One of Malaysia’s most popular destinations, Penang has always beguiled travelers with its age-old shophouses, fantastic street cuisine as well as enviable beaches. I have been to Penang quite a number of times over the years and there is always something new to check out with each visit. Whether you are a history buff or a foodie, this island off the Andaman Sea will always have something to offer. For a mix of all that Penang is known for (food, history, new attractions, etc), here is a well-balanced itinerary that I had easily implemented over a weekend in Penang.
Day 1 – Georgetown
The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Georgetown is an excellent place to start in the island. Choc-full of colonial buildings, charming shophouses, temples, mosques and fantastic places to eat. People come here to do two things – to see the heritage buildings and street art or to eat some of Penang’s specialties – so the amount of time you spend here will depend on your interest level in the two activities.
Tip: If you are arriving via Penang International Airport, you may wish to pre-purchase a 5G sim card in order to save time and avoid potential queues. Prices are also slightly cheaper versus buying it on the spot.
Georgetown is generally walkable and should not take more than 20 or 25 minutes from one end to another. However, it can get searing hot especially during midday so you may want to take public transport. I personally take Grab. Point to point rides in Georgetown typically range from 5 to 8 MYR.
The area around the Georgetown Ferry Terminal is a natural starting point for exploring Georgetown. Almost immediately to the west of it are the Clan Jetties – a series of villages floating on stilts by the coast. In total there are 7 villages here, each owned by a specific clan / family that still inhabit the houses on stilts to this day. The most popular of these villages is the Chew Jetty (although each jetty has its own attraction) as it literally branches off from Armenian Street. This jetty has its own temple as well as souvenir shops lining the narrow alleys. For a quieter and more atmospheric vibe, I would recommend heading to Lee Jetty as it’s not commercialized. For more shopping options, the Jetty 35 is a retail space nearby inspired by the clan jetties. It is filled with independent stalls, with a specialization in nostalgic / vintage items.
The heritage zone also has plenty of street art and you can easily spend an entire day hunting them down. To the casual visitor, one of the most popular is the Boy on Motorbike (12 Lebuh Ah Quee), a 3D artwork consisting of a painting of a boy against an actual motorbike. It’s also a good idea to come here early in the morning before a small queue forms over those wishing to take a photo of the street art.
Next, head to the nearby Khoo Kongsi (18 Cannon Square) for what is one of the most intricately designed clan houses in Southeast Asia. Similar in purpose to those found in places like Singapore, Hoi An, Melaka, etc – these clan houses served as the headquarters of family associations. There is an entrance fee of MYR 15 – pretty steep for a temple in Malaysia but worth it for the architecture. On certain evenings, Khoo Kongsi is also floodlit which makes the building’s details stand out even more.
The nearby Armenian Street has become somewhat of a tourist zone in recent years owing to the prevalence of souvenir shops and cafes. While you can find a number of eye-catching trinkets and mementos here, I generally find prices to be a tad higher than elsewhere in the city. The Hin Bus Depot, for example, which I will mention later in this itinerary has more reasonably-priced items.
From here, it is just a short walk to the Kapitan Keling Mosque (14 Jalan Buckingham), by far the most picturesque among Georgetown’s Islamic buildings. The mosque was built in the 1800s by Penang’s Tamil Muslim community and is today recognized as one of Malaysia’s most prominent mosques.
penang’s blue mansion
It is a short stroll to the Pinang Peranakan Museum (29 Church Street) which showcases a home typical of a wealthy family from Baba Nyonya origins that are unique to cities along the Straits of Malacca (Melaka, Penang, Singapore and Phuket to an extent). There are over 1,000 antiques inside and you can easily spend hours marveling at the house. For an insightful look into Baba Nyonya culture, join one of the free guided tours. Alternatively, you can head over to the photogenic Blue Mansion, another one of Georgetown’s famous houses that’s open to visitors. For the full heritage experience, you can also book a room stay there inside the mansion. Do note that you’ll have to deviate a bit from the walkability of this itinerary if you head for the latter as the Blue Mansion is located outside the core heritage zone, roughly 5 car ride / 15 minute walk away.
delicious nasi ulam at auntie gaik lean’s
If you are feeling peckish by this time, I can’t recommend Auntie Gaik Lean’s enough for its delightful Baba Nyonya cuisine. The restaurant has been awarded a Michelin star during Michelin’s inaugural listing in Malaysia. Top of my list of dishes to order is the Nasi Ulam (rice salad) and Sambal Prawns. Make sure to try the refreshing Nutmeg Juice as well. Alternatively, Sri Weld Food Court down the road has one of the best nasi lemak in Penang.
wonder food museum (source: wonder food museum)
After that satisfying meal, it is just a short walk to the colorful Wonder Food Museum (49 Lebuh Pantai), a showcase of Penang’s culinary heritage and over-sized versions of some local dishes. While the replicas are a feast for the eyes, the exhibition also gives one a better understanding of regional cuisines.
eastern and oriental hotel penang
The searing afternoon heat gives you enough reasons to chill a bit at the plush and historic Eastern and Oriental Hotel. Similar to the Raffles Hotel in Singapore and The Strand in Yangon, the E&O was built by the Sarkies Brothers in the 1800s and is today undoubtedly the most luxurious hotel in Georgetown. Food here is pretty good. Purists may slam me for saying that I prefer the char kway teow here but the extra servings of cockles and extra large prawns really won me over.
If chilling in a colonial-era hotel is not your thing, make your way to Hin Bus Depot. Featuring a derelict art deco exterior, this former parking lot is now a lively community and events space with plenty of art galleries, cafes and souvenir shops. If you are in Penang during the weekend, you should check out the Sunday Pop-up Market (open every Saturday and Sunday, 11AM to 5PM). More independent retail and F&B stalls gather on a weekly basis with a live band playing in the background.
fine views at the new observation deck in komtar
Sunset is a great time to head up to Komtar (book here for tickets), the tallest building in Penang and once a glaring white elephant. In recent years, a private company has turned it into a tourist attraction after building 2 extra floors and a rooftop observation deck with a section made in glass. It is a must-see during the blue hour – against the sunset, city lights and the lights coming up on the glass observation deck.
Have a relaxing evening at Love Lane, a small alley containing plenty of bars, restaurants and backpacker guesthouses.
Day 2 – Penang Hill, Kek Lok Si and Batu Ferringhi
Spend your second day exploring attractions further afield, namely Penang Hill, Kek Lok Si as well as Batu Ferringhi.
canopy walk at the habitat in penang hill
Start the day early and head up to Penang Hill before the crowds do. The typical way up for most visitors is via the train which costs MYR 30 per adult and MYR15 per child (foreigners). Malaysians can go up for MYR 10 per adult and MYR 4 per child. Do note the train runs from 6:30AM to 9PM daily. The top affords stunning views of the entire island. For an even higher view, head up to the new attraction called “The Habitat” for an educational guided tour of the local flora as well as the treetop walk and canopy walk. While up here, grab a cup of coffee or have a meal at the David Brown restaurant and appreciate fine views of the island. If you prefer to have someone else arrange these trips to the outskirts, you can also book a private tour that will pick you up from your hotel and take you to both Penang Hill and Kek Lok Si. The main benefit is you do not need to worry about how you can get a cab once you’re in those locations. You can book the tour here.
Tip: Alternatively, for a taste of Penang’s coffee culture, head to Mugshot Cafe at Chulia Street. Aside from coffee, the venue is also known for its freshly-made bagel muffins.
Afterwards, head to Kek Lok Si (you might want to use a ride sharing service such as Grab or book the private tour). While there is certainly no shortage of temples in Penang or in Southeast Asia in general, this particular temple is a must-see for its hillside setting. The highlight of the temple is the hard-to-miss seven storey pagoda containing 10,000 statues of Buddha.
Tip: There is an endless list of hawker food to try in Penang including char kway teow and fried oysters. The best fried oyster place in Penang is said to be at Seng Thor Coffee Shop at Carvarvon Street.
It’ll well be mid-afternoon by the time you finish which is good enough reason to end your day at Batu Ferringhi – the most accessible stretch of beach in Penang. The area is lined by several resorts and I would personally recommend having dinner while watching the sunset. Do note that sunset in Penang occurs pretty late, at around 7:30PM usually. Alternatively, if you are looking for a family-friendly activity around the area, check out Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm. The highlight here is the enclosed garden area with more than 15,000 butterflies flying around you. It’s truly a sight to behold and something that kids will definitely love. You can book discounted tickets here.
If you are heading to Kuala Lumpur as well, check out this suggested itinerary for Kuala Lumpur. If you are heading to Melaka, check out my Melaka travel guide.
Travel Tips for Penang
- Travel Insurance: I buy travel insurance to be safe in this era of viruses, flight cancellations/delays and last minute changes. If you reside in Singapore, check out Starr Travelead, one of the cheapest travel insurance. They have a promotion that comes with S$10 cash rebate that helps to cover the insurance cost.
- Transport: In Penang, you don’t have to worry even if you are not staying in the city center. Ride-sharing apps such as Grab allow you to book a “cab” at the local price. Even if you stay in Batu Ferringhi for instance which is a 15 minute drive from the old town, the fare is only around 10 – 15 Ringgit.
- Car Rentals: In the post-pandemic era that we are in, some folks prefer to avoid public transport in order to minimize interactions with strangers. Car rentals have become more popular nowadays. You can check out deals here
- Dining Culture: The local cuisine is really one of the highlights in Penang. While the ambiance of most local eateries may be lacking, the food is superb. In this city, each eatery tends to specialize in just one dish – be it laksa, char kway teow (fried noodles), carrot cake, fried oyster, etc. Since the local taxis are so cheap, the idea of taking a cab from one eatery to another for multiple small bites isn’t at all far-fetched and is actually being practiced by many tourists in the know.
Where to Stay in Penang
Penang’s hotels are usually quite affordable even in the 4-star or 5-star categories so I would suggest splurging a bit for a more refined stay. Here are my recommendations after visiting Penang a number of times:
In Georgetown, staying at Eastern and Oriental Hotel is like hitting two birds with one stone. It is in itself a tourist attraction. At the same time, you get to bask in colonial luxury. Stay in the newer Victory Annex for some fine seaside views. Among midrange options, Campbell House offers one a colonial living experience, complete with antique phones in the guestrooms as well as Peranakan accents in the bathroom. For a budget option in Georgetown, you can check out SAVV Hotel which has been renovated recently. You can also check out other hotel options in Penang, including cheaper options here.
the parkroyal penang resort
In Batu Ferringhi, the Parkroyal Penang Resort is a good family-friendly midrange option. The Shangri-la Rasa Sayang Resort is the place to go if you’re looking to stay at Penang’s most luxurious hotel. The Rasa Wing in particular is noted for having a gigantic outdoor tub!
