Many visitors flock to Penang for its world-famous cuisine (especially its street food), but this town in Northwest Malaysia offers so much more than just food, although its dishes are definitely worth the trip too.
The striking blue Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion offers a peek into the merchant era of this port city, while Chulia Street allows you to sample the best of Penang’s dishes. Batu Ferringhi has some of the best sunsets on mainland Malaysia, and Love Lane is where you can see old colonial houses. Here’s the full list of the top things to do in Penang, with extra fun activities like boat rides by Chew Jetty, and admiring views from Penang Hill.
PS: This is specifically about Penang Island, not the whole Penang state, which consists of Penang Island and the neighbouring area on mainland Malaysia.
Visiting Georgetown (Penang’s Old Town) is a must. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a unique blend of Malaysia’s multicultural background, and today it’s known as the country’s hotspot for gastronomy.
Some of the best things to do in Penang’s Old Town are:
Although Penang’s beaches are not the main attraction and are nothing compared to the nearby Thailand beaches up north, or the beaches of Sabah in East Malaysia, you can still experience spectacular beach sunsets in Penang. The most popular beach is Batu Ferringhi, a somewhat large beach where locals gather on weekends and at sunset.
Fun fact about my time at Batu Ferringhi: I got stung by a huge brown jellyfish there and almost died from it. I ended up at the hospital 5 hours later, where the doctor told me I had waited too long and was about to fall into a coma.
You can’t go to Penang and not sample Malaysian food; that would be almost criminal. Some of the most popular dishes to try are curry laksa and Penang laksa, though you should also look for popular Malaysian dishes like nasi lemak, banana leaf rice, chicken rice, and mee goreng, to name a few.
While there are plenty of street food stalls all over Penang, a few notable spots are:
One of Penang’s selling points is its multicultural mix, although that’s true of everywhere in Malaysia and is not unique to Penang. Malaysia is a blend of Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Indigenous groups, which is reflected in its religious buildings and sites.
Some of the top things to do in Penang for a cultural and religious experience are:
The streets of Georgetown are filled with murals and artwork that show Penang’s creative side. My favourite stops on my Penang itinerary for art include:
Two of the best things to do in Penang for nature-filled adventures are:
Unsure what to do in Penang with kids? There are so many family-friendly activities to choose from, including the 3D trick art museum, the Tropical Spice Garden, where you can learn about spices and plants that have shaped Malaysia’s culture (it’s also really cool at night), the National Park, and boat tours at Chew Jetty.
Day 1: Georgetown
Day 2: a mix of culture and nature
Day 3: culture, beach, and food
Day 4: Nature at Penang National Park
Penang is relatively small, so 3-4 days are enough to explore leisurely and thoroughly.
Penang became famous for its tasty cuisine after gaining international attention in the media (specifically travel publications like CNN Traveller).
Penang can be visited year-round, though it’s best to avoid September, October and November due to the rainy season.
This depends on where you plan to spend most of your time. Georgetown is an excellent place to stay if you plan to explore the city more, especially if you’re looking for cultural experiences and city life. If you want a more beachy or nature-filled stay, look for places near Batu Ferringhi.
I didn’t rent a car in Penang because I used a mix of Grab for calling car rides, or public transport. Renting a car in Penang can be convenient if you want more freedom to explore at your own pace, but compare the best prices for car rental in Penang first.
