33 Things to Do in Penang (& What Not to Do)
👉 Jump to: Best Things | Sites & Attractions | Food & Drink | Outdoors & Beaches | Unique & Cool | Tips What NOT to Do
I travel full time and have visited, and lived in, so many places in South East Asia. Penang remains one of my favorites. So to help you totally rock your visit to this island in Malaysia, I’ve created this epic list of what I think are the essential stuff to do in Penang.
Do you think you can hit all 33? 😉
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33 Fun Things to Do in Penang
Explore Street Art in George Town
📍 Google Maps | Free | Note: some street art installations are likely to have queues
If there is one thing that Penang’s George Town is famous for, it is the street art plastered all over buildings and walls across the town.
The above photo of children on a bicycle is likely the most famous street art in George Town, but there are dozens of works to be found all over the city (use this useful street art map)!
👉 Pro tip: To find the most street art in Penang, I suggest wandering the area around Lebuh Armenian and Lebuh Acheh streets. It’s fun and free!
Relax at Monkey Beach
📍 Google Maps | Free entrance (boats from 100 RM) | Take a Grab taxi or Bus 101 from Georgetown
Monkey Beach is a secluded beach buried inside Penang National Park – it’s the sort of stunning beach you’d find in Thailand, but without the crowds.
You can’t drive here, so you’ll need to either take a boat from the entrance to the national park (cost is around RM 50 per boat) or brave the 1.5-2 hour hike through the jungle to reach the beach.
Once there, kick back and enjoy a drink while relaxing at one of Monkey Beach’s shack bars. There are even very basic huts that you can rent and stay overnight!
Hike Penang National Park
📍 Google Maps | Phone: +60 4 881 3530 | Website | Take a Grab taxi or bus 101 from Georgetown
It may be the smallest national park in Malaysia but it packs a punch.
Penang National Park is located on the northwest tip of the island and offers several great hiking trails through the jungle, most of which will spit you out on one of the park’s many secluded beaches!
Be sure to pack extra water for your hike, and consider camping overnight in some of the huts available on the beaches.
👉 Short on Time? If you’re trying to cover all the best stuff to do in a day or two in Penang, it’s going to be hard unless you have a car. I’d suggest you check out this highly rated private tour on Viator, which you can customize to take you where you want to go.
Take a Street Food Tour
One of the best things about Penang is that it sits at a cultural intersection, with at least three major ethnic groups (Malay, Chinese, and Indian).
Nowhere is this more on display than in the famous food scene of Penang! From street food to fine dining, Penang is a culinary tapestry just waiting to be explored.
Since there are so many options, many tourists to Penang choose to take a guided food tour with a street food expert. This is a case where a guided tour makes a lot of sense to me – they help you to sample only the best food stations and can also help avoid any nasty tummy surprises later.
The two best reviewed Penang street food tours are:
- 👉 Georgetown Dinner Hop Tour – a tour led by a super knowledgeable local expert. This is the highest-rated food tour in Penang.
- 👉 Georgetown 4 Hour Food Tour – this one has over a hundred perfect reviews and earned Viator’s coveted Badge of Excellence.
Happy eating!
Brave the Top at Komtar
📍 Google Maps | Phone: +60 17 289 0366 | Website | ~$20 USD for The Top / Rainbow Skywalk Combo Ticket
This is probably my personal pick for the absolute best way to spend a few hours in Penang!
The Top at the Komtar is an entertainment complex at the pinnacle of a skyscraper loaded with great views and lots of fun (if a tad cheesy) attractions. You can walk out over the glass “Rainbow Walkway” or sit and have a drink on the excellent rooftop (a great place to watch the sunset in Penang).
If you’re the daring type, you can even walk around the outside of the tower on a ropes course!
I suggest you come in the afternoon and stay for a drink on the roof at sunset!
Tour the Cheong Fatt Tze Blue Mansion
📍 Google Maps | Phone: +60 4 262 0006 | Website | 👉 Book Cheong Fatt Tze Hotel on Booking
This charming mansion once belonged to a 19th-century Chinese industrialist so famous he was nicknamed by The New York Times “The Rockefeller of the East.”
A major renovation in the 1990s won the Cheong Fatt Tze Blue Mansion UNESCO status, and the gorgeous interior of this heritage hotel has served as the set for multiple movies – including the mahjong scene in the blockbuster Crazy Rich Asians.
Tours run at 11 AM, 2 PM, and 3:30 PM.
You can book your ticket here for about $6 USD. Or for a real treat, book a stay for a night in the Mansion.
Sites & Attractions
Climb to the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Waterfall Temple
📍 Google Maps | Hours: 6 am – 12 pm, 4:30 pm – 9 pm daily
You’ll have to climb 513 stairs, but you’ll be rewarded with some time to explore a fascinating Hindu temple honoring the deity Murugan.
And you’ll also be treated to spectacular views of the Georgetown skyline in the distance.
Marvel at a “Floating Mosque”
📍 Google Maps | Phone: +60 12 405 1324 | Hours: 5 am – 6 pm | Free entrance, boats from 57 RM
The Tanjung Bungah Mosque occupies a unique position suspended out over the ocean, leading it to earn the nickname “the Floating Mosque.”
Only about a decade old, the structure is impressive due to its unique backdrop of views of the city and the ocean.
Be respectful, and refrain from visiting during prayers.
Check Out St. George’s Church
St. George’s Church was founded in 1818 and is the oldest Anglican church in Southeast Asia.
While St. George’s Church is a relatively small structure compared to more famous houses of worship in Europe, it’s an important historic site and conveniently located in the downtown Georgetown area. 15 minutes is plenty for a quick visit to snap some photos, and then from there, you can easily walk to the next attraction on this list …
Visit the Kek Lok Si Temple
📍 Google Maps | Phone: +60 4 828 3317 | Website | Hours: 8:30 am – 5:30 pm daily | Cost: free entrance, but 3 RM for lift, 2 RM for pagoda
One of the largest Chinese Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia, Kek Lok Si is definitely one of the top Penang attractions on the island.
To reach Kek Lok Si, you’ll need to take a small walk up followed by a quick lift ride (cost 3 RM). For a real treat, you can trek all the way to the pagoda at the top for some incredible views. Here’s a report with some more details on how to visit.
Explore Penang’s Little India
One of the most wonderful things about traveling to Penang is the incredible mixture of cultures on this charming island. And the best place in Penang to get a taste of that multiculturalism is in Little India.
Wander the streets and just take in the sites, the smells, and the sounds. Browse local vendors, try some street food, and just generally get lost in the bustling ambiance of Little India.
👉 Pro trip: visit Little India in the evening for a different vibe.
Visit the Clan Jetties of Penang
📍 Google Maps | Phone: +60 19 593 5333 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 9 pm daily
What’s a clan jetty?
Well, I’m glad you asked: clan jetties are basically stilted villages perched out over the water. There are several of them very near each other on George Town’s east coast, and they are an important part of Penang’s heritage.
Chew Jetty is the most famous and most tourist friendly attraction, with lots of vendors and shops. Next door you’ll find Tan Jetty (pictured above), which is probably the most photogenic of the bunch.
Each clan jetty has a different feel, so try to check a few out.
Wander Colonial Georgetown
Another great free thing to do in Penang is to simply wander George Town’s colonial old town.
The entire area was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008 and simply strolling the streets, admiring the architecture, and taking in the attractions is a can’t-miss bucket list item for any visitor to George Town.
Wander Fort Cornwallis
📍 Google Maps | Phone: +60 16 411 0000 | Hours: 8 am – 8 pm Wed-Mon, 8 am 7 pm Tue | Cost: 20 RM for foreigners
Built by the British East India Company in the late 1700s, For Cornwallis is the largest remaining fort in Malaysia. Still, you have to keep your expectations in check: if you’re used to forts from Europe or Latin America, you may be a little underwhelmed.
Nonetheless, its easy to access location in George Town makes it worthy of consideration as a quick stop.
Visit the Masjid Kapitan Keling Mosque
📍 Google Maps | Phone: +60 4 261 4215 | Hours: 5 am – 10 pm daily
A stunning mosque located in the heart of George Town, Masjid Kapitan Keling Mosque was built by Indian Muslim traders over 200 years ago. It was an important part of George Town’s successful bid for UNESCO World Heritage status.
The mosque is a place to visit in Penang that you should definitely at least walk by to admire from the outside. While visitors inside are permitted, you’ll need to make sure you are properly attired.
Visit the Goddess of Mercy Temple
📍 Google Maps | Phone: +60 4 226 2645 | Hours: 7 am – 7 pm daily | Free
I tried to limit the amount of temples on this list, as otherwise, it might just become a list of temples in Penang!
But, still, the Goddess of Mercy Temple has a unique style and is definitely worth a quick visit.
Food & Drink
Eat at a Hawker Market
There are way too many hawker street food markets and stalls in Penang to list them all, but you definitely should try hawker food on your visit. Here is a good rundown of some of the best hawker stalls in Penang.
Oh, and be sure to try Char Koay Teow – the pad Thai-like noodle dish that is famous in Penang!
Try a Rollney
📍 Google Maps | Phone: +60 12 458 1985 | Hours: 10:30 am – 10 pm daily
Rollney is a unique dessert creation that both locals and visitors alike go crazy for.
The creators at Rollney take Kurtos Kalocs (which is essentially Hungarian chimney cake) and put their own twist on it by turning the cake into an ice cream cone. Trust me when I say your taste buds will be watering!
Try Some Durian
You’re either going to love it or you’re going to hate it. But there is only one way to find out! If you’ve never heard of it, durian is a local fruit that is uber-popular in Southeast Asia. But here’s the thing: it reeks. Really badly. So badly that most hotels and public places ban durians!
Still, many locals find the sweet fruit completely irresistible – and maybe you will too! You can find street vendors selling pieces of durian all over the island, and it’s definitely something you should try while in Penang.
Just be sure to ask for a plastic glove to eat it so you don’t get the smell on your hands!
Hangout at the Junk Cafe
📍 Google Maps | Phone: +60 12 455 4244 | Hours: 4 pm – 2 am daily, Closed Mon
Depending on how you look at it, the Junk Cafe either feels like a bar and restaurant inside an old antique shop, or what it must be like to attend a party at a hoarder’s house.
The eclectic interior of the Junk Cafe makes it a great place to visit in Penang in its own right, but the food and drinks are also on point!
Party Like a Backpacker on Georgetown’s Love Lane
Sure, Malaysia generally isn’t exactly known as a party destination. Alcohol is much too expensive and restricted for that.
But, still, the nightlife area around the intersection of Love Lane and Chulia Street could give just about any other backpacker district in Southeast Asia a run for its money!
Look out for happy hour specials to keep the cost of drinking as reasonable as possible.
Try the Best Falafel Ever at Vegan Falafel Penang
📍 Google Maps (Next to Reggae Club) | Cost: RM 10-15
Ok, maybe I’m being a bit over-the-top here. But I’m a vegetarian and I’ve tried a lot of falafels in my life.
And none of them hold a candle to the fresh, made-in-front-of-you offerings at Vegan Falafel Penang, a small vendor you’ll find next to the Reggae Club on Chulia Street.
I was so smitten by the dish that I went back multiple times and yet was always too distracted to even take a photo!
Update: I’m clearly not the only one who thinks this is the best falafel ever – just check out the reviews on Google and you’ll find many who have visited because of this guide and expressed their agreement!
Grab a Drink at Pokok
📍 Google Maps | Phone: +60 12 545 6152 | Website | Hours: 4 pm – 2 am
There are lots of cool bars along Chulia Street, but my favorite bar in George Town is Pokok. It’s got a large open air outdoor seating space and a funky second-floor interior space.
Best yet, most nights you’ll be treated to live music. Definitely, a great place to chill in the evenings in Penang.
Take a Malaysian Cooking Class
Instead of spending your money on souvenirs and trinkets, which you’ll never use after your Malaysia vacation, why not take back a skill instead?
Spending an evening learning how to make traditional Malay food is definitely a unique experience in Penang! You can book a private Malaysian cooking class with Chef Samuel here. He’ll also take you to a wet market, which is another unique Penang experience to check off your list!
Outdoors & Beaches
Ascend Penang Hill
📍 Google Maps | Hours: 6:30 AM to 11 PM (last train from top station) | Cost: Adults RM 16, Children RM 8 roundtrip
This next item also involves a bit of an ascent (sensing a trend here?), but at least this time you have the option to be whisked to the top of Penang Hill in a funicular!
This funicular track is the longest and steepest in Asia and will take you to the top of this former colonial hill station, where you’ll be able to take in some incredible views of the island. You can pre-purchase your funicular tickets here.
You can also hike Penang Hill if you prefer (get ready to sweat!)
Go Cycling in The Countryside
Penang isn’t all about Georgetown! The island is huge and filled with green countryside that has a labyrinth of side roads, alleys, and paths. The best way to see it is to just grab a bike and start exploring!
If you want someone else to handle the hassle for you, this highly rated cycling tour will pick you up at your hotel, give you a bike, and take you biking to all the best spots. At less than $30 USD per person, it’s a pretty affordable activity!
Chill Out at Batu Ferringhi Beach
The Batu Ferringhi Beach is probably the most popular beach in Penang, and it is certainly the most accessible Penang beach.
The beachfront itself offers really nice sand and decent if not perfectly clear, water. You can partake in various water-sports activities here: jetski rentals, banana boat rides, and parasailing vendors are easy to find throughout the beach.
There are also a small handful of beach bars – Bora Bora being the most popular.
Explore the Tropical Spice Garden
📍 Google Maps | Phone: +60 12 423 6797 | Website | Cost: Adults 55 RM (Guided) or 30 RM (Audio)
Who knew that plants could be so interesting? At the Tropical Spice Garden, a popular eco-friendly attraction, you can stroll through a garden showcasing 500+ species of herbs and spices.
Guided tours are available, or you can take it at your own pace with an audio tour. And for a special treat, book one of their special night tours to see the garden in a different light.
Fly Away to the Entopia Butterfly Garden
📍 Google Maps | Phone: +60 4 888 8111 | Website | Cost: Adult RM 75, Child RM 65
Wondering where to go in Penang with your children?
Pay a visit to the Entopia butterfly farm, where you’ll find Natureland – an indoor living garden filled not just with butterflies but with all kinds of invertebrates.
You can also visit the garden’s “Cocoon,” a two floor learning center perfect for the younger folk.
Unique & Cool
Take a Trishaw Ride
This is definitely one of the coolest activities in Penang.
A trishaw is basically a type of traditional rickshaw where bicyclists push you in a chariot.
Although no longer really a traditional way of getting around Penang, you can find trishaw drivers offering you rides around George Town’s old town and even in the Batu Ferringhi area. Sure, it’s a little corny but it’s a fun and unique experience to have in Penang!
Go Crazy at the Upside Down Museum
📍 Google Maps | Phone: +60 4 264 2660 | Cost: RM 30
Your friends will wonder how you got those crazy shots of you standing on the ceiling!
Sure, it’s a bit of a touristy attraction, but there’s no denying the appeal of the Upside Down Museum in Georgetown.
This quirky mini-museum is filled with exhibits where everything is – you guessed it – upside down! The museum staff are happy to help you take photos (that’s kinda the whole point, right?).
Confuse Your Camera at the 3D Trick Art Museum
📍 Google Maps | Phone: +60 4 263 1628 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 6 pm | Cost: RM 28 Adults, RM 18 Children
Penang really loves its gimmicky museums (you can find a museum for everything from durian to chocolate to glowing in the dark in Penang), but this one gets some of the best reviews.
You’ll find various exhibits playing with perspective and perfect for shooting some fun photographs to post on social media and show all your friends back home what a good time you are having in Malaysia 🙂
Go Shopping at Batu Ferringhi Night Market
📍 Google Maps | Phone: +60 18 283 4117 | Hours: 7 pm – 10 pm Mon-Thu, 7 pm – 11 pm Fri-Sun
Let me be honest: night markets aren’t really one of my favorite activities and I didn’t truly love this one in Penang either.
But the Batu Ferringhi Night Market definitely is widely considered one of the top places to visit in Penang, so I’m including it here nonetheless. Starting around sunset every evening, you’ll find vendors lining the road selling nearly every type of trinket or clothing imaginable.
Tips for What NOT to Do in Penang
Penang is a pretty awesome travel destination, so to be honest there really isn’t a lot in Penang that isn’t worth at least checking out.
But, still, I’ve got 3 quick tips for what not to do in Penang that can help you avoid some travel mistakes:
#1 – Don’t Stay On the Southern or Western Parts of Penang Island
You’ll find some cheap hotels there and, while there is nothing wrong with these parts of the island unless you are staying for a longer period of time or have a compelling reason, I think it’s best to stay in the northern part of the island around Georgetown.
Check out my article on Where to Stay in Penang for a breakdown of the different regions of the island, or just book at one of my top recommended hotels:
- 🏨 Best Overall Hotel in Penang – Cheong Fatt Tze Blue Mansion
- 👔 Best Business Hotel in Penang – Vouk Hotel Suites
- ✨ Best Luxury Hotel – Eastern & Oriental Hotel
- 🏖️ Best Beach Resort in Penang – Rasa Sayang
- 🛏️ Best Budget Hotel in Penang – Areca Hotel
Read my full guide to the best Penang hotels.
#2 – Don’t Be a Disrespectful Tourist (Especially in Old Town Georgetown)
One of the great things about Penang is that there are so many photogenic places, especially in Georgetown’s Old Town.
But this has led to bad behavior from many tourists, whose obsessions with getting the right shot lead them to put themselves or others in danger or to disrespect the culture of where they are.
For example, when you are in the Clan Jetties, remember that people live there! Be as courteous and considerate of that as you would if you were in your own neighborhood back home!
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Have fun in Penang! Next up, see Laura’s 2-week Malaysia itinerary.
Hi, am tossing up whether to go to Langkawi (and if I do go there where to stay), or should we stay at a beach area of Georgetown?
Hi Amanda – I love Penang, but I do think the beaches in Langkawi are better. For Penang, I have this guide to where to stay. I’ve only been to Langkawi once and am not as familiar with it, but you can find some top hotels here.
I hope you enjoy Malaysia!
-Nate
Hey Nate I think you forgot to mention the botanical gardens with it splendid refreshing waterfalls
Thanks, this has confirmed my destination of choise for my stop off in malaysia en route to NZ. Any tips for meeting people as a solo traveller in Penang?
If you want to meet people, I suggest staying in a hostel or joining group tours (food tours or walking tours). If you’re comfortable alone, Penang is perfectly safe and enjoyable to navigate as a solo traveler.
Hey Nate! This is a fantastic list. Just FYI – the avatar secret garden now seems to be closed. Not sure when you went, but you may want to consider removing it and adding something else instead ☺️
Thank you Emilie!
Nice article! I was amused by the secret garden and wanna check it out next week when I was around Penang. Googled it and saw that it was closed (Aw~ Sad!) You are lucky to be able to catch it before it closed man!
Great article.
We’re going to Penang May 2023. Love your hotel recommendations. We were already booked at Blue Mansion (2 nights) and Shangri-La (2 nights). Can’t wait to try the food. We’ve noted the highlights to visit. Thank-you
Thanks Kathleen! You’ll love the Blue Mansion. So pretty! I hope you enjoy Penang 🙂
I’ve been in Penang a number of times over the years. My favorite past time is ‘eating’. It’s hard to beat the quality of foods and the prices. I do Indian just about every day. The best Indian is in Tanjung Bungah right next to a great Lebonese restaurant.
Gus Gaster
Yes, the food is amazing in Penang! I’ll have to try that spot on my next visit 🙂
Penang
A beautiful place that I will never forget.
You quality pics are impressive
Thanks for all this content! It’s been really useful in planning out my trip 🙂
Thanks for the brilliant listing, some amazing recommendations i would never know about. We are here at present….
I like this website. I am going to Penang on Thursday and now I know what to do in Penang!
Love this website! Gave me some good ideas on where to go in Penang!
Thanks Aanya! I hope you enjoy visiting Penang! It’s a lovely place for sure.
Penang is the best place for quality food and affordable lifestyle.
I spend a few weeks there.
I wish to visit that amazing place again.
Thanks for your amazing content and your photos are interesting.