Alor Setar, formerly known as Alor Star from 2004–2008, is a city and the state capital of Kedah, Malaysia. It is the second largest town in the state after Sungai Petani based on the population and one of the important cities in the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia along the longest expressway, located 400 km from Kuala Lumpur and 79 km (49 mi) north of George Town, Penang. The city is home to the Central State Administration Centre and is the administrative centre of Kota Setar District.

Alor Setar is one of the unique cities and towns in Malaysia because the employment both government as well as private sectors and schools in this city known as the 'tip of Malaysia' here operates from Sunday to Thursday every week just like other towns such as Kuala Terengganu in Terengganu, Kota Bharu in Kelantan, and Johor Bahru including Iskandar Puteri in Johor, which makes it different and special from other populated places.

Its location along the main travel route from Malaysia to Thailand has long made it a major transportation hub in the northern Malay Peninsula. At present, the city covers a land area of 666 square kilometres, which is occupied by more than 300,000 inhabitants (as per the 2010 census). At the local government level, Alor Setar is administered by the Alor Setar City Council.

The city is served by the Sultan Abdul Halim Airport, which began operations in 2006. The airport is not served by any commercial international flights; however, during the Haj season, there are special flights available for Muslim pilgrims journeying to Saudi Arabia to perform the Haj. The city is connected to other parts of Peninsular Malaysia by the North–South Expressway, the Shahab Perdana Bus Station and the Alor Setar railway station. The city's Kuala Kedah Jetty is served by ferries linking the city with the popular resort island of Langkawi.