just to name a few – is well worth it. 

You’ll need to first get to Penang National Park (Taman Negara Pulau Pinang), which is about a 35-minute drive from Komtar in the city centre. 

From the park’s entrance, it’ll take you around an hour and a half by hike to reach this spot. The hike gets steep nearer towards the top of the hill. But there are well-marked pathways for hiking – so be prepared by wearing your best pair of walking shoes. 

Image credit: @neohtheshinyen via Instagram

Once you reach the peak, you’ll get to climb to the top of the lighthouse – unlike most lighthouses which are still in operation and inaccessible.

The breathtaking views you’ll get to see from here will be your reward after the trek, including views of the whole park and unending stretches of fluffy clouds over the sea. 

Address: Penang National Park, Pejabat Taman Negara P. Pinang, Jalan Hassan Abbas, 11050 George Town, Penang
Directions: Make your way down to Penang National Park. Enter the park via the Teluk Bahang entrance. It’ll take you a 10-minute walk across Monkey Beach to reach the entrance to the trekking route that leads up to the lighthouse.

2. Tanjung Tuan Lighthouse, Melaka – oldest lighthouse in Malaysia

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Avid hikers have probably heard about Tanjung Tuan Lighthouse. This lighthouse on a hill in Melaka is only accessible after a climb up Tanjung Tuan, a popular forest reserve with a hiking trail known for spectacular cliff-side views.

Standing at 24-metres tall, this lighthouse was once known as Cape Rachado when it was built by the Portuguese in 1863. Visitors won’t be able to access the top of the lighthouse as it’s still in operation, but the site is worth a visit as Tanjung Tuan Lighthouse is believed to be Malaysia’s oldest and first lighthouse. 

It’ll take you a breezy 20-minute hike to get to this peak, with views of the Straits of Malacca along the trail to keep you company. 

Image credit: @niwongcm via Instagram

Once you’ve soaked in the view, head down from the lighthouse and take the fork in the road a few metres off the peak to get to Bukit Batu Putih. It’s another peak on the hill which has become a popular spot for hikers and photographers to take photos at. 

Address: Tanjung Tuan Recreational Forest, Jalan Pantai, Tanjung Tuan, 71050 Melaka
Directions: Make your way to Tanjung Tuan Recreational Forest. Once you’ve paid an entrance fee of RM1, it’ll be an easy hike up to the top of the hill where the lighthouse is located. 

3. Kuala Selangor Lighthouse, Jeram – tram rides up a hill

Jeram may be a town in Kuala Selangor that’s not well-known to many city folks, but it’s a town becoming popular for day-trips. Besides the town’s scenic low-tide beaches and affordable seafood, there’s a lighthouse in its vicinity called Kuala Selangor Lighthouse. 

A previous lighthouse was built by the Dutch in 1794, called Altingsburg Lighthouse. But it was later destroyed and rebuilt in 1907, and known by its current name – Kuala Selangor Lighthouse. 

It can now be spotted sitting atop a hill in an old battle fort called Kota Melawati.

This is also a kids-friendly attraction as you’ll get to ride a tram (RM3/person) to the top of the hill instead of having to hike all the way up. 

The tram will stop for around 30 minutes at the peak for you to check out views of the lighthouse, which is, unfortunately, not accessible to the public as it’s still in operation. Monkey feeding is a popular activity on this hill – but do be warned that they tend to get grabby, especially if you have food on you. 

Address: Bukit Melawati, 45000, Kuala Selangor
Directions: There’s a signboard at the entrance of Bukit Melawati, on which the lighthouse is located, so it’ll be easy to spot this place. Once you get here, hitch a ride on their fun trams after purchasing tickets at the ticket counter, or opt to take an easy 15-minute hike up a road to get up the hill. 

4. Teluk Telaga Lighthouse, Langkawi – stone lighthouse

Image credit: Telaga Harbour

Many locals know Telaga Harbour Marina to be in the vicinity of a terminal that lets Malaysians travel back and forth from Thailand before the MCO struck. But it also boasts a bustling boardwalk called Perdana Quay that’s home to cafes and restaurants, Pantai Kok Beach, stunning views of the ocean, and a lighthouse, Teluk Telaga Lighthouse.

Also called Perdana Quay Lighthouse, this is one of the more recently built lighthouses – although its actual building date is unknown. But as it’s made uniquely of stone, it passes off as being older than it is. 

One thing to note is that it’s a privately owned and active lighthouse. So you can expect to walk around its rocky surroundings and enjoy the view, but you won’t be able to access the structure. 

Image credit: @nomadic.lucky via Instagram

With mountainscapes behind, and reflective waters around, the lighthouse is easy on the eyes and behind the lens. At an impressive height of 32 metres and with its stone exterior, it’ll remind you of romantic lighthouses along rural beach fronts in the UK.   

Address: Telaga Harbour Park, Lot 1, Jalan Pantai Kok, Pantai Kok, Kedah, 07000 Langkawi
Directions: Head to Telaga Harbour Park, and walk along the harbour. You’ll see Teluk Telaga Lighthouse along the tip of the shore.

5. St. Paul’s Hill Lighthouse, Melaka – unique lighthouse on pillars

At just 13m tall – about 3 storeys high – St. Paul’s Hill Lighthouse comes in pretty short compared to other lighthouses. To get to the top, one would have to climb a ladder.
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Compared to popular spots in Melaka such as Jonker Street and Zoo Melaka, a lighthouse may not sound as exciting to visit. But St. Paul’s Hill Lighthouse is a unique-looking lighthouse on St. Paul’s Hill that looks more like a bell tower – shedding the silo shape of typical lighthouses for sharp edges and 4 pillars that support the structure. 

The lighthouse was built in 1849 when the British were in power in Melaka. It now sits partially in ruins, as it was used to store gunpowder in the past. As Melaka slowly developed into the flourishing town that it is today, there was no longer a need for a lighthouse.

Image adapted from: @saltaelmundo via Instagram, @spicevagrant via Instagram

The current structure left behind is located in front of the ruins of St. Paul Church – another spot in Melaka that’s rich in history, as it was built in 1521 – over 500 years ago. This earned it the impressive title of the oldest church in Malaysia, and reportedly in the whole of Southeast Asia. 

The statue of St. Francis Xavier, built in 1952 and located next to the lighthouse, is another feature to see here. It was erected in honor of the missionary who came to Melaka. Look a little closer and you’ll see the statue missing part of its right arm – that’s because a tree fell on it and broke it off. 

Interestingly enough, the real prominent figure’s right forearm detached around 1614, and that mummified limb now sits as a relic in a church in Rome for religious devotees to visit and see.

Address: Bandar Hilir, 75000 Melaka
Directions: Navigate to the entrance of Melaka Literature Museum. Right across from the museum, you’ll see a gate with a sign “Bukit St. Paul” that leads up to a flight of stairs to the hill. 

6. Bukit Jugra Lighthouse, Banting – stunning views of a royal town

Image credit: Philippe Lai Quo Jenn via Facebook

Bukit Jugra Lighthouse is another lighthouse avid hikers might know about. It sits on the peak of Bukit Jugra, and has breathtaking panoramic views of naturescapes, mangrove swamps, Straits of Malacca, and Jugra below. 

While the town may not seem exciting to many, it was once the royal capital of Selangor, of which this hill and lighthouse were its main attractions. 

Built in 1976, the lighthouse’s presence demands to be seen as its white structure stretches 25m up to the skies in the midst of lush greenery and outdoor activities. It’ll take you about an hour or so to reach if you’re hiking up here. 

View from the peak.
Image credit: @iwan_andls via Instagram

You can also drive your car or ride your motorbike straight up to the peak as there are proper roads for motor vehicles. 

But do be warned that it might be a hassle to find a parking spot up here, as there aren’t proper parking facilities. You’ll simply have to snag a spot by the road, and keep out of the way of other drivers, hikers and cyclists. 

The “Jugra” sign located here is popular among visitors as a photo spot.
Image credit: @yasmenggg via Instagram

Paragliders take flight from this peak too, as the gentle slope of the hill makes it a perfect spot to do so. Before the MCO, thrill-seekers could book a flight with Paragliding in Malaysia or Ex Sporty Hub for a tandem flight – which costs around RM240/pax. 

Coordinates: 2.838398, 101.429580
Directions: Make your way to Masjid Al-Muttaqin Permatang Pasir, where there’s a well-known entry point for hikers. Or opt to skip the hike altogether, and drive up straight to the lighthouse.

7. Fort Cornwallis Lighthouse, Penang – lighthouse made of steel

The flagstaff on Penang Hill can be seen from the viewing deck at the flagstaff next to the lighthouse, as flags were once hoisted up at both places.
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Fort Cornwallis Lighthouse is the only lighthouse in Malaysia made of steel, which sets it apart from typical silo-shaped lighthouses. From afar, it even looks more like a water tower, and coupled with a 20-metre flagstaff just next to it, like a ship’s mast.

Built in 1882 by the British, this lighthouse is located just a minute’s walk from Fort Cornwallis, a historic fort built by the British that’s now part of George Town’s UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

While the lighthouse once helped ships navigate the Penang Strait, the fort never saw the light of day, having been used only as a storage space after it was built.

Image credit: @jettingofftosomewhere via Instagram

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, visitors were able to climb up to and walk around the viewing deck of the lighthouse, which is no longer operational. From here, panoramic views of the Penang Strait and city below can be seen, as the viewing deck circles around the lighthouse.

At the ground level of the lighthouse, there’s a cosy museum that displays equipment and tools used in this structure. Admission to the lighthouse and museum is free, but if you’re planning to take in all of Fort Cornwallis, you’ll have to pay a fee (RM10/adult and RM5/child). 

The entire area of Fort Cornwallis, with the lighthouse located at the bottom left of the area.
Image credit: @99secsaboveearth via Instagram

Address: 4, Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang

8. Kuala Kedah Lighthouse, Kedah – lighthouse on flat grounds

Image credit: Syahrul Anuar via Facebook

Unlike most lighthouses, Kuala Kedah Lighthouse isn’t perched on a hill, but on the grounds of a fort by the Straits of Malacca. The fort is free to enter, but visitors won’t be able to enter the structure itself. Nonetheless, the lighthouse, which closely resembles a rook from a chess set, was built in 1891, and is steeped in history.

The fort was built a little before 1771, when Kedah was under the reign of Sultan Muhammad Jiwa, considered the founder of Kedah. Under the various rules of Portuguese, British, Siamese, and Bugis trying to take control of the fort, the structure went through several “makeovers”.

As such, it’s a popularly held belief that the British added the lighthouse and several other buildings here. The structure may not look as commanding as other lighthouses, but the resulting Kuala Kedah Lighthouse that we see today took 9 years to complete. 

Image credit: Naeem Jutt via Facebook

There’s also a small museum in a wooden house on the fort’s grounds, where you can learn about the history of Kuala Kedah – including the Japanese occupation of the state during World War II – and gawk at the artifacts on display.  

Kuala Kedah Fort Museum, and the lighthouse seen behind.
Image credit: Kt Lim via Facebook

Kuala Kedah Lighthouse is a walkable distance to other attractions in town too – including the Langkawi terminal, and Kuala Kedah Marina, just a 3-minute walk from here. 

This marina is home to a photogenic castle-like building that’s actually the office of the Maritime Enforcement Agency. It also sits by a sandy beach and has roadside stalls selling street food, making it a popular spot for scenic sunset views.

Kuala Kedah Marina
Image credit: @yseng88 via Instagram

Address: Kuala Kedah Fort, 06600 Kuala Kedah, Kedah

Lighthouses of Malaysia

Lighthouses may not be where the many of us beeline to while making plans for staycations in our country. But they tell tales of Malaysia’s marine history that played an important role in the histories of popular towns for staycations.

So the next time you visit these places, you might just want to pay these Malaysia lighthouses a visit to take photos and marvel at their unique structures. 

Also watch our video here.

More history reads here: 

• Old photos reveal what Penang’s trams once looked like
• 7 inspiring Malaysian women who contributed to M’sia’s history
• Abandoned row of heritage buildings in Papan is a sight for sore eyes

Cover image adapted from: @vidventory via Instagram, @scorpion_kigendren via Instagram, Telaga Harbour